What is the best BMW under £20k?
There are lots of great BMWs out there, but what are the best on a budget?
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Finding a BMW for £20k or less may seem like a tricky task, but there’s far more out there than you may think.
Finding a new one is impossible because the cheapest new BMW costs from £28,290, but head over to the used car market and you’ll be spoilt for choice.
This is thanks to that magical thing called depreciation, which affects almost all new cars unless it’s an uber-rare supercar.
But which used BMW should you choose? Here are 10 of the best used BMWs you can buy for £20,000 or less.
BMW X1
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The BMW X1 is the smallest car in its ‘X’ SUV range, sitting underneath the X2 and X3.
It shares its platform with the Mini Countryman and is therefore very reliable and offers tried-and-tested parts.
Engine options vary on the model you choose and include a selection of petrol, diesel, hybrid engines, and even an electric version called the iX1.
The cheapest to buy will be the petrol and diesel variants, with a used hybrid or electric X1 being priced much higher.
The interior is packed with all the latest and greatest in-car tech you could ever need. While BMW’s iDrive infotainment system works very well, so too does Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
BMW 3 Series
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The 3 Series can be had as either a saloon or estate, making it very versatile and perfect for both families and working professionals.
It can be had with a range of engines too, including petrol, diesel and hybrid. The latter may be on the higher end budget-wise, but the petrol and diesel are very reliable and hard-wearing.
Inside, it’s comfortable and tech-filled, as are all other modern BMW road cars. Its best features include heated front seats, a large central infotainment screen and handling that makes it very nimble on all road surfaces.
BMW X2
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BMW’s X2 sits above the X1 but below the larger X3 and X5 as a small sporty coupé that’s practical and fun to drive.
It’s powered by either a petrol or diesel engine and can be mated to a manual or automatic gearbox, all of which should slip under the £20k budget depending on the spec you choose.
Despite its size and weight, the X2 is very fun to drive – and why wouldn’t it be, considering BMW’s track record of ‘M’ sports cars?
If you’re more for the practical side then its 560-litre boot should be plenty.
BMW 5 Series
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All other executive saloons scream when the 5 Series enters a car park because it’s up there with the best in its class.
From a large 530-litre boot to a range of great engines, there’s no reason why you should look at anything else.
If practicality is what you're after, then there’s also an estate car version with a huge 570-litre boot and more space for active families.
It also comes with great features as standard including A/C, cruise control, electric windows, and front and rear parking sensors.
BMW X3
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The go-to SUV for many middle-class families in the UK is the X3 because it can do everything the larger X5 can do but for cheaper – plus it’s easier to park.
Inside, it’s got one of the most luxurious cabins in its class, with plush leather and all the bells and whistles you could want.
Plus, buy used and you can get all the features that would have cost the first owner a fortune to spec.
Like most other BMW SUVs, the X3 comes with a wide range of engines including petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid and electric motors in the iX3.
BMW 4 Series
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You may think the 4 Series is very similar to the 3 Series – and it is – but the main difference is the former has two doors, which makes it sportier and often more fun to drive.
Available as a coupé or convertible, the 4 Series can be great for all needs and thanks to its hard folding roof, it’s fine in the colder winter months too.
Like its looks, the 4 Series comes with sporty engines to match its demeanour.
These include either a four-cylinder or a six-cylinder, with the top-spec M4 producing a whopping 425hp and an excellent exhaust note.
BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer
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Unlike its 2 Series relative, the Gran Tourer is not a small car. In fact, it’s the large size that makes it so sought-after.
With seven seats and a large 645-litre boot, the 2 Series Gran Tourer is a great budget family car for larger families or dog owners.
You can have it with a range of engines, from entry-level petrol units to longer-range diesel units.
There’s also a plug-in hybrid variant that’s good for 49 miles of electric-only range.
BMW i3
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You may not have thought it, but you can buy a fully-fledged BMW electric car for less than £20k, and what’s even better is that it’s an i3.
The i3 is the smallest car BMW makes – full of sustainable materials and clever tech gubbins, the i3 is one of the best small electric cars you can buy.
With a range of just under 200 miles on a single charge and plenty of poke, this little EV is ideal for city dwellers.
BMW 1 Series
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With rivals such as the Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3, the 1 Series has a lot to live up to.
Thankfully, it’s one of the best hot hatches money can buy, even if your budget is £20,000.
The sporty M135i is the one to go for if you want to release your inner boy racer, but any other model would be ideal for couples, small families and new drivers.
Despite its size, you still get a roomy 380-litre boot, space for up to five people, and plenty of nifty storage solutions.
BMW 2 Series
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The standard 2 Series is often overlooked because of its sporty M2 brother, but actually, there’s a lot to like about the ‘lesser’ car.
From its petrol and diesel engines to its great gearboxes, there’s not much that should deter you from considering one over its Audi A3 and Mercedes A-Class rivals.
Whether you’re looking for a budget coupé that’s fun to drive or something that won’t cost you a fortune to run, a 2 Series is a great bet.