The 10 Fastest BMW Models Ever, Ranked

BMW has produced a remarkable number of genuinely fast cars over the decades. BMW’s M Division is synonymous with brilliant performance, and that reputation shows no signs of fading. Whenever BMW announces a new M car arrives — whether it carries a “Competition,” “CS,” or “CSL” badge — enthusiasts pay attention. The excitement only grows when one of those cars pushes the boundaries of what a road car can do.

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While BMW has produced a whole load of amazingly fast cars, some stand out even among those. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of 10 of the fastest BMWs ever made. If you ever get to drive any of these BMWs, expect incredible performance!

BMW M3 CS (2023)

0-62 MPH: 3.4 seconds

Specs

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Transmission	8-speed automatic
Power	550 hp
Torque	479 lb-ft
0-62 MPH	3.4 seconds (3.2 seconds to 60 mph)
Top Speed	188 mph (limited)

The BMW M3 has spawned many hardcore, track-focused variants over the years. The M3 CS is one of the most extreme four-doors BMW has ever built. Powered by a high-output version of BMW’s 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged “Twin Power” inline-6, it produces 550 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque — enough to launch the M3 CS from 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 188 mph.

Sadly, as of 2025, the M3 CS is no longer part of the M3 lineup. That’s not the end of the world for customers who want one, as BMW will sell you an M3 CS Touring instead. That is, if you don’t live in the US, anyway.

BMW M4 CS (2024)

0-62 MPH: 3.4 seconds

Specs

Like the M3, the M4 has received its share of more focused, higher-performance variants. The M4 CS is one of those. Released a year after the M3 CS, it’s powered by the same 3.0-liter “Twin Power” twin-turbo inline-6, good for 550 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. It matches the M3 CS’s 0-60 mph time of 3.2 seconds and shares the same limited top speed of 188 mph.

Unlike the BMW M3 CS, you can still buy the M4 CS brand new — which is probably welcome news for anyone in the US, given that the M3 CS has been discontinued and the M3 CS Touring isn’t available to American customers.

BMW M5 Competition (2018)

0-62 MPH: 3.3 seconds

Specs

The first of three versions of the BMW M5 on this list, this M5 Competition was highly praised when it debuted in 2018. It’s easy to see why. This was a seriously impressive super sedan powered by a 617 hp version of BMW’s twin-turbo V8. That output was enough to get it from 0-60 in 3.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 155 mph — or 189 mph with the optional M Driver’s Package. The regular BMW M5 is already a great car; the M5 Competition takes that strong foundation and makes it even better.

BMW M8 Gran Coupe (2020)

0-62 MPH: 3.3 seconds

BMW

Specs

The BMW M8 and its variants appear on this list quite a bit. There’s a very good reason for that — they’re easily among the fastest cars BMW has ever made. This is the Gran Coupe version of the M8, BMW’s answer to cars like the Porsche Panamera. This super sedan produces 600 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque from a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8, which is enough to take it from 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 155 mph.

Considering that this isn’t a special or hardcore variant of a BMW M car, it’s a remarkable achievement that the M8 Gran Coupe is as fast as it is. Yes, the top speed is limited, and it could go quite a bit faster. But you can’t argue with that acceleration!

BMW M8 (2020)

0-62 MPH: 3.3 seconds

BMW

Specs

The second variant of the BMW M8 we’ll see here, the BMW M8 Coupe is just as powerful and fast as its M8 Gran Coupe sibling. That means 600 hp, 553 lb-ft of torque, and a 0-60 time of 3.2 seconds, going on to a limited top speed of 155 mph. Yes, that limited top speed looks disappointing. But, as with the M8 Gran Coupe, the acceleration on tap more than makes up for it.

The M8 Gran Coupe is the more practical — and probably more sensible — choice. Its rear seats are more usable than the M8 Coupe’s, and you’ll be able to fit more luggage for a cross-country trip. But there are still customers who want to harken back to the brilliant BMW 8 Series of the ’90s. For those customers, the BMW M8 Coupe definitely takes the cake.

BMW M5 Competition (2020)

0-62 MPH: 3.3 seconds

BMW

Specs

The second M5 variant on this list is a newer iteration of the M5 Competition from 2020. This version carries the same 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 as the previous-generation M5 Competition, with identical power and torque figures of 617 hp and 553 lb-ft. It even matches the older car’s acceleration and top speed, with official figures of 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 155 or 189 mph depending on whether you opted for the M Driver’s Package. The main visual distinction from the earlier M5 Competition is the mid-cycle refresh that all models of this 5 Series generation received.

While it may not look dramatically different from the older M5 Competition, it did receive some meaningful changes beneath the skin. The 2020 M5 Competition gained a revised suspension setup and, for the first time, a dedicated “track” mode. When engaged, this mode disables all driver aids and the infotainment system, aiming to give the driver a more focused experience on a circuit. Is it a gimmick? That’s up to you to decide!

BMW M8 Competition Convertible (2025)

0-62 MPH: 3.3 seconds

Specs

The M8 Competition Convertible is the third M8 variant and the first of three different versions of the M8 Competition on this list. It’s powered by a tuned version of the M8’s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, producing 640 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. That’s good enough for a 0-60 mph time of just 3 seconds and a top speed of either 155 or 190 mph — the higher figure requiring the optional M Driver’s Package.

It’s genuinely impressive that the BMW M8 Competition Convertible is as fast as it is. It’s not a small sports car by any measure, and converting the M8 Competition to open-top motoring inevitably added extra weight.

BMW M8 Competition Gran Coupe (2025)

0-62 MPH: 3.3 seconds

Specs

The M8 Competition Gran Coupe is the second of three M8 Competition variants on this list. It’s one of the fastest four-door BMWs around, managing a 0-60 mph time of 3.0 seconds thanks to that incredibly powerful turbocharged V8. Like the M8 Competition Convertible, its 155 mph speed limiter can be removed via the M Driver’s Package, unlocking the same 190 mph top speed.

With that power, acceleration, and top speed (with the M Driver’s Package installed), the BMW M8 Competition Gran Coupe stands as one of the most compelling high-performance sedans on the market. It’s certainly quite the step up from the regular M8 Gran Coupe!

BMW M5 CS (2021)

0-62 MPH: 3.0 seconds

Specs

The M5 CS is the third version of the BMW M5 on this list, and it’s by far one of the best M5s ever made. It shares the same 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 found in many of the other cars here. In the M5 CS, that engine produces 635 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. According to BMW’s official figures, the M5 CS accelerates from 0-62 mph in 3 seconds flat and goes on to a limited top speed of 189 mph — making it one of the fastest BMWs ever in terms of outright top speed as well.

BMW’s official figures appear to be conservative, too. When Car & Driver tested the M5 CS, it recorded a 0-60 mph time of just 2.6 seconds. While that makes it a fraction slower than the M8 Competition by Car & Driver’s measure, BMW’s own claimed figures still put it ahead. Either way, that’s astonishing performance for a proper sedan that’s larger and heavier than most of the other cars on this list.

BMW M8 Competition (2025)

0-62 MPH: 3.0 seconds

BMW

Specs

Now we arrive at the final variant of the M8 Competition: the regular Coupe. Last on the list it may be, but least it certainly is not. It shares the same powertrain as the M8 Competition Convertible and M8 Competition Gran Coupe, delivering the same blistering levels of performance.

Like its Convertible and Gran Coupe siblings, the M8 Competition Coupe reaches 0-62 mph in 3 seconds flat according to BMW’s official figures. Car and Driver, however, recorded an incredible 2.5-second 0-60 mph time in their own testing — making it the fastest-accelerating BMW of all time, which is especially impressive for a car that is far from lightweight. Like its siblings, it goes on to a top speed of either 155 or 190 mph, depending on whether you choose the M Driver’s Package.

Source: BMW.