BMW 3 Series
4 chassis covered · 2005–2013 · 65 engine variants
Generations
| Chassis | Body | Years | Engines | M | Avg risk | Price span | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E90 | sedan | 2005–2011 | 20 | 1 | R3 | €2,600–€17,200 | The volume car of the generation and the cheapest way into it. Everything good and bad about the E9x, in the body most of them were sold in. |
| E91 | wagon | 2005–2012 | 17 | – | R3 | €2,750–€14,350 | The practical one, and the only body here you can genuinely use as a family car, with a panoramic roof that will try to fill it with water. |
| E92 | coupe | 2006–2013 | 15 | 1 | R3 | €3,800–€19,800 | The last 3 Series with hydraulic steering and a straight-six worth having, in the body people actually want, priced accordingly. |
| E93 | convertible | 2007–2013 | 10 | 1 | R3 | €3,700–€19,300 | A folding hardtop convertible that drives well and weighs 200 kg more than the coupé: cheapest body to buy, most expensive to keep watertight. |
Timeline
● in production · ◐ facelift year, the changeover often splits engines mid-year, so verify the engine code rather than the registration date.
Which generation should you buy
For a used buy today the E9x (2005–2013) is the value pick: hydraulic steering, straight-six engines that still make sense, and parts prices held down by the sheer number built. The earlier E46 is now a project car rather than transport. Cooling and subframe work are routine and the best examples have gone up in price. The later F30 (2012–2019) is more efficient and better equipped, but the four-cylinder N20 brought its own timing-chain problem and the electric steering removed most of what made the older cars worth choosing. If you want a 3 Series to drive rather than to keep, buy a well-documented E9x six.