How much does the 2016 BMW 3 Series cost?

Prices have softened 10.37% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,333 listings available, which suggests a healthy amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $11,842.50, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2016 BMW 3 Series a good car?

Generally — 4.17/5 from owners and 7.5/10 from our experts, this 3 Series lands as a strong pick if you want a compact sedan that prioritizes driving enjoyment. The standout strength is Performance at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise the car’s safety, build quality, comfort, and performance, and they also like the way different driving modes change the experience. That lines up with the overview’s focus on a car that feels like an actual sports car with four doors, while still giving you room for you and three other people.

You should also weigh the tradeoffs: some owners disliked the electronic steering and felt it reduced road feel, and a few wanted more features. Even so, the model’s enthusiast-first character and everyday usability make it appealing if you want a sedan that feels special on the road.

With 27.3% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have enough market flexibility to shop selectively.

Is the 2016 BMW 3 Series reliable?

Owners rate it 4.17/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction.

Owner feedback points to a car that feels dependable, with praise centered on safety, build quality, and an enjoyable driving experience. That kind of feedback matters because it suggests the car can be one you feel comfortable counting on over time, especially if you value a well-built used luxury sedan.

The expert write-up also emphasizes that BMW’s driver-assistance technologies operate in a refined, subtle way, which supports the impression of a thoughtfully engineered car. On the ownership side, free scheduled maintenance for the first 4 years or 50,000 miles adds a useful cost buffer for earlier life, though you should still budget carefully for a used luxury car once that coverage is behind you.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about whether the specific car was maintained well and equipped with the features you expect.

What should I look for when buying a used 2016 BMW 3 Series?

At 52.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle-history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has been in a prior accident or has higher mileage. Focus on bodywork quality, steering feel, brake condition, and whether the car still feels tight and composed on the road.

Because this generation is described as aging, you should pay close attention to signs of wear that might not show up in photos. A careful test drive matters here, since the car’s appeal depends heavily on how well it still delivers its sharp, connected driving character.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The 2016 3 Series is offered in 320i, 328d, 330e, 330i, 340i, and M3 model series, with each version tied to a unique engine and often specific enhancements. The base setup is more about the core BMW driving experience than luxury flash, so compare equipment carefully if you want more comfort or technology.
• Powertrain: BMW installs a new turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine in the 340i, with 320 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed sport automatic is standard, a 6-speed manual is a no-charge option, and xDrive AWD is available.
• Safety package: The Driver Assistance Package adds a reversing camera and parking sensors. The Driver Assistance Plus Package adds forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, low-speed automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, active blind-spot information, and a 360-degree camera view system.
• Infotainment: iDrive is included in every 3 Series, and the system’s navigation starts up quicker, calculates routes faster, and can be updated over Wi-Fi. Navigation, BMW Online, BMW Apps, and a heads-up display are included in the optional Technology Package.
• Fuel efficiency: The 340i returned 22.4 mpg on a test loop and nearly matched its 23 mpg combined rating.

Which 2016 BMW 3 Series trim should I buy?

The 2016 BMW 3 Series is offered in 6 trim levels: 320i, 328d, 330e, 330i, 340i, and M3.

Here's the short version:

• 320i: This is the entry point if you want the 3 Series experience at the lowest rung of the lineup, but you should expect fewer extras than the higher trims.
• 328d: Choose this if you want a diesel-flavored alternative in the lineup and are shopping with efficiency and long-distance use in mind.
• 330e: This plug-in hybrid adds electrified efficiency to the lineup and is the most distinct choice if you want a different kind of 3 Series ownership experience.
• 330i: This is the mainstream step-up choice if you want a balanced mix of performance and equipment without jumping all the way to the top end.
• 340i: This is the best-value enthusiast pick if you want the strongest performance character, with the turbocharged 6-cylinder engine, standard 8-speed sport automatic, and available xDrive.
• M3: Choose this only if you want the most serious performance-focused version in the lineup.

The safety-package note to keep in mind is that the reversing camera is not standard and comes with the Driver Assistance Package, while the more advanced driver aids are bundled in Driver Assistance Plus.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2016 BMW 3 Series?

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully without feeling rushed.

• Deal availability: 27.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,333 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.37% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 52.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,842.50, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2016 BMW 3 Series's resale value?

The current average of $11,842 sits slightly below last year's $13,213.

That price decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable point in the cycle. For a future seller, that means resale upside may be more limited unless the car is especially clean, well maintained, and well equipped.

The good news is that a model with strong owner satisfaction can still hold buyer interest better than a weaker one. If you keep mileage, condition, and service history in check, you give yourself a better shot at preserving value.

Vehicles with solid owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.17/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2016 BMW 3 Series safe?

It earns a Marginal result in the IIHS small overlap frontal impact test.

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

The Driver Assistance Plus Package adds forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and low-speed automatic emergency braking, a lane-departure warning system, an active blind-spot information system, and a 360-degree camera view system. The Driver Assistance Package adds a reversing camera and parking sensors, while BMW Assist eCall with enhanced automatic collision notification and an SOS emergency request button is included at the base level.

The main caveat is that the small overlap frontal result is weaker than you’d want from a refreshed model year. If safety is a top priority, you should pay close attention to whether the car has the optional driver-assistance equipment and inspect its overall condition carefully.

Should I buy a 2016 BMW 3 Series or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2016 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2016 if:

• 27.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 52.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 10.37% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.17/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2016 refresh brings a stronger turbocharged 340i, improved transmissions, revised electric steering, and upgraded suspension.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $10,680, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $11,842 average.
• It remains a sedan with a tight, precise chassis and a wonderfully powerful engine.

The bottom line: If you want the better-rounded buy, the 2016 is the stronger choice because it adds meaningful updates and still offers attractive pricing. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2015 is the value play, but you give up some of the 2016’s refinement and update benefits.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.