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BMW 3 Series buyer guide

E46 → G20: which generation, which engine, what to check

The badge on the boot proves nothing — the real version is defined by the kW figure in the registration certificate and the VIN. This guide is built on the autopase.lv model reference dataset; sources are listed at the bottom.

📐 Technical figures on this page come from the autopase.lv model reference dataset; verification sources are listed at the bottom.

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📅 Generation timeline

E46

1998–2006facelift 2001

BMW 3 Series (E46)

SedanWagonCoupeConvertible

Engines and versions

VersionFuelPowerDriveYears
316iPetrol77 kWRWD1998–2001
316i (115 PS)Petrol85 kWRWD2001–2005
318iPetrol87 kWRWD1998–2001
318i (N42)Petrol105 kWRWD2001–2005
320iPetrol110 kWRWD1998–2000
320i (M54)Petrol125 kWRWD2000–2005
325iPetrol141 kWRWDwhole run
330iPetrol170 kWRWDwhole run
330xiPetrol170 kWAWDwhole run
318dDiesel85 kWRWDwhole run
320dDiesel100 kWRWD1998–2001
320d (150 PS)Diesel110 kWRWD2001–2005
330dDiesel135 kWRWD1999–2003
330d (204 PS)Diesel150 kWRWD2003–2005
330xdDiesel150 kWAWD2003–2005

⚠️ Known issues

  • •Rear subframe mounting points can crack on hard-driven cars; cooling-system plastics and window regulators age out.
  • •Rust check on sills, arches and jacking points is mandatory at this age.

✅ Options to check

  • •Xenon lights and working AC matter more than trim level; on 320d/330d ask for turbo and clutch/DMF history.

E90

2005–2013facelift 2008

BMW 3 Series (E90/E91/E92/E93)

SedanWagonCoupeConvertible

Engines and versions

VersionFuelPowerDriveYears
316iPetrol90 kWRWDwhole run
318iPetrol105 kWRWDwhole run
320iPetrol110 kWRWDwhole run
325iPetrol160 kWRWDwhole run
330iPetrol190 kWRWDwhole run
335iPetrol225 kWRWD2006–2013
316dDiesel85 kWRWD2009–2012
318d (122 PS)Diesel90 kWRWD2005–2007
318dDiesel105 kWRWD2007–2012
320dDiesel120 kWRWD2005–2007
320d (N47)Diesel130 kWRWD2007–2012
330dDiesel170 kWRWDwhole run
335dDiesel210 kWRWD2006–2012

⚠️ Known issues

  • •N47 diesels (318d/320d, 2007+) are known for timing-chain wear at the rear of the engine — listen for cold rattle and ask for chain receipts.
  • •N43 petrols want injector and ignition-coil history.

✅ Options to check

  • •Run-flat tyres wear fast — check what is fitted; verify working iDrive if Professional nav; ask for swirl-flap/EGR work history on diesels.

F30

2012–2019facelift 2015

BMW 3 Series (F30/F31/F34)

SedanWagonLiftback

Engines and versions

VersionFuelPowerBatteryDriveYears
316iPetrol100 kW—RWD2012–2015
320iPetrol135 kW—RWDwhole run
328iPetrol180 kW—RWD2012–2015
330iPetrol185 kW—RWD2015–2019
335iPetrol225 kW—RWD2012–2015
340iPetrol240 kW—RWD2015–2019
316dDiesel85 kW—RWDwhole run
318dDiesel105 kW—RWD2012–2015
318d (B47)Diesel110 kW—RWD2015–2019
320dDiesel135 kW—RWD2012–2015
320d EfficientDynamicsDiesel120 kW—RWDwhole run
320d (B47)Diesel140 kW—RWD2015–2019
320d xDriveDiesel135 kW—AWDwhole run
330dDiesel190 kW—RWDwhole run
330ePlug-in hybrid185 kW7.6 kWhRWD2016–2018

⚠️ Known issues

  • •Pre-facelift diesels carry the N47 timing-chain reputation; N20 petrols (316i/320i/328i pre-2015) had chain-guide wear — post-2015 B47/B48 engines are the safer pick.

✅ Options to check

  • •Adaptive LED, HiFi/Harman Kardon, leather vs Sensatec; on the 330e ask for a battery health report and charging cables.

G20

2019–still in productionfacelift 2022

BMW 3 Series (G20/G21)

SedanWagon

Engines and versions

VersionFuelPowerBatteryDriveYears
318iPetrol115 kW—RWDwhole run
320iPetrol135 kW—RWDwhole run
330iPetrol190 kW—RWDwhole run
320dDiesel140 kW—RWDwhole run
320d xDriveDiesel140 kW—AWDwhole run
330dDiesel195 kW—RWD2019–2020
330ePlug-in hybrid215 kW12 kWhRWDwhole run

⚠️ Known issues

  • •No systemic faults established yet; B47/B48 engines are mature. Check AdBlue behaviour on diesels and that recalls/software updates are done.

✅ Options to check

  • •Live Cockpit Professional, Driving Assistant (ACC), heated seats — many imports are base spec; on the 330e ask for a battery capacity report.

🔎 How to identify the real version

The model number is a sticker. The real trim is the kW figure in the registration certificate (field P.2) — match it against the generation tables above.

How to verify

  • →Find the registration-certificate kW in the engine table — e.g. an F30 320d is 135–140 kW while a 330d is 190 kW.
  • →Decode the VIN — it reveals the factory engine and options regardless of badges.
  • →If the listing power does not fit the badge, ask — it may be a bigger engine, a remap, or a wrong description.

What badge fakery looks like

  • ⚠A "330d" badge on a 318d/320d is the cheapest possible upgrade — swapping the emblem costs a few euros.
  • ⚠M aero kit and M badges do not make an M car — M Sport is a trim package, not an engine.

Options that move the price

  • •Leather vs Sensatec, adaptive cruise, xDrive — verify via VIN decode and documents, not listing text.
📋 How to verify equipment via VIN and a history report →

👉 Next step: Before calling the seller, locate the listing kW in the generation table. If it does not fit — that is your first question.

🔋 Real range vs WLTP

The 330e plug-in hybrid exists in F30 (7.6 kWh, 2016–2018) and G20 (12 kWh) form. WLTP electric range is a lab figure — real range in winter or on the highway is noticeably lower.

  • ⚡Ask for a written battery capacity/health report — it is the biggest value factor.
  • ⚡Request a photo of a full charge with the predicted electric range on screen.
  • ⚡Confirm both charging cables are included.

👉 Next step: Request the battery health report in writing before viewing the car.

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Sources