When it comes to small saloon cars, you can't do better than a BMW 3 Series. According to Top Gear Magazine, it's a victim of its own success in that everyone on the planet owns one. This is great news if you're looking to buy a used BMW 3 Series. With so many on the used car market, as a prospective buyer you can decide what colour you want, what engine you want and what extras you'd like and chances are you'll find a second hand 'Beemer' which ticks all the boxes.
According to an unreliable source, the BMW 3 Series was on e of the most 'searched for' cars throughout 2010, beating the Vauxhall Astra, VW Golf, Ford Focus and Audi A4. The beauty of the 3 Series is the breadth of the range; it's available in a variety of engine sizes from 1800cc in the 316i/ti right up to 4ltr in the M3 GTR. The front engine rear wheel drive gives excellent handling and a 4 wheel drive model is also available called xDrive.
Available in a variety of styles such as Sedan, Coupé, Convertible and Touring, there's a model to suit all age groups and you'll never feel out of place behind the wheel of any of the available options. The 3 Series is renowned for having a spacious interior and the back seats are roomy enough for two adults, but bear in mind this is not a large saloon or executive car. It's roomy, not spacious!
With so many options available, there is no 'standard' price for say, a five year old used BMW 3 Series. You have to consider the model and engine size, various add on features such as parking assist or heated seats which will up the price a little, and a 5 year old car in mint condition will fetch more than one with visible signs of wear and tear.
As with any used car, when viewing make sure you check the log book and service history and make sure you view the car in day light.
Buying from a reputable dealer is a good way of assuming you'll be getting a decent used BMW at a fair price, as any reputable car dealer knows what their reputation is worth. However buying any used car is somewhat of a stab in the dark as you never know how good a car is until you've driven it for a few months, using common sense and making an informed decision will usually result in a good buy.
Buying a Second Hand Beemer