BMW 3-Series Saloon (98-05) - Review

Review by Parkers on
In the closely fought compact executive market, one model stands out from the rest: the BMW 3-Series. It has history stretching back to the 1980s and has built a solid reputation, and is the car of choice for every young middle manager. It's not that 3-Series lacks any serious rivals: the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is as prestigious; the Lexus IS will push it on reliability, while a fully loaded Ford Mondeo is better value. But it’s only the 3-Series, with its purposeful yet conservative styling, which has struck a chord with the British. Its popularity has not weakened residuals; even with plenty of used ones about, prices are remarkably stable.
4 out of 5

Other BMW reviews

4.5 out of 5

Buying used

There are plenty of used examples up for grabs – many of which remain within the BMW dealership network. Although you probably won't get a cheap one, it's a very sensible purchase that will provide enjoyable and trouble-free motoring for thousands of miles.

See 209 used BMW 3-Series Saloons for sale, starting at £995

4.5 out of 5

Selling

This is a very popular model and there’s high demand, so it should be very easy to sell your 3-Series - especially with a diesel unit or a generous spec level. A full service history will undoubtedly boost the value, too