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The first generation of turbocharged M cars has forged its own legacy among the greats and builds like this show just why these cars are so popular and what’s possible when you go all-out.

From 1985 to 1987, BMW South Africa manufactured a limited number of the E30 333i. It was only manufactured there and has become a cult hero in the country, and this specimen is one of the neatest examples.

With a five-litre S85 V10 engine squeezed into its engine bay, this hardcore E30 is an extreme machine guaranteed to get your pulse racing.

While, at first glance, this might appear to be a fairly standard E24 6 Series, a closer look reveals that all is not as it seems, and this unassuming classic is hiding some big secrets behind its iconic sharknose bodywork…

While Readers’ Cars submissions normally land in our inbox, we spotted this car on a forum, and it was too awesome a machine for us to not give it some page space here in Total BMW. What you’re looking at is a Z3 Roadster that has been transformed into a snarling, V8-powered beast, and it’s the creation of Dutch enthusiast René Stam.

Subtle on the outside but with a hidden sporty streak underneath, the E21 320iS is an extremely rare addition to the 3 Series roster, and this Canadian example is as clean as they come.

With its current owner for 18 years, this Diamond black beauty of an E30 has been fully restored and refurbished, tastefully upgraded, and with a 2.4-litre S14 making 310 naturally aspirated horsepower under its bonnet, it really doesn’t get much better than this absolutely epic M3.

The Z3 M Coupe ‘breadvan’ may have raised plenty of eyebrows when it was first launched, but those unconventional looks have aged well. It’s since become a sought-after car, and this example has been treated to a few choice mods that have given it even more appeal.

Many a modded enthusiast would argue that there’s no such thing as too much carbon, and for anyone addicted to the mesmerising black weave, this F80 M3 will give you the fix you need.

You can keep your rare Ferraris and Lamborghinis because if you really fancy a true one-off machine, you need an original owner with imagination and a little bit of help from BMW Individual.

Built for serious sideways action, this hardcore E36 drift machine is packing some hefty turbocharged V8 power under its bonnet, and it’s given this Z Series a distinctly Asian flavour...

The BMW E46 M3 CSL is the pinnacle of the fourth-gen 3 Series range, but iconic as it is, there are some areas where it fell short, and the owner of this M3 set out to build himself the ultimate E46 that would surpass even BMW’s own effort.

The zenith of car production by BMW’s near-neighbour could have been the flagship for all of Bavaria, says James Elliott.

By day, Jamie Morley works on the railways. Fittingly, his S54-propelled E36 has the power of a freight locomotive and is faster than an InterCity 125…

While the E39 M5 is an awesome super saloon, transforming one into a full-on track machine is more work than most people would be willing to put in. But, as you can see, the owner of this hardcore build has done just that, and he’s created a devastatingly capable track-day monster.