How about buying a nice second-hand BMW sedan?

Despite its size on the rise, the BMW 3 Series ensures that it has lost weight. © BMW

By cultivating its bourgeois ways, the BMW 5 Series is more than ever reminiscent of a small 7 Series. Refinement and comfort will delight enthusiasts, but those who appreciate dynamism will be disappointed by the indolence of this 523i petrol version. © BMW

The shape of the rear lights evokes the BMW 7 Series, but also the 3 Series Coupé. © BMW

The design of the cabin echoes the spirit of the BMW 7 Series, GT5 and other Z4s. © BMW

With its 4.90 m, this BMW is 6 cm longer than its predecessor. But it is also lower by one centimeter. © BMW

Like its big sister 7 Series, the BMW 5 Series is now able to steer its rear wheels… as an option. © BMW

The rear lights of the BMW 5 Series use diodes, a technology that is becoming more widespread. © BMW

The BMW 5 Series is surprisingly efficient and agile for a sedan weighing nearly 1,800 kg and 4.90 m long © BMW

Technically, this BMW 5 Series road car owes a lot to the 7 Series and GT5. Starting with its platform amputated a few centimeters here and there, or even its front double wishbone suspensions. © BMW

We regret the multitude of materials, which complicates the reading of the whole and taints the perception of the general quality of the BMW 5 Series, yet quite satisfactory. © BMW

As often with BMW, the restyling of the 5 Series is discreet. © BMW

From the rear of the BMW 5 Series, the differences with the previous version are almost imperceptible. © BMW

In the passenger compartment of the BMW 5 Series, the modifications also remain discreet. © BMW

No reason for the rear habitability of the BMW 5 Series to be modified during this small restyling. © BMW

The other engines available on the BMW 3 Series sedan will follow before the end of 2012. On the other hand, the break will have to do without a hybrid version and the six-cylinder of the future M3. © BMW

From the start of the 2012 school year, the station wagon version of the BMW 3 Series will be marketed in the 328i, 320d or 330d version. © BMW

The modern dashboard, but a bit austere, is taken from the BMW 3 Series sedan. © BMW

Unlike the sedan, the BMW 3 Series estate version offers an optional panoramic glass roof. © BMW

With its 4.62 m, this BMW 3 Series is 9 cm longer than its predecessor. © BMW

Despite its size on the rise, the BMW 3 Series ensures that it has lost weight. © BMW

The width of the BMW 3 Series is also increasing. © BMW

In the passenger compartment of the BMW 3 Series, the kinship with the rest of the range is just as marked. © BMW

The rear axle of this BMW 3 Series no longer loses the pedals at the slightest bump. © BMW

The BMW 3 Series range now favors four-cylinders. © BMW

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The BMW 3 Series In sporty M Sport finish, with 19-inch rims dressed in run-flat tires, this German is not a model of comfort. © BMW

Dressed to the nines from the BMW 3 Series, the cabin puts the driver first and foremost. © BMW

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BMW sedans are legion on used car sites. If you must not give in to temptations that are too easy, you can still have fun. Here are three models for three budgets and what you need to know regarding them.

• 03/04/2023
• François Lemaur and the editorial staff

Driving pleasure and refinement often come at a price. In the nine, it is necessary to have a solid portfolio to afford a BMW sedan. But second-hand, it’s obviously not the same music. Problem, the Bavarians are very numerous in occasion and often, those who crack for their engine or their line do not have quite the means to maintain them.. In order not to risk the hassle, it is therefore necessary to agree to put a certain price despite everything and not to turn to models that are too old. Here are three, with call prices between €10,000 and €26,000.

The BMW 5 Series from 2010 to 2017: from €10,000

By cultivating its bourgeois ways, the 5 Series is more than ever reminiscent of a small 7 Series. Refinement and comfort will delight enthusiasts, but those who appreciate dynamism will be disappointed by the indolence of this 523i petrol version.© BMW

This Series 5 is, in addition to being fun to drive, comfortable. The range of engines, entirely in BVA, is as complete as it is efficient and relatively sober. In gasoline as in diesel, it will nevertheless be necessary to favor 6-cylinder blocks, because the chassis is a little indolent for the 523i and 520d versions.. This Series 5 lacks a hint of habitability to achieve the perfect synthesis. And a slightly shorter list of options to bring prices down.

The reliability of the BMW 5 Series

• Diesel: recall in January 2012 to replace the diesel filter heating system.
• Management: problems with the management and its assistance have been noted.
• Automatic gearbox: on certain Series 5, the automatic gearbox refuses to unlock from the park position.
• ESP: case of malfunction, as well as oil leaks in the system
• braking assistance.

The BMW 3 Series from 2011 to 2019: from €12,000

Despite its size on the rise, the BMW 3 Series ensures that it has lost weight.© BMW

Life is good on board this Series 3. Regulars of the brand will not be out of place with this driver-oriented dashboard. The seats are welcoming, but, as usual at BMW, space in the back is limited. Efficient and sober whatever the engine, it turns out to be one hell of a road car, even if it has lost a little of the agility that made BMWs cars a little apart.. There are even some body movements on bumpy roads. Note that the controlled damping (optional on some models) fixes things.

The reliability of the BMW 3 Series

• 4-cylinders: Noisy distribution. To be replaced (chain, tensioner and guide). Engine failures in extreme cases.
• Diesels: Loss of power (turbo, intake, anti-pollution system, etc.).
• 318i: Misfires (injectors), blue smoke (spark plugs, lambda probe, catalyst, etc.).
• Electronics: Recurring failures on the multimedia systems (GPS turning off and on once more, faulty radio) and lights on for no reason.
• Steering: Many customers complain of vibrations felt in the steering wheel. A problem with no real solution yet.
• Automatic transmission: Cases of transmission blockage.

The BMW 3 Series since 2019: from €27,000

The rear axle no longer loses the pedals at the slightest bump.© BMW

The passenger compartment is still very neat in its materials and its construction on board this 3 Series, but does not mark any great progress in terms of habitability, identical to that of the previous generation despite a lengthening of 7 cm. The occupants of the front seats have no reason to complain, but the rear passengers will be less happy and the central seat should be considered as emergency due to the presence of the transmission tunnel. On the other hand, obvious progress appears in terms of driving pleasure and comfort. The steering offers more consistency, even if it still lacks feeling around the midpoint, and the trepidations are much less numerous than before. As for the suspensions, they are thoughtful and provide good comfort.

The reliability of the current BMW 3 Series

• All: A recall was initiated in January 2020 to check the engine balance shaft on models built before September 2019. A fault in the system can cause the engine to break while driving.
• 320e/330e: A fault in one of the high voltage battery elements can cause a short circuit with the risk of fire during charging. Models assembled between March and August 2020.
• Steering: The fragility of the steering rods can cause them to break under certain conditions on the first examples.
• Seat belts: Incorrect fastening can affect the effectiveness of the belt. Recall in July 2021. An airbag sensor at the belt buckle may disconnect. Recall in March 2020.

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