These used luxury sedan nails are practical, comfortable and great value

Most luxury cars suffer from higher depreciation rates than regular cars. Because most luxury cars are from European brands, maintaining or repairing their powertrains tends to be more complex. So, as they get older, fewer used car buyers are willing to own these types of vehicles. Unless we’re talking about Lexus, which is essentially steeped in Toyota reliability, then that’s a different story.

However, we won’t be highlighting a Lexus here, because if you look at some of the European luxury brands, there are indeed certain reliable models, as long as you stick to their maintenance religiously. Granted, their maintenance costs are slightly higher than Lexus’s, but this is offset by their slightly cheaper used values, so it’s really a give or take.

Good things come in 3 seconds

The used luxury sedan that perfectly combines functionality, comfort and value is the BMW 3 Series, specifically the G20 or the current generation. Go for the pre-facelift or pre-Life Cycle Impulse (LCI) models (model year 2019-2022) in BMW’s marketing speak, and you’ll likely get a great price for it.

Prices used in line with segment

A five year old BMW 3 Seriesor a 2020 model year vehicle, according to iSeeCars. However, the same publication has separated the values ​​used for the two five-year-old Lexus IS variants. The turbo-four-cylinder IS 300 is right in line with the average used price of a 3 Series of $28,357, while the V-6 IS 350 F Sport costs slightly more at $32,183.

Why compare with IS? That’s because the IS has the best resale value in the compact luxury sports sedan segment. The 3 Series may not be the best, but its depreciation is in line with the segment, as you’ll see here. While the 3 Series will be slightly more expensive to maintain than the IS, the 3 Series’ higher depreciation makes up for this, and you end up with a more rewarding car to drive, as you’ll learn later.

Why the 3 Series?

But if the resale value isn’t in its favour, why would I recommend the 3 Series over the IS? Simple: it combines functionality, comfort and value with class-leading sporty handling. More importantly, the engines in the BMW 3 Series – namely the B48 2.0-litre inline-four turbo and the legendary B58 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo engines – have set a new standard for the BMW brand in terms of reliability. Wait, what? A reliable BMW? Yes, I’m not kidding, and this isn’t just an anecdote.

There’s also a 330e plug-in hybrid variant until model year 2024, with the B48 paired with an electric motor and a large battery, but you might be surprised to hear that it offers more compromises than benefits. The BMW 330i, which is slightly cheaper to purchase, has a 15.6-gallon tank that is good for an EPA-rated driving range of 450 miles. The 330th? Unfortunately, the significantly smaller 10.6-gallon tank gives it a gasoline-only range of just 300 miles, and together with the battery it’s only 310 miles. Additionally, the 330i’s 29 MPG combined fuel economy is 2 MPG more efficient than its PHEV counterpart. Ironic, isn’t it?

Reliability and maintenance

There is a common mechanical beauty among the BMW 3 Series 2019-2022 engines. The B48 and B58 may be separated by number of cylinders, but their modular structure means they also share parts, reliability, and sometimes issues (albeit few).

BMW’s best and most robust engines in 2025

The original B48 and B58 engines had typical early adopter problems, but as updates were made the engines became more reliable and robust over time. The B58 has become one of BMW’s most reliable enginesever, and it is a feature that the B48 also inherits. This is due to the engine block’s closed deck design, which makes it very durable and rigid, along with robust components such as a steel crankshaft and forged aluminum pistons. The engines also have a timing chain, direct injection and a high compression ratio (for a turbo engine) of 11:1, so premium 91 octane fuel is a must.

Unfortunately, stricter emissions somewhat compromise the durability of these engines. In 2022, BMW began expanding a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to these engines, starting with the B58 of the M340i. With the 2025 model year update, the 330i also received the same mild hybrid system. Just as BMW has already optimized the reliability of these engines, the added electrification will once again test how the B48 and B58 will fare when it comes to long-term ownership.

Plastic not fantastic

No matter how robust the engine is, there are a number of parts to pay attention to that are not optimal in terms of durability. BMW’s insistence on a The plastic oil filter housing and oil pump impeller housing are your main Achilles heel for these two engines. It’s a common complaint about the B48 and B58, and one that BMW subsequently addressed for the B58 around 2021 (BMW didn’t give a specific date). Before 2021, certain B58s with the high-performance cooling and tire package (option code ZTK) had the upgraded metal version. Make sure the used 3 Series you buy has already had the oil filter and pump housing replaced with the more durable OEM part.

Also check the valve cover gasket, as as they age the parts become brittle and oil leakage is possible. This is more common on earlier B48 and B58s, as BMW tried to mitigate this by allowing the engine to retain more heat. Also pay attention to possible coolant leaks from the water pump or thermostat, as these also use plastic parts that deteriorate over time. The key here for these parts is to catch their wear and tear as early as possible. Do that and you’ll find that the B48 and B58 are surprisingly reliable engines, as these problems occur in other cars as they age.

How the 3 Series drives

Fortunately, I’ve driven four versions of the BMW 3 Series, from a modest 318i, a 330i, an M340i Touring and the dreamy M3 Touring. Here’s what you need to know about the 3 Series when it comes to the driving experience.

Comfortable and practical

The Lexus IS has a cramped backseat and the V-6 isn’t all that punchy (although it does sound fun). I’m also not a fan of the current design philosophy of the Mercedes C-Class, while the A4, like the IS, is currently begging for replacement. This leaves us with the BMW 3 Series, which, of the luxury compact sports sedans on the market, the BMW 3 Series is the most complete. For daily driving, the B48 or B58, combined with the world’s best automatic, the ZF eight-speed (fight me), has all the qualities you want in a luxury car drivetrain.

Buttery smooth, punchy performance that follows your every whim as intended: it’s an engine and transmission combination that’s adept in all conditions. It is also extremely efficient (for the power they produce). The EPA rates the 330i at a combined rating of 30 MPG, which is excellent for the power it makes, while adding xDrive all-wheel drive (AWD) only results in a 1 MPG penalty. The M340i, with its B58, returns just 5 MPG over its combined MPG, and adding xDrive still returns the same fuel economy.

Sporty in the right way

But the main reason you would buy the BMW 3 Series is because of how sporty it is. Granted, the 3 Series never really regained the sportiness of the E46 and E90, but the G20 is a clear improvement over the F30. Despite that slight dilution in favor of premium refinement, however, the 3 Series remains the benchmark for sportiness in its class. The steering is sharp and well weighted, but not the richest in feel. The body control is excellent as it is also a means by which the car can communicate its driving behavior to you – even with the standard suspension.

Granted, the ride is on the firm side, but it’s not uncomfortable. However, if you go for the M Sport suspension, it becomes too stiff. The best suspension for the 3 Series is the adaptive suspension, which is both comfortable enough and can firm up to truly become the sportiest sedan in its segment. Oh, and it’s worth mentioning that controlling the vehicle systems is easier in the pre-facelift 3 Series, thanks to the fact that iDrive 7 still relies heavily on physical controls.

Source: iSeeCars