consumers review the BMW 3 Series

Read recent reviews for the BMW 3 Series

4.5

Overall Consumer Review Rating
for the BMW 3 Series

Great performance, but very expensive.

By Michael written on 08-22-2016

After several months of researching all types of different vehicles I ultimately decided on purchasing the 2016 340i xDrive. Overall, this vehicle met my needs and after reading countless reviews (consumer and professional) the 340i remained in my top three narrowed down selection. My personal needs for a vehicle required performance, luxury, AWD (due to the snowy winters in Chicago), and decent gas mileage (sub par mpg with my last vehicle, 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8). My 340i is equipped with the cold weather package ($800), driver assistance package ($950), M sport package ($2,600), technology package ($2,750), and the track handling package ($1,700). $8,800 for those added options is very steep in my opinion but after getting a good trade-in value along with very low APR financing, as well as a tax credit and 4 years free maintenance I felt that it all balanced out. As for my impression of the vehicle, let me start off with the interior. Although many people tend to favor the interiors of Cadillac, Audi, Mercedes, Lexus, etc...the BMW interior is still very nice and luxurious. I can understand if some people think it's beginning to appear a bit dated, but nonetheless it's still superior to many vehicles on the market. The Dakota leather sport seats are top notch quality and for the most part above average in terms of comfort. The anthracite headliner, aluminum and gloss black trim accents throughout the vehicle along with the ambient lighting (which is dimmable) all go together fairly nicely. The cabin is really quiet and there are no rattle like noises or unwanted vibrations. The exterior of the vehicle is the best looking to date for the 3 series sedan in my opinion. From the elegant lines on the hood and the minor refresh of the whole body in general gives the vehicle a great sporty look that is very tasteful but not overstated or too flashy. I opted for the black sapphire metallic paint and the 19" alloy orbit grey M sport wheels along with black kidney grilles complete the overall look. Now on to the performance. Let me tell you, this car can move and it is fast! It doesn't exactly give you the "throw you back in your seat" kind of feeling and I must admit I do miss that and all the rear wheel glory and torque of my previous SRT8, but I still experience an ultimate thrill and satisfaction while driving this car. The 8 speed automatic transmission is flawless. The AWD has a tenacious grip on the road and you feel like you have complete control at all times. I prefer to drive in the sport mode setting regularly as it is always responsive and ready to accelerate hard at any time. The start/stop fuel saver system is very intrusive and can be deactivated with a push of a button and I never use it. I have a lead foot and most of my driving is in the city and I'm averaging 16 mpg which for me is acceptable especially considering the performance you get with the 3.0 liter twin turbo V-6. I've read that 0-60 mph can be as low as 4.4 seconds which I don't doubt depending on the conditions and where you live of course. The adaptive M suspension is great, but comfort does suffer a bit if you're selecting the sport modes. The low profile run flat tires detract from the comfort too, but nothing that isn't tolerable. The handling on this car is great too. So much that it almost feels like you're driving a coupe. Although this is a sedan, it feels so light and steering it is so effortless without taking away from the overall driving experience. The M sport brakes are phenomenal and feel perfect and smooth (not too sensitive and not too soft) when I need to apply my foot to the pedal. I also really like the sound of the dual exhaust when I drive in sport mode. You'll definitely hear the "crackles and pops" when revving the engine and when you accelerate hard and ease off the gas pedal. I always look forward to getting behind the wheel of this car and just letting it open up on the road. But let me tell you, this car isn't perfect. I do have a few gripes with it. Mostly with the knob control of the display screen. It can get quite annoying. Turn the knob to scroll here, click this and click that, hit the back button to exit, and on and on. So many times I want to be able to just touch the screen and get to what I want with ease but I can't. I knew this beforehand of course and was willing to deal with it. Connecting your iPod or iPhone via Bluetooth or with a cable isn't the best in terms of integration with this vehicle either. The interface definitely needs some tweeking. For example, let's say you connect your phone via Bluetooth so you can play your music. Accessing playlists or trying to shuffle songs is not easy when dealing with the knob turn dial control. And with the lack of a touch screen, you can't just select what you want with ease. If you've had a Nissan/Infiniti or a Dodge, their infotainment systems are much better. Lack of a touch screen and remote start at this price point is disappointing.

BMW figured it out

By muguy83 written on 06-18-2016

For 2016, BMW has really improved the 3 series, particularly the 328i model. I was very impressed with the handling, and interior upgrades that make the car feel more expensive and more like a true BMW again. The steering still has an artificial feel, but it is very precise and they have fixed the handling issues of the early models of this generation. The car feels well composed and can take just about anything you throw at it. Acceleration is terrific, and I found braking response to be just okay. The Harmon Kardon stereo sounds great, and I wish it was standard as it is in the 340 - would definitely recommend it. LED lighting package is well worth the money as it looks great with LEDs all around including turn signals front and rear. Safety ratings are superb with five stars, and lots of available safety enhancing technology. I hesitated for years to trade my 2011 3 series in for one of the new models, but I feel great about getting this 2016 328i x drive, as BMW has finally figured out what we wanted. This car is fantastic.

Competing with pro review on 340ix

By Whoever written on 03-08-2016

I thought it might be useful for someone to get a more detailed review of this car based on personal experience of owning it and at the same time comparing it with other cars owed or tested. When somebody tells me 'I love my car, its great' it generally tells me very little. I heard that from the owners of KIA or Prius or Tahoe and other cars that I personally would try to avoid. They all have something good about them (if only the price) and are better than any car produced in India, for example, but that does not tell me exactly how these cars are really better or worse than others. And that's the only thing that really matters, for me at least. So here it goes. I bought my new 340ix aboumonths ago and have about 1500miles on it now. Before that I owned for 3.5 years 335is coupe, before that Mercedes 320 Sport Edition and my wife owns (so me too to a degree) new Z4 35i and before that z4 35 sport and before that z3. Before getting into 340ix, while thinking of either re-leasing or replacing my 335is I tried BMW 435i, M325, 335i, M3, Mercedes c450amg, Audi4 and 5 and RS, Hyundai Genesis and that are all the cars (not to mention my experiences with rental Toyotas, VW, Chevrolet, Nissan and bunch of others) that I can compare. First, none of the tried cars were worth switching to from my 335is. With exception of M3. Which would go beyond what I was willing to pay. So finally arriving of the new 340ix did it. It matched engine power with 335is, it had x drive which I found attractive (335is was not fun driving around ski resorts), it had a couple of luxury items I'd like to have and it was a new car I could have for almost the same lease money. So what did I get? Considering I paid for M package, Track package, Park assist and ignored Navigation altogether. Actually, not one but four cars with very distinct personalities. Consequence of track and M packages that provide several different modes of driving which are really something very noticeable, not just on paper statements. On other cars I tried and on my wife's Z4 those are also present, nothing new, but while you can feel the difference on other cars I feel its rather much more dramatic on 340ix. So, starting with these modes: First, they indeed can be useful and I do switch between them in different conditions. Second, I cant say I'm particularly happy about them. I would be perfectly fine with one perfectly tuned suspension and steering. Which was the case in my 2012 335iS, frankly having the ideally tuned suspension and steering, better than any other car I tried so far (better even than in M3 and maybe better than Porsche Boxter). I don't know how they managed that but they did with 335is - exceptionally smooth, absorbing all the major road imperfection and at the same time razor sharp with just heavy enough and firm steering to feel the road and keep things under absolute control. Simply a joy to drive. Why BMW would not just stick with it?? People just keep saying that new BMW cars generation lost this handling edge but BMW stubbornly ignores that. And these modes are: 1. ECO Pro - it could be even Eco Pro Pro or super pro or whatever else BMW marketing call them there would still be nothing 'Pro' here. This mode turns your BMW into Toyota Primus. It reduces the engine response to the gas pedal and add a bunch of indicators on display to let you sort of play some computer game, giving some saved miles bonuses, plots and tips, etc. Warning if you press too hard on accelerator pedal or exceed some speed limits. I played around with it while breaking in the car but frankly I can't see what an idiot (pardon) would buy BMW to drive it in Eco mode. 2. Comfort mode - that mode is actually better than on 335 or Z4. It feels a little firmer and more steerable. But still not what I would consider providing a good BMW-like driving experience. It provides reasonable engine output (press the pedal and you really go) and its smooth but IMHO a little bobbing on bumps and the steering is just too overpowered and soft which makes you a little nervous on high speeds. I still use it in rush hour and maybe its OK to use on gravel roads or something. But its still nowhere close to the standard 335is experience, worse than Z4 comfort mode and I would even prefer Mercedes 320Sport driving to that. It reminds me Buick leSabre on steroids. The worst part of it - its a default mode. You cant change it. Why??? Both Audi and Mercedes let you choose whats default, its all software. Mercedes even let you customize the parameters of the mode to choose your preferences. Why am I forced to drive in comfort mode the car most would buy for sporty behavior? That's plain stupid. Its the same on Z4. So if you bought the car not to show that you can buy luxury car but to indeed enjoy performance ride then you need not to forget to hit the mode button every time you start engine. That will give you a Sport mode. 3. Sport mode increases the responsiveness of the engine, stiff

Awesome car

By Basant Ray written on 06-04-2016

Updated the review after driving for 1+ months. This car is awesome. Especially so since I upgraded from a Toyota Yaris. Handling and drive is awesome. I have owned, Camry, Civic, Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Veracruz in the past. Ever since I relocated to CA a couple of months back, I was suddenly faced with a 100 mile one way commute 5 days a week. And money became less of an issue since got a big jump in income. So I needed a car that was a. Fun to drive b. Comfortable c. Not too expensive I always had a dream to own a BMW 3 series and now seemed like a good time to do that. I looked at what might look like a weird array of cars/SUVs - Chevy impala, Acura MDX and BMW 3 series. I liked the Chevy impala (2016 model) from a few rental experiences. And the Acura MDX seemed like a solid luxury SUV at a reasonable price (40k sale price on memorial day). But I went with a sedan (BMW 328) since likely no SUV can be as snappy as a 328. After now owning and driving 3k+ miles, I am very happy with my 328. It is a remarkably comfortable drive (although admittedly I use the eco mode more that I should). If I switch to Sport + mode, I can feel the immediate change in responsiveness. I think I will do that in the future. I get 30+ mpg combined since I have stayed on eco mode mostly. It might go down once I switch to Sport mode. Drive handling is awesome. Even when going at 80 mph, it is effortless and feels the same as driving 50 mph on a Yaris (although it is a bit of extreme comparison). And turning is very sharp. I had considered the 320 and the 340 also. The 320 seemed like a sensible choice, but the absence of fold down rear seat was a deal breaker. Also, the 180 hp on the 320 is not great when accelerating fast (does not have the BMW feeling). 340 was super nice. But I didn't want to shell out another $6k for an extra 80 hp (320 hp on the 340 vs 240 hp on the 328) Couple of cons : a. The radio/iPhone song/channel searcher is to the right of the instrument panel. So I need to extend my arm when surfing channels or songs. It is tiring when I need to do it for a minute. b. If I choose eco mode, then the engine auto shut off is also selected automatically, which is a pain. I don't want my engine to shut off at road signal stops; even if it saves me an extra 1mpg. I don't like the shudder when I press the accelerator to move. c. Was not able to easily pair the bmw garage door opener with my own home garage opener (This was tried by the dealer Encore service person). Now I need to figure out how to do it by going to some online message boards. Don't want to spend the extra time.

Wish this was the car I thought I was buying

By BMW1320 written on 11-10-2016

So far I've had the brakes completely redone, fuel pump replaced, dealer-inserted foam to stop a steering wheel road noise, worn out a set of tires at 33K due to a faulty alignment, and now the transmission is acting up intermittently. All this has been paid for out of warranty, except the alignment/tires. I asked BMW USA to fix the alignment, but they refused. I love the looks of this car, but would never buy another one. It makes me sad since I've always dreamed of owning a BMW.

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Buying a used BMW 3 Series in Chicago, IL

Save up to $0 on over 240 used BMW 3 Series's for sale across 1,543 dealers near Chicago, Illinois. Edmunds has over 4,690,769 cheap new and used car, truck, and SUV listings, available in the following submodel types: Coupe, Sedan and Convertible. The BMW 3 Series is available in model years ranging from 2019 to 1990, with prices ranging from 2,494 to 50,995 and mileage ranging from 0 to 215,080. BMW 3 Seriess in your area are available in the following trim types including (but not limited to) the following: 328i xDrive, 330xi and 328i SULEV The nearest dealership is Volkwagen of Downtown Chicago, approximately 3.051 miles away with 69 used BMW 3 Series's in stock. The highest rated dealer in your area with a used BMW 3 Series for sale is Volkwagen of Downtown Chicago, with an average user rating of 5 and 69 used BMW 3 Series's in stock.

Options and features available on used BMW 3 Series's available near Chicago typically include:

Features: Rear Bench Seats , Stability Control , Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel , Auto Climate Control , Trip Computer , Post-collision safety system , Tire Pressure Warning , Aux Audio Inputs , Multi-Zone Climate Control , Automatic Emergency Braking , AWD/4WD , Power Driver Seat , Fold Flat Rear Seats , Bluetooth , USB Inputs , Sunroof/Moonroof , Upgraded Headlights , Heated seats , Leather Seats , Navigation , Alarm , Parking sensors , Back-up camera , 2nd Row Bucket Seats , Keyless Entry/Start , Electronic Folding Mirrors , Heads up display , Upgraded Stereo , 360-degree camera , Soft Top , Adaptive Cruise Control , Blind Spot Monitoring , Lane Departure Warning .

Engine/Mechanics: 6 cylinders , 4 cylinders .

Transmission: Automatic , Manual .

Fuel Type: premium unleaded (required) , premium unleaded (recommended) , diesel , regular unleaded .

Drivetrain: all wheel drive , rear wheel drive .

Edmunds offers users detailed expert ratings and reviews, pricing, consumer reviews, features and specs, interior and exterior vehicle pictures and videos, as well as special offers, gas cards, and other perks. Find your perfect used BMW 3 Series at edmunds.com.

Used BMW 3 Series by Year

Vehicle	Deals	Starting Price	Total Available
Vehicle	Deals	From	Available
2018 BMW 3 Series	-	$39,795	19 listings
2017 BMW 3 Series	4 Great Deals 4 Great	$25,200	25 listings
2016 BMW 3 Series	1 Great Deal 1 Great	$20,500	11 listings
2015 BMW 3 Series	28 Great Deals 28 Great	$16,651	112 listings
2014 BMW 3 Series	7 Great Deals 7 Great	$14,949	48 listings
2013 BMW 3 Series	1 Great Deal 1 Great	$10,499	37 listings
2012 BMW 3 Series	1 Great Deal 1 Great	$15,798	4 listings

Used BMW 3 Series for Sale in Chicago, IL

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Not Listed

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$11,926^*

$20,500^*

$21,995^*

$13,000^*

$6,995^*

$20,941^*

$22,900^*

$18,396^*

$34,763^*

$28,895^*

$14,949^*

$11,599^*

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consumers review the BMW 3 Series

consumers review the BMW 3 Series

Buying a used BMW 3 Series in Chicago, IL

Used BMW 3 Series by Year

More Used BMW 3 Series Vehicles in Chicago, IL

Used BMW 3 Series for Sale in Chicago, IL

$13,997*

Not Listed

$7,998*

$11,926*

$20,500*

$21,995*

$13,000*

$6,995*

$20,941*

$22,900*

$18,396*

$34,763*

$28,895*

$14,949*

$11,599*

$31,400*

$21,197*

$12,916*

consumers review the BMW 3 Series

consumers review the BMW 3 Series

Buying a used BMW 3 Series in Chicago, IL

Used BMW 3 Series by Year

More Used BMW 3 Series Vehicles in Chicago, IL

$13,997^*

$7,998^*

$11,926^*

$20,500^*

$21,995^*

$13,000^*

$6,995^*

$20,941^*

$22,900^*

$18,396^*

$34,763^*

$28,895^*

$14,949^*

$11,599^*

$31,400^*

$21,197^*

$12,916^*