BMW 3-Series

	It’s not very spacious in the back, and you may notice more chassis flex, but with punchy, smooth engines, it’s a great cruiser

It’s all change for the 3-Series Convertible – a new folding metal roof CC will be launched next year, as we revealed in Issue 924. But that doesn’t mean values of the current soft-top model will drop like a stone.

Far from it. The canvass-roofed 3-Series is one of the most desirable used cars, and if serviced regularly it’ll be among the most depreciation-proof. That’s because it has a great combination of style and quality. It’s not very spacious in the back, and you may notice more chassis flex, but with punchy, smooth engines, it’s a great cruiser. Pick of the bunch are the 2.5 and 3.0-litre straight-six petrol models, although diesels are impressive – especially the storming 330d. Plus, for the well heeled, there is always the 343bhp M3 convertible.

All cars get air-con and an electric roof, while Sport variants have larger alloys and stiffened suspension. Originally launched in 2000, the range was facelifted in 2003 to include wider radiator grilles and new lights all round.

How much to pay? Well, according to Glass’s Guide, £20,000 should buy a facelifted 2003 330Ci SE automatic. But if you can’t stretch that far, £12,000 gets a 2000 325Ci SE.