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BMW3-series (2012-2019)

Used only
Large
Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid

£8,044Typical price

Test score

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The sixth-generation BMW 3 Series, launched in 2012, treads a conservative path in styling terms of its style, but offers premium-large-car buyers a broad spread of qualities. It's offered in four-door saloon form and as a five-door Touring estate. Can it beat its arch-rivals, the Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C Class? Find out in our full BMW 3 Series review.

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What's included?

What is it?
What's it great at?
What's it like to drive?
How reliable is the BMW 3-series (2012-2019)?
How comfortable and spacious is it?
How economical is it to run?
How safe is it?
Is there anything I should look out for?
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KEY TEST RESULTS
Comfort and practicality
Brand reliability 0-4 years

Nov 2023Last checked by Which?
Feb 2018First reviewed by Which?
Feb 2012Released

The overall Which? test score is made up of the following star ratings, all determined by our rigorous lab tests.

How we test cars

19 Oct 2023

Ease of driving

Overall
Visibility
Smoothness of power delivery
Driving stability
Cabin layout

How we test ease of driving

To find out how easy a car is to drive, we assess cars across a number of areas from visibility and handling to the layout of the cabin and how smoothly the engine delivers its power.

Performance

Overall
In-gear acceleration
Brakes

How we test performance

We test braking distances and whether the effectivess of the brakes fade with repeat use. Performanc is based on in-gear acceleration.

Comfort and practicality

Overall
Entry and exit
Seat comfort
Ride quality
Quietness
Seat space
Boot space (large cars, SUVs and MPVs)

How we test comfort and practicality

Comfort and practicality includes how easy it is, or not, to get in and out of the car and the maximum height of occupants. We also measure road, wind and engine noise and assess how well the car deals with bumps from large potholes to jittery surfaces like cobble stones.

Euro NCAP

How we test euro ncap

Any car that receives a rating of three stars or less from Euro NCAP is made a Don't Buy. If a car has been available for more than four years and has not been tested by Euro NCAP, it cannot be a Best Buy.

Which? safety

Model reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test model reliability 5-9 years

How reliable this car is, based on the real life feedback of current owners as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Car reliability 10-15 years

How we test car reliability 10-15 years

Brand reliability 0-4 years

Overall
Electric car reliability
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

How we test brand reliability 0-4 years

Our reliability ratings are based on the feedback from tens of thousands of UK motorists, as collected in our annual Which? car survey. We divide all reliability feedback into three age groups: cars aged up to four years, five to nine years, and 10 to 15 years.

Brand reliability 5-9 years

Overall
Plug-in hybrid reliability
Diesel reliability

Brand reliability 10-15 years

Overall
Petrol reliability
Diesel reliability

General
Class	Large
Luxury	No
Convertible	No
Availability	Used only
Used price	£8,044 - £22,600
Fuel type	Petrol/Diesel/Mild hybrid
Tested fuel efficiency	41.5 to 62.8mpg
Length	4,624 to 4,633mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors)	1,811mm
Width (including wing mirrors)	2,035mm
Height	1,416 to 1,429mm
Driver max height
Second row passenger max height
Boot space with seats up
Boot space with seats down
Number of seats	5
Folding rear seats	Yes
Isofix attachments	Yes
Turning circle	11.6 m
On sale date	01 February 2012
Lowest pence per mile cost	£11.05

Latest tested engine
Engine name	320i Sport line steptonic
Fuel type	Petrol
Capacity and power	2-litre (184hp)
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	60 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway (mpg)
Tested fuel economy: Combined (mpg)
Cost per mile	15.77p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£86
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Very low
CO level	Low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	157
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	186
Official fuel economy: NEDC	64.2
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6b
Braked tow load (KG)	1800kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	695kg
Engine test date	16 November 2017
Test programme	2017

Engine two
Engine name	320d Luxury Line Steptronic
Fuel	Diesel
Capacity and power	2-litre (190hp)
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	57 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	12.52p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£87
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Low
CO level	Very low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	134
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	163
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6b
Braked tow load (KG)	1800kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	745kg
Engine test date	27 January 2016
Car test programme	2012-2016

Engine three
Engine name	320i Efficient Dynamics
Fuel type	Petrol
Capacity and power	1.6-litre (170hp)
Transmission	6-speed manual
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	60 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	13.67p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£86
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Very low
CO level	Low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	137
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	164
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6b
Engine test date	31 May 2013
Car test programme	2012-2016

Engine four
Engine name	320D BluePerformance EfficientDynamics
Fuel type	Diesel
Capacity and power	2-litre (163hp)
Transmission	6-speed manual
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	57 litres
Tested fuel economy: City / Out of town / Motorway
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	11.05p per mile
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
NOx level	Low
CO level	Very low
CO2 at tailpipe/tank-to-wheel (TTW) (g/km)	118
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	143
Official Euro emission level	Euro 6b
Braked tow load (KG)	1600kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	745kg
Engine test date	16 January 2013
Car test programme	2012-2016

Engine five
Engine name	320d Modern auto saloon
Fuel type	Diesel
Capacity and power	2-litre (184hp)
Transmission	8-speed automatic
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel-drive (RWD)
Fuel tank capacity	57 litres
Tested fuel economy: combined mpg
Cost per mile	12.79p per mile
Cost of filling tank	£75
Monthly fuel cost
Annual fuel cost
Well-to-wheel (WTW) CO2 (g/km)	165
Braked tow load (KG)	1600kg
Unbraked tow load (KG)	745kg
Engine test date	26 January 2012
Car test programme	2001-2012

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BMW3-series (2012-2019)

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