Motorsport Studio: BMW M Clubhouse

With IAA Mobility practically transforming the entire city of Munich into a pseudo car-week event, it only made sense that plenty of fringe activities would pop up in and around the city, all celebrating the shared love of cars among those in attendance. And with Munich being home to the ultimate machines we all adore, it was only natural for BMW M to host one of the coolest pop-up events of the week. Presenting: the M Clubhouse.

Held at Goldberg Studios just off the Sendlinger Strasse shopping belt, the M Clubhouse brought out a host of beautiful M machines and a host of Gen M activities for fans of BMW Motorsport.

With both classic icons and modern M machines sharing the same beautiful setting, it made for some truly lovely photos. And this duo right here, now that would make for the perfect two-car garage.

The E9 3.0 CSL, of course, needs no introduction. Draped in its signature stripes and purposeful stance, it’s a car that perfectly embodies BMW Motorsport’s golden era. Every crease and curve of its body feels alive, from the delicate chrome detailing to that unmistakable aerodynamic kit that earned it the nickname “Batmobile.” Built as a homologation special to dominate touring car racing, it’s one of those machines that manages to look both elegant and aggressive all at once, a true reminder of when racing DNA was worn proudly on the streets. Yes, it will cost a pretty penny, no you can’t have it.

Slightly more accessible would be this E60 M5, while its styling has definetly stood the test of time very well, what truly defines it is that glorious, high-revving, screaming V10 under the hood. An engine that sings all the way to 8,250 rpm, raw, visceral, and unlike anything else before or since. It was (and still is) the heart and soul of what makes this M5 so unforgettable.

The Jägermeister E30 M3, what a shape, and what a searing shade of orange! Few race cars are as instantly recognizable or as deeply ingrained in motorsport history as this one.

With its boxy arches, aggressive stance, and that unmistakable livery, it’s pure touring car perfection. Further inside though, sat another E30 M3, one that wasn’t just visually striking, but also an absolute marvel of engineering.

Yes, your eyes aren’t deceiving you, this is an E30 M4. While it may look like a classic E30 M3 on the outside, underneath the familiar boxy silhouette lies the beating heart and technology of a modern M4. It’s as close as you can get to having contemporary M performance wrapped in the timeless body of a legend.

Built by JP Performance, this E30 M4 isn’t just a (not-so-simple) S55 engine swap. In addition to a custom pushrod suspension setup, it features mostly M4-sourced running gear throughout, even the gauges, steering wheel, and flappy paddles have been carried over from the modern car. The result is one of the most extensive and technically impressive E30 M3 street projects ever built, perfectly merging old-school charm with contemporary M performance.

While there was some BMW merchandise on offer, it wasn’t anything different from what you can already find at the Welt, a massively wasted opportunity, if you ask me. I felt the same way at the IAA, where BMW missed out on having exclusive event merchandise, unlike Porsche and Mini, who both nailed it with unique, show-only items.

For the younger visitors, there was even the world’s most expensive (I think) ball pit for them to enjoy!

By the time I left the M Clubhouse, the excitement lingered. From the perfect mix of classic and modern M machines to the energy of fellow enthusiasts, it was a celebration of BMW M at its finest!