How much does the 2016 BMW 3 Series cost?

Prices have softened 11.15% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,345 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for you to compare trims and conditions.

If you find a listing below $11,846.10, 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 — the 4.17/5 user rating points to strong owner approval, and the expert rating is 7.5/10. The standout strength is Performance at 10/10.

Owners repeatedly praise the car’s safety, build quality, comfort, and enjoyable driving experience, and they also like how different driving modes change the character of the car. The overview frames it as a compact sedan that puts driving enjoyment first while still giving you room for four people, so it fits best if you want a daily driver with a clear enthusiast bent. Even with some criticism of the steering and a few missing features, the market still shows 31.8% good or great deals, which keeps it appealing for value-minded shoppers.

Is the 2016 BMW 3 Series reliable?

Owners rate it 4.17/5, a solid signal of long-term satisfaction. The owner summary also points to safety, build quality, and a trouble-free-feeling ownership experience, while the expert drive notes that BMW’s updates for this year improved the car’s overall refinement and drivability. BMW also includes free scheduled maintenance for the first 4 years or 50,000 miles, which helps reduce early ownership costs. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that a well-used example may hide wear or deferred maintenance, so condition matters a lot.

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

At 53.2% 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 driven hard or modified. Focus on bodywork consistency, signs of prior repair, and whether the car’s steering, brakes, and suspension feel tight and well sorted on a test drive. Because this model year mixes strong performance with a premium badge, condition can matter more than mileage alone.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The 2016 3 Series is offered in 320i, 328d, 330e, 330i, 340i, and M3 model series, and not all body styles are available in all configurations. Base versions may leave you wanting more equipment, while xDrive in the name signals all-wheel drive.
• Powertrain: BMW installs a new, lightweight, turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine in this version of the 3 Series, 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: Driver Assistance adds a reversing camera and parking sensors, while Driver Assistance Plus 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 reversing camera is not standard on the base car.
• 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. The optional Technology Package adds navigation, BMW Online, BMW Apps, and a heads-up display.
• Fuel efficiency: The 340i returned 22.4 mpg on the test loop, and BMW cites 23 mpg in combined driving. The test car also failed to match the EPA’s city fuel-economy rating of 20 mpg during hard 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:

• Base trim: The base car leaves out some equipment you might expect at this price, including a standard reversing camera. It also lacks the extra driver-assistance tech that comes with the higher safety packages.
• Sweet-spot trim: The 340i stands out as the enthusiast pick because it pairs the strongest engine character with the most compelling driving experience in the source material.
• Premium/top trim: The Technology Package adds navigation, BMW Online, BMW Apps, and a heads-up display, making the car feel more complete if you want more convenience and information.
• Off-road trim: None of the source material points to a real-world daily-driver caution tied to an off-road-oriented version.

The safety package note to keep in mind is that Driver Assistance Plus adds the most useful active safety tech, while the reversing camera still requires the Driver Assistance Package.

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

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 31.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,345 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.15% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 53.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $11,846.10, 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 $11,897 sits slightly below last year's $13,390.

That price decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you buy at a more favorable entry point. For a future seller, that also means your resale outcome will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and how well the car has been maintained. A clean, well-kept example should hold up better than one with accident history or visible wear.

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, while turning in a nearly flawless performance in other crash-test assessments from the federal government and the IIHS.

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

BMW Assist eCall comes standard, with enhanced automatic collision notification and an SOS emergency request button. Driver Assistance adds a reversing camera and parking sensors, while Driver Assistance Plus 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 small overlap frontal result is weaker than the rest of the car’s safety performance.

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:

• 31.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 53.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 11.15% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.17/5 — a solid satisfaction signal.
• The 2016 update improves the car’s dynamics, technology, and overall refinement.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $10,606, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $11,897 average.
• It is a sedan-only version with a tight, precise chassis and a wonderfully powerful engine.

The bottom line: If you want the stronger all-around used buy, the 2016 is the better target because it combines a lower average price than last year with improved driving character and solid owner approval. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2015 is the simpler value play, but you give up some of the 2016’s updates and broader appeal.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.