If you’re a brand new driver or you’ve only had a couple of years of experience behind you, most premium cars can feel like a lifetime away. Take the BMW range, for example; most of us have seen adverts and social media accounts covering their high-performance M-division or their luxury electric models, but what about their entry-level cars? Is there anything out there for newer drivers?
The good news is that although BMW has some seriously expensive models, you can still find value in their entry-level cars. In this article, I wanted to cover that part of the BMW lineup and find the best cars for new drivers. Below I’ve picked out my favorite BMW models for you and covered their price, features, and what I like about them.
I’ve also covered the features I would buy and, finally, the preowned market for each BMW model. So if you’re looking for the ideal BMW for you, this article should help you make that decision.
Let’s get started!
BMW X1 28i
- From $39,100 / £34,365
- 2.0 Liter engine
- 241 BHP
- 34 MPG
The first BMW on our list is the X1. This is BMWs entry-level SUV, and while it’s missing plenty of features from higher-spec models, there is still a lot to like here. Starting at under $40,000, it’s one of the least expensive BMWs, and if you want something premium and practical, the X1 has you covered.
With only one engine option, the X1 28i comes with a 2-liter turbocharged engine with 241 bhp. This is capable of a 0-60mph time of just over six seconds and an average fuel economy of 34 mpg. These numbers won’t make you rush out to buy an X1, but you’ll have enough power for most drivers and impressive gas mileage for a car this size.
The X1 definitely isn’t as striking as some other BMW models, but the optional Utah Orange paint will help you to get noticed. Inside the X1, it’s surprisingly spacious, with enough room for 5 and storage. Rear passengers might struggle with legroom, but the headroom for everyone is impressive.
Tech-wise, every new X1 comes with the latest central screen, combining the driver display and infotainment. You get plenty of driving aids too, with lane departure warning, parking assist, and blind spot detection, helping to keep you safer on the road.
The best X1 spec
Our favorite X1 spec for a first-time driver starts out with adding metallic paint. With this $600 option, you have 7 colors to choose from, with our favorite being Utah Orange. We’d keep the standard 18-inch alloy wheels, as the tire costs are lower than the 19-inch options.
Inside the X1, we’d go for the optional sports seats at $400. These seats also give you a few color options, all Sensatec materials. Combine these seats with the aluminum mesh trim, which is easier to keep clean than high gloss black paint.
There are a few great options to pick from on the X1, but our pick is the Premium pack. It’s expensive, at just over $4,000, but there are plenty of great options included. Amongst the highlights are a Heads-Up Display, Harman Kardon Soundsystem, and Parking assistance.
- Metallic paint: $650
- Sport Seats: $400
- Aluminium Mesh Effect trim: $150
- Premium Pack: $4,200
Our guide to preowned X1 models
For an X1 with just under 30,000 miles on, you’re looking at around $30,000 on the preowned market right now. The previous generation X1 still comes with most of the features we’ve covered above, but if you want a 2022 model, these start from around $35,000.
Going older than 2020 models, you will start to see prices dropping below the $30,000 mark. We didn’t find many 2019 models over 50,000 miles, and that would be our cutoff point if we were looking for an X1.
Going for a 2020 or 2021 model feels like the sweet spot in the preowned market right now. YOu don’t get the new design from 2022, but these earlier models still include most of the options you’ll find on the new model. For the cost of a new X1 at around $40,000, these 2020/21 models offer higher spec cars at the same price, with around 20,000 miles on.
BMW 230i Coupe
- From $38,200 / £37,260
- 2.0 Liter engine
- 255 BHP
- 29 MPG
Suppose you want a BMW that favors enjoyment over practicality, the 230i ticks all the boxes. The 2 Series has always been a standout part of the BMW lineup, and although the latest model has some polarising design features, it’s still a solid car.
The coupe styling gives the 230i an aggressive stance, and the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine puts out 255 bhp. 0-60mph is achieved in five and a half seconds, so this is definitely a quick car. The xDrive system is an optional $2,000 purchase, and for most drivers, it’s well worth the money. If you’re after something more practical and slightly slower though, the 228i Gran Coupe is probably a better option.
Inside the 2 series, even taller drivers will be ok – I’m 6 ft 5, and the 230i is still comfortable. Rear passengers will tell you a different story, and in all honesty, you don’t want to be making long journeys with a 2 Series full of passengers. Like the previous model, the rear leg and headroom are a challenge, and it feels cramped.
Like most BMWs, the 230i includes its share of options and features. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, although with a central curved display for the driver and infotainment. The 2 Series misses out on most of the luxury features you see in models such as the 5 or 8 series, but you still get power-adjustable front seats and a leather steering wheel.
The best 230i spec
Starting with the exterior options, we’d opt for the $650 metallic paint, and to stand out, we’d have to pick the Thundernight purple. The 19-inch wheels are a great visual upgrade, but first-time drivers will want to keep the 18-inch version to keep tire costs down.
Inside your 230i, the Vernasca leather is tempting, but for $1,500, we’d avoid it. The standard Sensatec comes in three colors and is easier to maintain, so we’d stick with that. For dashboard trim, we recommend the aluminum mesh, which looks and feels better than the standard graphite trim.
For our pick of the available options, the Premium pack is a must-have. You get ambient lighting, a heads-up display, and heated seats & steering wheel, amongst other features. If you’re an audiophile like us, the $875 for a Harman Kardon system is worth adding too. Finally, if you do a lot of highway driving, the adaptive cruise control will be a helpful addition to your 2 Series.
- Metallic paint: $650
- Aluminium Mesh Effect trim: $300
- Premium Pack: $3,350
- Harman Kardon system: $875
- Adaptive cruise control: $550
Our guide to preowned 230i models
Looking at 2020 models, 230i cars start out from around $26,000. These models have 30,000 miles on the clock, which isn’t a bad deal for over $12,000 saved against new. If you prefer the gran coupe or convertible models, there are few preowned examples around, but prices are close to the coupe.
Older 230i models don’t go much lower than $20,000 – at those prices, and the mileage is too high for it to be worth the risk for us. If you want the latest generation 2 Series, you’re looking at $35,000+ for a good preowned example. This might feel like a small saving against a new car, but you will get most of the features I recommend at that price.
BMW 330e
- From $44,200 / £46,300
- 2.0 Liter engine (with electric motor)
- 288 BHP (combined)
- 75 MPGe
When you think of a BMW, most people will imagine either a 5 Series or a 3 Series. These sedans have been the cornerstone of the BMW range for decades, and although prices have crept up, the 3 Series is still one of the best entry-level luxury sedans on the market.
The current 3 Series range begins with the 330i, but our choice here is the hybrid 330e. Cost-wise, there’s only $1,100 between the models, and the option to drive on full electricity is worth that. With a combined 288 bhp, this is a powerful car and capable of 0-60 in almost 5.5 seconds. Most important is the hybrid system, which allows you to drive for 20 miles on electric-only power and works alongside the engine to offer gas mileage far above the 330i.
The latest 3 Series includes most of BMWs recent features, with a single curved display containing two screens. This contains the latest iDrive 8 system and support for charging locations and timers. Standard features also include ambient lighting, a moonroof, and multizone climate control.
The best 330e spec
The latest 3 series isn’t a bad-looking sedan, but we would go for the M-Sport trim to help it stand out. This trim comes with 19-inch wheels and upgraded seats, and generally, an M-Sport BMW will hold its resale value better.
As with every BMW, we’d go for the optional metallic paint, and with that M-Sport pack, you have a solid choice of alloy wheels. Inside the 330e, we would keep the Sensatec seat material and combine this with either the aluminum mesh or rhombicle dashboard. Both are free upgrades as part of the M-Sport pack, and there are some wood trims available too.
The premium pack is a must-have on your 330e, and for $1,850, it’s great value. We’d recommend the driving assistance pack for its automated features and also suggest the HK Soundsystem.
- M-Sport trim: $2,550
- Metallic paint: $650
- Premium pack: $1,850
- Driving Assistance Professional Pack: $1,700
- Harman Kardon system: $875
Our guide to preowned 330e models
Compared to 330i models, there aren’t many preowned 330e’s around. This hasn’t driven the price up that much though, and you can still pick up a 2021 version for under $40,000. We expected to see more depreciation on these cars, but the 3 Series badge has helped to keep their value up.
The older 330e models will only set you back around $25,000. These are older generation 3 Series versions, though, so you will miss out on most of the new technology and features. If we were in the market for a pre-owned 3 Series, I think those 2020-21 models are the best value, with high-spec models coming in below the cost of a new car.
The best of the rest
The rest of the BMW range includes a wide range of models, and most are too powerful or too expensive for new drivers. The X3 SUV will suit anyone looking for a larger version of the X1, but at over $45,000 before options, this will be a price point too high for most.
Another option may be the 4 Series. Sharing many features with the 3 Series, if you’re looking for a coupe or convertible, the current 4 Series range will probably be for you. I started out with a 3 Series and moved up to a 430i and then a 440i, so I’m slightly biased on 4 Series models.
Overall though, it’s a shame to see BMW drop some of its entry-level models in favor of more expensive electric vehicles. In other regions of the world, you have models like the 1 Series and X2, and it would be interesting to see how well these would perform in North America.
If you found this article helpful and interesting, check out the other articles we have on BMW models and features below:
