The 2022 BMW 3 Series (G20) is the best 3 Series model year: NHTSA lists 15 complaints and 3 recall campaigns, and KBB Fair Purchase Prices run from $25,300 to $42,600. The G20 generation is the best overall, with the 2022, 2019 and 2021 in the top three spots; the 2019 is the best value at 41 complaints and from $18,550.
Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $5,050 for the 328i Coupe (originally $39,925) up to $9,975 for the 335is Convertible (originally $65,075)
Buyers who want an E90 or E92 with the lowest price here, from $5,050
Pick by what you want
Best overall
2022 BMW 3 Series (G20)
Best under $20,000
2019 BMW 3 Series (G20)
Best F30
2018 BMW 3 Series (F30)
Cheapest
2011 BMW 3 Series (E90)
The ranking
1
2022 BMW 3 Series (G20)
Photo: Elise240SX / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe fewest complaints, with the caveat that it is young.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $25,300 for the 330i (originally $42,445) up to $42,600 for the M340i xDrive (originally $60,345)NHTSA recalls: 3 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2022 3 Series (unique campaign numbers across the 330I and M340I model names)NHTSA complaints: 15 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2022 3 Series (unique ODI numbers across the 3 SERIES and M340I model names)Owner reliability: KBB shows 4.3 out of 5 for reliability on its 2019-2024 3 Series pages, from 38 consumer reviewsPower and economy: 255-382 hp and 25-30 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2022 3 Series is a G20 and the one owners complain about least: NHTSA lists 15 complaints and 3 recall campaigns. KBB gives 255-382 hp and 25-30 combined mpg, and Fair Purchase Prices run from $25,300 for the 330i to $42,600 for the M340i xDrive. A low complaint count partly reflects less time on the road.
Go ifBuyers who want the fewest NHTSA complaints on a late pre-facelift G20
Skip ifYou want to spend under $20,000
Why #1 over #2: It lists 15 complaints versus 41 for the 2019 and 3 recalls versus 9, though it costs from $25,300 against $18,550.
2
2019 BMW 3 Series (G20)
Photo: Leongyy02 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best G20 value.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $18,550 for the 330i (originally $43,595) up to $23,500 for the 340i xDrive Gran Turismo (originally $56,695)NHTSA recalls: 9 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2019 3 Series (unique campaign numbers across the 330I and 340I model names)NHTSA complaints: 41 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 3 Series (unique ODI numbers across the 3 SERIES model names)Owner reliability: KBB shows 4.3 out of 5 for reliability on its 2019-2024 3 Series pages, from 38 consumer reviewsPower and economy: 248-330 hp and 23-27 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2019 3 Series is the first G20 and the best value: KBB lists the 330i at $18,550 against an original $43,595, up to $23,500 for the 340i xDrive Gran Turismo. NHTSA lists 41 complaints and 9 recall campaigns, and KBB gives 248-330 hp and 23-27 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want the first G20 for under $20,000
Skip ifYou want fewer than 9 recall campaigns
Why #2 over #3: It lists 41 complaints versus 44 for the 2021, at $18,550 versus $21,800.
3
2021 BMW 3 Series (G20)
Photo: Damian B Oh / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe G20 with a plug-in hybrid.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $21,800 for the 330e plug-in hybrid (originally $45,545) up to $41,800 for the M340i xDrive (originally $57,695)NHTSA recalls: 8 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2021 3 Series (unique campaign numbers across the 330I and M340I model names)NHTSA complaints: 44 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 3 Series (unique ODI numbers across the 3 SERIES and M340I model names)Owner reliability: KBB shows 4.3 out of 5 for reliability on its 2019-2024 3 Series pages, from 38 consumer reviewsPower and economy: 255-382 hp and 25-30 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2021 3 Series is a G20 with a plug-in option: KBB prices run from $21,800 for the 330e to $41,800 for the M340i xDrive. NHTSA lists 44 complaints and 8 recall campaigns, and KBB gives 255-382 hp and 25-30 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want a G20 with a 330e plug-in option from $21,800
Skip ifYou want fewer than 44 complaints
Why #3 over #4: It lists 44 complaints versus 60 for the 2018 and 8 recalls versus 1, though the 2018 starts lower, at $11,900 versus $21,800.
4
2018 BMW 3 Series (F30)
Photo: HJUdall / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe best F30.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $11,900 for the 320i (originally $36,995) up to $26,700 for the 340i xDrive (originally $58,145)NHTSA recalls: 1 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2018 3 Series (unique campaign numbers across the 330I and 340I model names)NHTSA complaints: 60 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 3 Series (unique ODI numbers across the 3 SERIES model names)Owner reliability: KBB shows 4.5 out of 5 for reliability on its 2012 and 2014-2018 3 Series pages, from 199 consumer reviewsPower and economy: 180-320 hp and 23-36 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2018 3 Series is an F30, the last before the G20, from $11,900 for the 320i to $26,700 for the 340i xDrive. NHTSA lists 60 complaints and 1 recall campaign, and KBB gives 180-320 hp and 23-36 combined mpg, with the 330e plug-in and 328d diesel on the price list.
Go ifBuyers who want the last F30 sedan, with a 328d diesel and a 330e plug-in available
Skip ifYou want the G20 interior and screens
Why #4 over #5: It lists 60 complaints versus 74 for the 2017.
5
2017 BMW 3 Series (F30)
Photo: EurovisionNim / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe cheap F30 with an unconfirmed recall count.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $11,350 for the 320i (originally $35,395) up to $24,100 for the 340i xDrive (originally $56,895)NHTSA recalls: Could not be confirmed: the NHTSA recall lookup returned no results for the 2017 330I and 340I, so check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recallsNHTSA complaints: 74 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2017 3 Series (unique ODI numbers across the 3 SERIES model names)Owner reliability: KBB shows 4.5 out of 5 for reliability on its 2012 and 2014-2018 3 Series pages, from 199 consumer reviewsPower and economy: 180-320 hp and 24-36 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2017 3 Series is an F30, from $11,350 for the 320i to $24,100 for the 340i xDrive. NHTSA lists 74 complaints, its recall count could not be confirmed, and KBB gives 180-320 hp and 24-36 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want an F30 from $11,350 and will check recalls by VIN
Skip ifYou want a confirmed recall count
Why #5 over #6: It lists 74 complaints versus 93 for the 2016, and starts at $11,350 versus $10,800.
6
2016 BMW 3 Series (F30)
Photo: OWS Photography / CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe first 340i and 330e.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $10,800 for the 320i xDrive (originally $37,695) up to $21,400 for the 340i xDrive (originally $52,195)NHTSA recalls: 5 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2016 3 Series (unique campaign numbers across the 328I, 328D, 335I, 340I, 320I and 330E model names)NHTSA complaints: 93 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 3 Series (unique ODI numbers across the 3 SERIES model names)Owner reliability: KBB shows 4.5 out of 5 for reliability on its 2012 and 2014-2018 3 Series pages, from 199 consumer reviewsPower and economy: 180-320 hp and 23-36 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2016 3 Series is an F30 and the first year of the 340i and 330e, from $10,800 for the 320i xDrive to $21,400 for the 340i xDrive. NHTSA lists 93 complaints and 5 recall campaigns, and KBB gives 180-320 hp and 23-36 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want the first 340i and 330e F30 for about $10,800 and up
Skip ifYou want fewer than 93 complaints
Why #6 over #7: It lists 93 complaints versus 106 for the 2020, though the 2020 has 14 recalls versus 5, and starts at $10,800 versus $20,300.
7
2020 BMW 3 Series (G20)
Photo: OWS Photography / CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe first M340i, and the most recalls on the list.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $20,300 for the 330i (originally $41,945) up to $36,600 for the M340i xDrive (originally $56,995)NHTSA recalls: 14 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2020 3 Series (unique campaign numbers across the 330I and M340I model names)NHTSA complaints: 106 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 3 Series (unique ODI numbers across the 3 SERIES and M340I model names)Owner reliability: KBB shows 4.3 out of 5 for reliability on its 2019-2024 3 Series pages, from 38 consumer reviewsPower and economy: 254-382 hp and 25-30 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2020 3 Series is a G20 and the first year of the M340i, from $20,300 for the 330i to $36,600 for the M340i xDrive. NHTSA lists 106 complaints and 14 recall campaigns, the most recalls on the list, and KBB gives 254-382 hp and 25-30 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want the first M340i with its 382 hp straight-six
Skip ifYou want fewer than 14 recall campaigns
Why #7 over #8: It lists 106 complaints versus 135 for the 2015.
8
2015 BMW 3 Series (F30)
Photo: nakhon100 / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe cheapest F30 pick here.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $8,825 for the 328i (originally $39,945) up to $15,250 for the 335i (originally $48,270)NHTSA recalls: 4 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2015 3 Series (unique campaign numbers across the 328I and 335I model names)NHTSA complaints: 135 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2015 3 Series (unique ODI numbers across the 328I and 335I model names)Owner reliability: KBB shows 4.5 out of 5 for reliability on its 2012 and 2014-2018 3 Series pages, from 199 consumer reviewsPower and economy: 180-335 hp and 24-37 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2015 3 Series is an F30, from $8,825 for the 328i to $15,250 for the 335i. NHTSA lists 135 complaints and 4 recall campaigns, and KBB gives 180-335 hp and 24-37 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want an F30 under $9,000, with a 328d diesel
Skip ifYou want fewer than 135 complaints
Why #8 over #9: It lists 135 complaints versus 170 for the 2012 and costs from $8,825 versus $5,850.
9
2012 BMW 3 Series (F30)
Photo: HLW / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe early F30.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $5,850 for the 328i (originally $39,990) up to $13,150 for the 335is Coupe (originally $59,820)NHTSA recalls: 7 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2012 3 Series (unique campaign numbers across the 328I and 335I model names)NHTSA complaints: 170 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 3 Series (unique ODI numbers across the 328I and 335I model names)Owner reliability: KBB shows 4.5 out of 5 for reliability on its 2012 and 2014-2018 3 Series pages, from 199 consumer reviewsPower and economy: 230-320 hp and 19-26 combined mpg (KBB)
The 2012 3 Series is an early F30 year (its KBB page also lists E9x-era coupes and convertibles), from $5,850 for the 328i to $13,150 for the 335is Coupe. NHTSA lists 170 complaints and 7 recall campaigns, and KBB gives 230-320 hp and 19-26 combined mpg.
Go ifBuyers who want an early F30 sedan and a low price from $5,850
Skip ifYou want fewer than 170 complaints
Why #9 over #10: It lists 170 complaints versus 829 for the 2011, at $5,850 versus $5,050.
10
2011 BMW 3 Series (E90)
Photo: Elise240SX / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe cheapest, with the most complaints.
Used price: Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price $5,050 for the 328i Coupe (originally $39,925) up to $9,975 for the 335is Convertible (originally $65,075)NHTSA recalls: 8 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA for the 2011 3 Series (unique campaign numbers across the 328I and 335I model names)NHTSA complaints: 829 complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 3 Series (unique ODI numbers across the 328I and 335I model names)Owner reliability: KBB shows 4.6 out of 5 for reliability on its 2011 3 Series page, from 1,174 consumer reviewsPower and economy: 230-320 hp (KBB)
The 2011 3 Series is an E90 sedan and E92 coupe, the cheapest pick, from $5,050 for the 328i Coupe to $9,975 for the 335is Convertible. NHTSA lists 829 complaints, the most on the list, and 8 recall campaigns; KBB gives 230-320 hp.
Go ifBuyers who want an E90 or E92 with the lowest price here, from $5,050
Skip ifYou want fewer than 829 complaints
How we ranked these
We ranked ten model years of the BMW 3 Series sold in the US: NHTSA owner complaint counts first, then recall campaigns, then Kelley Blue Book owner reliability ratings, with used prices from KBB. The NHTSA recall lookup returned no results for the 2017 3 Series, so that recall count could not be confirmed; we ranked it on complaints only and gave it no credit for an unknown recall count. The generations: the E90/E91/E92/E93 fifth generation arrived in 2004, with the 335i the first turbocharged gasoline 3 Series in 2006; the F30 sixth generation followed, with the 330e plug-in hybrid arriving in 2016; and the G20 seventh generation was unveiled in 2018, with a facelift revealed in May 2022 for the 2023 model year. The G20 ranks best overall here, taking the top three spots with the 2022, 2019 and 2021; the F30 is the cheaper choice, and KBB shows 4.5 out of 5 for reliability on its 2012 and 2014-2018 pages against 4.3 for the G20 on its 2019-2024 pages, from 199 and 38 consumer reviews (each KBB score is shared across the model years on its pages, not a per-year score; its 2011 page shows 4.6 from 1,174 reviews). Complaint counts are unique ODI numbers and recall counts are unique campaign numbers read from the NHTSA API under the model names it uses (3 SERIES, 328I, 335I, 330I, 340I, M340I and related); the lookups returned no complaint results for the 2023 and 2024 facelifted years, so we left those out, along with the other model years in the range. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so mileage matters as much as year. Prices change weekly, and the photos show the same generation as each year, not always that exact model year. For other models see our BMW X5 model years at /cars/best-bmw-x5-model-years-2027/ and our Mercedes-Benz S-Class model years at /cars/best-mercedes-benz-s-class-model-years-2027/. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What are the recent 3 Series generations?
The E90/E91/E92/E93 fifth generation arrived in 2004, with the 335i the first turbocharged gasoline 3 Series in 2006. The F30 sixth generation replaced it in North America with the F3x, and the 330e plug-in hybrid arrived in 2016. The G20 seventh generation was unveiled in 2018, and its facelift was revealed in May 2022 for the 2023 model year.
Which 3 Series generation is best overall?
The G20 ranks best overall here: the 2022, 2019 and 2021 take the top three spots with 15, 41 and 44 NHTSA complaints. The F30 is the cheaper choice, with the 2018 at 60 complaints and from $11,900, and KBB shows 4.5 out of 5 for reliability on its F30-era pages against 4.3 for the G20 (one score shared across each group of years, not a per-year score).
What is the best BMW 3 Series model year to buy used?
By NHTSA data, the 2022: 15 complaints and 3 recall campaigns, with KBB Fair Purchase Prices from $25,300 to $42,600. The 2019 is the best under $20,000, with 41 complaints, 9 recall campaigns and a $18,550 starting price.
Which model year has the most recall campaigns?
The 2020, with 14 recall campaigns listed by NHTSA. The 2017 recall count could not be confirmed, because the NHTSA recall lookup returned no results for it; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Lowest used price on the cited KBB page (USD) at a glance
2011 BMW 3 Series (E90)$5,050
2012 BMW 3 Series (F30)$5,850
2015 BMW 3 Series (F30)$8,825
2016 BMW 3 Series (F30)$10,800
2017 BMW 3 Series (F30)$11,350
2018 BMW 3 Series (F30)$11,900
2019 BMW 3 Series (G20)$18,550
2020 BMW 3 Series (G20)$20,300
2021 BMW 3 Series (G20)$21,800
2022 BMW 3 Series (G20)$25,300
Lowest used price on the cited KBB page (USD), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
