The Ultimate Ultimate Driving Machine.

[mPWRD]

OK. The next installment in the series of "ultimate" manufacturers is the one which claims that it produces the "Ultimate Driving Machine". So, which is the best?

I will kick things off...

The M3 CSL was very simplistically designed but went like hell.

Remember, this thread is not about which car is the best looking. It's about which car personifies the "ultimate driving machine".

I really think we've got something going here...

 

[neanderthal]

Erm, try the lotus exige.

 

[Paulie]

Isn't this a little too soon?

Erm, try the lotus exige.

I think he's referring to Bimmer, you know, "The Ultimate BMW?"

In which case, I'll go with:

BMW 2002 Turbo

Light weight and high performance, I think this is the ultimate BMW.

 

[JCE]

OK. The next installment in the series of "ultimate" manufacturers is the one which claims that it produces the "Ultimate Driving Machine". So, which is the best?

I will kick things off...

The M3 CSL was very simplistically designed but went like hell.

Remember, this thread is not about which car is the best looking. It's about which car personifies the "ultimate driving machine".

I really think we've got something going here...

+1 Just pure brilliance. Cardboard boot floor and all.

I also want to submit this:

BMW E39 M5. 5.0 litres, 6 speeds, 400bhp and pure sex. Its sex on wheels.

 

[TheCracker]

E30 M3 - Considered by many to be the finest of the MPower cars, therefore must be the 'Ultimate Driving Machine'

The last true homologation special for MPower, so the last with a genuine motorsport pedigree.

 

[homeforsummer]

Once again, I agree with The Cracker's choice - it's the one I was going to pick. I do recall an Alpina-fettled version of the car though, which might well be even better than the BMW one.

I like the M3 CSL above, though to say that it was "simplistically designed" is pushing it a bit - it's still a large, complicated BMW regardless of how much carbon fibre they throw at it.

If we're talking CSLs, I think the BMW 3.0 CSL "Batmobile" deserves a mention:

 

[Stotty]

The E30 M3 would have been my choice too... remember seeing the race (and occassionally beat) the RS500 back in the old BTCC days... but here's another favorite of mine... E64 M6

 

[Leonidae]

E36 323i Compact

or, if you can hold tools and happen to know rear-ended M5..

Yup, that's E39 M5 V8, tuned up to 450bhp.. in a E36 Compact. do want.

 

[boiltheocean]

Any of the Art Cars.

Speed and Style. What more could you ever want.

 

[Leonidae]

Any of the Art Cars.

Speed and Style. What more could you ever want.

I feel sorry for those poor cars.. if I could afford them, I'd buy and restore them.. as they are, they'd go into questionable section.

 

[TheCracker]

I feel sorry for those poor cars.. if I could afford them, I'd buy and restore them.. as they are, they'd go into questionable section.

This is how they left the factory. BMW commissioned famous artists to produce these liveries. They're worth millions now.

 

[homeforsummer]

*pics*

Yup, that's E39 M5 V8, tuned up to 450bhp.. in a E36 Compact. do want.

Do want, but don't want that stupid stupid "bad boy" bonnet. I hate them with a passion. Same goes for light eyebrows. #1 on the list of useless ugly mods to do to cars.

 

[Leonidae]

Do want, but don't want that stupid stupid "bad boy" bonnet. I hate them with a passion. Same goes for light eyebrows. #1 on the list of useless ugly mods to do to cars.

*gasp* we agree on something?!

This is how they left the factory. BMW commissioned famous artists to produce these liveries. They're worth millions now.

That doesn't make these liveries less ugly.

 

[Leonidae]

..

 

[Flerbizky]

This is how they left the factory. BMW commissioned famous artists to produce these liveries. They're worth millions now.

And I would love to own whichever one was given to me...

Sweet as candy they are !...

The full set can be seen here http://www.bmwdrives.com/bmw-artcars.php

 

[daan]

I've always had a soft spot for the Z1 (just because of its doors though)

I've always liked the M635CSi too.

 

[Paulie]

That doesn't make these liveries less ugly.

"Art"...........have you ever been to an art gallery? Let me paint a picture for you here (pun intended). Not long ago on one of those current affair shows there was a bit of controversy because an art gallery had bought a toddler's mess on paper using paint, thinking it was done by an adult (which would be even worse). I went to the National Australian Art Museum and some of it is plain stupid, while other bits are awesome (Ever seen Aboriginal art? Awesome.).

 

[TheCracker]

That doesn't make these liveries less ugly.

No it transforms them into a piece of modern art, whether you like that art or not is another topic all together.

 

[MarinaDiamandis]

BMW 328, I love the 1930s F1 look and the elegant way they slide out of corners when making brisk progress.

 

[YSSMAN]

Too easy, at least for me:

E39 M5

Its one of my top-five cars of all time. The timeless shape, incredible powertrain, and otherwise "perfect" balance of sport and comfort. Yeah, its the best BMW. Ever.

 

[Eric.]

E30 M3 - Considered by many to be the finest of the MPower cars, therefore must be the 'Ultimate Driving Machine'

The last true homologation special for MPower, so the last with a genuine motorsport pedigree.

+1

I love that car.

 

[buickgnx88]

BMW 8-Series.

850CSi

850 Alpina B12

M8 concept

 

[Leonidae]

^now that car would had sold thousands in australia, because they call everyone M8 anyway.. yeah, bad pun, but I couldn't resist..

 

[MarinaDiamandis]

I've never seen the appeal of the E30 M3. I think it looks terrible, is over-valued, and is pretty slow for a car with an 'M' badge.

I understand it's a pure drivers car, but being outpaced by a Citroen C2 GT would really rain on my parade!

 

[Keef]

 

[McLaren]

I've never seen the appeal of the E30 M3. I think it looks terrible, is over-valued, and is pretty slow for a car with an 'M' badge.

I understand it's a pure drivers car, but being outpaced by a Citroen C2 GT would really rain on my parade!

Of course it's slow. It's at least 17 years old now. But with only 215Bhp, it was pretty fast for it's time. The final Sport Evolution models, though, are plenty fast with 238Bhp.

Besides, speed isn't what the E30 M3 is about. Like the NSX, it's suspension setup is what makes it amazing.

 

[MarinaDiamandis]

Of course it's slow. It's at least 17 years old now. But with only 215Bhp, it was pretty fast for it's time. The final Sport Evolution models, though, are plenty fast with 238Bhp.

Besides, speed isn't what the E30 M3 is about. Like the NSX, it's suspension setup is what makes it amazing.

I've never found the handling or speed to be that impressive... whereas the E36 is very impressive all round, even today.

Isetta bubblecar as the ultimate driving machine? Seriously?

 

[McLaren]

You're kidding, right? The M3 Evo model has a lap record at Tsukuba of 1:07.54. It comes close to the R32 Skyline GT-R V-Spec, SLK55 AMG, '05 M6, C63 AMG, IS-F, M3 CSL, R33 Skyline GT-R, NSX Type-S, Cayman S, & 370Z.

All these cars are under 1:06.54, making the M3 just a second or, mainly under, within these cars.

Of the cars it is faster than, the E36 M3, '01 111R, Lancer Evo GSR X, RS4 (B7), & 135i Coupe.

I don't see how anyone can't find the E30 M3 to be an impressive machine in any form.

 

[C-ZETA]

I would say that arguably the best driving machine ever there WAS was the Mitsubishi 3000GT/GTO. The Twin Turbo just kicked 🤬. The VR-4 Turbo was an awesome car too. The SL and MR, of course are awesome too...

 

[Keef]

I would say that arguably the best driving machine ever there WAS was the Mitsubishi 3000GT/GTO. The Twin Turbo just kicked 🤬. The VR-4 Turbo was an awesome car too. The SL and MR, of course are awesome too...

You missed the point slightly.