Used BMW 3 Series for Sale

The 7th generation of the BMW 3 Series range consists of the BMW G20 (sedan version) and BMW G21 wagon version which is marketed as ‘Touring’ compact executive cars. Like the previous generations, these cars have among the best safety ratings, high-end styling and loads of standard convenience and safety features.

BMW G20/G21

For the G20, BMW started production in Mexico for various markets, replacing the Rosslyn plant in South Africa where the previous F30 generation of BMW vehicles were assembled. The G20 is available in Advantage, Sport Line, Luxury Line, or the M Sport package.

The BMW G20/G21 has been in production since mid-October 2018 with a facelift in July 2022. It is collectively referred to as the G20 with new driver assist systems allowing the latest 3 Series BMW cars to drive semi-autonomously. The models include the following:

• BMW 318i
• BMW 320i
• BMW 330i Sedan
• BMW 330i xDrive Sedan
• BMW M340i Sedan
• BMW M340i xDrive Sedan

Since mid-2019, the BMW 3 Series Touring, known as the G21, has been available as a BMW hybrid, known as the BMW 330e. It has an electric range of around 66 km with a claimed fuel economy of 1.6 L/100 km.

A facelift for the 7th generation BMW 3 Series was announced in May 2022. The updated model gets new front and rear bumpers, new headlights and a slightly tweaked grille.

Did You Know? Up until the 6th generation (F30), the BMW 3 Series sedan was produced at BMW’s Rosslyn plant in South Africa, making it a locally significant model for decades.

Power Train

Engine

• 2.0 L Turbo Petrol
• 2.0 L Turbo Petrol + Electric
• 3.0 L Turbo Petrol
• 2.0 L Turbo Diesel
• 3.0 L Turbo Diesel

Transmission

• 8-speed automatic

Body Style

• 4-door sedan
• 5-door estate (wagon)

Length

• 4,709 mm – 4,829 mm

Width

• 1,827 mm

Wheelsbase

• 2,851 mm – 2,936 mm

Thanks to a 5-star Euro NCAP Safety Rating, this BMW 3 Series range (F30/F31/F34) is one of the safest ever built! The F30 remains in high demand on the used market, ranking among the best-selling used cars in South Africa. The range is available in the following 3 body styles:

• Sedan (Model Code F30) was produced locally at the Rosslyn plant from 2012 to 2019
• Wagon (Model Code F31) – never locally produced
• Gran Turismo (Model Code F34) – never locally produced

In 2015, this 6th Generation BMW 3 Series was given a facelift which included revised headlights and tail-lights, as well as several comfort features and engine upgrades, and tweaks. Later in 2016, the 3 Series range welcomed its first plug-in hybrid globally with the introduction of the 330e, combining electric efficiency with signature BMW performance.

BMW M Series Model

This generation’s version of the BMW M3 was released in 2014 and is powered by the S55 twin-turbo straight-six engine. This version of the M3 remained the production version of this iconic car until 2020, when the next-generation G80 M3 was introduced.

Did You Know? It was at the launch of this sixth-generation 3 Series BMW that the coupé and convertible models were removed and became the new BMW 4 Series nameplate. An additional hatchback model variant was, however, added to the 3 Series and is known as the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo.

Power Train

Engine

• 1.5 L Turbo Petrol
• 1.6 L Turbo Petrol
• 2.0 L Turbo Petrol
• 3.0 L Turbo Petrol
• 2.0 L Turbo Diesel
• 3.0 L Turbo Diesel

Transmission

• 6-speed manual
• 8-speed automatic

Body Style

• 4-door sedan
• 5-door estate
• 5-door fastback

Length

• 4,620 mm – 4,734 mm

Width

• 1,811 mm

Wheelsbase

• 2,810 mm – 2,920 mm

The 5th generation BMW 3 Series (E9X, particularly the E90) is one of our best-selling BMW 3 Series generations due to its availability and the fact that they were exceptionally reliable. This means that there are more of them, which means you can own one of the best BMW 3 Series EVER built, thanks to Group1 Cars! In 2007, the 335i became the first BMW 3 Series model sold in South Africa to feature a turbocharged petrol engine.

BMW 5th Generation 3 Series Model Variants Include:

• 4-door Sedan, which had the E90 Model Code, was produced locally at Plant Rosslyn in Pretoria from 2005 to 2011.
• Estate which had the E91 Model Code and was marketed as “Touring” – limited local availability, sold between 2005 and 2012.
• Coupé, which used the E92 Model Code, was sold between 2006 and 2013.
• Cabriolet, which was designated the E93 Model Code, was sold between 2006 and 2013.

BMW M3 Model

The BMW M3 has always been a bit of a beast, and in this generation, there was no exception. It was powered by a V8 BMW engine and was available in three body styles, namely sedan, coupe, and cabriolet.

Did You Know? This generation of the 3 Series won numerous international awards during its production run. The most impressive being the 2006 World Car of the Year, “Best New Sports Sedan” in the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year awards, and the EfficientDynamics Auto the Overall Winner Green Car of the Year 2012 (the BMW 320d).

Power Train

Engine

• 1.6 L Petrol
• 2.0 L Petrol
• 2.5 L Petrol
• 3.0 L Petrol
• 3.0 L Turbocharged Petrol
• 4.0 L V8 Petrol
• 2.0 L Turbo-diesel
• 3.0 L Turbo-diesel

Transmission

• 6-speed manual
• 6-speed automatic
• 7-speed M-DCT

Body Style

• 4-door saloon
• 5-door wagon
• 2-door coupé
• 2-door cabriolet

Length

• 4,520–4,610 mm

Width

• 1,780–1,820 mm

Wheelsbase

• 2,760 mm

The 4th generation BMW 3 Series (E46) was a vast improvement over an already impressive list of 3 Series predecessors. Standard accessories introduced in many model variants included satellite navigation, electronic brake-force distribution, rain-sensing wipers, Xenon headlights, and LED tail-lights.

Model variants available during its 8-year production run included:

• A 4-door sedan that was sold between 1998 and 2005
• A 2-door coupé, sold between 1999 and 2006
• A 2-door convertible sold from early 2000 until 2006
• A 5-door estate sold from late 1999 until 2005
• A 3-door hatchback sold from 2001 until 2004

The E46 sedan and Touring (wagon) received a facelift, Life Cycle Impulse (LCI) in September 2001 for the 2002 model year. The coupe and convertible models did not receive their facelift until March 2003 for the 2004 model year.

The BMW M3 Model

The M3 was first introduced late in 2000 with a 3.2 L M-tuned engine. It was manufactured in two body styles only, namely coupe and convertible. Transmission options included a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed “SMG-II” automated manual transmission.

Did You Know? All-wheel drive, last available in the E30 3 Series, was reintroduced into the 3 Series BMW Range during this vehicle generation. It was available in the 325xi, 330xi, and 330xd model variants.

Power Train

Engine

• 1.8 L Petrol
• 2.0 L Petrol
• 3.2 L Petrol
• 4.0 L V8 Petrol
• 2.0 L Diesel
• 2.9 L Diesel
• 3.0 L Diese

Transmission

• 6-speed manual
• 6-speed “SMG-II” automated manual
• 5-speed automatic
• 5-speed manual

Body Style

• 2-door coupé
• 2-door convertible
• 4-door sedan
• 5-door station wagon
• 3-door hatchback

Length

• 4,470–4,490 mm

Width

• 1,740–1,810 mm

Wheelsbase

• 2,720 mm

Launched in 1990 globally, the 3rd Generation BMW 3 Series (E36) included 4-door saloon, coupe, convertible, station wagon, and hatchback model variants. This version of the 3 Series BMW became one of the biggest-selling vehicles in South Africa during its 10-year production run. During this time, the 3 Series underwent numerous upgrades and design tweaks. Model variants (marketed as “3 Series Compact” included:

• A 4-door sedan that was available from 1990 to 1998
• A 2-door coupé which was sold between 1992 and 1999
• A 2-door convertible, which was not freely available in SA, but was sold globally between 1993 and 1999
• A 5-door estate which was sold from 1994 and available until 1999
• A 3-door hatchback sold from 1993 to 2000

The E36 marked several firsts for the 3 Series lineup. It was the first to introduce a hatchback body style, and also the first to offer a 6-speed manual transmission (featured in the 1996 M3), a 5-speed automatic gearbox, and a four-cylinder diesel engine.

Did You Know? South Africa had its own unique version of the 316i which was available between 1994 and 1998. It had a 1796cc, which was different from the larger engines found in 3 Series BMW’s of this type in countries outside of South Africa.

Power Train

Engine

• 1.6 L Petrol
• 1.8 L Petrol
• 1.9 L Petrol
• 2.0 L Petrol
• 2.5 L Petrol
• 2.8 L Petrol
• 3.0 L Petrol
• 3.2 L Petrol
• 3.2 L Petrol
• 1.7 L Turbocharged Diesel
• 2.5 L Turbocharged Diesel

Transmission

• 6-speed manual
• 5-speed automatic

Body Style

• 2-door coupé
• 2-door convertible
• 4-door saloon
• 5-door touring

Length

• 4,430 mm

Width

• 1,700 mm

Wheelsbase

• 2,700 mm

Introduced as a 2-door sedan in 1982, the 2nd generation BMW 3 Series (E30) was the first 3 Series to be built in South Africa. In 1983, a 4-door sedan was introduced into the local market, and later a convertible was launched internationally, but not here in SA. This generation was the first to offer a diesel engine option, although this engine derivative was not freely available in Southern Africa. It was, however, imported by several BMW enthusiasts at the time, so it is a very rare version of the 3 Series, which is very seldom seen. Model variants included the 316, 316i, 318i, 318is, M3, 320i, 323i, 325/e/es, 325i, 325is, 325ix, 324td and the 324d.

Did You Know? The 333i was an exclusive South Africa-only model! Additionally, the BMW 325iS models sold in South Africa were substantially different from 325iS models sold elsewhere. The E30 is especially prized by collectors in South Africa, particularly the 325iS and 333i, which were unique to the local market. Their exclusivity, motorsport pedigree, and local heritage have cemented their legendary status among enthusiasts.

Power Train

Engine

• 1.6 L Petrol
• 1.8 L Petrol
• 2.0 Petrol
• 2.5 L Petrol
• 2.7 L Petrol
• 2.4 L Diesel

Transmission

• 4-speed manual
• 5-speed manual
• 3-speed automatic
• 4-speed automatic

Body Style

• 2-door coupé
• 2-door convertible
• 4-door sedan
• 5-door Touring

Length

• 4,320–4,460 mm

Width

• 1,650 mm

Wheelsbase

• TBC

The first generation of the BMW 3 Series (E21) was a compact luxury vehicle that was initially available only as a 2-door sedan. In 1978, a cabriolet model variant was introduced and sold until 1981. 1st generation 3 Series model variants included the 315, 316, 318, 318i, 320, 320i, 320/6, and the 323i.

Model updates were made throughout the production run of this 1st generation BMW’s production run, with the most significant occurring in 1975, 1977, 1980 and 1981.

Did You Know? The 3 Series Cabriolet was not manufactured by BMW but by Baur, which was already renowned for its coachwork done for BMW since the 1930s.

Power Train

Engine

• 1.6 L Petrol
• 2.0 L Petrol
• 2.3 L Petrol

Transmission

• 3-speed automatic
• 4-speed manual
• 5-speed manual

Body Style

• 2-door compact sedan
• 2-door convertible

Length

• 4,355 mm

Width

• 1,610 mm

Wheelsbase

• 2,563 mm