The price tag associated with new BMWs is pretty steep for most people. However, you can save yourself thousands of dollars if you can find a good used BMW.
Of course, buying a used car opens yourself up to the potential for unexpected problems and expensive repairs. If you’re looking for a used BMW that won’t break the bank or always break down, here are eight reliable models to consider.
In 2005, the BMW 325i finally had all its bugs worked out. Previous years had power steering pump and engine issues, but the 2005 model year seemed to be at the height of its quality. It’s an affordable model, classically stylish and well-equipped for its time frame. You’ll be wrapped in soft leather, nicely bolstered seats, and the drive is extremely quiet too.
But avoid the following year. In 2006, the final year of its generation, electronic steering column issues were a big deal, and an expensive repair.
A used BMW many of us would love to own and drive is the 2016 BMW M4. You’ll find it in a gorgeous coupe or convertible. It’s a car that looks ravishing and much sportier than its BMW 4-series fellows. That goes for the interior and the exterior alike, and you’ll find the precursor M badging all over it.
Under the hood is a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with 425 horsepower spinning its rear wheels. You can get it in either a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission or a crisp 6-speed manual. Unlike many early BMW high-performance models, the BMW M4 is a good used BMW because of its reliability. There are extremely few complaints about it.
Aside from the 3 Series, the 5 Series is the most popular BMW lineup in the USA. When you look at the complaints (or lack thereof), it’s clear why. The 2010 BMW 528i registers an incredibly few number of complaints every year. You’re paying a premium for the 5 Series, so you expect quality manufacturing. But with the added tech features, you also expect stuff to break. Not so.
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The base engine is a 3.0-liter V6 with 230 horsepower. The xDrive AWD is an available option, and a good one to choose. 10-way power leatherette seats are standard along with memory climate control, a 10-speaker audio system with two subs, real wood trim, a host of power features, and a cooled storage compartment. It’s certainly a great used BMW to choose.
Here’s a really good sign: the second-generation BMW Z4, from 2009 to 2017, doesn’t have a single complaint registered on CarComplaints.com. That’s truly impressive. The car itself is meant to be a blast to drive, and it is. Like any two-seater coupe or convertible, it’s all about the experience behind the wheel.
With the 2012 BMW Z4, that’s what you can focus on instead of worrying about breakdowns. You have a choice between a 240-horsepwer turbocharged 4-cylinder, a 300-horsepower 3.0-liter turbo, or a 335-horsepower 3.0-liter turbo V6. Whatever you choose, it’s going to be fun and reliable while seated in the lap of luxury.
BMW also does a great job in the SUV market. The BMW X3 has been around since the 2004 model year with constantly improving reliability. It ups the ante in thee midsize crossover game, putting luxury into an otherwise mundane segment.
You get xDrive AWD standard on the BMW X3, and its features are abounding. Leather heated power-adjustable seats, power moonroof, awesome audio and a comfortable, spacious cabin are top of the range. It’s available in either a 240-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter variant or a 300-horsepower 3.0-liter turbo V6.
Electric cars are the way of the future, but BMW has one in its current lineup that’s already fantastic. The 2015 BMW i3 is an all-electric subcompact that you’ll enjoy driving too. There isn’t much to the car, really, and you’ll find it less luxurious than most BMW models. It isn’t loaded to the gills with power options like the 7 Series might have, but it’s geared toward a different buyer.
Its electric range is 81 miles, which works well for 95 percent of the American population. Its 170-horsepower electric motor is a blast for such a small car, achieving 0 to 60 in 7.2 seconds. Add to that, a reliable car and you have a winning combination.
Among BMW enthusiasts, the 1998 to 2005 BMW 318i was known as the E46. And while it’s the gray-haired senior citizen of Bimmers at this point, there’s a loyal following for the 318i. Not only is it a timelessly good-looking car but it’s a model that can be modified in many ways. It’s become popular on the drifting scene and other performance-related forums.
Even bone stock, the BMW 318i is a great car, and 2002 was a particularly good year. It’s one of the years with the fewest problems, although none of the models had many problems. The 2.0-liter, 141-horsepower engine was pretty solid. If you’re looking for a “classic,” this is a good way to go.
Also available in the stretched-out 750li, the 2008 BMW 7 Series isn’t to be passed over. We’re talking some serious luxury and power in this used BMW. Even used, it’s going to cost a pretty penny. Under the hood is a 4.8-liter V8 with 360 horsepower driving the rear wheels. Between the doors, you’ll find available leather massaging seats with a bazillion-way adjustment, available rear power sunshades, soft-close doors, heated rear seats, surround sound and more.
Once again, you’d think that the more toys a car has, the more broken bits it will have sooner or later. Not so with the 2008 BMW 750i. Zero complaints were registered in 2008, making it a great used BMW.
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