Over the years, BMW has steadily maintained its reputation as a high-quality and prestigious luxury automobile manufacturer. And I’m here to tell you that with the latest model year, the German company has more than exceeded all expectations concerning its branding. There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that BMW sports cars are well-regarded around the world as quality automobiles that aim to please in every way possible.
If you take a look at the current lineup of BMW models, it’s easy to see how BMW blurs the line between everyday vehicles and racing machines. In fact, it can be difficult to tell which BMW car is actually a sports car and which isn’t because every BMW model has the performance and style to make a claim for that title. As we go through some of our favorite BMW selections, we’ll let you decide which ones meet the requirements to be a sports car.
Coupes and Sedans
There are plenty of BMW coupes and sedans to choose from, but a few of them especially stand out from the bunch, including the M5 Sedan and M8 Coupe. Keep in mind, though, there are other BMW coupes and sedans that definitely deserve a look if you have the time, but these are two of our favorites because of how they look and the type of performance they bring:
M5 Sedan
Starting at a cool $103,500 MSRP, the M5 Sedan is powered by a 4.4-liter BMW M TwinPower Turbo V-8 engine with an output of 600 hp. The engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and Launch Control. For a sedan to start at over $100,000 is quite remarkable, especially when you consider the average sedan usually starts around $20,000 to $25,000. Obviously, there’s a lot more here than meets the eye, although the exterior stylings and aesthetics are nothing short of fantastic. The look evokes a classically modern BMW appeal, and there are a dozen beautiful paint finishes to choose from, including the powerful Black Sapphire Metallic.
M8 Coupe
Moving into the coupes, you expect to find vehicles that have that racing look, which is exactly what you see when your eyes land on the 8 Series. The two-door models start at $88,000, although it can climb to above $130,000. If you go for the M8 Competition Coupe, it’s a large $146,000 price tag, but you get a 4.4-liter V8 that can take you from zero to 60 in three seconds flat. Now that sounds pretty sporty to me.
And just to continue the show, why not adjust your exhaust system at the touch of a button? Yes, you can change the way your exhaust sounds with the M Sport exhaust system. Of course, you’d only need to do that if you haven’t already gotten the attention of onlookers with the stylish design of the car itself. People won’t be able to help but take a second glance when you drive by in an M8.
Convertibles
While you don’t need a retractable roof, or no roof at all, to be considered sporty, it doesn’t hurt, right? Seeing a convertible drive by, or driving one yourself, gives rise to an excitement that only a sports car can create. The rumble of its engine as you hug highway curves and feel the wind in your hair is a feeling that any normal car would have a hard time replicating.
Z4 Roadster
The Roadster simply belongs on the road. Given its name, wouldn’t you agree? Although the base model starts at $49,700 MSRP, you can get the stellar Z4 M40i for $63,700. With a 382 hp BMW M TwinPower Turbo 6-cylinder engine, the Z4 M40i has loads of performance under its hood. And since it has a zero to 60 time of 3.9 seconds, it’s tough to argue with that statement.
From its looks, the Z4 Roadster is just about everything you’d want in a convertible. You have two seats to keep things small and agile, plus multiple driving modes to switch between sporty driving and everyday driving. You also won’t have any problems controlling your driving experience with the paddle shifters, M Sport Differential, and M Sport brakes.
M4 Convertible
If you like the M4 Coupe, you might just love the M4 Convertible. An already aggressively-style sports car becomes even more assertive on the road when you take the top off. Starting at $77,650, the M4 Convertible has a 3.0-liter BMW M TwinPower Turbo 6-cylinder engine with a 425-hp output. This is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed double-clutch for close control while driving.
If you want to increase the performance, go for the Competition Package and increase your engine output to 444 hp. With a top speed of 174 mph when properly equipped, it almost feels necessary to take this car to the track. And to increase the likelihood of standing out from the crowd, try a bold paint finish like the Sakhir Orange Metallic or the San Marino Blue Metallic.
M8 Convertible
The M8 Convertible is the same as the M8 Coupe except, you guessed it, the roof on this one is optional. With the M8 Convertible, you get 600 hp and a 3.1-second zero to 60 speed. If you go for the M8 Competition Convertible, it’s 617 hp and a 3.0-second zero to 60 speed. It’s not a huge difference, but for the performance enthusiasts out there, it’s a big enough difference. Either way, you’ll be enjoying the cool, open air in a stunning M8 Convertible, which should be more than enough to keep most people happy.
Of course, you can always put the roof back up if it starts to rain or if you like how the black soft top seamlessly aligns with the rest of this beautiful vehicle. The M8 Competition Convertible looks especially appealing with the Aventurin Red Metallic paint finish, although the Sonic Speed Blue or Marina Bay Blue Metallic finishes are hard to look away from. Whichever finish you decide of the dozen available, it’s sure to look nice. Besides, the real beauty is underneath the hood and in your hands once you get behind the wheel.
Which BMW Sports Car Fits You?
With so many options from BMW, is there just one BMW sports car that stands out to you? From sedans to coupes to convertibles, the choices are immense and filled with possibilities. Considering we didn’t even talk about all the available car options and models, it seems like BMW is actually jam-packed with sports car prospects. That is, of course, if you consider all of these options to be sports cars.
The definition of a sports car varies by person and company, but when you dig into it, it’s typically a car that can fit in on the track. Which is to say, it can race. By that definition alone, the options we’ve shown you here can easily answer the call of the sports car. These BMW sports cars have all the factors to prove their performance capabilities, both on and off the track. They may not be million-dollar supercars, but they’re much more than your average vehicle.
