Welcome to the internet's latest Bimmer outfitter! And today, we're going to break down the family tree of the BMWs we cater to, from their generations to their engine codes, with links to their respective product pages. Don't see a product you like? Don't sweat it! We're still dipping our toes in these waters as we slowly venture beyond the Supra and its venerable B58, and we look forward to a continous expansion as we try out this new-yet-familiar field! So let's get started with a brief rundown of the various cars we now feature here at Speed Industry.
BMW Models:
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- G80 M3/G82 M4: The latest and greatest from BMW and the current heir to a long lineage of motorsports inspired sports sedans and sports coupes. This will be our BMW side's bread and butter. The G80-generation M3 sedan and its mechanically-identical G82 M4 coupe sibling sit on the M3 branch as the largest and heaviest generation (roughly 3,800 pounds), but they're also the most luxurious and high-tech. They've been praised for being far more controllable, buttoned-down, and easier to drive fast than preceding models. This iteration also sports the most variability in its driving experience, from near-infinitely adjustable drive modes to the actual models you can buy. There are lighter-weight and juiced-up track models such as the M4 CSL and M3 CS, rear and all-wheel drive versions, ZF 8HP 8-speed autos, and 6-speed manuals for the old-school purists. Their new S58 engine, essentially a steriodal B58, is also the most powerful M3 powerplant, with output ranging from 473 horepower in the base models, to 503 in the Competition, and 543 in the CS and CSLs. For reference, that's hot on the heels of the F10 M5 from a few years ago and within earshot of the later F90 M5.
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- F80 M3/F82 M4: Prior to the G8x M cars, there was the F80 M3 sedan and F82 M4 coupe, the first M3 generation to spawn an M4 coupe as part of BMW's revised naming convention and the first to go turbocharged. Like the trend of recent BMWs, it was far more tech-ladden and luxurious than the prior model. It was equally praised and criticized for its explosive behavior. Hairy-raising, tail-happy handling dynamics and a sledghammer powerband afforded by its S55 straight-six and 7-speed dual-clutch made for one heck of an adrenaline rush in the hands of well-versed drivers. It was reasonably light for its class, between 3,600 and 3,700 pounds, and made a decent heap of power, from 425 horsepower to 444 in the Competition models to roughly 500 in the top-shelf M4 GTS. They've become synonmous with the tuning community, meaning their power output and track capability can easily be cranked up to 11 with just a few short visits to sites like, hm, I don't know, like Speed Industry.
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- BMW 2-Series, F87 and G87 M2: The little fella carries on the legacy of the compact 1-Series, the tiny Bimmer pitched as an entry luxury coupe and hailed by enthusiasts as one of the best driving experiences from the Bavarian Roundel. The formula earning such praise permeates every 2-Series, from the B58-powered M240i to both generations of M2: small size for easy road placement , short wheelbase for excellent agility and responsiveness, and reasonably lightweight chassis for stout performance. Take the B58-powered cars as the 2+2 Supra, with its identical powertrain and gearbox but a more cavernous cabin and trunk. The M2s are minituare caricatures of their bigger M3 and M4 siblings, even being powered by the same engines. Later F87 M2s ditched their then-dated N55 straight-six for a detuned F80 S55 and 7-speed dual-clutch to push 405 horsepower. G87 M2s follow the same copy-cat formula, borrowing a detuned G80 S58 and ZF 8HP to make 453 horsepower. Manuals are available for maximum engagement and purity, befitting of a little guy like the beloved M2.
