[Law]

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All modern BMW M-cars feature the famous "M Gills" today.

Here is a quick look at how this design feature evolved, beginning with its usage on BMW roadsters and coupes before evolving and being adopted as a distinctively "BMW M Design".

Over the years, the shapes have varied, some have doubled as the turn-indicators, various finishes such as chrome and black finishes used, some serving an aerodynamic function while others cosmetic but each car that has been adorned by this design feature has seen its side profile enhanced ever-so-slightly.

An interesting bit of trivia is that the E46 M3 (incl. CSL) Gills were inspired by the E9 Coupe Gills whereas the Z8 Gills, of course, took inspiration from the 507 Gills. So any resemblance between them is no coincidence.

507


E9 Coupé


E36/7/8 Z3 Roadster & Coupé


E36/7/8 Z3 M Roadster & Coupé


E52 Z8


E46 M3 Coupé & Convertible


E46 M3 CSL


E60/E61 M5 Sedan & Touring


E90 M3 Sedan


E90 M3 CRT


E92/E93 M3 Coupé & Convertible


F10 M5


F06/F12/F13 M6 Coupé, Convertible, and Gran Coupé


F80/F82 M3 Sedan & M4 Coupé


F85/F86 X5 M & X6 M


F87 M2 Coupé


F90 M5 Sedan

[uniqueMR]

Very nice. I prefer: 507 Roadster

[Saphirschwarz]

Always loved the Z3 one...

[DCG]

Why does the older stuff always looks so much cooler?

Every BMW should have these! I only like these Gills if they're actually functional. I can't stand fake parts on cars.

[RPiM5]

Cool compilation. Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe any one of these designs are actually functional. They look cool though, and are definitely what makes an M car stand out. I am partial to the E60 M5 grill and the F10 M5 grille, but I did once own a Z3M and appreciate that design. I always thought it was odd that the E85 Z4M never got its own fender grille. Is that the only M car to never get one? I dunno.

[decre83]

you missed the e82 1M!! the best car!!

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Technically the M2's is just a badge?

[MachinesWithSouls]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

Cool compilation. Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe any one of these designs are actually functional. They look cool though, and are definitely what makes an M car stand out. I am partial to the E60 M5 grill and the F10 M5 grille, but I did once own a Z3M and appreciate that design. I always thought it was odd that the E85 Z4M never got its own fender grille. Is that the only M car to never get one? I dunno.

They do a good job faking it don't they? I thought the ones on my e92 were real until I took them off and swapped them.

[Too__Hu///Mble]

Y'all forgot about the E71 and E70...

[tony093]

M2 got robbed

[///M TOWN]

Great thread.

Law don't forget the latest.

[JSP///M4C]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

Cool compilation. Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe any one of these designs are actually functional. They look cool though, and are definitely what makes an M car stand out. I am partial to the E60 M5 grill and the F10 M5 grille, but I did once own a Z3M and appreciate that design. I always thought it was odd that the E85 Z4M never got its own fender grille. Is that the only M car to never get one? I dunno.

F80/82 Fender vent. AKA Air Breathers, pushes air to optimize and improve aerodynamics around the wheel arches, also using the front air curtains and M grill.

[Law]

Thanks for all the suggestions, but relax, gentlemen!

The list was just for comparison's sake and was not meant to be exhaustive.

I will update the list at a later time with some of the ones missed and will continue to add to it future models.
The tough part, really, is finding a photo of the correct angle, with decent resolution, and then cropping it the same ratio as the others.

But I will work on this and update the original post as time progresses

[///M Power-Belgium]

Interesting thread , well done !

[Aaaaaaaaa]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

Cool compilation. Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe any one of these designs are actually functional. They look cool though, and are definitely what makes an M car stand out. I am partial to the E60 M5 grill and the F10 M5 grille, but I did once own a Z3M and appreciate that design. I always thought it was odd that the E85 Z4M never got its own fender grille. Is that the only M car to never get one? I dunno.

F80 fender vents are legit. Too legit to quit.

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by pheerIx

F80 fender vents are legit. Too legit to quit.

.

[tiltmode43]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

Cool compilation. Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe any one of these designs are actually functional. They look cool though, and are definitely what makes an M car stand out. I am partial to the E60 M5 grill and the F10 M5 grille, but I did once own a Z3M and appreciate that design. I always thought it was odd that the E85 Z4M never got its own fender grille. Is that the only M car to never get one? I dunno.

First thing I thought of was whether the Z4M was the only real ///M car to not get gills

[Germanauto]

Z3 was one of the best in my opinion. Classic look.

E60 was the worst. Too round and looked tacked on.

[Germanauto]

Originally Posted by eDrive

Great thread.

Law don't forget the latest.

Talk about over-styled!

[Law]

Originally Posted by tiltmode43

First thing I thought of was whether the Z4M was the only real ///M car to not get gills

With a side-profile like this, who needs M Gills?!



Bangle's flame surfacing ideology might not have suited everyone, but it did wonders for the E85/E86 Z4.

[ando]

Like the E46 fender gills the best

[EL Jeffe 5]

Imo
1. E46 M3
2. F90 M5
3. F10 M5