As serious car enthusiasts, even we here at Klipnik are sometimes surprised by the skyrocketing values of certain models. For years these cars and trucks remain affordable to non-wealthy enthusiasts, then, seemingly as if a switch is flipped, they become the flavor of the month, and their values go stratospheric. Case in point is BMW’s E30 M3, whose values headed for the moon a few years ago. Indeed, top examples of these have become valued up to $70,000 and more.

Granted, they are certainly desirable cars with their unique, racing-derived, and high-powered (for the time) inline four, firm sport suspension, serious sport seats, and radical body modifications. And they also have the added cachet of being a model built and sold to be homologated for racing. We know, we know — it’s all about supply and demand as well as what the market will bear.

Great cars, those early M3s, but there are much more affordable and better performing alternatives to be found right within the M3’s own family tree. We’re talking about, and presenting for your consideration here, the three generations that came after that first M3 which offer much better performance at a much more approachable purchase price.

In this installment of “What It’s Like to Own,” we sit down with Edmunds vehicle data manager Stephen Lee to talk about the highs and lows of owning one of BMW’s legendary 330i ZHP sedans, which he bought new nearly twenty years ago and has been enjoying ever since.

For September 25, 2020, our used car find is this final-year E90 generation BMW 335i sedan with 69k miles and a 6-speed manual gearbox. It’s listed for sale on craigslist by a private seller in the Portland area for $14,000.

Here’s what makes this one special.

For August 8, 2020, our used car find is this 57k mile 1988 BMW 320i Touring, which is listed on craigslist by a private seller in the Charlotte area for $11,900.

Here’s what makes this car special.

For June 28, 2020, our used car find is this 64k mile 1999 BMW Z3 Coupe 2.8, which is listed on craigslist by a private seller in the Denver area for $15,900.

Here’s what makes this car special.

For November 29, 2020, our used car find is this low-mile 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe in striking Imola Red with a matching interior. It’s offered on craigslist by a private seller in the Sacramento area for $34,950.

Here’s what makes this one special.

A great used luxury car for less than $25,000 may sound like a fantasy, but they’re as real as rain. You just need to know what cars to shop.

Luxury cars are notorious for shedding value, which makes them great used car buys, and there are millions of nearly new, fun-to-drive, leather-lined sedans and coupes out there from BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus, and other luxury brands just waiting for their next owners.

For September 17, 2020, our used car find is this well-kept 2001 BMW 540i sedan with 93k miles and a rare 6-speed manual gearbox. It’s listed for sale on craigslist by a private seller in the Orange County area for $9998.

Here’s what makes this one special.

For July 25, 2020, our used car find is this 53k mile 1999 BMW 528i sedan, which is listed on craigslist by a small specialty dealer in the Tampa area for $12,500.

Here’s what makes this car special.

For June 26, 2020, our used car find is this 72k mile 2002 BMW 525i, which is listed on craigslist by a private seller in the LA area for $3300.

Here’s what makes this car special.

Buying a convertible certainly seems like the very definition of frivolity. But that’s only if you buy one new. Used convertibles shed their values almost as quickly as they drop their tops. Combine that with the fact that their owners tend to drive them only occasionally, keeping the miles low, and it makes convertibles a terrific used car bargain.

In fact, you can have that perfect open air experience for less than $15,000. There’s no shortage of makes and models to choose from, even at that modest budget, so to help you start your search we’ve assembled this list of ten that offer what we feel to be the best mix of style, performance, and overall desirability. Some even have the potential to increase in value over the course of your ownership.

For October 7, 2020, our used car find is this handsome, low-mile E92 generation BMW 328i coupe with a 6-speed manual gearbox. It’s listed for sale on craigslist by a private seller in the San Diego area for $10,500.

Here’s what makes this one special.

If you’re like most of us, you can count your car “collection” on one finger, so whatever you drive needs to do a lot of things well. It needs to get you back and forth to work without fail. It needs to keep your maintenance and upkeep costs to a minimum. And of course it needs to be fun.

Fortunately, you don’t have to take out a big loan or be Jay Leno to buy a fun set of wheels that can double as a practical daily driver. Indeed, there are some very entertaining choices out there to be found in nice shape with low mileage for less than $10,000 — whether you need something that seats the whole family, or you can make do with just room for two.

For July 4, 2020, our used car find is this 42k mile 2014 BMW 228i, which is listed on craigslist by a private seller in Beaverton, Oregon, for $16,500.

Here’s what makes this car special.

For the week of June 20, 2020, our used car find is this 2007 BMW Z4 3.0si, which is listed on craigslist by a private seller in the Portland, Oregon, area for $14,700.

Here’s what makes this car special.