BEST BMW EVER - Which BMW is the 'Ultimate Driving Machine'? | Autocar
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- BMW has made some of the world's finest driver's cars during its 100-year history, but which is the best of all time? Subscribe to Autocar now: smarturl.it/aut...
Matt Prior and Andrew Frankel head to Goodwood to argue about precisely that.
We could have selected many cars from the Munich manufacturer's illustrious history: the 328, Z8, 3.0 CSL 'Batmobile', 2002 turbo or i8, but in the end, we boiled it down to just two.
So which is best - M1 or the E30-spec M3? Join us as we try to decide which is the greatest BMW of all time.
And what's YOUR favourite ever BMW? Comment below!
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I still feel the e36 M3 or the e34 M5 were BMWs best road cars for their time.
E46 csl and the v12 lmr are my picks.
that M3 E30 still looks beautiful, the design is timeless, the older it gets the more beautiful it looks...
E39 M5 is best
My top 5 BMW
1. 507 (arguably the best looking car ever that also comes with a sweet v8)
2. 3.0 CS 1971 (best interior ever and a beautiful sounding straight six)
3. 2002 Tii (practical, really light, simple straight four, looks badass)
4. M1 (nice design, lovely engine note)
5. 325 E30 (Coolest driver's car that most people can buy)
I like this setup of presenting arguments for & against each car with two presenters. When you watch a motor journalist's car review, you always play the part of the opposing guy anyway. So to have two presenters take the front two seats and present arguments for and against the car, one car at a time, I think it's brilliant.
I own a E30 318i. It's not an M3 but I believe it truly is the ultimate driving machine. I have driven newers M3s, X5Ms, AMGs, Golf Rs, but the feel you get in a 80s E30 is just amazing and raw.
93 E31 850i still gives me the chills when i think about it and about how many times it was tested but never beaten on any of our fwy's and at times off of it. Maybe not the best but it was fun and a different type of a feeling from all of the other BM's
Voting for the M635CSi which I am proud to own 1.
E46 M3 CSL, BMW at its absolute best
agree
Even the smg box. Bmw at its absolute best.
It would be if it had a manual. Not the trash SMG.
車臣
M3 E46. Nice classic and super reliable.
I'd go for the 1M Coupe.
M3 CSL for me and Z4 M Coupe.
The Best 'Ultimate Driving Machine' BMW is the New Shelby GT350R...
Just kidding, E46 M3 CSL.
Not a BMW fan think a lot of BMW is overrated but the E39 is my fav BMW period.
overrated? youre just a car hater look at your name idiot
hurr duur "my opinion isn't the same as yours so your're an idiot" hurr durr
Got the E39m myself but I will agree... BMW is overrated and the douchbag car of choice
Love the E30 but the E46 CSL is my personal favourite, along with the E60 M5.
I'd put the E30 M3 up there with the McLaren F1 and F40 as one of the cars I would give my right arm to drive. It was built at the same time as Paul Rosche was building BMW's legendary 4 cylinder turbo F1 engine. It reminds you what BMW can produce when they stop focusing on refinement and selling company cars to middle management.
MY BEST: 1) M3 E30 Evo
2) Z4 E86 3.0si
3) Z3 M Coupé
4) 130i E81
5) 323i E21 (my present only BMW)
6) 1-M
7) M2
8) M3 E36
9. M1
10) M3 E46 CSL
11) 2002 ti turbo
12) 323 ti E36 MY WORST 1. 2 Series F45 (FWD people carrier, van)
2. X1, X2, X3, X4. X5, X6
3. Everything since 2004: HEAVY, NUMB, POSH, SYNTHETIC, TACKY.
The 1500 hp f1 and the 2002 turbo, no question about that both insane cars
1350 hp*, and only for 3-4 qualifying laps.
+Rottensteam thanks for correcting my mistake, must have been à blast to drive even if it was dangerous
The drivability of those old turbo F1's was pretty terrible lol, no power no power no power FULL POWER! Huge turbo lag like an on-off switch. But I think they would make most men change underwear yes haha.
Modern era, how about the 1M? I've only ever driven a 2005 M3 and I loved it
two of the best car reviewers on earth, reviewing wat basicly is the best car in the world :) i drive a 90s 2.0 v6 , tho not an m3 but i can totally relate :)
love all BMW `S especially the M135 ,1602,1802,2002 ,z8,M1 328 f10
f30 328*
M135?!....what why?!
I feel that either the E30's or E46's were the best, especially when in M3 form. But my favourite has to be the E30 325i. It's tough as nails, cheap as chips and with some $10k worth of upgrades, could be the greatest track attacker ever. But that's my fave road car. Race car has to be the V12 LMR. It marks BMW being at their best with endurance and popped out of nowhere to gain a win to slap onto BMW's storied legacy of track wins. And the car sounds magnificent too.
a well-sorted e36 m3 is amazing. I've driven every m3 (not m4) and the e36 m3 is exciting and comfortable
1. Z8
2. M6 Grancoupe F12
3. M3 e46 CSL
The problem is the M3 E30 was a machine made for conrers and not straight line. I think alot of people forget that. Also its Pure. As in pure sensation and pure driving skills.
This was and will always be the best BMW. 1988 in Hennarot Red. Awesome.
E46 M3 CSL
M1 Procar and M2 hands down for me!
M Coupe
There you go! Scrolling comments to find someone who I agree with.
Which one though, because there are the Z3, Z4 and 1 Series M coupe.
Kaisuke971 unless otherwise stated, assume Z3. Because the 1 is always referred to as the 1M, and the Z3 takes precedence over the Z4.
Holden Feagler +1 the Z3 (M Coupe) was the first to be referred to as such by the factory. Door sills on early models read M Coupe.
I would choose the E30 Alpina B6S , M3 body with Alpina looks and goodness too boot, sheer perfection and stupidly rare.
Would like to see a retro track battle between the bmw m1 vs 911 racecar of the same time period
"Which BMW is best BMW...."
Good video. I want you to make a film about all the great cars BMW robbed us off. For me the number one has the be the e60 M5 mk2................5.6L V10 with DTC gearbox found on the later F10 M5. They built one drove it around the ring. It lopped eleven seconds off the standard cars time. The US got a manual version of the original car too! Another is the e90 touring M3....
E46 and E39 is the best imo
two brilliant choices..i might add a third though
the e46 M3 CSL
e46 M3 - Own it, drive it, love it.
E32 750il. Redefined luxurious sport sedan.
I think BMW made great driving sports cars since the bmw 2002 came out. They then started adding a but more power and performance to the Ti and Tii models until they perfected the recipe with the M3. I still love my 1970 bmw 2002 although far from finish when I do it would be a proper "M2" bmw.
I see an e30 m3 in the tumbnail i click the video
E60 M5 & E92 M3
E46 M3 csl & M3 E92 GTS
E36 M3....
Not even close to the E30.
+Nik Brudar The E30 is NOT even close to the E36. Why do people like you say this stupid shit. There's a reason all the douche-bros swap E36 mechanicals into their E30s.
MrCarGuy20 E36 is way(!) too heavy, has way too much faux electronics that work sporadically when they feel so, looks much more reserved and boring than the E30, is not even close in desirability ...
+Nik Brudar I can't help but to laugh "sporadically" at YOU.
I understand why you don't like the E30. But E36? Nope. E46 CSL is a lot better in comparison.
333i E30 M30B32
The E30 M3 really wasnt that great of a performer as a production car. A similar-year Porsche 944 Turbo S would absolutely curb-stomp an M3 on any track and those cars are still readily available for $17,500 as opposed to $50,000 for the M3 in today's money. The E30 M3 is a good car, just not a great car. The E46 M3 was a much better performer in comparison to its competition in its day. But Im not even sure thats BMWs best by any long shot.
Exactly. It's a highly overrated douche-attracting car in my opinion.
Have you ever been on a track behind the wheel of a 994 turbo s and an e30 m3? Well I have. Not that I am biased because I own an e30 m3, but I have driven both. That 80's turbo lag and the 994 heavy chassis made me realize why the light weight of the 911 na is so popular and the e30 is better on the track. If you are talking about a drag race, then the turbo > NA.
Have you ever been on a track behind the wheel of a 994 turbo s and an e30 m3? Well I have. Not that I am biased because I own an e30 m3, but I have driven both. That 80's turbo lag and the 994 heavy chassis made me realize why the light weight of the 911 na is so popular and the e30 is better on the track. If you are talking about a drag race, then the turbo > NA.
+MrCarGuy20 I don't know what part of the country you are from, but in socal, the douches are the ones with the e36 and some with the 46 with their fake bbs rs/lm wheels speeding wrecklessly through city traffics. The e30 m3 community is so small here that we break a neck when we see one on the road.
What are you talking about. The 944 Turbo and E30 M3 are almost identical in weight (about 2800lb) and the 944T was lighter than a 911 3.2 Carrera with typical options. . And the power and handling of the 944 Turbo will ass-rape the M3 on a straightaway or a track -- it won't matter. Get into the Turbo S range and its even more pronounced. The only thing the M3 will see is a contrail. I know because I've owned both -- not at the same time, but I remember the 951 being in an entirely different performance class. The M3 is like driving a shoebox by comparison -- high center of gravity, unwieldy, far less willing to change direction at speed and maintain grip. To put it in perspective, the 944T(S) was as quick as a 911 Turbo in the day (and I own one of those currently) in a far better "drivers' package.
E39 M5 and E46 M3 are the best!
Back in the 80’s the e30 m3 was a fast car
I like the 330Ci 46. Very enjoyable machine.
E30 was the last light BMW without all the electric mumbo jumbo stuff and safety gear that spoils fun.
Still more entertaining than the new Top Gear.
Maybe not the best driver's car, but imho the best BMW ever is the 507...
It just so incredibly beautiful and desirable. I even think it looks at least as good, if not better, than it's much more famous contemporaries from Ferrari (250 gt california) or the 300 SL Merc.
e46 m3
i love driving my 2011 335i coupe!!!!
E46 GTR. My favorite, you know why...
If the M1 is so great why havn't they built another like it since?
+James Holloway The M1 was a supercar legend.... you should feel ashamed for comparing
You're wrong. E46 M3 CSL
pretty funny to see a classy and sophisticated m3 fanboy
Best BMW: 328i F30.
Good one.
love my e30 but my favorite is the e28 m5
M3 E92 Hands down
Best BMW car - We'll take two cars which neither of us have had much experience in, compare them, and disregard any other BMW
ultimate driving machine has: 1. n/a engine, 2. manual gearbox, 3. rwd, 4. driver has fully control, no electronic bullshit
soo E30 325i then ? :D
E46 M3 CSL for me
1981 M1 for sure
If as you say the M1 was not the real first M car (which I disagree with you on) you then ho onto say that the M3 was the first M car- wrong!! If you are BMW fans then you should know that the M1 was followed by the M6 in 1983 the first M3 appeared in 1986 if I recall
Id say e46 m3 csl but there is a unicorn ! m6 v10 6 speed
M3 is swiftly overtaken by Astra @ 8:00 LOL
I wish I could understand the infatuation with BWM's
You'll never understand... It's unexplainable
I didn’t get BMWs before….thought they all looked ugly with those big nose-kidney grills
But in due time (dunno how, maybe Chris Harris’s love for them) the grills don’t bother me anymore and I consider some BMW models to be some of the most beautiful cars ever made. Eg - 507 and 850CSI
E92 M3 & E60 M5 are the best M cars
I learned virtually nothing from watching this video.
Why, oh, why do interesting videos, such as this one, always have irritating pseudo music noise competing with the discussion and the lovely sounds of fine engines? I'm constantly having to try to screen out the overlaid racket to try to hear what matters.
0:15 OH GAWD
bollox e46 m3 CSL is the best driving m car, followed by e34 m5 3.8 6speed, then e30 m3, just my opinion, I have owned and driven all 3.
BMW e31 850 CSI
e34 m5!
507, 1M and e46 m3 cls
8:02 E30 M3 overtaken by a Renault!
E30 all the way
Bmw e24 m6/m635
M1
E30 m3
E46 m3
E34 m5
E60 m5
E39 is the best!
s1000rr hp4
2002.
E92 M3 would be my choice.
K1300 airpumped! Could be that customers see/saw/seen an 16cilindry4airshufflegamer ,in their mirrow!
Best is the M3 GTR street
E39 M5 is the best BMW (not sports car) ever. Speed and comfort combined. E30 M3 is a rattling piece of shit.
Got the E39 myself and it is definitely my favorite bmw even against the new ones....I haven't driven the e30 but that is a legend. Wouldn't go that far lol
135i
BMW 850 V10 (Or v12, i don't really remember) is the best car ever.
And the best BMW engine, is the McLaren F1 engine. Made by BMW, forged with gold.
That Mclaren s70/2 bmw engine is truly a masterpiece. Made by legendary Paul Rosche. In my opinion, it is the best internal combustion engine ever made.
A driver's car does need to have good power. The e30 m3 is not even quick jet alone fast. The way you try and justify this car lack of power is laughable. e46 m3 wins in every single category except ni super tight 20 mph corners.
///M CLOWNSHOE for god sake!! 😁
Z8
yes BMW has Very good tech & power etc
BUT they're all Freakin' Fugly
specialy the ones where those "kidney's" are wider that they're hight (pigsnose)
the Z8 wasn't technicaly the best, but it looked good, specialy with an Hamamm bodykit
lol. you spankers.what have actually done here???
911
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