Cliff Chambers•12 Apr 2025

ADVICE

Buying a used BMW F30 3 Series (2015-20)

The 2015 update of the BMW 3 Series brought many practical improvements, including new engines and enhanced driver assistance

Short history of the 3 Series

Since 1976 when its 3 Series first appeared, BMW has made this class of car the backbone of its global range.

Twenty-five years into the 2 Series’ lifespan, BMW replaced its very successful E36 Series with a mildly restyled E46 in 1997 and was looking to reel in Mercedes-Benz as Australia’s leading supplier of prestige vehicles.

Several years later and with the E90 taking over, 3 Series sales were split between the Luxury and Sports segments, with a total of 8716 sales recorded for 2007. The same period saw Mercedes-Benz firmly relegated to second position with combined sales of 5557 for its C Class sedans and CLK two-doors.

So prolific were global E90 sales – more than three million spread across six years and with an immense range of derivatives – that BMW saw no reason for an upgrade until 2011, when the F30 Series emerged.

Assembly still occurred principally in Germany and South Africa but there were now facilities in other locations including China, Brazil, Russia and Thailand. For the first time in 3 Series history, all engines – petrol or diesel – were turbocharged.

An F34 Series fastback, designated the Grand Touring, was added to the range following its display at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show but sales proved disappointing.

Three years into the F30 model cycle came an update, dubbed by the company a Life Cycle Impulse (LCI), and it included some significant engineering advances.

These included a radical departure from 50 years of conventional four-cylinder engine design with the inclusion of a 1.5-litre, triple-cylinder turbocharged engine. This unit powered a new version of the 318i, which became the brand’s entry-level model for Australia.

Buying a used BMW 3 Series (2015-20) – Common faults found by Redbook Inspect

Services missed and sub-standard lubricants affecting valve train function
Timing chain stretched and noisy
Rim damage due to lack of cushioning from low-profile tyres

BMW 3 Series (2015-20) – Overview of updates, engines and equipment

BMW Australia had by 2015 pared the number of models in its 3 Series range but continued to offer cars to satisfy the needs of buyers from multiple demographics.

The local range now began with a new and controversial 318i, powered by a 1.5-litre, triple-cylinder turbocharged engine. With 100kW and 220Nm, it cost $54,990 (plus ORC) and from there pricing for 3 Series (excluding M3 versions, which merit their own review) climbed to $89,900 for the 3.0-litre twin-turbo 340i.

A six-speed manual transmission was available overseas but every Australian F30 that wasn’t an M3 came as an eight-speed automatic.

Three types of turbo-diesel engine were available in global markets but again Australia only saw one: the 2.0-litre version with 140kW and 400Nm of torque. Sales when new were slow and depreciation has hit the oiler market hard, so cars showing fewer than 100,000km can be found on carsales at a third of their original cost.

Although prices for updated F30s had risen across the board, BMW was quick to emphasise improved equipment levels, especially concerning the driver assistance systems fitted to every vehicle in the range.

These included reversing and Surround View cameras and a lane departure warning plus Driver Assist with Active Cruise Control and speed limit monitoring. Higher-specification models came with even more sophisticated monitoring systems as standard.

The next step up was a big one: an extra $7000 to the 135kW, four-cylinder 320i, which cost a minimum of $61,950. It was available in three variations: Sport Line, Luxury Line and M Sport, with base prices for these above $65,000.

All versions used the same 135kW engine and auto transmission but were distinguished by variations in presentation, suspension tune, wheels and tyres. Leather trim was standard in all 320i cars, so too an extended range of driver aids including a forward collision alert and parking distance monitors front and rear.

An Innovations Package was available as a $2290 option and worth having if you find a car with one installed. Additional features were Active Cruise Control, which helped maintain a safe following distance, plus Park Assistance, a Navigation Professional system and Smartphone connectivity.

The Luxury and Sport Line came as a sedan or wagon with 18-inch alloys, while the M Sport – sedan and wagon as well – sat on 19s. Rim widths are different front to rear and sidewall profiles aren’t consistent so tyres can’t be rotated.

Turbo-diesel versions of the 320 at $65,780 (Luxury Line) or $69,054 (M Sport) were significantly dearer than petrol cars with engines of similar capacity, but after almost a decade in the used market, the difference is now negligible.

When new, just $3000 added to the cost of a 320i M Sport diesel would have bought a 330i in M Sport form and that is the direction in which many buyers were headed.

Listed at $72,900, the 330i M Sport used the same basic engine as less expensive F30 Series cars but was tweaked to deliver an extra 50kW when running on Premium fuel.

Those 185 kilowatts became available at a very modest 5200rpm, with 375Nm of torque emerging from just 1450rpm. In common with the 320i M Sport, 330i versions came with 19-inch alloy rims and low-profile tyres.

Topping the range was the 340i, the only updated F30 aside from an M3 to have six cylinders and twin turbochargers. In 3.0-litre form, the 340i motor produced 240kW and 450Nm of torque for a claimed zero to 100km/h time of 5.1 seconds.

However, it was also $16,000 more expensive than the 330i without really massive performance gains or improvements to standard equipment.

BMW 3 Series (2015-20) – What are they like to drive?

According to those who have spent plenty of time behind the wheel of an F30 BMW, the driving experience is sublime.

Yes, the 318i could do with more grunt, but for only slightly more money in today’s tight market you could slip into the much-more-entertaining 330i.

Most cars in the market will be variations on the 320i theme, however, so we will focus on those and in particular the ones that ride on 18-inch wheels. These still come with M Adaptive damping that provides Comfort or Sport modes as standard.

At extra cost, new car buyers might have specified M Sport damping, which was tuned to complement the (also optional) Variable Sport steering. Thrill seekers who want to unleash their F30 at car club track days will love the response and roll control available when clicking the ‘M’ selector to Sport.

‘Comfort’ is the setting that most cars in everyday use will see, with extra cushioning available on 18-inch rims with their higher-profile tyre. With no spare wheel, especially if the car will be used on second-rate roads, BMW’s solution of ‘run flat’ tyres can leave people stranded in isolated areas after hitting a big hole at speed.

All models in the 3 Series range easily qualify for five-star ANCAP safety ratings and in terms of primary safety there is little in the medium car market to match an F30.

They stop and steer as well as any car of their kind and even the 1.5-litre will run 0-100km/h in nine seconds. The 330i cuts that time by almost three seconds and without doing serious harm to the fuel economy figures.

These show a 318i averaging 5.4L/100km (highway/city driving) while a 330i under the same conditions pushes the average to 7.4L/100km.

Is the BMW 3 Series (2015-20) a good choice for families?

Show your kids a photo of an F30 and ask if that will be okay for school drop-off and take their reaction as your answer.

BMW doesn’t specifically design its smaller models with family transport in mind, yet five people will find a way of packing themselves inside, ignoring the low roof and tightness of rear legroom, just to be part of the experience.

F30s do have a decent-sized boot but for way more space, track down a scarce Touring (wagon) version. These aren’t big sellers in the used market and can be found at similar prices to sedans of the same specification.

Wagons offer a split tailgate and 495 litres of basic boot room, extending to 1500 litres once the second row of seats is folded.

BMW 3 Series (2015-20) – What to check when buying used

F30s were subject to the Takata airbag recall, so check with a dealer or BMW Australia that any car you are considering has had its airbags replaced.
Oil sludge from overdue servicing or poor-quality lubricant can affect operation of the VANOS variable valve timing, causing poor performance and possible valve train damage.
Four-cylinder engines can make rattling or ticking noises due to timing chains that have stretched and become loose. Cars making these noises should be avoided or priced low enough to cover the significant repair cost.
Clear coat delamination has been reported, although mostly affecting cars that have been repainted. Check upper surfaces of bumpers and around the sunroof aperture (where fitted) for cracks and flaking.

Rebook Inspect mobile inspectors can take the guesswork out of buying a car with a comprehensive vehicle inspection.

Used vehicle grading for BMW 3 Series (2015-20)
Design & Function: 16/20
Safety: 16/20
Practicality: 13/20
Value for Money: 15/20
Wow Factor: 14/20
Score: 74/100

Also consider:
Audi A4
Mercedes-Benz C Class
Lexus IS250