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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.
BMW3Petrol - UnleadedIs your car registered?: NoDealer usedTop AdsClear all

Top2005 BMW 330Ci E46 330Ci Black Automatic Convertible

  • 196215 km
  • Convertible
  • Auto
  • 6 cyl 3.0L

2005 BMW 330 Ci 3.0L Auto $12995 196 215kms Full Service History Comes with a Safety Certificate and 1000km/1 month Statutory Warranty Extended Warranties up to 5 years available Finance can be arranged Buy with confidence from a licensed dealer. Call Thomas 1220 Ipswich Road Moorooka www.qldusedcars.com (1070)

$12,995 Excl. Gov. Charges
Moorooka, QLD

Dealer used
21 hours ago

Top1990 BMW 3 Series E30 325is Silver 5 Speed Manual Sedan

  • 206325 km
  • Sedan
  • Manual
  • 6 cyl 2.5L

+ ABSOLUTE CLASSIC + EXTENSIVE HISTORY + IMMACULATE CONDITION + 1990 Bmw 325is Manual Coupe finished in Granite Silver Metallic Paintwork with a Silver Cloth Interior Trim. + Rare Manual Coupe, Great Investment + Incredible Condition + Legendary M20 2.5 Litre Engine + 5 Speed Factory Manual Gearbox + Factory Sunroof + Factory M-Sport Package + Well Documented History + Much More! - PRESIDIAN WARRANTY AVAILABLE - MULTIPLE FINANCE OPTIONS AVAILABLE - CAN TRANSPORT AUSTRALIA-WIDE Located Onl

$69,990 Excl. Gov. Charges
Wilston, QLD

Dealer used
11/05/2024

Top2013 BMW 328i F34 Gran Turismo Hatchback 5dr Spts Auto 8sp 2.0T White Sports Automatic Hatchback

  • 155159 km
  • Hatchback
  • Auto
  • 4

We are located in Sydney just 20 minutes from the CBD however we can arrange competitively priced transport to anywhere in Australia and we are more than happy to go the extra mile with additional photographs a virtual tour of the car and a comprehensive description of the condition of this vehicle to give you extra peace of mind if you are unable to make it into our dealership. We welcome all trade-ins and finance enquiries. Let us offer you the Ultimate Dealership Experience. Call to book y

$20,990 Excl. Gov. Charges
Granville, NSW

Dealer used
11/05/2024

Top2004 BMW 3 25i SPORT

  • 232000 km
  • Sedan
  • Manual
  • 6 cyl 2.5L

2004 BMW 325i M SPORT E46 - 5SPD MANUAL Very Nice Example.........2004 BMW 325i E46 M Sport Sedan Rare 5spd Manual! Factory Ordered in the Very Sought after Silver Grey Schwarz with Beautiful Black Leather. Cost over $80,000 New M Sport Package Includes: Suspension - M Sports 17" M Sport Alloys Sports Seats - 1st Row Front M Sport Leather Steering Wheel Body Kit - Lower (skirts, F & R Aprons) Multi Function Steering Wheel Very well Kept & Maintained with Log Books & Excellent Ser

$10,950 Excl. Gov. Charges
South Windsor, NSW

Dealer used
11/05/2024

2005 BMW 330Ci E46 330Ci Black Automatic Convertible

  • 196215 km
  • Convertible
  • Auto
  • 6 cyl 3.0L

2005 BMW 330 Ci 3.0L Auto $12995 196 215kms Full Service History Comes with a Safety Certificate and 1000km/1 month Statutory Warranty Extended Warranties up to 5 years available Finance can be arranged Buy with confidence from a licensed dealer. Call Thomas 1220 Ipswich Road Moorooka www.qldusedcars.com (1070)

$12,995 Excl. Gov. Charges
Moorooka, QLD

Dealer used
21 hours ago

2004 BMW 3 25i SPORT

  • 232000 km
  • Sedan
  • Manual
  • 6 cyl 2.5L

2004 BMW 325i M SPORT E46 - 5SPD MANUAL Very Nice Example.........2004 BMW 325i E46 M Sport Sedan Rare 5spd Manual! Factory Ordered in the Very Sought after Silver Grey Schwarz with Beautiful Black Leather. Cost over $80,000 New M Sport Package Includes: Suspension - M Sports 17" M Sport Alloys Sports Seats - 1st Row Front M Sport Leather Steering Wheel Body Kit - Lower (skirts, F & R Aprons) Multi Function Steering Wheel Very well Kept & Maintained with Log Books & Excellent Ser

$10,950 Excl. Gov. Charges
South Windsor, NSW

Dealer used
11/05/2024

2013 BMW 328i F34 Gran Turismo Hatchback 5dr Spts Auto 8sp 2.0T White Sports Automatic Hatchback

  • 155159 km
  • Hatchback
  • Auto
  • 4

We are located in Sydney just 20 minutes from the CBD however we can arrange competitively priced transport to anywhere in Australia and we are more than happy to go the extra mile with additional photographs a virtual tour of the car and a comprehensive description of the condition of this vehicle to give you extra peace of mind if you are unable to make it into our dealership. We welcome all trade-ins and finance enquiries. Let us offer you the Ultimate Dealership Experience. Call to book y

$20,990 Excl. Gov. Charges
Granville, NSW

Dealer used
11/05/2024

1990 BMW 3 Series E30 325is Silver 5 Speed Manual Sedan

  • 206325 km
  • Sedan
  • Manual
  • 6 cyl 2.5L

+ ABSOLUTE CLASSIC + EXTENSIVE HISTORY + IMMACULATE CONDITION + 1990 Bmw 325is Manual Coupe finished in Granite Silver Metallic Paintwork with a Silver Cloth Interior Trim. + Rare Manual Coupe, Great Investment + Incredible Condition + Legendary M20 2.5 Litre Engine + 5 Speed Factory Manual Gearbox + Factory Sunroof + Factory M-Sport Package + Well Documented History + Much More! - PRESIDIAN WARRANTY AVAILABLE - MULTIPLE FINANCE OPTIONS AVAILABLE - CAN TRANSPORT AUSTRALIA-WIDE Located Onl

$69,990 Excl. Gov. Charges
Wilston, QLD

Dealer used
11/05/2024

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.