You could wait months for a brand-new BMW.
Or you can experience an ultimate driving machine straight away, while saving thousands by buying a nearly new or used example.
BMW's range is so broad now that most drivers will be able to find a model that suits them. But, if you're not sure where to start, we've chosen 10 of our favourite used BMW cars available to buy right now.
BMW 3 Series – best all-rounder
The BMW 3 Series encapsulates all the brand's iconic qualities into a single car that's almost all things to all buyers. It's grippy and fun to drive while also being comfortable over long distances. It's quiet and refined while offering lots of performance towards the top of the lineup. And, it's packed with smart technology that's neatly integrated into a spacious and luxurious cabin, making it easy to while away the miles in a 3 Series. Plus, if you have a four-legged friend to haul alongside the family, the 3 Series Touring estate has acres of boot space.
See used BMW 3 Series cars or read our BMW 3 Series review
BMW 1 Series – best for value
It seems obvious to point out that the BMW 1 Series is the cheapest car in the brand's range, so offers the best value for money for most buyers. Take the car for a spin, however, and you'll find it more than earns the blue-and-white roundel on its steering wheel. The 1 Series is impressively composed and agile thanks to sharing many of its oily bits with the Mini Hatchback, without spoiling the experience with an overly firm ride or a noisy driving experience. All models drive well but the sporty M135i version adds serious performance to the mix, too.
Browse used BMW 1 Series or read our BMW 1 Series review
BMW X1 – best small SUV
At 4.5 metres long, the BMW X1 falls slap-bang in the middle of the family SUV class – within a few millimetres of its closest rivals, the Audi Q3 and Mercedes GLA. Despite its comparable footprint, the X1 offers the most cabin space of the three, with noticeably more rear legroom and a slightly larger boot. Scoring highly for practicality will endear the X1 with family buyers, but it'll secure a spot on the driveway with the way that it drives – striking an excellent balance between secure, confident handling and a cosseting, composed ride.
Search used BMW X1 cars or read our BMW X1 review
BMW X3 – best family SUV
You might dismiss the BMW X3 considering the X1 is already so talented with a lower price tag. However, the larger SUV feels like quite a different car behind the wheel, with its loftier, more commanding driving position and greater sense of mass when moving. Thanks to BMW's handling wizardry, the X3 loses little of the driving fun you'd hope for, while gaining more compliance over bumps. The latest model gets a dramatic interior overhaul, with huge screens and eye-catching Tron-like ambient lighting.
View a choice of used BMW X3 cars or read our in-depth comparison of the BMW X1 and X3
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer – best for small children
We'll be the first to admit the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer isn't the best-looking BMW ever made. But the slightly ungainly styling is a result of the car's commitment to practicality above all else – stretching the 1 Series' front-wheel-drive platform to unlock more space. The payoff is an enormous interior with abundant passenger space and a tall, wide boot perfect for pushchairs. Parents will be especially grateful for the wide rear door openings and the tall roof, which make it easy to secure wriggling kids in their child seats without stooping too far.
Find used BMW 2 Series Active Tourer cars or read our BMW 2 Series Active Tourer review
BMW 5 Series – best for long distances
Most of the cars on this list can drive for hundreds of miles without becoming a chore, so what makes the BMW 5 Series our pick among all these cars for long-distance driving? For one, its extra-long wheelbase means it's even more compliant over bumps than shorter alternatives, and the abundant passenger space means no one will be getting out of the 5 Series with a stiff back. The most recent model might've dropped the long-legged diesel engines of its predecessor, but the entry-level 520i petrol still returns strong efficiency with excellent high-speed refinement.
Check out used BMW 5 Series or read our BMW 5 Series review
BMW M240i – best for performance
BMWs have always claimed to be the ultimate driving machines but, in reality, only a handful of models really live up to the billing. With its classic coupe proportions, monstrous engine and athletic handling, however, the M240i version of the 2 Series has all the right credentials. For starters, the experience is totally dominated by the legendary 'B58' engine under the bonnet – a 3.0-litre turbo straight-six making very nearly 400hp and lots of lovely noises if you pin the throttle. With 392hp and four-wheel drive, the M240i rockets from 0-62mph in just 4.3 seconds – outpacing many serious sports cars.
Shop used BMW 2 Series cars or read our BMW M240i review
BMW Z4 – best for driving fun
There are vanishingly few two-seat convertibles on sale these days, which makes the BMW Z4 something of a rarity. Thankfully, it doesn't need to trade on its exclusivity alone, with a sharp, fun driving experience, a luxurious cabin and show-stopping long-bonnet looks. All versions use turbo petrol power for excellent performance but the most thrilling aspect of the Z4 is simply the joy of wind-in-your-hair motoring, with the sights and smells of the world around you, along with the roar of the engine, egging you on to the next corner.
Browse used BMW Z4 cars or read our BMW Z4 review
BMW iX – best for luxury
Models lower down in the BMW lineup sometimes struggle to differentiate themselves from the rest of the range. However, upmarket models like the iX give BMW a little more room to experiment and try new things. This can be seen partially in the car's slab-sided styling, but mainly in its avant-garde cabin. There's a sumptuous symphony of materials all over, with leather lining most surfaces you touch or sit on, and plenty of metal detail pieces to back that up. We also love the crystal details found on the seat adjusters and rotary iDrive infotainment controller, which feel like glamorous accessories to the iX's stately appearance.
See used BMW iX cars or read our BMW iX review
BMW i4 – best for EV drivers
BMW's growing range of 'i' electric models has lots going for it, like the well-rounded iX1 or the luxurious iX covered above. However, it's the relatively unassuming i4 that we'd recommend first for EV buyers. For starters, there are plenty of i4s on the nearly new and used market now, helping to soften their steep brand-new prices. Then there's the long-legged composed driving experience that means you can spend hours in the driving seat without feeling fatigued. That's handy when big-battery versions claim 380 miles of range, though you'll have to restrain yourself from exploring the car's zippy 340hp motor if you want to hit that number. If your pockets are a little deeper, check out the new BMW iX3 and its 500-mile range.
Search used BMW i4 cars or read our BMW i4 review
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