Few brands have such a long-standing reputation of creating performance cars as BMW’s M division..
From compact coupes to large SUVs, BMW ‘M’ turns its hand to many things, and it even offers performance-tuned EVs these days.
So if you want a sporty BMW model, the choice has never been better. But what’s available and which should you choose? Let’s take a look at the BMW M range.
M240i – from £45,795
Though the M240i might not be a ‘full’ BMW M model – that title will go to the new M2 when it arrives later in 2022 – if you want an affordable performance car that still delivers the thrills, this racier 2 Series is certainly worth a look.
Now packing all-wheel-drive, the new M240i utilises a far more powerful 369bhp 3.0-litre engine that can get this compact coupe to 60mph in just 4.1 seconds. This latest generation also packs far more technology and standard equipment too.
M3
One of BMW’s longest-running nameplates, the M3 is a car for those wanting something fun and fast, yet still practical and easy to live with. This latest version is arguably the best yet, while the addition of an all-wheel-drive version gives you far more confidence in more weather conditions.
Rear-wheel-drive remains available, though, for those wanting it, while later in 2022 will see the arrival of the M3 Touring – the first time BMW has officially made an estate version of this performance saloon.
M4
The M4 is essentially the sleeker two-door version of the M3, and is ideal for those wanting more style but who are happy to sacrifice some practicality in the process. You can choose the M4 as both a Coupe and Convertible, with the latter offering a glamorous fabric roof that electrically reclines.
Sharing the same 503bhp 3.0-litre straight-six engine as the M3, there’s certainly no shortage of power, and means the M4 is able to hit 60mph in as little as 3.6 seconds when all-wheel-drive is fitted.
i4 M50
An electric BMW ‘M’ car might prove controversial to some, but the German firm has signalled its intent with the i4 M50, and proven that performance EVs can still be excellent to drive.
Rivalling the Tesla Model 3 Performance, the i4 is a 4 Series Gran Coupe beneath the surface, meaning it offers a practical interior and great everyday usability. But this M50 version is massively powerful, with its twin electric motors putting out 536bhp – more than any M3 or M4 to date.
M5
The M5 is another well-known and well-loved performance model from BMW, with this executive saloon car offering rapid pace and huge thrills combined with comfort and refinement that makes it impressively easy to live with.
Packing a 4.4-litre V8 engine developing 616bhp, it really is an absolute powerhouse. BMW also offers a more extreme CS model, which gets 626bhp – and becomes BMW’s most powerful car to date – and also gets a range of other tweaks that makes it one of the best performance cars on the market today.
M8
BMW relaunched the 8 Series in 2018 as its sleek new grand tourer, but it was quick to follow it up with the racier M8. Using the same engine as the M5 Competition, it makes this quite significantly-sized car to 60mph in just three seconds.
There’s also a huge amount of choice on offer, with the M8 sold as a Coupe, Convertible and four-door Gran Coupe version – the latter adding greater practicality into the mix.
X3 M
With SUVs accounting for an increasingly large proportion of BMW’s sales, it’s no surprise that the brand’s M division has increasingly been working its magic on these models too.
Its starting option is the X3 M – a practical and usually quite sensible family SUV that’s transformed with the same 503bhp 3.0-litre straight-six engine that you also find in the M3.
X4 M
The sleeker sibling to the X3, the X4 is more of a coupe-styled model that appeals to those wanting a more stylish SUV, without having to make any major sacrifice when it comes to spaciousness.
The X4 M is pretty much the same under the surface to the X3, and is able to reach 0-60mph in as little as 3.6 seconds. Like the X3, it’s recently benefited from a mid-life update, giving the model a sharper look and additional in-car technology.
X5 M
The large X5 SUV wouldn’t be the first car you’d think to make into an M model, but thanks to the same 616bhp V8 engine as the M5 and M8, it’s a riot to drive – offering ridiculous amounts of pace for something of this size.
Yet, just like any other X5, it still offers vast amounts of interior space, including a large boot, and superb interior quality.
X6 M
The X6 was the original coupe-SUV and it continues to divide opinion with its bold and brash styling. Being subtle is not what the X6 is about, though, and certainly not in ‘M’ form when it gets even more aggressive styling.
Remaining large and practical, the X6 comes with a vast amount of equipment to justify its price, while thanks to the same engine as in the X6 M, it’s a force to be reckoned with in the performance SUV class.
iX M60
The iX is currently BMW’s most important car, with this large electric SUV pioneering both BMW’s upcoming design language and also its technology.
Already offered with a choice of two powertrains, you can now choose a flagship M60 version, which packs a huge 611bhp and 1,100Nm of torque, allowing for a 0-60mph time of under four seconds, along with a range of up to 357 miles.
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