What are the differences between BMW M series?

[OJuliet]

BMW M series differences are as follows: BMW 1M: In 1982, BMW manufactured the first generation of high-performance BMW 5 Series, equipped with a 3.6-liter inline 6-cylinder engine producing 284 horsepower. Starting from the mid-1980s, BMW Motorsport GmbH shifted its focus to the development and marketing of standard sedan racing and mass-produced M series road sports cars. BMW M5: In 1988, BMW began production of the second-generation M5 sports sedan, developed on the E34 platform 5 Series four-door sedan. It featured two inline 6-cylinder engines with displacements of 3.6 liters and 3.8 liters, delivering maximum power outputs of 315 horsepower and 340 horsepower respectively. BMW M6: As the new flagship of the BMW M series, the M6 embodies the pinnacle of BMW's sports performance. The latest M6 is powered by a 5.0-liter V10 engine, producing a maximum horsepower of 507 and a peak torque of 520 Nm, with 450 Nm available at just 3500 rpm. This 90-degree V10 engine utilizes an aluminum-silicon alloy cylinder block, with the entire engine weighing only 240 kg.

[DerekMarie]

The BMW M series is like different personalities within a family. The M2 is the agile little brother, with a 3.0T inline-six engine packed into a short-wheelbase body, making it exceptionally nimble in corners. The M3 and M4 are like siblings, sharing the S58 engine but differing in body style—the four-door M3 is more practical, while the coupe M4 turns more heads. The M5 is an athlete in a suit, with a 4.4-liter V8 turbocharged engine delivering 600 horsepower and optional all-wheel drive for stability even in heavy rain. The flagship M8 blends luxury and performance, hitting 0-60 mph in under three seconds while offering massaging leather seats. Each model has its own exhaust note tuning, so you can tell which M car is ahead just by the pops and crackles in traffic.

[VonGia]

I always discuss with friends that the most obvious differences in the M Series lie in their body positioning. The M2's compact two-door design is particularly suited for city driving, with a wheelbase so short it feels like a go-kart. The M3, as a mid-sized four-door performance sedan, has a trunk spacious enough to fit two sets of golf clubs. Although the M4 coupe shares the same platform as the M3, its frameless doors and fastback lines give it a completely different style. What really captivates executives is the M5—its five-meter length allows for ample rear legroom, and it even offers optional rear-wheel steering. The top-tier M8 is more like a luxury item, with its hand-stitched Merino leather dashboard; just feeling its texture at a red light tells you where the money went. Before choosing a car, think carefully about whether you want to tackle mountain curves or enjoy long-distance cruising.

[VanLuna]

Over the years of car enthusiasm, I've been most fascinated by the evolution of the M series engines. The entry-level M2 comes with a refined version of the S58 inline-six, delivering 430 horsepower for effortless street driving. The M3/M4 utilizes the standard S58, with the Competition version pushing 510 horsepower and offering an optional carbon fiber roof. Stepping up to the M5, it leaps to a V8 biturbo, with the Competition model boasting 600 horsepower that can still launch the two-ton body with ease. The most exaggerated is the X series M50i, tuning the same V8 to produce 530 horsepower. The performance gap is particularly evident on the track—for example, at the Goldenport Circuit, the M2 is more agile entering corners, while the M5 can pull ahead by three car lengths on the long straight. Fuel consumption, however, is equally impressive; my daily commute in the M4 starts at 14 liters per 100 kilometers.