Even during the development of the new racing car, which later named M1 will be modified to M GmbH Series cars for motorsports use. As early as 1972, the Model 2002 for use in rallies rebuilt. The breakthrough came a year later, when the factory driver Hans-Joachim Stuck and Chris Amon with a 3.0 CSL the big prize of touring at the Nurburgring won. In the Touring class of 24-hour race in Le Mans was the overall winner shortly afterwards also BMW. With a total of 6 European titles of the 3.0 CSL was the most successful touring in the 1970s. Were the cars next to the factory team of Alpina, Schnitzer, Koepchen or GS-tuning.

Then 1978 saw the first independent racing car of the M GmbH the light of the world. Originally, the M1 for use in the German racing championship is planned. Since there but above delays the development came, was a stake in this race series is no longer possible. In collaboration with Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosley was shortly thereafter the ProCare Series was founded in advance what many Formula 1 races took place and only with M1-racing was fitted. Since a racing-use vehicles but only for series production was possible, produced and sold the M GmbH about 450 pieces of a abgespeckten street version. From 1980 M GmbH developed the first engines for use in Formula 1, 1982 BMW debuted the first time in the king class with a turbo engine in a Brabham, also had success here not long in coming: In 1983 Nelson Piquet won with a Brabham - BMW Formula-1-World Cup. Until today are vehicles of the BMW M GmbH around the world succeed in motorsport in use. Even the most successful touring the former motorsport history comes from Munich: the M3.