One from the (BMW) X-Files

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In its day this generation of BMW X3 was criticized for having a harsh ride, poor offroad ability, cheap interior materials and lacking in the looks department. However, in the intervening 25+ years the SUV has become an unbelievably popular class of car. Maybe the X3 was misunderstood at the time. Did reviewers focus too much on mudplugging credentials and drive quality? Probably.  And the original X3 looks quite handsome today compared to many of its modern counterparts. So is the old X3 worth buying today, and is it a future classic? Read on...

The BMW X3 was launched in 2003 to go alongside its big brother, the X5, BMW’s first SUV. Now, sensing some would rate these models based on their offroading ability, BMW marketed them as SAVs, or Sports Active Vehicles, highlighting their onroad qualities. They needn’t have worried as we never really had any intention of using our posh SUVs for driving through forests and over muddy fields, even if we didn’t admit it.

The X3 was built on the 3 series car platform, a hugely popular model with great pedigree. You got a choice of two great straight six engines or a decent four pot and a choice of 2wd or 4wd. It also carried the cache of the X5 with a more modest price tag. And it also showed that we didn’t necessarily care what motoring writers thought about stuff like handling and plastics, we just liked the high seating position and the posh-lite aura.

Both the X3 and X5 are still part of BMW’s model line up today, albeit bigger and heavier. The original X3 looks almost dainty by today’s standards, maybe even a little bit classy and understated.

This example is from 2006 with a 3.0L straight six and 4WD. It has travelled just 83,000kms and doesn’t look like it has tackled a muddy track in its life. A future classic? Yeah, why not. Things like early RAV4s, Mitsubishi Pajeros, and Range Rovers from yesteryear are becoming desirable. And at just $7990 it does seem like decent value too. More details here.