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2018 (68) BMW 3 Series 320d SE 5dr Step Auto

43 people shortlisted this car
Only £16,498
£249 Deposit
£348.38 Per month

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Featured specification

Standard specification

Driver Convenience

Automatic start/stop systemAutomatic tailgate operation
Average speed gaugeBMW Online services
BMW remote servicesBMW Teleservices
Brake force displayBrake pad wear indicator in front and rear
Check Control warning system for monitoring of lights and door/luggage compartment open warningController and Control Display+6.5" monitor
Digital clockDoor/boot open warning light
iDrive controller on centre consoleInstrument cluster with speedometer with mph readout, tachometer, fuel gauge and oil temperature gauge
Lights on warningOdometer
Oil sensor for level and gradeOn board computer
On board diagnosticsOperation warning of all exterior lights
Optimum shift indicatorOutside temperature display
Pesonal profileReal time traffic information
Service interval indicatorTrip computer

Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension

Automatic transmissionBattery cut-out switch
Diesel particulate filterDrive Performance Control
Electronic differential lockIncorrect fuelling protection
Multi-link rear suspension 

Entertainment

BMW professional radio/CD/MP3CD player
DAB Digital radio 

Exterior Features

2 speed adjustable intermittent wipers with wash/wipe functionAuto dimming rear view mirror
Automatic headlight beam throw controlBody colour bumpers
Body colour door handlesBody colour door mirrors
Body colour roof mouldingsChrome kidney grille with black vertical slats
Chromed finished twin exhaustClear indicator lenses
Direction indicator, side repeaters, integrated in exterior mirrorsDynamic brake lights
Electric front and rear windows with one touch/convenient open/close functionFront and rear bumper system with replaceable deformation elements
Green tinted heat insulating glassHeated rear window with automatic switch off
Heated windscreen washer jetsHigh gloss black door sill finishers
High level third brake lightIndependent opening for tailgate window
LED fog lightsLED rear lights
Matt black exterior trimRain sensor + automatic driving lights control
Rear wash/wipeShark fin roof aerial
Visible VIN plateWelcome lighting

Interior Features

12V sockets in front centre console and passenger footwell3 rear seat head restraints
4 foldable grab handles - rear with clothes hook4 lashing points on luggage floor
40:20:40 split folding rear bench seatAutomatic interior light soft on/soft off system
Dual zone automatic air conditioningFolding front centre armrest + storage
Front and rear door armrestsFront and rear velour floor mats
Front door storage bins with bottle holderGlovebox light
Glovebox opener with chrome spiderHeight adjustable front headrests
Indirect front interior illumination - soft-light functionLeather gear knob
Leather gear selector lever handleLeather handbrake lever
Luggage compartment lightingReach + rake adjustable steering column
Rear centre armrest with 2 cupholdersRear child seat isofix attachment with passenger airbag deactivation
Retractable luggage coverSeparation net
Storage compartment in rear centre console, front and rear door trims and under luggage compartmentSunvisors with vanity mirrors and ticket pocket
Through load systemToolkit located in luggage compartment
Two front cup holders with a sliding lid 

Packs

Luggage compartment storage pack - 3 Series Touring 

Passive Safety

3 point seatbelts on all seats (2 front, 3 rear), front pyrotechnic belt tensioners and belt force limiters, rear coded belt bucklesABS
Automatic Stability Control (ASC)BMW emergency call
Brake dryingBrake energy regeneration
Braking pre-tensioningCornering brake control (CBC)
Crash sensorDriver and front passenger front and side airbags with passenger deactivation and ITS front and rear head airbags
DSC+Dynamic brake control
Dynamic Traction Control - DTCHill start assist
Rear child proof door locksSeatbelt security check for driver seat
Side impact protectionTwin horns
Tyre pressure monitorVentilated front and rear disc brakes
Warning triangle and first aid kit 

Security

Alarm system (Thatcham 1) with remote control and electronic engine immobiliserAutomatic drive away locking facility
Central locking switch for all doors, fuel filler cap and luggage compartmentRemote control including integrated key
Start/stop button with Comfort Go keyless engine start and auto Start/stop deactivation button 

Wheels

Low rolling resistance tyresRun-flat tyres
The vehicle information above was correct at time of manufacture. Please speak to the dealership for full current specification.

Technical specification

Emissions - ICE

CO0.128CO2 (g/km)133
HC+NOx0.029Noise Level dB(A)73
NOx0.023Particles0
Standard Euro EmissionsEURO 6 

Engine and Drive Train

CamshaftDOHCCatalytic ConvertorTrue
CC1995Compression Ratio16.5:1
Cylinder LayoutIN-LINECylinders4
Cylinders - Bore (mm)84Cylinders - Stroke (mm)90
Engine CodeB47D20O0Engine LayoutNORTH SOUTH
Fuel DeliveryCOMMON RAILGears8 SPEED
Number of Valves16TransmissionSEMI-AUTO

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Combined (mpg)55.4EC Directive 1999/100/EC AppliesTrue
EC Extra Urban (mpg)57.6EC Urban (mpg)52.3

General

Badge Engine CC2.0Badge Power190
Coin DescriptiondCoin SeriesSE
Generation Mark6Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 0728E
Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years6Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years3
Service Interval Frequency - Months24Service Interval Mileage18000
Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage999999Standard manufacturers warranty - Years3
Vehicle Homologation ClassM1 

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs)7.5Engine Power - BHP190
Engine Power - KW140Engine Power - PSTrue
Engine Power - RPM4000Engine Torque - LBS.FT295
Engine Torque - MKG40.8Engine Torque - NM400
Engine Torque - RPM1750Top Speed140

Test Cycles

Emissions Test CycleNEDC Correlated 

Tyres

Alloys?TrueTyre Size Front225/50 R17
Tyre Size Rear225/50 R17Tyre Size SpareRUN FLAT TYRES
Wheel StyleV SPOKE STYLE 395Wheel Type17" ALLOY

Vehicle Dimensions

Height1429Length4633
Wheelbase2810Width1811
Width (including mirrors)2031 

Weight and Capacities

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres)57Gross Vehicle Weight2175
Luggage Capacity (Seats Down)1500Luggage Capacity (Seats Up)495
Max. Loading Weight595Max. Roof Load75
Max. Towing Weight - Braked1800Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked745
Minimum Kerbweight1580No. of Seats5
Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb11.3
The vehicle information above was correct at time of manufacture. Please speak to the dealership for full current specification.

Independent review

Review courtesy of Car and Driving

BMW 3 Series

By Jonathan Crouch

Introduction

The 3 Series has always been the heart of the BMW brand, traditionally responsible for a quarter of the company's global sales and the benchmark against which every mid-sized premium executive car measures itself. At its original launch in 2012, the sixth generation version set the bar higher still, but key competitors responded in kind, necessitating the arrival of this cleverer, more efficient facelifted version in 2015, complete with a rejuvenated range of engines, cutting-edge technology and the option of all-wheel drive. It's a strong proposition for the used market buyer.

History

For over four decades, one car has dominated the segment it first invented. BMW's 3 Series established the market for sporting premium mid-sized executive cars way back in 1975 and it's been a benchmark in this sector ever since. Never though, has the competition been stronger, opposition that back in 2015, this much improved sixth generation version had to be good enough to face down. What was needed at this time was more than just a wash 'n brush-up - and we duly got just that. For a start, nearly all the powerplants on offer in this revised model were completely new, some of them real headline-makers. Like the three cylinder MINI-derived engine. The Plug-in Hybrid variant capable of nearly 135mpg. And a diesel engine able to return nearly 75mpg and sub-100g/km CO2 emissions. There was stunning performance on offer too: a six cylinder 335d diesel with almost as much torque as a Lamborghini V12. And a petrol 340i variant boasting the kind of power previously limited to BMW's M3 street-racer. The changes to this updated MK6 model weren't only about performance and efficiency though. There were sharper looks and clever LED headlights, plus this car was the first in its segment to support the much faster data transmission speeds of 4G LTE as part of the class-leading smartphone connectivity that BMW knew its business buyers would want. On top of that, almost countless little tweaks were made in polishing the class-leading handling dynamics, with the classic rear wheel drive configuration joined on selected models by an xDrive 4WD option for those wanting it. On paper then, what was offered here seemed to be a very complete package - and sure enough, it sold well until the car was finally replaced in early 2019.

What You Get

The style and aesthetic proportions of a BMW 3 Series are now familiar to almost every business buyer, with classic cues like the kidney grille at the front, the sharp lines of the flanks and the powerful rear end all present and correct. So too the distinctively sculpted long bonnet and set-back passenger compartment, which combine with short front and rear overhangs and a long wheelbase to create the kind of dynamic proportions you'd expect from a BMW. In their own way, all these things are as much a hallmark of this Munich model as its famed perfect 50:50 weight distribution. Aesthetic changes were made to this improved sixth generation model though. Mind you, some of the detail tweaks - the broader side air intakes that smarten this more sculptural front bumper for example - will be difficult to spot unless you happened to own the original version of this car. Perhaps more noticeable are the LED 'eyebrows' that sit above headlights now positioned a little further apart. Take a seat up-front and if you happen to be familiar with the original version of this sixth generation 3 Series model, you might think that relatively little has changed with this post-2015-era revised version. Look at little closer though and it's clear that BMW has poured over the details here, the result being a significant lift in perceived quality - and a classier feel. The dashboard looks smarter and less plasticky and it's harder to find the kind of low-rent, shiny plastics that should have no place on a car of this price. Key areas like the control panel in the centre console are finished in high-gloss black, while chrome accents feature around the air vents, as well as on the re-designed switches provided for window and seat adjustment. You still get a proper old-school handbrake and, as usual, the low-slung driving position perfectly places you in front of a grippy three-spoke leather-trimmed multi-function steering wheel. Through it can be viewed a familiar set of clear analogue dials. Everything else you might need to know has been packed into the many and varied menus of the iDrive infotainment system you view via a 6.5-inch freestanding control screen that sits on top of the dash and is operable via a circular rotary controller below the gearstick. As with direct rivals like Audi's A4 and the Mercedes C-Class, the rear of the cabin will feel rather squashed if it's asked to take three passengers, partly because the rear wheel drive layout means you have to have a hefty central transmission tunnel. As for the boot, well it's 480-litres in size - the same as you'd get in a Mercedes C-Class or an Audi A4 but around 25-litres more than is offered by a rival Jaguar XE. A folding rear backrest was optional for original buyers. Of course, if you're regularly going to be carrying bulkier cargo, you'll be wanting to find an example of the Touring estate model, which offers 495-litres with all the seats in place and 1,500-litres with the rear bench folded.

What to Look For

Our owner survey did reveal many satisfied users of this car but inevitably, there were a few issues reported. Obviously, a fully-stamped service history is vital. This car uses complex engines and only regular and appropriate maintenance will see them go the distance. The biggest potential for financial grief down the track is the variable valve-timing mechanism (VANOS, in BMW-speak) which is vital to the engine's efficiency and performance but can suffer if that maintenance has not been observed. The tiny oilways that help make up the VANOS system can become clogged with dirty oil and this won't be cheap to put right. In fact, early-build 3-Series with the six-cylinder engine were actually recalled over VANOS issues. It seems the oil-feed line to the VANOS unit on these engines could become loose, leading to a loss of oil pressure and sending the car into 'limp-home' mode. And you won't see a tell-tale oil leak from the loose fitting, because it was an internal leak that caused the dramas. According to BMW, a lack of lubrication in the booster's vacuum pump could lead to a loss of braking assistance. The brakes would still work, but would require a much bigger push on behalf of the driver. Otherwise, it's just the usual things. Insist on a fully stamped-up service record and check the alloys for scratches and scuffs.

Replacement Parts

[based on a 2015 model 320d diesel auto] Parts prices for a 3 Series from this period can be reasonable if you shop around. We trawled around the internet and found these: An air filter costs around £11-£27. An oil filter is in the £16-£33 bracket. A fuel filter is in the £16-£35 bracket. Front brake discs cost in the £70-£103 bracket, though pricier brands can cost in the £125-£135 bracket. Rear brake discs cost in the £65-£70 bracket, though pricier brands can cost in the £100 bracket. Front brake pads sit in the £36-£60, though pricier brands can cost in the £90-£120 bracket for a set. A set of rear pads is around £31-£80. A headlamp is about £265. A tail lamp is about £88. A front fog lamp is about £88. A radiator can be had for around £200-£227.

On the Road

The basic formula here hasn't changed much. Front engine, rear wheel drive, and near perfect 50:50 weight distribution have defined the 3 Series to date and this one doesn't deviate too far from that script, although BMW has of late been doing rather well in this country with its growing line-up of xDrive all-wheel drive versions. But it's in standard rear- driven guise that this car really seems to shine in comparison to its mid-sized executive segment rivals. Tweaks made to the suspension and steering for the 2015 MK6 model facelift made this car even more rewarding to drive and the manual and automatic gearboxes (also revised at this time) improve your feeling of connectedness still further. As usual in models from this era, BMW included a 'Drive Performance Control' system across the range allowing you to change steering and throttle settings (plus on automatic models gearshift timings), to suit the way you want to drive. Get a car whose original owner specified the 'Adaptive M Sport suspension' and the DPC set-up will alter the damping too. Under the bonnet, much changed as part of this MK6 model's 2015-era facelift, especially in the petrol line-up that for this improved design starts with a 136bhp three cylinder 1.5-litre MINI-derived engine in the base 318i variant. Next up is an in-line four cylinder 2.0-litre powerplant, developing 184bhp in the 320i and 252bhp in the 330i. Also improved as part of this facelift package was the six cylinder 3.0-litre unit in the potent 340i, which offers 326bhp. Most original buyers though, focused on the 2.0-litre four cylinder diesel models. Their TwinPower Turbo unit comes in 116, 150, 163 or 190bhp states of tune; the 163bhp 320d ED Plus model we'd recommend is capable of up to 74.3mpg on the combined cycle and as little as 99g/km of CO2. This variant sits below a 3.0-ltre six cylinder powerplant offering either 258bhp or 313bhp in the top 330d or 335d variants.

Overall

BMW has rarely had to work as hard on a mid-term facelift as was the case with this post-2015-era 3 Series model. The exterior tweaks might be subtle, but they hide the significant engineering changes that were necessary to allow this car to keep pace with rejuvenated premium rivals that by 2015 it was having to compete against. So this revised model delivered more where more was needed - in areas like power, equipment and technology. And less where less was required - in terms of fuel consumption and emissions. Beyond that, wisely, the winning formula was left largely as it was - which means that if you didn't previously fancy a 3 Series, you still might not be converted by this one. If, on the other hand, you already had it high on your shopping list and come in search of a used mid-sized premium saloon or estate from the 2015-2018 period, its much improved product and efficiency proposition will be more appealing to you than ever. If that's the case, then the class-leading rear-wheel drive handling dynamics will be merely the icing on the cake. Are there still faults here? You'd have to say that there aren't too many, provided you can afford the premium pricing and you're not looking for copious levels of boot space or rear seat accommodation: both, to be fair, are par for the course in this segment. Beyond that, the only real issues here lie in whether the original owner managed to get the spec of his or her car right. If you find a 3 Series on which too many boxes were ticked, it might be a touch pricey. If on the other hand, you find a more reasonably priced one on which the wrong ones were ticked - for things like the vague 'Variable Sport' steering or the super-stiff non-Adaptive M Sport suspension - then to some extent, those all-important driving dynamics will have been damaged. The latter issue is one you really want to avoid, given that exemplary handling is still the most compelling argument for this car. In a world where driving can so often be such a mechanical, joyless activity, this BMW remains involving in a way its competitors are struggling to match. In that respect at least, this version remains a benchmark for its period.

Performance
70%
Handling
80%
Comfort
80%
Space
70%
Styling
70%
Build
80%
Value
70%
Equipment
70%
Economy
80%
Depreciation
80%
Insurance
70%

This vehicle is fitted with a Particulate Filter. Vehicles with a Particulate Filter driven at low speeds in urban traffic can require periodic trips at higher speeds to clear out the filter.

* Depending on the age of the vehicle, MPG and CO2 may be quoted using either NEDC or WLTP testing standards.  Find out more

Figures are provided for comparison purposes. Fuel consumption under real world driving conditions and the CO2 produced will depend upon a number of factors, including any accessories fitted after registration, variations in driving styles, weather conditions and vehicle load.

Hire purchase (HP)

This is an example, we’ll always discuss your options in detail before you choose.

60 monthly payments of£348.38
Deposit£249
Total amount payable£21,152.80
Fixed interest rate5.7%
Representative APR10.9%
Cash price£16,498
Credit amount£16,249
Completion fee£1
Term (months)60

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