BMW 3 Series · E36, E46, E90, F30, G20 · Buying guide

3 Series.
The benchmark compact premium.

The 3 Series is BMW's compact saloon and the brand's best-seller, in production since 1975. The E36, E46, E90, F30 and G20 generations set the handling benchmark in the compact-premium class. Body styles span saloon, touring, coupe and convertible, with inline-fours, sixes and diesels. The classic rear-wheel-drive layout is part of the model's character, with optional xDrive on newer years. The 3 Series is one of the most common BMWs at Japanese auctions.

1975

Series debut

R4 / R6

Typical engines

Performance flagship

RWD / xDrive

Drivetrain

Active auctions · 3 Series

3 Series available this week

See all 3 Series (2) →

BMW 3 Series 2008 from a Japanese auction

Grade: 4

LHD

Jun 23, 2026Time to auction

BMW 3 Series

4D 323I

2008 72,000 km 2,500 cc FA

Starting price (approx.)

230 zł

Grade: 3.5

LHD

Jun 22, 2026Time to auction

BMW 3 Series

Op 335I Cabriolet M-Sport Package

2008 50,000 km 3,000 cc FA

Starting price (approx.)

8,756 zł

Ended auctions

3 Series from our archive

Recent BMW 3 Series lots that passed our inspection. Price shown is the start price. Hammer typically lands 1.3–2× higher.

Grade: 4

LHD

Auction ended

BMW 3 Series

Op 335I Cabriolet M-Sport Package

2008 136,000 km 3,000 cc FA

Starting price (approx.)

6,451 zł

BMW 3 Series 2007 from a Japanese auction

Grade: 3

LHD

Auction ended

BMW 3 Series

2007 71,000 km 2,000 cc F6

Starting price

Coming soon

BMW 3 Series 2021 from a Japanese auction

Grade: 4.5

LHD

Auction ended

BMW 3 Series

4D 318I

2021 67,000 km 2,000 cc FA

Starting price (approx.)

16,129 zł

Grade: 4

LHD

Auction ended

BMW 3 Series

CP 320I M-Sport Package

2008 150,000 km 2,000 cc F6

Starting price

Coming soon

BMW 3 Series 2002 from a Japanese auction

Grade: 4

LHD

Auction ended

BMW 3 Series

Op 330CI Cabriolet

2002 6,000 km 3,000 cc AT

Starting price (approx.)

8,064 zł

BMW 3 Series 1990 from a Japanese auction

Grade: 3.5

LHD

Auction ended

BMW 3 Series

2D 320I M-Technic

1990 92,000 km 2,000 cc AT

Starting price (approx.)

20,276 zł

BMW 3 Series 1991 from a Japanese auction

Grade: 4

LHD

Auction ended

BMW 3 Series

2D 320I M-Technic

1991 91,000 km 2,000 cc AT

Starting price (approx.)

25,576 zł

Grade: 4

LHD

Auction ended

BMW 3 Series

Op 335I Cabriolet

2007 47,000 km 3,000 cc FA

Starting price (approx.)

14,977 zł

Grade: 3.5

LHD

Auction ended

BMW 3 Series

CP 320I M-Sport Package

2007 81,000 km 2,000 cc F6

Starting price (approx.)

1,152 zł

LHD

Auction ended

BMW 3 Series

CP 335I M-Sport

2008 83,000 km 3,000 cc FA

Starting price (approx.)

1,152 zł

BMW 3 Series 1993 from a Japanese auction

LHD

Auction ended

BMW 3 Series

1993 58,000 km AT

Starting price (approx.)

230 zł

BMW 3 Series 1994 from a Japanese auction

Grade: 4

LHD

Auction ended

BMW 3 Series

1994 145,000 km 1,800 cc F5

Starting price (approx.)

3,456 zł

Versions

Which generation to choose?

E36 and E46 (1990–2006)

Classic generations prized for clean handling and inline engines. The E46 is rated one of the best-balanced 3 Series and is sought after today, especially in six-cylinder form.

E90 (2005–2012)

The era of direct-injection inline-sixes, offered as saloon, touring, coupe and convertible. A solid daily saloon with good performance headroom.

F30 (2012–2019)

The switch to turbocharged inline engines and hybrid variants. A larger cabin and lower consumption, while keeping the characteristic handling.

G20 (2019 onward)

The latest generation with rich electronics, turbocharged engines and hybrid versions. The flagship G80 M3 shares its saloon body engineering.

FAQ

3 Series — FAQ

Which 3 Series is most prized by drivers?

The E46, especially with a six-cylinder engine and a manual gearbox, is rated one of the best-balanced 3 Series and is often cited as the handling benchmark in its class.

What body styles does the 3 Series offer?

Depending on generation: saloon, touring, coupe and convertible. Some coupe and convertible versions were split into a separate 4 Series in newer years, so it is worth checking the body type at auction.

Does the 3 Series have rear-wheel drive?

The classic rear-wheel-drive layout is part of the 3 Series character. Newer generations also offer xDrive all-wheel drive, so the drivetrain is worth confirming on the auction sheet.

3 Series. The benchmark compact premium.

3 Series available this week

3 Series from our archive

Which generation to choose?

E36 and E46 (1990–2006)

E90 (2005–2012)

F30 (2012–2019)

G20 (2019 onward)

3 Series — FAQ

3 Series.
The benchmark compact premium.