Bavarian Legends: 15 Best BMWs Ever Made

2. BMW Isetta

Facing financial doom with their expensive, unpopular line of premium models, BMW had to think fast. They needed to find a product that could sell with significant profit. BMW motorcycle products were always popular with European buyers, so management thought it was a profitable direction to take. In the post-war years, most customers could only dream of owning a proper car. There were plenty of micro-car companies that sold smaller, less expensive models than BMW.

One of those companies was Italy’s Iso, which produced the tiny Isetta. BMW liked the product, so they bought the license. They thoroughly re-engineered the car, installing a motorcycle engine. They presented the original BMW Isetta in 1955. At first, it came with a 250cc engine, but later they added bigger 300 and 600cc engines.

Despite its funny looks, the Isetta was a capable little car that soon became popular with economy car buyers. In just seven years of production, BMW managed to sell more than 160,000 copies, keeping the company afloat. However, the BMW lineup was somewhat confusing to the average car buyer. On one hand, the company produced high-end automobiles, but on the other hand, they offered inexpensive microcars. Even with the Isetta’s success, BMW was still losing money in the early 1960’s, facing bankruptcy.

3. BMW Neue Klasse

In early 1960s, it looked like the end of the road for BMW. Their creditors and shareholders wanted them to close the factory and sell their assets sold. This is because car buyers didn’t find BMW products interesting enough. But, the famous German industrialist, Herbert Quandt knew that there was potential in BMW. So in the early 60’s, he bought the company and paid off its debts.

Next, Quandt invested heavily in a new lineup he called the “Neue Klasse” or New Class. Emerging from the BMW factory in 1962, the Neue Klasse consisted of performance-oriented, affordable and cleverly-designed sedans, putting BMW back on their feet. The most popular of them all was the E10, which people commonly called the 02 Series. BMW introduced the Neue Klasse in 1966. Their nimble two-door sedan offered unmatched handling and lively performance at an affordable price.

It became a market hit in Europe and in the United States. At first, it started its life as a 1.6L-powered car, but with the addition of a 2-liter engine, the 2002 became the quintessential enthusiast’s car. It was also the basis for the upcoming 3 Series, which is the most popular BMW model to this day. The sales of the 02 Series enabled BMW to expand its lineup to more exclusive E3 and E9 sedans and coupes. It also rebranded the company, thanks to numerous wins in rallies and circuit races throughout Europe.

The 02 Series also succeeded in the famous American Trans Am championship. This little car marked the rebirth of BMW as a brand and as the definition of a compact, sports-oriented sedan. It was the first modern BMW featuring powerful engines, precision steering and engaging handling. The 02 Series has appealed to driving enthusiasts all over the world.

4. BMW 5 Series E12

After the extraordinary success of the Neue Klasse and compact 02 Series, BMW decided to apply the winning formula to bigger models. They introduced a new lineup of mid-size premium sedans with modern technology and sporty aspirations. So, in 1972, they presented the all-new 5 Series. Back in the early 1970’s, mid-size sedans were dull, family vehicles, both in Europe and in America. Nobody expected a car with sharp handling, high-revving engines, a driver-oriented cockpit and precise steering.

But the new 5 Series was exactly that, so it caused a stir among car fans. BMW managed to introduce the concept of sporty sedans to the general market. The first 5 Series lasted until 1981 and proved to be immensely important for BMW. It defined the segment, introduced the brand to a whole new army of buyers and influenced all later 5 Series. Even today, when most of world’s manufacturers had entered the sporty sedan class, the 5 Series is still in a class of its own.

5. BMW 6 Series E24

BMW introduced their new 6 Series in 1976. It was BMW’s entry into the Gran Turismo market. It was also one of the most elegant coupes of the period. It had a recognizable design, four headlights and a big BMW grille. BMW built the 6 Series on the 5 Series basis, but the 6 Series featured only powerful six-cylinder engines.

The idea behind this model was to offer a luxurious cruiser with the elegance of a thoroughbred bespoke coupe. However, it would also bring the comfort of a sedan and the performance of a sports car. The 6 Series was a success, opening the doors to the exclusive coupe segment for BMW.

The 6 Series proved to be popular and spent over 13 years on the market. BMW managed to produce over 100,000 vehicles, which are still sought-after models on the used car market. Interestingly, more than half of the car BMW produced they sold in the U.S.

6. BMW M1

The M1 was not a commercial success because BMW only sold in only 453 copies. However, this limited production of sports cars was tremendously important for the brand and for BMW’s future. This was the first model BMW’s famed M Motorsport division designed and produced, which was previously only responsible for racing cars. Enjoying a long period of commercial success, BMW thought that it would be appropriate to enter the exclusive sports car market. They planned to do that with a specially-designed model that would show the potential of BMW’s technology and signature style.

Basically, BMW needed a halo car and they planned to use the M1 to do just that. However, since BMW didn’t have the experience and know-how to create a limited-production advanced sports car, they turned to Lamborghini. At first, it looked like the deal was successful, but Lamborghini didn’t deliver on time. BMW had to disband their partnership and finish the project themselves. Finally, they introduced the M1 in 1978, and it was one of the biggest premieres of the year.

The heart of this sports car was BMW’s famous M88 six-cylinder engine with 3.5 liters of displacement. It also included advanced fuel injection technology, producing 273 HP. This was a high number for the standards of the day. The M1 was a mid-engined car and the handling was sublime, performing better than most of the competitors.

But BMW wanted to go racing, so soon they introduced the M1 racing car. But, despite all the qualities and the fantastic design, the M1 wasn’t successful. It was expensive and unavailable in some markets. BMW’s lack of reputation in the sports car class proved to be fatal. So, in 1981 they discontinued this model.

7. BMW 7 Series E23

BMW’s idea of a sporty sedan proved to be perfect for the 5 Series in the early 1970’s. The company decided to enter the full-size luxury sedan market. Back then, the Mercedes Benz S Class (W116) and U.S. counterparts like Cadillac and Lincoln dominated the market. This was one of BMW’s biggest challenges: to construct a luxurious car that was comfortable, but still handled like a performance car.

So, in 1977, BMW introduced the first 7 Series with the chassis code E23. The car successfully merged comfort and luxury with performance and precision driving. Although BMW wasn’t active in the full-size sedan class, the new 7 Series set the standards for all other cars in the segment. Also, the 7 Series was one of the most advanced cars available because it was one of the first cars to feature a board computer.

The E23 stayed on the market for 10 years, successfully establishing BMW in the most prestigious class in the automobile market. It also set the template for later 7 Series cars, and even for the current, high-tech, super-luxury M760Li.

8. BMW 3 Series E30

BMW introduced the first 3 Series in 1975 with the chassis code E21. Its successor, the E30 was the definitive compact BMW and the bestselling BMW up to that point. The E30 defined the 3 Series better than any model before or since. It also declared BMW as the true king of compact sporty sedans.

BMW presented the E30 in 1982. It was a new model with an updated platform, design and components. It offered a high-quality drivetrain and a long list of engines and optional extras. The secret of E30’s success was its package. BMW carefully crafted every component, so they worked with the rest of the car in perfect harmony.

The car was light, well built, performed well and offered uncompromised driving dynamics at an affordable price. With a selection of powerful six-cylinder engines for discriminating buyers, the E30 could outperform other more expensive models. On the other hand, BMW offered five distinctive body styles, numerous versions and even an all-wheel drive option. The most famous BMW 3 Series car was the BMW M3. It was a homologation special BMW introduced in 1986.

The M3 featured numerous changes over the standard E30 coupe. It had a performance-tuned suspension, gearbox and 2.3-liter inline-four engine. The M3 was the first 3 Series that received the M Motorsport treatment. It eventually became a legend on the road and on the race tracks. In fact, the M3 E30 is the most successful touring car ever to race in the history of motorsports.

9. BMW 8 Series

The late 1980’s was a great period for BMW. The company escaped their financial problems from the early 60’s. Their lineup consisted of modern, well-respected machinery. People recognized BMW as one of the best luxury and performance manufacturers in the world. But, the company wanted another flagship coupe to show its technical dominance.

So, in 1989 they introduced the new 8 Series. It wasn’t a replacement for the aging 6 Series coupe. In fact, it was a new model BMW conceived as the best Gran Turismo coupe in the world. The design and platform were new, as well as the engine. The 8 Series featured advanced V8 and V12 engines.

They filled the car with advanced technical solutions and electronic systems. They also added top-of-the-line hardware, luxury details and acres of the finest leather. The big coupe lasted on the market until 1999. While it wasn’t a big commercial success for the company, it was one of the finest cars BMW ever produced. Today, it is a true future car classic.

10. BMW Z3

Throughout their 90-year-old history, BMW had numerous coupes and convertibles in production. However, those true roadsters were scarce in BMW’s lineup. In the early 90’s, when the Mazda Miata conquered the world of small, affordable convertibles, BMW decided to enter the market with a roadster of its own.

BMW used the E36 Compact 3 Series platform and the rear suspension from the old E30, covering it with a sexy open-top body to create the first Z3 model. The result was a stylish convertible with two seats. They also offered a lineup of potent four and six-cylinder engines. The Z3’s lightweight provided great driving dynamics. The car was significantly more expensive than the Miata, but also much faster and more luxurious.

They released the Z3 in 1996 in the middle of Roadster Renaissance to an eager audience. It was one of the bestsellers in its class and a benchmark model in the performance and handling department. The Z3 was especially popular in America. Interestingly it was the first BMW solely produced in the new South Carolina factory. Also, the appearance in the James Bond movie, Golden Eye, helped its popularity, too.

11. BMW X5

Some people may think the BMW X5 doesn’t deserve to be on this list of the most significant Bavarian models, but this car is important for modern BMWs. Without the highly successful SUV range started by the X5, the BMW as drivers know it today wouldn’t be possible. Also, this car shows BMW’s ability to adapt to market changes and turn them in their favor. Everything started in the mid-90’s when SUV popularity started to grow. Mercedes had introduced the first ML and BMW realized the future of luxury cars was in that segment.

So, they took the 5 Series platform, added intelligent all-wheel drive, raised the suspension and topped it off with a new SUV body. It had an unmistakably BMW design, plenty of space and luxury features. The result was an instant success and thousands of buyers lined up to pay their deposits. They presented the all-new X5 in 1999. It was an amazing achievement for a company that never produced an SUV model before.

Like all modern SUVs, the X5 wasn’t off-road ready or for harsh terrain. But it was still good enough to tackle everyday driving challenges. It also offered advanced safety in extreme conditions. The magazine testers praised its almost sports car handling, which was and still is unique in the SUV class.

12. BMW M3 E46

After the legendary E30 M3, BMW invested a lot of time, effort and resources in developing all later M versions of their 3 Series. In October of 2000, they introduced the E46 M3. It featured an all-new engine, drivetrain and components, making it one of the finest BMW M cars. Car fans considered it the perfect driving machine.

All M cars are a blast to drive, but the E46 M3 was a big improvement over the E36 M3 from the ’90s. It was also one of the last analog sports cars people could buy. It came with a 343 HP straight six-cylinder engine, an almost ideal weight distribution and a six-speed manual transmission.

Delivering a respectable performance, the E46 M3 soon won the hearts of car enthusiasts all over the world. It was a sales success and is now one of the best secondhand performance cars you can buy.

13. BMW 5 Series E60

The early 2000s were turbulent times for BMW, but not because their models sold poorly or because the company was losing ground. BMW was better than ever with a great lineup of new models and rising sales. The turbulence came from the inside. The designer team Chris Bangle managed fought with the conservatives among the executives of the company. Chris Bangle proposed a bold new style that was reminiscent of the classic BMW look.

However, their old-school managers wanted to continue producing elegant, somewhat restrained luxury machines. Eventually, Bangle won, so he and his team of brave designers influenced all those early 2000’s models. They started with the 7 Series, continuing to the E60 5 Series, which they introduced in 2004. The biggest selling point of this car is its design, which is still a bit controversial.

It was clearly a BMW, but with concave lines, strange shapes and an unfamiliar fascia. The design team took a big gamble with their design, but soon the market proved them right. The BMW 5 Series E60 even managed to outsell its biggest competitor, the Mercedes E Class.

14. BMW 2 Series

Despite the advances of modern engineering, BMWs have started to grow in size and weight over the years. This affected the most important characteristics of this brand, which are the handling and driving dynamics. All cars in this segment had gained weight, becoming big luxury machines. However, BMW couldn’t let that happen to a brand that was once a synonym for light, precise performance cars.

The solution was simple. They would go back to their roots and introduce a smaller, lighter car. It would be a basic BMW model they affectionately called the 2 Series. Slotted below the 3 Series, the 2 Series replaced the 1 Series with a fresh design. It also had a new platform and a lineup of powerful, turbocharged engines.

The idea was to produce a modern variant of the legendary classic New Klasse 02 Series from the 60’s. With smaller weight and more power, the 2 Series hit the mark, proving to the car world that BMW still knew how to make a proper compact performance car. For those who need more, there is the sublime M2 with 370 HP. It offers fantastic handling and aggressive styling, raising its chance to dethrone the E46 M3 as the dream car for BMW enthusiasts.

15. BMW i8

As a company on the verge of bankruptcy a couple of times in its history, BMW is aware of the importance of looking at future trends. The biggest trend in the last couple of years includes hybrids and electric cars, so BMW produced the i Series, offering hybrid drivetrains in most of its models. But, the icing on the cake is the BMW i8 sports car.

You can easily think of the i8 as a spaceship from another planet since this car makes an impression with its futuristic design and technology. This is a hybrid-powered, mid-engined sports car with fantastic performance and sublime looks, yet it is environmentally friendly. Entering the car world in 2014, the i8 was an immediate sales success. The company never anticipated such popularity that caused waiting lists at least one year long.

They conceived the i8 as something of a rolling experiment in new technology, as well as an homage to the BMW 507, M1 or 8 Series, and all the forward-thinking models of the past. The i8 shows that spirit of exclusivity and uniqueness. BMW had the courage to present something new and advanced and continue to do so.

These are the top Bavarian legends and the 15 best BMWs ever made. Have you picked your favorite from this list yet? Any of these cars would be a great addition to your garage, but you’d better act fast. They will become harder to find and more expensive as time continues.