BMWs in Movies

April 7, 2010 | Classic BMW, Featured

BMWs and the silver screen are a match made in heaven! In fact, name any movie involving cars, driving, speed, etc. and it is almost a guarantee that the director put a BMW in it. Below are examples of just a few of BMW’s appearances in films. We will keep our eyes out for more examples. If you can think of any important ones for us to include, please let us know in the comments!

1936 BMW 326 in Hannibal Rising, 2007 movie

1983 BMW 528e (E28) in Splash, 1984 movie
This BMW was driven aggressively by Tom Hanks and performed several stunts, including hard sliding, cornering and even one jump. Interestingly, the prominent bumpers are due to strict bumper laws enforced in the early ’80′s. The bumper laws relaxed in the following years, and by ’87 and ’88, BMW’s bumpers were reduced to a more conservative, subtle size.

1986 BMW 635 CSi (E24) in Innerspace, 1987 movie
Vernon Wells drives this 6 series aggresively.

1988 BMW 325i Cabrio (E30) in Pretty Woman, 1990 movie
Pretty Woman walking down the street, aka Pretty BMW driving down the street!

1987 BMW 325i Cabrio (E30) in Beaches, 1988 movie
This BMW was used in a car chase scene.

1983 BMW 633 CSi (E24) in Back to the Future Part II, 1989 movie
This BMW, imported from Europe, is accessorized with the wrong tail lights to save production costs. The actual tail lights of this model cost $120 a piece as opposed to the $20 cost of the 320i tail lights which are featured here.

BMW 328i (E36) in My Best Friend’s Wedding, 1997 movie
It’s hard to forget Cameron Diaz’s driving skills (or lack thereof) as she navigates a white-knuckled Julia Roberts and fiance through the traffic. Ironically, the license plate is a “Prevent Violence” specialty Illinois plate.

1983 BMW 733i (E23) in The Lost World – Jurassic Park, 1997 movie
BMW fans are crushed – no pun intended – when, in one scene, the driver throws his 733i into reverse, smashing the rear into another car.

1984 BMW 318i (E30) in Pretty in Pink, 1986 movie

1981 BMW 320i (E21) in Heat, 1995 movie

1994 BMW 325i (E36) in Clueless, 1995 movie
The gender stereotype that females are bad drivers is upheld in this movie as Dionne drives her new BMW recklessly down the highway.

1997 BMW 540i (E39) in Gone in Sixty Seconds, 2000 movie
This BMW fiercely holds its own in this movie of car chases. And in one instance, a cop leaves his Cadillac for this BMW.

1991 BMW 535i (E34) in Ronin, 1998 movie
An incredible BMW chase scene! View now on youtube

1991 BMW 316i (E36) in Mission: Impossible, 1996 movie
BMW fans commiserate as this BMW gets blown up in this action-packed movie.

1999 BMW Z8 (E52) in The World is Not Enough, 1999 movie
James Bond drives this special BMW model – the Z8. Except this is only an imitation Z8. BMW had not finished production of the Z8 in time for the filming of this movie, so rumor has it that this “Z8″ is actually a Chevy with Z8 parts attached to it.
View James Bond – Tomorrow Never Dies – BMW chase scene clip on youtube

BMW 3 (E36) in Spider-Man 2, 2004 movie
No, not on the BMW! It looks as though the BMW might be Spider-man’s next landing pad…

1997 BMW 840Ci (E31) in The Italian Job, 2003 movie
Handsome Rob (Jason Statham) arrives on scene in a flashy manner in this feisty BMW. Who would want to mess with this guy?

2002 BMW M3 (E46) in Taxi, 2004 movie
Two fine M3s showcase their prowess and superior handling in this high speed scene.

1998 BMW 318i (E46) in The Bourne Identity, 2002 movie
This BMW builds the intimidating persona of one of the assassins in this Bourne film. In this shot, only the day-time running lights are on rather than the normal headlights. The minimal lighting lends added mystery to the car.