2024 has been one other wild 12 months for us! From masking international occasions to diving into the most recent BMW Group vehicles, our workforce has been busier than ever. With journey spanning 4 continents and numerous international locations, our experiences this 12 months have been extra various than ever earlier than. Every member of our workforce introduced their very own distinctive perspective, and our protection mirrored this broad scope, whether or not by written evaluations or movies on our thriving YouTube channel. In whole, we reviewed 55 vehicles on the web site and much more by our video content material. Naturally, each workforce member had their private favorites, however right here’s a rundown of essentially the most memorable BMWs we had the privilege to drive in 2024.
Steven Paul – 2025 BMW M4
I drove an ideal number of vehicles from a couple of completely different automakers in 2024, however the 2025 BMW M4 is hands-down my favourite – BMW or in any other case. Whereas I feel it might be somewhat bit too good for avenue driving – and I actually want I drove one with the handbook – that’s hardly something to carry towards it. In a world of recycled nameplates and off design (look no additional than the Dodge Hornet or Mitsubishi Eclipse), the BMW M4 breaks the mould.
It not solely faithfully carries the M3 torch even forty years later however appears to be like distinct from the whole lot else on the street. That final half cuts each methods, in fact, nevertheless it’s inconceivable to disregard the M4’s virtues: gobs of energy, exact dealing with, assured braking, and an honest sufficient soundtrack. True magnificence is greater than pores and skin deep; nowhere is it extra evident than from the motive force’s seat of the M4.
Andrei Nedelea – ALPINA B4 GT
Not having beforehand pushed an ALPINA, the spotlight of the 12 months for me was driving the B4 GT in Mallorca, each on roads and round a monitor. It immediately turned my favourite automotive of the 12 months with its mixture of M car-like tempo however extra of a grand tourer character with further consolation.
The 2024 B4 GT has the identical S58 engine that you simply get in an M3 or M4, nevertheless it options ALPINA-specific turbochargers, mapping and exhausts. The result’s an engine that makes about as a lot energy as a brand new xDrive-equipped M3 or M4 Competitors, nevertheless it feels much more muscular from even decrease down within the revs. It turns the B4 GT right into a ridiculously quick each day that’s additionally very particular to be aboard.
Inside, the B4 GT will get ALPINA-specific leather-based, which feels nicer than in a comparable BMW, however my favourite factor about it was the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. BMW doesn’t appear to pay a lot consideration to them, and even the non-compulsory carbon fiber ones which you could get on M vehicles don’t really feel the perfect. Alpina has distinctive paddles which might be made out of steel and really feel significantly extra particular, bettering each the driving expertise and the inside ambiance.
Sean Kealey Z4 “Handschalter” Package deal
I used to be very fortunate to drive a whole lot of completely different BMWs this 12 months. Some have been electrical, some had inline sixes, and a few had 735hp (due to Carbahn), however just one had three pedals. The Z4 with a handbook transmission wasn’t simply the perfect BMW I drove this 12 months; it was one in every of my favourite vehicles I’ve pushed within the final 5 years.
There’s extra to it than simply having a handbook. This era of Z4, co-developed with Toyota for the Supra, goes past simply being a superb freeway cruising roadster. This automotive can deal with. The stiff chassis, wonderful suspension, agency sway bars, and splendidly tuned limited-slip differential within the rear not solely assist put the facility down but in addition make the automotive like to rotate. It’s so playful by corners with the quick wheelbase. This, along with the open-top driving expertise, an expensive inside, the splendidly helpful iDrive 7 (I just like the bodily buttons greater than the screen-based HVAC controls on iDrive 8-9), and rowing your individual gears, makes this a very particular driving expertise.
Individuals say Miata is all the time the reply. They’re not improper, however think about a Miata with 400hp and a extra luxurious inside—that is what you might be getting. That’s one of the best ways I can describe the Z4. BMW handbook transmissions have been infamous for his or her rubbery really feel. That is nonetheless partially true, however the tuning completed to the shift linkage has actually allowed it to really feel rather more stout and direct. Personally, I like the way in which this handbook feels.
The Z4 handbook is a whole lot of automotive for the $75,000+ price ticket. Any open-top Porsche which may compete with this automotive and has greater than 4 cylinders is at the least 50% costlier. Something at this worth or cheaper is considerably much less succesful, direct, and thrilling. This automotive is in a category of its personal, and because the final non-M BMW to be geared up with a handbook transmission, it’s going to be a future basic. Drive this automotive and watch it treatment your melancholy.
Horatiu Boeriu – BMW iX M60
This 12 months, I made a decision to go towards the pattern. As an alternative of selecting a flashy efficiency automotive or a basic favourite, I selected an electrical automotive as my prime decide for 2024. The BMW iX M60 wasn’t simply one other automotive I examined—it turned a part of my each day life for a lot of the 12 months. And it shortly gained me and my household over.
One of many first issues that stood out concerning the iX was its intelligent design. Constructed on a devoted EV platform, it’s extremely spacious inside. The cabin feels open and splendid, with considerate particulars like a panoramic Sky Lounge roof and crystal controls. The seats are a few of the most comfy I’ve ever utilized in an SUV, and the inside feels extra like a comfortable front room than a automotive.
For me, the perfect a part of the iX is the way it drives. It’s fast—sooner than I’d ever want—however what I liked most was the journey high quality. With the air suspension possibility, the iX feels prefer it’s floating over the street. It’s so quiet and cozy that even after lengthy journeys, I felt fully relaxed. In truth, I feel it’s essentially the most luxurious driving expertise within the BMW lineup, even in comparison with vehicles just like the 7 Collection or the i7.
The BMW iX M60 isn’t good. Its design won’t attraction to everybody, and a few would possibly miss having a 3rd row. However for me, it had the whole lot I wished. It’s additionally the primary automotive my children have been genuinely unhappy to see depart, which says loads about how a lot it turned a part of our lives.
Ultimately, the iX M60 was the automotive that stood out essentially the most to me this 12 months. It’s sensible, luxurious, and forward-thinking. It won’t be everybody’s first alternative, nevertheless it ticked all the suitable bins for me. For those who’re in search of an electrical SUV that provides consolation, energy, and an unbelievable driving expertise, the BMW iX is difficult to beat.
