Joe Marko, HMS Motorsportwww.hmsmotorsport.com(888) 467-3269Marko is a driving school instructor for the Genesee Valley, White Mountain and Boston BMW CCA chapters, and a lifelong automotive and racing enthusiast. He started HMS Motorsport in 1995 and today sells accessories for BMW Z3s, Porsche Boxsters and Honda S2000s, Schroth Harness Belts, Zyml car-care products, EBC brakes, and various videos, books and safety equipment.
"My 1988 M6, without a doubt. I'm sad to say I don't have it anymore, but for me it was just the ultimate car. The power and style were incredible. Just being able to finish the straight at Watkins Glen around 150 mph-with more to go-was what did it for me. But from a design standpoint I think the E24 6 Series in general is a gorgeous BMW. Life with the car is great, too. The M6 was so fast, but yet it was docile on the street and turned heads as well." And next in line? "A Mini Cooper, no question. I haven't been as excited about any new car since the M6. In terms of value, performance, and what you can do with the Mini Cooper, it's an exciting car. I'm a driving school instructor, and I don't want to have to worry about pranging a $55,000 M3 on the racetrack. I'd rather have a Mini Cooper."
Brett Anderson, Koala Motorsportwww.koalamotorsport.comAnderson's mechanical skills are legendary in the BMW Car Club of America. Originally from Australia, he owns and operates Koala Motorsport, which specializes in custom BMW conversions, anything from Quaife differentials to V12 E30s. While everyone else was complaining about the lack of an E30 M3 repair manual, Anderson wrote one-and it is excellent.
"My favorite M car? Has to be a tie between M635CSi and E30 M3. The [U.S.-specification] M6 has brutal comparative power, with all the luxuries, but couldn't hold a candle to the M635Csi, which had more power and less weight. Not being one for the luxuries, the M635CSi's handling, power and looks were next to none for its time. This is a car that I'll always want but will only ever own if I can find a clean example.
"I'm probably biased toward the E30 M3, simply because of our best-known product, the "E30 M3 Repair Manual." This car has to be considered the best all-around fun BMW ever, with plenty of power for the era and weight of the car. The E30 M3 has awesome handling, for the time, and even now. It also looks great, better than most cars of the time and anything that exists now. How can you go wrong? The car handles like it's on rails, has all the noise and vibrations expected from a race car, but with turn signals.
"In the realm of new M cars, it would be a close race between the M3 and the Z8. Other choices? The M5 and Mini Cooper S. The Mini will never be a real M car; it's British for heaven's sake! The M5? Too heavy; you can really feel it when doing anything except cruising.
"For me, the Z8 is the ultimate of styling with power and handling. The car will never be a race car but has a style that demands attention. Add the power to back up the aesthetics and you have a very potent package. The E46 M3 at 333 bhp and 3,289-lb curb weight (9.876 lb/hp) has a better feel than the 3,938-lb M5 with its 400 bhp (9.845 lb/hp). The M3 feels more competent in fast corners and is no less comfortable (for front seat occupants) than the larger M5. Other appealing attributes of the M3 include that lovely SMG transmission, along with the throaty exhaust roar (although some dislike the raspy note that appears in the upper rev range) and the amazing handling. It makes one wonder if the aftermarket can do much to better this car, although I hear UUC Motorwerks is working on it."