Fastest BMW Car Models You Can Buy
BMW has a long and storied history of building cars that get off the line quickly and reach triple-digit speeds with ease. Of course, the fastest BMWs have historically been fitted with the fabled M – for Motorsports – badge. Going back to the original Bavarian legend E30 M3 in the late ’80s, BMW’s M cars have earned high praise for delivering on these two metrics. So, it is perhaps no surprise that the top 10 fastest BMW cars currently for sale come from the M division.
BMW
BMW is a German luxury car and motorbike manufacturer and current owner of Mini, Rolls-Royce, and Alpina. With roots dating back to 1913 as Rapp Motorenwerke, it officially became Bayerische Motoren Werke in 1922 as a manufacturer of aircraft engines. BMW’s first car was built in 1928 when it built the Austin 7 under license from Dixi, which was called the BMW 3/15. BMW grew into a manufacturer of premium and luxury automobiles, launching iconic nameplates like the 3 Series, 5 Series, and 7 Series, and is today known as one of the leading luxury automakers in the world, while the BMW M division is hailed as a leading manufacturer of performance cars.
- Founded
-
1916
- Headquarters
-
Munich, Germany
- Current CEO
-
Oliver Zipse
- Founder
-
Karl Rapp
- Owned By
-
Publicly Traded
In all cases, the standard governed top speed of these fastest BMWs is 155 mph per the long-standing “gentleman’s agreement” among Germany’s old-guard automakers. However, thanks to the option of removing these limiters, you can now enjoy a modern BMW with a top speed of nearly 200 mph.
This list only takes into account 2025 model year BMWs sold in the U.S. market. They are ranked slowest to fastest by top speed. In the case of identical top speeds, the model with the quicker 0-60 mph time is ranked higher and if both of those metrics are identical, the car with the lower base price (excluding destination charges) moves up in the rankings. Because the only thing better than crazy speed is cheap speed. All specifications and information have been sourced from BMW.
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10
2025 BMW M4: 180 MPH
Specifications
|
0-60 MPH |
4.1 Seconds |
|---|---|
|
Engine |
3.0L Twin-Turbo Inline-6 |
|
Output |
473 HP / 406 LB-FT |
|
Drivetrain |
RWD |
|
Transmission |
6-Speed Manual |
|
Base Price |
$80,100 |
The 2025 M4 is one of BMW’s fastest cars, but in this ranking, it takes the last position. Like its M3 stablemate, this base model M4 features a twin-turbo straight-six powertrain paired exclusively with rear-wheel drive (RWD). Staggered 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels help put the 473 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque to the ground, but ultimately the manual transmission can’t keep up with the shifting speed of the eight-speed automatic found in the Competition variants.
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9
2025 BMW M3: 180 MPH
Specifications
|
0-60 MPH |
4.1 Seconds |
|---|---|
|
Engine |
3.0L Twin-Turbo Inline-6 |
|
Output |
473 HP / 406 LB-FT |
|
Drivetrain |
RWD |
|
Transmission |
6-Speed Manual |
|
Base Price |
$76,700 |
The standard BMW M3 matches its M4 sibling perfectly on the spec sheet with an identical powertrain. Like the M4, you’ll need the optional M Driver’s Package to put your M3 on this list of fastest BMW models. For $2,500, it removes the 155-mph speed governor and allows the blown straight-six to push all the way up to 180 mph. But considering the M3 costs $3,400 less than the M4 and adds two more doors, the M3 sedan is by far the better value car.
8
2025 BMW M4 Competition: 180 MPH
Specifications
|
0-60 MPH |
3.8 Seconds |
|---|---|
|
Engine |
3.0L Twin-Turbo Inline-6 |
|
Output |
503 HP / 479 LB-FT |
|
Drivetrain |
RWD |
|
Transmission |
8-Speed Automatic |
|
Base Price |
$84,300 |
The top speed of the 2025 BMW M4 Competition is quoted at 155 mph per BMW, unless it comes fitted with the M Driver’s Package. To avoid redundancy on this point going forward, be aware that the top speeds shown for every BMW on this list are based on the use of this $2,500 option that also comes with a day of high-speed driving practice. Thanks to a bump in output and the standard eight-speed automatic, the M4 Competition clears the 0-60 mph run a few ticks faster than its base brother, giving it an advantage here.
7
2025 BMW M3 Competition: 180 MPH
Specifications
|
0-60 MPH |
3.8 Seconds |
|---|---|
|
Engine |
3.0L Twin-Turbo Inline-6 |
|
Output |
503 HP / 479 LB-FT |
|
Drivetrain |
RWD |
|
Transmission |
8-Speed Automatic |
|
Base Price |
$80,900 |
There is a theme with BMW’s M3 and M4. Though BMW once offered the M3 in coupe, sedan, or convertible flavors, a few years back the German automaker renamed the two-door and droptop models M4. Why is this relevant? Because for 2025, you can buy an M3 or an M4 in the same three powertrain variants – base, Competition, and Competition xDrive. As with all of them, the Competition models share specs and performance metrics. However, the M3 Competition pulls ahead of the M4 Competition because it offers the same speed for less money.
6
2025 BMW M4 Competition xDrive: 180 MPH
Specifications
|
0-60 MPH |
3.4 Seconds |
|---|---|
|
Engine |
3.0L Twin-Turbo Inline-6 |
|
Output |
523 HP / 479 LB-FT |
|
Drivetrain |
AWD |
|
Transmission |
8-Speed Automatic |
|
Base Price |
$89,400 |
Atop the 2025 BMW M4 food chain is the Competition xDrive model. It adds 20 more horsepower over the RWD Competition models, comes standard with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive (AWD) system, and with an automatic transmission. All of which helps these M4s deliver the fastest 0-60 time of the trio at 3.4 seconds. They also ride on larger wheels – 19 inches and 20 inches rear – with performance tires aiding in high-speed antics. Fortunately, the standard M Sport brakes are on hand when things get a little too wild.
5
2025 BMW M3 Competition xDrive: 180 MPH
Specifications
|
0-60 MPH |
3.4 Seconds |
|---|---|
|
Engine |
3.0L Twin-Turbo Inline-6 |
|
Output |
523 HP / 479 LB-FT |
|
Drivetrain |
AWD |
|
Transmission |
8-Speed Automatic |
|
Base Price |
$86,000 |
However, the best choice for those evaluating the 2025 BMW M3 and M4 siblings is clearly the M3 Competition xDrive. That’s because it can do everything the top-dog M4 can do without having to spend as much money. That includes the M Adaptive dampers and M Sport Differential, which are on hand to keep you planted when exploring the limit. Of course, 523 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque play a large part in the staggering speed on tap with this mightiest M3.
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4
2025 BMW M5 Touring: 190 MPH
Specifications
|
0-60 MPH |
3.5 Seconds |
|---|---|
|
Engine |
4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 PHEV |
|
Output |
717 HP / 738 LB-FT |
|
Drivetrain |
AWD |
|
Transmission |
8-Speed Automatic |
|
Base Price |
$121,500 |
Subjectively, the coolest BMW on this list of speedy models is the beastly 2025 M5 Touring – that translates to wagon for those of us who speak American. I mean, a station wagon with 717 hp, 738 lb-ft of torque, and the ability to hit 60 mph from a standstill in 3.5 seconds? Simply awesome. As is the 190 mph top speed, a metric that could see some use in its native Germany or perhaps in the open stretches out west here in the States. But the only thing better than owning such an epic sled is bragging about performance figures you’ll never experience.
With both propulsion systems working in concert, the M5 delivers a gut punch that can take your breath away. Even with xDrive, all four wheels struggle for grip before finally hooking up and rocketing away. The acceleration feels uninterrupted thanks to the electric assist between gear changes, delivering an extra thump just as you expect a brief reprieve from being pinned to your seat.
– Jared Rosenholtz, CarBuzz Editor-at-Large
15:05
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3
2025 BMW M5: 190 MPH
Specifications
|
0-60 MPH |
3.4 Seconds |
|---|---|
|
Engine |
4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 PHEV |
|
Output |
717 HP / 738 LB-FT |
|
Drivetrain |
AWD |
|
Transmission |
8-Speed Automatic |
|
Base Price |
$119,500 |
Like its wagon brother, the 2025 BMW M5 sedan is seriously fast thanks to that massive engine hooked up to AWD. Did we mention these rockets are also hybrids? Plug-in hybrids to be exact, meaning you can cruise around in electric silence for about 25 miles before the twin-turbo V8 comes to life. Or you can engage Boost Control while rolling between 20 and 90 mph by pulling a paddle on the steering wheel and standing on the gas to find out what this ‘bahn burner is all about.
2
2025 BMW M8 Convertible: 190 MPH
Specifications
|
0-60 MPH |
3.1 Seconds |
|---|---|
|
Engine |
4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 |
|
Output |
617 HP / 553 LB-FT |
|
Drivetrain |
AWD |
|
Transmission |
8-Speed Automatic |
|
Base Price |
$150,000 |
Does anyone paying $150,000 for a 2025 BMW M8 Convertible question the sanity of going 190 mph with the top down? Probably not, but it might be worth battening down any loose cabin stuff before doing so. Something of an unsung hero car, the big M8 drop top can seat four AND go from 0-60 in just 3.1 seconds. Though you may want to step up to the optional carbon-ceramic brakes before determining the viability of this idea.
1
2025 BMW M8 Gran Coupe: 190 MPH
Specifications
|
0-60 MPH |
3.0 Seconds |
|---|---|
|
Engine |
4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 |
|
Output |
617 HP / 553 LB-FT |
|
Drivetrain |
AWD |
|
Transmission |
8-Speed Automatic |
|
Base Price |
$140,000 |
Turns out, a sedan is the fastest BMW currently on the market. Not that BMW wants you to know this, given they sell the fleetest of M8s as a “Gran Coupe” with a steeply raked roofline to disguise its true four-door design. None of which takes away from the M8 Gran Coupe’s title as the fastest BMW car on sale today. Boasting the same engine as the M8 Convertible, it produces 617 hp and 553 lb-ft. It’s $10,000 cheaper than the M8 Convertible and fractionally quicker to 60, but fractions matter when you’re talking about this level of performance.
Source: BMW
