BMW calls M the most powerful letter in the world and we have little reason to disagree. The M division has given the world some of the finest driver’s cars, be it the holy grail E30 M3 or the outrageous M1 or even the new F90 M5 in recent times. But, arguably, it was the 90s and 00s when M peaked. That was the era when their cars had big engines and small grilles unlike the current generation cars which have it in reverse. The E92 M3 had a V8 plonked in, the biggest motor in an M3 thus far and the E60 M5 had an F1 derived V10, because why not! Both of these cars are a rare occurrence in India and when we learnt that Chilgarage from Hyderabad had just procured an E60 M5 to join his E92 M3 which he has owned since new, we had to put in a request to get these two cars together. Now, for the ones living under a rock, Chilgarage is one of the most tasteful lineups that there is. Anish, the man behind the lineup, clearly doesn’t believe in quantity. Quality is what plays up for him. With cars like the first gen Audi R8 V8 with a manual box, a Ferrari 458 Italia in the superexpensive Giallo Triplo Strato and these two Ms, the man has put together some of the most significant cars from over the last decade and a half. For now, our eyes lie squarely on the two Alpine White Bavarians, brought to your screen through the lens of 5anket!

The M lineup is aimed at driving enthusiasts. The cars lack any pomp or show on the outside, all of it is saved for when you pop open the bonnet. Painted in white, it is only fitting for the sleeper persona that these cars carry. The E92 BMW M3 has lately exploded in value, owners, collectors, drivers and enthusiasts alike have realized what a gem of a car this is and the demand-supply theorem has driven up the values of the car. Now as it turns out, Anish realized the same a few years ago. This E92 has been in his ownership since new, it was specified by him in Alpine White with Fox Red leather along with the all important 6 speed manual gearbox. Almost prophetic how the car was specified in a timeless color combination with a now-almost-extinct manual gearbox and has remained in its first ownership since new. What is also remarkable is how clean this car is, the E92 was a mod friendly car and weird kits and wheels are commonplace on one of these. But not this one, it is how it rolled off the line with a set of titanium Akrapovic pipes, which is pretty much a right of passage for that glorious S65 motor! The S65 is one of those motors which had no direct replacement in the M world. The generation of cars which succeeded the E92 were powered by a turbocharged straight six, which really makes the S65 a unicorn in the motoring world. What is also interesting to note is that the S65 was heavily derived from the S85 V10 motor which powered the E60 M5. The S85 itself was a product of BMW’s Formula One adventures with Sauber, So, in essence, when BMW says their M cars are motorsport cars for the road, they haven’t truly meant that since the E92 and E60.

Now, this whole mishmash of words here was never intended to be a review. These cars are such that they do not need validation from us lesser mortals. They are on their journey to become god-tier cars. We can only look and drool. And hence, I have deliberately kept the driving dynamics and other number geekery off this piece. This is solely intended to be a mass ogling movement, for, these cars deserve no less. Coming to the M5, this is something that needs no introduction. The M5 was the original supersaloon, the one car that could do it all. From school runs to shaming sportscars to cross country mile munching, this was the Kapil Dev of its time. There was no, and arguably is no better all-rounder on the market. The M5 started off with a straight six, succeeded by a V8 until the Germans muttered something on the lines of “ummm, zu klein '' and plonked in a massive V10 under the bonnet. To put it into perspective, only cars like the Gallardo had an engine so big when the E60 M5 hit the market in 2004. Audi later followed suit with the V10 S8 in 2006 but we all know where that inspiration came from. When the E60 broke cover, it polarized a fair chunk of the car world. Chris Bangle’s design got a fair amount of backlash and ‘Bangle’d butt’ became a slur. Looking at the E60 in 2021, I cannot help but wonder what do the ones who despised the design of the E60 think about BMW’s recent designs. To me, personally, the E60 has always been a great looking car and with the M5, it is just amazing how it remains virtually unchanged externally save for the fender vents and quad pipes poking out of the Bangle butt. Presented here in Alpine White, this one has no hints of the power that belies it. The V10 on these are notoriously known for being unreliable and it is very satisfying to see an example in this nick, all up and running, unmolested with any sort of aftermarket parts, just the way we love it!

If you are a thoroughbred car guy, there isn’t much to say about this duo. The monikers have been around long enough to gain a cult status and we are only happy to see these cars here together knowing that they will be well taken care of. A few years down the line, such engines are what us petrolheads will be writing sonnets about. A rapidly depleting breed as batteries take over. The emotion these offer will remain peerless for years to come and we were only happy to be in the company of cars like these – no batteries, no forced induction, just multiple firing cylinders, a souvenir of the good old days of BMW. Leaving an entire set of images here for you to enjoy this holiday season!