Used BMW For Sale Bristol, Bath and Taunton

If for you driving is about far more than getting from A to B, you're going to want a BMW. Renowned for their excellence and prestige, BMWs make a real statement on the road. You may be familiar with its luxury saloons and sporty convertibles, but the brand's range is constantly expanding.

Now, you don't have to sacrifice practicality when buying a used BMW, as the range includes the humble-sized 1 Series, multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) such as the 2 Series Active Tourer and 4x4 sports utility vehicles (SUVs). No matter what model you choose, it will still feel like the luxurious BMW you know and love.

Need help buying a used BMW?

If you have any questions about our cars or want to know which BMW is best for you, please get in touch. We're more than happy to assist. In the meantime, check out our ultimate guide to picking a used BMW.

History of BMW

Who were the founders of BMW?

BMW was founded by three individuals

• Karl Rapp - established Rapp Motorenwerke in 1913
• Franz Josef Popp - helped to manage Rapp Motorenwerke from Austro-Daimler and create Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) in 1916.
• Camillo Castiglioni - Bought approx one third of BMW in 1918

Early BMW and automobile production

BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke, or Bavarian Motor Works in English) is a German company which started life building aircraft engines however from 1918 the Versailles Armistice Treaty forced them to stop building aircraft engines and instead they produced farm equipment, household items and railway brakes!

The introduction of the 3, 5 and 7 series

In 1968, BMW began manufacturing its first straight-six engines since World War II which led to the production of the commonly known 3, 5 and 7 series ranges of BMW.

The first 5 Series range of mid-size sedans were introduced in 1972, to replace the New Class sedans of 1962. The 5 Series platform was also used for the 6 Series coupes, which were introduced in 1976. In 1975, the first model of the iconic 3 Series range of compact sedans/coupes was introduced. The 7 Series large sedans were introduced in 1978.

What brands do BMW own?

The BMW Group owns quite a few brands, sub-brands and divisions however the most notable are Mini, Rolls Royce and BMW Motorrad (motorbikes).

Outside of this there is the M division, I sub-brand, John Cooper Works (Mini) plus a variety of service level brands such as DriveNow - a car-sharing service that gives customers the flexibility to book cars when and where they need them.

In 1978, the M1 was BMW's first mid-engine sports car, built in conjunction with Lamborghini, and the Motorsport divisions first production road car. In 1980, BMW M division produced its first M model based on an existing production car (E12 535i), giving birth to the M535i, the predecessor to the M5.

In 1983, BMW introduced its first diesel engine, the M21. The first all-wheel drive BMW - the E30 325iX - began production in 1985, and in 1987 the E30 was BMW's first model produced in a wagon/estate body style.

The 1986 E32 750i was BMW's first V12 model. The E32 was also the first sedan to be available with a long-wheelbase body style (badged "iL" or "Li").

The BMW M3 was introduced in 1985, based on the E30 platform.

BMW X-Series

The BMW X-Series began in 1999 when BMW launched the X5, their first SUV, also featuring four-wheel drive. It was branded an SAV (a Sports Activity Vehicle) instead of an SUV to emphasise its on-road ability compared to its size. In 2006, the second generation X5 was released, known internally as the E70, and in 2010, the X5 M was released as a performance variant.

The second car in the X-Series was released in 2003 and known as the X3, marketed as a compact luxury crossover SUV. It was based on the BMW 3 Series platform and also marketed as an SAV, as the entire BMW X-line so far would come to be.

In 2008, the BMW X6 was introduced as a SAC (a Sports Activity Coupé), based on the BMW 5 and 6 series, and combines the attributes of an SUV with the design of a coupé.

In 2009, based on the BMW 3 Series, the X1 was introduced to the market as a subcompact luxury crossover SUV.

In 2014, the last member of the BMW X-Series so far was introduced at the New York International Auto Show, after being announced as a concept car the previous year. It is also classed as an SAC (a Sports Activity Coupé).

In February 2016, BMW announced the introduction of the "iPerformance" model designation, which is being given to all BMW plug-in hybrid vehicles from July 2016. The aim is to provide a visible indicator of the transfer of technology from BMW i to the BMW core brand. As of November 2016, four BMW electrified models have been released using BMW i technology, the BMW X5 xDrive40e, released in 2015, and the BMW 225xe Active Tourer, BMW 330e iPerformance, and BMW 740e iPerformance, released in 2016.

Superior BMW technology

BMW employ a number of different technologies to keep their cars at the forefront of technological expansion and development.

• Valvetronic - Valvetronic technology is based on the functionality of valves in the engine, created by BMW in a variable valve lift system. This system negates the need for a throttle body in regular use, and claims to improve fuel economy and emissions. First seen in the 316ti compact in 2001, it has since been added to many BMW engines.
• SmartKey - This ultra-modern key fob is one of BMW's newer inventions, featuring a touchscreen display that allows the user to view information relating to fuel levels or the battery electric range. By swiping left or right on the touchscreen, users can also discover whether the car is due a service soon or if all the doors and windows are locked. SmartKey was first featured as part of the BMW i8 plug-in-hybrid sports car.
• xDrive - The technology contained within the BMW xDrive, a 40:60 split between front and rear wheels, promises better grip and improved handling and cornering. The variable power between the front and rear axles allows the system to compensate for any wheel slips.
• BMW Connected and BMW Connected+ App - These two connected programs allow your vehicle and phone to become one, making every journey simple and straightforward with their mobility-relevant data sharing and personalised services

New vs Used BMW comparison

Buying from new has its benefits but the value of your car will depreciate heavily as time goes by. Some cars can lose up to 50% of their value in the first 3 years, with most of the drop occurring in the first year! Buying a used BMW could get you a lot more kit for your money.

The table below will give you an idea of what you can expect to pay for a used BMW versus brand new.

Based on current data as of January 2018.