With over 20 million units sold since its debut five decades ago, the 3 Series is BMW’s most successful model, consistently setting the benchmark for sports sedans with its flawless combination of performance, comfort, luxury, and technology. However, not everyone can afford the $50,000 price tag of a new 3er, and many buyers tend to look to the secondary market for a better deal.
After all, used 3 Series models are available on Edmunds and CarGurus for as low as $2,000. To put that in perspective, the most affordable new car in the United States, the Nissan Versa, has an MSRP of $18,330. But then, is a used 3 Series a good purchase? The answer is often yes, but with a few critical exceptions. A
Based on owner reports, BMW service bulletins and our own experiences, in this article, we have listed the variants to avoid.
E90 335i (N54/N55)
At its launch, the E90 335i delivered sports car-level performance. Indeed, its N54 twin-turbo engine produced 302 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, enabling a 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds. Naturally, the N54 engine won plenty of accolades, including the International Engine of the Year title and the Ward’s 10 Best Engines award (three times).
However, as BMW’s first modern mass-produced turbo-petrol engine, the N54 had several notable issues, including high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure. This issue was so widespread that it led to a class-action lawsuit against the company. Moreover, the N54’s successor, the N55, also had problems, albeit BMW did eventually get them under control.
E36 3 Series
The E36 never achieved the same kind of popularity as the E30 or E46, and for good reason. BMW’s cost-cutting on the third-generation 3 Series was evident in its poor-quality interiors and cooling system problems. It was still a mechanical and design upgrade over the E30 and earned rave reviews from publications like Autocar, Car and Driver, and Road & Track.
It’s also fair to say that most owners love their E36 3 Series, especially if you have a special one like the E36 M3-R, which was a homologation special for the Australian market and had a limited run of just 15 units (making it a lucrative collector car).
F30 3 Series
We know that the F30 was a significant commercial success, with 2.6 million deliveries and awards like What Car? Executive Car of the Year, the Golden Steering Wheel from Auto Bild, and Automobile Magazine’s All-Star. However, the sixth-generation 3er was quite controversial among enthusiasts, as its increased focus on luxury, technology, and comfort was seen as a dilution of BMW’s performance DNA. Plus, the 2012-2015 320i and 328i models with the N20 engines were prone to durability problems (timing chain issues, oil leaks and turbo longevity).
Frankly, instead of the F30, it’s likely a better value proposition to pay the premium for a used G20.
Conclusion
Generally speaking, BMW is well-regarded for its quality and dependability. Case in point: in J.D. Power’s 2025 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), the Munich-based automaker received an above-average rating (189 problems per 100 vehicles) and finished ahead of Tesla (209 PP100 vehicles), Mercedes-Benz (243 PP100 vehicles) and Audi (273 PP100 vehicles).
Nonetheless, owning a BMW outside of its warranty period can be costly and frustrating. The aforementioned E36, E90, and F30 models are often best avoided. As yet, it’s crucial to remember that even other 3 Series models/generations can cause significant headaches and expenses if their maintenance has been neglected.