2019 BMW 3-Series
#9 in 2019 Luxury Small Cars
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$40,250 - $51,250
2019 BMW 3-Series Review
The 2019 BMW 3 Series finishes in the middle of our luxury small car rankings. It's one of the most fun-to-drive cars in the class, but some rivals have more lavish interiors and easier-to-use tech features.
Pros & Cons
- Lively driving dynamics
- Supportive, spacious seats
- Lots of trunk space
- Inconsistent infotainment technology
- Lackluster interior quality for the class
New for 2019
- Sedan fully redesigned
Rankings & Research
The 2019 BMW 3-Series's #9 ranking is based on its score within the 2019 Luxury Small Cars category. Currently the BMW 3-Series has a score of 7.7 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 22 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
- #9 in 2019 Luxury Small Cars
- #35 in Used Luxury Small Cars $20K and up
7.7
Overall
Scorecard
| Critics' Rating: | 7.9 |
| Performance: | 9.3 |
| Interior: | 6.6 |
| Total Cost of Ownership: | 7.8 |
| Safety: | 9.6 |
| Reliability: |
|
2019 3-Series Photos
2019 BMW 3-Series Overview
Is the 2019 BMW 3 Series a Good Used Car?
Yes, the 2019 3 Series is a good used luxury small car. Available in three body styles, the 3 Series has energetic engines, dynamic handling, a comfortable ride, and good gas mileage ratings. Its cabin has two rows of comfortable, roomy seats and plenty of standard and available features. Cargo space is great for the class. The 3 Series' main faults are that it falls short of rivals' when it comes to interior quality and infotainment functionality.
Why You Can Trust Us
We’ve researched 22 BMW 3 Series reviews, as well as hard data points like reliability ratings and cost of ownership estimates, to help you make the best car-buying decision possible.
U.S. News & World Report has been ranking the best cars, trucks, and SUVs since 2007, and our staff has more than 75 years’ worth of auto industry experience combined. To keep our reviews unbiased, we don’t accept expensive gifts or trips from car companies, and an outside company manages our advertising.
How Much is the 2019 BMW 3-Series?
Based on listings for the 2019 BMW 3-Series, the average list price is $31,552. Prices range from $39,234 to $44,648 and vary depending on the vehicle’s condition, mileage, features, and location.
How Much Does the 2019 BMW 3 Series Cost to Own?
The 2019 3 Series’ five-year costs for gas, insurance, taxes, fees, repairs, and maintenance are projected to be about $33,400, or $6,680 per year. That’s about average for the class.
2018 vs. 2019 BMW 3 Series: What's the Difference?
The 2019 3 Series sedan received a redesign that brought several noteworthy changes. Performance upgrades included sharper steering and a new base engine with 45 more horsepower than the prior generation’s standard engine. The 2019 3 Series also got a revamped iDrive infotainment system with new features.
Compare the 2018 and 2019 3 Series »
Here are key changes for the BMW 3 Series over the last few years:
- 2016: 340i trim replaced 335i and 330e plug-in hybrid replaced ActiveHybrid3; minor interior and exterior styling updates
- 2017: 330i replaced 328; wireless device charging and Apple CarPlay became available
- 2018: no major changes
- 2019: sedan body style completely redesigned with more horsepower, updated infotainment system
If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2016 3 Series, 2017 3 Series, and 2018 3 Series reviews to help make your decision. Also, check out our Best New Car Deals and Best New Car Lease Deals pages to learn about savings and discounts you can find on new vehicles.
How Reliable Is the 2019 BMW 3 Series?
The 2019 3 Series has a predicted reliability rating of three out of five, which is about average.
Read more about 3 Series reliability »
2019 BMW 3-Series Recalls
There have been 5 safety recalls issued from NHTSA.
- Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 Z4 sDrive30i, 2019-2020 330i xDrive, M340i and M340i xDrive, 2020 X3M and X4M, and Toyota Supra vehicles. In certain driving conditions, such as high temperatures and rough road surfaces, a steering gear tie rod may become damaged, possibly resulting in a fractured tie rod.
- Potential Number of Units Affected: 2779
- Consequence: A damaged or fractured tie rod may affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: BMW and Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear tie rods, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
- Manufacturer Recall Number: Toyota: 20TA09
- NHTSA Campaign ID: 20V355000
- Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 330i and 330i xDrive vehicles. The outboard rear seat belt pretensioners may not lock as intended during a crash.
- Potential Number of Units Affected: 135
- Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the seat belt pretensioners fail to lock, there is an increased risk of injury.
- Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear seat belts, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 10, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer at 1-800-525-7417.
- Dates of Manufacture: APR 10, 2019 to DEC 04, 2019
- NHTSA Campaign ID: 19V912000
- Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 330i, 330i xDrive, and 2019 Z4 vehicles. The needle roller bearings of the counterbalance shafts may have been improperly installed, potentially causing the counterbalance shaft to loosen.
- Potential Number of Units Affected: 217
- Consequence: If the counterbalance shaft loosens, severe engine damage could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Dates of Manufacture: NOV 21, 2018 to SEP 25, 2019
- NHTSA Campaign ID: 19V732000
- Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
- Potential Number of Units Affected: 257473
- Consequence: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
- Dates of Manufacture: MAY 13, 2018 to AUG 05, 2019
- Manufacturer Recall Number: Toyota: 19TA19
- NHTSA Campaign ID: 19V684000
- Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive, M2 Competition Coupe, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, and 2019 330i xDrive Sportswagon vehicles. The driver and passenger knee air bag assemblies may have been improperly folded and assembled.
- Potential Number of Units Affected: 5079
- Consequence: An improperly folded and assembled air bag may not deploy as intended, increasing risk of injury.
- Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the knee air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began July 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Dates of Manufacture: FEB 19, 2019 to MAY 01, 2019
- NHTSA Campaign ID: 19V352000
See more information on BMW 3 Series safety recalls »
Which Used BMW 3 Series Trim Is Right for Me?
The 2019 BMW 3 Series comes in two trims: 330i and 340i. There are also three body styles: sedan, Sports Wagon, and the hatchback-style Gran Turismo. The sedan was fully redesigned for 2019, while the Sports Wagon and Gran Turismo carry over with very few changes from 2018.
Shoppers should consider the 330i sedan, which offers plenty of power for most daily driving. Aside from the larger engine, the 330i is available with most of the amenities you can get throughout the 3 Series lineup.
Each model offered additional features for an extra cost at the time of sale. That means you may be able to find BMW 3 Series models with features in addition to those listed here. The Premium package is worth seeking out. It adds heated front seats, a navigation system, Apple CarPlay capability, and a head-up display.
- BMW 330i: There are a few differences between the 2019 330i models. The redesigned 330i sedan comes with a 255-horsepower turbocharged engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, tri-zone automatic climate control, a moonroof, an 8.8-inch infotainment display, and 10 speakers. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available. The all-wheel-drive 330i xDrive Sports Wagon and 330i xDrive Gran Turismo are equipped with a 248-horsepower turbocharged engine. Standard features include a panoramic moonroof, a 6.5-inch infotainment display, a nine-speaker stereo, and dual-zone automatic climate control. Standard features across the 330i lineup include Sensatec synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, HD Radio, ambient lighting, LED headlights, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror and driver's side exterior mirror.
- BMW 340i: The 340i (sedan only) features a 320-horsepower six-cylinder engine. This trim adds a few enhancements, including a 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system, satellite radio, keyless entry, a hands-free trunk lid, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
See 2019 BMW 3 Series trims and specs »
What Does BMW's Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Cover?
The BMW Certified CPO program is available on vehicles no older than five years with between 300 and 60,000 miles on the odometer. The program covers buyers for one year with unlimited mileage after the four-year/50,000-mile new-vehicle limited warranty has expired. This warranty can be renewed for a fee, but there is a maximum of five years of coverage. Each BMW must pass a road test and a 196-point inspection before earning CPO status. Additional benefits like towing and 24-hour roadside assistance may be available. This CPO coverage can be transferred to subsequent owners, but some restrictions may apply, so read the BMW warranty page carefully.
BMW has one of the less-attractive CPO programs among luxury car manufacturers, according to our research. You’ll get better warranties from Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Jaguar.
How Safe Is the 3 Series?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2019 3 Series an overall safety rating of five out of five stars, with five stars in the side crash and rollover tests and four stars in the frontal crash test.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2019 3 Series the highest rating of Good in all six of the organization's crash tests. Models equipped with the Executive package received a Top Safety Pick+ designation. Depending on trim, the 3 Series' headlights received the top rating of Good, the second-lowest rating of Marginal, or the lowest rating of Poor for how well they illuminate the road ahead.
The IIHS uses a different scale for grading collision avoidance features. The 3 Series earned the highest rating of Superior for its standard and available vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system. The standard vehicle-to-pedestrian system also earned a Superior rating, but the available system received the second-highest rating of Advanced.
Standard advanced safety features:
- Rearview camera
Available advanced safety features:
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Speed limit info
- Head-up display
- Surround-view parking camera system
- Active parallel and perpendicular park assist
- Blind spot monitoring
- Lane departure warning
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Adaptive cruise control
- Forward collision warning
- Automatic emergency braking
- Daytime pedestrian monitoring
2019 BMW 3 Series Versus the Competition
Which Is Better: 2019 BMW 3 Series or 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
The 2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a good car, and the better pick between it and the 3 Series is a matter of personal preference. While the BMW distinguishes itself with sporty performance, the Mercedes stands out with one of the finest interiors in the segment. Top-shelf materials, excellent craftsmanship, and lots of standard features are among its highlights.
Which Is Better: 2019 BMW 3 Series or 2019 Audi A4?
The 2019 Audi A4 is a better luxury small car than the 3 Series. The BMW is more athletic, but the A4 is still fun to drive. The Audi comes with more standard comfort, infotainment, and driver assistance features than the BMW, and it has one of the most upscale cabins in the class.
Compare the 3 Series, C-Class, and A4 »
2019 3 Series Performance
How Does the 2019 BMW 3 Series Drive?
The 3 Series sedan is a true sports sedan. It feels agile and stays planted on winding roads. The other body styles also have engaging handling, making all of the cars in the 3 Series lineup enjoyable to drive. Ride quality is good as well.
The redesigned sedan has a different base engine than the other body styles: a turbocharged four-cylinder that delivers exciting acceleration and has little turbo lag. The turbo-four engine powering the other body styles is no slouch, either. The sedan's available six-cylinder engine delivers more vigorous acceleration, but not every buyer will feel the need to upgrade to it.
- Base engine: 255-horsepower twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (sedan)
- Available engines:
- 248-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder (Gran Turismo and Sports Wagon)
- 320-horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder
- Drivetrain: standard rear-wheel drive (sedan only); available all-wheel drive (standard in Gran Turismo and Sports Wagon)
- Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Does the 2019 BMW 3 Series Get Good Gas Mileage?
The 3 Series sedan gets slightly above-average fuel economy ratings for the luxury small car class, while other models are right around the average. Models with the six-cylinder engine are a bit less fuel-efficient.
- 330i sedan, RWD: 26/36 mpg city/highway
- 330i sedan, AWD: 25/34 mpg
- 330i Sports Wagon and Grand Turismo, AWD: 23/33 mpg
- 340i sedan, AWD: 20/29 mpg
Read more about 3 Series performance »
2019 3 Series Interior
How Many People Does the 2019 3 Series Seat?
The 2019 3 Series seats five people in two rows. The 3 Series' interior is stylish and uses plenty of quality materials, but it's still a step below the finest cabins in the class. This BMW's front seats are supportive and comfortable. The rear seats provide plenty of head- and legroom, even for taller adults.
Standard seating features:
- Synthetic leather upholstery
- Power-adjustable front seats
Available seating features:
- Genuine leather upholstery
- Heated front and rear seats
- Heated steering wheel
How Many Child Car Seats Fit in the 2019 BMW 3 Series?
The 2019 3 Series has two complete sets of LATCH car-seat connectors for the rear outboard seats and an upper tether for the rear middle seat. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave this LATCH system the highest rating of Good for ease of use.
2019 BMW 3 Series Features
The 3 Series sedan received a redesign for 2019, but the other models didn’t, so there are some infotainment differences between the body styles. The 330i sedan features the latest iDrive infotainment interface and a larger display, while Gran Turismo and Sports Wagon models feature an older iDrive system.
The iDrive interface is fairly intuitive and responsive, but some rival systems are more user-friendly. What's more, some features, such as the Intelligent Personal Assistant, don't always work as well as you want them to, making them frustrating to use.
- Standard infotainment features (sedan): an 8.8-inch display, HD Radio, 10 speakers, and BMW's Intelligent Personal Assistant (responds to voice commands much like a smartphone or Alexa device and also learns some of your habits)
- Standard infotainment features (Gran Turismo and Sports Wagon): a 6.5-inch display and nine speakers
- Available infotainment features: a 10.2-inch display, navigation, Apple CarPlay (subscription), a Wi-Fi hot spot, wireless device charging, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system, and satellite radio
- Additional standard features (sedan): tri-zone automatic climate control and a moonroof
- Additional standard features (Gran Turismo and Sports Wagon): dual-zone automatic climate control and a panoramic sunroof
Read more about 3 Series interior »
2019 BMW 3 Series Dimensions
BMW 3 Series Cargo Space
Every version of this BMW has good cargo space for a luxury small car. The 3 Series sedan provides 17 cubic feet of trunk space. The hatchbacklike Gran Turismo has 24.6 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 56.8 cubic feet with them folded. The Sports Wagon's 27.5-cubic-foot cargo area can expand to as much as 61.5 cubic feet by folding down the rear seats. Some models come with a power trunk lid, and a hands-free trunk lid is optional.
2019 BMW 3 Series Length and Weight
- Length: 15 feet, 3 inches to 15 feet, 10 inches
- Curb weight: 3,582 to 4,103 pounds
Where Was the 2019 BMW 3 Series Built?
BMW built the 2019 3 Series in Germany.
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