WATTSHIP
Model dossier · BMW

BMW 3 Series

1975 to present
BMW 3 Series, photograph
Alexander-93 · CC BY-SA 4.0
01 Overview

BMW 3 Series was built from 1975 to the present.

Composed from the specifications below, so it states nothing the specs do not. Photograph: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons), from this generation's own encyclopedia entry.

02 Features and what it can do

Overview

The BMW 3 series is a line of compact executive cars manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. It is the successor to the 02 series and has been produced in eight generations. The first generation of the 3 Series was only available as a 2-door saloon; the model range expanded to include a range of body styles - a 4-door saloon, 2-door convertible, 2-door coupé, 5-door estate, 5-door liftback ("Gran Turismo"; discontinued in 2019) and 3-door hatchback (named "Compact"). Since 2004, the Compact has been spun off and became the 1 Series. In 2013, both the coupé and convertible models have been marketed as the 4 Series.

Source: the English Wikipedia article on this model, CC BY-SA 4.0. Text may be shortened; read the full article for the complete text.

03 Specifications
Built1975-present
ClassCompact executive car (D)
ManufacturerBMW
ReplacedBMW 02 Series
04 Market price

Not yet sourced for this model. Used prices swing with year, mileage, grade and country, so we publish a market range only when it comes with a named source and a date, and never an estimate. For a live figure, use the landed-cost tool with the price on the auction sheet.

05 Buyer's guide

Check before you buy

  • Read the auction sheet grade and notes, and verify the odometer against service and inspection records. How to read an auction sheet
  • Run a history check (accidents, flood, mileage) before you bid. History check guide
  • Import age rules: this generation already qualifies in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Kenya. Confirm the rule for your exact vehicle with customs before buying. Landed-cost calculator

General guidance for this type of vehicle, worked out from its body, powertrain and age. It is not a finding about this particular model; use an inspection and the auction sheet for the car you are actually buying.

06 Import age windows

Worked out from this generation's production years and each country's age rule. Rules also depend on vehicle type and the month of manufacture, so confirm with customs before you buy.

United StatesEligible now (built from 1975, 25-year rule).
CanadaEligible now (built from 1975, 15-year rule).
United KingdomEligible now (built from 1975, 10-year rule).
AustraliaEligible now (built from 1975, 25-year rule).
KenyaNewest examples (2026) are within the 8-year cap.
07 Other generations and models

More from BMW · all BMW models

08 Questions buyers ask

Can I import a BMW 3 Series from Japan?

By production year alone, BMW 3 Series is inside the age window for United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Kenya. Rules depend on vehicle type and the month of manufacture, so confirm with customs before you buy.

Answered from this page's own data, not from outside claims. See the sources below.

09 Sources

Confidence: single-source (Wikipedia infobox). Specifications differ by market, trim and model year; the auction sheet or the vehicle's registration document is the final word on a particular car.

Work out the landed cost Back to Luxury Database
FLUX · Chief Engineermi · USD