General Survey: BEST BMW ever built...

[BMWZ4ANDE30]

Well, which BMWs are the best ever built, TOP 5...best blend of both performance (on paper or if you have driven it) and design..my choices:

1. E39 M5 Sedan
2. 850CSi Manual
3. E36 M3 Coupe
4. 2002
5. E30 Coupes (late models)

What are yours...

[Jarvis]

By design only? 850CSi. E31's were ahead of their time, and are still gorgeous today. Unfortunately their performance just isn't worth discussing.

Of the 5 cars you listed, the E36 M3 has the least amount of "soul" to me. aka the least BMW-ish. Just too 'bleh.'

So of those you listed, I'd have to choose the E39 M5. Probably the sickest daily driver for those concerned with price, performance, quality and comfort in equal amounts.

Personally, I'd add the E34 M5 to the list. Specifically the 6spd European 3.8L model. IMHO, the last BMW where technology didn't overshadow the feel of the car.

[bmw332i]

By design only? 850CSi. E31's were ahead of their time, and are still gorgeous today.

Of the 5 cars you listed, the E36 M3 has the least amount of "soul" to me. aka the least BMW-ish.

So of those you listed, I'd have to choose the E39 M5. Probably the sickest daily driver for those concerned with price, performance, quality and comfort in equal amounts.

Personally, I'd add the E34 M5 to the list. Specifically the 6spd European 3.8L model. IMHO, the last BMW where technology didn't overshadow the feel of the car.

I completely agree with you about the 1995 Euro 3.8l M5. Like this one:

[Iain]

From what I've driven:

1. E39 M5. I love this car. M5 for teh w1n.
2. E30 M3. Lotus Exige owners wish their cars were this much fun to drive (and this reliable)
3. E46 M3 Competition Pack. Fast, sexy, fucking fast, gorgeous, comfortable, capable daily driver yet track-stormer.
4. E34 540i LE. BMW's executive muscle car. Big, fat, quick and thoroughly anti-social.
5. M-Coupe. It is fun whupping people at track days in the ugliest car there.

[Mot]

e34 m5

[herragge]

I would have to say the E31, the 850CSi as well. Its beautiful/gorgeous; I'd love to have one in the future.

Didn't they make an M variant in the 8series as well? Might be mistaken..

Mike

[Iain]

850CSi was the M version. The proposed "M8" supercar never eventuated, some of the R&D reportedly went into the McLaren F1...

[Jarvis]

I would have to say the E31, the 850CSi as well. Its beautiful/gorgeous; I'd love to have one in the future.

Didn't they make an M variant in the 8series as well? Might be mistaken..

Mike

The 850CSi basically was the "M variant" of the E31 8 series. Not a true Motorsport car, but it had a Motorsport engine (S70B56 = the only 2 valve/cyl M-engine ever) and other upgrades over the 840/850i/Ci.

*Edit - damn it, one of the Aussies beat me to it.

[Charlie]

1977 M10 powered US spec E21.

-Charlie

[p nut]

I don't know about the BEST built, but I just love the E46 M3 CSL. E39 M5 comes in second.

[parkerbink]

E60 M5. Just drove it Damn! that M button works! I want it think my Brother in Law would notice if I traded him? lol

[madjurgen]

e28 M5

[Ryan Stewart]

CSL and then the E30 M3 behind it.

For innovation yeah the E31. The 8 series was the first car to incorporate a multiplexed network. The downside is its the most complicated and expensive to diagnose.

The E28/E34 M5 has to be my fav all around car just because it was very hard to tell it was an M5 and back then that was a good amount of power.

[hamann318is]

I've always been a huge fan of the:

E24 M6
E30 M3
3.0 CSL
E34 M5

[Hatchman]

507
3.0 CSL
E28 M5
E30 M3
M coupe