BMW 3 Series

Think of a really sharp-handling relatively compact sports saloon and it's probable that you're thinking of this car, BMW's 3 Series.

Over nearly half a century, it's dominated the segment it first invented and by 2022 upwards of 16 million of them had been sold.

This G20-era seventh generation design arrived in 2018 and in its first three years on sale, over 1.1 million were sold.

Four years on though, this model faced tougher competition from its German premium rivals, hence the need for the far-reaching update that created the car we're going to look at here. Launched in mid-2022 and built in Munich, Shenyang in China and San Luis Potosi in Mexico, it was known internally within BMW as the 'G20 LCI', those letters standing for 'Life-Cycle update'.

Igf you know the earlier version of this G20-era design, it won't take you long on acquaintance to realise the key difference here, the installation of the brand's improved 'Operating System 8' twin-screen system for the dash which really transformed the cabin.

The other changes were mainly detail ones. What didn't change much was the engineering, because it didn't need to.

By 2002, this model still led its segment and accounted for 14% of BMW's total global sales because of a deserved reputation as the best driver's car in its class, a title it had held ever since the original 3 Series was launched way back in 1975.

The more sophisticated CLAR platform BMW borrowed from its larger cars for this G20 design didn't change that.

Nor did the mild hybrid electrification the company built into the engine line-up in the years following this MK7 model's launch. There was an update to this G20 LCI model in 2024, when diesels were dropped, the 330e model's PHEV EV range was increased, an upgraded Operating System 8.5 set-up installed in the cabin and chassis tuning tweaks introduced.

In 2025, a top M3 CS model with 530PS arrived as the line-up's flagship.

This G20 LCI model sold until late 2026 when the MK8 G50-era model was launched.

The Touring estate versions of it continued until Spring 2027.

Even 3 Series regulars may need a little help in identifying the visual changes that in 2022 usefully evolved Saloon and Touring versions of this G20 seventh generation design.

You'll want to know about those changes.

With every model update, BMW seems to want to tinker with its famous kidney-shaped front grille, which here gained lightly modified contours and added double bars.

Further down, the corner intakes were aggressively redesigned, a change more obvious with the sleeker bumper fitted to 'M Sport' variants.

These intakes no longer incorporated fog lights, those now built into the slimmer LED headlamp units, which featured daytime running lights in an inverted L-shape. There were no changes worth talking about at the side, where the 4,709mm length remained exactly the same regardless of your choice or Saloon or Touring, though that latter estate model did sit 5mm higher than the sedan.

At the rear, the aesthetic changes with this updated model remained uber-subtle.

Like the tiny change in exhaust system outlet diameter; the tail pipes with this updated design measured 90 or 100mm (depending on engine variant) and were emphasised like gun barrels with surrounding dark mouldings. Inside up front, for the first time in a 3 Series this updated G20-era model delivered the feel of a proper luxury car, even in the lower echelons of the range.

You're surrounded by this updated model's twin screen, chrome-garnished expensively elegant cabin architecture.

That added 'BMW Live Cockpit Plus' set-up combines a 12.3-inch instrument display with a 14.9-inch centre screen and was the main change as part of this facelift.

Beyond the eye-catching 'Curved Display' media tech, you'll also quickly be struck by the sheer depth of quality on offer in this cabin.

All the materials used, even those lower down, are great to look at and touch, with classy stitching, thin ambient lighting colour strips and smart metal finishing that feels rich and up-market.

In mainstream models, the seats are upholstered with supple 'Sensatec' stitched man-made leather and they position you slightly lower than you would be in some rivals - another thing that helps in delivering this car's slightly sportier demeanour.

Finding the ideal driving position is easy, the supportive seats are very comfortable and standard features like a rear view camera and all-round sensors make town driving easier too. In the rear, there's comfortable space for a couple of adults, but thanks to its slightly longer wheelbase, a rival Mercedes C-Class from this era edges this BMW for rear seat legroom and a non-premium brand contender in this segment - say a Volkswagen Passat or a Skoda Superb - would be much more spacious. The revealed trunk space on conventionally-engined versions of the sedan is 480-litres, 25-litres more than you'd get from a rival Mercedes C-Class.

Predictably, with the 330e Plug-in Hybrid variant, that capacity figure takes a tumble - to 375-litres.

The conventionally-engined Touring estate versions serve up 500-litres (410-litre in 330e form).

When the seats are completely folded in the saloon, you don't get a very flat loading area but things are much better in the Touring variant which with everything flat can offer you up to 1,500-litres of carriage space with a conventional engine, or 1,420-litres in 330e form.

We'll assume here you want the saloon bodyshape; the Touring estate attracts a premium of around £1,650 over the four-door.

Prices for this updated G20 LCI 3 Series model start in 320d diesel form from around £27,200 (around £30,250 retail), which gets you a '22-plate 320d diesel model with typical 'M Sport' trim.

A 320i petrol model with base 'Sport' trim on a '22-plate values from around £22,750 (around £25,500 retail).

The 330e PHEV petrol model values in base 'Sport' trim on a '22-plate from around £22,100 (around £25,000 retail); that's for the earlier version of this facelifted model.

We'd try for a late-2024 330e with the larger battery and it's longer range, which values on a late '24-plate with typical 'M Sport' trim from around £30,300 (around £33,750 retail).

The M340i values from around £31,900 on a '22-plate (around £35,000 retail).

The top M3 values in saloon form from '22-plate onwards from around £48,500 (around £55,000 retail).

All quoted values are sourced through industry experts cap hpi.

Click here for a free valuation.

This G20 LCI 3 Series update featured major engine families (like the B48 petrol units and the B58 straight-six petrol) that no longer suffered from historical timing chain design flaws that had affected earlier G20 models.

However, there are still issues to look for.

We've heard of starter motor issues with moisture ingress or electrical/relay failures can cause over-heating or short circuits.

There have also been reported problems with coolant and thermostst heat-management modules, which can develop slow leaks or electronic failures on higher-mileage models.

B48 and B58 petrol engines can exhibit oil or coolant weeping from the oil filter housing.

We've heard of high-voltage battery and charging glitches from the 330e PHEV; manifesting in occasional high-voltage battery cell monitoring problems, charging module quirks and 12V auxiliary battery drainage.

On all models thoroughly check all the features on the central screen. With the diesels, the main thing we'd check for is for diesel particulate filter problems for diesel cars which haven't ventured onto the highway very frequently.

The DPF has to be up to temperature before it can regenerate.

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.

Otherwise, it's just the usual things.

Insist on a fully stamped-up service record and check the alloys for scratches and scuffs.

[based on a 2023 model 330e ex-vat] Parts prices for a G20 3 Series model from this period can be reasonable if you shop around.

Looking at the 330e ('23-plate) as an example, we trawled around the internet and found these: An oil filter is in the £10-£28 bracket.

An air filter is in the £21-£47 bracket.

A set of front brake discs cost in the £133-£551 bracket; rear discs are in the £58-£483 bracket.

A set of front brake pads is around £32-£179; rear pads are around £32-£143.

A fuel filter is in the £11-£63 bracket; an alternator is around £1189-£369; wiper blades are around £14-£59.

If your experience of this G20 3 Series design dates from its earliest launch, you might not be up to speed with the addition of BMW's 48V mild hybrid tech to the diesel engines and the most accessible six cylinder petrol unit, both changes made just before this facelift in 2022.

This update further brought changes to the 8-speed Steptronic Sport auto gearbox - and not only because this updated model was fitted with a much smaller selector toggle rather than the previous more conventional stick.

In its updated form, this transmission came with a clever paddleshift-activated 'Sprint' function which gave extra boost for quick overtakes.

As before, launch control for rapid standing starts was built into the software too.

Otherwise, all the engineering of this car was left well alone.

“We're still the benchmark in our class”, said Mischa Bachmann, BMW's Manager of Drive Dynamics back in 2022, “so why would we need to change anything?”. Why indeed? The base formula here is so fundamentally right - front engine, rear wheel drive, and near perfect 50:50 weight distribution have defined the 3 Series to date and this one didn't deviate too far from that script, although BMW by 2022 had almost completely standardised fitment of its xDrive all-wheel drive system on the higher-powered 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.

Super-effective traction and stability systems keep those back wheels in check so that if you're not a committed driving enthusiast, you probably wouldn't know which end of the car drive was coming from.

But if you are, then the sensation of being pushed by the back wheels as you exit a bend never fails to offer up a great feeling of pleasure. Four-cylinder 2.0-litre engines from BMW's Efficient Dynamics family are used across the mainstream part of the powerplant range, which kicks off for petrol people with the 184hp 320i.

The same unit additionally features in the 330e plug-in hybrid model, which offers 292hp, goes up to 39 miles between charges and was also available in xDrive AWD form.

That 330e was improved in 2024 with a new high-voltage battery which increased EV range to 63 miles. The diesels (which sold until 2024) all come with BMW's 48V mild hybrid tech, with nearly all black pump-fuelled sales accounted for by the 190hp 320d; a six cylinder diesel was still offered in the form of the 340hp M340d xDrive model.

That top 'M Performance' package also came in 374hp M340i petrol form, where it uses the same 3.0-litre straight six powerplant as features in the fire-breathing 510hp M3 Competition variant, available with or without xDrive.

From 2025, an M3 CS top version was offered, with 530PS and only in xDrive form.

In the mainstream part of the range, efficiency is class-leading, a 320d capable of up to 58.9mpg on the combined cycle and up to 127g/km of CO2.

With this enhanced version of the seventh generation G20-era 3 Series, we got the kind of car that BMW is best at making.

Not everything was perfect of course.

The added mild hybrid 48V tech didn't come with the 320i base model many will want.

And this improved 'G20 LCI' model did become quite expensive, but thanks to the updated hi-tech cabin, at least you feel you're getting a very complete and modern-era product for that not-inconsiderable outlay.

The added twin screens and their associated media tech remove the previous feeling of driving a second decade product in a third decade market. What you're really paying for here though, is the driving experience, lively in lower order versions and blistering in faster ones.

You might rarely use the added dynamic handling dimension this car has over its rivals, but it'll always be good to know you have it.

Within its segment, it really is the 'Ultimate driving machine'.

No other rival from this era serves up as deliciously rich a driving experience as this. And in summary? Well over the years, the 3 Series has changed a lot about the way we buy cars in this class, continually forcing its rivals to play catch up.

This one was no different.

As you were, people.