5 BMWs I would buy for under $10k

It’s the age old question, “If you had $XX,XXX which car would you buy?” I love these theoretical questions as it really tests my knowledge and depending on my mood, often yields a different answer. I'll attempt to answer this question with the imaginary sum of $10,000 freedom dollars, and the only stipulation is that it can only be BMWs. The list is also not in order from most desired to least desired or vice versa, it is simply the order that they popped up into my head.

2011-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35i (E70)

The E70 is one of my all time favorite cars. I understand that having a 15 year old SUV as one of my favorites is a bit strange, but I accept the quirkiness. To me, the E70 does everything correctly. Its muscular and imposing exterior has aged incredibly well. The interior is practical, comfortable, and spacious. It has great features such as heated seats (front and rear), heated steering wheel, air conditioned and massaging seats, optional third row, parking assist, adaptive cruise control, and comfort access. On top of that, the tried and true N55 is on tap for 300hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. A great solution for a one car garage and a car I firmly believe is still vastly underappreciated. The xDrive35d can also be found in this range as an amazing alternative, I just prefer the N55.

2010 - 2013 BMW 135i (E82)

Oops, another N55! Yes, the LCI 135i uses the same N55 which is good for the same 300hp and 300 lb-ft of torque as the E70 X5 xDrive35i. While this is a big plus, there are more reasons why the 135i made my top 5 to buy list and it’s easy to understand why. The E82 was the successor to the E46 Compact and heralded to its roots of the 2002. A small tossable coupe with excellent driving dynamics, a straight six engine, rear wheel drive, all packaged in an attractive shell. The E82 delivered perfectly! Regarding tech, it has the minimal amount of creature comforts I would be looking for in a car, such as heated seats and steering wheel, comfort access, and an outdated display screen. While its successor, the F22, can also be found in this range, it’s usually the 228i or 230i four cylinders that make the cut. For my money, I’m going straight six. Not to mention if you’re lucky you can also find a manual within this range. The E82 has quite a bit to offer for the money, therefore it makes the list!

2013 - 2022 BMW i3 (I01)

Now this is a wildcard for some, but hear me out. I love the i3. While this once may have been extremely controversial, I feel the i3 has entered this phase of appreciation. It’s once oddball styling and paltry range is now seen as quirky and generally respected within the community. The i3 did a lot for BMW. It brought BMW into the world of electricity. Its internal structure is fabricated from CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic), unheard of for the time. It had rear clamshell doors, made use of a bunch of recycled materials, it could even float! (I made that last one up) Since my main job has me sitting at my home office a lot, an i3 would slide perfectly into my life. No need to worry about range anxiety or anything like that as everywhere I go is fairly local. The i3 was also offered with a REx, a two cylinder gasoline engine from BMW Motorrad that would kick in in case of emergencies. The many flavors available for the price are widely appealing. All this and I didn’t even mention how it drives. Insanely fun! Its short wheelbase and instant torque make it incredibly zippy and go-kart like. It’s time to stop overlooking these quirky little cars!

2006 - 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si (E85)

While the Z3 is another great option in this segment, ultimately my heart is set on the first generation Z4. My dream car for the better part of a decade now has been an E86 Z4M Coupe, and while those can’t be had for $10k, the 3.0si can. The 3.0si makes use of the N52, a naturally aspirated straight-six good for 215 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque. While on the lower end by today’s standards, paired with a manual transmission and a convertible top, you’ve got the recipe for endless amounts of fun. The E85 was also created during Chris Bangle’s time at BMW and depending on who you ask, is either a great thing or a terrible one. To me, this only sweetens the pot. The team made use of “flame surfacing”, BMW's term for the way metal twists and bulges and interacts with light. This can be seen in full effect and gives the Z4 an almost futuristic look. It's a classic roadster, sitting on top of the rear wheels and overlooking the long swooping hood in front of you. There’s so much to love about the E85, from its design to its engine to its foldable top, the first generation Z4 is an absolute bargain!

*The BMW E36 Touring (Photo: Squarespace Stock Images)*

1994 - 1999 BMW E36 Touring

For my last choice I am thinking of some forbidden fruit. The E36 touring was never released in the states making them a bit rare. Due to US regulations, these cars didn’t become importable until 25 years of age, making 2019 the first year these could be brought over. Now that it has been a few years, sites such as Facebook Marketplace and Cars & Bids have hosted a bunch of these fun wagons. The E36 is my second favorite generation of 3-series next to the E9X. I am also a huge sucker for unique and rare cars, so the touring version of one of my favorite generations is a no brainer. Currently, I found a 323i Touring for sale on Facebook Marketplace for $10k. It has 94,000 miles and a manual transmission. It is the perfect blend of stylish, practical, and dynamic. Yes, it will be slow and yes it’s a little rough. But, it is still an E36 Touring which supersedes these little nuances. Plus, you’ll be a hit at RADwood which is always a nice little bonus.

Finding a BMW for under $10k is fairly easy and there are plenty more options out there. Some honorable mentions are X1 & X3 xDrive35i (E84 & F25), 740i (E38), and X5M (E70) just to name a few. Ranging from four cylinder to even some twelve cylinder, gas or electric, sedan or SUV, the pool is vast. I wanted to give a little insight into my tastes and what I would look for, but would love to hear your choices too! Feel free to leave a comment and let me know what your go to cheaper BMW would be.