BMW 3 Series (2019-present)
The latest BMW 3 Series is the new benchmark in the executive saloon class
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
Weaknesses
BMW 3 Series Saloon m340i xdrive 4dr step auto
Total RRP £48,555
Your quote £41,597
You Save £6,958
2019 BMW 3 Series prices from £17,099 Finance from £233 per month
Any new BMW 3 series has a tough act to follow but this latest version rises to the challenge and wins hands down. It might be around £2000 more expensive than its predecessor but it has more interior space, greater refinement and a lot more technology. At a stroke, it’s the executive saloon the rest have to beat.
Its rivals include the Mercedes C-Class, Audi A4, Alfa Romeo Giulia and Jaguar XE. All of them excel in particular areas but none is the brilliant all-rounder the new 3 series manages to be.
It’s offered with a typical mix of diesel and petrol engines, most of them paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. There’s also the option of BMW’s intelligent xDrive four-wheel-drive system on 2.0-litre diesel versions. It’s intelligent because it can shuffle power between the wheels, sending it to those with the most grip, so preventing wheelspin in slippery conditions.
The 3 Series has always been known for its balance, steering accuracy, agile handling and, at least on standard suspension, supple ride. All these qualities are very much in evidence on this latest model.
If you do a high mileage and have an eye on economy, the diesel engines, especially the 320d with its decent performance and 56mpg economy, are the obvious choice. In fact you can have your cake and eat it, with the most powerful diesel, the 330d, being the quickest 3 series in the line-up yet still capable of almost 48mpg.
Those drivers doing a lower mileage or who prefer the sweeter refinement and performance of a petrol engine, can choose between the 320i or turbocharged 330i. Either suits the agile 3 series very well.
There are just three trim levels but even SE, the cheapest, has satellite navigation, adaptive LED lights, heated leather seats, front and rear parking sensors with a reversing camera, 18-inch alloys and cruise control. Sport is good value but top-spec M Sport starts to undermine the model’s appeal with its high price and stiff suspension. It makes sense only with the 330i or 330d engines.
The new 3 Series is roomier than the previous model, especially in the back. Driver and front passenger have no shortage of space, either, while having a top-quality dashboard to enjoy complete with well integrated controls and an even better infotainment system than before.
Being a saloon the 3 Series is not as practical as an SUV like the BMW X1 but if comfort with a sporty driving experience and reasonable running costs are your priorities, it wins hands down.
Last Updated
Key facts
Warranty: 3 years/unlimited mileage | Boot size: 660 litres |
Width: 2068mm | Length: 4709mm |
Height: 1435mm | Tax: £170 to £210 in the first year; £140 to £465 in the second |
Best BMW 3 Series Deals
Best BMW 3 Series for...
BMW 3 Series History
2019: Model launched
Understanding BMW 3 Series car names
- 3 Series
- Engine
- 20d
- Drive
- xDrive
- Trim
- M Sport
- Gearbox
- Auto
- Engine
- Normally this number would be a reliable guide to the size of the engine but in BMW’s world it is as much an indicator of power. Granted, in this example it’s a 2.0-litre engine but the 330i is a 2.0 litre also, and not a 3.0 litre. The ‘i’ at the end stands for injection and means it’s a petrol engine. The diesel engines have a ‘d’ for diesel instead.
- Drive
- This is the name BMW gives its four-wheel drive system that channels the engine’s power to all four wheels. It’s an intelligent system that only sends power to those wheels with the most grip to avoid unsafe wheelspin. It’s only available as an option on 320d automatic versions of the model.
- Trim
- This tells you how well equipped a specific model is, with M Sport being the most well equipped, and expensive, of the three trim levels. However, basic SE trim has enough features for most drivers.
- Gearbox
- The transmission isn’t referenced in the car’s name but for the record and when checking prices it’s worth knowing that most versions of the 3 Series have an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Only the 318d and 320d are offered with a cheaper, optional six-speed manual gearbox.
BMW 3 Series Engines
Petrol: 320i, 330i
Diesel: 318d, 320d, 330d
The tax advantages associated with running a diesel rather than a petrol company car may have been eroded in recent years but the engines are still much more economical and dominate the 3 series model range. For example, a 320i can do up to 43.5mpg but its diesel equivalent, the 320d, can do up to 56.5mpg and is just as quick.
Part of its economy advantage is explained by the fact that the most economical 320d has a manual gearbox, while the 320i petrol is only available with a less efficient automatic. In fact, all petrol-engined versions of the 3 Series are automatic.
King of economy is the smallest and least-powerful diesel engine, the 318d. It’s capable of up to 58.9mpg, although is more than a second slower to 62mph than the 320d.
Not that the petrol engines are entirely inferior to the diesels. They’re quieter and smoother for a start, plus a lot more flexible and responsive. They’re lighter, too, so the car is more agile in corners.
However, the diesels do pull strongly through the gears, which is handy when overtaking, make good tow cars and cruise comfortably and quietly over long distances. The best all-rounder is the 20d. The 330d is very quick but the slightly slower 330i, which is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, is more flexible and responsive, and suits the new, finely honed 3 series better.
Fuel | Fuel economy | Power | Acceleration | Top speed | |
20i | Petrol | 40.4-43.5mpg | 184hp | 0-62mph: 7.1s | - |
30i | Petrol | 38.7-41.5mpg | 258hp | 0-62mph: 5.8s | - |
18d | Diesel | 51.4-58.9mpg | 150hp | 0-62mph: 8.3-8.4s | - |
20d | Diesel | 48.7-56.5mpg | 190hp | 0-62mph: 6.8-7.1s | - |
30d | Diesel | 44.1-47.9mpg | 265hp | 0-62mph: 5.5s | - |
BMW 3 Series Trims
SE, Sport, M Sport
The 3 Series trim range is quite straightforward with only three levels to choose from.
SE the cheapest and offers most of the things drivers expect on a premium car. They include three-zone climate control, a well specified entertainment system with a sat nav, adaptive LED headlights and a reversing camera.
However, it has only 17in alloy wheels where the next trim level, Sport has 18in wheels. This trim is only £1400 more expensive but also brings a larger fuel tank, turning the diesel versions in particular into long-range touring cars, and heated, leather sports seats. It looks like better value.
Top-spec M Sport replies with sportier details, smarter 18in alloys, stiffer sports suspension and more entertainment features, all for a £1500 premium over Sport. If you want the sportiest-looking 3 Series, this is the trim to have, although it’s best ordered with a suitably powerful engine to match.
BMW 3 Series Reliability and warranty
This 3 series was too new to feature in the Auto Express Driver Power 2019 owner satisfaction survey but its predecessor did and performed reasonably well, charting at 39 out of 75 models.
Like all BMWs it has a three-year warranty with no mileage limitation. That’s better than the warranty offered with new Audis which are capped at 60,000 miles but lags behind Hyundai’s at five years and Kia’s at seven.
Still, with the exception of the sporty Kia Stinger, these manufacturers’ models are unlikely to appeal to a BMW driver who is likely to be financing their car on a three-year lease deal in any case.
Used BMW 3 Series
This latest BMW 3 Series should prove popular among used car buyers attracted by its image, styling, performance and lower prices.
The diesel models will hold their value well. The strongest performer in this respect is likely to be a 320d xDrive since it should appeal to private buyers looking for good economy but strong performance with relaxed high-speed cruising ability and secure all-weather grip. The least desirable, because it’s the slowest, cheapest and likely to be a favourite with fleets, will be a 318d SE. It’ll be good value for money, though.
Drivers who do lower mileages and for whom economy is not such an issue, should explore deals on the petrol versions. A used 320i Sport or 330i M Sport will make a great used car buy.
BMW 3 Series Prices
BMW 3 Series M Sport
318d m sport 4dr
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 64.2mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £30,658
You could save up to: £4777
318d m sport 4dr [plus pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 64.2mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £32,594
You could save up to: £5041
318d m sport 4dr [tech pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 64.2mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £32,330
You could save up to: £5005
318d m sport 4dr [tech/plus pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 64.2mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £34,266
You could save up to: £5269
318d m sport 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 65.7mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £32,022
You could save up to: £4963
318d m sport 4dr step auto [plus pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 65.7mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £33,958
You could save up to: £5227
318d m sport 4dr step auto [tech pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 65.7mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £33,694
You could save up to: £5191
318d m sport 4dr step auto [tech/plus pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 65.7mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £35,630
You could save up to: £5455
320d m sport 4dr
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 62.8mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £31,029
You could save up to: £5566
320d m sport 4dr [plus pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 62.8mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £32,965
You could save up to: £5830
320d m sport 4dr [tech pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 62.8mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £32,701
You could save up to: £5794
320d m sport 4dr [tech/plus pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 62.8mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £34,637
You could save up to: £6058
320d m sport 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 65.7mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £32,516
You could save up to: £5769
320d m sport 4dr step auto [plus pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 65.7mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £34,452
You could save up to: £6033
320d m sport 4dr step auto [tech pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 65.7mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £34,188
You could save up to: £5997
320d m sport 4dr step auto [tech/plus pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 65.7mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £36,124
You could save up to: £6261
320d xdrive m sport 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 61.4mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £33,836
You could save up to: £5949
320d xdrive m sport 4dr step auto [plus pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 61.4mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £35,772
You could save up to: £6213
320d xdrive m sport 4dr step auto [tech pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 61.4mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £35,508
You could save up to: £6177
320d xdrive m sport 4dr step auto [tech/plus pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 61.4mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £37,444
You could save up to: £6441
320i m sport 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 50.4mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £30,684
You could save up to: £4781
320i m sport 4dr step auto [plus pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 50.4mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £32,620
You could save up to: £5045
320i m sport 4dr step auto [tech pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 50.4mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £32,356
You could save up to: £5009
320i m sport 4dr step auto [tech/plus pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 50.4mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £34,292
You could save up to: £5273
320i xdrive m sport 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 47.1mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £32,088
You could save up to: £4967
320i xdrive m sport 4dr step auto [plus pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 47.1mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £34,024
You could save up to: £5231
320i xdrive m sport 4dr step auto [tech pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 47.1mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £33,760
You could save up to: £5195
320i xdrive m sport 4dr step auto [tech/plus pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 47.1mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £35,696
You could save up to: £5459
330d m sport 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 55.4mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £35,125
You could save up to: £6120
330d m sport 4dr step auto [plus pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 55.4mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £37,061
You could save up to: £6384
330d m sport 4dr step auto [tech pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 55.4mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £36,797
You could save up to: £6348
330d m sport 4dr step auto [tech/plus pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 55.4mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £38,733
You could save up to: £6612
330d xdrive m sport 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 54.3mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £36,445
You could save up to: £6300
330d xdrive m sport 4dr step auto [plus pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 54.3mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £38,381
You could save up to: £6564
330d xdrive m sport 4dr step auto [tech pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 54.3mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £38,117
You could save up to: £6528
330d xdrive m sport 4dr step auto [tech/plus pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 54.3mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £40,053
You could save up to: £6792
330e m sport 4dr auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol/plugin elec hybrid
- Economy 176.6mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £33,987
You could save up to: £5993
330e m sport 4dr auto [plus pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol/plugin elec hybrid
- Economy
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £35,923
You could save up to: £6257
330e m sport 4dr auto [tech pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol/plugin elec hybrid
- Economy 176.6mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £35,659
You could save up to: £6221
330e m sport 4dr auto [tech/plus pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol/plugin elec hybrid
- Economy 176.6mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £37,595
You could save up to: £6485
330i m sport 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 47.9mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £33,401
You could save up to: £5884
330i m sport 4dr step auto [plus pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 47.9mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £35,337
You could save up to: £6148
330i m sport 4dr step auto [tech pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 47.9mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £35,073
You could save up to: £6112
330i m sport 4dr step auto [tech/plus pack]
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 47.9mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £37,009
You could save up to: £6376
BMW 3 Series M Sport Plus Edition
320d m sport plus edition 4dr
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy
- Gears manual
Starting at: £34,989
You could save up to: £6106
320d m sport plus edition 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £36,476
You could save up to: £6309
320d xdrive m sport plus edition 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £37,796
You could save up to: £6489
320i m sport plus edition 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol
- Economy
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £33,994
You could save up to: £5971
320i xdrive m sport plus edition 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol
- Economy
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £35,398
You could save up to: £6157
330d m sport plus edition 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £38,821
You could save up to: £6624
330d xdrive m sport plus edition 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £40,141
You could save up to: £6804
330e m sport plus edition 4dr auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol/plugin elec hybrid
- Economy
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £37,683
You could save up to: £6497
330i m sport plus edition 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol
- Economy
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £37,097
You could save up to: £6388
BMW 3 Series M340i
m340i xdrive 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol
- Economy
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £41,597
You could save up to: £6958
BMW 3 Series SE
318d se 4dr
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 65.7mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £28,106
You could save up to: £4429
318d se 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 67.3mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £29,450
You could save up to: £4615
320d se 4dr
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 64.2mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £28,477
You could save up to: £5218
320d se 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 67.3mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £29,944
You could save up to: £5421
320d xdrive se 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 62.8mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £31,284
You could save up to: £5601
320i se 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 51.4mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £28,132
You could save up to: £4433
320i xdrive se 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 47.9mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £29,536
You could save up to: £4619
BMW 3 Series SE Pro
330e se pro 4dr auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol/plugin elec hybrid
- Economy 176.6mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £32,135
You could save up to: £5740
BMW 3 Series Sport
318d sport 4dr
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 64.2mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £29,338
You could save up to: £4597
318d sport 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 65.7mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £30,702
You could save up to: £4783
320d sport 4dr
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 62.8mpg
- Gears manual
Starting at: £29,709
You could save up to: £5386
320d sport 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 65.7mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £31,196
You could save up to: £5589
320d xdrive sport 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 61.4mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £32,516
You could save up to: £5769
320i sport 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 50.4mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £29,364
You could save up to: £4601
320i xdrive sport 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 47.1mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £30,768
You could save up to: £4787
330d sport 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 55.4mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £33,805
You could save up to: £5940
330d xdrive sport 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel diesel
- Economy 54.3mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £35,125
You could save up to: £6120
330i sport 4dr step auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol
- Economy 47.9mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £32,081
You could save up to: £5704
BMW 3 Series Sport Pro
330e sport pro 4dr auto
- Doors 4
- Fuel petrol/plugin elec hybrid
- Economy 176.6mpg
- Gears automatic
Starting at: £33,367
You could save up to: £5908
Other Editions
- Used BMW 3 Series (2012-2019)The BMW 3 Series is fun to drive, stylish and affordable to run
- New BMW 3 Series Touring (2019-present) BMW’s brilliant new 3 Series Touring offers more space and practicality for families or those with regular loads to lug
- BMW 330e Plug-in Hybrid Saloon (2019-present) BMW’s latest hybrid system offers increased power and a 50 per cent improvement in all-electric range compared to its predecessor