The Best Used BMW Models for First-Time Luxury Buyers

What do you expect from a luxury vehicle? Most people equate luxury with premium leather seats, sophisticated styling, hand-stitched elements, and pristine details. Yet, luxury encompasses far more than the cabin and stretches to everything that impacts your experience behind the wheel, from how a vehicle performs to the technologies that keep you engaged, aware, and connected. Fortunately, shopping for a used BMW for sale puts you closer to this all-encompassing luxury at a fraction of the cost.

First-time luxury buyers often turn to BMW because of the automaker’s stellar reputation. BMW is revered for building sophisticated models with upscale cabins and engaging powertrains that offer an impeccable blend of efficiency and engagement. We’re here to help you find the perfect combination by highlighting the best pre-owned BMW models for first-time luxury buyers. Let’s get started.

Compact Sophistication: Meet the BMW 3 Series

As BMW’s best-selling sedan, the 3 Series is a legend and the perfect introduction to BMW luxury. The 3 Series has been a staple in the lineup since 1975, with each new generation showcasing the automaker’s ingenuity and efforts to exceed expectations. These characteristics are prevalent in every used 3 Series, especially the seventh-generation models built since 2019.

The 2019 3 Series debuted with an all-new design that made its sporty handling more engaging and its luxuries more opulent than ever. These characteristics are prominent throughout the current generation. BMW entices drivers with a diverse powertrain lineup that stretches from the base 2.0L turbocharged inline-four and optional 3.0L turbocharged inline-six to a plug-in hybrid that delivers near-instant torque. Every engine delivers effortless handling and on-demand acceleration, blending outputs of up to nearly 400 hp with incredible efficiency.

Beyond its engaging performance, the 3 Series is an excellent option for first-time luxury buyers because of its upscale design. The sedan blends premium comforts and BMW’s outstanding craftsmanship with a mix of innovative technologies. These technologies are even more prominent in newer models, with BMW expanding the sedan’s digital landscape. For example, the 2020 3 Series has an 8.8-inch center touchscreen, while some 2021 and 2022 models have 10.25-inch displays. For 2023, BMW made an even bigger 14.9-inch touchscreen standard across the lineup.

Our Top Pick: While the 2019 3 Series offers outstanding value and a lower price tag, we’d consider stretching our budget for a 2023 or newer model because of its larger digital displays and diverse powertrain lineup. This diversity gives you plenty of opportunities to find the right combination that fits your budget.

Midsize Refinement: Meet the BMW 5 Series

First-time luxury buyers who want something bigger than the 3 Series will be pleasantly surprised by the midsize 5 Series, which is BMW’s second best-selling sedan. Debuting in the early 1970s, the 5 Series has a stellar reputation and a proven history of reliability and performance. With BMW introducing the eighth-generation 5 Series in 2024, used seventh-generation models built between 2017 and 2023 are excellent finds on the used lot.

BMW made drastic improvements to the 5 Series in 2017, reducing its weight, finetuning its steering, and updating its engines for better performance. Between its high-strength build and advanced safety features, the 2017 5 Series earned widespread acclaim and a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. Fortunately, those characteristics permeate the seventh-generation models, especially after its refresh in 2021.

BMW updated the 5 Series in 2021, introducing new design elements to improve aerodynamics, more innovative technologies, and a mild-hybrid system to appeal to those looking for a more efficient sedan. The changes are notable and give the 2021 and newer 5 Series models undeniable appeal. For example, these models feature an expansive 12.3-inch infotainment system with the latest connectivity, entertainment, and driver-assist tools. Likewise, BMW’s mild hybrid system packs an impressive punch, with the 2.0L turbocharged inline-four mated to a 12 kWh battery and electric motors for 288 hp and 310 lb-ft of near-instant torque on the 2023 BMW 530e.

Our Top Pick: While any seventh-generation 5 Series is an excellent buy, we are drawn to 2021 or newer models. BMW updated the sedan, extending its length to create a sleek silhouette and better aerodynamics. These models also feature new adaptive LED headlights and updated tech, including a 12.3-inch touchscreen that complements its sophisticated interior. The combination is unmatched and offers outstanding value on the used lot.

A Sporty Compact: Meet the X3

Luxury in an SUV reaches new heights when you discover the opulence of the X3. BMW’s compact SUV is the perfect first-time luxury vehicle for individuals who need the spaciousness and practicality of an SUV without compromising their comfort or style. The X3 strikes the ideal balance, especially as an all-wheel drive SUV with a commanding presence on the road.

With BMW introducing the X3 in 2004, the compact luxury crossover is a newer entry into the family. The automaker introduced the third-generation X3 in 2018, making these models appealing and plentiful on the used lot today. The X3’s expertly designed chassis ensures optimal weight distribution, translating to exciting and engaging performance across its powertrain lineup. That lineup stretches from BMW’s proven 2.0L turbocharged inline-four to a 3.0L turbocharged inline-six, both delivering a steady output and ample low-end torque for outstanding on-demand power and performance at any speed.

As you shop for a used X3, you’ll find that models earlier in the generation are well-equipped with connectivity and entertainment features like smartphone integration and Bluetooth capability. However, BMW consistently updates these features, swapping the standard 8.8-inch touchscreen for a 10.25-inch display in 2021 and offering a 12.3-inch display in 2022. The growing landscape makes these models more appealing, especially since there are minimal changes to the SUV’s performance.

Our Top Pick: Budget-savvy shoppers will appreciate models like the 2021 X3, which is old enough to offer outstanding value but young enough to have features comparable to the latest safety, connectivity, and driver-assist technologies found on newer models. Moreover, the 2021 X3 features a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and offers three powertrain options, including a plug-in hybrid.

Reap the Rewards of Luxury and Affordability

BMW’s reputation for excellence and opulence is world-renowned, with the manufacturer’s ingenuity and pioneering spirit apparent in everything from its sedans to its SUVs. Luxury sedans like the 3 Series and 5 Series share the spotlight with premium SUVs like the X3, all embodying everything BMW stands for and sets out to achieve, particularly its commitment to introducing drivers to a new and transformative experience behind the wheel.

These models are excellent for first-time luxury buyers, but they’re only a few of many. It’s hard to go wrong when you shop the BMW lineup, whether you fall in love with a convertible like the 4 Series, a subcompact SUV like the X1, a Gran Coupe like the 8 Series, or an all-electric model like the i4. Every model lives up to BMW’s reputation, delivering the performance and luxury expected of the brand. On the used lot, those characteristics are incredibly valuable and make bringing your luxury dreams to life more affordable than ever.