Used 2016 BMW 3 Series for Sale nearMerced, CA

Compare 2016 BMW 3 Series Trims

The 2016 BMW 3 Series offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to performance-oriented models, catering to various preferences and needs.

• Starting at $10,351
• Best MPG/MPGe: 67 city / 78 hwy
• Most Popular: 328i Sedan RWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

320i Sedan RWD — "Who It's For"

The 320i Sedan RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a luxury sedan experience without the higher price tag. It's the most budget-friendly option in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $10,351 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 36 hwy
• Inventory: 343 listings
• View 320i Sedan RWD listings

320i xDrive Sedan AWD — "Who It's For"

The 320i xDrive Sedan AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive capability without paying for a higher trim. It offers a solid balance of features and price.

• Avg. market price: $11,069 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 23 city / 35 hwy
• Inventory: 368 listings
• View 320i xDrive Sedan AWD listings

328i Sedan RWD — "Who It's For"

The 328i Sedan RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-rounded luxury sedan with a blend of performance and comfort. It's also the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $10,723 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 713 listings
• View 328i Sedan RWD listings

328i xDrive Sedan AWD — "Who It's For"

The 328i xDrive Sedan AWD is the pick for shoppers who want the popular 328i with added all-wheel drive for better traction in various conditions.

• Avg. market price: $12,237 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 649 listings
• View 328i xDrive Sedan AWD listings

328d xDrive Sedan AWD — "Who It's For"

The 328d xDrive Sedan AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a sporty feel with the efficiency of a diesel engine. It’s ideal for those who prioritize fuel economy.

• Avg. market price: $13,338 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 30 city / 40 hwy
• Inventory: 50 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View 328d xDrive Sedan AWD listings

330e iPerformance Sedan RWD — "Who It's For"

The 330e iPerformance Sedan RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a hybrid option with excellent fuel efficiency without sacrificing luxury features.

• Avg. market price: $12,818 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 67 city / 78 hwy
• Inventory: 75 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View 330e iPerformance Sedan RWD listings

340i Sedan RWD — "Who It's For"

The 340i Sedan RWD is the pick for shoppers who want a powerful engine and luxury features without going for the top-tier trim.

• Avg. market price: $20,787 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 60 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View 340i Sedan RWD listings

340i xDrive Sedan AWD — "Who It's For"

The 340i xDrive Sedan AWD is the pick for shoppers who want a high-performance sedan with all-wheel drive for enhanced handling and traction.

• Avg. market price: $23,461 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 22 city / 33 hwy
• Inventory: 93 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View 340i xDrive Sedan AWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — 328i Sedan RWD

With 713 active listings, the 328i Sedan RWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse 328i Sedan RWD listings

Best Budget Option — 320i Sedan RWD

At $10,351 avg market price — below the lineup median of $12,527 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse 320i Sedan RWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — 330e iPerformance Sedan RWD

With an impressive MPG/MPGe of 67 city / 78 hwy, the 330e is the most fuel-efficient option in the lineup.

Browse 330e iPerformance Sedan RWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 8, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2016 BMW 3 Series cost?

Prices have softened 7.46% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,277 listings available, which gives you a decent amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2016 BMW 3 Series a good car?

Generally — the 4.17/5 user rating points to strong owner satisfaction, and the expert rating is 7.5/10. The standout strength is Performance at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise the car’s safety, build quality, comfort, and enjoyable driving experience. The overview also frames it as a driver-focused sedan that still gives you room for you and three other people, so you get everyday usability along with the performance character. Market availability is also healthy, with 33.5% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2016 BMW 3 Series reliable?

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

User feedback points to a car that owners describe as safe, well built, comfortable, and enjoyable to live with over time. The expert drive notes that BMW improved the transmissions, redesigned the electric steering, and upgraded the suspension for 2016, which supports the sense that this model year was aimed at making the car feel more settled and dependable. BMW also includes free scheduled maintenance for the first 4 years or 50,000 miles, which can help reduce early ownership costs.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a car this performance-focused can be more sensitive to prior maintenance quality and wear.

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

At 54% 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 you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with optional equipment. Pay close attention to body condition, steering feel, brake condition, and signs that the car has been driven hard or repaired poorly. Because the model is performance-oriented, a careful test drive matters as much as the paperwork.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The 2016 3 Series is offered in 320i, 328d, 330e, 330i, 340i, and M3 model series. The base versions are more straightforward, while higher trims add more performance and equipment, so you should compare features carefully before paying up.
• Powertrain: BMW installs a new, lightweight, turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine in this version of the 3 Series. It makes 320 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque, with an 8-speed sport automatic standard, a 6-speed manual available at no charge, and xDrive AWD 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 BMW says the navigation system 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 BMW cites 23 mpg in combined driving.

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 likely cost, but you should expect fewer features than the higher trims.
• 328d: Choose this if you want a diesel option and are focused on efficiency-oriented ownership.
• 330e: This plug-in hybrid model is the efficiency-minded choice, but it sits apart from the standard gas lineup.
• 330i: This is the balanced pick if you want a stronger feature set without jumping all the way to the top performance models.
• 340i: This is the best-value choice for shoppers who care most about performance, because the expert drive data highlights its strong power, quick acceleration, and engaging chassis.
• M3: Pick this only if you want the most serious performance character in the lineup.

The safety-package note to keep in mind is that the reversing camera is not standard, and the more advanced driver-assistance features are bundled into higher-cost packages.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but still move quickly on the right car.

• Deal availability: 33.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,277 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.46% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 54.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,679, 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 $11,917 sits slightly below last year's $12,877.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable entry point today. For a future seller, the softer pricing means resale upside may be more limited unless the car is especially clean, well maintained, and well equipped. Strong condition and desirable equipment matter more when the broader market is already easing.

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?

The 2016 BMW 3 Series earns a Marginal result in the IIHS small overlap frontal impact test.

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

BMW’s driver-assistance setup includes BMW Assist eCall with enhanced automatic collision notification and an SOS emergency request button. The Driver Assistance Package adds a reversing camera and parking sensors, while 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. The main caveat is that the reversing camera is not standard, and the IIHS small overlap result is a weak spot you should keep in mind.

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:

• 33.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 54% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.46% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.17/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The expert summary says the 2016 3 Series is the real deal: a four-door sports car that’s thrilling to drive and still practical.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $10,502, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $11,917 average.
• It remains a sport-luxury sedan with sharp driving dynamics and a powerful engine.

The bottom line: If you want the stronger all-around package, the 2016 is the better target because it combines softened pricing, strong owner satisfaction, and standout performance. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2015 is the more budget-friendly path, especially if you find one in clean condition.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.