10 Classic BMWs That Are Now Worth A Fortune

When it comes to German automakers, it rarely gets better than BMW. Founded in 1916, BMW has a long history of producing high-quality cars that look great, perform exceptionally well, and are durable enough to stand the test of time. Over the years, many of the classic BMWs that were once considered ordinary have now become highly sought-after collector’s items, with some models fetching astronomical prices at auctions and car shows.

RELATED: 10 Used BMWs We Wouldn’t Touch With A 10-Foot Pole

In this article, we will take a look at several classic BMWs that now cost an arm and a leg. Owning one of these models gives you a chance to hold on to a key piece of German automotive history, and if you take good care of them, you could sell them for a profit in the future.

10/10 507 – $2 Million

In the ’50s, Mercedes-Benz stunned the world when it built the legendary 300SL Gullwing, as it was not only the most beautiful thing on four wheels but also the fastest car of its day. Not wanting to be outshined by its fierce rival, BMW quickly got to work and developed a worthy competitor – the 507.

The 507 debuted in 1956 and instantly impressed gearheads with its gorgeous design featuring a long hood, curvaceous body, and short rear deck. Since only 252 examples were built, the 507 is one of the most expensive German cars you can buy at auctions.

9/10 Isetta – $40,000

The Isetta is a small, Italian-designed microcar BMW built from 1955 to 1962. It was one of the first vehicles to be called a “bubble car,” due to its egg-shaped appearance and single door that opened at the front.

The Isetta was designed as a cheap and efficient alternative to larger cars and was powered by a small, 12-hp single-cylinder engine. Despite its small size, the Isetta was able to seat two people and even had a small trunk in the back. Today, the Isetta is remembered as a quirky and innovative vehicle and has become a collector’s item for enthusiasts.

8/10 M1 – $500,000

Every top automaker has a division that builds special high-performance versions of their normal cars. For BMW, that’s the M Division, and it’s among the oldest having been founded in 1972. The first car the M Division built – the M1 – quickly showed everyone they meant business.

The M1 stunned gearheads with its sexy wedge-shaped design penned by the renowned Giorgetto Giugiaro and powerful engine – a 3.5-liter six-cylinder making just under 300 hp. The M1 is not a car you see every day, as only 453 were built.

7/10 2002 Turbo – $100,000

Before the 3-Series debuted and changed BMW’s fortunes forever, the 2002 was the marque’s best compact luxury sedan. The 2002 had a great run from 1966 to 1977, but since many buyers complained about its poor performance, BMW got to work and built a turbocharged version.

RELATED: 8 Things We Love About The BMW 2002 Turbo (2 Reasons Why We Wouldn’t Buy One)

The 2002 Turbo, as it was called, was equipped with a turbocharged version of the regular 2002’s 2.0-liter inline-four engine making 170 hp, giving it great performance. It also featured several unique design elements, including a distinctive “turbo” badge on the rear of the car and a wider stance than the standard 2002.

6/10 503 – $250,000

As we mentioned earlier, BMW was determined to outshine its rivals in the sports car market in the late ‘50s. So as some of its workers were working on the 507, others were working on yet another superb sports car – the 503. Introduced in 1956, the 503 was a fantastic luxury grand tourer with a beautiful design penned by Albrecht von Goertz, who also designed the 507 roadster.

It was the first post-World War II BMW model to be powered by a V8 engine and was intended to compete with other high-end luxury cars of the time such as the Mercedes-Benz 300SL.

5/10 3.0 CSL – $200,000

The 3.0 CSL -also known as “Batmobile”- is a high-performance version of the BMW 3.0 CS designed to compete in racing. The 3.0 CSL featured numerous weight-saving measures and was powered by a 3.0-liter inline-six engine that produced 203 hp.

The 3.0 CSL became one of BMW’s most successful racing cars, winning numerous touring car championships and competing in events such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It also gained a reputation as a fast and capable road car, with its nimble handling and strong acceleration making it a popular choice for driving enthusiasts.

4/10 M3 E30 Sport Evolution – $190,000

The E30 M3 is an absolute icon in the auto industry as it helped establish BMW as a performance car manufacturer. The E30 M3 is already desirable for collectors, but there’s even a rarer and better version that everyone dreams of – the M3 E30 Sport Evolution.

RELATED: 10 Reasons Why Every Gearhead Should Drive The BMW E30 M3

The Sport Evolution was a high-performance version of the M3 E30 and featured several performance upgrades, including a more powerful 2.5-liter inline-four engine dishing out 238 hp, wider wheels and tires, and a modified suspension. With only 600 units produced, the Sport Evolution is highly sought after by collectors.

3/10 Nazca C2 – $1.5 Million

In the early ‘90s, BMW wanted to join the fast-growing supercar market, so it developed a superb concept car known as the Nazca C2. The Nazca C2 was developed in collaboration with the Italian design firm Italdesign, which was headed by the famous Giorgetto Giugiaro at the time.

In true Giugiaro fashion, the Nazca C2 featured a sleek and futuristic design, with a low, wedge-shaped body and a mid-engine layout. It was powered by a 5.0-liter V2 engine producing around 300 hp, allowing for a top speed of around 180 mph. Only 3 prototypes were ever built, and one of them sold at a Bring A Trailer auction for just under $1 million.

2/10 328 Roadster – $700,000

The 328 is a pre-war era sports car that BMW built from 1936 to 1940. The 328 was available as a roadster and was designed as a lightweight and agile sports car featuring a sleek and aerodynamic body.

The 328 was powered by an 80-hp inline-six engine and had a top speed of around 90 mph. It was praised for its handling and performance and was used in various motorsport events, including the Mille Miglia and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A total of 464 units of the 328 Roadster were produced during its five-year production run.

1/10 M1 AHG Studie – $600,000

If the aforementioned M1 is not exclusive enough for you, we have the perfect car for you – the M1 AHG Studie. The M1 AHG Studie was built in the early ‘80s by German BMW dealer AHG. AHG wanted to create special versions of the M1 that looked like the mighty M1 Procars but were perfectly street-legal.

The M1 AHG Studie had a low, aggressive stance and was fitted with a unique body kit that included a large rear wing and front and rear spoilers. Gearheads believe only around 10 M1 AHG Studie cars were built, which is why it recently sold for more than $600,000 at an RM Sotheby’s auction.