Weighing in at 6.5 tonnes of manipulated masonry, everything apart from the glass windows is made of brick – even the hinges that allow the door to open, the tyres and the hubcaps. As great as this piece is, and as impressive as it would be for a dealer to own, don’t expect to see it outside your local used BMW dealer unless they have a spare £80,000. I’m sure someone will buy it and cherish it, but as with most things that come out of the art world, I have to ask myself who and why.

What do you think? Is this a sound investment or is it a needless extravagance? Leave us a comment and let us know.

All that realistically separates the frozen gray M3s from the standard coloured models is the stylish paint job and impressive dual-leather interior. However, trading in your used BMW for one of these limited edition models carries considerable kudos, particularly with only 30 being made available. The eye-catching exterior paintwork is achieved using a metallic luster finish which is produced with a silk matte clear coat on top of the grey metallic base coat, making the model distinguishable from the conventional gloss finishes of other M3 Coupes.

This new sedan looks set to be released wearing a 6 series badge and BMW may display a production model as early as the Paris Auto Show in the autumn. The show acts as a demonstration of the newest models likely to hit markets over the coming years. If the Gran Coupe proves to be as stylish as initial reports seem to suggest, then the forecourts of used BMW dealerships look set to swell with older models.

The Gran Coupe has been designed to compete with the likes of like the Porsche Panamera, Audi A7 and Maserati Quattroporte, while retaining all the classic sleek features of past BMW coupes. When it does launch, a range of engines similar to those in the current 5 and 7 series models looks likely, with 8-speed automatic transmissions across the board.

The feat achieved by the Sunday Times’ Tom Ford, on a test run from the Channel Tunnel to Munich, ending in Lille, was also notable for the fact that the driver didn’t use overly efficient driving techniques such as coasting, and drove at reasonable speeds throughout.

The superb economy that this model offers makes it an ideal choice for companies looking to upgrade their used BMW company vehicles for a more economically sound option. However, the new 320d still packs a punch, with its 163bhp ensuring that fuel-saving need not be boring. BMW’s commitment to greener driving has certainly paid off.

This has received much criticism from many in the motoring industry but early signs suggest that the scheme could be a relative success. The main criticisms are surrounding the fact that discount is limited to brand new cars as opposed to including year old used cars as well, as they have done in Germany.

The problem is, even with the scrappage discount a brand new car is still an expense that many people cannot afford during these uncertain economic times, so I believe the trick is to buy used, but not too used!

Your best bet is to look for brands that are sought after and therefore easy to sell on in a couple of years time and that depreciate at a slower pace than most, and for that read: used BMW.

Why buy brand new when a used BMW with less than 15,000 miles on the clock can be yours for two thirds of the price? I understand that many people are wary of purchasing a second hand car but with many authorised used BMW dealerships throughout the UK, you can make a purchase with the peace of mind of a warranty and that the vehicle has been fully checked by BMW engineers.

And of course, warranties are passed over so when buying a one year old used BMW that was originally purchased with a three year warranty, you would receive the further two years left on the warranty as the new owner.

With the recession looking to continue to 2010 and beyond, car buyers will be opting for used cars that hold their value and as a result used BMW’s are being snapped up quicker than ever, especially as fewer are out on the m,arket at present as less people are upgrading their vehicles at the current time.

The Government car scrappage scheme is aiming to change that, and for the entry level run around car, it will no doubt prove a success – two grand off a £7,000 car represents a great saving, but for a more prestige car a £2,000 discount will probably not prove a deal breaker.

Or are they?

BMW are the most environmentally friendly car manufacturer in existence. Their South Carolina plant in the US has been named a charter member of the US Environmental Protection Agencys National Performance Track. They have recieved this prestigious accolade because of their recycling initiative when it comes to used BMW’s.

A recycling centre for used BMW’s at the end of their life has won the 1992 Best Recycling Innovation Award. 85% of a scrapped vehicle is recyclable, going back into creating the next BMW on the production line. The other 15% is re-used. Tyres are sent to cement kilns for fuel and even paint sludge is used as waste energy. Outside recycling companies used are subject to regular audits from BMW to ensure they are doing exactly what they claim to.

But the environmental concerns of this company are not confined to used BMW’s. It starts right at the beginning. The BMW South Carolina plant is leading the way in protecting the very air that we breath. Before building even began on their factory, consultants and experts were brought in to assess the risk of construction on surrounding wetlands and wildlife. Bird and bat houses were installed in surrounding woodland as well as an on site butterfly garden.

The South Carolina Plant of BMW is called the Information Technology Research Centre and in itself is a green building. Wherever possible, environmentally friendly materials have been used and every supplier involved with the construction project was subjected to sustainability evaluations to ensure they complied with the BMW environmental ethos.

Long term assessments from BMW have found that the company produces 17.8 million pounds worth of waste per year but through an aggressive recycling programme across the board, 14 million of that waste was recycled.

All 3,600 tonnes of cardboard that goes through the BMW plant every year is recycled along with all paper, every piece of scrap metal, all surplus wood, plastic, rubber, paint sludge, fluorescent light tubes and oil.
Its all very well being able to recycle the waste products of a business but what about the environmental impact of actually using the materials not wasted? BMW have taken this into account too, actively moving forward in all aspects.

Their landfill gas to energy project is years ahead of rival companies. Where other companies create energy at the landfill site then project it down wires to their business, thus creating more emissions, BMW use local landfill sites and pipe the methane gas directly to the plant. This process fuels 23 paint shop oven burners and supplies BMW with 63% of its total energy needs. The reduction in carbon monoxide emissions is equivalent to taking 61,000 cars off the US highway every year.

Moving down the production line, reducing the water used in the BMW factory was an area of concern, specifically in the paint shop. A reduction of 10% was aimed for but 30% was the actual achievement saving 9.5 million gallons of water per year. This equates to enough water to supply every single citizen in the US with a 4oz glass of water.

Down to the very last detail, BMW is forging ahead with looking after the environment. From recycling their rags to make insulation under the interior of their vehicles to ensuring food and drink containers in their canteen are bio-degradeable, it is so much more than just recycling a used BMW.

However, buy a used BMW from an approved dealership and the world is your oyster to customise and personalise with as much bling as your bank account sees fit.

Many BMW fans have started down the road of personalising their used BMW and, realising the attention it draws from onlookers, they become positively obssessed. Starting with replacing plastic interior trims for chrome trim is a relatively cheap way to start. Door handle covers, inside and out, trunk lid trim, gauge rings and light trims can all be replaced with chrome alternatives as well as gear knobs and tax disc holders.

Aluminium chequer plate mats for the footwells are a popular addition among the younger used BMW owners, along with replacement metal foot pedals. However, once they get this far they then want to draw attention to the adaptations they are making and begin to think about lighting. LED footwell lighting is a start to draw attention to those aluminium plate mats.

An interior is not completely souped up without consideration to the upholstery. Sports seats, harnesses, leather seats and leather trim in various colourways are all optional extras to make your BMW personal.

This obsession soon migrates to the sounds emitted from their used BMW and a new sound system is a must. CD changers, if not already installed, are a must. The latest banging tunes are a definite head turner. And where better to install mega wattage colour coded speakers than in the boot, the aluminium lined boot , that is.

But what is the point of all this if the exterior doesn’t look the business? Custom paint jobs are an attractive look that are the ultimate in customization. Virtually any design can be transferred onto the vehicle body and for those for whom money is no object, Swarovski crystals will bling up that BMW to an absolutely star studded head turning creation.

Staying with the exterior, a plethora of alloy wheel trims can be fitted at a reasonably low cost. Body kits and suspension lowering systems for low ground clearance will really soup up your used BMW. Once again, the right lighting is essential and LED is the way to go. Angel eyes ring marker, or halo lights, will install a ring of light around the existing light and can be used in a choice of different colours.

LED ground lighting kits are made from polycarbonate which is the same virtually indestructible material that riot shields are composed of.

So, you’ve purchased your used BMW from an approved dealership which means you know you’re getting a sound investment to start with. Now to customise it!

Picture this. The seats are replaced with sports seats covered in Imola Red leather. This matches the red leather trim on the doors and red LED lights illuminating the aluminium clad footwells. Light bounces from every chromed surface on the interior and as you fire up the souped up, customized engine on comes the sounds. With the bass thumping out from the aluminium lined boot you flick on the exterior lights. LED angel eyes and downlighters emit a warm red glow, just enough to show off your black paint job, applied with the highest shine possible of course. The headlights from other cars are picking out your personally designed picture, composed entirely of red Swarovski crystals on the bonnet and you cruise off down the road turning every head, young and old.