BMW is a brand that has a ton of history and a massive catalog of classic cars. It’s a catalog that features several cars that are beloved by fans and revered among almost all car enthusiasts. However, it’s also a brand with tons of great cars that sort of fly under the radar, cars that are underrated. Which, though, is the most underrated?
There are some great contenders for the most underrated BMW of all time. So we’re going to list a couple of great cars that fly a bit under the radar of most enthusiasts and then you list the cars that you think deserve more love.
E86 BMW Z4 M Coupe
This is easily one of the best driving M cars that often gets forgotten by enthusiasts. BMW didn’t sell a ton of Z4 M Coupes, so it’s both rare and unknown to the average enthusiast. However, it’s an incredible car. With the engine from an E46 M3, a six-speed manual and a tight, rear-wheel drive chassis, the Z4 M Coupe is an awesome little car to drive. It also looks great and has one of the more unique interiors of any BMW.
E36 BMW 3 Series
Maybe this one is just me, as it’s the only BMW I’ve owned and I loved it dearly, but the non-M E36 3 Series is a great car. It has the misfortune of being the followup to the legendary E30 3 Series but it’s actually a fantastic car. It’s small, relatively lightweight, simple and fun to drive. It’s also good looking and pretty cheap. Decent examples can be had for less than $5,000 and that buys you a genuinely fun little sports car.
E53 BMW X5
Right now, the BMW X5 is one of BMW’s best selling cars. In fact, I think I see about ten a day. There are tons of them on the road. New, old, whatever. Customers love the X5. And for good reason. Each generation has been good looking, comfortable, luxurious, practical and nice to drive. It wasn’t always loved by enthusiasts but the first-generation of X5 might have been the best. It’s still a handsome car, has a great looking interior and it drives really well. It’s a genuinely enjoyable SUV to drive and it’s relatively cheap nowadays.
I know there are plenty more, and likely even better choices, than the cars I listed. However, it’s fun to hear the thoughts of other BMW enthusiasts; the cars that they’ve owned, the cars that have a special place in their hearts. So tell us the BMW that you think is underrated.
128i with a manual.
E92 3 Coupe deserves massive credit for making BMWs look like BMWs again. Unlike most modern BMWs, it still was sufficiently gorgeous in SE trim. So much better to drive than the 4 that came after it almost hurts.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1059/919979846_6a7f8fc13a.jpg I mean, look…
E36 M3. Didn’t look as cool or iconic as the E30, but it was so much more usable. Far superior engine, much more comfortable and it was still hugely fun to drive. It actually is better than the E30, people just don’t realize that.
Most underrated – E86 Z4.
Unnecessarily most hated – E60 5 series.
E46 330ci
E34 540i with a manual. An absolute blast of a machine, and reliable as a Honda.
F34 335GT. Best F3x made by far.