The 25 Best Hot Wheels BMWs: Super Treasure Hunts and RLC Included

I have never been obsessed with BMWs, as was the case for most guys I grew up with. But I wouldn't mind owning an E92 M3 someday. I drove one in Valencia right next to the MotoGP track, thanks to a French buddy who is now a pro racer. I've experienced dozens of other drift-spec Bimmers from the passenger seat, including multiple V8-powered E30s, one VW VR6-powered E36, and several M3s, and the list doesn't stop here.

I only have a few Hot Wheels BMWs in my collection, but dozens have gone through my hands over the past ten years. In the past few months, I've looked at the most interesting Toyota and Porsche castings from Mattel's portfolio, so I decided it's time to delve into Bavarian territory for this current story. There are 27 Hot Wheels BMW castings, and at least two more are coming in 2024. One will be part of the mainline series, while the other will debut in the Elite 64 one. For this list, I've excluded the two motorcycles, the K 1300 R and the R nineT Racer, as I'll focus only on the German brand's four-wheel representatives.

1. BMW M1

The M1 was the first-ever Hot Wheels BMW, and all the other castings below are displayed chronologically. Mattel launched this item 40 years ago as part of the brand's first few Real Riders collectibles. Of course, it had a metal base and RR Wheels with Goodyear tires. You can pay as much as $170 for a pristine example of this item, while loose models can still cost around $75.

Mattel created 12 more iterations until 1996, and the casting seemingly disappeared. Two more designs surfaced years later, the first in 2012 and the last in 2016. The latter was part of the BMW Series alongside seven other vehicles, which I'll get to in a minute. Six M1 variations have Ultrahot wheels, which I'm a fan of. You'll probably enjoy the 2012 iteration that was part of "The Hot Ones" series, as it has a more modern look compared to the M1s that arrived in the '80s. Sporting a classic BMW livery, this one can sell for around $75 on eBay, and any hardcore fan of the brand probably has one in his collection.

2. BMW 323

The BMW 323 is the first of just four convertible Hot Wheels BMWs ever made. Larry Wood designed this one, first appearing in the 1990 Hot Wheels series. There are two almost identical iterations of the First Edition model, one of which features a BMW stamping in the rear. Mattel developed a strange livery for the 1990 California Customs variation, featuring a two-tone white-and-blue finish. That Bimmer also ran on a weird set of Turbo Wheels, which I've never seen in person before. But the diecast manufacturer from El Segundo opted for a more traditional look on the 1991 release.

The car had a simple black paint job this time, with M3 decals on the side. The rims were undersized, but they still did a decent job. The tan interior provided a nice bit of contrast to the casting, which is undoubtedly my favorite variation. The last 323 arrived in the 1993 Tattoo Machines series, and it was a weird one with the pink paint job covered in skulls and snakes. That may explain why Mattel named it Skull Rider instead of calling it what it was. Finding all six variations could be troublesome but not necessarily expensive.

3. BMW 850i

When did you last see a BMW 8 Series (E31) driving down a public road? I saw one this year at an event, then a fleet of six or seven of them going to a local mountain pass. BMW only built less than 31,000 units between 1990 and 1999, so it's a rare car by any standard. So, it's easy to understand why Hot Wheels replicas are your best chance at having one on display at home. Larry Wood designed this casting for its 1991 Mainline debut, featuring a basic color scheme and Ultrahot wheels.

Mattel had a strange approach with the 850i, using the same colors but different wheels on new iterations. A complete collection requires 16 cars, most featuring blue paint jobs in different shades. The last iteration was part of the 2001 Final Run series: the Chrome 850i had wheels that resembled the modern Real Riders Exotics series without the rubber tires. Some sellers ask as much as $70 for one of these, but that's one of the most expensive variations. I'd opt for the 1999 release in Metallic Light Gold or the 2000 variation in Metallic Light Blue. But one thing is sure: Mattel needs a new 850CSi casting ASAP!

4. BMW 850i (Corgi version)

But wait, there's more. We all know that Matchbox is now part of Mattel's portfolio, but did you know that's the same case for Corgi, too? That means several castings from the acquired company returned as Hot Wheels cars, if only temporarily. And Corgi had its version of the 850i. Purists might prefer the one mentioned earlier for its true Hot Wheels origins, but most collectors will probably go for the Corgi casting instead. And I'll give you one solid reason: it features opening doors!

You'd only see that in the RLC or Elite 64 series these days, so it's certainly a big plus. This casting had a short lifespan between 1994 and 1997, but it was enough for Mattel to release seven variations. If you like flashy cars, you'll love the black FAO Schwarz Series III release with gold rims and a yellow interior! You can pay as much as $50 for it, even in loose form. That's much less than the white First Edition Auto City release, which still had Corgi wheels. This model can cost around $150 but can also be challenging to find.

5. BMW M3 (Corgi version)

The M3 is the second Corgi casting on our list today. It's less refined than the one that Mattel introduced further down the road, but it does have one fascinating feature. It features a Silhouette-inspired body kit, a tribute to an era that seemingly happened long ago. The M3 debuted with the 1994 Auto City Multipack, featuring a blue finish and a neon green interior. Talk about a crazy color combo! It still had Corgi-designed wheels at the time, which could have been better. But all that changed in 1996 with the FAO Schwarz release.

That one had the same color scheme as the 850i: black on the outside and yellow on the inside! The FAO Schwarz Series III collection included 16 vehicles (reminds me of the Hot Wheels Sweet Sixteen), all of which were Corgi castings. I tracked one down, which is listed for $350, and it's a superb set, given it's now almost 30 years old. The third and final iteration of this M3 showed up in 1997 as part of the Racing series. It had a typical BMW Motorsports livery, using white, red, and blue to highlight the shape of the iconic Bimmer. The Wire Spoke wheels were still in their infancy then, and I am still looking for this iteration of the M3 for sale.

6. BMW M Roadster

Dave Weise designed the BMW M Roadster, debuting in 1997 as part of the First Editions series. In a recent story, I mentioned that I would love for Mattel to give us a replica of the BMW M Coupe (Clown Shoe), which will happen someday. At first, the name on the card was BMW Z3 Roadster, and the First Edition arrived twice, with two different sets of wheels. It featured a metal base and a ZAMAC-like color, with BMW M stripes running down the doors. A new iteration arrived in 1998 but didn't look as good in white and black.

You can still enjoy the 3-spoke wheels if you remove the livery and don't care about resale value. Hot Wheels even ran a Kit Kat version of the casting in 2000, but the final variations were the best. Neither featured Real Riders wheels, but the metal base is still a big plus. The 2001 and 2002 Bimmers featured a black interior, so it's up to you to decide whether you enjoy the Teal or the Metallic Light Gold one. At least you can rest assured that a complete collection of this casting has no chance of ruining you financially.

7. BMW 325i

The BMW 325i is the third and final Corgi casting that made it into the Hot Wheels line-up. It's also one of five E30 replicas in the company's portfolio. Sadly, there is only one iteration to look for if you like the looks of it, and it came out in 1997.

It had a yellow finish with a red and purple livery, which was forgettable. But it looked good on Wire Spoke wheels and featured opening doors like its siblings. Buying one will require a bit of patience and some good search skills, but at least it's an affordable move.

8. '10 BMW M3

BMW enthusiasts had to wait almost 14 years before Mattel returned with a new casting after the 325i. The '10 BMW M3 debuted in the 2011 New Models series, and it's a replica of the E92 - the coupe version of the fifth generation 3 Series. Between 2011 and 2018, the diecast manufacturer has only developed seven variations of this casting. And the most popular one is probably the 2016 BMW series iteration in Silver. There are no Premium, TH, or STH versions of the '10 M3, and we can only wonder if Mattel will ever bring it back.

I imagine an M3 E92 GTS would do wonders in Car Culture or Boulevard, and I'm sure the people in El Segundo already have this idea sketched out somewhere. As for the '10 BMW M3, six of the seven iterations have used various 5-spoke wheel designs. The 2013 HW City: Street Power version is exciting because it uses a 10-spoke setup instead. The best part about this casting is that it could be a starting point for a custom-built Liberty Walk M3. You'll find several diecast artists going down this route, and watching the transformation process is inspiring.

9. BMW 2002

The 2002, the ninth BMW casting developed by Hot Wheels, bears Jun Imai's signature design. We first saw it in the 2012 New Models series, featuring an orange finish and a simple yet effective livery. With MC5 wheels, it was no Premium model, but collectors quickly purchased one for their home display. This rim design has been the go-to format for Mattel on most Mainline iterations of the BMW 2002, with 11 appearances so far. But a complete collection will require you to purchase an additional five vehicles, three more special than the others.

In 2015, the classic Bimmer finally received a metal base and rubber tires as part of the Hot Wheels Heritage: Real Riders series. One of these items can cost as much as $40 nowadays, but there are much cheaper options. Although using the same wheels, the 2018 Forza Motorsport iteration featured a more traditional BMW livery. Given the increased popularity, this model can sell for as much as $80. A similar Premium variation appeared in 2020, with Eibach decals instead of the Forza ones. If you're curious about the future, a Vintage Racing Club Series BMW 2002 will be sporting a new set of Cast 5-spoke wheels.

10. BMW M3 GT2

2012 was a good year for Hot Wheels enthusiasts, as Mattel revealed four different BMW castings, starting with the old 2002. The M3 GT2 was next, which is still a crowd favorite today. Fraser Campbell designed this casting for its 2012 New Models debut in white, with red and blue accents. The initial three iterations were almost identical, except for the different wheels.

Of all the tiny Bimmers I owned previously, I've never been willing to let go of my 2016 variation of the M3 GT2, which was part of the BMW set that year. Even though the casting lost the plastic wing in 2020, the design is the same as it used to be. The last time we saw a new variation was in 2021 with the Walmart Exclusive Zamac Edition. But Mattel has never used this casting in the Premium series. Even more disturbing is that there is only one other E92 replica in the company's portfolio, but that might not be the case for long.

11. BMW Z4 M

Despite being a simple Mainline model, the BMW Z4 M looked impressive immediately. With the M-inspired livery and a set of PR5 wheels, everyone was eager to add one to their collection. So far, Mattel has only developed seven variations of this casting, the rarest of which arrived in 2016. It was part of the Super Treasure Hunt series I reviewed almost a year ago. I was baffled in December of 2022 when I saw a Z4 M STH listed for $800 on eBay. Guess what- it's still on there, as no one has gone near it yet.

In most cases, $40 will seal the deal for this collectible, so avoid comparing it to an ultra-rare, numbered RLC item. As for the other iterations, don't worry about them: they're all reasonably affordable. I'm a fan of the non-STH release of 2016, which is slightly better than its 2023 Forza counterpart. But I'm sure plenty of collectors would much rather go for the First Edition Z4 M.

12.'92 BMW M3

Ten to 15 years ago, having a BMW E30 was nice but not completely unheard of. You have to realize that the German manufacturer introduced the second generation of the 3-Series more than 40 years ago. Production ended almost 30 years ago. Even as the regular E30 is becoming rarer and rarer, things are even more insane regarding its ultimate variation: the M3. BMW built just under 18,000 units between 1986 and 1991.

So it's no wonder you'll need at least $60,000 to buy one today. But if you want to get something special, price-wise, you're already in the 911 Turbo S territory. That popularity has transferred to the Hot Wheels domain, too, and you'll find several variations listed for over $100 on eBay. Jun Imai designed the casting, and it was off to a great start with the Premium Hot Wheels Racing: Road Racer series in 2012. Sitting on Gold Real Riders Exotic wheels, this item alone will cost around $150 if it's still in flawless shape.

But there are five more exclusive/rare variants to look for, including the 2021 Modern Classics iteration and the 2016 Euro Style "Polizei" Bimmer. We all know there's a big market for Supreme products, and a connection between this brand and Hot Wheels was imminent. While plenty of people yearn to own a Supreme-inspired BMW M3 from Hot Wheels, only a few are willing to pay as much as $800 for the special Team Transport set.

But it gets even worse if you check out the 2020 Jackboys Exclusive machine. There are only three around, and I saw one listed for $20,000 on eBay. At this point, you could build your own E30 drift car with a big V8 inside. At least, that's what I would do. Honestly, this casting has such a cult following that I might do a deep dive into it in a separate story soon.

13. BMW E36 M3 Race

The BMW E36 M3 Race debuted in 2014 as part of the HW Race: Track Aces series. It was the second-ever E36 3-Series from Hot Wheels and the third-ever M3 casting after over 20 years. Rob Matthes designed this one, which might remind you of the '90s IMSA GT Series era. The first five variations of the E36 M3 Race used 10-spoke wheels, and younger collectors must have been appalled by the 2019 Throwback release. Paying tribute to a bygone era is understandable, but that old Black Wall wheel design won't work in the 21st century.

But Mattel made up for that mistake in 2020 with the launch of the Fast & Furious: Euro Fast set. That collectible featured a simple, black finish with Real Riders Aero rims. The stance is a little off, as is often the case with Hot Wheels products, but it's probably not as bad if you look at it from a few feet away. And the fact that you can buy it for less than $20 makes it all the better.

14. BMW M4

Unsurprisingly, Hot Wheels launched a replica of the M4 about the same time as BMW debuted the 1:1 car. Mattel has always been careful with planning new releases that way. Ryu Asada had been on the team for a few years when he designed this casting. It debuted in the 2015 HW City: Street Power series, featuring a Yas Marina Blue paint job, just like you would see on the actual car. Mattel kept the PR5 wheel design for the second iteration, switching to a Metalflake Vegas Gold for a new look. The whole thing worsened once the M4 moved on to TRAP5 wheels.

But it all returned to normal after two variations that failed to capture the audience's attention. There are no Premium variations of the M4, and we have only had one design coming out of El Segundo in the past five years. A car like this deserves a set of Real Riders wheels and a metal base, but there's no clue why Mattel has walked down this path all these years.

15.'73 BMW 3.0 CSL Race Car

We last saw the '73 BMW 3.0 CSL Race Car not long ago. It was part of a Hot Wheels Car Culture 2-Pack alongside a brand-new casting, and we've already heard about the upcoming variations for 2024. I'm pretty excited about the Ultra Hots version in black with gold wheels, although I know it will be challenging to find one in stores nearby.

But there's an entire selection of ten other iterations for a complete collection of the 3.0 CSL. Since its 2016 debut, Mattel has released two Premium models and a Super Treasure Hunt alongside a series of Mainline vehicles. The Toy Fair edition can cost as much as $2,000, making the STH feel like an average purchase by comparison. But that's all part of being an avid Hot Wheels collector.

16. BMW M1 Procar

Mark Jones designed the BMW M1 Procar for its 2017 Car Culture: Cars & Donuts debut. With four variations coming out of El Segundo, this is a Premium-exclusive casting! The design has evolved since the early days of Hot Wheels BMWs, and this is a replica of a more extreme version of the iconic M1. The 2018 Car Culture: Eurospeed model featured a Project Cars livery, and it's still strange to think that Electronic Arts canceled this franchise in 2022. While I loved the color combo, I am skeptical about the Modern Concave Real Riders wheels.

And the same goes for the 2019 Anti Social Social Club variation. Still, this latter variation is the most expensive, with prices going as high as $500. That's more than you'll pay for all the combined Hot Wheels M1 Procar versions on the market, so I'll leave it up to you to decide whether it's worth it. I think the latest Motul variation is excellent, thanks to the white and red color combo, but we'll have to wait and see if the upcoming Exotic Envy model is even better.

17.2016 BMW M2

Ryu Asada is behind the Hot Wheels BMW M2, which debuted in 2018 as part of the Factory Fresh series. You may remember seeing this casting in a recent story where I talked about Hot Wheels Police cars, so I will only cover the basics today. With eight variations available on the market, only one is genuinely remarkable, as it's a Premium design.

But it doesn't come close to being as exciting as the M1 Procar or the M3 E30, even with a metal base and Real Riders wheels. At this point, Mattel would probably be better off releasing a 1/64th-scale replica of the G87 M2 rather than coming up with a new iteration of the first generation. But I can, of course, come up with at least ten more ideas for new Hot Wheels castings if someone asks me to.

18. BMW i8 Roadster

Phil Riehlman originally designed the BMW i8 Roadster for the now-defunct iD series. The 2019 First Edition model featured an impressive Spectraflame E-Copper finish with Chrome Lip iD wheels. You can still pick one up for $10 or less today, so a complete i8 Roadster collection would be easy to manage. That's because Mattel only developed two more Mainline variations after 2019.

Both appeared this year, sitting on 10-spoke wheels. And the real question on everyone's mind is: why doesn't the diecast manufacturer develop a replica of the regular i8 instead? That's not a priority, and I'm sure other models are waiting in line before that. But still, a Premium or RLC i8 could generate more interest from collectors worldwide.

19. BMW M3 E46

If you survey Hot Wheels collectors, some might tell you that the M3 E46 is just as good, if not better, than the M3 E30. Mark Jones designed this casting, which has only been around since 2020! It's Fast & Furious: Euro Fast debut was what everyone expected. It had a simple white finish with contrasting turquoise Real Riders 10-spoke wheels to make it stand out from the crowd. This design was so popular that Mattel brought it back again earlier this year, but let me tell you a few things about the variations in between. It became part of the Team Transport series in 2021, featuring a red finish and an Eibach livery.

I'd say this is on par with the 2022 BMW M Series Collector Set variation, which is the only one so far to use 6-spoke wheels instead of the 10-spoke design. But I feel that the best iterations of the M3 E46 are the 2021 Car Culture: Deutschland Design in Laguna Seca Blue and the 2022 Car Culture: Autostrasse model in Imola Red. One can only hope that the next time Mattel releases a new variation of this car, it will use Phoenix Yellow Metallic to make it pop. Meanwhile, keep an eye out for the Mexico Convention M3 E46, as that could see a significant increase in market value in years to come.

20.2006 BMW M3

You know things are about to get serious once you see RLC mentioned at the end of a Hot Wheels casting. Anyone can join the Red Line Club for a small annual fee. But that doesn't guarantee you'll be able to buy all the RLC exclusive releases. Some are sold out in minutes, while others can take a few days. Everyone was stoked to learn that Mattel was bringing out the 2006 BMW M3, especially since it had a limited production run of 20,000 units. The First Edition model looked perfect in Spectraflame Yellow with Silver Real Riders 10-Spoke Modern Wheels, which explains the current market value.

It can sell for well over $100, but that's not to say you can't find it for as low as $70. The M3 RLC returned the following year with a new Spectraflame Otto Blue finish and 6-spoke wheels. Mattel opted to build 30,000 units, which means more people had the chance to buy it, but it is more common than the First Edition model. Given its nice appearance, you'll see this variation going for as low as $55, which is quite a catch.

21.1991 BMW M3

And if that wasn't a big enough RLC dose for you, there's always the 1991 BMW M3 to turn to. Brendon Vetuskey designed this one, too. It features opening doors and is arguably more exciting than its newer sibling. Thirty thousand units of the First Edition model left the factory in China for 2022, and Mattel couldn't have opted for a better color than Spectraflame Steel Blue.

The 1991 BMW M3 initially sold for $30 a piece but can now go up to $250. The second variation arrived in 2023, featuring a Spectraflame Red finish and a different set of wheels. But there is no word about how many of these Mattel made, affecting its market value. It's slightly cheaper than the first variation, in most cases at least, and can cost as little as $40 if you find the right source.

22.2001 BMW M5 E39

The BMW M5 E39 is the third and final Hot Wheels BMW casting in 2022. Phil Riehlman designed it for its BMW M Series Collector Set debut, sharing the same packaging with the 2016 M2, the M3 E46, and the Fleet Flyer. It was exciting in the typical M livery and the Real Riders 5-Spoke Modern wheels. But the people at Mattel knew collectors would want a simpler variation, too. And the Car Culture: Canyon Warriors set made that happen earlier this year with a simple red paint job and black trims.

Still, if you want the rarest edition, look for the M5 Convention model, which surfaced in Los Angeles, California, in early October. If you go after it now, it will cost between $150 to $230, but I'm sure prices will only increase in coming years. It's not that it looks infinitely better than the previous iterations, but there are only 4,000 units to go around, and that's scarce by today's standards.

23. BMW 507

The 507 is the fourth and latest Hot Wheels replica of a convertible BMW. Although it is less known among younger collectors, everyone quickly picked one up once it arrived with the 2023 Factory Fresh series. It's the kind of classic car we want to see more of, and Mattel nailed it with the white finish and red interior on the first go. It was just as good in red with a black interior, but the best was yet to come.

That's because the 507 graduated to the Super Treasure Hunt level for Mainline Case C of 2024, which I showed you more of just a few weeks ago. The only way the people in El Segundo can improve the design is to send it to Premium and find the correct livery. But I doubt it will ever be as popular as the E30 M3 or the E46 M3.

24.1991 BMW M5

I'm sure the 1991 BMW M5 is a nostalgic throwback for most BMW fans. It should transport them back to a more straightforward period, with Bimmers having more character than they seem to have today. Just by looking at this M5, I can't help but think of the larger E38 7-Series. I hope Mattel plans to build a replica of one of those soon, as it would work perfectly in an all-BMW Car Culture set.

Mark Jones designed this casting, and the First Edition model is part of the 2023 Fast & Furious Premium series. That means we might not see it in Mainline too soon, but then again, it would lose half of its charm there. Either way, it will be almost impossible for the diecast manufacturer to develop a better variation than this one.

25. BMW 320 Group 5

The 320 Group 5 is one of the last brand-new Hot Wheels BMW castings we'll see this year. But rest assured, more of them are on their way in 2024. This Silhouette-racer has already attracted much attention despite not arriving in stores yet. It's only available as part of a 2-Pack set, but we'll surely see an individual release within the next 12 months.

I hope Mattel finds alternative liveries to avoid abusing the same old M-design that everyone knows. With all the recent releases, I get the feeling we'll be seeing a Group 5 exclusive set soon. I'm sure the motorsport community will quickly pre-order one if Mattel decides to make it happen.