The BMW 3 Series is slick, sporty, and seriously stylish. A well-built rear-wheel–drive executive car, this seventh-generation model is a thoroughly modern proposition, with four-wheel–drive options and a range of strong yet efficient petrol and diesel engines for all tastes and budgets. The 3 Series now also has a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version if you’re looking to reduce your company car tax bill.
The 3 Series has been given some exterior styling tweaks and updated tech, but the formula at its heart remains pretty much unchanged. With an excellent infotainment package and stellar safety equipment as standard, it’s one of the most desirable cars on the market today. But before we get into the details, let’s check out the 3 Series’ key stats.
| Brand-new price range | £38,000–£55,000 |
| Car Planet price range | £11,000–£14,000 / £211–£264 a month |
| Trims | 10 |
| Engines | 6 |
| Available fuels | Petrol, diesel, hybrid |
| mpg range across all versions | 59–188 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Company car tax at 20% (min/max) | £1,000/£4,000 |
| Company car tax at 40% (min/max) | £2,000/£8,000 |
Equipment, options and extras
The BMW 3 Series’ entry-level Sport trim is the cheapest of the range, but still comes with plenty of kit: LED headlights, heated front seats, 17in alloy wheels, cruise control and three-zone aircon, not to mention BMW’s superlative iDrive infotainment system. If you opt for Sports Pro you can enjoy black exterior detailing, Vernasca leather seats heated in the front, and 18in alloy wheels.
If you want to take things up a gear, head for the M Sport trim, with sportier exterior styling and the optional M Sport Pro pack. This includes adaptive suspension, enabling you to soften or stiffen the drive at the touch of a button. This makes for a smoother ride than a passive suspension setup, and it’s well worth the investment. And if you want to go all-out, why not consider the range-topping M340i and M340d models? Both get the M Sport Pro pack as standard, as well as bespoke performance-oriented adaptive suspension.
Costs, insurance groups, mpg and CO2
The BMW 3 Series sits between its cheaper equivalent the Audi A4 and its slightly pricier counterpart the Mercedes C-Class. We predict strong resale value for the BMW 3 Series by the standards of its class: after three years, it should have retained a similar amount as the C-Class, and significantly more than the A4.
The cheapest version of the 3 Series for company car drivers is the 330e plug-in hybrid, whose low CO2 emissions anchor it in the lower BIK car tax rate bands. It takes six hours to charge from empty when plugged into a regular domestic three-pin socket, or three and a half hours at an electric charging point using the optional Type 2 lead. If you opt for the 330e, make sure to keep the battery charged for the best economy.
The 318d and 320d are also favourites among company car drivers, in part because neither incurs the 4% diesel surcharge by virtue of their RDE2 compliance. Both occupy the same BIK tax bracket, so upgrading to the 320d is naturally tempting, especially given that its mild-hybrid assistance makes it particularly economical.
Safety and security
The BMW 3 Series was rated five stars out of five by Euro NCAP, scoring impressively in every area’s highly stringent tests. All versions include a healthy roster of active and passive safety systems, including lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, and automatic emergency braking which looks out for pedestrians and other vehicles. You can also opt for the Driving Assistant Professional package, which further reduces your risk of an incident through lane-keeping assistance, blind spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert.
Reliability
BMW provides a 3-year warranty with no mileage cap. That’s good for the class because many of the 3 Series’ rivals have a limit on mileage. You can also pay to extend the warranty if you intend to keep the car for longer. It’s also worth noting that BMW has extended the cover for the 330e plug-in hybrid’s battery to 6 years. This is capped at 60,000 miles between years 3 and 6.
The Car Planet verdict
The BMW 3 Series undoubtedly leads the charge in the premium executive class. It’s eminently appealing in the way it drives, but also for its engines, infotainment system, and the kit included as standard. And if you’re looking to try out this smooth and luxurious ride for yourself, you’ve come to the right place.
Car Planet are experts in used cars in Watford and Hertfordshire. Our virtual viewings mean you can check out a car from the comfort of your own home, or you can come in and view our cars in person. Every car goes through a thorough 150-point check to ensure it’s totally roadworthy. We’re transparent, too: we always display the details of a car’s imperfections. We care about sustainability, which is why we plant a tree for every car we sell, and we provide a 7-day money-back guarantee to any customer who isn’t absolutely satisfied with our service. With our competitive finance deals and part exchanges, you’re sure to find what you need, so check out our selection of secondhand BMW 3 Series today and let’s get the ball rolling!
