BMW enthusiasts often complain that the car manufacturer based in Munich does not offer any super sports car comparing with the Porsche 911 or Ferrari 296. The i8 was produced from 2014 to 2020, but the plug-in hybrid coupé was overshadowed by 911 and the Audi R8. There are also sports cars like the Z4 that they won BMWblog 2024 Car of the Year Award – and the M2 – that was earned Motor trends 2024 Performance Vehicle of the Year Title.
An exotic super sports car does not seem to have a priority for BMW. Instead, his focus remains on models with a limited edition based on existing platforms. While these vehicles may not be as extravagant or extravagant as the M1 or i8, they have a better commercial viability and a larger spillover effect on the overall brand. For this purpose, this article will examine the five best BMWs of the special task of the 21st Century.
E46 M3 CSL: an easy legend
The M3 CSL was the high performance variant of the E46 M3, which was limited to 1,383 units. Under the bonnet, it gripped a 3.2-liter inline-Six engine, which supplied 360 hp and 273 pound foot torque on the rear wheels via a 6-speed SMG gear. This setup enabled the CSL to sprint from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 4.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 miles per hour. It was also faster than the Ferrari 360 challenge around the Nurburgring with a lap time of 7 minutes and 50 seconds.
Nowadays it is known that examples of the E46 M3 CSL bring in slightly over 100,000 US dollars.
E92 M3 GTS: sharpened for the route
The E90/E92 M3 was the first and only mass-produced M3 with a V8 engine. The award-winning S65 drive train produced 414 hp and 295 pound-foot torque and enabled a time of 0 to 60 miles per hour of 4.6 seconds. For those who were looking for more performance, however, there were the E92 GTS with 444 hp, a time of 0 to 60 miles per hour of 4.2 seconds and various chassis upgrades for sharper handling. It also recorded an impressive Nurburgring time of 7 minutes and 48 seconds.
However, the planned production of the M3 GTS was only 150 units.
E90 M3 CRT: carbon fiber
The E90 M3 CRT (67 units) was even more exclusive than the M3 GTS. It was shared by the same V8 engine as the M3 GTS and, thanks to its carbon fiber motor hood and the front seats, weighed 70 kilograms less than the E90 sedan.
To mention unnecessarily, such as the E92 GTS and the E46 M3 CSL, the M3 CRT is a coveted collector’s car with prices of up to $ 250,000. As a reference, this is more than the UVP of the current flagship models from BMW, including the XM label ($ 186,700), the i7 M70 ($ 168,500) and the M8 competition convertible ($ 150,000).
3.0 CSL: BMW MS million dollar tribute
The 3.0 -CSL was designed as a tribute to the E9 3.0 CSL and started on the 50th anniversary of the M -Division of BMW. It is mechanically based on the G82 M4 with an output of 560 hp and a top speed of over 186 km/h.
In the meantime, production was limited to 50 units, each with a price of over € 750,000 (around $ 875,000). Of course, the value of 3.0 CSL has increased to over 1 million US dollars in the secondary market and laid in the same league as super sports car from Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren.
To mention unnecessarily that we loved the BMW 3.0 CSL last year in our own test drive.
BMW Skytop: A future classic?
To be honest, it is too early to say whether the skytop (50 units; RRP of € 500,000/585,000) will become an all -time classic. At a time when BMW’s design language was often criticized for the fact that they are exaggerated and splendid (as in vehicles such as the XM and the i7), the skytop offers a welcome break with its smooth, elegant look. In fact, it is one of the most visually breathtaking cars that BMW is ever comparable to the Z8 and the i8.
The BMW Skytop also opened the door for future limited production models such as the upcoming Speedtop and even for a potential special M car.
