Used BMW 3 Series Touring 2012 - 2019 review

The BMW 3 Series saloon has defined the compact executive car class for many years now, so it’s not surprising that those buyers seeking out a classy estate of equivalent merit flock to the Touring version. It embodies all the good qualities of the saloon, with a dose of extra practicality thrown in.

This sixth-generation 2012-2019 version is roomier than the 3 Series that went before it. In fact, its boot is roughly the same size as its main rivals, the contemporary versions of the Audi A4 Avant and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate, though it’s worth noting that it can't match the capacity offered by the Skoda Superb Estate and the Volkswagen Passat Estate.

Engines: There are a wide range of petrol engine options, starting with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine that was introduced as the 134bhp 316i (but was later renamed 318i in a 2015 facelift), which is surprisingly willing, considering its small size. Then there are the 2.0-litre 181bhp 320i, 242bhp 228i and 248bhp 330i, with the high-performance, 3.0-litre six-cylinder 302bhp 335i and 321bhp 340i versions completing the lineup. Diesel options, which have always been the better sellers, include the economical 114bhp 316d, 148bhp 318d, 181bhp 320d and 218bhp 325d, as well as the more powerful 3.0-litre, six-cylinder 254bhp 330d and 309bhp 335d models.

Trims and equipment: There are four major trim levels on offer: ES, SE, Sport and M Sport. ES has 17in alloy wheels, climate control, a DAB radio, Bluetooth, cruise control and a 6.5in infotainment screen. Go for SE to get auto wipers and lights, rear parking sensors and dual-zone climate control. Sport grade adds numerous sporty touches including lots of red trim inside; some gloss black exterior trim and sports seats. M Sport adds firmer suspension, larger 18in wheels, and a more aggressive bodykit outside.

There were also a couple of styling packs called Modern and Luxury on pre-facelift cars. The former doesn't alter much over a regular SE car other than swap some piano black interior inserts for matt chrome alternatives, but the latter gives you upgraded leather on the seats and some wood paneling to the dash and door cards.

Ride and handling: Trim varieties aside, the main attribute of the 3 Series Touring is the way it drives. It’s rear-wheel drive and offers a great driving experience, steering and handling with just enough precision for a keen driver. There’s also an excellent four-wheel drive option: the xDrive. It rides well, too, though versions without the optional adaptive suspension can be a bit too firm; especially so with the M Sport suspension, which we'd avoid.

Interior and practicality: Inside, there’s the quality you expect from the premium BMW badge, with an upmarket interior and that much-lauded iDrive infotainment system controller. Overall, it is a much plainer design than the glitzy C-Class, but it does feel far better screwed together, coming close to the quality feel of the superbly finished A4.

Also, the 3 Series misses out on the standard-fit lumbar adjustment that comes as standard on its main rivals. Still, there is plenty of adjustment to help you find a comfortable driving position, although, whatever way you sit, you'll have to get used to the restricted rearwards visibility due to a small back window.

Passenger accommodation is pretty good for those in the second row; head and leg room are more generous than its closest competitors can offer.

Load-lugging is made easier by a flexible 40:20:40 split folding rear bench and standard fit electric tailgate. The boot isn't as long as the one found in the A4, nor does it have a handy cover that rises out of the way automatically, but the 3 Series has greater underfloor storage to hide things away, plus the rear window can be opened to stuff in smaller items if you can't open the whole tailgate.

If you're interested in finding a used 3 Series, or any of the other cars mentioned here, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

There are lots of examples of the 3 Series Touring (especially the 320d) and you can pick up a high-mileage example for as little as £5000. Up the money to £7000 and you should be able to find a tidy 2014/2015 example from an independent dealer with an average mileage and a full history.

You’ll need £10,000 to buy a good example from 2016 onward, with a low mileage and a full history, while the very last cars from 2019 start at around £14,000 and go all the way up to nearly £20,000 for a high-spec, six-cylinder model. The four-wheel-drive xDrive versions attract a premium that can be as much as £1500 over an equivalent tw0-wheel drive 3 Series, so consider if you really need this feature before committing to buy one.

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MPG

The cheapest 3 Series Touring to run is the 320d in ED form, which is good for an impressive official economy figure of 72.4mpg. The popular 318d and 320d achieve combined economy figures of 67.3mpg and 60.1mpg, respectively. The bigger, six-cylinder diesels aren't far off the smaller engines, though, with the 330d rated at 55.4mpg and the 335d at 51.4mpg.

Going for a smaller petrol shouldn't cripple you financially on fuel; the 318i has a combined economy figure of 52.3mpg. The more potent 320i, 328i and 330i models drop down into the mid-40s, though, while the older six-cylinder 335i achieves as little as 34.9mpg.

CO2 emissions

Some of the petrol engines emit an awful lot more CO2 than the diesels, particularly the 335i with 189g/km. The more sensible 318i, though, coughs out 122g/km. The popular 320d diesel emits 124g/km (102g/km in EfficientDynamics form), while the 318d has a figure of 111g/km. Even the six-cylinder diesels are quite affordable to tax; the powerful 335d's 145g/km is quite impressive given the performance it offers.

Road tax

Road tax for all models registered before 1 April 2017 will vary depending upon the emissions the engine produces (see paragraph above for more information) while examples registered after this date will render owners liable to pay a flat rate fee. There are two of these; a lower rate for cars that cost less than £40,000 when new, but any example that cost more than that will incur an additional fee. However, this surcharge only applies on the first five occasions that the vehicle is taxed, not including initial registration. Current fees are £180 a year for the VED (£170 a year for hybrids) and £390 for the luxury tax. To find out more about the current road tax costs, click here.

Servicing costs

BMW offers a five-year fixed-price servicing package on its new cars, so it’s worth checking to see if you’re still covered by this when buying a used one. Servicing isn’t too pricey, however, there will be a discrepancy between the smallest four-cylinder diesel and a big six-cylinder petrol that needs all of its filters and spark plugs changing. Inspections are due every two years or 15,000 miles.

Engine

Chances are you’re after a diesel-engined car, as that’s how most people bought them new. If so, our favourite engine is the 320d, which has slightly more oomph than the 316d and 318d versions, and yet retains class-leading economy.

Engines

The higher powered diesel models all offer an excellent blend of performance, refinement and economy. If you must go for a petrol due to a greater amount of urban driving, aim for the 320i because that's plenty quick enough and reasonably efficient.

Specification

As for the trim levels, all 3 Series are well equipped and there isn't really a bad choice amongst them, although the firm sports suspension fitted to M Sport cars can be too jarring for some. On balance, we'd recommend Sport since it gets all the equipment form the SE model but has more supportive sports seats that are better on long journeys.

Our favourite BMW 3 Series Touring: post-2015 320d Sport

The most obvious rivals to the 3 Series Touring are the Audi A4 Avant and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate. There’s not much in it when it comes to boot capacity and flexibility, though both have slightly more rear-seat leg and head room. Countering that, the 3 Series is the most enjoyable car to drive of the three, with superior steering and handling. There's not much in it on price, either, or running costs, and all three manufacturers only scored a mid-table position on most of our recent reliability and customer satisfaction surveys.

If you’re looking for more interior space and a larger boot, and don’t mind sacrificing the premium badge, then you should consider the Skoda Superb Estate and the VW Passat Estate, both of which offer far larger interiors (and exteriors) for pretty much the same price new and used as the 3 Series. The Superb’s boot is vast; it seems almost big enough to house the entire 3 Series Touring within it, and the Passat’s is almost its equal. Both cars make a pretty good fist of the family load lugger role, with competent performance and reasonable economy and running costs. Both hold onto their value well, too, so with strong residuals there are few real bargains, though plenty of good buys.

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