BMW's M division has made some fabulous cars over the past half-century. But how would you define or create the perfect one? Two of our resident gear heads, who have driven most of them and coveted yet more, took six of the best out on the road and then sat down together with a notebook and a kettle. Here's what they came up with...
MATT PRIOR Well, you've driven a few and I've driven a few, and the dream M is basically the M1, right?
JAMES DISDALE It's a good start, isn't it? In many ways, it's nothing like those that followed it, what with it being partly designed in Italy and having its engine in the middle. But that engine is very M, and there's a purity to its purpose that started a strand running through all of them.
MP I too am sold on the engine. But you're right, what with the engine where it is, it does miss out on the thing that defines so many M cars: their being incredibly usable.
JD Exactly. The M1 is many things, but usable it isn't. That's partly down to its age, which has left it with an awkward driving position - it has been a long time since I've driven a car with pedals that were so offset- and scatter gun ergonomics. Having said that, for what is essentially a mid-engined supercar, the visibility is excellent, while it really is compact, which makes it surprisingly easy to thread down the road. I definitely think we need those two qualities in our perfect M car.
MP Yup, agreed. That's what I also really like about the first M3, the E30. It has a ridiculous width, something less than 1.7 metres. But while it feels an old car these days, those qualities never quite leave it.
This story is from the February 22, 2023 edition of Autocar UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 22, 2023 edition of Autocar UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MG 4
An EV changes your driving style - but not to the detriment of pleasure
PEUGEOT E-208
Time with our French hatch is up. Is it good riddance or au revoir?
In the hot seat
Is the best automotive job in the world actually in miniature scale? Hot Wheels' design boss assures STEPHEN DOBIE it is
Correcting the record
Autocar invented the road test back in 1928 - or did we? KEITH JONES trawls the past to find the true starting point
Road test rebooted
As the Autocar road test forges into its second century, its brief is expanding and it's returning to a familiar place. MATT SAUNDERS explains
Cyber attack
MG is back on the international stage and now trying to return to its sports car roots. MATT SAUNDERS sees if the Cyberster EV can match up to a rival from the present and a relation from the past
KIA PICANTO
As rivals fall by the wayside, Kia's popular city car gets a makeover
MASERATI GRANTURISMO
Latest coupé in a long line of Maserati GT cars hits the UK with V6 power
PORSCHE CAYENNE GTS COUPE
New V8 model gets all the goodies
TOYOTA PRIUS
Back by popular demand with a cool new look and greater driver appeal