The BMW range in 2023 encompasses a lot of different models. These range from standard sedans to 7-seater luxury SUVs, with almost everything in between.
Within that range of models, BMW is still sticking firmly to its roots – making some fantastic examples of what they refer to as ultimate driving machines. Whether you’re a fan of BMW or not, it’s hard to argue that they can create some impressive sports cars, and if you’re after driving pleasure above all else – you can’t go wrong with a BMW.
So what does their current lineup of sports cars look like? Let’s take a look…
Current BMW Sports Cars
Before we look at the most expensive sports cars BMW currently offers, let’s define what we mean by a ‘sports car’. Some of you might disagree with me on this, but my definitions are:
- The car has to be focused on performance
- Two doors only
- Can have rear seats
- Can be convertible or hardtop
As I mentioned, a few of you might argue about my criteria, and when we come onto the list, I’ll happily admit the lines are a bit blurred with some cars (grand tourers might be more appropriate for some of the choices). Aside from that, this list will show you all available options if you’re looking to get your hands on a BMW sports car.
5. M2
Starting Price: $62,200 / £48,430 / €56,200
The new M2 has been slightly controversial since its announcement last year. Firstly, the previous generation of M2 was one of the best M cars of recent generations and gave you a fantastic drive considering the price. On top of that, it was rear-wheel drive (RWD), a staple of the best BMWs, creating a real ‘driver’s car’.
This new version carries across some design elements from the current 2 Series, which have divided opinions. Like the new 4 series, I expect the design to look better in person, but initial feedback has left some owners sticking to their older M2 models.
However, the stats on this car look incredibly sharp. Just under 4 seconds from 0-60 is blisteringly quick for a small car like this, and if it’s anything like the previous generation M2, this will be an amazing car to drive.
4. Z4 M40i
Starting Price: $63,700 / $49,000 / €66,900
The Z4 has long been a love/hate vehicle for BMW. The company has a long history of iconic convertibles and roadsters, and more recently, the Z3 and Z4 were a reasonably successful attempt by BMW to compete with their rivals. This experiment into the convertible market ended in 2016, and we had a few years without any convertible offerings from Munich.
Then in 2018, the new Z4 was announced. In some ways, like the M240i, the design was polarising. It has been fantastic to see the return of this car, though. What’s more, you’ll get more than enough performance from the M40i version, with a 0 to 60mph time of 3.9 seconds.
I’ll admit, the price is a concern, though. That performance is worth a premium, but you’re in low spec Corvette territory once you start adding options. Regardless of that, if you’re in the market for a fast convertible below the $100,000 mark, the Z4 is going to be an enticing pick
3. M4 Competition
Starting Price: $74,900 / £79,000 / €94,000
The M4 is a difficult car to rank here. There are currently four variants of the M4 you can buy in the US (it is different in other regions). They include three versions of the coupe and one convertible. I’ve chosen the mid-range coupe for this comparison as it’s the version I’d select, but they are all similar in some aspects.
Performance-wise, the M4 fits firmly into the sports car bracket. The ‘slowest’ version is 0 to 60 in 4.1s, with the quickest hitting 60mph in 3.4s, which is getting into supercar territory. Along with that speed, as an M car, it’s designed for both the track and the road, so it’s not all about that straight-line speed.
On the question of price – the M4 might look good value, but it’s in the options when things can get pretty stupid. The M division at BMW offers you a lot of choices, and with that choice, you can easily spec this car up to over $100,000. Whether you think it’s worth creeping into six figures is up to you, but the M4 has been one of the most popular German sports cars in recent years and will be here to stay.
2. M850i Convertible
Starting Price: $109,400 / £117,000 / €140,000
OK, now we are into BMW’s flagship model. A few years ago, the 8 series was reintroduced at the top of the BMW lineup. Its primary role in the BMW lineup is to be the go-to grand tourer, but I think the M850i variant (particularly the convertible) can be considered a sports car.
First off, let’s look at the performance. It will get you from 0 to 60mph in 3.8 seconds. 3.8. So no argument about the pace of this car – if you think it’s there solely for those long-distance cruises, think again. It’s also the first car on this list with a V8, so that’s another tick in the sports car box for me. It’s not the smallest car (you get rear seats that are borderline usable), but you have over 500 bhp to play with, so it deserves its place on this list.
It suffers from the same problem as most of the cars on this list, though, as you can only choose AWD for the M850i. That’s not bad for most drivers, but as a sports car, it does lose some of its playfulness in the handling, even though BMW claims the system is biased towards the rear wheels.
Overall, it is hard to justify the price of the M850i, especially when we compare it to the next car on our list. I have no idea on sales figures for this model compared to the other 8 series variants, but I’d be surprised if BMW didn’t replace this version in the near future.
1. M8 Competition
Starting Price: $130,000 / £133,000 / €175,000
Here we are – the pinnacle of current BMW. The M8 takes everything from the 8 series and ranks it up a few levels to make something truly insane. With over 600 bhp, you’re getting from 0 to 60mph in 3 seconds flat – that’s equal to a Ferrari 488.
The M8 stands out with the wealth of performance-based options. You can spec ceramic brakes, buckets seats, and a ridiculous amount of carbon fiber. Don’t get me wrong, it is still a luxury vehicle, but you will not look out of place showing up to a racetrack in this.
Like the M850i, you can easily make a case for this not being an actual BMW sports car due to its size and the presence of rear seats. As I mentioned earlier, the landscape of sports cars has changed dramatically, and the historical definitions don’t work anymore. Cars are getting heavier and longer, containing more technology and passenger comforts.
With the M8, BMW has tried to push the brand closer to proper supercar territory. Most of you would probably agree that the ultimate sports car on the market is the Porsche 911, and it feels like, in recent years, the other German manufacturers have pushed their models closer and closer to Porsche, both in performance and price.
What is the future like for BMW sports cars?
Unfortunately, I can’t see BMW introducing any new sports cars in the near future. Currently, the brand focuses mainly on the SUV and Premium Electric markets, so sports cars are taking a back seat. As we’ve seen with the M4 and M8, though, performance and driving focus at BMW will remain important, so even though we are seeing a different generation of sports cars, they will continue to produce models that tick all the right boxes.
If you’d like to see more updates on BMW, check out the below:
The Best BMW Packages and Options
The Best New BMWs You Can Buy For Under $50,000
Which BMW Models Have Heads Up Display?
