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For The BMW 3 Series delivers strong performance, excellent economy, fine handling and a luxurious and spacious cabin.

Against There’s a bit too much wind noise and you have to add the optional adjustable suspension to make the 3 Series ride and handle like it should. The four-cylinder petrol engines aren’t the sweetest around.

BMW 3 Series Saloon
55 5stars

If you choose the right version and add the right options, the BMW 3 Series is as good as is gets for compact executive buyers. It's our reigning Executive Car of the Year.

What Car? readers say

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The full BMW 3 Series review


There are 39 BMW 3 Series versions available

Saloon 316i ES 4dr £23,185 TBA
Saloon 316i SE 4dr £24,035 TBA
Saloon 316i Sport 4dr £25,035 TBA
Saloon 316d ES 4dr £25,210 TBA
Saloon 316d SE 4dr £26,060 TBA
Saloon 320i Efficient Dynamics 4dr £26,060 TBA
Saloon 320i SE 4dr £26,200 TBA
Saloon 316d Sport 4dr £27,060 TBA
Saloon 320i Modern 4dr £27,200 TBA
Saloon 320i Sport 4dr £27,200 TBA
Saloon 318d SE 4dr £27,310 TBA
Saloon 320i xDrive SE 4dr £27,735
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Saloon 318d Modern 4dr £28,310 TBA
Saloon 318d Sport 4dr £28,310 TBA
Saloon 320d Efficient Dynamics 4dr £28,410
What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Saloon 320d SE 4dr £28,410
What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Saloon 320i Luxury 4dr £28,700 TBA
Saloon 320i xDrive Modern 4dr £28,735
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Saloon 320i xDrive Sport 4dr £28,735
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Saloon 320i M Sport 4dr £29,200 TBA
Saloon 328i SE 4dr £29,400
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Saloon 320d Modern 4dr £29,410
What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Saloon 320d Sport 4dr £29,410
What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Saloon 318d Luxury 4dr £29,810 TBA
Saloon 320i xDrive Luxury 4dr £30,235
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Saloon 318d M Sport 4dr £30,310 TBA
Saloon 328i Modern 4dr £30,400
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Saloon 320i xDrive M Sport 4dr £30,735 TBA
Saloon 320d Luxury 4dr £30,910
What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Saloon 320d M Sport 4dr £31,410
What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Saloon 328i Luxury 4dr £31,900
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Saloon 328i M Sport 4dr £32,400
What Car? says:4 stars out of 5
Saloon 330d SE 4dr £33,610
What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Saloon 330d Modern 4dr £34,610
What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Saloon 335i Modern 4dr £35,885 TBA
Saloon 330d Luxury 4dr £36,110
What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Saloon 330d M Sport 4dr £36,610
What Car? says:5 stars out of 5
Saloon 335i Luxury 4dr £37,385 TBA
Saloon 335i M Sport 4dr £37,885 TBA

Buyer's notes

Target Price team says:

No matter what type of performance, equipment or running costs you want, there’s a 3 Series for you. That means there’s a huge selection of engines, gearboxes and trim levels, but there’s little reason to look beyond the 320d Efficient Dynamics model.

It’s quick and flexible, and the running costs are seriously impressive. If you’re a company car driver, you’ll love the low company car tax bills it commands.

The standard manual gearbox is notchy, so we’d choose the slick automatic, especially because it hardly dents performance and actually makes the car more economical.

We’d also strongly advise adding the optional Adaptive M Sport Suspension. With it, the 3 Series is the best-driving car in the class; without it, the car’s dynamics are a little disappointing.

Reader test team says:

BMW 3 Series Saloon 320d Efficient Dynamics 4dr

I bought my well equipped (professional nav, xenon adaptive lights, sports 8 speed auto gearbox, heated leather, privacy glass, comfort pack) 320D…

Ian Laight

5 out of 5 stars

BMW 3 Series Saloon 320d Luxury 4dr

My first BMW and it certainly lives up to the hype. I have the optional adaptive suspension and auto gearbox which results in a creamy smooth drive…

Neil Geddes

4 out of 5 stars

BMW 3 Series Saloon 320d Efficient Dynamics 4dr

I have had the car since April and Having had the previous 3 for a while I must say overall it is a much better car. Space & economy have been…

Earl Mckoy

5 out of 5 stars

BMW 3 Series Saloon 320d SE 4dr

Major problems with my 2006 diesel automatic - latest Turbo charger failure. Also had hydraulic unit replaced last year. Overall finish is poor. Very…

Frances Comerford

1 out of 5 stars
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BMW 3 Series Saloon

Read the definitive BMW 3 Series Saloon review from the expert What Car? team. Check specs, prices and compare with similar cars.

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