The history of BMW is rich with rare and hidden gems. From concept cars to homologation specials to design exercises, there are countless versions of the BMW models we know and love that have a character all their own.
We have put together a list of cars that, due to low production numbers or simply the effect of decades passing, may have slipped the mind of even die-hard enthusiasts. Spanning across decades, these rare BMWs are shining examples of the brand’s design and engineering excellence.
Items are listed according to number of units produced, from the highest to the lowest.
1M Coupe
Engine
3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six
Horsepower
335 hp
Number Of Units Produced
6,309
The 1M Coupe is the result of the combination of two models: the 1 Series Coupe and the M3. Thanks to a project that originally started out as a bit of after-work fun for BMW’s engineers, the former’s frame was enriched with components from the latter, creating something truly unique. The result was a powerful and light sports car, which immediately piqued enthusiasts’ interest.
Despite difficult financial circumstances at the time, BMW went ahead with a small production run for the 1M Coupe, thanks to its relatively low cost of manufacturing. The original plan was for 2,700 units to be built, but due to high demand this number more than doubled and over 6,000 cars rolled off the production line over a two-year period.
E46 M3 CSL
Engine
3.2-liter inline-six
Horsepower
360 hp
Number Of Units Produced
1,383
BMW’s CSL badge (Coupé, Sport, Leichtbau, or Coupé, Sport, Lightweight) had first been used on a touring car from the ’70s, the 3.0 CSL, as a way to denote track-oriented performance. Nearly three decades later, it made another appearance on a powerful version of the E46-generation M3: the E46 M3 CSL.
The car was powered by an upgraded version of the S54 engine (a 3.2-liter naturally aspirated inline-six), which produced 360 hp rather than 343. The engine was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The brakes were upgraded, as was the suspension with the addition of custom-made springs and dampers. A set of specially made Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires completed the package.
M5 CS
Engine
4.4-liter twin-turbo V8
Horsepower
626 hp
Number Of Units Produced
1,000
The M5 CS (Competition Sport) was put into production in the spring of 2021, and is the first ever version of the M5 to wear the CS badge. It was equipped with a host of upgrades including a power boost of 10 hp (bumping output up to 626 hp), four bucket seats, M carbon ceramic brakes, and two heat extractor vents in the hood. The car was also given a few unique cosmetic touches, such as gold-colored exterior trim and a layout of the Nürburgring printed on the headrests.
The M5 CS was also 256 lb lighter than the standard M5 of the time. This was accomplished thanks to the use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers in areas such as the hood, lip spoiler, rear diffuser, and exterior mirror caps. A selection of just three colors were available for this variant of the model: Brands Hatch Grey Metallic, Frozen Brands Hatch Grey Metallic, and Frozen Deep Green Metallic.
M4 GTS
Engine
3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six
Horsepower
500 hp
Number Of Units Produced
830
Introduced in 2016, this model is the first special edition of the M4, which had only made its debut two years prior. An extreme, track-focused version of the model, the GTS upgraded the M4’s engine (the S55 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six) with a unique water-injection system, which bumped power output up to 500 hp. For comparison, the M4 with the Competition Package produced 444 hp.
BMW had originally planned to produce 700 units of the M4 GTS. However, due to increased demand, that number ended up being a little higher, eventually hitting 830 units. Each had a hefty price tag of $134,000.
E30 M3 Evo II
Engine
2.3-liter inline-four
Horsepower
217 hp
Number Of Units Produced
501
The Evolution II (“Evo II”) was a special edition version of the E30-generation M3, produced in 1988. It was a successor to the Evolution I, which had a revised cylinder head for improved performance but kept the power output of the production M3. The Evo II, on the other hand, increased output from 200 to 217 hp, and from 176 to 181 lb-ft of torque. Its 2.3-liter inline-four engine had a revised cylinder head, new camshaft, new ECU, and new exhaust manifold; it was painted with an M logo, paired with a Getrag five-speed manual transmission.
The Evo II was also fitted with a reworked body, a thicker rear anti-roll bar, a limited-slip differential, Bilstein dampers, and thinner glass compared to its production counterpart.
E36 M3 GT
Engine
3.0-liter inline-six
Horsepower
295 hp
Number Of Units Produced
356
The E36 M3 GT is one of the rarest versions of the M3’s second generation. It was built for homologation purposes, in order to make the E36 M3 eligible for competition in the FIA GT series and other championships around the world. It was only ever sold in Europe, but due to its age (it was produced in the mid-1990s) it is now eligible for import to the States, if you’re an enthusiast with sufficiently deep pockets and a love for rare BMWs.
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The 3.0-liter inline-six engine was modified with a higher compression ratio and larger camshafts, resulting in an increased output of 295 hp (European spec cars produced 282 hp, while American ones produced just 240 hp).
G80 M3 MT Final Edition
BMW M3 MT Final Edition in Alpine White with gold bronze Style 827M wheels.BMW
Engine
3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six
Horsepower
510 hp
Number Of Units Produced
150
Next up, we have a JDM-exclusive version of the M3: the M3 MT Final Edition, or the very last M3 sold in Japan to be equipped with a manual transmission. This model was introduced in 2024, and aside from being a farewell to the manual transmission in Japan, it was also built to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the M3’s first racing victory.
It is made all the more interesting by the fact that the G80-generation M3 was not previously available with a manual transmission in Japan, so the Final Edition is even more of a rarity. A selection of three colors was made available, with 50 units built for each color: Black Sapphire, Alpine White, and Brooklyn Grey.
E92 M3 GTS
Engine
4.4-liter V8
Horsepower
444 hp
Number Of Units Produced
138
This version of the fourth-generation E92 M3 is ready to tackle any challenges the track may throw at it, with its $170,000 price tag reflecting its ultra-high-performance character.
This extreme variant of the model had its rear seats removed and its side and rear windows replaced with polycarbonate ones. The door panels were replaced with thinner ones, and the center console with a stripped-down one, all for the purposes of weight saving. Both the sound system and the AC became optional. A carbon fiber roof (also seen in the production M3 coupe) and a titanium exhaust silencer completed the package. The final result was a car over 300 lbs lighter than the standard M3.
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E90 M3 CRT
Engine
4.4-liter V8
Horsepower
444 hp
Number Of Units Produced
67
The M3 CRT (Carbon Racing Technology is an ultra-rare version of the E90-generation M3 unveiled in 2011, at the Nürburgring 24-hour race. It was based on the four-door M3 Competition Pack, and was built with cutting-edge automotive technology at the forefront. The M3 CRT was the first model to use a new production process for carbon fiber-reinforced plastic as part of its manufacturing journey.
It was finished with Frozen Polar Silver metallic paint, and equipped with black 19-inch alloy wheels. The front bucket seats and the hood were both made out of a light and resilient cellular carbon honeycomb. The M3 CRT balanced the racetrack and the road, boosting the M3’s performance and style with a unique package of features. Of course, however, it was not cheap, with a price tag of $130,000.
3.0 CSL Hommage
Engine
3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six
Horsepower
560 hp
Number Of Units Produced
50
The last and rarest car on our list is the 3.0 CSL Hommage, another BMW that carries the legendary CSL badge. Remember the ’70s 3.0 CSL we mentioned earlier? Well, this unique concept car was introduced in 2015 as a homage to it, hence the name. The 3.0 CSL Hommage made its debut at the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, one of the most well-known automotive events in the world. It later got a small production run, going from the initial one-off concept to 50 units.
The Hommage pays tribute to the spirit of its ancestor by keeping its weight as low as possible, through the clever use of a minimalist interior and materials such as aluminum and carbon fiber. Power comes from an inline-six engine fitted with an eBoost hybrid system. The car is also fitted with Laser-LED headlights, similar to the ones seen on the i8.
Sources: BMW
