Which BMW M model was the worst?

"LJ909" (lj909)
08/21/2017 at 18:13 • Filed to: None

With the new M5 on the horizon, it got me thinking: which one wasn’t actually, you know,good? I’m talking performance wise, reliability wise, something else, or any one of those? And be honest too. I know there are fan boys but even true fans can see shit from some of their favorite brands

My vote easily goes for the E60 V10 M5 just off of reliability and repair stories I have read. Which ones do you guys think weren’t good?

DISCUSSION (40)

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > LJ909
08/21/2017 at 18:19

X6M or the M6. THe M6 is ugly, and the X6M is basically a less practical X5M and is also ugly.

LJ909 > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
08/21/2017 at 18:22

Out of the 2 I would say the X6M along with the X5m. Pretty much because I dont care for performance SUV’s. They are a contradiction.

E90M3 > LJ909
08/21/2017 at 18:24

Kinja'd!!!

US Spec E36 M3. Lacks a true M engine, an auto transmission was an option.

LJ909 > E90M3
08/21/2017 at 18:29

I think I read somewhere once that this M3 was like detuned or softer than what the rest of the world got? With someone saying it was more of an appearance package than a true M3.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > LJ909
08/21/2017 at 18:38

It was definitely faster than a standard road model but was nuetered compared to what the rest of the world got.

Nisman > LJ909
08/21/2017 at 18:40

The E60 wasn’t supposed to be reliable and has one of the best sounding engines of all time.

Textured Soy Protein > LJ909
08/21/2017 at 18:40

Outside the US, the E36 M3 had the S50B30 motor which was 3.0 liters with individual throttle bodies, VANOS variable valve timing on the intake, and other exotic bits, putting out 282 hp. For 1996 it was bumped to the S50B32 with 3.2 liters, VANOS on both cams, and 321 hp. Overall it’s very similar in character to the 333 hp S54 motor in the E46 M3.

In the US, the E36 M3 instead started with the 3.0 liter S50B30US with a single throttle and no VANOS, for 240 hp. It was bumped in 1996 to the S52, a 3.2 liter with a single throttle, intake VANOS, and still 240 hp but more torque.

The reason the 2001-up Z3 M Coupe & Roadster are so desirable is they have the S54 from the E46 M3 instead of the 240 hp S52 from the 96-up E36 M3 that they were originally equipped with.

E90M3 > LJ909
08/21/2017 at 18:42

The US spec basically had a bored out M52, lacking things like individual throttle bodies, a hallmark of M engines. We had to make due with 240 hp whereas the rest of the world got 321 hp with the S50B32.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > LJ909
08/21/2017 at 18:45

From a spec sheet stand point, US-spec E36 (yet it will always be my absolute favorite because go-kart handling and plenty of power)

From a reliability standpoint, anything with the 4.4L V8 or the V10 like you said.

Looks? X6 or clownshoe.

LJ909 > Nisman
08/21/2017 at 18:52

Its why I have always wanted one. But I dont think I could ever stomach the upkeep, especially with that fragile SMG.

LongbowMkII > LJ909
08/21/2017 at 18:54

M4.

It’s a big, straight-six powered M coupe that is somehow completely uninteresting.

How do you DO that?

LJ909 > Textured Soy Protein
08/21/2017 at 18:54

I didn’t know that about the Z3M. And in cars that were as light as the clown shoe and roadster they were something else.

I could never find though why BMW didnt get the E36 the S50B32.

LJ909 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
08/21/2017 at 18:59

Oh yea defienetly the E36 was a let down performance wise.

You hit the nailon the head with the 4.4 and the V10 in the M5/M6. I wouldnt touch either if someone gave it to me, though I would have to serisously consider the V10 because of that sound.

Looks wise I agree with you and would add current gen M6 Gran Coupe and last gen M6 to the list. They just look...off.

LJ909 > LongbowMkII
08/21/2017 at 19:00

I think that stems from the fact that its pretty much disconnected. Thats what I got from driving it. Its dynamics are off. Let me put it to you this way: I found the Lexus RC-F better to drive, and I didnt like that car at all.

CaptDale - is secretly British > LJ909
08/21/2017 at 19:01

Most of them? Idk they just really don’t do much for me

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > LJ909
08/21/2017 at 19:11

If you solely look at spec sheets, the E36 is a let down only thanks to the Euro-spec. Actually experiencing one, it really isn’t anywhere close to a let down. Absolutely sublime handling and a 0-60 in the high 5s are still a giggle.

I don’t even think the noise the V10 make would sway me. The E90 M3 with an exhaust sounds almost as good and doesn’t break constantly.

I can’t agree with the M6 GC. I absolutely love how they look.

feather-throttle-not-hair > E90M3
08/21/2017 at 19:12

Everyone hates these, but i like how cheap they were. Way cheaper car than the euro version and well under $40K in the U.S. when they were new.

Plus 240hp is enough to not be slow, which is really all you can ask for from a performance car from the mid to late 90's.

E90M3 > feather-throttle-not-hair
08/21/2017 at 19:15

240 is more than my 328i has. It’s more of the fact there was a much better version out there and we didn’t get it, that’s what makes it bad.

feather-throttle-not-hair > LJ909
08/21/2017 at 19:15

Its gotta be the M6 Grand Coupe for me.

Nothing wrong with the car really other than that it is mechanically identical to an M5 while also having the same number of doors as the M5. So to reiterate, its an M5. That costs 20k more than an M5.

LJ909 > Logansteno: Bought a VW?
08/21/2017 at 19:18

Yea I’ve always wanted to experience one and if it makes up for the lack of power in driving dynamics then it must be fine.

Ive always been on the fence about puling the trigger on the V10 M5, especially with how cheap they are becoming. But the upkeep, I just cant do it. I would glady take an E90 M3 sedan however.

Vicente Esteve > LJ909
08/21/2017 at 19:18

E60 M5 is best M5.

Vicente Esteve > LJ909
08/21/2017 at 19:19

My pick goes to the M4.

LJ909 > feather-throttle-not-hair
08/21/2017 at 19:20

Which speaks volumes to BMW’s bigger problem: pointlessness. The Gran Coupe models along with the GT’s and the X4 and X6 are just all pointless.

LJ909 > Vicente Esteve
08/21/2017 at 19:20

Too soft?

E90M3 > LJ909
08/21/2017 at 19:21

I could never find though why BMW didnt get the E36 the S50B32.

I believe it was emissions related. Same reason we didn’t get the 3.8L S38 M5, we had to make do with the 3.6L S38.

TFSIVTEC drivesavolvo > LJ909
08/21/2017 at 19:34

Easily the E36 American M3 that didn’t even have a real M engine.

feather-throttle-not-hair > E90M3
08/21/2017 at 19:37

the paradox of being a BMW enthusiast “Oh no, its great! But I hate it because its not the best.”

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > LJ909
08/21/2017 at 19:38

Kinja'd!!!

It’s not pretty, not quirky and definitely not motorsport derived. This was when ///M officially switched from meaning motorsport to muscle. It’s literally just for people who just want the biggest M car.

At least the X6M is interesting and makes itself known that it was bought for show, that means X5M owners expect practicality out of their M car. Get a damn minivan.

The worst part is that as soon as it came out, it was in the Cayenne Turbo’s shadow. It wasn’t any better and it wasn’t any different. What a waste of the M badge.

E90M3 > feather-throttle-not-hair
08/21/2017 at 19:41

I mean, the question was what’s the worst M car. Doesn’t mean I hate it, I’ve got a model of one. It was probably my favorite car when I was 14.

Kinja'd!!!

LJ909 > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/21/2017 at 19:50

Not to mention heavy as shit. But like I said to someone else, I just dont care for performance SUV’s in general.

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > LJ909
08/21/2017 at 19:57

It’s just such a “me too” vehicle which no other M car ever was before. Even the X6M avoided this with its unique ogre-like styling and invented a new segment.

If we’re up to me the X6 would only be available with the M4 I6, M50d and M5 V8.

LJ909 > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/21/2017 at 20:14

Not to mention it was heavy as shit. I dont even think anyone really bought the X5M honestly. I know I’ve only ever seen one out in the wild.

LJ909 > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch
08/21/2017 at 20:14

Not to mention it was heavy as shit. I dont even think anyone really bought the X5M honestly. I know I’ve only ever seen one out in the wild.

feather-throttle-not-hair > E90M3
08/21/2017 at 20:16

I’m just giving you Bimmer guys a hard time. I totally get it, it sucks not having the option of having the best engine.

I do have weird place in my heart for the E36 M3 though, because in many ways its sort of the ultimate goldilocks for me. And the styling while not being particularly beautiful, just looks correct.

Vicente Esteve > LJ909
08/21/2017 at 22:34

Too meh. I have seen a lot of them and they do nothing for me. A 435i sounds better, an M3 looks better, an M2 IS better.

PS9 > E90M3
08/21/2017 at 23:02

The worst M is yet to come; one where auto is the only option. You know it’s only a matter of time.

Arrivederci > LJ909
08/22/2017 at 07:58

X6M for me - while the X5M isn’t great either, at least it has precedence (thanks, MB AMG!). The X6M takes something that shouldn’t have been made anyway and makes it even less practical (and less attractive, to me anyway).

diplodicus > feather-throttle-not-hair
08/22/2017 at 08:56

The 6 series Grand Coupes are the best looking cars they make right now.

Nisman > LJ909
08/22/2017 at 09:29

Yeah I mean you’ve got to be well off to afford to run one, well beyond what the cars actually cost, but it’s worth it if you have the dough.

feather-throttle-not-hair > diplodicus
08/22/2017 at 12:26

I would’ve been fine with them replacing the m5 with the m6 gt. My point is you don’t need two identical cars with different sheet metal while having a 20 grand price premium for the better looking one.