View all BMW reviews

All the latest information on BMW's 3-Series range. Read expert and owner BMW 3-Series reviews, including full performance figures, running costs, practicality, safety and handling statistics and options data. Browse the photo gallery and get accurate pricing for any BMW 3-Series.

Plus, get a great deal on new or used BMW 3-Series cars for sale.

Latest reviews

We have 4 reviews of recent BMW 3-Series models:

  • A devastating super saloon that’s both flawed and brilliant

    Parkers rating: 4 out of 5 4.0
    New price: £80,885 - £103,315

    PROS

    • Brilliant to drive
    • Fairly practical
    • Compelling engine

    CONS

    • Very expensive BMW 3 Series
    • Controversial styling
    • Aurally not exciting
    Read full review
  • Fabulous driver's car with room for the family

    Parkers rating: 4.1 out of 5 4.1
    New price: £85,605 - £105,815

    PROS

    • Rewarding to drive
    • Room for four, plus luggage
    • Supercar-baiting acceleration

    CONS

    • Expensive, with high-cost options
    • Styling is still divisive
    • It's not exactly quiet
    Read full review
  • Still the best compact executive saloon for enthusiastic drivers

    Parkers rating: 4.5 out of 5 4.5
    New price: £39,950 - £58,750

    PROS

    • Wide range of engines and trims available
    • Great fun to drive while still comfortable
    • High-quality interior with lots of tech

    CONS

    • Options can make it quite pricey
    • Jerky start/stop system
    • Firm and fidgety ride on M Sport models
    Read full review
  • Great to drive with some clever practicality features

    Parkers rating: 4.2 out of 5 4.2
    New price: £41,750 - £60,550

    PROS

    • Great to drive yet comfortable
    • Lots of smart design touches
    • Wide range of trims and engines

    CONS

    • Non-premium rivals carry more
    • Not all of the tech works perfectly
    • Expensive, especially with options
    Read full review

Older reviews

Saloon (5 reviews)

2012 - 2020

  • Despite its age it remains a compelling all-rounder

    Parkers rating: 4.4 out of 5 4.4
    Used price: £2,487 - £53,562
    PROS
    • Engaging handling regardless of engine
    • Comfort isn’t spared for agility
    • Generous equipment levels
    • Performance/efficiency balance
    CONS
    • Interior doesn’t feel as premium as some rivals
    • M Sport ride can be unsettled without adaptive dampers
    • Cabin isn’t the roomiest in this segment
    Read full review
  • Parkers rating: 4.3 out of 5 4.3
    Used price: £15,057 - £33,644
    PROS
    • Engaging performance
    • Muscular stance
    • Communicative handling
    • Family car practicality
    • Manual gearbox standard

     

    CONS
    • Very expensive 3 Series
    • Interior lacks drama
    • ‘Piped’ exhaust sound

     

    Read full review

2005 - 2013

  • Solid, desirable used saloon

    Parkers rating: 4.5 out of 5 4.5
    Used price: £645 - £6,729
    PROS
    • Great to drive
    • Decent level of standard kit
    • Superbly built, refined interior
    CONS
    • Expensive for what it is
    • Firm ride
    • Not as reliable as you'd think
    Read full review

1998 - 2006

1991 - 2001

Estate (4 reviews)

2012 - 2020

2005 - 2013

  • Sporty small estate is an appealing alternative to a used Golf or Focus

    Parkers rating: 4.5 out of 5 4.5
    Used price: £896 - £7,926
    PROS
    • Great to drive
    • Well equipped trim levels
    • Relatively easy to maintain
    CONS
    • Small, for an estate
    • Smaller engines can be unreliable
    • Most on the market are diesel
    Read full review

1998 - 2006

1991 - 2001

Hatchback (3 reviews)

2012 - 2020

  • Parkers rating: 4 out of 5 4.0
    Used price: £3,886 - £25,355
    PROS
    • More boot space than a 3 Series Touring
    • Distinctive looks
    • Fantastic interior space
    CONS
    • Those distinctive looks will not be to everyone’s taste
    • Not as fun to drive as a 3 Series saloon or Touring
    Read full review

1998 - 2006

1991 - 2001

Coupe (5 reviews)

2005 - 2013

  • Parkers rating: 4.5 out of 5 4.5
    Used price: £868 - £9,894
    PROS

    Great choice of efficient engines, supreme handling, beautifully styled, sophisticated and refined cabin

    CONS

    Firm ride, some expensive options, tight legroom in rear

    Read full review
  • The M3 gains a V8 - and loses weight

    Parkers rating: 5 out of 5 5.0
    Used price: £7,530 - £23,034
    PROS
    • Ultimate driver's car
    • Purposeful styling
    • Sublime V8 engine
    • Standard leather and sat nav
    CONS
    • High running costs
    • Hard ride
    • Fairly plain cabin
    • Many abused examples for sale
    Read full review

1998 - 2006

1991 - 2001

Convertible (4 reviews)

2005 - 2013

1998 - 2006

1991 - 2001

Latest news

  • BMW iX - best large SUVs

    Best large SUVs 2024

    SUVs of all shapes and sizes pervade all areas of motoring. Small ones have replaced superminis in many manufacturer lineups. Often, the most luxurious model in a premium manufacturer’s line-up...

  • Land Rover Defender 130 driving profile

    The best seven-seater hybrid cars in 2024

    Hybrid family cars come in all shapes and sizes these days, including cavernous people movers. We’re not just talking about image-crushing MPVs either; these days seven-seater hybrid cars include SUVs,...

  • Best electric SUVs 2023

    Best electric SUVs of 2024

    Some of the very best SUVs you can buy in 2024 are no longer powered by petrol or diesel engines. This is because the best electric SUVs offer a real...

  • Best luxury SUVs - Mercedes-AMG G-Class, front view, silver, driving on road

    Best luxury SUVs to buy in 2024

    SUVs have a greater breadth of ability than ever before. Now, you can have ones that go off-road, ones that can carry seven people and even ones with coupe rooflines....

  • Best cars for £400 per month: Alfa Romeo Giulia

    The best cars for £400 per month

    A monthly payment of £400 gets you an awful lot of car. Indeed, that amount will get you a new car deal on just about any type of car you...