The BMW brand got its start in the early 20th century. Although several people were involved in the company’s foundation, Karl Rapp and Gustav Otto played key roles in getting the business up and running.
With such a long history, BMW has experienced a lot of significant events. One of the most important was the brand’s acquisition of Rolls-Royce in 1998. Later, in the year 2000, BMW doubled down on luxury cars by choosing to focus on building premium vehicles.
Although the BMW still makes a variety of automobiles, the company also designs train and airplane interiors.
There are a lot of BMWs in the world, and most are pretty expensive. In fact, some of the world’s most expensive BMWs cost more than $1,000,000.
- 1989 BMW Z1
- 1995 BMW 850CSi
- BMW 3.0 CSL
- Paul Walker’s BMW M1 AHG Studie from 1980
- Rare AHG-Modified BMW M1
- 2015 BMW M6 G-Power Hurricane CS Ultimate
- 1990 BMW M8 Prototype (E31)
- BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage (2015)
- 1959 BMW 507 Series II Roadster
Year Sold: 2021
Interesting Fact: Previously owned by Chris Lowe of The Pet Shop Boys
Unique Feature: Just 69,366 miles indicated
photo source: classiccarauctions.co.uk
This rare BMW from 1989 sold for about $43,000 in 2021. The classic car is special for a few reasons, but one of the most interesting is its former celebrity owner: Chris Lowe of The Pet Shop Boys (a musical duo).
Interestingly, despite its age, this roadster only had about 70,000 miles on the odometer at the time of the sale.
This particular Z1 had most of its original parts, but the vehicle had a new folding roof added in 2020.
Did you know?
Although it’s not as rare as some BMWs on this list, the Z1 is still pretty hard to come by. According to Autoweek, the vehicle was only produced from 1989 through 1991, a relatively short production timeline that meant fewer examples were made.
Year Sold: 2020
Interesting Fact: One of only 225 imported to the U.S.
Unique Feature: A 5.6-liter V12 engine
photo source: carbuzz.com
This car may not look as fancy as some expensive BMWs, but it’s got an ace up its sleeve that makes it very pricey: just 225 of its kind were imported to the U.S. That means the 1995 BMW 850CSi is very hard to find, and the price reflects that. This one sold for nearly $150,000 in 2020.
Despite their relatively unassuming design, these rare cars have a lot going on under the hood. Most notably, the standard 850CSi features a 5.6-liter V12 engine. This particular model has some unique upgrades though, including a six-speed Getrag manual transmission and a limited-slip differential added by Cherry Hill Classics in 2019.
Did you know?
This car’s engine is powerful enough to generate 372 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque.
Year Sold: 2021
Interesting Fact: Called the “rarest” BMW sold at auction
Unique Feature: Recently added stripe details
photo source: carvisibility.com
This BMW is considered the rarest model ever sold at auction. The 3.0 CSL features a 3.5-liter M30B34 engine, new painted stripe details along the exterior, and original, 14-inch wheels complete with XWX tires from Michelin.
The BMW 3.0 CSL was made for the ETCC racing championship starting in May 1972. Since the vehicles were designed specifically for this racing contest, only 1,265 examples were built.
Interestingly, this example of the rare model was originally painted yellow. However, the car underwent a major rebuild in the ‘90s, resulting in the current glossy black color scheme.
Did you know?
Although this BMW was definitely expensive, one report says it could have sold for even more had it been in slightly better condition.
Year Sold: 2021
Interesting Fact: Only nine other cars of its kind were made
Unique Feature: Only 4,000 miles on the odometer
photo source: hypebeast.com
Paul Walker was an actor who rose to fame after his role in the critically acclaimed film Pleasantville, but his most famous performances can be found in the Fast and Furious movie franchise. Sadly, Walker died in a car crash in 2013.
Since Walker’s starring role in the Fast and Furious franchise involved so many sports cars, it’s not surprising that his M1 sold for half a million dollars.
Incredibly, just 453 BMW M1s were ever made. Plus, Walker’s specific AHG Studie edition is just one of 10 from the already limited M1 line.
Did you know?
Many cars owned by Paul Walker have sold for steep price tags. In 2020, the actor’s bright red BMW M3 E30 sold for $150,000.
Year Sold: N/A
Interesting Fact: One of just 10 M1s upgraded by AHG in 1982
Unique Feature: Upgrades from AHG
photo source: mecum.com
This is one of the few other examples of an M1 upgraded by AHG. The rare car was put up for auction in 2015, but the vehicle proved to be too expensive with an estimated price tag of at least $550,000.
Like Paul Walker’s M1, this car earned its price thanks to rarity. The vehicle was upgraded by AHG in 1982, which makes it unique enough, but it was also mostly built by hand. The novelty alone makes this car an expensive find.
Did you know?
This car features a DOHC inline 6-cylinder engine with Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection and five-speed manual transmission.
Year Sold: 2015
Interesting Fact: Reaches top speeds of 233 mph
Unique Feature: Tuning that makes it the most powerful car G-Power has ever created
photo source: gtspirit.com
G-Power is a tuning company offering high-end upgrades. This example of the company’s work was commissioned by a customer in the United Arab Emirates sometime around 2015. Updates included two superchargers that were installed alongside a new custom titanium exhaust system complete with racing cats.
The final result is considered the most powerful vehicle ever made by G-Power, and it’s not hard to see why. The tuned vehicle hits an incredible 233 mph thanks in part to a V10 engine.
Altogether, the updated vehicle had a price tag of $800,000.
Did you know?
G-Power says this vehicle can hit 100 km/h (about 60 mph) in just 4.3 seconds.
Year Sold: N/A
Interesting Fact: This prototype wasn’t unveiled until 2010
Unique Feature: Widely flared wheel arches
photo source: topcarrating.com
The 1990 BMW M8 was a prototype that never hit the market. In fact, the car wasn’t even unveiled until about 20 years after its creation.
Interestingly, an M8 was launched in 2019, about 30 years after the M8 prototype was developed. However, unlike its predecessor, the 2019 M8 actually made it to the market, selling for about $130,000.
Although a formal model was never released, the original M8 prototype sports a costly estimated price of $1,000,000.
Did you know?
The first M8 prototype had some serious power. Had it been released in the ‘90s, the car would have hit roads with up to 640 horsepower. To put that in perspective, the most powerful BMW 8 Series at the time produced 380 horsepower.
Year Sold: N/A
Interesting Fact: Estimated to go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds
Unique Feature: Detachable steering wheel
photo source: carmagazine.co.uk
The BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage was a 2015 concept car that actually worked. The vehicle featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbo engine, enough power to hit 60 mph in less than four seconds, and a reported price tag of more than $1,300,000.
According to someone who had the chance to drive this concept car, the 3.0 CSL is “very loud” when driven. The lucky driver went on to say that the vehicle sounds like a race car.
Although the exterior might look like a modern racer, the interior of this expensive BMW features retro details like nylon loops to open the doors and contrasting wood elements.
Did you know?
With so much power, this car really looks like it was designed for racing. One of the vehicle’s key racing elements is its detachable steering wheel, which mimics a competition car.
Year Sold: 2021
Interesting Fact: One of only 252 ever made
Unique Feature: Included an original Becker Mexico Radio
photo source: sportscardigest.com
A 1959 BMW 507 Series II Roadster is the most expensive BMW ever sold.
With a price tag of $1,809,000, this is easily the most expensive BMW ever. The 1959 roadster (which was auctioned by Bonhams in 2021) was one of only 252 examples ever made.
This ultra-rare car faced a disappointing public reaction when it debuted in 1955. To make matters worse, the vehicle’s expensive price point made it a commercial failure. Some rich celebrities like Elvis Presley purchased the model, but the line eventually stopped production in 1959 due to a lack of sales.
Did you know?
Although this expensive BMW featured many of its original parts, Bonhams noted that the vehicle had a new engine installed in 1960.
