Top 10 BMWs of the millennium

10. M1

 

The M1 was exactly what you might have expected out of a partnership between BMW and Lamborghini.

9. Z3 M Coupe

 

The original M Coupe’s love-it-or-hate-it design won big praise within the automotive press, though some enthusiasts were a bit skeptical about the hatchback’s overall appearance.

8. E24 M6

 

After the huge success of the M1, BMW decided to take a modified version of the 3.5-liter six and put it into a true Grand Touring car. Not only was the M6 sleek and stylish, Motor Trend magazine featured the M6 as one of the ten fastest cars in America — understandable, what with the car’s suggested 0-60 time of just 6.1 seconds.

7. E30 M3

 

Legends have to start somewhere, and the E30 M3 set the bar high for future performance oriented 3-Series cars. Power came from a heavily reworked 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, cranking out just under 200 horsepower. Not only was this BMW’s first serious everyday sports car, but tuning companies like Prodrive and AC Schnitzer even called upon the E30 M3 to compete in rally, touring car, and DTM racing competitions. Near the end of its life, the E30′s engine was boosted to 2.5 liters and could make up to 340 horsepower in full race trim.

6. Z4 M Roadster

 

There was a lot to love about the original Z3 and Z3 M roadsters, but the second-generation droptop M really stole our hearts. It’s attractive, powerful, and a true example of what fun, sporting convertibles should be. While there aren’t any definite plans to bring on an M version of the new-for-2010 Z4, the last-generation M Roadster will always have a special place in our hearts.

5. 2002 Tii

 

This is the car that started it all for BMW in America. The 2002 was such a success that it really confirmed BMW’s place in the world as a premium sports car brand, and the 2002 tii started a huge trend of small, sport sedans. After all, this car is the ancestral grandfather to the original 3-Series, and in modern times, the new 1-Series.

4. E39 M5

 

The last-generation 5-Series was an iconic, elegant design, and the M5′s 395-horsepower V-8 engine made it a great choice for people who didn’t want to compromise performance for luxury. Available with only a six-speed manual transmission, the M5′s tuned suspension, brakes, and steering ratio made it a worthy track car while still being a smooth and powerful cruiser for the highway.

3. E36 M3

 

America didn’t get to taste the E36 M3 until the 1995 model year, but it was well worth the wait. Power came from a 3.0-liter inline-six capable of around 240 horsepower, and this M3 was eventually sold in coupe, sedan, and convertible configurations.

2. Alpina B7

 

Near the end of the last-generation 7-Series’ life-cycle, BMW brought out the Alpina B7 packing a 500-horsepower supercharged engine, a sporty body kit, and some nice interior upgrades. And while a lot of people took issue with the 7′s Bangle design, the Alpina’s mix of luxury and power was sure to win people over. In fact, some tests say that the B7 was quicker in the quarter mile than a 911 Carrera S.

1. 135i

 

When BMW launched the new 1-Series in the U.S., they were hoping that it would be sort of a modern-day 2002. While that may not be the case, there are a raft of reasons why the 1 is one of our favorite BMWs available today. The 135′s twin-turbo six and superb driving dynamics make it an attractive choice for enthusiasts, though the price point can get to eyebrow-raising levels when fully optioned out.