Looking at some of Bavaria’s finest, Ryan de Villiers compiles a list of five M-badged cars he’d add to his garage. The best new? All of these are available in South Africa through CARmag right now.
Looking for your next new or used BMW? Find it here with CARmag.
If I were to win the Lotto today, these are the M-badged cars that I’d consider adding to my garage. Click on the heading of each model to find one for sale locally.
1. BMW M4 GTS
Fast Facts
Engine: 3,0-litre turbocharged inline-six
Power: 368 kW
Torque: 600 N.m
Transmission: 7-speed DCT
Mileage: 550 km
Price: R1 999 900
Agile, power-ladened and uncompromising. Words that aptly describe the most potent version of the F82 M4, the M4 GTS. In 2019, BMW M’s engineers set to the grindstone and heightened the M4’s character by way of lightweight materials, removal of some of the “unnecessary” amenities and a slight change to the powertrain components.
Powered by the same straight-six found in the ‘vanilla’ M4 (although benefiting from water injection technology), this version of the S55 produces 368 kW and 600 N.m. All that power, specially tuned suspension, and a body that tipped the scales a just over 1,5 tonnes allowed the M4 with the “GTS” suffix to lap the Nurburgring in 7.28 minutes.
This specific model comes in at quite the price just under R2 million but boasts a meagre 550 km, worth the money?
2. BMW M2 CS
Fast Facts
Engine: 3,0-litre turbocharged inline-six
Power: 331 kW
Torque: 550 N.m
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Mileage: 6 000 km
Price: R1 879 000
The F87 M2 was a ferocious platform that offered an equally exhilarating driving performance as the larger M3 and M4 only in a smaller package. When BMW introduced the CS variant of the M2, it only heightened the appeal of the Bavarian coupe. The M2 CS was track-focused. While at a glance it appears to be a mere cosmetic “enhancement”, below the metal it received a slew of upgrades such as an extra oil scavenges pump, wire-arc sprayed coating along the cylinder walls, the oil cooling system from eh M4 Competiton, and many more adjustments elevated the M2 CS above the rest of its stablemates. The cherry on the cake was all the carbon fibre bits.
3. BMW E92 M3
Fast Facts
Engine: 4,0-litre naturally-aspirated V8
Power: 309 kW
Torque: 400 N.m
Transmission: 7-speed DCT
Mileage: 91 156 km
Price: R499 900
It wouldn’t be an M badged list without the ultimate M car, so I have chosen the outlier in the M3 lineage.
Needing no introduction, the E92 M3 is a must-have for BMW enthusiasts and the general automotive enthusiast population. The fourth-generation M3 was unique, to say the least. In a family tree powered by straight-sixes (and one four-cylinder), the sonorous naturally-aspirated S65B40 4,0-litre V8 that motivated the E92 was a breath of fresh air that to this day has yet to be superseded. Although the S65 was mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, purists would argue that the six-speed optional manual transmission would be the way to go.
4. BMW M8 Competition
Fast Facts
Engine: 4,0-litre twin-turbocharged V8
Power: 460 kW
Torque: 750 N.m
Transmission: 7-speed DCT
Mileage: 14 000 km
Price: R2 499 990
The M8 isn’t the cheapest or fastest or even the sexiest (personal preference) entrant on this list, but it is the only one that offers a blend of ICE grunt and modern seven-figure luxury. At the core of the F91 M8 Competition is a hot-blooded V8 pumping out 460 kW and 750 N.m! affixed to an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission, which feeds power to the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The cabin, accentuated by leather and Alcantara elements, houses features such as M Sport seats and an M leather steering wheel.
Is this worthy of being the most expensive M car on the list?
5. BMW I4 M50
Fast Facts
Engine: Dual electric motor, all-wheel drive
Power: 400 kW
Torque: 795 N.m
Transmission: 1-speed automatic
Mileage: 7 000 km
Price: R1 399 950
The first fully electric M car and it’s no slouch either. While the firm’s competitors may have missed the mark slightly on electric performance cars, the I4 M50 is one of the most exciting EVs available today. All-wheel-drive, 400 kW “on tap” and competent chassis dynamics allow the I4 M50 to feel as exhilarating as its ICE counterparts, albeit without any of the ICE theatrics and drama. The I4 M50 offers standard modern-day BMW comfort and luxury while being able to throw the back of your head into the pillowy headrests with ease. It’s an electric Jekyll and Hyde.
