What Is The Best Used BMW 3 Series To Buy?

BMW is known for producing excellent sports cars and sedans. A superb illustration of the skills the brand has worked so hard to develop over the years is the BMW 3 Series. But is the most well-known model of the company worth it as a used car? Yes and no, in certain respects. We looked at the most dependable pre-owned BMW 3 Series cars available.

My suggestion

Either a late-model E46 or an E90 is now the used 3 Series that offers the most value for your money, in my opinion. Overall, the E90 is a fantastic vehicle with superb handling, contemporary bells and whistles, and much greater passenger leg room. Likewise, E90s can be located in fantastic condition for less than $10,000; however, this becomes impossible if you’re interested in a G20 or an F30.

Regarding the E46, they are currently affordable and are still capable of serving as everyday drivers. The most important thing is to be aware that these cars are about 20 years old, so you should be selective about the cars you consider.

If you’re considering a secondhand E90 or E46, have a mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection. As BMWs accumulate miles, how the prior owner maintained the car becomes significantly more crucial.

I hope this post has aided you in thinking about purchasing a BMW 3 Series. If you’re looking for further advice on purchasing used BMWs, check out this page!

The Top 5 Years to Purchase a Used BMW 3 Series

One of the top automakers in the world is BMW. This is not a coincidence; it is the outcome of their regular delivery of dependable and durable vehicles. The renowned 3 Series is one of BMW’s goods that continues to contribute to maintaining long-term dignity.

Since 1975, when BMW presented the first 3 Series model, the company has continued to introduce more dependable 3 Series cars to the public. As a result, the BMW 3 series has had a long history with various variants. How can you tell which year of a used BMW 3 series is the best one to buy is the question.

Even in the future with more generations, this article highlights the best years that the BMW 3 series will always be proud of.

  • 1. E21 (1975-1982) (1975-1982)
  • 2. E30 (1982-1992) (1982-1992)
  • 3. E36 (1992-1999) (1992-1999)
  • 4. E90 (2005-2012) (2005-2012)
  • 5. F30 (2012-2018) (2012-2018)

Which BMW 3 Series generation is the best?

The best 3 Series vehicle to date is the fourth-generation E46 BMW 3 Series. With more than 3.2 million units sold over the course of its nearly ten-year production, it was also the most popular BMW model ever.

Which BMW model line is the most trustworthy?

When it comes to the creation of sport sedans, BMW has established the benchmark for premium vehicles with the E90 330i that Acura and Volvo aspire to match. The BMW E90 330i is your best option if you’re looking for a sedan that provides the ideal balance of functionality and performance without sacrificing stability and comfort.

The BMW E90 330i is one of the most popular luxury vehicles in the United States and is not only the best-selling model in the 3 Series. It also sold over 336,232 units. Even in the mid-size luxury automobile category, the BMW 3 Series received the Top Safety Pick designation in 2006. The best car options in terms of driver injury prevention and driver restraint features are highlighted by this award.

Are BMW Series 3 cars dependable?

The 2022 BMW 3 Series had a predicted dependability score of 79 out of 100 from J.D. Power. A predicted dependability score between 91 and 100 is regarded as the best, between 81 and 90 as great, between 70 and 80 as average, and between 0-69 as fair and below average. There is a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty included with the BMW 3 Series.

What modifications have been made to the BMW 3 series?

These two sedans have an 8-speed automatic transmission and use ordinary gasoline as well. While there are some similarities between the two automobiles, the horsepower and torque are where the two cars diverge most. With 255 horsepower and 295 pounds-feet of torque, the BMW 3 Series is faster and more potent.

What BMW retains its value the best?

The value of the BMW 2 Series is even better maintained; according to the most reliable BMW resale value assessments, it will still be worth roughly 49% after five years. Once more, the first two years account for about 25% of that depreciation.

Which BMW motor is the most dependable?

BMW is known for producing high-end vehicles. You could be wondering if they are trustworthy, and the answer is that they are absolutely trustworthy. Even though they have quite high price tags, they are still worth the money. They have superb and potent engines that will allow you to use them at their maximum speed.

  • 1. BMW B58 Motor
  • 2. BMW M20 Motor
  • 3. BMW M50 Motor
  • 4. BMW S62 Motor
  • 5. BMW N52 Motor
  • 6. BMW M54 Motor

Which BMW model was the best ever?

This was BMW’s pinnacle achievement for many years. A two-seater V8 fast car with a stunning build. Albrecht von Goertz created a stunning physique to wrap up that product. It happened as a result of BMW’s desire to stand out in America and its envy of Mercedes’ success with the first SL. Sales fell off because it was too pricey. It was a loss, and BMW was already in serious debt. they only produced 252, But it had a significant impact, particularly on later BMW models like the Z3 and Z8.

How long is a BMW 3 Series expected to last?

When properly maintained and driven cautiously, the BMW 3 Series can endure between 200,000 and 250,000 miles. It will last roughly 13 to 17 years if you drive 15,000 miles per year before needing pricey and uneconomical maintenance. In some cases, the 3 Series can travel up to 300,000 kilometers.

Mercedes or BMW, which is better?

BMW remains the overall champion when it comes to luxury performance, even if the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is one of the best-performing large luxury sedans on the road right now. Customers should choose a BMW automobile if they want performance and style in one convenient package.

Audi or BMW, which is superior?

BMW’s vehicles, which are made to provide the “ultimate driving experience,” frequently outperform Audi in terms of handling. Because of their overall stronger suspension systems that promote a smooth, pleasant ride, Audi vehicles are significantly less agile than BMW vehicles. BMW typically ranks higher for dependability

Is the BMW 320i a reliable vehicle?

Except for the X-drive all-wheel-drive model, all BMW 3-series cars are rear-wheel drive. There are no BMW 320i variants with front-wheel drive.

BMW’s 320i has always been a well-liked entry-level prestige vehicle, and it’s easy to see why with its appealing design, high degree of craftsmanship, and innovative engineering. People accustomed to driving basic Japanese automobiles frequently give European cars a bad image for being unreliable by neglecting to service them or treating them like farm equipment. Prestige European vehicles require more attentive maintenance than a basic runabout, much like an expensive article of clothing or a costly cut of meat cooked on the grill. But if you do take care of them, they ought to be completely dependable!

BMW 320d’s dependability?

  • 2011
  • 2000
  • Manual
  • Diesel
  • Saloon
  • 4

Car has been owned for 18 months and is absolutely trustworthy. Excellent performance at a reasonable tax rate for 184 horsepower. Excellent handling is what you would expect. Huge feature set, including a good sat nav. Purchased a car with a service pack that had one year left on it, so I didn’t have to pay for any maintenance during that period. When a car is four years old, dealer maintenance is not too pricey. Constantly pricey run flat tires.

Which BMW has the fewest issues?

The 325i was the entry-level model when the E90 made its début in 2006. A 2.5-liter six-cylinder engine with 215 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque was installed in it. The E90 range was then revised in 2008, and the 325i was replaced with the 328i. It had a 2.8-liter six-cylinder engine that produced 200 lb-ft of torque and 230 horsepower. The 268-hp 330i, according to BimmerLife, is one of the most potent naturally-aspirated BMWs ever produced.

Which BMW 320i or 320d is superior?

The 320d has a top speed of 225 km/h, which is 10 km/h faster than the 110 kW 320i, and is nine percent more powerful at 120 kW. The diesel starts to generate power at less than 1000 rpm and reaches its maximum power at 4000 rpm, 2200 less RPM than the 320i. The disparities are considerably more pronounced in terms of fuel economy.

Is maintaining a BMW expensive?

Yes, BMW servicing is more expensive than many other manufacturers, whether they are premium or not, once the warranty expires. Over a ten-year period, a BMW may cost $12,000 more to maintain than a Toyota and $5,000 more than a Mercedes-Benz.

Because it’s a German car with specialized parts and technology, maintaining a BMW is pricey. It’s not merely a car to get people from point A to point B; it was designed for driving aficionados. A $400 battery replacement, for instance, might be necessary because the mechanic must register the battery with the engine control module. If not, the battery risk of an early demise since the vehicle won’t “know” how to charge it.

Additionally, the Digital Motor Electronics (DME) system in cars connects countless sensors and controls. A BMW may require a sophisticated method for a simple repair on another vehicle, which increases labor expenses.

Yes, a 3-Series BMW requires pricey maintenance once the manufacturer or certified pre-owned warranty has expired. A used BMW 3-Series typically costs $1,000 to $1,700 per year in maintenance and repairs.

A BMW 328i oil change can cost between $149 and $174, according to RepairPal. Nevertheless, depending on your area and BMW model, you can pay more than that.

What color BMW models are most popular?

One of the most popular colors for BMW cars is blue, yet blue is never just “blue.” Instead, you’ll find, to mention a few, Mystic Blue, LeMans Blue, and Interlagos Blue.

Which engine from a 3 Series is best?

The 318d and 320d four-cylinder diesel versions, in particular if you travel a lot of miles, are so fuel-efficient while yet offering plenty of performance that they remain popular even though diesel cars aren’t quite as popular as they were a few years ago.

The four-cylinder 320i and 330i petrol engines offer sporty performance without significantly losing fuel economy as compared to the diesel counterparts if you drive less kilometres.

If power and performance are your top priorities, the top-of-the-line M340i xDrive with its powerful 3.0 litre six-cylinder engine is definitely the best option. Although the M340d’s diesel engine isn’t quite as powerful, it is almost as quick. But in our opinion, the M340i with a gasoline engine is the more enjoyable vehicle to drive.

The sporty-looking M Sport trim level is by far the most popular when it comes to trim levels, but the lower-spec SE and Sport trims are still attractive and well-equipped options.

What distinguishes a BMW 320i from a 330i?

The 320i and 330i differ significantly in how they approach BMW’s Ultimate Driving Machine philosophy. The 320i is intended to be an affordable luxury cruiser, but the 330i strikes a balance between that and more aggressive performance. Both vehicles offer a comfortable, sporty ride.