Gallery: BMW ///Malaysia Day 2022 drive and gathering

In the spirit of this year’s 59th Malaysia Day, BMW Group Malaysia and the M Owners Malaysia community got together once more to commemorate the occasion with a record-setting drive and gathering held at the swanky new Lalaport shopping haven in Kuala Lumpur.

The occasion also doubled up as a celebration of the German marque’s M performance sub-brand’s 50th anniversary as well. By the end of the day, the event even secured a place in the Malaysia Book of Records for the largest BMW M cars gathering ever held in the country as over 120 M cars spanning multiple generations and model types were present.

Besides that, several activities were held during the gathering including contests where owners vied for trophies across multiple categories, as well as the introduction the ///M Citizen Card hybrid loyalty card program by the BMW M Owners Malaysia community.

It is a true delight to witness this passion that Malaysians have for the brand in full strength, demonstrating not only their pride and love for our motorsport division but for Malaysia on such a significant day as well. We hope that the Most Powerful Letter in the World will continue to resonate with the diverse yet close-knit BMW M community here,” said Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia who was also present for the event.

Having spent the better parts of a public holiday attending this event, there were indeed plenty to marvel at. Of which, we’ve whittled things down to give you our favourite snaps below…

Golden Oldies

Past Icons: Some of the oldest M cars on display included this second-gen M5 (E34) and first-gen M6 (E63).

Besides those two, we also spotted perhaps this E39 M5, which many M fans have lauded to be the ‘perfect’ iteration of said 5 Series-based M car. Seeing this somewhat clean and all-original example complete with a manual transmission was indeed a treat.

Speaking of M5’s, we’re also stoked to see a handful of these E60-generation versions present too, bringing forth their wild and super high-revving V10 sounds to the party. It may not be most celebrated M5 in history, but the V10 symphony it packed arguably made it unforgettable.

Another classic hit that’s worth featuring here are the handful of E92-gen M3s present during this gathering too. Sure, it’s not as old as the last three cars featured, but considering this being the last generation M3 to pack a naturally-aspirated engine – and a meaty V8 too! – makes this quite the fan favourite that’s perhaps second only to the car that came before it: the E46-gen M3.

E46 M3s – Finest and Rarest examples

BMW ///Malaysia Day 2022 also had no shortage of perhaps the most iconic M car ever built, by which we mean the E46-generation M3. Featured here are perhaps three such examples of which, each bearing their own unique traits. However, what really stokes envy is the fact all are daily-driven by their owners – these aren’t pampered ‘Garage Queens’ to say the least.

Take this silver Ayrton Senna-themed E46 M3 CSL for instance. It goes without saying, the tasty customisation only adds to this modern classic’s stance, as well as its lore as a ‘pure driver’s car’ – perhaps one that even the late, great F1 legend inspiring this build would approve.

What you see here is one of a handful of E46 M3 CSL that rolled out of the factory wearing this uniquely matching exterior and interior colour combination. Said blue hue is called Laguna Seca Blue, and this is perhaps the only one of its kind known to exist in the country. By the way, it’s also made even ‘rarer’ thanks to a SMG-to-manual conversion done.

Speaking of striking colours, this green-hued E46 M3 is yet another one worth salivating over, more so after soaking in just how clean it’s exterior looked, even with the optional rear wing and wide offset aftermarket wheels it rolls on.

BMW M’s ‘Nu Wave’

Classics aside, the BMW ///Malaysia Day 2022 drive and gathering celebrated the new age of BMW M in terms of both its cars and owners. The latter have taken the liberty to express themselves through the former, and there were plenty to marvel at during the event like…

…this DTM-inspired BMW M4 (F82) build complete with a BMW-themed livery…

… this M2 (F87) that sports a rather cool and whimsical pandemic-inspired livery….

.. not forgetting this rather tasty M4 (F82) wrapped in a unique shade of pink.

Wild mods and wraps aside, there were also several brand new and current-gen M cars present, perhaps signaling the love for them – as well as their controversial new grilles – remains as strong as ever amongst Malaysians. Our favourites from the day included…

…this neat G82 M4 Competition…

…and this equally neat four-door twin of which – the G80 M3 Competition.

In all, BMW ///Malaysia Day 2022 wasn’t just a treat Malaysian BMW M cars enthusiast, it was an event that any general Malaysian car enthusiast, regardless of age and badge loyalty, would’ve indeed savoured. You can check out more of our favourite snapshots in the gallery prepared below.