Whether you’re looking for your first set of wheels or this is your tenth car, the appeal of owning a BMW is something that continues to attract customers to the German brand.
BMW has one of the most extensive lists of cars to choose from, ranging from small hatchbacks and saloons to spacious estates and SUVs.
You’ll also be spoilt for choice when it comes to your preferred fuel, with petrol, diesel, mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric all on offer.
What do the BMW series numbers mean?
Rather than giving its cars names like most other brands, BMW has assigned each car a number.
The rules are simple: the larger the number, the larger the car.
As ever, rules are there to be broken, and there are one or two exceptions – including variants of the 2 Series and the Z4 – but as a rule of thumb, look for a smaller number if you’re after a smaller BMW series.
Another handy tip to remember is that even-numbered series are generally sportier versions of the odd-numbered series.
The 4 Series, for example, is a sporty-looking Coupé based on the 3 Series.
All except the 8 Series also have an SUV equivalent, marked with the letter ‘X’.
For example, the X3 SUV shares many mechanical parts with the 3 Series saloon.
Finally, there are performance versions of many models that adorn the ‘M’ badge and electric versions that wear the ‘i’ badge.
BMW 1 Series
 "Which BMW series is the best? (1)")
The 1 Series is the company’s smallest car – it’s a hatchback that’s available with a choice of petrol or diesel engines.
It’s similar in size and price to the Mercedes A-Class and Audi A3.
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Read our BMW 1 Series review
Is the 1 Series the best BMW?
The 1 Series is an incredibly popular option for BMW buyers because it offers good value for money – and even better when buying used – and is a good blend of practicality and performance.
Some petrolheads will tell you that the latest 2019-onwards model isn’t as fun to drive as the previous model because BMW changed it from rear- to front-wheel-drive, but we think it’s just as agile.
BMW 2 Series
 "Which BMW series is the best? (2)")
The 2 Series is BMW’s most confusing series because there’s a rear-wheel-drive Coupé and convertible, a front-wheel-drive four-door saloon called the Gran Coupé, and a pair of stylish MPVs called the Active Tourer and Gran Tourer, which have five and seven seats respectively.
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Read our BMW 2 Series Coupé review
What makes the BMW 2 series stand out?
In the name of improved fuel efficiency, BMW has made many of its latest models front-wheel-drive, but the 2 Series Coupé continues to be rear-wheel-drive, making it a popular option for those looking for a relatively affordable sports car.
It’s also the smallest BMW car to have a dedicated performance version – the 460hp M2 – that can do 0-62mph in 4.1 seconds, though even the regular versions are pretty pacey.
BMW 3 Series
 "Which BMW series is the best? (3)")
A staple in the BMW range for decades, the 3 Series is available in saloon or estate formats.
It was also one of the first BMWs to get a plug-in hybrid option, so finding one of these on the used market should be easy enough.
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Read our BMW 3 Series reviews
Why should I consider a BMW 3 series?
The 3 Series has long been a popular car for businesspeople thanks to its spacious and luxurious interior and large boot.
What this translates to is an equally practical family car, especially if you pick an estate model.
BMW 4 Series
 "Which BMW series is the best? (4)")
The 4 Series is built on the same platform as the 3 Series, but it’s designed to look sportier and generally appeals to a younger audience.
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Read our BMW 4 Series review
What does the BMW 4 series offer?
This series has a two-door Coupé, a convertible, a saloon-shaped model with a practical hatchback-style boot, and an electric version of that last model designed to take on the mighty Tesla Model 3.
There really is something for everyone when it comes to the 4 Series.
BMW 5 Series
 "Which BMW series is the best? (5)")
The 5 Series is best thought of as a larger version of the 3 Series but with much more sophisticated tech.
There’s a saloon, an estate, and even a brand-new electric version.
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Read our BMW 5 Series review
Who is the BMW 5 series suitable for?
This is where things can start to get expensive, and the BMW 5 Series is generally considered to be a luxurious company car.
Get one of these used and you’ll still make a solid impression.
BMW 6 Series
 "Which BMW series is the best? (6)")
From 2017, the 6 Series Gran Turismo was sold as a high-riding saloon-like car with a practical hatchback boot.
Before this, it was sold as a sporty Coupé, convertible, and four-door saloon.
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Read our BMW 6 Series review
Is the BMW 6 series the best?
Because the 6 Series sits somewhere between the 5 Series and the luxurious 7 Series, it really does feel the part.
Because BMW doesn’t sell these anymore, you can find some used bargains.
BMW 7 Series
 "Which BMW series is the best? (7)")
This is BMW’s flagship model and is generally a car to be chauffeured around in rather than to sit behind the wheel of.
It’s only available in saloon format, but there are petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid, and electric versions to pick from.
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Read our BMW 7 Series review
Is the 7 the best BMW series?
This car goes head-to-head with the Mercedes S-Class and Porsche Panamera, and offers just the right balance of comfort and performance.
BMW 8 Series
 "Which BMW series is the best? (8)")
While it’s based on the 7 Series, many consider this an indirect successor to the 6 Series because of the way it looks.
There are Coupé, convertible, and four-door saloon-style models to pick from.
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Should I buy a BMW 8 series?
If you’re after a large, comfortable car to cover lots of miles in but you don’t want to get a boring saloon, then the 8 Series could make sense – especially with a diesel engine, where it can get nearly 40mpg.
Which BMW series is the fastest?
 "Which BMW series is the best? (9)")
Most models have a dedicated M-badged counterpart – each of those, except the M2, sprints to 62mph in between three and four seconds.
The quickest currently on sale is the M8 Competition, which does the timed sprint in 3.2 seconds.
There are also cheaper performance models of most series that wear badges like M135i and M340i.
Most of these get to 62mph in comfortably under five seconds, still look the part, but are much cheaper to buy.
Which BMW series offers the most complete driving experience?
The pick of the bunch in the current BMW range is the BMW M2.
It combines everything an enthusiast driver would want from a sports car: a manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive, and the sound of a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine.
Which BMW series is the best for long drives?
 "Which BMW series is the best? (10)")
All BMW series can be comfortable, but it’s best to avoid M Sport trim or M performance models as these have tougher suspension designed to help them accelerate faster and be more stable at speed.
The 4 Series Gran Coupé and 8 Series Gran Coupé are spacious, comfortable and quiet on the move thanks to their slick aerodynamics.
What is the best series of BMW overall?
The sweet spot of the range lies with the 3 Series and 4 Series.
They’re spacious enough without being too big, you have the pick of saloon, estate, coupé, and convertible models, and there are petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid and electric versions, so there really is something to appeal to everyone.
Learn more:
Which is the best Audi model?
Which are the best Mercedes-Benz SUVs?
