Best //M car of all time?
Discussion
I am on my second e34 M5,
The first one was an early 3.6 model and I have recently acquired a last of the line 3.8 LE which has the fully functioning edc suspension, bigger 'floating' disc brakes and a 6 speed box.
I thought the 3.6 to be more raw, but put the edc into S mode on the 3.8 and it is truly awesome, niether car has any silly traction control device - its purely driver responsibilty !
Practical real world performance M5's at there best, plus I insure them on a classic policy, have a child seat fitted in the rear and have enough room for a trip away.
The 3.6's produce 315 bhp and the 3.8's 340 bhp but with more usable torque.
The last of the truly handbuilt ///M's
The first one was an early 3.6 model and I have recently acquired a last of the line 3.8 LE which has the fully functioning edc suspension, bigger 'floating' disc brakes and a 6 speed box.
I thought the 3.6 to be more raw, but put the edc into S mode on the 3.8 and it is truly awesome, niether car has any silly traction control device - its purely driver responsibilty !
Practical real world performance M5's at there best, plus I insure them on a classic policy, have a child seat fitted in the rear and have enough room for a trip away.
The 3.6's produce 315 bhp and the 3.8's 340 bhp but with more usable torque.
The last of the truly handbuilt ///M's
Only driven the E36 M3 and the E39 M5.
Unfortunately, the more modern the car, the more weight they inevitably carry, which is the enemy when it comes to handling and driver feedback.
So I think one of the early cars would have to be best, E30 M3, E28 M5 or possibly even the E12 M535i which was really the car that started it all.
Unfortunately, the more modern the car, the more weight they inevitably carry, which is the enemy when it comes to handling and driver feedback.
So I think one of the early cars would have to be best, E30 M3, E28 M5 or possibly even the E12 M535i which was really the car that started it all.
E28 M5 is a pretty wild ride, the brakes are rubbish and the 'on the limit wet ride' is challenging. M1's are there any in the UK actually being driven today? I have an E34 M5, a great car, not so impressed with the steering but a beautiful piece of engineering to own and savage engine noise above 5,000 RPM.
Most famous M car is ofcorse the E30 M3
Best is the Z3 M coupe
I've driven a few M cars and the Z3 M coupe is really a masterpiece for the money and good feeling factor, its rare too and will be a sort of collectable as the E30 M3..wait and see...
Cause the very very best is the Hartge Z3 coupe 5.0 V8 6-speed, but then I'm biased
GTRene
Best is the Z3 M coupe
I've driven a few M cars and the Z3 M coupe is really a masterpiece for the money and good feeling factor, its rare too and will be a sort of collectable as the E30 M3..wait and see... Cause the very very best is the Hartge Z3 coupe 5.0 V8 6-speed, but then I'm biased
GTRene
E30 M3.
Or E28 M5 (the greatest M5!)
I want one of each. They are both proper M cars, hand built and absolutley stunning.
I also love the original E12 M535i, although I suppose not a proper M car in the sense, it was the first one that was widely available to the public in 1980/81 and at the time was about as powerful as the Ferrari 308, 218 bhp in a saloon car in 1980 was pretty awesome.
Or E28 M5 (the greatest M5!)
I want one of each. They are both proper M cars, hand built and absolutley stunning.
I also love the original E12 M535i, although I suppose not a proper M car in the sense, it was the first one that was widely available to the public in 1980/81 and at the time was about as powerful as the Ferrari 308, 218 bhp in a saloon car in 1980 was pretty awesome.
bob1179 said:
E30 M3.
Or E28 M5 (the greatest M5!)
I want one of each. They are both proper M cars, hand built and absolutley stunning.
I also love the original E12 M535i, although I suppose not a proper M car in the sense, it was the first one that was widely available to the public in 1980/81 and at the time was about as powerful as the Ferrari 308, 218 bhp in a saloon car in 1980 was pretty awesome.
Or E28 M5 (the greatest M5!)
I want one of each. They are both proper M cars, hand built and absolutley stunning.
I also love the original E12 M535i, although I suppose not a proper M car in the sense, it was the first one that was widely available to the public in 1980/81 and at the time was about as powerful as the Ferrari 308, 218 bhp in a saloon car in 1980 was pretty awesome.
Excellent choices, however I must disagree with your comments on the E12 M535i. Although not fitted with a motorsport engine, it is IMO a proper M car in every way, handbuilt by BMW Motorsport at the Garching factory.
M5Dave said:
Excellent choices, however I must disagree with your comments on the E12 M535i. Although not fitted with a motorsport engine, it is IMO a proper M car in every way, handbuilt by BMW Motorsport at the Garching factory.
I didn't know that the original M535i was built on a seperate production line to the rest of the range. Either way, if you gave me anyone of those cars I'd be a happy bunny.
I always wanted to see one of those legendary handbuilt 530i's that were handbuilt for a few special customers in the 70's.
The E12 M535i was built from April 1980 until May 1981. Only 1410 cars were built, by hand in Garching, Germany. 450 were RHD with 408 coming to the UK from Sept 1980. An additional 240 cars were produced in South Africa and none were sold in the USA. 218 bhp @5200 rpm and 224lb ft torque at 4000 rpm. They must have been amazing cars in their day!
I'll throw the M1 into the mix, having driven a couple. On a hoon last year through the Eifel mountains, I can confirm that the car is pretty astounding for something of its age. Lovely noise, tractable, flexible, well built, comfy, excellent ride, grippy, feelsome. Put next to similar vintage Ferrari, for example, it really does underscore how the Italian cars were massively over-rated at the time. I loved it, and I want one.
Edited by loach on Friday 6th April 16:16
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