Used BMW 3 Series Cars for Sale

Fun to drive, practical to live with and supremely stylish, the 3 Series remains one of the best cars in the compact executive class. It rides comfortably but handles sharply, while inside there’s lots of kit and plenty of space. There’s an engine to suit every need, from high-mileage diesels to supercar-rivalling turbocharged petrols.

The style of the car

The 3 Series is BMW’s best-selling model. It’s a compact family and/or executive car that’s available as either a saloon or an estate (known as Touring), which makes the 3 Series a good choice for both business people and families.

How it drives

The BMW 3 Series is an excellent and comfortable car to drive, engineered to high standards. With rear-wheel drive, it handles like a sports car and has precise steering, great body control and plenty of grip. Most of its engines are fast and offer strong performance combined with superb economy. Excellent suspension and supportive seats leave the driver refreshed even after a long journey.

The interior

The 3 Series has a big boot and the estate (Touring) provides even more space than the saloon. The saloon will comfortably fit two large suitcases and both its, and the estate’s boots, are almost the same size as the Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4. All versions of the 3 Series have five seats and four doors. The model range includes everything from a frugal entry-level diesel to a high-performance sports car.

Running costs and reliability

With plenty of great deals around, buying a used 3 Series doesn’t have to be expensive. Most 3 Series models offer a good compromise between performance and fuel economy, so impressive mpg figures will mean lower fuel bills. They will be affordable to insure and tax, unless you opt for a sporty version. BMWs are more expensive than mainstream cars to service and maintain but these costs are comparable with rivals from Audi and Mercedes. According to a JD Power survey, the 3 Series scores an average rating for reliability and owner satisfaction.

How it compares with similar cars

The BMW 3 Series is smaller and costs less than the BMW 5 Series. As a premium car, it's more luxurious than cars from mainstream manufacturers, such as the Ford Mondeo or Vauxhall Insignia. Its main rivals are the Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class and they all compete on luxury, comfort and space. However, the 3 Series is better to drive than both of those rivals.