For most of the history of motoring, BMW has been a manufacturer whose brand is synonymous with luxury, quality and class. When motorists invest in a vehicle bearing the famous blue-and-white logo, they do so because they have faith in the manufacturer to live up to its high standards for quality. Around two million BMWs are sold around the world each year – and these figures are trending upward.
You’ll be able to pick up a new BMW while staving off depreciation, with the help of the right BMW gap insurance. But there’s also an argument for looking for a classic. You only need to take a look at the company’s back catalogue to see just how many hits it has had. Let’s take a look at five of the best of them.
1957 BMW 507
This venerable performance car was favoured by a string of famous names throughout the late 50s and 60s, including Ursula Andres and Elvis Presley. This was the first so-called ‘halo car’ produced by BMW: it was extremely expensive, and designed to put the manufacturer on the radar of the general public. Just 251 units were built.
1973 BMW 3.0 CSL
The CSL was a result of BMW’s headhunting efforts. Ex-Ford drivers and team bosses were drafted, and BMWs began to get more powerful and less weighty. The Coupe Sport Light was the result. You’ll recognise it instantly: it has a notable 70s vibe, and an eye-catching rear wing.
1978 BMW M1
The traditional approach to racing car development involves taking the road vehicle and dressing it up to cope with the challenges of competition. But in the late 70s, BMW decided on a different approach. They wanted to take their racing cars and make them compliant with the laws of the road. The result was the first car to wear the now-famous ‘M’ badge.
2018 BMW M2 Competition
Fast forward to the late twenty-teens, and we have a car that successfully straddles the performance and executive classes. The competition version of the M2 took the M4 and shrank it down, bringing in new 19-inch forged wheels and the company’s LED adaptive headlamps in the process.
2019 BMW M4 CS
Most recently, we have the incredible 2019 Club Sport version of the M4. It was the best of the range, but came with an accordingly hefty price tag. The break horsepower is only marginally lower than that of the GTS. A lot of the car’s meat and bones are based on the M4’s competition version, and you’ll see the connection within moments of taking the car onto a road.
