Top 10 second-hand BMWs

As well as being classy, used Beemers are pretty much reliable across the board

The Z4 is an entertaining drive that’ll get you plenty of admiring looks

If you’re after a used car and you’d like something that marks you out as being a cut above, it’s only a matter of time before you start looking at BMWs.

As well as being classy, used Beemers are pretty much reliable across the board. And if you look carefully, you can pick up a stylish, economical car with a premium range of kit at bargain money.

So all you need to do is decide which used Beemer is the one for you. Here’s ten to get you thinking…

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1: 3 Series

BMW’s top-seller is classy, economical and good to drive. As a used buy, think seriously about a petrol engine – they’re a little thirstier but a lot cheaper to buy. Either way, all 3s are better in automatic form.

High-spec models are worth sniffing out as they depreciate faster – for a little more money, you can get the sort of kit that would have cost a small fortune new.

Buyer’s notes: A battered interior is a sure sign that a car’s had a hard life in every other way too. A lot of 3s are ex-fleet, so this is important to look for.

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2: 1 Series

It’s not the most spacious hatchback, but the 1 Series is good to drive and not as expensive to keep on the road as you might expect.

There’s a wide choice of diesels on the market, but they hold their money better than the 118i petrol – making this the smart choice as a used buy. It’ll save you about £2000 at purchase time, but only cost a couple of hundred more for a year’s fuel.

Buyer’s notes: If the 1 Series has an achilles heel, it’s with its electrics, so check carefully here. Make sure the plastics on the dash don’t put you off, too – they’re not up to BMW’s usual standard.

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3: 5 Series

An executive car masterpiece, the 5 Series ticks every box – and in diesel form it makes a very fine used buy. The 530d is outstanding value, but search out a 520d in auto form and you’ll be laughing.

Better yet, high-spec models tend to depreciate down to the level of less extravagent examples. So treating yourself is an investment, not an indulgence!

Buyer’s notes: As with the 3 Series, a lot of 5s are ex-fleet – so look out for a tired interior.

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4: 5 Series Touring

Here, it’s mainly a case of reiterating what we’ve just said about the 5 Series saloon. But if an estate isn’t your thing, there’s also the slightly weird 5 Series GT to think about; it’s still very practical and offers huge rear legroom. For a premium load-lugger that’s excellent to drive, though, the Touring takes some beating.

Buyer’s notes: We’ve heard a few grumps about the air-con and consumer electronics in these vehicles. So check carefully – not least because if they do play up, they won’t be cheap to fix.

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5: 3 Series Touring

BMW’s compact exec doesn’t translate into estate form quite as effectively as the 5 Series. There’s less choice on the used market, too – especially of petrols, which as with the saloon is what we’d recommend. Still, it’s a very good car to drive, with the same blend of class and economy.

Buyer’s notes: Make sure the stop-start system is working properly.

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6: 4 Series Coupe

You’re still looking at nearly new rather than properly used with the 4 Series. But with this being a sports model, we suggest going for one with a full-fat petrol engine – and the good news is that these have already sloughed off a good bit of their value. Get a 435i in your life and you’ll be a happy punter – as well as being fast and entertaining, it’s a genuine four-seater with useful luggage capscity.

Buyer’s notes: Too early for problems to have cropped up, but be wary of cars that have obviously been thrashed from new.

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7: X3

You won’t get many X3s at bargain prices, but there’s a reason why they hold their money so well – which is that this is one of the very best cars in its class. It’s worth stretching yourself a little if an SUV is what you want – though if the right one’s not in your range, the smaller X1 is a lot cheaper but only a little less premium.

Buyer’s notes: Check the condition of the roof rails – they’ve been known to rust.

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8: X5

You’d expect BMW’s big SUV to lead its class for handling and performance, but it also shows many rivals a thing or two about practicality – and if you choose the 30d engine it’s impressively economical on fuel.

Buyer’s notes: This is one of the less reliable BMWs, according to the influential JD Power survey, and faults won’t be cheap to remedy, so go through it with a fine-toothed comb before buying.

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9: Z4

The Z4 is an entertaining drive that’ll get you plenty of admiring looks

Strong, fast, classy and well equipped, the Z4 is an entertaining drive that’ll get you plenty of admiring looks – even if it’s just from yourself when the excellent folding roof is down and you see your reflection in a shop window. There are big-time engines available, but the sDrive20i will see you right as a used buy.

Buyer’s notes: Not much goes wrong, but listen for squeaks and rattles from behind the dash

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10: 3 GT

If the Touring model doesn’t rock your world, the hatchback GT might. It’s scarcely less practical but has a style which, if it’s your sort of thing at all, sets it apart from the crowd.

Buyer’s notes: You shouldn’t find any horrors – just avoid anything with above average wear.