Verdict
A
Saloon · Germany · 1990-Present
BMW 3 Series
BMW 3 Series — spec data and generation history.
Years
1990-Present
Generations
5
Segment
Saloon
BMW's pillar — five generations on the UK market since 1996, all rear-drive (later xDrive optional), all longitudinal. E36 (1990–2000), E46 (1998–2007), E90 (2005–2013), F30 (2012–2019), G20 (2019–Present). Saloon, Touring (estate), Coupé and Convertible bodies (Coupé/Convertible split into 4 Series from 2014). Petrol and diesel inline-4s and -6s; PHEV from F30 (330e) onwards. M3 covered separately. The benchmark exec saloon. New Neue Klasse 3 Series EV arrives 2026 to sit alongside.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
F30 2012-2019 → G20 2019-Present
BHP +20 bhp
Torque +30 Nm
0–60 mph −0.4 s
Top speed +0 mph
MPG +5 mpg
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
1990-2000
E36
→
328i — 193 bhp, 0-62 in 7.3s.
Verdict
B
BHP
193
0–60
7.3 s
Top
149 mph
MPG
23 mpg
Used
$1,300-$10,000
- + Pure RWD chassis
- + M50/M52 inline-six soundtrack
- − Rear subframe cracks
- − Rust around arches
1998-2007
E46
→
330i — 231 bhp, 0-62 in 6.5s.
Verdict
A
BHP
231
0–60
6.5 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
25 mpg
Used
$1,900-$10,000
- + Pure naturally-aspirated inline-six soundtrack
- + Touring and Compact added
- − Rear subframe cracking
- − Cooling system plastic failures
2005-2013
E90
→
335i — 306 bhp, 0-62 in 5.6s.
Verdict
B
BHP
306
0–60
5.6 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
27 mpg
Used
$4,400-$15,000
- + N54/N55 twin-turbo inline-six
- + Saloon, Touring, Coupé (E92), Convertible (E93)
- − N47 timing chain stretch
- − HPFP failures on N54
2012-2019
F30
→
340i M Sport — 326 bhp, 0-62 in 5.1s.
Verdict
A
BHP
326
0–60
5.1 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
30 mpg
Used
$10,000-$28,000
- + B58 inline-six benchmark
- + 8-speed ZF auto
- − B47 timing chain wear
- − iDrive battery drain
2019-Present
G20
→
M340i xDrive — 374 bhp, 0-62 in 4.4s.
Verdict
A
BHP
374
0–60
4.4 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
28 mpg
Used
$23,000-$66,000
- + Best 3 Series cabin since E46
- + xDrive standard on many trims
- − iDrive 8 controversy
- − Styling restrained
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
1990-2000 · E36
- Rear subframe mount cracks
- Cooling system plastic failure
- VANOS rattle
- Headliner sag
1998-2007 · E46
- Rear subframe cracking
- Cooling system failures
- VANOS rattle
- Door lock actuators
2005-2013 · E90
- N47 timing chain stretch
- Petrol HPFP failures
- Run-flat ride harshness
2012-2019 · F30
- B47 timing chain wear
- iDrive battery drain
- Run-flat tyre cost
2019-Present · G20
- B58 oil consumption (some)
- iDrive 7/8 software updates
- PHEV charge port latch
Rivals
Audi A4 · Mercedes C-Class · Jaguar XE · Lexus IS