Review: BMW 3 Series (2012 – 2019)

BMW 3 Series (2012 – 2019): At A Glance

• New prices start from £27,800, brokers can source from £21,754
• Contract hire deals from £263.51 per month
• Insurance Groups are between 18–43
• On average it achieves 76% of the official MPG figure

BMW 3 Series (2012 – 2019): What's It Like Inside?

• Boot space is 390–480 litres
• Euro NCAP rating of five stars

Dimensions
Length	4624–4633 mm
Width	1811–2031 mm
Height	1416–1434 mm
Wheelbase	2810 mm
Full specifications

This latest generation of the BMW 3 Series saloon is the most spacious and comfortable yet. Where previous 3 Series models have been criticised for a shortage of rear legroom, this model lays that accusation to rest.

Admittedly, you will be pushed to fit three adults into the back seat of the BMW, but it will happily accommodate two without the need for front seat passengers to compromise on their space or comfort.

The boot of the saloon comes in at 480 litres, which is much the same as it competitors’. It’s a well shaped rectangular box with no interruptions. There are extra storage pockets in the side walls of the boot and, as an option, you can order split and tip rear seats to add to the load space.

Much of this 3 Series much improved boot space comes from the car being 93mm longer than its predecessor. Some of this additional space is also given over to rear occupants’ leg room to the tune of 15mm. Not a huge amount, but still welcome all the same, as is the extra 8mm rear headroom over the last 3 series.

In the front, the driver has no concerns about head, leg and shoulder space. The steering wheel adjusts for height and reach, while the seat base also moves for distance and height. However, it’s wise to choose the electric seat adjustment option as the standard manually operated levers can be a faff to use, especially the seat height adjustment that often requires the driver to haul themselves up by using the steering wheel as a grab handle.

Once you have achieved the right driving position, the 3 Series’ seats are very comfortable and supportive. The driving position also gives a good view out, with only some limited vision caused by the thickness and slope of the rear window pillars.
The dash is just as easy to cast your eyes over as BMW has grouped the stereo and ventilation controls logically and clearly. It’s the same with the main dials in the binnacle, which shun fancy graphics in favour of simple, precise white on black clocks plus a small digital display.

BMW has not forgotten high tech controls in the 3 Series, however, and its iDrive ranks as one of the easiest of its breed to use. A small rotary control in behind the gear lever works a series of menus in easy to follow steps so you can set up the car and its functions to your preferences. The screen, mounted in the centre of the dash top, is easy to rear and free from glare.

All 3 Series have this control, whether you choose the ES, SE, Sport, Luxury or M Sport trim. BMW’s EfficientDynamics is only offered with the 320d and there are some trims not offered with every engine option. However, all 3 Series models come with air conditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth connection and a multifunction steering wheel. To gain standard leather upholstery, you need to go for the Luxury model, while the M Sport has sports suspension included as standard but this can be deleted at no extra cost if you want a more cosseting ride.

What's the BMW 3 Series (2012 – 2019) like to drive?

• Engines range from 318i to 340i Automatic
• Readers report Real MPG to be between 22–72 mpg

It’s telling that there are more diesel engines in the BMW 3 Series saloon range than petrols. This is a car aimed squarely at company car drivers in the UK and it hits its target with unerring accuracy.

While the 316d might seem like the most appropriate choice for cost-conscious buyers, it’s the 320d that scores the bullseye. With 163PS on offer from the 2.0-litre engine and more than enough low- and mid-rev oomph for swift acceleration, the 320d in EfficientDynamics form also musters the same 68.9mpg combined economy as the 316d. Emissions of 109g/km mean free road tax and low company car tax rates too.

EfficientDynamics is BMW’s fuel and CO2-saving kit that includes low rolling resistance tyres, regenerative braking to top up the battery’s charge as the car slows, automatic stop-start and a slightly lower ride height to improve aerodynamics. Altogether, the 320d EfficientDynamics model registers carbon dioxide emissions 10g/km lower than the standard 320d and is 6.1mpg more frugal.

For those who want diesel power but more performance, BMW offers its 325d, 330d and storming 335d models. The 325d uses a 218PS version of the same 2.0-litre engine in the 320d but it covers 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds versus the 320d EfficientDynamics’ still respectable 8.0 seconds.

If you still crave more power and performance, the six-cylinder 330d and 335d provide 258PS and 313PS respectively to see off 0-62mph in 5.6- and 4.8 seconds. The 335d is only available with xDrive four-wheel drive and its performance puts it in the same territory as the mighty M3 yet it can also return 52.3mpg and 143g/km CO2 emissions.

Not even the most powerful of the non-M versions of the 3 Series saloon can match the pace of the diesel-powered 335d. Closest is the sweet-revving 335i that manages 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds, 35.8mpg and 186g/km. You could also choose the ActiveHybrid model with 3.0-litre petrol engine and electric motor that gives 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds, 47.9mpg and 139g/km emissions, though its considerable price tag puts off most buyers.

There are also four-cylinder 328i and 320i models, both using versions of the same 2.0-litre twin-turbo motor. The 316i has its own 1.6-litre engine with 136PS to deliver 47.9mpg, 149g/km CO2 output and 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds. 

Whichever 3 Series you choose, they all drive brilliantly whether you stick with the six-speed manual gearbox or supremely smooth eight-speed auto. Even with xDrive all-wheel traction, the bias is towards the rear wheels to maintain that trademark BMW feel on the road.

The 3 Series enjoys a deft control in corners missing from the Audi A4 or Mercedes C-Class. BMW has set up the steering to give superb feel without any untoward jolts, while the ride quality also serves up the same fine balance between sporting fun and calm comfort.

In all 3 Series, the driver can choose between Comfort, Sport and ECO Pro modes with the Drive Performance Control. In Sport models, there is a standard fourth setting of Sport+, which sharpens responses further and this is an option for non-Sport versions. You can also add Adaptive M Sport suspension, though the standard set-up is very good to begin with.

Another common thread with all 3 Series saloon is excellent refinement. Whether it’s road, wind or engine noise, they are all kept out of the cabin with ease, making the 3 Series perfect for any journey and at any speed.

Engine	MPG	0-62	CO2
316d	60–63 mpg	10.7–10.9 s	109–118 g/km
316d Automatic	61–64 mpg	10.6–10.8 s	109–117 g/km
316i	48 mpg	8.9 s	138 g/km
316i Automatic	48 mpg	9.2 s	138 g/km
318d	61–64 mpg	8.6–9.0 s	111–122 g/km
318d Automatic	61–64 mpg	8.4–8.9 s	111–118 g/km
318i	46 mpg	8.9 s	124 g/km
318i Automatic	47 mpg	9.1 s	122 g/km
320d	59–64 mpg	7.3–8.6 s	111–120 g/km
320d Automatic	60–64 mpg	7.2–8.4 s	111–118 g/km
320d EfficientDynamics	63–69 mpg	7.9–8.0 s	102–109 g/km
320d EfficientDynamics Automatic	61–69 mpg	7.8–8.1 s	99–109 g/km
320d xDrive	58–63 mpg	7.3–7.5 s	116–128 g/km
320d xDrive Automatic	54–60 mpg	7.2–7.4 s	116–125 g/km
320i	44–48 mpg	7.2–7.3 s	134–151 g/km
320i Automatic	47–49 mpg	7.3 s	129–141 g/km
320i EfficientDynamics	53 mpg	7.6 s	124 g/km
320i EfficientDynamics Automatic	52 mpg	7.6 s	127 g/km
320i xDrive	42–43 mpg	7.4–7.5 s	154–162 g/km
320i xDrive Automatic	44–46 mpg	7.5–7.6 s	137–152 g/km
325d	58 mpg	6.8 s	129 g/km
325d Automatic	61 mpg	6.6 s	122 g/km
328i	44 mpg	5.9 s	149–151 g/km
328i Automatic	45 mpg	5.9 s	147 g/km
330d	58 mpg	5.6 s	129–131 g/km
330d Automatic	51–57 mpg	5.6 s	131 g/km
330d xDrive	54 mpg	5.3 s	137–139 g/km
330d xDrive Automatic	49–53 mpg	5.3 s	139 g/km
330e	-	6.1 s	49 g/km
330i	44 mpg	5.9 s	151 g/km
330i Automatic	46–49 mpg	5.8 s	136 g/km
335d	52 mpg	4.8 s	145 g/km
335d xDrive Automatic	46 mpg	4.8 s	145 g/km
335i	36 mpg	5.5 s	186–188 g/km
335i Automatic	39 mpg	5.2–5.3 s	169 g/km
340i	37 mpg	5.2 s	179 g/km
340i Automatic	38 mpg	5.1 s	159 g/km
ActiveHybrid	47–48 mpg	5.3 s	139 g/km
ActiveHybrid 3	48 mpg	5.3 s	139–141 g/km

Real MPG average for a BMW 3 Series (2012 – 2019)

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

What have we been asked about the BMW 3 Series (2012 – 2019)?

Every day we're asked hundreds of questions from car buyers and owners through Ask Honest John. Our team of experts, including the nation's favourite motoring agony uncle - Honest John himself - answer queries and conudrums ranging from what car to buy to how to care for it as an owner. If you could do with a spot of friendly advice before buying you're next car, get in touch and we'll do what we can to help.