Used BMW 3 Series 2005 - 2012 review

In most respects, the BMW 3 Series that was introduced in 2005 is like every iteration of the 3 Series before it – rear-wheel drive and great fun to be behind the wheel of, with agile handling and a finely balanced chassis.

The big difference with this generation was a growing focus on the car’s green credentials and major improvements on the practicality front. It was, really, the first 3 Series to have proper space in the back seats, and the boot is big enough to be really useful, for business professionals and growing families alike.

BMW’s clever foresight of incoming emissions legislation lead to some very frugal and tax-efficient models, such as the 320d Efficient Dynamics, which managed to blend 184bhp turbodiesel punch with sub-120g/km CO2 emissions.

The 3 Series clings tenaciously to its value, and even for the oldest cars you'll still need a budget of more than £2,000 to secure a good one, especially if it’s a 320d diesel. The M Sport pack will also add a little to the price.

A later 2008 M Sport car will be well over £4,000, especially from a BMW dealer and with a full service history. The best value is actually to be found in later models; a 2010 320d Efficient Dynamics will only set you back around £6,200, which represents a lot of car for the money.

The 320d Efficient Dynamics model averaged almost 70mpg in official tests and can get surprisingly close to that figure in the real world. A 119g/km CO2 emissions rating means you’ll also have minimal road tax costs.

True, servicing at BMW main dealers can be expensive, but there are plenty of more affordable, not to mention highly competent, independent BMW specialists.

Larger alloy wheel options are best avoided because the tyres for those sizes are very expensive to replace, so stick with the 17in rims if you want to keep costs down.

The diesel particulate filter (DPF) in the exhaust needs regular long runs to heat up properly and clean itself out, so beware of cars with very low mileage, as the DPF can cost more than £1500 to replace.

The BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics, which had the best blend of economy, emissions and useable performance, is the pick of the range. But choose any 320d and you’ll be getting a fast and frugal car.

SE models often had lighter, brighter interiors with beige leather and wood, while the more popular M Sport versions had darker, more overtly sporty looking materials (and a firmer ride due to their stiffer suspension).

The basic 316d and 318d diesels are also worth a look, because they’re usually a little more affordable than 320ds, but they’re also often less well equipped and earlier versions have quite disappointing CO2 emissions figures.

Petrol 320i models are suitable for those who don’t drive long-haul on a regular basis, while the six-cylinder 330d diesel and twin-turbo 335i petrol models should sate any high-performance craving you might have.

The 3 Series was a very big seller all through its life, so you should be very choosy and take your time tracking down exactly the specification, colour and engine you desire.

Our favourite used BMW 3 Series: 320d EfficientDynamics

The Audi A4 has long been the closest competitor to the 3 Series, and in 2007 a new version was launched with much improved interior space and some very frugal 2.0-litre TDI engines. It was never as good to drive as the 3 Series, but has proved itself to be a reliable car.

The Mercedes C-Class was also being replaced at this time. A little smaller and less practical overall than the 3 Series, it represented a return to form for Mercedes in quality terms and was also very comfortable.

The Jaguar X-Type was launched in 2001 as a potential 3 Series rival, but it never troubled the BMW in the sales charts. It’s nevertheless a decent car, as long as you can live with its old-school styling.

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