Used BMW 3 Series Touring 2012 - 2019 review
The BMW 3 Series Touring might not be the most practical estate in this class, but it is one of the very best to drive
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What's the used BMW 3 Series like?
Ownership cost
Our recommendations
Alternatives
Reliability
Mark Pearson
Updated: 5 February 2024
How we test cars
What's the used BMW 3 Series like?
The BMW 3 Series saloon has defined the compact executive car class for many years now, so it’s not surprising that those buyers seeking out a classy estate of equivalent merit flock to the BMW 3 Series Touring version. It embodies all the good qualities of the saloon, with a dose of extra practicality thrown in.
This sixth-generation 2012-2019 version is roomier than the 3 Series that went before it. In fact, its boot is roughly the same size as its main rivals, the contemporary versions of the Audi A4 Avant and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate, though it’s worth noting that it can't match the capacity offered by the Skoda Superb Estate and the Volkswagen Passat Estate.
Overview
The BMW 3 Series Touring might not be the most practical estate in this class, but it is one of the very best to drive. It's also still a very classy product, despite its age.
Pros
- Precise handling
- Strong and efficient engines
- High quality interior
Cons
- Four-cylinder diesels can sound gruff
- Some rivals offer more boot space
- Offset pedals in the manual versions
Used cars available now
In partnership with
BMW 3 SERIES
2.0 320d SE Touring Euro 5 5dr
£995
BMW 3 Series
2.5 325i SE Touring 5dr
£999
BMW 3 Series
2.0 320i SE Touring Euro 4 5dr
£1,190
BMW 3 Series
2.0 318i ES Touring Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£1,495
BMW 3 Series
2.0 318i ES Touring Auto Euro 4 5dr
£1,800
BMW 3 Series
2.0 320d M Sport Touring Auto Euro 4 5dr
£1,889
BMW 3 Series
2.0 318d ES Touring Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£1,989
BMW 3 Series
2.0 320i SE Touring Euro 4 5dr
£1,995
BMW 3 SERIES
2.0 318d SE Touring Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£1,999
See all available cars
See used cars for sale
Engines: There are a wide range of petrol engine options, starting with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine that was introduced as the 134bhp 316i (but was later renamed 318i in a 2015 facelift), which is surprisingly willing, considering its small size. Then there are the 2.0-litre 181bhp 320i, 242bhp 228i and 248bhp 330i, with the high-performance, 3.0-litre six-cylinder 302bhp 335i and 321bhp 340i versions completing the lineup. Diesel options, which have always been the better sellers, include the economical 114bhp 316d, 148bhp 318d, 181bhp 320d and 218bhp 325d, as well as the more powerful 3.0-litre, six-cylinder 254bhp 330d and 309bhp 335d models.
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Trims and equipment: There are four major trim levels on offer: ES, SE, Sport and M Sport. ES has 17in alloy wheels, climate control, a DAB radio, Bluetooth, cruise control and a 6.5in infotainment screen. Go for SE to get auto wipers and lights, rear parking sensors and dual-zone climate control. Sport grade adds numerous sporty touches including lots of red trim inside; some gloss black exterior trim and sports seats. M Sport adds firmer suspension, larger 18in wheels, and a more aggressive bodykit outside.
There were also a couple of styling packs called Modern and Luxury on pre-facelift cars. The former doesn't alter much over a regular SE car other than swap some piano black interior inserts for matt chrome alternatives, but the latter gives you upgraded leather on the seats and some wood paneling to the dash and door cards.
Ride and handling: Trim varieties aside, the main attribute of the 3 Series Touring is the way it drives. It’s rear-wheel drive and offers a great driving experience, steering and handling with just enough precision for a keen driver. There’s also an excellent four-wheel drive option: the xDrive. It rides well, too, though versions without the optional adaptive suspension can be a bit too firm; especially so with the M Sport suspension, which we'd avoid.
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Interior and practicality: Inside, there’s the quality you expect from the premium BMW badge, with an upmarket interior and that much-lauded iDrive infotainment system controller. Overall, it is a much plainer design than the glitzy C-Class, but it does feel far better screwed together, coming close to the quality feel of the superbly finished A4.
Also, the 3 Series misses out on the standard-fit lumbar adjustment that comes as standard on its main rivals. Still, there is plenty of adjustment to help you find a comfortable driving position, although, whatever way you sit, you'll have to get used to the restricted rearwards visibility due to a small back window.
Passenger accommodation is pretty good for those in the second row; head and leg room are more generous than its closest competitors can offer.
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Load-lugging is made easier by a flexible 40:20:40 split folding rear bench and standard fit electric tailgate. The boot isn't as long as the one found in the A4, nor does it have a handy cover that rises out of the way automatically, but the 3 Series has greater underfloor storage to hide things away, plus the rear window can be opened to stuff in smaller items if you can't open the whole tailgate.
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If you're interested in finding a used 3 Series, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.
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Tips & Advice
Make sure you’re insured for the test drive
Short-term car insurance – also called test-drive insurance – will ensure you’re legal when you’re shopping for your next car
Will the car fit your needs?
As part of the test drive, fill the car with regularly-carried luggage, and make sure the family can get comfy before you buy
Ownership cost
What used BMW 3 Series will I get for my budget?
There are lots of examples of the 3 Series Touring (especially the 320d) and you can pick up a high-mileage example for as little as £5000. Up the money to £7000 and you should be able to find a tidy 2014/2015 example from an independent dealer with an average mileage and a full history.
You’ll need £10,000 to buy a good example from 2016 onward, with a low mileage and a full history, while the very last cars from 2019 start at around £12,000 and go all the way up to nearly £18,000 for a high-spec, six-cylinder model. The four-wheel-drive xDrive versions attract a premium that can be as much as £1500 over an equivalent tw0-wheel drive 3 Series, so consider if you really need this feature before committing to buy one.
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Check the value of a used BMW 3 Series Touring with What Car? Valuations
How much does cost to run a BMW 3 Series?
MPG
The cheapest 3 Series Touring to run is the 320d in ED form, which is good for an impressive official economy figure of 72.4mpg. The popular 318d and 320d achieve combined economy figures of 67.3mpg and 60.1mpg, respectively. The bigger, six-cylinder diesels aren't far off the smaller engines, though, with the 330d rated at 55.4mpg and the 335d at 51.4mpg.
Going for a smaller petrol shouldn't cripple you financially on fuel; the 318i has a combined economy figure of 52.3mpg. The more potent 320i, 328i and 330i models drop down into the mid-40s, though, while the older six-cylinder 335i achieves as little as 34.9mpg.
CO2 emissions
Some of the petrol engines emit an awful lot more CO2 than the diesels, particularly the 335i with 189g/km. The more sensible 318i, though, coughs out 122g/km. The popular 320d diesel emits 124g/km (102g/km in EfficientDynamics form), while the 318d has a figure of 111g/km. Even the six-cylinder diesels are quite affordable to tax; the powerful 335d's 145g/km is quite impressive given the performance it offers.
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Road tax
Road tax for all models registered before 1 April 2017 will vary depending upon the emissions the engine produces (see paragraph above for more information) while examples registered after this date will render owners liable to pay a flat rate fee. There are two of these; a lower rate for cars that cost less than £40,000 when new, but any example that cost more than that will incur an additional fee. However, this surcharge only applies on the first five occasions that the vehicle is taxed, not including initial registration. Current fees are £190 a year for the VED (£180 a year for hybrids) and £410 for the luxury tax. To find out more about the current road tax costs, click here.
Servicing costs
BMW offers a five-year fixed-price servicing package on its new cars, so it’s worth checking to see if you’re still covered by this when buying a used one. Servicing isn’t too pricey, however, there will be a discrepancy between the smallest four-cylinder diesel and a big six-cylinder petrol that needs all of its filters and spark plugs changing. Inspections are due every two years or 15,000 miles.
Reliability
In our annual What Car? Reliability Survey, BMW 3 Series Touring owners said that while most had found their cars reliable, there were exceptions.
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The issues reported were mostly minor, with a focus on infotainment system glitches. A notable concern among some owners was the higher-than-expected cost of servicing through BMW main dealers.
Additionally, a few readers were disappointed by the three-year warranty, expecting a longer coverage period.
Find out more about the Used BMW 3 Series Touring reliability with our dedicated reliability page.
Page 2 of 5
Tips & Advice
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Our recommendations
Which used BMW 3 Series should I buy?
Engine
Chances are you’re after a diesel-engined car, as that’s how most people bought them new. If so, our favourite engine is the 320d, which has slightly more oomph than the 316d and 318d versions, and yet retains class-leading economy
The higher-powered diesel models all offer an excellent blend of performance, refinement and economy. If you must go for a petrol due to a greater amount of urban driving, aim for the 320i because that's plenty quick enough and reasonably efficient.
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Specification
As for the trim levels, all 3 Series are well equipped and there isn't really a bad choice amongst them, although the firm sports suspension fitted to M Sport cars can be too jarring for some. On balance, we'd recommend Sport since it gets all the equipment form the SE model but has more supportive sports seats that are better on long journeys.
Our favourite BMW 3 Series Touring: post-2015 320d Sport
Page 4 of 5
Tips & Advice
Which smartphone integration should I have?
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are fantastic – and free – technologies. Here we show you the benefits, drawbacks and best apps
Alternatives
What alternatives should I consider to a used BMW 3 Series?
The most obvious rivals to the 3 Series Touring are the Audi A4 Avant and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate. There’s not much in it when it comes to boot capacity and flexibility, though both have slightly more rear-seat leg and head room. Countering that, the 3 Series is the most enjoyable car to drive of the three, with superior steering and handling. There's not much in it on price, either, or running costs, and all three manufacturers only scored a mid-table position on most of our recent reliability and customer satisfaction surveys.
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If you’re looking for more interior space and a larger boot, and don’t mind sacrificing the premium badge, then you should consider the Skoda Superb Estate and the VW Passat Estate, both of which offer far larger interiors (and exteriors) for pretty much the same price new and used as the 3 Series. The Superb’s boot is vast; it seems almost big enough to house the entire 3 Series Touring within it, and the Passat’s is almost its equal. Both cars make a pretty good fist of the family load lugger role, with competent performance and reasonable economy and running costs. Both hold onto their value well, too, so with strong residuals there are few real bargains, though plenty of good buys.
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? Newsletter here
Find a used 3 Series Touring with What Car Used Car Buying >>
Page 5 of 5
How reliable is the BMW 3 Series ?
BMW 3 Series
Read reliability
Used cars available now
In partnership with
BMW 3 SERIES
2.0 320d SE Touring Euro 5 5dr
£995
BMW 3 Series
2.5 325i SE Touring 5dr
£999
BMW 3 Series
2.0 320i SE Touring Euro 4 5dr
£1,190
BMW 3 Series
2.0 318i ES Touring Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£1,495
BMW 3 Series
2.0 318i ES Touring Auto Euro 4 5dr
£1,800
BMW 3 Series
2.0 320d M Sport Touring Auto Euro 4 5dr
£1,889
BMW 3 Series
2.0 318d ES Touring Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£1,989
BMW 3 Series
2.0 320i SE Touring Euro 4 5dr
£1,995
BMW 3 SERIES
2.0 318d SE Touring Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr
£1,999
See all available cars
About the writer
Name: Mark Pearson
Title: Used cars editor
Follow Mark Pearson on
Mark Pearson has been a motoring journalist for more than 15 years and is currently the used cars editor for What Car?.
Mark spent his formative years at the BBC, where, at various times, he scheduled, broadcast and archived television and radio programmes and researched, wrote and produced promotional material.
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