8 Reasons to Consider a Used BMW 3 Series

Luxury, innovation, and affordability often seem mutually exclusive in the automotive industry. Yet, we’re here to prove otherwise as your premier used BMW dealer. BMW is synonymous with luxury and performance, characteristics that make shopping for a used BMW like the 3 Series an excellent investment for those who refuse to settle for anything less than extraordinary.

BMW goes above and beyond, building premium models like the 3 Series to exceed expectations. This approach is attractive on our used lot because it means paying a fraction of the new MSRP and letting your money work harder and go further in an iconic sedan. Here are eight reasons why the 3 Series accomplishes this feat and everything you can expect from this best-selling performance car.

#1 – It Makes You Part of the BMW Legacy

Buying a used 3 Series makes you part of an incredible legacy that has shaped the global automotive landscape since the early 1900s. You’re investing in a heritage that carries great significance, with the company opening its doors in 1916 as an aircraft engine manufacturer. Over the next several decades, BMW introduced its first motorcycle in the 1920s. BMW’s use of the boxer engine in its bikes was considered revolutionary at the time and continues to distinguish the brand’s motorcycle lineup even today.

This outside-the-box thinking has defined every aspect of BMW over the last century. Models like the 3 Series showcase this approach and BMW’s ingenuity, with the compact sedan debuting in 1975 and aging gracefully over seven generations. Its innovative technologies, exceptional performance, and outstanding design have earned it numerous awards and top honors as BMW’s best-selling model.

#2 – It Has an Award-Winning History

The 3 Series isn’t your typical sedan; it’s an award-winning performance car that lives up to and exceeds every expectation. The sedan has rightly earned its place in the spotlight since 1975 and is praised for its opulence and engaging performance. This combination has earned it many awards over the years, including 22 consecutive 10Best honors from Car and Driver. Its performance-tuned variant, the M3, is often considered one of the most significant performance cars built in recent history.

#3 – It’s in its Seventh Generation (and Counting)

With its debut in 1975, the 3 Series is one of BMW’s longest-running and most popular nameplates. The sedan is iconic and, because of its long tenure, has a strong community of aftermarket support. Moreover, as a best-seller for BMW, the 3 Series is incredibly popular on the used lot, with seventh-generation models garnering the most appeal.

BMW introduced the seventh-generation 3 Series in 2019, turning heads by updating the sedan’s design, suspension, powertrain, and technology. The updates ushered the 3 Series into a new era of performance without overshadowing its history as a sports sedan with a penchant for performance and luxury. The combination is remarkable, especially when shopping used, where the 3 Series offers even more value for your money.

#4 – It’s Sporty and Engaging to Drive

The 3 Series is well-known as a sports sedan, and the seventh-generation models continue that legacy. BMW outfits the 3 Series with its BMW TwinPower Turbo engines, which feature a twin-scroll turbocharger, Valvetronic fully variable valve timing, Double VANOS variable camshaft timing, and High Precision Injection direct fuel injection. The combination gives the standard 2.0L inline-four engine a significant boost in power over older models.

The 3 Series’ standard output is 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, which pushes the sedan from zero to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. BMW enhances this output in several ways, starting with the quick-shifting eight-speed Steptronic transmission that offers smoother gear shifts and manual control via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The 3 Series chassis is also designed for performance, with the compact sedan boasting a low center of gravity, a rigid body, and enhanced shock absorbers. The combination improves handling and responsiveness, giving the 3 Series powertrain the opportunity to shine.

#5 – It Offers All-Season Confidence Without Compromise

As a sports sedan, the 3 Series is engineered to deliver all-season confidence in the driver’s seat. The seventh-generation models offer BMW’s latest all-wheel drive system known as xDrive. The advanced system optimizes how power is transferred to the wheels to improve traction and stability in every condition, working behind the scenes with the Dynamic Stability Control System. Because of this, xDrive is responsible for delivering the engaging performance expected from the 3 Series, especially when cornering.

#6 – It Can Satiate the Need for Speed

If you’re looking for more excitement in the driver’s seat, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with a used M Performance 3 Series. BMW introduced the all-new M340i model in 2019, transforming the 3 Series lineup by taking the sedan’s already impressive driving demeanor to the next level. Today, finding an M Performance model on our used lot is like hitting the jackpot.

BMW sedans like the M340i are powerhouses, boasting the 3 Series design but with a specifically-tuned chassis, an M Sport rear differential, and near-perfect weight distribution across the front and rear. The combination gives the 3 Series enhanced driving dynamics and next-level agility, perfectly complementing what’s under the hood. BMW swaps the standard inline-four for a potent 3.0L six-cylinder engine that, on 2019 models, produces 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque.

You can truly enjoy the full depth of that output by shopping for a used 3 Series with the Adaptive M suspension. The suspension continuously monitors performance and adjusts the damping at each wheel to heighten the sedan’s ride quality and responsiveness. This system works intuitively with the 3 Series’ Driving Experience Control modes, which include Comfort, Sport, and Sport+. These modes finetune the steering, accelerator, and gear shifts based on the situation and your driving preferences.

#7 – Each Trim Has a Unique Personality and Aesthetic

Climbing behind the wheel of a 3 Series guarantees a luxurious and transformative experience. BMW’s approach to luxury goes beyond the traditional leather seats and exquisite details, although those features are prominent across the 3 Series lineup. For BMW, luxury encompasses everything that affects your experience in the driver’s seat.

The 3 Series options have distinct personalities, from the Sport Line’s athletic and sophisticated aesthetic to the opulence of the Luxury Line. Sure, the models feature premium leather seating and dynamic performance, but the subtle differences change the ambiance and persona of each trim. For example, the Sport Line usually features high-gloss black interior trim and sports seats in the front row, while the Luxury Line has chrome exterior details and wood interior trim elements. Options like the M Sport blur the lines of luxury and performance with exclusive elements that stretch from the upholstery and steering wheel to the interior trim.

#8 – It’s Tech-Savvy and Intuitive

The seventh-generation 3 Series is a tech-savvy road warrior, thanks to BMW incorporating advanced connectivity and driver-assist features. These technologies enhance the sedan’s overall appeal and value by keeping you connected, engaged, and informed. For example, the 3 Series cockpit is framed by expansive digital displays that put performance insights within immediate view. The center display is home to BMW’s infotainment system, where you can seamlessly integrate your smartphone, access in-vehicle apps, or navigate the fastest route.

Technology in the 3 Series extends beyond connectivity to safety and driver-assist tools that optimize your situational awareness and minimize the potential for collisions. Models built since 2019, when the seventh generation debuted, offer more standard and optional features, which gives drivers more opportunities to shop for used models with the technologies they want and need. For example, you can readily find a used 3 Series with a comprehensive suite of driver-assist tools, including features like Frontal Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and Speed Limit Info. These technologies add another layer of value to any used 3 Series because they’re comparable to the features included in the latest models.