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    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
    M3
    Performance flagship
    RWD / xDrive
    Drivetrain
    BMW 3 Series from Japanese auctions — starting prices

    Auction price guide

    Median starting price
    7,617 zł
    Lots in our data
    90 (3 live now)
    Model years
    1982–2021
    Median mileage
    91,000 km
    Steering
    LHD 90 · RHD 0
    YearLotsMedian startTypical range
    2013911,250 zł8,906 zł – 13,594 zł
    2008136,563 zł1,172 zł – 8,906 zł
    2007715,235 zł703 zł – 15,235 zł
    200151,172 zł234 zł – 4,688 zł
    199453,516 zł1,875 zł – 3,516 zł
    1991624,493 zł22,969 zł – 26,016 zł
    1990520,625 zł20,625 zł – 20,625 zł

    40 lots in low-sample years are not listed.

    These are starting (auction opening) prices in Japan, not sale prices. The hammer price typically lands 1.3–2× higher. Typical range covers the middle 50% of prices (quartiles).

    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.

    Other models

    More BMW models

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    FAQ

    3 Series — FAQ

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