When listing the greatest German automakers, most gearheads will include BMW in their top three. This is no surprise, as BMW has been producing some of the best luxury cars since it was established in 1916. The BMW badge can be recognized easily in all corners of the globe and is typically associated with luxury, advanced engineering, performance, and safety.
BMW has established itself as one of the top European luxury manufacturers, which is why most gearheads can't afford to buy their new models. However, if you've always wanted to own a Bimmer but don't have the funds to splurge on the latest models, you'll be happy to know that there are plenty of great options in the used car market, some of which you can buy for peanuts. Let's explore some of the best used BMWs you can buy.
10 M5 E60
The BMW M5 has always been one of the coolest sports sedans as it delivers luxury, practicality, and speed. However, the E60 generation of the M5 took things to a whole new level.
The most notable feature of the E60 M5 is its engine — a 5.0-liter V10 engine pushing out 500 hp, the E60 M5 was insanely fast. Many gearheads consider the E60 M5 to be one of the greatest V10-powered cars ever, and we wouldn't disagree.
9 325i (E30)
In the mid-70s, BMW introduced arguably its greatest model ever — the 3-Series. The 3-Series is a superb compact executive car that has been a huge commercial success for BMW, selling over 2 million units. Of all the seven generations of the 3-Series that BMW has built, the E30 is arguably the best.
Gearheads loved the E30 thanks to its beautiful design, fantastic driving dynamics, and solid build quality. The E30 is also one of the best German project cars you can buy, as it's still affordable and has lots of customization options.
8 Z3 M
As cheap Japanese sports cars started flooding the market in the '90s, European manufacturers knew they had to change tactics if they were going to survive. BMW's idea was to build a new entry-level sports car to take on the Japanese, and in 1995, they unveiled the Z3.
The Z3 was the first mass-produced roadster produced by BMW and was loved for its sporty design and driving feel. In 1998, the M Division produced a high-performance version of the Z3. Dubbed the Z3 M, this car was superb to drive as it had a 315-hp inline-six under the hood paired with a five-speed manual.
7 2002
Before the introduction of the 3-Series in the mid-70s, the 2002 was the best BMW compact executive car you could buy. The 2002 was very popular as it had everything gearheads needed - it had a stylish design, excellent driving dynamics, and was quite affordable.
The standard 2002 was equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating a weak 118 hp. Thankfully, BMW later introduced an upgraded turbocharged version with 168 horses and 177 lb-ft of torque.
6 i8
Hybrid supercars like the McLaren Speedtail and the Ferrari SF90 Stradale are currently taking over. However, about a decade ago, hybrid supercars were a rare sight until BMW built the i8.
The i8 impressed many with its eye-catching design inspired by the iconic M1 and, of course, its hybrid drivetrain. Since BMW stopped producing the i8 in 2020, it would make a great purchase today, as prices are expected to start going up.
5 Z4 E89
The aforementioned Z3 was so popular that BMW knew it had to build a worthy successor — the Z4. The Z4 debuted at the 2002 Paris Motor Show, where it impressed thanks to its sporty design. The Z4 has been a huge success since its introduction and is still in production today.
We particularly love the second-generation Z4 (E89) and think it would make a great purchase today, since it's affordable and still looks gorgeous by current standards. A 302-hp twin-turbo inline-six also makes it a joy to drive.
4 X3 E83
The demand for SUVs was growing rapidly across the globe in the early 2000s. So in 2003, BMW rolled up its sleeves and built the fantastic X3. The X3 was a huge hit and was widely considered to be the first premium mid-size SUV on the market.
The first-generation X3 combined style, luxury, practicality, and safety, which is why it has remained popular since. There were several engine options for the E83 X3, with the most powerful being a 3.0-liter inline-six producing 268 hp.
3 5 Series E28
If you're looking for a stylish old-school luxury sedan that still looks awesome and performs well, the second-generation BMW 5-Series (E28) has got all your needs covered.
Despite being built over four decades ago, the E28 still commands respect and has the shark nose BMW enthusiasts love so much. As long as you follow proper maintenance practices, this car will serve you well.
2 M3 E46
The E30 generation was the first 3-Series to have an M3 version. We love the E30 M3, but the E46 generation was a lot better. The E46 M3 debuted in 2000 and wowed gearheads.
The E46 M3 was powered by the final evolution of BMW's superb S50 naturally aspirated engine — a 3.2-liter inline-six producing 335 ponies and 269 lb-ft of torque.
1 2010 E90 M3 GTS
The E90 GTS is a special limited edition version of the M3 that BMW built in 2010. The M3 GTS was only available as a coupe and had several upgrades over the standard M3, including a revised suspension system, upgraded brakes, reduced curb weight, and adjustable aerodynamics.
The M3 GTS also had an upgraded engine — a 4.4-liter naturally aspirated V8 generating 444 hp. With only 135 examples built, the E90 M3 GTS is one of the rarest BMW models ever.