Buying a used BMW 3 Series F30 (2011-2015)

The BMW 3 Series has been around since Methuselah was a toy boy, with engineering and stylistic changes delivered in small increments rather than value-sapping revamps.

The first big change to the 3 Series shape came in 1991 when a totally new E36 version appeared. Updates followed every seven years or so until 2011 when the F30-35 range brought a physically larger design – even bigger than the E46 – that appealed to more buyers without losing sight of the enduring 3 Series concept.

F30 BMWs were available in four body styles and with 18 engine variants; most of which weren’t available to Australia. We saw six headline models during the 2012-15 period, with 1.6-, 2.0- and 3.0-litre petrol engines, 1.8- and 2.0-litre diesels and a hybrid.

Also in the mix were enough option combinations to send BMW Australia’s stock controllers slightly insane.

Unlike the classic atmospheric engines fitted to bygone BMWs, local F30s were all turbocharged. And while the 320d with its 135kW 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine was predicted to be the biggest local seller, carsales listings show petrol and diesel versions to be available in equal numbers.

Also surprising was the number of 180kW 328i models in the market that came at inviting prices and with the desirable M Sport pack as an inclusion.

Prior to the arrival in mid-2012 of an entry-level 316i, the 320i petrol was the F30’s local price leader. It cost as a basic car $57,600 and the 2.0-litre turbo engine produced an unstressed 135kW, with fuel consumption averaging an impressive 6.3L/100km.

Little need you would then think for a diesel, but we got one anyway and what an exceptional bit of kit it proved to be. Output of 135kW exactly matched the petrol version but it produced loads more torque which was delivered virtually from walking pace.

The cost of a 320d was only $3000 more than for the petrol car and claimed fuel usage plunged to an extraordinary 4.5L/100km.

Top of our F30 range was the potent but not obscenely expensive 335i. This model listed at $91,000 and delivered 225kW from its 3.0-litre inline six.

Three levels of trim were available to buyers of this and other F30s and equipment levels seem perfectly adequate – at least until Our Rep behind the desk at Bimmer Mart drew buyers’ attention to the options list.

Top spot among the ‘must haves’ was Adaptive Suspension – more about that later – which cost $1400 on its own or came as part of the $6100 M Sport pack.

Toss in a sunroof at almost $3000 and metallic paint for a crazy $1840 extra and suddenly the buyer of that 335i was staring at a bill with six digits scribbled across the bottom.

Today, of course, depreciation has compressed the values of heavily optioned cars and brought them much closer in real terms to those that initially cost a lot less.

Then there is the significant number of F30s in the market – let’s not call it a glut – which encourages buyers to inspect wider range of cars and perhaps pick up a better-equipped version for just slightly more than the cost of a basic one.

Four-doors prevail throughout the local F30 range, making these viable as family transport. The extended wheelbase was devoted almost entirely to improving occupant accommodation and especially rear legroom.

Boot space did increase, but by only 20 litres when compared with the more compact E92 cars.

A 2015 update left the 3 Series’ appearance largely unchanged but brought larger wheels and lower-profile tyres across the range, parking sensors with a ‘bird’s eye’ camera and synthetic ‘Sensatec’ seat facings.

There are two schools of thought regarding F30 road behaviour and your driving habits will likely determine which one you support.

The F30 was designed with a world market in mind and much of that world isn’t kind to tautly suspended models with mere slivers of rubber between their rims and the road.  

F30s delivered new in Australia were biased towards the urban user, with pliant suspension geared to mainly urban driving. If you were the kind of BeeEm driver who enjoyed flicking your car through bends on a deserted rural backroad, the taut responses delivered by earlier 3 Series might seem to be lacking in the F30.

For those seeking to combat the F30’s back-road blandness there was a Driving Experience controller on the console which would change throttle mapping and sharpen the steering.

However, for real mid-bend bite and permission to hang the tail you needed the optional Adaptive Suspension which electronically tuned the dampers to suit road conditions and the way the car was being driven.

Next consider the performance benefits of a lightweight turbo engine with loads of torque coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission that even diehards admit offers great driver involvement.

The eight-speeder is so effective that trying to out-think it via the selector paddles is a losing game. If you need numbers to be convinced, then consider this: in addition to a 0-100km/h time of 6.2 seconds, a 328i spends 3.9 seconds accelerating from 80-120km/h and that is only a second slower than the 4.0-litre M3 with 309kW.  

Tyres and their aspect ratio make a difference too, so when choosing a car and doing the sums consider what contribution to driver enjoyment a Sport pack with its 225/40/19 rubber might make.

Abundant safety features and five-star occupant protection scores are a given in this market segment, but BMW has certainly gone all-out to care for the human cargo should things go badly. Crash test videos show airbags emerging from everywhere and a passenger compartment displaying amazingly resilience when being hit from all angles.  

Even during the 64km/h offset crash, which destroys many vehicles from the firewall forward, the road-wheel on the side taking the impact barely moves.

The 2015 update brought some serious additions to the F30’s armoury of safety features, including Approach Control which warned drivers that they were rapidly closing on an object ahead and braked the car if need be, along with lane departure and pedestrian alerts.

There was also Intelligent Emergency Calling if the car was involved in an accident and BMW Teleservice which told your nominated dealer of emerging mechanical problems.

F30s sold in Australia were involved in a recall during 2013 to replace braking system vacuum pumps. All cars should by now have had a replacement pump installed.

The VANOS variable valve timing is sensitive to timely servicing and dirty oil. If owners stretch service intervals too far or short journeys allow oil to develop sludge, the triggering mechanisms for the VVT can be affected.

Some owners report knocking and pulsing from the power steering, especially when turning and reversing simultaneously. A retrofit upgrade available from 2018 was said to fix the problem but be aware of the issue when test-driving. 

Ultra-low tyre profiles, stiff suspension settings and lousy roads are a recipe for rim damage, so check all wheels inside and out for bumps and buckling.

Older F30 interiors are heading for their 10th birthdays and neglect can manifest by way of hardened or discoloured seat facings, dash cracks and equipment failures.

Before test-driving, go online for a guide to the iDrive dash display so you can check the various systems are working.

Used vehicle grading for the F30 BMW 3 Series
Design & Function: 15/20
Safety: 16/20
Practicality: 12/20
Value for Money: 15/20
Wow Factor: 15/20
Score: 73/100