The BMW brand represents one of the most iconic luxury car manufacturers in the world. It is a German automotive producer that came to be in 1916. They make a series of luxury cars that are sought after by all types of people; from those who want to drive a top-of-the-line vehicle to automotive collectors looking to invest in something special.
BMWs are luxury cars that can easily sell for $100,000 without any customizations, upgrades, or specialties. The BMWs that have been specially produced, however, can sell into the millions. The most expensive BMWs are vintage models that were part of a very small number built in that year, and those make up much of our list from the BMW group.
While not quite as valuable as the most expensive Rolls Royce vehicles, these vintage BMWs have fetched some incredible sums.
Today, we have compiled a list of the most expensive BMWs and will let you in on how much they sold for and explain what makes them worth so much.
Most Expensive BMWs
1. 1957 BMW 507 Roadster with Hardtop
The 1957 BMW 507 Roadster with Hardtop was sold at the Bonhams Auction for $4,984,985 on July 13, 2018. It was only expected to bring in around $2,500,000 but it nearly doubled that prediction and sold for top dollar.
The 1957 BMW 507 Roadster with Hardtop sold for so much money for a variety of reasons. It only had one owner from the time it was made. World Champion motorcyclist and race car driver, John Surtees, owned this BMW for 70 years before his family chose Bonhams to sell this one-of-a-kind Roadster in 2018.
Included with the car is the letter of confirmation given to John Surtees at the time of receiving it. This expensive car was given to him as a gift for winning the Motorcycle World Championship in 1956. John Surtees became a legend in the racing world, winning world championships driving both motorcycles and race cars. Because he owned this BMW, its value and desirability significantly increased.
Another factor that caused this BMW to sell for nearly $5,000,000 is how rare it is. There were only 252 BMW 507 Roadsters with Hardtops built in 1957. There were only 11 of them that were built with a removable hardtop and each hardtop could only fit the car it was built for. There are only 200 1957 BMW 507 Roadsters with Hardtops estimated to remain today with this one likely being the only one to have one owner.
2. 1958 BMW 507 Series II Roadster
This 1958 BMW 507 Series II Roadster sold for $2,420,000 on March 8, 2014. It was part of Malcolm Pray’s car collection. Malcolm Pray was the second owner of this BMW, purchasing it in 1972. The vehicle has its original engine and its original chassis.
It has many factory originals, including the original radio, wheels, and hardtop. It has 145 horsepower with its V-8 engine with dual carburetors and 4-speed manual transmission. It is no surprise that the 1958 BMW 507 Series II Roadster sold for more than $2,000,000.
3. 1939 Frazer Nash-BMW 328 Sports by Leacroft
The 1939 Frazer Nash-BMW 328 Sports by Leacroft is known as the first modern sports car. It sold for $825,000 on August 18, 2017. One of the factors that made this one of the most expensive BMWs sold is that it was owned by well-known amateur driver “Dickie” Stoop. Stoop entered the BMW car into the 1949 Spa 24 Hours which was a race in Belgium where he finished 6th in his class and 12th overall. This BMW beauty had enough torque and speed to compete and earn a decent standing.
Later, the 1939 Frazer Nash-BMW 328 Sports by Leacroft was accepted by the VSCC as a pre-war sports car. The VSCC is the Vintage Sports Car Club located in the United Kingdom that focuses on vintage sports cars including such expensive BMW cars.
In 1952, Stoop sold the Frazer Nash to AFN Limited. From that point forward until 1988, the history of the BMW Frazer Nash 328 Sports is unknown. It was purchased in 1988 by the Swiss Rosso Bianco Collection where it underwent a restoration process.
In 2006, the Swiss Rosso Bianco Collection sold its company which included its ownership of this BMW 3 Series beauty. It was on display at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance until it was sold at auction on August 18, 2017.
4. 1958 BMW 507 Roadster Series II
The 1958 BMW Roadsters sell for so much because of how few were produced. This explains why there is another 1958 507 Roadster Series II on this list of most expensive BMWs.
This 1958 BMW 507 Roadster Series II sold for $2,175,000 on January 18, 2019. There were only 252 models built during this year. A factory hardtop comes with this Roadster, and each car was hand-built. The 507 Roadster only existed for two years and today, the BMW Z8 is the closest replica to the vintage 507.
The engine of this 507 Roadster is not the original engine of this chassis. Instead, it is believed to have belonged to another 1958 BMW 507 Roadster. The BMW held its value, however, through its original removable hardtop. It has been showcased in museums and has been maintained through regular service every year.
The 1958 BMW 507 Roadster includes three volumes of documentation that have shown the car’s every move since it was built in 1958.
5. 1939 BMW 328
The 1939 BMW 328 sold for $550,000 on August 19, 2016. It is only one of 454 that was ever built, and it has only had two owners. This 328 remained a dominant BMW model in the racing world throughout the 1950s.
Many of the 328 models received engine upgrades from the Bristol Aeroplane Company, as it was given rights to the design of the 328 as World War II reparations. Many 328s that entered the racing world were equipped with Bristol engine upgrades.
When collectors are looking for a pre-World War era BMW, the 328 is the first one to come to mind. It has left a mark on history both in design as well as performance. For 30 years, this BMW 328 has stayed in California splitting its time between two owners. It has received regular maintenance of all its BMW parts and is considered one of the only 1939 BMW 328s that remain in competitive racing condition.
6. 1980 BMW M1
We wanted to make sure we included a post-war-era BMW M car on our list as well.
This 1980 BMW M1 sold for $417,500 on May 22, 2021. There were only 399 BMW M1s produced as part of BMWs lineup, and this is number 348. The M1 was designed by BMW to compete with Porsche’s 935. BMW contacted Lamborghini to help create a new design; thus, the M1 was born.
This M1 finished completion on May 27, 1980 and had a white exterior with a combination of black leather and cloth interior. It was delivered to a BMW dealership in Frankfurt, Germany for retail sale. Its first BMW owner of this particular model was recorded on September 16, 1980.
In 1984, this M1 was imported to the United States where the gauge cluster was converted from European to American. Three years later, it was acquired by a car enthusiast in Los Angeles and was rarely driven. More than 35 years later, this M1 was offered for sale having only 3,075 miles listed on the odometer.
From 2018 to its sell date in 2021, there was $50,000 invested in the vehicle to include an overhaul of the car’s fuel injection system, a refurbishment of the car’s original fuel tanks, and an upgrade to the brakes and electrical system. The interior featured new cabin speakers and was perfectly restored to a nearly pristine condition.
The exterior was finally restored to its original factory white color in 2019. It was donned with new Giugiaro-designed wheels and Michelin Sport tires. The number of 1980 BMW M1s that were imported into the United States is unknown, but it is believed that there are very few that remain in the United States today. This is what has given the 1980 BMW M1 so much value and made it so desirable among collectors.
Conclusion
BMW Motorsport continues to create a number of spectacular models that might not be vintage but are still pretty special in their own right. Consider the Hurricane CS Ultimate with its 1001 horsepower, or the BMW M8 with its whopping 617 ft-lb of torque, or the BMW X6 M which elegantly marries the coupe and an SUV!
There are many more BMWs listed on the Sotheby’s website but none of them are more expensive than the ones we’ve discussed today. The most expensive BMW vehicle usually has a story to tell. Whether it is one of just a few hundred produced or it was owned and used by a famous racecar driver in Europe, there is a reason these vintage cars are the most expensive BMWs ever sold in comparison to new cars.
