Sell your BMW 3 Series for cash

We buy BMW 3 Seriess from every year, 1995–2020, running or not. Pick your year for specs, recalls and common problems, or get a free offer now. Towing is always free.

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BMW 3 Series by year

The 3 Series is a wagon sold from 1995–2020 with engines including 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl, 1.9L 4-cyl, 2.8L 6-cyl and 3.0L 6-cyl. NHTSA lists 194 recalls and 9,515 owner complaints across these years.

Combined MPG by model year · line shows the most efficient version, shading the range across versions
1525351995200020052010201520201995: 20–23 MPG combined1996: 20–23 MPG combined1997: 19–24 MPG combined1998: 19–24 MPG combined1999: 20–24 MPG combined2000: 18–21 MPG combined2001: 18–21 MPG combined2002: 18–22 MPG combined2003: 19–22 MPG combined2004: 19–22 MPG combined2005: 19–22 MPG combined2006: 19–21 MPG combined2007: 20–22 MPG combined2008: 19–22 MPG combined2009: 19–27 MPG combined2010: 19–27 MPG combined2011: 19–27 MPG combined2012: 19–27 MPG combined2013: 19–28 MPG combined2014: 23–36 MPG combined2015: 23–36 MPG combined2016: 23–35 MPG combined2017: 23–36 MPG combined2018: 23–36 MPG combined2019: 23–30 MPG combined2020: 28–30 MPG combined30 MPG
YearEnginesCombined MPGRecallsComplaints
1995 3 Series1.8L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl20–233110
1996 3 Series1.9L 4-cyl, 2.8L 6-cyl20–23157
1997 3 Series1.9L 4-cyl, 2.8L 6-cyl19–24151
1998 3 Series1.9L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl, 2.8L 6-cyl19–24077
1999 3 Series1.9L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl, 2.8L 6-cyl20–247247
2000 3 Series2.5L 6-cyl, 2.8L 6-cyl18–219692
2001 3 Series2.5L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl18–219530
2002 3 Series2.5L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl18–229427
2003 3 Series2.5L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl19–227475
2004 3 Series2.5L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl19–224554
2005 3 Series2.5L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl19–224227
2006 3 Series2.5L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl19–21131,243
2007 3 Series3.0L 6-cyl20–2281,041
2008 3 Series3.0L 6-cyl19–228691
2009 3 Series3.0L 6-cyl19–278388
2010 3 Series3.0L 6-cyl19–2711274
2011 3 Series3.0L 6-cyl19–2713894
2012 3 Series2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl19–2711178
2013 3 Series2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl19–289383
2014 3 Series2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl23–3612410
2015 3 Series2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl23–368215
2016 3 Series2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl23–356106
2017 3 Series2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl23–36478
2018 3 Series2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl23–36773
2019 3 Series2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl23–30941
2020 3 Series2.0L 4-cyl28–301353

Specs from EPA fueleconomy.gov; recalls and complaints from NHTSA, retrieved October 2026.

Most common BMW 3 Series problems

Across all years, these are the components owners reported most often to NHTSA. If one of these failed on your 3 Series, it can still be sold as-is.

  • Air Bags2,376
  • Electrical System1,633
  • Engine1,302
  • Exterior Lighting446
  • Engine and Engine Cooling415
  • Power Train335

Selling a BMW 3 Series: questions

How much is a junk BMW 3 Series worth?

It depends on the year, condition, which parts are still on it and current scrap prices. Newer, complete 3 Seriess with working engines and transmissions bring more; older or stripped ones are valued mostly for scrap and parts. Pick your year above or use the form for a free offer.

Do you buy BMW 3 Seriess that don't run?

Yes, from every model year we list (1995–2020), running or not, wrecked or stripped. Towing is always free.

Which BMW 3 Series year has the most complaints?

Among the years we cover, owners filed the most NHTSA complaints about the 2006 3 Series (1,243). Across all years, the most-reported components were air bags, electrical system and engine.

Which BMW 3 Series year has the most recalls?

The 2006 3 Series has the most NHTSA recalls of the years we cover, with 13. Open recalls don't stop you from junking a car.

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