Five M-Badged Cars I’d Like to Add To My Garage

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

M

Image: BMW

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

M

Image: BMW

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

M

Image: BMW

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

M

Image: BMW

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

M

Image: BMW

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.  

Browse over 26 000 new and used cars here with CARmag. 

The post Five M-Badged Cars I’d Like to Add To My Garage appeared first on CAR Magazine.


The Car Guide

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Topical tips on buying used – Chapter 1

Image
Buying a used car can be harrowing, whether privately or from a dealer. Here are some tips, as well as some things to watch out for. Beware of low mileages, especially on smaller or cheaper cars. It is always possible that the odometer has been turned back. Some things to bear in mind are:- diesels are often bought because they the driver needs to undertake long trips without consuming vast amounts of fuel. This could be a sales rep, or someone travelling large distances to work, lots of lengthy trip for family holidays, etc. So, usually higher mileages than normal. An expensive or luxury car may not see much time on the road, but very seldom a “workhorse”. This makes the executive cars likely to have a lot more life left than the overworked and abused hatchback. These also spend most of their life in a home garage or undercover parking lot at work. Related: Someone paid more for a mint BMW 325iS Evo 2 than a used M4 A vehicle without any service history is a serious disadvantage
Read more

Top 10 Best-Selling Automotive Brands Locally – April 2024

Image
Following eight consecutive months of sales decline, the milestone of celebrating a century of vehicle production locally saw a welcomed increase in the motor industry for April 2024. Have a look at the data below, which sees Toyota drop in sales but retain the top spot, with Suzuki moving into second and Nissan dropping to the bottom of the list without the NP200 rolling off of the production line. Image: Toyota Looking for your next new or used Porsche? Find it here with CARmag! South Africa is marking 2024 as a significant year for its automotive industry, celebrating 100 years of car manufacturing. Mikel Mabasa, CEO of naamsa , the country’s automotive business council, commented, “As the sun rises on a century of automotive innovation, South Africa proudly commemorates a century of automobile manufacturing excellence. This milestone reflects a journey of resilience, ingenuity, and passion that has shaped the nation’s automotive legacy.” Details on how the industry will commem
Read more

Could this teased Lancia sports car be a reborn Stratos?

Image
Lancia recently teased a coupe-looking model, waiting to be unveiled in their Multiverse. Could this then, signify the return of a historic moniker like the Stratos to the struggling automaker? Image: Lancia #MakeLanciaGreatAgain – a social media phrase that has been making the rounds for the better part of a decade. World Rally Championship titles, Formula 1 single-seat winners and some other gems in between. The Italian automaker litters dates in history and motorsport, with some truly revolutionary ideas and models that aided their bid to become one of the most successful motorsport manufacturers of all time. But that is all in the past. Lancia now contends sole markets with a platform-shared model but there have been ambitious plans under Stellantis ownership to kick-start the automaker and make them great again… words that delight so many enthusiasts and aficionados. Related: Automobili Amos debut Martini Racing Livery Lancia Delta and Safarista What better way to do this th
Read more