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BMW 3 SERIES Used Car Review

The 3 Series is German car maker BMW's signature model - a compact luxury passenger car that has existed in multiple generations since its 1975 debut. Since 2014, the 3 Series name has applied to sedan and wagon body styles only, with coupe and convertible models adopting the 4 Series nomenclature. The 3 Series has long been considered one of the most entertaining cars to drive in its class, and the flagship M3 performance variant is especially famous.

Pros

Cons

  • Entertaining to drive with beautiful handling
  • Fuel efficiency consistently excellent, and often class-leading
  • Superb performance of six-cylinder engines
  • Good build quality
  • Run-flat tyres (introduced in 2007 in lieu of a spare wheel) bring a firmer ride
  • Four-cylinder turbos replaced brand's famous six-cylinders in performance but not sound
  • Adaptive suspension (optional on many models) needed for best ride quality
  • Interior presentation has generally lagged behind rival Audi A4
This is general information and should not be relied on as purchasing advice.
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Top2013 BMW 3 20d 8 SP AUTOMATIC 4D SEDAN

$20,000
Port Melbourne, VIC

28/04/2024

Top2003 BMW 3 25ti 5 SP AUTOMATIC STEPTRONIC 3D HATCHBACK

$8,800
Bowral, NSW

22 hours ago

Top2018 BMW 318i M Sport, Auto, 73000kms, REGO, RWC, TINTED WINDOWS

$25,000
Nerang, QLD

24/04/2024

Top2012 BMW 3 28i 8 SP AUTOMATIC 4D SEDAN

  • 110000 km
  • Sedan
  • Auto
  • 4 cyl 2.0L

Work car, 2 new rear run flat tyres, service has been done, 12 months Rego expires in 13/05/2024. Ready to pick up .

$18,800
Winston Hills, NSW

8 hours ago

Top2001 BMW 3 25i 5 SP AUTOMATIC STEPTRONIC 4D SEDAN

$11,900
North Richmond, NSW

26/04/2024

Top2013 BMW 320i MSport 8Speed AUTOMATIC 4D SEDAN

  • 154401 km
  • Sedan
  • Auto
  • 4 cyl 2.0L

Private elderly owner is now regretfully selling this BMW 3 Series 320i M Sport due to medical reasons. The car was fully optioned from the BMW factory and is still in excellent condition. This is a one owner car that has been carefully driven since purchasing it from Adelaide BMW. It has mainly been serviced by Adelaide BMW and all service records are available. The car has always been kept in a fully enclosed garage hence the beautiful presentation. Aftermarket additions at purchase were pain

$17,950
Greenwith, SA

27/04/2024

2012 BMW 3 28i 8 SP AUTOMATIC 4D SEDAN

  • 110000 km
  • Sedan
  • Auto
  • 4 cyl 2.0L

Work car, 2 new rear run flat tyres, service has been done, 12 months Rego expires in 13/05/2024. Ready to pick up .

$18,800
Winston Hills, NSW

8 hours ago

2003 BMW 3 25ti 5 SP AUTOMATIC STEPTRONIC 3D HATCHBACK

$8,800
Bowral, NSW

22 hours ago

2013 BMW 3 20d 8 SP AUTOMATIC 4D SEDAN

$20,000
Port Melbourne, VIC

28/04/2024

2005 BMW 3 30Ci SMG HIGHLINE 5 speed auto Cabriolet

  • 120364 km
  • Convertible
  • Manual
  • 6 cyl 3.0L

For Sale BMW E46 Highline Cabriolet 2 dr Steptronic 5sp 3.0L (MY05) Compliance date January 2006 Build date November 2005 Mileage 120364 ks , 14 invoices for work and servicing, all BMW manuals and papers, all electrics work perfect, roof works flawlessly.Always garaged and covered. Has the "M" body kit

$19,750
Harrogate, SA

28/04/2024

2002 BMW 330Ci AUTOMATIC 2Door CONVERTIBLE

  • 180901 km
  • Convertible
  • Auto
  • 6 cyl 3.0L

CLOSING DOWN SALE UP TO 60% OFF THE SAME PRICE CARS ADVERTISED anywhere in Sydney. REDUCED TO HALF PRICE AND EVEN LESS. YOU WONT FIND A CHEATER PRICE THAN OURS. CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP: CLOSING DOWN SALE on: All prices slashed and you will save: $$Thousands of Dollars$$ Mechanically this car is very fast and powerful, it drives very smooth and excellent, body is very straight and paint still fairly good and Besides that, it is perfect and for this price you can’t go wrong. Very reliable, ready to g

$6,600
Roselands, NSW

27/04/2024

2018 BMW 3 30i TOURING SPORT LINE 8 SP AUTOMATIC 4D WAGON

$35,000
Highfields, NSW

27/04/2024

2013 BMW 320i MSport 8Speed AUTOMATIC 4D SEDAN

  • 154401 km
  • Sedan
  • Auto
  • 4 cyl 2.0L

Private elderly owner is now regretfully selling this BMW 3 Series 320i M Sport due to medical reasons. The car was fully optioned from the BMW factory and is still in excellent condition. This is a one owner car that has been carefully driven since purchasing it from Adelaide BMW. It has mainly been serviced by Adelaide BMW and all service records are available. The car has always been kept in a fully enclosed garage hence the beautiful presentation. Aftermarket additions at purchase were pain

$17,950
Greenwith, SA

27/04/2024

2001 BMW 3 25i 5 SP AUTOMATIC STEPTRONIC 4D SEDAN

$11,900
North Richmond, NSW

26/04/2024

Luxury 4 Cylinder AUTO with Sunroof, Leather, Premium Stereo…

$6,500
Toormina, NSW

26/04/2024

2014 BMW 3 28i LUXURY LINE 8 SP AUTOMATIC 4D SEDAN

$22,000
Moana, SA

24/04/2024

2010 BMW 3 23i 6 SP AUTOMATIC STEPTRONIC 4D SEDAN

$7,500
Malaga, WA

24/04/2024

2018 BMW 318i M Sport, Auto, 73000kms, REGO, RWC, TINTED WINDOWS

$25,000
Nerang, QLD

24/04/2024

BMW 325e

  • 144000 km
  • Sedan
  • Manual
  • 6 cyl 2.7L

1987 3 owner car, only 142,000 ks. Lots spent, new brakes, wheels, stereo, shocks, etc.etc. 5 speed manual, chipped so goes well. Great cruiser. Comes with personalized plate. This car is valued by Shannon’s at $25,000 for insurance purposes. Just been serviced by E30 specialist Quixspede. No offers.

$15,000
Waverton, NSW

24/04/2024

Overview of the BMW 3

Overview of the BMW 3

The 3 Series is German car maker BMW's signature model - a compact luxury passenger car that has existed in multiple generations since its 1975 debut.

Since 2014, the 3 Series name has applied to sedan and wagon body styles only, with coupe and convertible models adopting the 4 Series nomenclature.

The 3 Series has long been considered one of the most entertaining cars to drive in its class, and the flagship M3 performance variant is especially famous.

BMW 3 SERIES GENERATIONS (SINCE 1998)

1998-2006

2007-2012

2012-present

RUNNING COSTS

Fuel Consumption

2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol: 5.4-6.7 litres per 100km

2.0L 4-cylinder turbo diesel: 4.4-5.3 litres per 100km

3.0-litre 6-cylinder turbo petrol: 6.8-7.2 litres per 100km

3.0-litre 6-cylinder turbo diesel: 6.2-6.4 litres per 100km

Hybrid 2.1 litres per 100km

= Highly economical.

= Good economy.

= Average fuel use.

= Heavy consumption.

Servicing

SIMILAR MODELS TO BMW 3 SERIES

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR: BMW 3 SERIES

As with any high-end European car, don't go near a 3-Series that doesn't have a fully stamped service history.

Biggest potential grief comes from variable valve-timing system (VANOS, in BMW-speak) which can fail due to internal leaks within the hydraulic circuitry. Some six-cylinder 3-Series were even recalled to fix this.

Beyond a leak, VANOS can fail through a lack of oil changes as dirt and grit blocks the tiny oilways that operate the system. If it fails, it can cost thousands to fix and the car won't be right without it.

Any 3-Series showing a 'check-engine' light on the dash is cause for concern.

Some early cars from this series had a brake booster that could fail, leaving the car with brakes but no assistance, requiring the driver to press harder on the brake pedal.

Again, this was the subject of a recall, so check that it's been done on affected cars.