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Ever wondered how the fastest BMW’s rank around the Green Hell? We’ve done the research for you. Settle arguments with this top ten list.
BMW has just announced the G81 M3 CS Touring has lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in just 7:29.5, setting a new record for estate cars. This is hot on the heels of the new G87 M2 CS reclaiming the compact performance car crown from Audi with a 7:25.5 run. Jörg Weidinger, BMW M development engineer and racing driver was behind the wheel both times.
M cars have always combined daily usability with track day capability, but the CS models take it a step further, enhancing the regular car with added power, revised suspension, a carbon fibre diet, and trick semi slick tyres. The M3 CS Touring clearly takes this duality to new heights.
But where do these two pacesetters stand in a list of the all-time fastest BMWs around the Green Hell? Let’s find out.
BMW has always had a strong connection to the Nürburgring, having established a test facility in the centre of Nürburg in 2006. But Munich's presence at the ‘Ring predates the facility, with development drivers using the circuit as far back as the 1960s for R&D.
This connection led to BMW arguably establishing the Nürburgring lap time as a performance benchmark with one car - the legendary E46 M3 CSL of 2003. This uber lightweight, track-focused M car broke the eight minute barrier, a feat unheard of in an official capacity at the turn of the millennium. It also famously gave the Porsche 911 GT3 a bloody nose in the process, beating it by more than four seconds in Sport Auto’s Super Test.
Perhaps more impressively, the CSL lopped a massive 32 seconds of the time set by the regular E46 M3, itself already a performance benchmark. The M division famously cut 110kg of mass, retuned the suspension, and upped the output of the naturally aspirated S54 straight six to 360bhp at 7,900rpm. Then of course, the M division bolted on those infamous Cup 2 tyres and removed the 155mph limiter…
The CSL remains an all-time great M car, and its legacy is still felt today with most M division models featuring a carbon fibre roof. And its 7:50 time is still good enough to keep this roll-call of fastest BMWs around the Nürburgring honest…
Why it’s special: The original M2 CS remains one of BMW’s best driver’s cars. It lacks the headline numbers of newer models, but makes up for it with balance and feel – and the option of a manual gearbox. Its lap shows how far the compact M formula had evolved from the 1M and original M2.
Why it’s special: The M4 CS introduced the blueprint still followed by today's CS cars: less weight, more grip, and sharper responses than the standard car, but without the track-day baggage of the GTS. It struck a balance that would come to define every CS model that followed.
Why it’s special: The M5 CS is the most powerful car on this list and the heaviest – yet still undercuts the early CS models by quite some margin. With near-supercar acceleration and all-wheel traction, it redefined what a 4-door supersaloon could do on track. Rumour has it, BMW is refusing to reveal the lap time for the new G90 M5 because it's slower…
Why it’s special: The fastest estate car ever to lap the Nürburgring. Yes, really. The G81 CS proves you can carry the dog and still take on the Karussell. It’s only a hair behind the M3 CS saloon – and shares most of its hardware.
Why it’s special: The fastest four-door M3, the G80 CS builds on the M xDrive platform with improved damping, aero tweaks, and the full 550bhp punch from the CSL.
Why it’s special: This is the only ‘regular’ M car on the list – making its lap doubly impressive. A regular production M4 Competition with xDrive, no stripped interior or special tyres, just pure calibration. It truly showcases what M engineers have achieved with all-wheel-drive dynamics.
Why it’s special: The first water-injected road car and one of BMW’s most unhinged specials. The M4 GTS was raw, noisy, and uncompromising, dividing opinion. While it never hit homologation racing heights, its Nürburgring pace was undeniable – nearly a decade on, it’s still one of the fastest M cars ever built.
Why it’s special: BMW’s smallest M car just set the benchmark for its class, snatching the compact crown from Audi’s RS3 with a sub‑7:30 lap. Essentially a sawn-off M4 Comp with the safety off, but RWD only. And it has a proper ducktail spoiler.
Why it’s special: The newest addition to BMW’s CS lineup lands within striking distance of the CSL – but stops short of going full hardcore. With the same peak output and xDrive traction, the M4 CS is a masterclass in usable track performance, splitting the difference between everyday driveability and Nürburgring-validated pace.
Why it’s special: The G82 CSL was created to honour the 50th anniversary of the M division, clocking not just the fastest verified production BMW Nürburgring lap ever, but the fastest BMW of all time. Like its predecessor, the M4 CSL cut over 100kg of weight out of the standard car, and channels all of its 550bhp through the rear wheels only.
Fittingly, a CSL tops the list – much like the car that started it all. But how about some honourable mentions or cars that never made it to production?
What is the fastest naturally aspirated M car I hear you ask? That honour belongs to the E92 M3 GTS, unmissable in Fire Orange, packing a stroked 4.4-litre version of the S65, it remains one of the rarest and most revered M cars.
Despite never making it past being a skunkwerke project, the E53 X5 Le Mans concept surely deserves a mention for the sheer absurdity of fitting a Le Mans winning V12 engine to a family SUV. Driven by Hans‑Joachim Stuck in June 2001, it had 700bhp, four individual racing bucket seats, gold BBS LM alloys, and twin-exit, central exhaust. Perhaps as close as the M division will even get to an X5 CSL, BMW recently revealed Herr Stuck nailed a 7:49.92 lap. Bonkers.
Speaking of CSL’s, did you recall BMW also built an E60 M5 CSL prototype? With 580bhp, a 150kg diet and most interestingly, a seven speed DCT gearbox from the E92 M3, the M5 CSL was described as being “comfortably faster than the standard M5” by then M development boss, Albert Biermann.
BMW racing driver (and DTM champion) Claudia Huertgen is said to have clocked a lap well under eight minutes, easily besting standard E60 M5’s time of 8:13.
And what of tuner cars? Beyond Sport Autos 1997 Supertest of the AC Schnitzer M3 CLS II - which recorded a deeply impressive 8:16.0 - little official timing exists. One truly impressive machine is the Team Schirmer M3 “XX31.1”, developing 470bhp courtesy of a stroked 4.4-litre S65 complete with camshafts and a large carbon airbox. Also equipped were Nitron three-way coilovers, a Drexler LSD, Akrapovič exhaust, and upgraded cooling components.
It’s a serious machine, and ran a 7:13 BTG time as captured in an onboard YouTube video.
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As you’ll have no doubt gathered, BMW’s connection to the Nürburgring runs deep. And one thing is for sure, lap times will continue to improve. With the Neue Klasse cars on the horizon, perhaps the next entry will be an EV…
