BMW has built some of the world’s best performance cars. These machines are pure engineering marvels, and whether it’s a sleek coupe, handsome sedan, or performance wagon, the Bavarians have a way of making them beautiful. Unfortunately, they’ve strayed from the path of elegance in recent years, with monstrosities like the XM and other models with giant nostrils.
So, when did BMW’s design language peak? And what are the best-looking BMWs of all time? That’s what we’re here to explore. While some of our picks might be obvious, others might stir up some debate. We’ve ranked these stunning Bimmers from oldest to newest with information straight from BWM itself.
BMW 507
The BMW 507 is one of my all-time favorite BMWs because it stands apart from the rest. Instead of a slim kidney grille like many BMWs of its era, the 507 wore its grille loud and proud — like a mustache. Whereas modern BMWs look heinous with their oversized grilles, it fits the 507 perfectly.
And if that’s not enough to convince you of its charm, maybe this will: Elvis Presley owned a BMW 507. Women were so obsessed with this car that they covered it in lipstick stains. And yes, it was definitely the car they were obsessed with — not the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Obviously.
BMW 3.0 CSL
A few years back, BMW announced the revival of the 3.0 CSL nameplate. While it seems cool on paper, nothing will ever come close to the original 3.0 CSL — Especially the models fitted with the aggressive aerodynamic package, earning them the legendary “Batmobile” nickname.
Although the CSL is based on the elegant E9 sports coupe, it’s anything but sophisticated. From its meaty chin spoiler to the fins on its front fenders and gargantuan rear spoiler, everything about the CSL is functional and aesthetically threatening at the same time.
BMW M1
BMW didn’t make the M1 from the ground up. They had the help of one of the most prestigious exotic carmakers of all time, Lamborghini. Usually, this would spark immense controversy, as it did when BMW and Toyota collaborated on the Supra. But the world let this one slide because, well… look at it.
As its name suggests, the M1 was BMW’s first-ever M car. It embodies the trendy wedge shape everyone seemed to drool over in the late ‘70s and made quite a name for itself on the racetrack. Unfortunately, it’s also been the only supercar BMW had ever built, and one of the rarest, too.
BMW E24 6 Series
Much like the aforementioned 3.0 CSL, the E24 BMW 6 Series was all about striking fear into its opponents’ hearts. Coming with a wide range of engines, the E24 was as powerful as it was handsome to look at.
It, too, earned itself a pretty cool nickname — “Sharknose”. While I’m a sucker for a modified car, I think a bone stock M635CSi — like the one shown above — is one of the coolest-looking BMWs you can buy and just leave as it is.
BMW E31 8 Series
Whereas some of the previous entries were all about aggression, the E31 8 Series was about excess. According to BMW-M.com, the top-of-the-line 850 CSi had a leather-drenched interior, a sleek design, and a monstrous V12 engine.
The E31 wasn’t built to win races — it was about looking cool. It had half-open pop-up headlights, no B-pillar, and zero concern for fuel economy. Few cars are as effortlessly cool as this.
BMW Z3 M Coupe
It’s called the Z3 M Coupe, but it doesn’t exactly look like a traditional coupe; shape-wise, it’s more like a hatchback. Hold your horses, keyboard warriors. Yes, it has an odd shape — it’s supposed to look like a clown shoe. In the late ‘90s and early 2000s, BMW stretched its creative muscles to give us some of the coolest cars ever.
One of the experiments that reached the public was the BMW Z3 M Coupe. Granted, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but divisive looks aside, the cherry on the cake was found under the hood, where BMW had crammed the E46 M3’s engine. Unfortunately, many have forgotten about its existence entirely.
BMW E39 M5
The BMW M5 is the quintessential German sleeper car. There have been more M5 generations than can be counted on one hand, yet the E39 remains the crowd favorite, at least according to car enthusiast site Pistonheads and its readers. Maybe it’s the glorious 4.9-liter V8? Maybe it’s because it only came with a stickshift? I think it’s because of its timeless design.
Whereas modern BMWs try very hard to make a statement, the E39 M5 did the exact opposite. Its design was handsome and ever-so-slightly aggressive, but most importantly, simple. The result was a BMW sports sedan that aged like fine wine.
BMW Z8
Remember what I said about BMW feeling highly adventurous in the early 2000s? Well, here we have one of their other passion projects, the BMW Z8. Not only did it borrow the E39 M5’s naturally aspirated V8, but it also starred in the 1999 James Bond film The World Is Not Enough.
Even if the Z8 weren’t a big movie star, I’d still admire it just as much. Not only because of its performance capabilities, but because of how different it was from the rest of BMW’s lineup at the time. It almost feels like eating ice cream for breakfast. You know it’s a little unconventional, but you can’t help but love it.
BMW E46 M3 CSL
To the average Joe, the original M3 CSL might look like any other E46 M3, but real enthusiasts know better. While it was an engineering masterpiece built with weight-saving in mind, we’re here for the aesthetics — and luckily, it’s just as pretty as it is powerful.
Many Redditors reckon the E46 M3 is the best-looking M3 ever made. And for the first time ever, I actually agree with Reddit. I don’t know if it’s because of the wide wheel arches, hunky face, or iconic wheel design, but whenever I try to imagine an M3, I immediately think of a Silver Grey Metallic M3 CSL.
BMW i8
BMW tried to build another supercar in the mid-2010s, called the i8. After seeing the concept pictures, my jaw was on the floor, staring at this spaceship-looking BMW with doors that went up. Little did I know it would be much more show than go.
Questionable performance aside, there’s no doubt the i8 is one of the best-looking modern BMWs. I know there are some people out there who despise the i8, but I have a feeling those are the same folks who refuse to upgrade from their Nokia bricks to a smartphone.
Honorable Mentions: BMW Z1
The BMW Z1 isn’t conventionally beautiful, but I’d argue it’s one of the best-looking BMWs simply because of its uniqueness. After all, how many cars have doors that retract into their body and body panels that can be removed and replaced if you want to change the car’s color?
I’ll admit, it’s odd-looking, but the Z1 is one of those cars that makes you stop and stare, and the longer you look at it, the more it grows on you.
Wrapping Up
BMW has a bespoke way of making their cars evoke emotion by just looking at them — whether it be rage induced by the new M5 or nostalgia when an E30 3 Series drives by.
While their designs have varied wildly over the decades, one thing’s for sure: BMW has given us plenty to love — and just as much to hate.
