Used BMW 3-Series diesel cars for sale

All 3 Series diesels have a 'd' at the end of their name. So you've got your 318d, 320d, 335d and M340d. The 318 is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel with 150hp, the 320d is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 190hp, the 335d is a 3.0-litre six-cylinder with 313hp and the M340d is the range-topping 3.0-litre engine with 340hp and a walloping 700Nm of torque. It's the fastest-accelerating diesel car you can currently buy.

Fuel economy in any BMW 3 Series diesel will be impressive and better than its petrol equivalent on a long journey. The 318d gets 53-55mpg in official testing, the 320d gets 52-54mpg, the 330d is more powerful so drops to 46-49mpg, while the bonkers M340d still gets a reasonable 45mpg.

The 3 Series should be reliable when fitted with any of the brand's diesel engines. A What Car? survey from 2021 placed the 3 Series diesel fourth out of 17 cars in the executive car class. However pre-2018 cars did suffer from a range of engine faults, so try to pick a later model.