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BMW 3-Series Car Reviews

Considering a used BMW 3-Series?

Used Car Expert will help you make the right decision as to whether or not the BMW 3-Series is the right car for you and your budget.

Our BMW 3-Series reviews are written by a variety of journalists, at different times, testing different engines and specs, to give you a full, unbiased, broad view.

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Read reviews of the BMW 3-Series to find out more about the car before you buy it! Alternatives to the BMW 3-Series are highlighted and you are able to make an informed decision about buying a used BMW 3-Series.

 

Buying high mileage: deal or worry? (2009 Feb)
Q&A
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Hi, Knowing nothing about cars, I'm interested in a used BMW. The dealer in question is selling, in my opinion, a very cheap 2005 320D SE, with 79,000 miles @ £5995. I know you advise that too good to be true usually is. But what year d... Buying high mileage: deal or worry?

Petrol or diesel? (2008 Aug)
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For a driver doing average mileage, but planning to keep the car for a few years, would you recommend a BMW 3.20d or BMW 3.20i, given the increasing price differential between diesel and petrol?   Petrol or diesel?

BMW 320td Compact Turbo (2008 Apr)
Q&A
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Hi I'm purchasing a BMW 320TD SE Compact and have recently come across numerous forums relating to turbo failures and engines blowing up should I be worried? Its done 79k miles been serviced regular . I dont really want to purchase it and... BMW 320td Compact Turbo

BMW 3.0d Smoke (2008 Mar)
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Hi. I am looking to buy a BMW 3 series 3.0d sport estate. (£16K, 61Kmiles, sat nav/tv, sun roof, auto, 03 plate dec 2003, FBMWSH) Having found one, it looks good other than a few light surface scratches that are in line with age which I am tol... BMW 3.0d Smoke

Threesy does it for reliability (2010 Nov)
News
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BMW’S 3 Series is the most reliable company car in the UK, but Honda has the best overall reliability as a manufacturer.That’s the finding of an annual survey of the country’s 50 largest contract hire companies, who say that Ford makes the most relia... Threesy does it for reliability

BMW ready to raise the stakes (2011 Oct)
News
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BMW is aiming to leave its rivals trailing with the sixth generation of the world’s best-selling premium saloon.The 3 Series lies at the heart of the German brand, being responsible for one-fifth of the company’s global sales, and when the latest mod... BMW ready to raise the stakes

Super saloon's a car of contradictions (2012 Feb)
News
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BMW is describing its new 3 Series Saloon, which hits the streets later this month, as a car of contradictions.It is larger and more spacious than the model it replaces, but lighter, quicker, more fuel-efficient and agile - yet even safer.And the pre... Super saloon's a car of contradictions

Good value for money? (2010 Jan)
Q&A
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Hi I am going to look at two BMW 3-Series for sale at garage. One is 2004 reg and has done 90,000 miles. Is this too many miles for the age? Price £5990. And the second is an SE auto and has done 28,000 miles but is 02 plate. Price &pou... Good value for money?

How many miles is high miles? (2009 May)
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Hello, I am looking at purchasing a used BMW 3-Series that I can do 20,000 miles a year in for 3 - 4 years. If i am do that sort of milage what sort of maximum milage should I be looking at? Thanks How many miles is high miles?

Cars with a bit of excitement (2009 Jun)
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Matt,  I am in the market for a new car, but I have the hardest time deciding. My 1997 E class is getting a bit on in years and I need to change it before it explodes while I'm driving it. I've looked at the new Audi A4 and BMW 3 series as pote... Cars with a bit of excitement

Saab prices falling (2010 Jan)
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Saab prices falling as dealers try to shift stock ahead of General Motors decision on car’s future. Bargain opportunity for consumers. General Motors are due to announce their plans for Saab on 7th January. It is touch and go whether the brand... Saab prices falling

Depreciation Index: Market Update (2009 Feb)
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Best performers The following cars have shown hardly any depreciation (1% or less) over the last 12 months:   2007 Car Price ... Depreciation Index: Market Update

Whats a cool first car? (2008 Jun)
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My 17-year-old son wants to buy his first car, with the usual requirements of being cheap to buy, insure and run, but he doesn't want a modern box, instead he is keen to get a car (or van) with character – possibly a 'recent classic'. Budget &... Whats a cool first car?

Convertible car deals this summer (2008 Mar)
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Summer must be coming, as BCA Blackbushe is staging two special Live Online convertible sales on behalf of LloydsTSBautolease and Black Horse on the 14th and 28th April. The sales are expected to attract hundreds of buyers from all over the country ... Convertible car deals this summer

Car finance downsizing (2008 Jan)
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I have a Porsche Cayenne and took out a loan from the dealer over two years ago. The car is currently valued at c.28k and I have an outstanding loan of 35k. My personal circumstances mean that I am financially tight nowadays. I do a lot of driving (... Car finance downsizing

More BMW 3-Series Reviews:

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We have an archive of news and Q&A articles from our buyer's forum. Search for an article that will help guide you in the purchase of your used BMW 3-Series.

 

Buying high mileage: deal or worry? (2009 Feb)
Q&A
Relevance / rating:
Hi, Knowing nothing about cars, I'm interested in a used BMW. The dealer in question is selling, in my opinion, a very cheap 2005 320D SE, with 79,000 miles @ £5995. I know you advise that too good to be true usually is. But what year d... Buying high mileage: deal or worry?

Petrol or diesel? (2008 Aug)
Q&A
Relevance / rating:
For a driver doing average mileage, but planning to keep the car for a few years, would you recommend a BMW 3.20d or BMW 3.20i, given the increasing price differential between diesel and petrol?   Petrol or diesel?

BMW 320td Compact Turbo (2008 Apr)
Q&A
Relevance / rating:
Hi I'm purchasing a BMW 320TD SE Compact and have recently come across numerous forums relating to turbo failures and engines blowing up should I be worried? Its done 79k miles been serviced regular . I dont really want to purchase it and... BMW 320td Compact Turbo

BMW 3.0d Smoke (2008 Mar)
Q&A
Relevance / rating:
Hi. I am looking to buy a BMW 3 series 3.0d sport estate. (£16K, 61Kmiles, sat nav/tv, sun roof, auto, 03 plate dec 2003, FBMWSH) Having found one, it looks good other than a few light surface scratches that are in line with age which I am tol... BMW 3.0d Smoke

Threesy does it for reliability (2010 Nov)
News
Relevance / rating:
BMW’S 3 Series is the most reliable company car in the UK, but Honda has the best overall reliability as a manufacturer.That’s the finding of an annual survey of the country’s 50 largest contract hire companies, who say that Ford makes the most relia... Threesy does it for reliability

More BMW 3-Series Articles:

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Used Car Expert enables you to check mileages and prices of used BMW 3-Seriess based on REAL data (cars that have actually been sold in the UK over the past 3 months). You can see how much you should be expecting to pay for a car that matches the age and mileage of the BMW 3-Seriess you're considering buying.


Before you buy a used BMW 3-Series you should be aware of the common faults or wear items specific to the BMW 3-Series that you should check for. Our research amongst the experts that work on the BMW 3-Series everyday has identified the essential engine checks, interior items that you need to ensure work, wear items to spot on the BMW 3-Series suspension, areas on the bodywork to inspect, and information about official recalls of the BMW 3-Series.

Fault Guide for BMW 3-Series Faults and Checks

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