Market Watch

With enduring styling and a rewarding drive, BMW’s great-value E46 330i and 330Ci models are much admired, but avoid rough examples. Words: Guy Baker Some BMWs have stood the test of time better than others, like the well-proportioned E46 models, which are prominent on many enthusiasts’ ownership wish lists.

We’re not exactly looking at a real performance classic this month, but readers have been asking when my promised follow-up to the ID19 would appear. This is deservedly one of the top five most innovative cars ever produced and will remain so, always. Magic carpet ride Citroën DS 20 1962–1973To find the latest New & used cars for sale PACKAGINGStyling was the brainchild of Bertoni and Lefèbvre, and it had an impressively low drag coefficient for the time.

An alluring classic, BMW’s shark-nosed 840Ci coupé is great value, but we’d recommend you stick to the later 4.4-litre model. Words: Guy Baker MARKET WATCH Our expert takes a look at the used E31 8 Series market Instantly recognisable, BMW’s 1990s 8 Series grand tourer provides a hefty dose of elegance and panache, and if you find a well-fettled 4.4-litre 1996- on 840Ci, then you could enjoy years of dependable retro V8 motoring in an appreciating classic.

Big and bold, the X6 in xDrive 40d E71 guise is a real beast. But it will look after you whatever the situation Why not release your inner extrovert, with an E71 X6 xDrive 40d? Packing enough torque to rival an X6M E71 (despite possessing far superior fuel economy) most examples come laden with optional extras courtesy of wealthy original owners – so you can really indulge yourself – and you will never be caught short in terms of performance.

Britain voted to leave the EU in 2016. Despite ongoing wrangling, the general consensus is that Brexit is indeed done. What impact has that decision and the many economic changes had on the 911 market? Sales debate“That’s an interesting topic,” says Jonathan Ostroff, sales manager at Hexagon Classics. “Brexit hasn’t affected the UK right-hand drive car values, as they were never very sought after by our EU partners (excepting Eire, Cyprus and Malta),” Jonathan rightly points out.

Potent and plush, you can now buy BMW’s alluring E64 650i V8 Sport Cabriolet for just £8,000. Words: Guy Baker Photography: Various Market WatchFast, gloriously smooth and understatedly glamorous, BMW’s E64 650i Sport Cabriolet is now a real bargain, with good examples changing hands for as little as £8,000.

Two compelling BMWs from very different eras – which makes the better classic buy? That’s the £65,000 question... Words: Guy Baker Photography: Hexagon Classics Classic BMWs are enjoying something of a renaissance at the moment, with cars built in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s most in demand.

BMW’s F15 X5 M50d is an impressive machine – and you can now buy a decent example for just £25,000. Words: Guy Baker Photography: Various A proper Marmite car, BMW’s X5 M50d certainly divides opinion. But there’s no doubt it’s a seriously capable and sophisticated bit of kit. The car’s triple-turbo diesel six-pot produces 375hp and 546lb ft, enabling it to smash the 0-62mph dash in just 5.3-seconds.

There are seemingly endless models and factory options to choose from along the timeline of 911 production. Yet that variety only just begins on the dealer spec list. What of cars that have been altered over the years since they left the showroom? From rat rods to restomods, ‘Big Reds’ to RSR wings… you name it, someone will have done it over 50 years of fashions. Is there a market for a modified 911 today, or is originality best? Paragon sales manager Jamie Tyler says yes and no.

Interest and enthusiasm for owning a 911 of any era has never been greater. Everyone knows and covets an RS, GT3 or Turbo, keenly eyeing values and ads, but aside from those go-tos, which models are currently overlooked by the market? Sales debateIt’s fair to say our panel struggled to immediately call out a list of forgotten models. In today’s market, there’s a buyer for all 911s.

It would be naive to think that global lockdowns and disruptions from a pandemic wouldn’t bring with it some changes, but has it left a mark on the used 911 buyer? Two respected specialists concur it has. Sales debate“Yes, buyers’ habits certainly changed,” says Jamie Tyler of Paragon. “A lot more people are buying remotely now; this has continued from the days of only being able to buy cars via ‘click and collect’.” For that to thrive, stock must be of a quality to support worry-free purchase.

Good news if you already own a Volvo 240 or 260, but bad news if you're hoping to buy one. That's because values of these boxiest of classics have been increasing steadily over the past few years, to the point that they've proved to be a tidy investment for anybody who got in on the action a little while ago. MARKET INSIGHT Volvo 200 SeriesKevin Price is the man with his finger on the pulse; he founded the Volvo Enthusiasts' Club (volvoenthusiastsclub.co.

From hero to zero and back again – the Capri spent years as the butt of many a joke, but Ford’s humble fastback has enjoyed a significant resurgence. Few cars can demonstrate the lure of nostalgia quite like the Ford Capri. Although the not quickest or most dynamic of coupes, the lovable fastback has joined several of its contemporary Blue Oval stablemates in being hot property among enthusiasts – with prices to match.

With an ear to the ground, there are rumblings that the used 911 market is losing momentum. Undoubtedly we’re in times of global uncertainty, hot on the tail of a global pandemic, but is there any truth in it? Sales debate“In short, no,” says Philip Raby, of Philip Raby Specialist Cars, while highlighting the difficulty in predicting future trends. “When Russia hit, everything dropped overnight, but it came almost straight back,” he adds.

Mercedes-Benz’s original four-door coupe of 2004 was a big hit with buyers, bringing additional style and handling panache to the saloon car formula.