2012 BMW 3 Series Sedan

If you’re looking for a used luxury car, the 2012 BMW 3 Series could be an affordable option for you.
Written by Brian Hicks
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
The 2012 BMW 3 Series sedan is an excellent option for a compact luxury car. It offers sleek style, hefty horsepower, and an excellent safety rating at an affordable price.
Running through the specs and features of the 2012 BMW 3 Series sedan is made easy with
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How much is a 2012 BMW 3 Series sedan?

The original MSRP for the 2012 BMW 3 Series sedan was $34,900 for the 328i and $42,400 for the 335i. However, due to the passage of time, that price has decreased as all
car retail prices
do. According to Motortrend, the clean retail price for the 328i is around $10,550 and $12,520 for the 335i.
The clean retail price is for a vehicle with average mileage, minimal wear, no defects, and a clean title history. A car in great condition with extra features could cost more, while a vehicle with higher mileage and lots of wear could sell for much less. Overall, this is an affordable option for a used luxury car.

Is the 2012 BMW 3 Series sedan a good buy?

The 2012 BMW 3 Series sedan is a solid ride, and it can definitely be a good buy for you if you’re looking for safety, style, and horsepower.
With only two trims, the BMW 3 Series sedan gives you options without making your head spin. This is a safe choice for a used luxury car, especially if you’re just getting into the luxury car game. 

Reliability

BMWs are generally considered to be somewhat unreliable. The 2012 3 Series doesn’t shirk that trend. With a 3 out of 5 on RepairPal, you’ll want to be prepared for maintenance slightly more than the average car owner.
The other downside is that these repairs can get costly. Because of the intricate way the German carmaker creates their engine, a simple repair can quickly add up with the costs of labor. The average annual repair cost and frequency are slightly higher than other vehicles, but those repairs aren’t any more severe than comparable luxury cars.

Speed and performance

The two variations of the 2012 3 Series sedan offer two levels of power for your driving needs:
  • 328i: turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (240 horsepower; 260 lb-ft of torque)
  • 335i: optional turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine (300 horsepower; 300 lb-ft of torque)
The optional six-cylinder engine on the 335i allows for more power. The four-cylinder comes with a six-speed manual (standard) transmission or eight-speed automatic (optional). Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is standard on all variations.
While the RWD can make the ride a little less stable on wet pavement, the overall ride of the car is steady and smooth. It has a nimble and responsive chassis that makes it feel like a BMW Grand Tourer in more practical attire.

Fuel economy

Considering the age of the 2012 3 Series sedan, it’s fairly fuel efficient. It gets 26 mpg combined city/highway driving. However, these numbers look a little different when you consider the 23 mpg city driving and the 33 mpg highway driving.
It’s recommended that all BMW owners use premium unleaded gas. This means that those trips to the pump can definitely add up, which may be something to consider when deciding if the 2012 3 Series sedan is right for you.

Interior and technology

A luxury car is just as much about the ride as it is about the interior, which is one place where the 2012 BMW 3 Series sedan excels. It has plenty of legroom and, with a folding rear seat, offers the option for plenty of cargo capacity.
The aluminum and faux-wood interior gives the sedan a sophisticated feel. The iDrive electronics interface has a 6.5-inch display, making it easily visible and accessible. The sedan comes with three different equipment lines—Luxury, Sport, and Modern—depending on price point and aesthetics.
While this car is older (it still comes with a CD player), it still has useful technology. There’s a Bluetooth link and outlets for charging your devices. There are also options for parking assist, blindspot and lane departure warnings, and collision warning.

Safety

While the interior of the car is definitely something to marvel at, the safety rating of the 2012 BMW 3 Series sedan is one of the biggest perks. An Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) best pick, the 3 Series offers a smooth and safe ride.
The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the sedan a 5 out of 5 on front passenger side collisions, all side crash collisions, and rollover collisions. The only less-than-perfect score is the 4 out of 5 on the front driver side collision rating.
The BMW 3 Series Sedan comes with:
  • Anti-locking braking system (ABS)
  • Dynamic traction and stability control
  • Front side airbags
  • Side curtain airbags
  • Front knee airbags
The sedan has had one recall for a software issue on the marker lights. But, the good news is that it hasn’t had any others. The BMW 3 Series sedan is an excellent option if safety on the road is your top priority.
MORE: BMW car-buying guide 

How to save on BMW insurance

While owning a BMW can be a lot of fun, it can also be expensive to insure. Luxury cars, even older ones, can come with a higher insurance cost than your regular sedan. But
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