The Best of M: RM Sotheby's Offers a Once-in-a-Lifetime BMW Collection
The rumble of six-cylinder engines will soon echo through Munich as RM Sotheby’s presents The Best of M Collection. Charting half a century of BMW’s relentless pursuit of the “ultimate driving machine,” this remarkable consignment traces the full arc of M Division history. Best of all, every car is offered without reserve, ensuring the bidding will be as thrilling as the cars themselves.
Genesis and Grandeur
No collection charting the history of the M badge would be complete without the cars that started it all.
Leading the charge is the 1980 BMW M1. A collaboration with Lamborghini that famously went sideways, the M1 stands alone as BMW's sole mid-engined supercar. With its Giugiaro styling and a racing pedigree rooted in the Procar series, this low-slung wedge represents the moment M officially came into being. It is the genesis story, estimated to command a princely sum in the region of £435,000 - 500,000.
Equally essential is the 1990 BMW M3 Sport Evolution. If the E30 M3 is the king of homologation, the 'Sport Evo' is its velvet-lined crown. Built to qualify the car for DTM, the final evolution of the E30 M3 features an enlarged 2.5-litre engine, revised aerodynamics, and a stripped-down aesthetic. These cars possess a raw, mechanical purity that subsequent generations have chased but seldom matched, which would explain the estimate of up to £220,000.
The Purebreds
The 2003 BMW M3 CSL is arguably the definitive modern M car. Stripping out the excess and adding a glorious carbon fibre roof and those iconic airbox induction noises. It’s a precision instrument, and the market knows it, with estimates stretching to £140,000.
It is joined by its spiritual E36 predecessor, the ultra-rare 1995 BMW M3 GT. Created for FIA-GT racing homologation, the GT sported British Racing Green paint, an adjustable front spoiler, and a deeper oil sump. Only 356 were built, making this a true connoisseur's choice.
Bringing the lineage forward is the 2012 BMW 1M Coupé. A masterclass in engineering adaptation, the 1M combines the E92 M3’s suspension with the N54 twin-turbo inline-six to create a wide-bodied, limited-run powerhouse. Its short wheelbase, razor-sharp dynamics, and scarcity made it an instant collector’s item, with estimated prices reflecting its desirability at £60,000–£80,000.
Cult Classics
The original oddball is the 2002 BMW Z3 M Coupé, affectionately dubbed the "Clown Shoe." Its squat, muscular stance and M-powered straight-six make it a sleeper classic whose values continue to climb.
Its spiritual successor, the 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupé, sits alongside it. Sharing the same revered S54 naturally-aspirated straight-six engine as the E46 M3 and CSL.
Before the "Clown Shoe," there was the groundbreaking, if slightly odd, 1990 BMW Z1. Its defining feature—electrically powered retractable doors that disappear into the sills—ensured its place in history. Representing a fleeting moment of experimental design from BMW, the Z1 is a guaranteed conversation starter, and a brilliant, highly collectible piece of Bavarian eccentricity.
Then there's the 1975 BMW 2002 Turbo. As one of only 1,672 units produced, it was the first European production car to feature a factory-installed turbocharger. Finished in the iconic Chamonix White and adorned with the tricolour BMW Motorsport livery, this example retains its matching-numbers 1,990-cc turbocharged inline-four engine, delivering 170 PS.
Refinement and The Modern Benchmark
The 2003 BMW Alpina Roadster V8 offers a more refined, gentlemanly take on high performance. Built on the Z8 platform and featuring an automatic transmission and a softer suspension tune, the Alpina was designed for effortless grand touring. Its rarity and association with the Z8 make it one of the most valuable lots in the collection, carrying an estimate of £260,000 - £330,000.
Finally, providing a contemporary anchor is the 2023 BMW M4 Edition 50 Jahre BMW M. This limited-run model commemorates half a century of the M Division, making it an instant collectible. It’s a modern classic waiting to happen, representing the current pinnacle of M performance and a fitting tribute to the legacy being celebrated.
More information about the upcoming Auction can be found here.