BMW has a very loyal following. It gained this following by creating some of the best driving cars on the market. But when you mention BMW to someone, their first thought is likely to be the M3. It’s BMW’s most famous and beloved car. There’s good reason for that, as it’s a near perfect blend of incredible performance, comfort and everyday usability. However, BMW has more great cars than just its hits.
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One of the most underappreciated BMWs, at least I think, is the X3. No one seems to pay attention to it, yet it’s quietly one of, of not the best midsize SUV out there. It’s quick, has good handling for an SUV, comfortable, spacious and practical. It’s one of the more fun SUVs you can find today. Yet everyone seems to forget about it. If I had a young family and needed some extra space for kids and strollers and all sorts of other gear, I’d look at the X3 above all other things.
Another underappreciated BMW is the X6 M. It’s not forgotten, but underappreciated. People’s first reaction to the X6 M is usually negative. It’s too big, too expensive, too heavy, too ridiculous and the list goes on and on, complaining about its excess or how it’s unnecessary.
Magazines will race it around a track and instead of admiring its ability, they’ll talk about how it still isn’t a sports car. People seem to be missing the fact that to be able to make an elephant of that size dance as well as it does is one hell of an achievement. Also, it’s ridiculousness is awesome. Sometimes there’s a certain likability about something that exists solely for the purpose of being ridiculous.
The 5 Series GT also comes to mind.
Yes, it’s a big ugly dog. But that’s the only thing people say about it. No one bothers to actually drive it and take it on a long trip. It’s a superbly comfortable car and actually drives quite nicely. It has loads of space, luxury and storage. It’s a fantastic road trip car. And when the road gets twisty, it can certainly handle itself. It may not be the most exciting car around and it does look a bit frumpy, but it’s still a damn fine car to actually live with.
These are just a few, but I feel like there are a lot of current BMWs that get overshadowed by their M3 and M4 siblings. What do you think, what is the most under appreciated BMW, what is BMW’s best track from Side B?
There is my top 5
5-X3: I don’t like it. I actually don’t really know why, i just have an hard time liking this car.
4-2 Series Gran Tourer: This is just… Not BMW. More practical than its sibling though, so less bad.
3-2 Series Active Tourer (aka BMW B-Class) : Maybe if they waited a bit more, after the X1, it would’ve been better ?
2-3 Series GT: when the 5 series GT is not enough, they give you its little brother
1-5 Series GT: BMW’s biggest error of the last 40 years.
On the X3, it just seems like BMW didn’t care when they developed it, it feels let down, it’s as though BMW forgot to put their soul into it.
I think the 5GT got off to a bad start, I own one, and it’s been great. It is good looking if you understand that it is supposed to be a big 5-series crossover hatchback, and not a Mercedes CLS-class competitor. When it debuted that’s exactly what people did, compared it to the CLS, had BMW launch the 6-series Gran Coupe first, I don’t think the criticism would have snowballed so badly. The 5GT, and the 3GT are crossover variants of cars that are typically sedans, and touring models only. When you use them as intended, as SUV alternatives, that’s when you realize how great they can be.
I too am a 5GT owner. In fact I am on my second one. I bristle at the uninformed opinion about it based solely on looks. Extremely shallow on the part of ‘critics’ who must also judge people that way. Besides a great ride (because of the 7-series (short) platform) it is extremely versatile for hauling “stuff”. It is exactly what its design intent was and few ‘get” that. To hell with them…..
It’s a great car, and a good looking one too, few cars in BMW’s lineup look as good as an M6. And its versatility is its best attribute, you get SUV cargo versatility, long wheelbase 7-series like comfort, and the sporty drive of a 5-series. The hate for the car is ridiculous, what’s more important, the fact that it is a good car, or how you’ll look in it. I wrote an article myself featuring my 550i GT.
https://www.bmwblog.com/2014/07/13/bmw-550i-gran-turismo-owners-review-4-years/
None of the GTs make sense as surely they compete against their N-series saloons and estates counterparts? Isn’t that just cannibalism of sales? But I don’t know how much they contribute to annual earnings so maybe it’s just an accounting exercise and nothing more.
The 2 Series AT just looks so un-BMW like and Front Wheel Drive…really?
Doubted the X6 and the X3 especially at the beginning but I guess now they’re starting to refine the models more and more.
I’m seeing lots of 4-series grand coupe on the road. The hatch adds to a lot of utility when the seat is laid down. It means you can throw a couple of adult bikes in the back and still have a blast driving the car.
In the U.S., it’s the 1-Series.
The 135i was one of my favorites before the 1M came out