Wise investments: Autocar writers share their own future classics

2006 BMW 330i - Lawrence Allan

Is the E90-generation BMW 3 Series deserving of future classic status? In the right spec, I would say so. Yes, there are likely to be many still on the road in years to come, but I’ll make a case for mine – a 330i with a manual gearbox in unassuming SE spec – being a rarity with collectable potential.

Of the 7750 3 Series on one classifieds website at the time of writing, 254 were 330is. Eighteen of those were manual. Five of those were an SE. And none was, as my car is, burgundy (or Barrique Red, as BMW calls it). This was one of the last BMWs to feature the wonderful naturally-aspirated, straight six, which, when mated to a stick shift alongside the E90's hydraulic steering, provides the pure, mechanical driving experience associated with proper modern classics such as the E36 3 Series of the early 1990s. The engine note is just as evocative, particularly when the VANOS variable valve timing kicks in.

Yet the E90 has many advantages over its forebear. It’s quieter and more comfortable, and it can nudge 40mpg on a run. It’s also far safer and, with 258bhp on tap, fast enough to have fun in. A good one is affordable, too; I paid less than £3000 for mine.

1990 Volkswagen T3 Syncro - Ben Summerell-Youde

The water-cooled T3 Syncro is the last of the rear-engined Volkswagens and the one you really want. Unlike its far narrower ‘Splitscreen’ and ‘Bay Window’ predecessors, it’s wide enough for you to comfortably camp in, yet it still has only the footprint of a mid-noughties Audi A4.

The excellent (and bespoke) 4x4 system is hugely effective both on and off road, as demonstrated by this example’s ability to climb mountains and rescue stuck Land Rovers. Its deceptively modern innards, including independent suspension, fuel injection and a hardy aluminium 2.1-litre flat four engine developed and built only for this generation, make it easy to live with, too.

The van’s cab-forward seating position and propensity to move around in high winds only serve to enhance its unique driving experience, while the two-wheel-drive version can crack 100mph with nine on board.

Some 43,000 Syncros were built in total, and many are still in service with airport fire crews or Scandinavian forestry workers – which is testament to the model’s toughness and practicality. It’s also very reliable if you maintain it properly. I’ve used mine to move house, it has taken people to weddings, I’ve watched WRC stages from its roof, I’ve cried and laughed in it and I can’t honestly think of another vehicle that so effortlessly suits such a variety of applications.