What is the best BMW under £15k?
BMW makes great premium car options – but which ones can you secure for less than £15,000?
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What is the best BMW to buy under £15k?
BMW cars are known for their impressive performance, aggressive styling and modern tech – and all this usually means a premium price point.
If you’re after a BMW but don’t want to max out your budget, there are some seriously tempting models for under £15,000.
Choosing a used BMW can also help you save money, and spreading the cost with a finance deal can soften the blow of purchasing a car outright.
Is a Series 1 the best BMW under £15k?
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The baby of the range, a used BMW 1 Series is an ideal first step into the world of luxury cars.
While top-end models can go for double the cost, you can find used 1 Series models for prices much lower than £15,000 that are still every inch the premium car.
The entry-level SE model gets an impressive infotainment system, built-in sat-nav and BMW’s live cockpit, and can be found below budget.
A 1 Series Sport model is also ideal for keeping costs low and gets you upgraded alloy wheels, sports seats and plenty of interior tech.
Plus, you can save even more with an efficient engine like the 118d model, which is capable of up to 58.9mpg.
BMWs under £15,000: BMW Series 2
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A used BMW 2 Series is another premium model that can also be budget-friendly, with even some slick used options coming in at an affordable price point.
There’s plenty of variation in the 2 Series lineup. You can choose from the Coupe, Gran Coupe, Active Tourer, Gran Tourer and a convertible option, but each one is a lot of fun to own.
The 2 Series might be better for families than the smaller 1 Series, offering a 390-litre boot that can be increased by folding the seats.
Fuel efficiency will vary across the range but the 218d engine can achieve up to 49.6mpg, so it’s impressively economical.
Is the 3 Series the best used BMW under £15k?
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The BMW 3 Series is one of the most iconic vehicles in the lineup and can be found at some seriously high price points for a flashy model with all the extras.
Luckily, there are plenty of impressive used BMW 3 Series models that still offer the sporty performance, high-quality and sleek styling that you expect from an executive car.
To stay within that £15k budget, opt for one of the SE or Sport trim models. These are more entry-level but still come with kit like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reversing cameras and built-in sat-nav.
For a truly premium BMW with a great range of engines and that impressive infotainment system, a used BMW 3 Series is a brilliant choice.
Used BMW under £15k: is the i3 right for you?
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If you want to save on fuel costs as well as purchase price, a used BMW i3 is a nippy little electric vehicle (EV) that has a reputation for being one of the best small EVs on offer.
The i3 is comfortable, easy to drive and has a quirky look about it, with an interior that looks very futuristic.
Low running costs give the i3 an edge over other BMW models. You can expect up to 193 miles from a single charge and can get boosted from 0-80% charge in just four hours from a Wallbox Plus charger.
Other benefits come with driving an electric car like the i3. Until 2025, EVs don’t have to pay for road tax or London ULEZ charges, and you won't have to fork out for petrol or diesel.
Is the 2 Series Active Tourer the best used BMW under £15,000?
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Another variation of the impressive 2 Series, a used BMW 2 Series Active Tourer can be a great choice for a budget BMW with plenty of space.
It’s a practical MPV that would be perfect for families, with up to 470 litres of boot space and plenty of room in the cabin.
The Active Tourer was also awarded a full five-star Euro NCAP safety rating in 2022, with an 88% rating for adults and 81% for children. This makes it a secure and reliable car.
Plus, the mild hybrid engine options make the Active Tourer impressively efficient. You can choose from diesel, petrol, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid engines – but these will all differ in price.
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