Used BMW 3 Series for sale: everything you need to know
The BMW 3 Series is an excellent premium car and one of the most popular new or used cars in the UK. And for good reason.
Having been around for nearly 50 years now, the BMW 3 Series majors on the driving experience, with fun rear-wheel drive handling. There’s also a range of petrol and diesel engines to suit every need, ranging from ultra-efficient models that are cheap to run, to powerful versions that let you enjoy the entertaining drive.
The smaller counterpart to the BMW 5 Series is also available as an estate plus there's a high performance version, the BMW M3.
Rivals to the BMW 3 Series include the advanced Audi A4, the refined Mercedes C-Class and the Jaguar XE.
The BMW 3 Series is refined, well-made and comes with plenty of easy-to-use tech. Whether you’re buying a used BMW 3 Series, or looking to buy or lease a new one, you’d be hard pushed to find a better all-round car for the money.
Should you buy a BMW 3 Series?
The BMW 3 Series is an excellent all-round car to buy or lease. It appeals to a wide variety of motorists and is extremely desirable on the used market.
Business and company car users love it because of its efficiency, performance and image, but private buyers also buy it in their droves. They love the way it manages to be a comfortable and refined daily driver, but is also capable of putting a smile on their face on twisty roads.
A new or used BMW 3 Series also makes a very good family car, particularly the Touring estate model with its extra practicality. There’s good space for four adults, particularly in the latest model, while three children could squeeze across the back seats and there are two ISOFIX points for child seats,
There isn’t really a bad version of the BMW 3 Series to buy or lease. The entry-level 318i petrol and 318d diesel offer adequate performance and an affordable price, but we’d step up to the 320i or 320d for great performance plus very respectable fuel economy.
Those who want more pace should step up to the 330i or excellent six-cylinder 330d models, while the range-topping M340d and M340i models are pretty rapid. Of course, if even those aren’t enough, there’s the insanely fast BMW M3. At the other end of the scale, there’s the fuel-sipping plug-in hybrid 330e.
It doesn’t matter which engine you go for though, as all BMW 3 Series benefit from the same balanced rear-wheel drive chassis, tight and enjoyable handling and sharp steering. While manual gearboxes are available at the lower end of the range, most models are equipped with a slick eight-speed automatic transmission.
To match the smart exterior styling of the BMW 3 Series, all models also get a plush, high quality interior that feels built to last. BMW’s iDrive infotainment system is also brilliantly easy to use, and the latest model has lots of driver assist technology that can even drive the car itself in certain situations.
Overall, it really isn’t hard to see why the BMW 3 Series is such a huge success. It’s fun yet fuel efficient, sporty yet comfortable, stylish yet spacious - it’s the do-it-all saloon and estate.
The latest BMW 3 Series certainly has stiff competition from the usual suspects already mentioned to others like the Volvo S60 and the sporty Alfa Romeo Giulia.All of these cars have classy, tech-filled interiors and a range of versions to suit most needs. But the BMW 3 Series is still the benchmark when it comes to mixing a fun driving experience with all the practical and sensible elements.
A BMW 3 Series not for you? We've got 1000s of used cars for sale to suit all budgets and needs.
What’s the best used BMW 3 Series model to buy?
There isn't really a weak link in the BMW lineup, but while the original entry-level 318i is perfectly adequate if you're just pottering about it doesn't really deliver the goods as a sports saloon. If you're looking at the lower end of the 3 Series range, we'd strongly recommend upgrading to the punchier 320i.
Diesel is clearly falling out of favour with new car buyers, and that's a pity because the 320d is a simply superb all-rounder. It delivers strong performance, decent refinement and the potential for over 60mpg if driven right.
BMW doesn't put a six-cylinder engine in the 330i anymore, so if you want one of those you'll need to step up to the sportier M340i. That's a superb car to drive, but it isn't cheap to buy or run. However, there is still a six-cylinder engine in the 330d, which is a fantastic engine: silky smooth, powerful and still capable of 50mpg at a cruise.
If you're a company car driver, or looking to keep your running costs down to a minimum, then if your budget stretches to it the 330e is well worth considering. It can cover up to 38 miles on electricity alone making it one of our favourite hybrid cars going.
The BMW 3 Series range has been tweaked almost continually since the latest model arrived in 2019. As such, we'd recommend buying the newest car you can afford. We like the touchscreen in the 2022-onwards 3 Series but those who prefer more physical buttons might rather have a pre-facelift model.
Used BMW 3 Series fuel economy and performance
Petrol
BMW 3 Series 318i: The entry-level BMW 3 Series engine uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 156PS. Capable of 0-62mph in 8.4 seconds and fuel economy of 44.1mpg, it’s offered with a six-speed manual gearbox or eight-speed automatic on used models, and is eight-speed auto-only on new ones.
BMW 3 Series 320i: The mid-level petrol BMW 3 Series uses the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine tuned to 184PS. It manages 0-62mph in 7.1 seconds and fuel economy of 44.1 mpg. It gets an eight-speed automatic gearbox and can be had with rear or xDrive four-wheel drive.
BMW 3 Series 330i: The top level non-M BMW 3 Series again uses the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. This time it puts out 258PS, getting it from 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds, and is capable of 43.5 mpg. Eight-speed automatic only, it can be had with rear or xDrive four-wheel drive.
BMW 3 Series M340i: The flagship petrol BMW 3 Series uses a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine putting out 374PS. xDrive four-wheel drive only, it’ll do 0-62mph and promises 36.7 mpg. It’s eight-speed automatic only.
BMW 3 Series 330e hybrid: This plug-in hybrid version of the BMW 3 Series uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to an electric motor and eight-speed automatic gearbox. With 252PS, or 292PS for short periods in Sport mode, it's capable of 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds and fuel economy of up to 138mpg.
Diesel
BMW 318d: The entry-level diesel BMW 3 Series uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel engine putting out 150PS. That’s enough for a 0-62mph time of 8.4 seconds and fuel economy of 57.6mpg. It’s the only diesel engine available with either a six-speed manual gearbox or eight-speed automatic.
BMW 320d: The most popular BMW 3 Series diesel engine uses the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel, but its output is 190PS. Capable of 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds and up to 61.4mpg, it’s eight-speed automatic only and is available with rear or xDrive four-wheel drive.
BMW 330d: The only 330 model to use a six-cylinder engine, the 330d’s 3.0-litre unit puts out 286PS and is capable of 56.5mpg combined. It’s available with rear or xDrive four-wheel drive and comes with an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
BMW M340d: The flagship BMW 3 Series diesel uses a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo engine to put out 335PS. xDrive four-wheel drive only, it’s capable of 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds and 52.3mpg combined. It’s eight-speed automatic only.
BMW 3 Series models, trims levels & specs
The 2022 BMW 3 Series is available in three trim levels: SE Pro, Sport Pro, M-Sport and M-Sport Pro Edition, with separate M Performance models topping the range. All offer different equipment and styling upgrades:
The BMW 3 Series SE is the cheapest model, but it still comes very well equipped as standard. It’s available with the 318i and 318d, 320i and 320d engines and the 330e plug-in hybrid.
The BMW 3 Series Sport gets various styling and equipment upgrades to add desirability. It’s available only on the 330i, 330d and 330e engine variants.
The BMW 3 Series M Sport is more visually aggressive and comes with further equipment upgrades. It’s available across the engine range, from the 318i to the 330d.
The BMW 3 Series M Sport Pro is the most expensive and most upgraded trim level, with unique styling details and luxury equipment. It’s available only on the 320d, 330d, 330i and 330e engine variants.
M340d and M340i - these flagship M Performance versions use the most powerful petrol and diesel engines and come with a similar level of equipment to the M Sport Pro models.
Used BMW 3 Series dimensions and boot size
The BMW 3 Series exterior dimensions are:
Length: 4713mm
Width: 1827mm
Height: 1435mm
Ground clearance: 136mm
The BMW 3 Series boot size is:
Used BMW 3 Series road tax
Only the entry-level 3 Series 320i manages to avoid the 'premium car' tax, which applies to models over the £40,000 list price threshold. Stray over that figure, though, and you'll pay an additional £390 in VED on the first five years after registration, on top of the original road tax price. That means you will be stung by a hefty £570 yearly tax bill.
Buy a BMW 3 Series with mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid power and you'll save £10/year in tax. You could still be stung by the £390 premium car tax, though. You can't swerve this by buying second-hand – it's based on the car's list price when new. To avoid it, you'll need to look for a cheaper car or a pure-electric alternative like the BMW i4 or Tesla Model 3.
How much is it to insure a BMW 3 Series?
The BMW 3 Series falls into insurance group 24 in 318i SE form, rising to group 42 for the most expensive to insure BMW M340d.
Read our full BMW 3 Series review
