Shifterati

BMW

BMW 3 Series 1984–2026

This page is a draft. It has not been approved yet, so read it with care.

The badge on the trunk tells you the engine, and it means a different engine in each generation, so check the generation first. On an E30, walk away from rust; on an E36, look hard at the cooling system.

Learn

Badges

The name on the trunk. Each one has its own page, with every generation that wore it.

Generations

Timeline

  1. E30 1984–1991

    What changed, year by year (5)
    1. 1984 New in the US as the 318i, 325e and 325es, with protruding aluminium bumpers, known as diving boards.3,2
    2. 1987 The 325i and 325is arrive with the 2.5-liter six, and the aluminium bumpers are shortened.3,2
    3. 1988 The all-wheel-drive 325iX arrives, the 325e and 325es end their US run, and the valances and rear wheel arches are revised.3
    4. 1989 Shorter body-coloured plastic bumpers replace the protruding aluminium ones of the 1984–1987 US cars.3
    5. 1991 The 318i returns, and the 318is arrives, both with the M42 four-cylinder. The last US E30s are built.3

  2. E36 1992–1999

    What changed, year by year (7)
    1. 1992 New body with rounded corners and a longer wheelbase. A driver airbag joins the standard equipment.4
    2. 1993 Four-cylinder cars can now have an automatic. The sixes gain variable valve timing for more low-end torque.5
    3. 1994 Dual airbags on every 3 Series. A six-cylinder convertible arrives, and traction control becomes an option.6
    4. 1995 The 318ti hatchback joins the range, with a 138 hp 1.8-liter four.7
    5. 1996 A 2.8-liter six turns the 325 into the 328, and the 318's four grows to 1.9 liters. Automatic climate control is standard except on the 318ti.8
    6. 1998 The four-cylinder coupe and convertible become the six-cylinder 323is and 323i. Side airbags are standard, and optional on the 318ti.9
    7. 1999 The coupe, convertible and 318ti carry on beside the new E46 sedan.10

  3. E46 1999–2006

    What changed, year by year (8)
    1. 1999 The new sedan arrives as the 323i and 328i.10
    2. 2000 New coupe, convertible and wagon. The hatchback is dropped.11
    3. 2001 Bigger engines make the 325 and 330, with larger wheels and brakes. All-wheel drive arrives as the xi.12
    4. 2002 The sedan and wagon get a facelift, and bi-xenon headlights become an option. Stability control gains a traction mode, and Hill Descent Control on all-wheel drive.13,14
    5. 2003 A centre rear head restraint for every sedan, a front armrest on the 325, and a standard moonroof on the 325 wagon. Free maintenance grows to 4 years or 50,000 miles.15
    6. 2004 The coupe and convertible get a new front and bumpers. A six-speed SMG gearbox is optional on some models.16
    7. 2005 A power moonroof is standard on every model.17
    8. 2006 Only the coupe and convertible remain, beside the new E90 sedan and wagon.18

  4. E90 2006–2013

    What changed, year by year (6)
    1. 2006 New sedan and wagon, as the 325i and 330i, with all-wheel drive from October 2005.19,18
    2. 2007 New coupe, and a convertible with a retractable hardtop. The 325 becomes the 328, and the 330 becomes the twin-turbo 335i.20,21
    3. 2009 The sedan and wagon get a new front, lights and trunk lid, and a second-generation iDrive. All-wheel-drive models are badged xDrive. The 335d diesel sedan arrives.22,23
    4. 2011 The coupe and convertible get a new front and lights. The 335i moves to the single-turbo N55, and the 335is arrives.24,25
    5. 2012 The M Sport Package replaces the Sport Package on the coupe and convertible. An automatic becomes a no-charge option.26
    6. 2013 Only the coupe and convertible remain, beside the new F30 sedan.27

  5. F30 2012–2019

    What changed, year by year (7)
    1. 2012 New sedan as the 328i and 335i, with a six-speed manual standard and an eight-speed automatic optional.28
    2. 2013 The 320i arrives, all-wheel drive returns as xDrive, and the ActiveHybrid 3 joins.29,27
    3. 2014 The 328d diesel, the Sports Wagon and the Gran Turismo arrive. There is no 3 Series coupe or convertible for 2014.30
    4. 2016 A refresh brings full-LED tail lights, optional LED headlights and revised suspension and steering. The 340i replaces the 335i.31
    5. 2017 A new four-cylinder turns the 328i into the 330i. iDrive 5.0.32
    6. 2018 LED headlights are standard, and iDrive 6.0 with a touch screen is available.33
    7. 2019 Only the Sports Wagon carries over, beside the new G20 sedan.34

  6. G20 2019–2026

    What changed, year by year (5)
    1. 2019 New sedan as the 330i and 330i xDrive, on sale from March 2019. No manual is offered.35,34
    2. 2020 The M340i and M340i xDrive arrive.36
    3. 2021 The 330e and 330e xDrive plug-in hybrids arrive.37
    4. 2022 The M340i gains a 48-volt mild hybrid system, and a digital instrument panel is standard.38
    5. 2023 A refresh brings a new grille, headlights and bumpers, and a curved display joining a 12.3-inch and a 14.9-inch screen.39

Buy

Rare catches

Rare options, colors and interiors to look out for, and whether finding one is good news.

  • Rare Imola Red Color · E46

    An M colour, offered with the Performance Package40

Recalls 72
  • 91V054000 1991

    The driver's knee bolster may have been fitted wrongly, stopping the steering column from moving forward in a frontal crash and raising the risk of chest injury.41

  • 96V110000 1992

    A tab on the steering wheel airbag's contact ring can break, so the airbag may not deploy.42

  • 96V111000 1993

    The brake light switch can fail and stick on or off. Dealers fit a redesigned switch.43

  • 97V131000 1992–1996

    A worn plastic bushing can let the cruise control or throttle cable catch, holding the throttle partly open. Dealers add a spring steel clip to each cable.42,43,44,45,46

  • 98V178000 1992–1995

    A cooling system fault can overheat the engine and crack the heater core's end piece, spraying hot coolant. Dealers fit a new radiator cap.42,43,44

  • 99V063000 1999

    The side airbags and head protection can go off after a hard knock that is not a crash, such as a pothole or kerb, and the engine then cannot be restarted. The control module is reprogrammed.47,48

  • 99V100000 1999

    The clip holding the brake booster pushrod to the pedal may not have been fitted properly. If it comes off, the brakes do not work. The clip is checked and replaced if loose.49,48

  • 00V383000 2001

    The tyre fitting machine at the plant may have damaged the wheels' inner rims, which can let a tyre lose air suddenly. All five wheels are checked and replaced if any is damaged.50,51

  • 01V206000 2001

    A failing cooling fan motor can overload the fan's control unit and stop the fan, which can overheat the engine or start a fire in the control unit. The fan is replaced. Campaign 02V138000 added more cars.52,51

  • 02V138000 2001

    More cars added to the cooling fan recall, 01V206000. The fan is replaced.51

  • 02V223000 1999–2000

    The side airbags can go off after a hard knock that is not a crash, such as a pothole or kerb. The airbag control module is recalibrated.53,48

  • 03V124000 2003

    The idle speed can rise to about 1,300 rpm at a standstill, so the car seems to push when a gear is selected. The engine control unit is reprogrammed.54,55

  • 03V160000 2003

    The windows' anti-pinch protection may not work, so a closing window could trap someone. The window control unit is checked and replaced if needed.56,55

  • 11V438000 2002–2005

    Worn electrical contacts can make the tail, brake or turn signal lights fail now and then.55,57

  • 11V476000 2011

    The front driveshaft's bolts may not have been tightened properly and can come loose, so the front wheels lose drive.58

  • 13V044000 2007–2011

    The positive battery cable's connector can wear, cutting power so the car may stall. The connector is replaced and secured.59,60,61,58

  • 13V172000 2002–2003

    The front passenger airbag's inflator can rupture when it goes off. Widened by 14V428000.55

  • 13V454000 2012–2014

    The brake vacuum pump may not get enough oil and fail, so the brakes need more force. Widened by 14V627000.62

  • 13V564000 2006–2007

    The mat that senses a front passenger can crack, which could switch off the passenger airbag in a crash.63

  • 14V176000 2010–2012

    Bolts in the VANOS valve timing housing can loosen or break, cutting power or stalling the engine.58

  • 14V627000 2012–2014

    More cars added to the brake vacuum pump recall, 13V454000.62

  • 15V189000 2014

    Poor plating inside the fuel pump can make it fail, so the car may stall without warning.64

  • 15V318000 2002–2006

    Moisture can get into the driver's airbag inflator, which can then rupture when it goes off.55,57,65

  • 15V520000 2012–2015

    Software can switch off the front side marker lights while the parking lights or headlights are on, so the car fails a federal lighting rule.62,64,66

  • 17V067000 2011

    The rear driveshaft's constant-velocity joint can wear out and break, so the car loses drive.58

  • 17V428000 2006

    The mat that senses a front passenger can crack, which could switch off the passenger airbag in a crash.63

  • 17V676000 2006–2011

    Wiring and connectors for the heating and air conditioning airflow control can overheat and melt, with a risk of fire even when the car is parked. They are replaced.63,59,60,61,67,58

  • 17V683000 2007–2011

    The heater in the crankcase ventilation valve can short-circuit, with a risk of fire even when the car is parked.59

  • 18V314000 2010–2011

    The positive battery cable's connection at the fuse box can loosen, cutting power so the car may stall.67

  • 14V428000 2000–2006

    The front passenger airbag can build too much pressure and burst its inflator when it goes off. BMW advises not driving the car until it is repaired. The date is when NHTSA last received a report on it.51,55,57

  • 18V465000 2018–2019

    Wrong firmware in the crankshaft sensor can make the engine stall.68

  • 18V652000 2018

    Capacitors in the portable charging cable can fail, with a risk of shock or fire.68

  • 18V755000 2014–2018

    A leaking exhaust gas recirculation cooler can let coolant mix with soot, which can melt the intake manifold and start a fire. Widened by 21V907000.66

  • 19V273000 2006

    The heater in the crankcase ventilation valve can short-circuit, with a risk of fire even when the car is parked. Widens 17V683000.63

  • 19V352000 2019

    The driver's and passenger's knee airbags may have been folded wrongly, so they may not deploy as they should.69

  • 19V472000 2009–2011

    The positive battery cable's connection at the fuse box can wear, cutting power so the car may stall. Widens 18V314000.67

  • 19V600000 2020

    The rear centre headrest can fold down in a rear crash because of a poor weld.70

  • 19V684000 2019–2020

    The reversing camera's display settings can be changed so its image stays hidden in reverse.69,71,70

  • 19V732000 2019–2020

    Needle roller bearings on the engine's counterbalance shaft may have been fitted wrongly, so the shaft can come loose. Dealers replace the engine.69,71

  • 19V755000 2020

    The trunk's inside release cable may have been fitted wrongly, so the trunk cannot be opened from inside.71,70

  • 19V851000 1999

    Driver airbag inflators from one Takata plant can rupture or underinflate after moisture gets in. BMW advises not driving the car until the inflator is checked.48

  • 19V852000 1999–2000

    Driver airbag inflators can rupture or underinflate after moisture gets in. They are checked and replaced as needed.48

  • 19V853000 1999–2001

    Driver airbag inflators fitted as replacements can rupture or underinflate after moisture gets in. They are replaced.51,48

  • 19V850000 2020

    The headlight control units can fail, so one or both headlights go out.71

  • 19V912000 2019–2020

    The rear outer seat belt pretensioners may not lock in a crash. Dealers replace the rear seat belts.69,71

  • 20V018000 2000–2006

    Front passenger airbag inflators fitted as a stopgap repair can burst as their propellant ages. The passenger airbag is replaced.51,55,57,65

  • 20V017000 2006–2013

    Driver airbag inflators fitted as a stopgap Takata repair can burst as their propellant ages. The airbag is replaced.63,59,60,61,67,58

  • 20V164000 2020

    The front seat belt buckle sensors can read a belted occupant as unbelted, so the airbags and pretensioners may not deploy as they should.71,70

  • 20V185000 2014–2016

    A damaged constant-velocity joint can cut drive to the rear wheels, and let a parked car roll away.66

  • 20V355000 2019–2020

    The steering tie rods can be damaged by high heat and rough roads, and may break.69,71,70

  • 20V490000 2021

    Loose weld beads can short-circuit cells in the hybrid battery. NHTSA says all affected cars were already fixed.72

  • 20V601000 2021

    Debris in the hybrid battery cells can cause a short circuit and a fire. Owners were told not to charge the car until the battery module was checked or replaced.72

  • 21V096000 2019–2021

    Part of the reversing camera's image can be blocked, or the screen may not light up, in reverse.69,71,73,70,72

  • 21V298000 2021

    A bolt holding the front seat belt to the frame may not have been tightened to specification.73,72

  • 21V401000 1999–2001

    Takata driver airbag inflators that were checked earlier but not replaced can rupture or underinflate after moisture gets in. The inflator is replaced.74,75,48

  • 21V554000 2021

    The passenger's seat belt retractor can switch off before the belt has fully retracted.73,72

  • 21V586000 2014–2018

    The diesel's high-pressure fuel pump can fail and stall the engine while driving.66

  • 21V598000 2020

    The engine software can lose braking assist while the engine starts.70

  • 21V907000 2014–2018

    More cars and a further fix for the exhaust gas recirculation cooler leak in 18V755000.66

  • 22V070000 2022

    The automatic gearbox's mechatronics unit may have been put together wrongly, so it can leak inside and let the car roll away.76

  • 22V747000 2023

    The reversing camera software can block part of the image in reverse.77

  • 23V118000 2023

    A replacement control unit may have been programmed wrongly, so the doors may not lock automatically while driving.78,77

  • 23V211000 2019–2021

    A seat frame may not be properly welded to its rails, so it may not hold the occupant in a crash.69,71,73,70

  • 23V584000 2019–2022

    The audio module software may not sound the seat belt reminder properly.69,71,73,76,70

  • 24V288000 2014–2015

    The head airbag's inflator can fail at a weld, leaking gas or bursting and throwing metal fragments into the cabin.64,66

  • 24V513000 2006–2012

    The driver airbag in a replacement sport steering wheel can burst when it goes off. The airbag is checked and replaced as needed.63,59,60,61,67,58

  • 24V527000 2014–2015

    A manufacturing fault can make the driver's airbag inflator burst when it goes off.64

  • 24V576000 2020

    Repeated tries to start after the starter fails can overheat it, with a risk of fire. Dealers update the software.70

  • 24V608000 2012–2016

    A poorly sealed plug on the electric water pump can short-circuit, with a risk of fire.62

  • 25V636000 2019–2021

    The starter relay can corrode, overheat and short-circuit, with a risk of fire. Owners are told to park outside, away from buildings, until the starter is replaced.69,71,73

  • 25V871000 2014

    More cars with the head airbag inflator fault in 24V288000.64

  • 26V056000 2021–2023

    Wear inside the starter can make it overheat and catch fire. Dealers replace the starter.73,76,78

Before you pay

A buyer's checklist for each generation: every warning and recall, with a box to tick.

Sources

Generations, badges, engines and year changes are facts from BMW's US press releases, Edmunds reviews of single model years and Wikipedia, which gives most of the chassis codes and the E30 and E36 US ranges. Horsepower for the E30 comes from one BMWBlog guide. Known issues and buying advice come for the E30 from BMWBlog and two owner forum threads, for the E36 from Turner Motorsport, BMWBlog, Consumer Guide and one owner forum thread, for the E46 from a British buying guide and two owner forum threads, for the E90 from Turner Motorsport, AutoGuide and two owner forum threads, for the F30 from AutoTrader.ca, Euro Premium Parts and two owner forum threads, and for the G20 from Euro Premium Parts, Car and Driver's long-term test and two owner forum threads, with forum reports counted in the text. Colours and interiors are from Edmunds pages for single years, and recalls from NHTSA. No source read lists E30 or E36 interiors.

  1. Wikipedia (M3)
  2. BMWBlog E30 buyer's guide
  3. Wikipedia (E30)
  4. Edmunds 1992 review
  5. Edmunds 1993 review
  6. Edmunds 1994 review
  7. Edmunds 1995 review
  8. Edmunds 1996 review
  9. Edmunds 1998 review
  10. Edmunds 1999 review
  11. Edmunds 2000 review
  12. Edmunds 2001 review
  13. Edmunds 2002 review
  14. BMW USA press kit (2002)
  15. BMW USA press kit (2003)
  16. Edmunds 2004 review
  17. Edmunds 2005 review
  18. Edmunds 2006 review
  19. BMW USA press (2006 sedan)
  20. BMW USA press (2007 coupe)
  21. Edmunds 2007 review
  22. BMW USA press (2009 sedan and wagon)
  23. Edmunds 2009 review
  24. BMW USA press (2011 coupe and convertible)
  25. BMW USA press (335is)
  26. BMW USA press (2012 changes)
  27. Edmunds 2013 review
  28. BMW USA press (2012 sedan)
  29. BMW USA press (320i)
  30. BMW USA press (2014 changes)
  31. BMW USA press (2016 sedan and wagon)
  32. BMW USA press (2017 update)
  33. BMW USA press (2018 update)
  34. Edmunds 2019 review
  35. BMW USA press (2019 sedan)
  36. BMW USA press (M340i)
  37. BimmerFile (2021 330e)
  38. Edmunds 2022 review
  39. BMW USA press (2023 sedan)
  40. BimmerFile (ZHP)
  41. NHTSA recalls (1991 318is)
  42. NHTSA recalls (1992 318i)
  43. NHTSA recalls (1993 325i)
  44. NHTSA recalls (1995 325i)
  45. NHTSA recalls (1996 318i)
  46. NHTSA recalls (1996 318ti)
  47. NHTSA campaign 99V063000
  48. NHTSA recalls (1999 328i)
  49. NHTSA campaign 99V100000
  50. NHTSA campaign 00V383000
  51. NHTSA recalls (2001 325i)
  52. NHTSA campaign 01V206000
  53. NHTSA campaign 02V223000
  54. NHTSA campaign 03V124000
  55. NHTSA recalls (2003 325i)
  56. NHTSA campaign 03V160000
  57. NHTSA recalls (2005 325i)
  58. NHTSA recalls (2011 335i)
  59. NHTSA recalls (2008 328i)
  60. NHTSA recalls (2008 335i)
  61. NHTSA recalls (2009 335i)
  62. NHTSA recalls (2013 328i)
  63. NHTSA recalls (2006 325i)
  64. NHTSA recalls (2014 335i)
  65. NHTSA recalls (2006 325Ci)
  66. NHTSA recalls (2015 328d)
  67. NHTSA recalls (2010 335d)
  68. NHTSA recalls (2018 330e)
  69. NHTSA recalls (2019 330i)
  70. NHTSA recalls (2020 M340i)
  71. NHTSA recalls (2020 330i)
  72. NHTSA recalls (2021 330e)
  73. NHTSA recalls (2021 330i)
  74. NHTSA recalls (2000 3 Series)
  75. NHTSA recalls (2001 3 Series)
  76. NHTSA recalls (2022 330i)
  77. NHTSA recalls (2023 330e)
  78. NHTSA recalls (2023 330i)
Also read for this model 42