BMW 3 Series review

Interior

Dashboard & tech

The interior of the 3 Series is a fantastic place to be. It’s focused around the driver, with a logical layout and superb build quality. The materials feel expensive, and everything is put together with real precision. It’s a cabin that feels built to last.

The technology is a real highlight. Most models come with BMW’s excellent Live Cockpit Professional, which gives you a large digital screen behind the steering wheel instead of traditional dials, plus a brilliant 10.3-inch central touchscreen. You can control the system via the screen, a rotary dial between the front seats, or even by voice. It’s one of the most intuitive and user-friendly infotainment systems you’ll find in any car, and comes with satellite navigation, DAB radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.

Comfort

The 3 Series offers a great balance of comfort and sportiness. The driving position is spot-on, with lots of adjustment in the seat and steering wheel to help you get perfectly comfortable. The seats themselves are supportive, which is great for holding you in place on a twisty road and for staying comfortable on a long motorway slog.

Because it’s designed to be fun to drive, the ride is on the firmer side. It’s not uncomfortable, but you will feel bumps in the road more than you would in some softer rivals. We'd recommend looking for a car with the optional adaptive suspension, as this lets you soften the ride at the touch of a button.

Quality

The quality inside the 3 Series is top-notch. Everything you touch feels solid and well-engineered, from the leather-wrapped steering wheel to the metallic buttons on the dashboard. It gives you a real sense of being in a premium product.

While the design might not have the same immediate wow factor as a Mercedes-Benz C-Class, its understated, driver-focused layout has a timeless appeal. It's a classic, high-quality environment that you'll appreciate more and more over time.

Practicality & boot space

Interior space

This generation of the 3 Series is bigger than the one it replaced, which is great news for passenger space. There's plenty of head and legroom up front, and two adults can sit comfortably in the back without feeling cramped. It’s more spacious than key rivals like the Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, making it a very usable family car.

You'll find useful storage spots throughout the cabin, including decent-sized door bins, cupholders, and a cubby under the central armrest.

Boot space

For a saloon car, the 3 Series has a very practical boot. With 480 litres of space, it’s a good size and shape, and it’s larger than what you’ll find in its main rivals. It’s easily big enough for a couple of large suitcases or the weekly family shop.

Of course, if you need maximum practicality, the 3 Series Touring (BMW’s name for the estate version) is the one to go for. However, for most day-to-day needs, the Saloon’s boot is more than up to the task. It's worth noting that the 330e plug-in hybrid model has a slightly smaller boot, as the batteries are stored under the floor.

Versatility

To help you carry longer items, the rear seats in the 3 Series Saloon fold down in a flexible 40/20/40 split. This means you can still carry two passengers in the back while transporting something long, like a pair of skis, through the middle. Some models even have levers in the boot to make folding the seats down even easier.

Driving

Driving experience

This is where the BMW 3 Series truly shines. It has a well-earned reputation for being brilliant to drive, and this latest model is no exception. With its rear-wheel-drive layout, it feels agile, balanced, and incredibly engaging on a twisty road. The steering is precise and gives you a great sense of connection to the car.

But it’s not just a sports car. It’s also a superb long-distance cruiser, feeling stable and refined on the motorway. For extra traction in slippery conditions, you can also get xDrive all-wheel-drive models. It’s a car that manages to be both fun and relaxing, which is a very difficult trick to pull off.

Performance

There’s a fantastic range of engines to choose from, with something for everyone. The petrol range starts with the 318i and 320i, which offer plenty of punch for everyday driving. The 330i provides seriously strong performance, while the M340i is blisteringly fast, offering near-supercar acceleration.

The diesel engines are brilliant for high-mileage drivers. The 320d is the most popular choice, providing a fantastic blend of strong performance and excellent fuel economy. For even more power, the 330d and M340d models are incredibly quick and effortless. The 330e plug-in hybrid offers the best of both worlds, with rapid acceleration and the ability to drive on silent electric power.

Running costs

Fuel economy & CO2 emissions

Despite its strong performance, the 3 Series can be surprisingly economical. The diesel models are particularly frugal, with the 320d capable of achieving well over 50mpg in official tests. Even the powerful M340i petrol model can return a respectable 35mpg.

The star of the show for low running costs is the 330e plug-in hybrid. It can travel for around 30-40 miles on electric power alone, which could cover most daily commutes without using any petrol at all. This also results in very low CO2 emissions, making it a great choice for company car drivers.

Value for money

The 3 Series is a premium car, so it’s not the cheapest option in its class. However, it is competitively priced against its main rivals and comes with a good level of standard equipment, including the excellent infotainment system, LED headlights, and all-round parking sensors.

The 3 Series is also known for holding its value well, which is great news when it comes to selling it on. Thanks to its popularity, there are plenty of high-spec used examples available, which can represent great value for money.

Reliability & Warranty

BMW has a solid reputation for engineering, and the 3 Series has historically been a reliable car. It comes with a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty from new, which is better than the 60,000-mile limit offered by many rivals.

Safety

Safety features

The BMW 3 Series is a very safe car, achieving the maximum five-star rating when it was tested by the safety experts at Euro NCAP. It scored particularly well for adult occupant protection.

All models come with a good level of standard safety equipment, including automatic emergency braking and a reversing camera. You can also find cars fitted with the Driving Assistant Professional pack, which adds a host of advanced features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assistance to help make long journeys easier and safer.

Trims & Engines

Trim levels

The 3 Series is available in a few core trim levels. SE Pro is the entry-level model but is well-equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, and the impressive infotainment and digital dial setup. Sport models add larger 18-inch wheels, leather upholstery, and sportier styling details inside and out.

The most popular trim is M Sport, which gives the car a much more aggressive look with a sporty body kit, larger wheels, and a lowered, stiffer suspension setup. It also adds sportier seats and a thicker M Sport steering wheel. You can also find M Sport Plus Edition and Pro Pack versions, which add even more desirable kit like adaptive suspension and uprated brakes.

Engines

The engine range is extensive. Petrol options include the 318i, 320i, and 330i, all of which are 2.0-litre four-cylinder units with different power outputs. The high-performance M340i uses a powerful 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine.

Diesel choices include the 2.0-litre 318d and 320d, and the 3.0-litre six-cylinder 330d and M340d. Many of the latest engines feature mild-hybrid technology to boost efficiency. The 330e is a plug-in hybrid that combines the 320i petrol engine with an electric motor. Most models come with a superb eight-speed automatic gearbox.

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