DecodedCars2018 BMW 3 Series
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- 328d Xdrive 4dr Sedan, 330e Iperformance Sedan, 330i Xdrive 4dr Sedan, 330i Xdrive Gran Turismo
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Diesel, Plug-in Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 36 combined · 31 city / 43 hwy
- Length
- 182.3–190.2 in
- Curb weight
- 3,510–3,924 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 0 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 36 MPG combined — 33% better than the average 2018 compact car (27 MPG).
- Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- No recalls so far
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 28 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2018 BMW 3 Series is a compact car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 182 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,695 lb (328d Xdrive 4dr Sedan).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 36 MPG combined (31 city / 43 highway), 33% better than the 2018 compact car average of 27 MPG, for an estimated $2,650 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.
What changed for 2018
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 3 Series — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 3 Series →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 328d Xdrive 4dr Sedan | 182.3 in | 71.3 in | 56.3 in | 110.6 in | 60.6 / 62.2 in | 3,695 lb | 51/49 |
| 330e Iperformance Sedan | 182.3 in | 71.3 in | 56.3 in | 110.6 in | 60.6 / 62.2 in | 3,924 lb | 51/49 |
| 330i Xdrive 4dr Sedan | 182.3 in | 71.3 in | 56.3 in | 110.6 in | 60.6 / 62.2 in | 3,510 lb | 50/50 |
| 330i Xdrive Gran Turismo | 190.2 in | 72 in | 59.4 in | 115 in | 60.6 / 62.6 in | 3,880 lb | 49/51 |
| 340i 4dr Sedan RWD | 182.3 in | 71.3 in | 56.3 in | 110.6 in | 60.6 / 62.2 in | 3,695 lb | 51/49 |
| 340i Xdrive 4dr Sedan | 182.3 in | 71.3 in | 56.3 in | 110.6 in | 60.6 / 62.2 in | 3,821 lb | 52/48 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 328d Diesel | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 31 / 43 / 36 | +33% | $2,650 | 285 |
| 328d xDrive Diesel | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 30 / 40 / 34 | +26% | $2,800 | 303 |
| 328d xDrive Sports Wagon Diesel | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 30 / 40 / 34 | +14% | $2,800 | 303 |
| 330e Plug-in Hybrid | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 28 / 34 / 30 | +11% | $2,750 | 189 |
| 320i | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 24 / 35 / 28 | +4% | $2,950 | 323 |
| 330i | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 24 / 34 / 27 | 0% | $3,050 | 324 |
| 330i xDrive | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 / 33 / 27 | 0% | $3,050 | 333 |
| 320i | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 23 / 35 / 27 | 0% | $3,050 | 326 |
| 320i xDrive | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 / 34 / 27 | 0% | $3,050 | 332 |
| 330i xDrive Gran Turismo | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 / 33 / 27 | +17% | $3,050 | 333 |
| 330i xDrive Sports Wagon | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 23 / 33 / 27 | -9% | $3,050 | 333 |
| 340i | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 / 32 / 25 | -7% | $3,300 | 352 |
| 340i xDrive | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 31 / 25 | -7% | $3,300 | 357 |
| 330i | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 / 32 / 25 | -7% | $3,300 | 360 |
| 340i | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 29 / 23 | -15% | $3,550 | 389 |
| 340i xDrive | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 29 / 23 | -15% | $3,550 | 390 |
| 340i xDrive Gran Turismo | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 23 | 0% | $3,550 | 382 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 BMW 3 Series SW AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 9.5% |
| 2018 BMW 3 Series 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 9.5% |
| 2018 BMW 3 Series 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 9.5% |
Similar 2018 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 BMW 3 Series (this car) | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2018 Lexus IS | 26 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2018 Audi A4 | 31 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 30 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2018 Tesla Model 3 | 310 mi | ★★★★★ | 19 |
| 2018 Audi A3 | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 7 |
| 2018 Lexus GS | 31 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
Recalls (0)
No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2018 BMW 3 Series.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗Not every 2018 BMW 3 Series is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
No owner complaints for the 2018 BMW 3 Series in NHTSA's database since 2015.
Used 2018 BMW 3 Series buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 BMW 3 Series. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other 3 Series years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 3 Series | 31 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 3 Series | 31 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 3 Series | 29 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 3 Series | 29 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 3 Series | 30 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 3 Series | 30 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 3 Series | 30 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 3 Series | 30 | 190.2 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 3 Series | 36 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 3 Series | 35 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 3 Series | 36 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 3 Series | 36 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →