They Run Like Sports Cars: 5 BMW Models That Break 186 mph

Some BMWs aren’t just quick — they’re built to soar, easily pushing past 186 mph. Get ready for a deep dive into the world of extreme speed and cutting-edge engineering, because today we’re looking at five BMW models capable of hitting truly mind-bending numbers. Buckle up — this is going to be fun.

1. 2023 BMW M5

Meet the 2023 BMW M5, one of the fiercest Bavarians ever built — a sedan engineered to send your adrenaline into overdrive. In the past, the M5 and M5 Competition were treated as separate models, but in 2023 BMW repositioned them as performance levels within the same lineup.

Under the hood sits a twin-turbo V8 with a displacement of 4.4 liters — roughly 1.16 gallons. It punches out more than 600 hp, delivering the kind of force that pins you back in your seat. Its top speed can reach about 199 mph, conditions permitting, and even the standard figures are wild: 0–62 mph in just 2.7 seconds. Power goes through BMW’s trusted 8-speed ZF automatic, famous for its sharp, fast shifts.

Fun fact: the 2023 M5 is the final opportunity for old-school fans to buy an M5 with a pure V8 — no hybrid assistance. The latest generation has already gone electric-assisted, which makes this version a future collectible. In Competition trim, power jumps to 617 hp, good for a 0–62 mph run of 3.1 seconds, and a raised top speed of about 189 mph.

You’ll spot the Competition by its 20-inch wheels, dark exterior accents, sports exhaust, sculpted bucket seats, and premium leather interior. The suspension and dampers were tuned using tech borrowed from the BMW M8 Gran Coupe, giving it a distinct road character.

2. BMW M4 CSL

The CSL badge carries serious weight at BMW. Since its first appearance on the legendary 1972 BMW 3.0 CSL, these three letters have meant one thing: uncompromising, track-born performance.

To create this machine, BMW’s M division took the M4 Competition and put it on a brutal weight-loss program. The car shed 220 pounds, thanks to stripping out the rear seats, installing ultra-light carbon buckets, cutting insulation, and using carbon fiber anywhere possible. The result is a remarkably light 3,583-lb coupe.

But weight reduction wasn’t the only upgrade. The twin-turbo inline-six — 3.0 liters, around 0.79 gallons — received a bump of 40 hp for a total of 543 hp. Sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R tires help put it all to the ground, while an enlarged front splitter and reworked rear wing improve high-speed downforce.

The payoff? A top speed of about 191 mph, electronically limited, and 0–62 mph in just 3.7 seconds.

Of course, hitting those numbers realistically requires a German autobahn. And with only 1,000 units built, it’s as exclusive as it is fast.

3. BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition

Imagine a race car granted permission to roam public streets. That’s essentially the vibe of the BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition — a limited-run model celebrating Marco Wittmann’s DTM championship victory. Only 200 were made.

The exterior proudly shows off its motorsport DNA: Alpine White paint with bold color accents, recalling iconic BMW race livery.

But it’s not just for show. Aerodynamics were heavily reworked — front splitter, side skirts, a dramatic rear wing, and a functional diffuser all help glue the car to the pavement at high speed.

Under the hood is a twin-turbo inline-six — 3.0 liters (≈0.79 gallons) — tuned to a serious 500 hp, which is 69 more than the standard M4. That’s enough to send it from 0 to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds.

Top speed? About 190 mph. With its power-to-weight balance and track-oriented aero, it remains one of the quickest BMWs of its era.

4. BMW M5 CS

BMW’s high-performance cars aren’t limited to the smaller M2, M3, or M4. Enter the king of the lineup: the BMW M5 CS — a sedan tuned with the kind of intensity usually reserved for supercars.

This is the most powerful production BMW ever built. Its twin-turbo V8 — 4.4 liters (≈1.16 gallons) — cranks out 635 hp. Torque remains unchanged, but the raw acceleration feels like a jet taking off.

Top speed is about 190 mph, and the sprint to 62 mph takes just 3 seconds. For a full-size sedan, that borders on the absurd — many exotic sports cars struggle to match it.

To achieve this, BMW cut more than 220 pounds through extensive carbon-fiber use. The suspension sits 0.3 inches lower with custom M8-derived dampers, giving it the sharpest handling of any M5 to date.

Rumor has it the real power output is even higher than BMW admits. Some independent tests clock 0–62 mph in 2.6 seconds, nudging into “two-second car” territory.

An 8-speed M Steptronic gearbox and clever AWD with an active rear differential distribute power with near-telepathic precision.

The M5 CS is engineering at its peak — brutal acceleration, obsessive tuning, and razor-sharp handling all in one package.

5. BMW M8 Competition

The BMW M8 Competition sits at the top of the 8 Series family — one of the fastest and most luxurious machines BMW has ever put on the road. It replaced the old 6 Series but jumped into an entirely new league.

With the optional M Driver’s Package, top speed climbs to about 189 mph, letting this grand tourer rocket down the highway with supercar ease while you relax in a leather-lined cabin.

Its twin-turbo V8 — 4.4 liters (≈1.16 gallons) — produces a staggering 617 hp. Paired with BMW’s xDrive AWD and an 8-speed ZF automatic, the M8 Competition hits 62 mph in just 3.1 seconds. Hard to believe a car this luxurious moves with such ferocity — but it does.