The BMW 3 Series has been a driving enthusiast's dream since it first hit the road nearly 50 years ago with rear-wheel drive and rapid performance.

But while every 3 Series delivers smiles per mile, a few hot versions stand out from the pack with serious car show credibility, cranking up the performance to thrilling levels and cementing the 3 Series' reputation as the ultimate driving machine.

BMW M3

The original E30 M3, with its high-revving 4-cylinder, is a coveted classic, and later generations amped things up considerably.

The E36 and E46 M3s packed brawny straight-sixes, while the V8-powered E90/92/93 M3 provided a glorious soundtrack to match its speed.

Today's G80 M3 has a twin-turbo straight-six pumping out over 500 horsepower in Competition spec, and in all forms, the M3 boasts upgraded brakes, suspension tuning, and aerodynamics to deliver track-ready performance and looks.

Turbo Terrors

Modern 3 Series have embraced turbocharging to squeeze prodigious power and torque from their engines. The F30 335i led the charge, with 300 horses on tap from its turbocharged inline-six. That made it nearly as swift as the contemporary M3.

BMW has spread turbo power across the 3 Series range. The 330i and M340i offer plenty of punch wrapped in a practical package. Their boosted sixes serve up nearly instantaneous thrust for merging and passing manoeuvres.

Even the base 330i's 4-cylinder turbo provides enough zip for spirited driving. Turbocharging has made the 3 Series faster and more efficient than ever.

Rare Birds

BMW has treated the 3 Series to special editions that quickly became collectable. The E36 M3 Lightweight, for instance, sheds pounds to sharpen its razor-sharp reflexes. Only a few hundred were made.

The E46 lineup also saw sought-after models like the M3 CSL, a hardcore road-legal variant with carbon fibre to trim weight and suspension and brake upgrades to make it a speed demon on the track.

The F80 M3 CS brought a touch of exclusivity. Limited to under 1,000 units, the CS bumped power slightly while introducing distinctive trim and creature comforts. Those lucky enough to snag one have a future classic on their hands.

Speed for All

Not every hot 3 Series requires an M badge or a limited production run. The beauty of BMW's compact is that even mainstream models deliver stellar performance and fun.

M Sport packages let more buyers access sportier looks without the crazy performance stats of the M line - features like sportier BMW 3 Series bumpers and headlights, bigger wheels, sport suspension, and aerodynamic tweaks bring a taste of the M cars' magic to the masses.

A "speed for all" approach has kept the 3 Series at the top of sport sedan wish lists for decades. There's a spicy version for every taste, from the fire breathing M3 to the peppery 330i. Few cars balance daily usability and driving entertainment so deftly.