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Used test: BMW 3 Series vs Volkswagen Golf costs
For decades, these two iconic cars have both been at the top of their game. But which is the better used buy, the executive BMW 3 Series or family-focused VW Golf?...
![BMW 3 Series side driving](https://media.whatcar.com/fit-in/760x503/wc-image/BMW%203%20Series%20side%20driving.jpg)
Buying and owning
Costs, equipment, reliability, safety and security
The BMW 3 Series went from £35,465 as a new car to roughly £17,500 after five years as a used one. The Volkswagen Golf, on the other hand, was a £25,495 new car and is now a roughly £16,500 used one, albeit after four years rather than five.
Our data suggests the 3 Series future depreciation will be mild, with the model set to lose £1800 over the next three years. During the same time period, our data puts Golf deprecation at £4900.
![2020 Volkswagen Golf side action 2020 Volkswagen Golf side action](https://media.whatcar.com/wc-image/2020-09/2020_volkswagen_golf_side_action.jpg)
The Golf should be cheaper to insure, though: its insurance group of 18 putting the cost at around £562. The 3 Series, in group 30, should set you back around £816.
On fuel, the Golf takes it again, averaging an impressive 49.0mpg on our test route. The 3 Series averaged a 34.5mpg – that's decent at best for the executive car class.
For two services of the 3 Series, we were quoted £935.64 via BMW. For two of the Golf, VW quoted us £393.59.
The 3 Series and Golf are pretty well equipped, sporting cruise control (adaptive as standard from new in the Golf and optionally adaptive (as part of a £1250 package) from new in the 3 Series), keyless start, as well as front and rear parking sensors. The 3 Series got a rear-view camera at no extra cost to the original owner, while the Golf owner had to pay £300 for it.
![2020 Volkswagen Golf touchscreen 2020 Volkswagen Golf touchscreen](https://media.whatcar.com/wc-image/2020-09/2020_volkswagen_golf_touchscreen.jpg)
In our 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey, the 3 Series (in petrol and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) forms) came third out of 24 cars in the executive car class, thanks to its remarkable reliability score of 96.4%. The Golf, out of 29 cars in the family car class, placed 28th, its reliability score of just 76.3% bringing cause for concern.
Nearly two-thirds of the Golfs we were told went wrong had issues relating to the infotainment or other electrical systems. Repairs were slow, taking more than a week in 40% of instances. VW covered the cost of 89% of repairs, leaving a very small percentage of owners having to pay up to £1500 to get things put right.
As car brands, BMW ranked 12th out of 32 manufacturers, while Volkswagen was far behind in 22nd place.
Both models received the maximum five-star safety rating after being crash tested by Euro NCAP.
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Best executive cars 2024 – tested, rated and those to avoid
Great executive cars are comfortable, classy and well equipped, yet also cheap to run. Here we name the best 10 executive cars on sale in the UK – plus one we recommend avoiding