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BMW’s M Cars: Substance and Soul!
We’ve come to expect a certain level of quality, luxury, and performance from Bavarian Motor Works (BMW). Now imagine if you will, a wholly owned subsidiary of BMW, entirely dedicated and focused on further improving the performance levels of some of their top selling joints. Well, that’s exactly what BMW did more than 30 years ago when it created the “M” performance wing. The M wing (Motorsport -- also known as M-Technik), was initially created to facilitate BMW’s racing program, with the first racing project being the incredible 3.0 CSL. In 1979, the legendary M1 was the first M car sold to the public. The M’s soul purpose is purely performance oriented in creating track ready cars combined with the everyday luxury, comfort and safety BMW is known for. And I do mean soul, for M models are created to stir the soul and evoke an emotional connection between driver and car.
So what sets a BMW M apart from your typical models, aside from several thousand dollars? For starters, the M’s core capabilities consist of producing horsepower with high revving engines and unprecedented power to weight ratios. Lightweighting key components through the use of exotic metals and carbon fiber is also an M hallmark. The M cars are the link between BMW’s F1 cars and their standard production models. This is evident in the M5 and M6 with their integrated paddle-shifter transmissions. Drop in a V10 pumping out 500 horsepower with 383 pound-feet of torque in either the M5 or M6, linked to a 7-speed Sequential Manual Gearbox with DRIVELOGIC and Launch Control with  Dynamic Stability Control (DSC). Combine that with an Electronic Damper Control (EDC) with three suspension settings (Comfort, Normal, and Sport) and you have an astounding 279 potential driving programs in a monster capable of moving from 0-60 in 4.6 seconds. Let’s not forget the M Roadster and Z4 M Coupe. Both of these little devils house a 3.2- liter inline 6-cylinder 330 horsepower engine. Factor that in with a curb weight of 3,197 pounds for the Roadster and 3,230 pounds for the Z4 M Coupe and you’ll fly like a bat outta hell. The Z4 pair clock 0-60 times in 4.9 seconds. But the differences don’t stop there. Every M model is thoroughly tested on Germany’s world-renowned Nürburgring racetrack under conditions much harsher than one would experience in everyday driving scenarios.
The styling of the M models remains understated, with subtle differences such as the aerodynamically enhanced M exterior mirrors, exhaust outlets, M specific colors, body trim enhancements and of course the M badge. After all, if the aforementioned performance differences aren’t enough, you’re looking at the wrong lineup. Once proven worthy to sport the tri-color M badge, you’re ready to hit the track -- and that’s where I was headed.
 To test the fleet of Ms, one of the most historic and challenging tracks in the country was selected -- Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. The journey to Road America featured some of the most scenic routes Wisconsin has to offer, including long open stretches combined with both sweeping and tight curves. My journey started behind the wheel of the ultra-smooth and sexy M6. The 6-Series already commands more attention than ‘Lil John at a mime convention. Upgrade it to M, and you have now taken your status to a stratospheric level. Cruising at 80 mph is a breeze and although it isn’t lawful, maintaining 120 mph is effortlessly comfortable. Driving the Z4 M Coupe was equally fun. Given its relatively small size, you immediately become one with the Coupe as the controls are easily visible and the thicker than normal steering wheel aids in navigating curves and corners at any speed -- particularly the higher speeds.
 At this point I was ready for the track! Unfortunately, threatening storm clouds put a damper on our time at Road America. This didn’t stop us, but it did make the track slippery -- all the better to fully engage and test the various DSC and EDC modes. First up to bat was the Z4 M Coupe, which was as much at home on the track as it was on our journey there. Again, given the conditions, we weren’t able to vigorously push the capable Coupe as originally planned, but at no point did the DSC allow the Z4 to swerve wildly in corners, and the system helped maintain optimum braking and acceleration. Before the rains came down any harder I quickly jumped into the M6. Unlike the Z4 M Coupe, I got the feeling the M6 was more at home on the track. Even with the DSC set to a minimum, the mighty M6 still handled the slippery curves with the greatest of ease. The 6 was allowed to get out of control in order to get a grip (literally) on other handling aspects of this M with a 6th sense. With 19” tires and a variable M differential lock that can be set to 100% rear bias, it was as if the M6 had a smile on its grille as it gracefully played in the rain doing close to 130 mph!
Whether you’re looking for the M5, the sexy-smooth M6, or the pint-sized power house Z4 M Coupe or Roadster, rest assured with the M badge earned on each of these models you will have a whip that will meet both your everyday and weekend track day needs.
(Base prices for the M cars are as follows: M6 $96,795; M5 $81,895; Z4 M Roadster $51,995 and Z4 M Coupe $49,995)
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