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Law & Order on Wheels: 20 Coolest Police Cars in the World

Vukasin Herbez June 26, 2018

Ever since cars became common street décor, one of their first major uses was for law enforcement purposes. Police work became more efficient and response times faster when the officers were in a car. Soon, the police car was a mandatory piece of equipment almost as important as the badge and the gun. Over the years, the concept of a police cruiser advanced far beyond just a sedan with lights on top.

Modern police cars are more of a police station on wheels than just transport.They come with police scanners, computers and communication equipment. They provide safe storage for weapons and back seats where criminals cannot escape. However, different places in the world have different police cars. While some countries don’t need fast, powerful vehicles, in some countries, police drive muscle cars, exotics, and high-priced performance sedans.

Here is a list of the coolest police cars from around the world. All these cars are real and some of them are still in use. Some are retired, but all of them left a mark on the community. Although their jobs can be dangerous, at least some cops get to drive cool cars on daily basis.

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  1. Dubai Police Force Exotic Cars Fleet

The insanely rich yet tiny Middle Eastern Dubai emirate is home to some of wildest supercars and exotics collections. This is the place where seeing three Ferraris at a random stop light is a daily occurrence. There, they casually park their Bugattis on the streets. That is why the local police force formed a special unit that drives only the most expensive, high-end models in their recognizable white and green color.

Currently, there is an Aston Martin One-77, Lamborghini Aventador, Ferrari FF, Bugatti Veyron, Bentley Continental, Mercedes SLS and several high-priced exotics in Dubai`s police force fleet. This makes them the most expensive police cars in the world.

Those models are not for everyday police work, but mostly for promotional purposes, national holidays, parades and or part of high-speed motorcades. However, all of those supercars are ready to speed down the desert highways with flashing lights in pursuit of dangerous criminals.

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  1. The First Official Police Muscle Car – AMC Javelin AMX

Today’s law enforcement agencies use various vehicles in their patrols and other duties. But back in the days of original muscle cars, police cruisers were big, slow sedans. Detroit was producing fast cars capable of achieving high speeds and outrunning the police. Yet the cops still used large, heavy four-door cars.

But, in 1971, the Alabama State Troopers saw the need for fast, capable patrol cars to chase suspects. The cars also needed to be equipped with regular police equipment with enough space for two officers and their gear. After a short search, they decided to purchase an AMC Javelin AMX with 401 V8 engine and 335 HP.

If you are not familiar with this model, here’s just a short history lesson. The American Motors Company (AMC) was an independent car manufacturer they closed in 1987. They produced mostly economy cars, as well as a couple of muscle cars, with the Javelin being their most popular offering.

The Alabama State Troopers chose this car since it was one of the most affordable muscle cars available. They ended up buying 133 Javelins to use during the 70’s. This was the first time an official police force used a true muscle car. As many retired officers will testify, the Javelin proved to be the best choice for those highway chases.

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  1. Carabinieri Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio

Italy’s Carabinieri is a special Police force people respect all over the world. The members of the Carabinieri force go through tough, military-type training and are authorized to use deadly force at all times. They also have the best-designed uniforms in the police world and they drive Alfas.

In fact, the love affair between the Carabinieri and the Alfa Romeo dates to the 1950’s. This was when Alfas were the fastest mass-produced four-door sedans in Italy. Over the years, Alfas became signature cars. But, it was the introduction of the new Giulia Quadrifoglio that took the patrol car concept to another level.

With a 2.9-liter twin turbo V6 engine from a Ferrari, 505 HP and 0 to 60 mph times of just 3.9 seconds, the new Giulia Quadrifoglio is one of the fastest sedans on the planet. Dressed in gorgeous dark blue, white and red with flashing lights on the top, this car has to be intimidating knowing who is behind the wheel.

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  1. Dodge Polara

American police cars are interesting since they feature full-size body styles, powerful engines and tough mechanics. One of most respected classic police cars was the Dodge Polara 440 from the late 1960’s. All the full-size Chrysler models got fantastic new styling for 1969, affecting all brands from Dodge to Imperial.

This new design Dodge called the fuselage design featured rounded sides, a longer and wider body and a modern look. So, for 1969, they redesigned the Dodge Polara, making it better than ever. Since they introduced the new Polara in the height of the muscle car craze, the 440 V8 with 375 HP was the best choice.

Many law enforcement agencies bought the 440 powered Polara for the ruggedness and power. There are still some retired officers who claim the 1969 Polara with the 440 engine was the best patrol car Dodge ever built.

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  1. Lexus IS-F

The luxurious Lexus is not a common choice for police cars. However, the officers in England use the IS-F for everyday patrol, highway pursuits and high-speed responses. And if you think of it for a moment, their choice seems logical. The IS-F is a compact luxury sedan with four doors and high revving 5.0-liter V8 in the front.

With 417 HP and 0 to 60 mph time of 4.7 seconds, it is as fast as most sports cars and faster than everyday family sedans. The impressive performance makes it a good choice for almost all police needs. Since the Lexus is less expensive than the comparable BMW, Mercedes or Jaguar, it is easier on law enforcement budgets, as well as on UK taxpayers.

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  1. Autobahnpolizei Porsche 911

The Autobahnpolizei is a German term that stands for the Highway Police force. It is common in Germany, Austria and other German-speaking parts of Switzerland. Germany has vast networks of highways, most of which have no speed limits. There is a need for strong, well-equipped patrol cars capable of maintaining high speeds.

For decades, the Autobahnpolizei used Porsches for their patrol cars. The white and green color scheme became a normal sighting on Germany’s roads. The Porsche 911s the Autobahnpolizei uses comes with a heavy-duty suspension and brakes and the latest communication equipment. Also, they use the Porsche 911 as a high-speed pursuit car in Belgium and Netherlands, as well.

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  1. Honda NSX

In the 90’s, the Japanese car industry was full of interesting performance cars, so the local police forces used some of them for law enforcement work. And, one of the coolest Japanese police cars is the Honda NSX. The Japanese police force used bone stock examples of this 90’s supercar.

Except for the unique livery, light bar and a few other details, the white and black NSX is same as it was from the Honda factory. Behind the driver is the 3.5-liter V6 engine with 270 HP.

Despite delivering a great performance and high-speed stability of a mid-engine supercar, the Japanese police rarely used the NSX as they intended. First, Japanese drivers are extremely law-abiding, so cases of speeding are rare. Second, the traffic is heavy, especially in the cities, so there is no space to achieve high speeds.

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  1. Lamborghini Huracan

The Dubai police force is not the only law enforcement agency to use supercars. The Italians have one in the form of the gorgeous blue Lamborghini Huracan. And while Dubai`s supercars are mainly for show, the Italian police this Huracan is really for a variety of different purposes.

The Italian police needed an extremely fast car for high-speed pursuits and delivering important packages like organ transplants. They knew the Huracan would get them to the scene of highway accidents in a hurry. The regular police sedans are just not that fast, but the Lamborghini Huracan is, so they use it on a daily basis.

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  1. Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X

Another innovative police car from the UK police force is the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X. Although Evos are tuner cars often with outlandish body kits, big spoilers and loud exhausts, having this vehicle in your police fleet is clever.

First, the Evo X has 300 HP and intelligent all-wheel drive, making it safe to drive fast on UK`s notoriously rainy, greasy roads. Second, it comes in a regular sedan form, so it is practical with a big trunk. Third, most speeders use similar cars, so what better way to catch them than to use the same machinery? It’s a win-win for the UK police.

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  1. Holden HSV GTS

If you look at the Australian muscle car scene, it shows that the Land Down Under has a thriving performance car scene and some spectacular machines. So, it was just a matter of time before the Australian police decided to use that performance potential for law enforcement purposes. The latest and coolest addition to the Aussie police car fleet is the crazy Holden HSV GTS.

If you don’t know what this is, Holden is GM’s subsidiary. They produce family sedans with rear-wheel drive powered by common V8 engines. But, the HSV GTS is more than that. It is a four-door muscle car with a 6.2-liter supercharged Corvette engine with 640 HP. The HSV GTS also received numerous upgrades, police livery and a light bar, so it is ready to catch any speeding car in Australia in a matter of seconds.

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  1. Renault Megane RS Gendarmerie

The French are famous for their extraordinary sense of national pride. It could be why the French police only use cars from domestic manufacturers. From aspects of helping the national economy, this is a reasonable choice. But the French car industry lacks sports or high-performance cars. This means the national police, or Gendarmerie, have a tough time catching perpetrators with fast cars.

Fortunately, Renault has a solution in their Megane RS. It is a well-known and fast hot hatch with 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and 250 HP. It doesn’t sound like much, but the Megane RS is a compact, light car that can achieve 60 mph in just six seconds and top 155 mph.

Also, the French police acquired many blue Megane RS models in police specifications, so they cover the highways all over France. Although 155 mph is nothing compared to the speeds modern supercars reach, if somebody outruns the Gendarmerie Megane RS, it won’t outrun a police helicopter.

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  1. Ford Mustang SSP

One of the biggest automotive legends among law enforcement officers in America is the Ford Mustang SSP. This is a special-order package for Fox-body Mustangs from 1982 to 1993. Ford sold them to various agencies and military organizations. SSP stands for Special Service Package and includes a tuned 5.0-liter V8 engine, heavy duty suspension, engine cooling, brakes and more.

Ford developed the SSP package in early 80’s after the California Highway Patrol realized their officers were getting outrun by Porsches and other fast cars. To catch them, they asked Ford to produce a special package for Mustang. They wanted more power, high-speed stability, braking power and dynamics.

Ford responded with the SSP package and soon, no Porsche in California could outrun police cars anymore. The package proved popular. When production stopped in 1993, they built more than 16,000 Mustang SSPs. Ford sold them to numerous fleet buyers in almost all states, including Canada.

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  1. Nissan Skyline R34

One of the most legendary Japanese cars found its way into the Tokyo police car fleet as a high-speed pursuit car. It is one of the most popular tuner cars ever, so most people know about the Nissan Skyline R34. The 2.6-liter turbocharged six-cylinder with 280 HP, six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drivetrain makes the R34 an extremely capable, fast car.

Since the 2.6-liter engine is famous for its tuning ability and extremely high power levels with just a few upgrades, it is hard to believe the Japanese police resisted the urge to tune this fantastic car to its full potential.

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  1. Dodge Charger Pursuit

In 2006, after decades of using Chevrolet Impalas or Ford Crown Victorias, several U.S. law enforcement agencies turned to Dodge Charger. For over 12 years, this was one of the most popular police cars in America and they also exported it to several foreign markets. Although most people see this car on daily basis, it is undeniable this is one of the coolest police cars in the world.

The specs of the latest models are simply unbelievable. The fleet buyers have a choice of 3.6-liter V6 engine or fantastic 5.7-liter Hemi V8. Chargers can come with rear or all-wheel drive for demanding road conditions. All cars are equipped with special chassis reinforcements, front bull bars and heavy-duty components.

They include updated suspensions, braking, cooling and electrical systems needed for running advanced communication equipment and computers. Also, the Charger Pursuit comes with bullet-resistant front door panels that could save lives of officers on the job. The Dodge Charger Pursuit comes in various liveries for law enforcement agencies. But the ones you should look for are those undercover cars in plain colors without any visible police signs.

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15. Citroen SM Gendarmerie

One of the coolest looking and most exclusive Citroen cars was the gorgeous SM, introduced in 1970. This elegant coupe had some very interesting features and when it was presented to the public it made the competition look and feel outdated and old.

The aesthetics were clearly French with hydro-pneumatic self leveling suspension and front-wheel drive, but instead of underpowered four cylinder engine, there was a 2.7-liter V6 developed by Maserati, which provided enough power for lively performance. The car was chosen by the Gendarmerie since it could cruise at high speeds which were ideal for catching criminals on the highways of France.

 

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16. Ford Mustang Japan

The Mustang entered police force in America in the `80s when the SSP package was introduced. However, Japanese Police Forces used the Mustang long before their American colleagues did. In 1973, a brand new Mustang Mach I entered Tokyo police as high speed chaise car.

Back in those days, Japanese cars were all compact and slow so we are sure that the mighty Mustang Mach I had no problems outrunning anything on the road.

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17. Volkswagen Beetle Germany

The VW Beetle is one of the definitive cars of 20th century and since it was sold in over 22 million it is logical that it was used for numerous purposes. One of them is as a police car. In Germany and many other European countries, VW Beetle was a legitimate patrol car for many years.

We are sure that it didn’t exactly win any high speed pursuits and proven itself on the Autobahn, but for patrol work and as an urban police car the VW Beetle was more than appropriate.

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18. Alpine A110 France

One of the best French classic sports cars was the Alpine A110. Produced from 1961 to 1977, the A110 was an incredibly light, fast and nimble coupe which proved itself on rally stages and won numerous events. However, it has also found use as a police car in France during the early `70s.

Since the A110 was very small, it could only sit two people so it wasn’t much in terms of comfort but for flying through narrow streets at high speeds and running down the highways it was pretty good.

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19. Jaguar MK2 United Kingdom

In the early `60s, one of the best handling and performing sedans in the world was the beautiful Jaguar Mk II. With its 3.8-liter six cylinder, four wheel disc brakes and independent suspension it was as good as any high priced sports car form the period. That is why it was used by numerous bank robbers and criminals and soon earned it a nickname “Bank robbers’ express”.

British police had no choice but to include the Mk II in their fleet and soon, dozens of white Jaguars with police lights and sirens roamed the United Kingdom. Until this day, this is one of the coolest police cars ever used.

20. ——-

This list of the top law and order on 4 wheels – coolest police cars in the world included vehicles from all over the world. Yet, they all share one thing in common: they are powerful, fast and more than capable of catching crooks.

Home Cars Bavarian Legends: 15 Best BMWs Ever Made
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Bavarian Legends: 15 Best BMWs Ever Made

Vukasin Herbez June 26, 2018

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As one of the world’s top luxury manufacturers, BMW is a well-known, popular brand with a stellar reputation among car enthusiasts. With signature designs, their recognizable blue and white logo, powerful engines and sublime handling, BMW’s marketing slogan, “The Ultimate Driving Machine,” is more than just an advertising gimmick. Most car lovers claim BMW is the best driver’s car in the luxury class. Most people agree that BMW’s combination of power and performance is second to none, even in today’s highly competitive car market.

However, it wasn’t always like this since BMW has had its share of ups and downs. BMW has been on the verge of bankruptcy and demise more than a few times. Even so, they have always managed to survive all their difficulties and emerge even stronger. Today, BMW makes more than one million cars per year. But for decades, the company had a small production output and was limited to just a few of the world’s markets.

The unique appeal of its models was sometimes tough to sell to a wider audience. Still, BMW never surrendered. Instead, they stuck to their principles and vision. The year 2017 marked the 90th anniversary of BMW car manufacturing. To recognize this special occasion, here is a list of the most iconic machinery that helped shape the BMW legend. These infamous vehicles have even stood the test of time.

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1. BMW 507 Roadster

After the Second World War, Germany was in ruins, and so was its car industry. All German car manufacturers produced vehicles and arms for the Nazi war effort, so they were extensively bombed by the Allies. Also, their factories were reduced to rubble. Surviving companies restarted by producing pre-war models and small, economy cars. They hoped that their sales would be sufficient to survive the harsh post-war economic reality.

But, BMW had a completely different idea. As a company that produced upscale models before the war, BMW wanted to continue doing so and invested all its capacities in designing and producing a series of expensive, advanced and high-powered models. They started with the BMW 501 and 502 sedans. But the pinnacle of BMW in the 1950’s was the fantastic, gorgeous and terribly expensive 507 Roadster.

To attract the world’s most exquisite clientele, BMW designed a beautiful luxury roadster with a highly advanced aluminum body, 3.2-liter all-alloy V8 engine and a host of other upscale details. The 507 debuted in 1956 at an extremely high price of over $9,000 which was more than double the price of a new Cadillac. Despite BMW’s hopes of producing 1,000 examples per month, after three years on the market, the company only produced 252 copies. BMW lost money on every vehicle, forcing BMW into crosshairs of their creditors and stockholders.

Today, the 507 Roadster costs over one million dollars. Even so, it is still one of the most sought-after classic cars. But back in the late 50’s, it was a misunderstood, expensive proposition from an obscure company lacking global recognition. Interestingly, the famous singer, actor and musician, Elvis Presley, owned a 507 Roadster.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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