This Extraordinary BMW Collection Is a True Treasure Trove of M Cars

While some car collectors are willing to spend their money indiscriminately — without any brand allegiance or powertrain bias — far more tend to keep their tastes centered around a particular marque or niche that speaks to them.

Neither approach is necessarily ‘better,’ per se, but the latter can certainly require more patience and restraint (at least depending on your druthers). When you have an eye for the rare, the exotic or the obscure, it can take years to assemble all the pieces.

Tom Gidden / RM Sotheby’s

It’s this kind of dedication that makes ‘The Best of M Collection’ all the more impressive. With 22 BMWs in total, some of which are exceptionally impactful and hard to come by, it’s sure to make a splash when it goes up for sale in November.

A legendary BMW ensemble

Among those 22 cars, there is no shortage of iconic classics. For instance, the oldest of the lot is a 1975 BMW 2002 Turbo. In addition to being a significant precursor to the firm’s M division, it’s an exceptionally rare car that’s just one of only 1,672 examples in total.

Tom Gidden / RM Sotheby’s

As impressive as the 2002 Turbo is, though, it pales in comparison to some other collectibles in the lot, like the 1980 M1. As the firm’s first publicly sold M car, its importance can’t be overstated. It’s the genesis. What’s more, it’s of an even rarer stock, being part of just 399 road-going cars made during the three-year production run.

And there are plenty of other standouts from the BMW back catalog. Along with a 1990 M3 Sport Evolution, you’ll also find a 1991 Z1, a 2003 Z3 M ‘Clownshoe’ Coupe, as well as an assortment of M3 Cabriolets in desirable colorways like ‘Dakar Yellow.’

Tom Gidden / RM Sotheby’s

Whether or not you have a penchant for older Bimmers, it makes for quite the assortment of eye candy. Each car is in pristine condition, and some examples tout shockingly low odometer counts — especially given their age.

Tom Gidden / RM Sotheby’s

Some modern performers, too

If your interests skew newer, though, never fret — the collection includes a generous selection of modern and noteworthy BMW M icons, too.

From a 2010 M3 GTS and a 2012 1M Coupe to a 2023 M4 CSL and a 2023 M4 50th Anniversary edition, there are some truly memorable models from BMW’s recent performance efforts. For example, upon the debut of the M4 CSL, it was the brand’s fastest series-production model to ever lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife. 

Tom Gidden / RM Sotheby’s

Assuming you want an open-air experience, there’s a generous mix of convertibles in the collection, too. Between a Z3 M Roadster, a Z4 M Roadster and an Alpina Roadster, among a variety of other models, the droptop comes well-represented.

It’s a mix that’s as raw as it is refined. On the one hand, you have some of BMW’s latest and greatest M technology. However, the collection also features some truly analog cars that are devoid of any driver assistance features whatsoever. 

Tom Gidden / RM Sotheby’s

All bound for new homes

All 22 cars from The Best of M Collection are slated for sale at the RM Sotheby’s Munich auction with no reserve.

Tom Gidden / RM Sotheby’s

While some, like the M1, are expected to fetch $600,000 or more, others, like the Z3 M, should prove to be a bit more attainable with estimates around $70,000 to $90,000.

If you’d like to check out the collection, you can view it here. It’s set to cross the block on Saturday, October 18th.

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