A used BMW is genuine driving pleasure and prestige at a fraction of new
BMW's whole reputation rests on how its cars drive, with a rear-drive balance and smooth straight-six engines that no rival quite matches. A used BMW lets you own that and the badge for a fraction of the new price. The honest part is that a BMW costs more to service and repair than a typical Japanese car, so the way to buy well is a low-mileage, carefully kept example with a clean history. Japan has these in abundance, since owners there drive less, maintain meticulously, and never face road salt. Read the auction sheet, start from a good car, and the running costs look after themselves.
The 3 Series leads the saloons, the X range covers the SUVs, and M sits on top
The 3 Series is the core BMW, the sport saloon the brand is built around, with the larger 5 Series and flagship 7 Series above it. The X range covers the SUVs, from the compact X1 and X3 to the benchmark X5, and the Z4 is the roadster. The M division builds the performance versions, and the i models are the electric and hybrid line. Here is how the range lines up.
| Model | Type | Drive | Best for |
|---|
| BMW 3 Series | Sport saloon | RWD / xDrive | The core driver's BMW |
| BMW 5 Series | Executive saloon | RWD / xDrive | Bigger, refined saloon |
| BMW X3 | Compact SUV | xDrive | 3-Series feel, taller body |
| BMW X5 | Luxury SUV | xDrive | The luxury-SUV benchmark |
| BMW X1 | Compact crossover | FWD / AWD | The entry into the X range |
| BMW 1 Series | Compact hatch | RWD / FWD | The cheaper way into a BMW |
| BMW Z4 | Roadster | RWD | Open-top two-seater |
| BMW 7 Series | Flagship saloon | RWD / xDrive | Full-size luxury limousine |
| BMW M3 | Performance | RWD / xDrive | The M division, track-bred |
If your model isn't on the shortlist, the live stock above runs far deeper than this table.
A used BMW skips the steep early depreciation, and a low-mileage example is the smart buy
A new BMW sheds roughly a fifth of its value in the first year, so a car a few years old has taken that hit already and costs far less. Year, mileage, and auction grade set the price within a model, and a low-mileage, clean-sheet car is worth paying a little more for. The X5 and the M cars hold their value best, while the saloons fall furthest and so offer the most car for the money. The running costs sit above a Japanese car, so budget for upkeep too. On top of the car, your landed cost adds shipping, insurance, and your country's duties, which vary by destination and engine size. Tell us the model and your port and we'll break the full landed cost down.
TokyoCarZ handles your import from selection to your port
Importing with TokyoCarZ runs through five clear steps, from picking the car to landing it at your port. You stay in control at each stage, and your payment stays protected the whole way.
- Tell us what you need. Share your budget, model, year range, and any grade or mileage requirement, and we source to it.
- Browse the full platform. Buy a fixed-price car from dealer stock, or have us secure your pick from the live Japanese auction network, all in one place.
- Confirm price and condition. You get the auction sheet, a translation, photos, and a pre-bid inspection, so you see exactly what you're buying before you pay.
- Pay safely. Pay through a protected escrow scheme, and your money stays held until the deal is done.
- We ship it. We handle export paperwork, marine insurance, and shipping by RoRo or container, and coordinate with your customs agent at the port.
Every BMW carries an auction grade and inspection sheet you can read before you buy
Every car at a Japanese auction is inspected and given a grade and a condition sheet, so you can judge a used BMW from anywhere before you commit. The grade is the inspector's verdict on condition, not just a mileage figure, and a damage map on the sheet marks every scratch and repair. We review and translate that sheet before any bid, so you never buy blind. Here's what the main grades mean.
- Grade 5 is excellent, close to new with very low mileage and only the lightest marks.
- Grade 4.5 is very good, usually under about 100,000 km, with slight imperfections and no major repair.
- Grade 4 is the export sweet spot, a sound car with no crash history, some honest wear, and the best balance of condition and price.
- Grade 3.5 is an average older car, a sensible budget buy if the damage map shows nothing structural.
- Grade R means accident damage that's been repaired, which isn't a reason to walk away on its own, since the notes tell the real story.
Alongside the number, separate A to E letters score the exterior and interior, where A is pristine and E is rough. A grade is a strong guide, not a guarantee, so for a higher-value BMW like an X5 or M car it's worth pairing it with the photos and an agent's pre-bid inspection.
The drive, the badge, and Japan's well-kept examples set a used BMW apart
Three things make a used BMW worth importing. First is the drive, since BMW engineers its cars around handling, and the straight-six engines stay smooth and strong. Second is the badge, the prestige of a German premium car that holds its appeal anywhere. Third is the Japanese advantage, because the cars there are low-mileage, fastidiously maintained, and free of the rust that salted roads cause elsewhere. Buy on a clean auction sheet and you get the driving machine without inheriting someone else's neglect.
Choose your BMW by drive feel, then body and budget
With a BMW the big choice is the drive, rear-wheel sDrive for the classic balance or all-wheel xDrive for grip in any weather. Then pick the body. The 3 Series is the keen driver's pick, the 5 and 7 Series add space and refinement, and the X3 and X5 give the same character in an SUV. An M car thrills but costs more to run, while a straight-six saloon is the sweet spot. Set your budget against the grade and the upkeep, since a clean, low-mileage car costs less to own. Browse the BMW stock above, or tell us your needs and budget and we'll shortlist the right cars.
What to weigh before importing a used BMW
Are used BMW parts and servicing expensive?
Yes, a BMW costs more to service and repair than a typical Japanese car, which is the trade-off for the engineering and the badge. Parts and labour sit in the premium bracket, so buy a low-mileage, well-maintained example with a clean history. Starting from a good car avoids the big bills that come with a neglected one.
Are Japanese-market BMWs well looked after?
Yes, BMWs in Japan are typically low-mileage and superbly maintained, which is the main reason to import one. Owners there drive fewer miles, service on schedule, and the mild climate with no road salt means almost no rust. The auction sheet confirms it, so you can see exactly what you're buying.
Is the 3 Series the BMW to buy?
For most buyers, yes, the 3 Series is the BMW to start with, since it's the sport saloon the brand is built around. It blends sharp handling, a quality cabin, and running costs that are gentler than the bigger models. The straight-six versions are the ones keen drivers love. It's the easiest BMW to recommend and to resell.
What is the difference between sDrive and xDrive?
sDrive is rear-wheel drive and xDrive is BMW's all-wheel-drive system, fitted for grip in all weather. sDrive keeps the rear-drive balance BMW is known for, while xDrive adds traction on wet or loose surfaces. Pick sDrive for feel and lower running costs, or xDrive if your roads need the grip. It comes down to your climate and taste.