Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW 3-series – MPG and running costs

Even under WLTP regulations the 3-series can be surprisingly frugal and 330e PHEV has an impressive all electric range

Evo rating
Price
from £40,205
  • Chassis balance, punchy powertrains, interior quality and tech
  • Lifeless steering, harsh M Sport suspension

Assuming you have access to a charger and don’t spend your days doing lengthy journeys, the plug-in hybrid 330e should offer the lowest running costs of the 3-series range. Official economy figures of up to 188.3mpg can be taken with a pinch of salt, but with an all-electric range of up to 35 miles, most commutes could be tackled on battery power alone. Combine this with a low BiK rate for company car drivers and the 330e looks like a very attractive proposition. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The pure-combustion 320i posts good economy figures with a quoted 43.5mpg, with the 2-litre diesel 320d rising to 57.6mpg. Despite the demonisation of diesel there’s no getting away from the fact that the 3-series models wearing a ‘d’ badge are by far and away the most economical of the pure-combustion models – even the 335bhp M340d achieves a quoted 46.3mpg despite its less efficient xDrive all-wheel drive system and 3-litre displacement. As these are WLTP figures they should be achievable when on a gentle cruise, but if you use the performance to its full then expect to drop into the 20s.

The least economical of the range is the petrol-powered M340i xDrive, with its 369bhp 3-litre straight-six achieving a 35mpg WLTP figure. Surprisingly, this figure isn't too hard to reach on a long run thanks to its 48V hybrid tech, although a hard drive will see economy drop to the low teens. 

With extended service intervals running a 3-series shouldn’t break the bank and BMW offers a pay monthly servicing option at £25 per month for 36 months. Given this only covers two services and the car’s first MoT it’s perhaps best avoided unless you really want to fix your motoring costs.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8
Mercedes-AMG G63
News

The new Mercedes-AMG G63 has arrived, and it still has a V8

Some of Affalterbach’s range-toppers are swapping eight cylinders for four, but the AMG G-class retains its V8 for 2024
26 Mar 2024
The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?
Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 – front
News

The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?

Our early impressions of the Gen 2 GR Yaris suggest that it’s an improvement in every area that counts, but can it be worth £18k more than an i20 N?
27 Mar 2024
Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader
Land Rover Defender OCTA – front
News

Land Rover Defender OCTA: twin-turbo V8 and McLaren-style suspension tech for hot off-roader

The OCTA promises to be the fastest, toughest and most capable Defender yet when it launches later this year
26 Mar 2024