Pre-LCI petrol
N13 served selected entry models, N20/N26 the mainstream four-cylinders and N55 the 335i. Market and emissions specification resolve the exact version.
3 Series (F30/F31/F34) — Sedan
2011–2019
Editorially reviewedReviewed 2026-08-10; market and model-year scope is stated in the record sources.
- Internal code
- F30
- Production
- October 2011 – October 2018
- Body style
- 4-door sedan · 5 seats
- Platform
- longitudinal engine · rear-wheel drive or xDrive · turbo engines · electric steering
Body variants
3 Series → F30/F31/F34 → Sedan
3 Series F30/F31/F34: history, design and engineering
How this generation came about, what made it different and how the selected sedan fits into the family.
F30 brought the regular 3 Series fully into BMW's turbocharged era. Electric power steering, an eight-speed automatic on much of the range and a growing emphasis on efficiency changed the everyday experience, while the core layout remained a longitudinal engine with rear- or optional all-wheel drive.
This generation also redrew the catalogue itself. Sedan, Touring, the high-roof Gran Turismo and China's long-wheelbase F35 stayed in the 3 Series, but Coupe and Cabriolet moved to the new 4 Series name. ActiveHybrid 3 and the later 330e show how quickly BMW's first electrification strategy evolved within one lifecycle.
This generation formalised an important catalog split: F30 Sedan, F31 Touring, F34 Gran Turismo and China-specific F35 remain 3 Series bodies, while the related F32/F33/F36 two-door and fastback cars belong to the new 4 Series. ActiveHybrid 3 and 330e are different electrification phases, and their system output, luggage packaging and production periods must not be merged.
2011–2020complete body lifecycle
4body branches incl. F35
2 810–2 920 mmwheelbase range
RWD / xDrivedriven wheels
N13–B58petrol families
330eseries-production PHEV
Sedan: dimensions and packaging
Dimensions can change with body, market and model year, so this page keeps them tied to the exact factory branch.
Length4,624 mm
Width1,811 mm
Height≈ 1,429 mm
Wheelbase2,810 mm
Luggage480 L
Fuel tank57–60 L
Seats5
Doors4-door sedan · 5 seats
| Body | Code | Production | Doors / seats | Length | Luggage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan | F30 | 2011–2019 | 4-door sedan · 5 seats / 5 | 4,624 mm | 480 L |
| Touring | F31 | 2012–2019 | 5-door wagon · 5 seats / 5 | 4,624 mm | 495–1,500 L |
| Gran Turismo | F34 | 2013–2020 | 5-door long-wheelbase liftback · 5 seats / 5 | 4,824 mm | 520–1,600 L |
| Long-wheelbase Sedan | F35 | 2012–2019 | 4-door long-wheelbase sedan · 5 seats / 5 | ≈ 4,734 mm | ≈ 480 L |
Engines and powertrains
The generation could span very different engines and drivetrains. The table keeps output, gearbox, market and production period together.
Factory modification matrix
Documented sedan applications; output and availability remain market- and model-year-specific.
| Model | Years | Engine | Output | Transmission | Drive | Market | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 316i / 318i | 2012–2019 | N13B16 / B38B15 | 136 PS | 6MT / 8AT | RWD | Europe | 50 years of BMW 3 Series production |
| 320i | 2012–2019 | N20B20 / B48B20 | 184 PS | 6MT / 8AT | RWD / xDrive | Global range | 50 years of BMW 3 Series production |
| 328i / 330i | 2012–2019 | N20B20 / B48B20 | 245–252 PS | 6MT / 8AT | RWD / xDrive | Global range | 50 years of BMW 3 Series production |
| 335i / 340i | 2012–2019 | N55B30 / B58B30 | 306–326 PS | 6MT / 8AT | RWD / xDrive | Global range | 50 years of BMW 3 Series production |
| 316d / 318d | 2012–2019 | N47D20 / B47D20 | 116–150 PS | 6MT / 8AT | RWD | Europe | 50 years of BMW 3 Series production |
| 320d | 2012–2019 | N47D20 / B47D20 | 184–190 PS | 6MT / 8AT | RWD / xDrive | Global range | 50 years of BMW 3 Series production |
| 325d / 330d / 335d | 2012–2019 | N47D20 / N57D30 | 218–313 PS | 6MT / 8AT | RWD / xDrive | Europe | 50 years of BMW 3 Series production |
| ActiveHybrid 3 | 2012–2015 | N55B30 + electric motor | 340 PS system | 8AT hybrid | RWD | Global range | 50 years of BMW 3 Series production |
| 330e | 2016–2019 | B48B20 + electric motor | 252 PS system | 8AT hybrid | RWD | Global range | 50 years of BMW 3 Series production |
Post-LCI modular engines
B38, B48 and B58 arrived with revised 318i, 320i/330i and 340i badges. Parts and service data do not transfer automatically from pre-LCI cars.
Diesels
N47 transitioned to B47 while six-cylinder derivatives used N57. DPF, EGR, SCR and output depend on market and emissions phase.
Hybrids
ActiveHybrid 3 paired N55 with an electric motor; later 330e used B48 and a plug-in-hybrid system. The traction battery and power electronics need dedicated diagnostics.
How power reaches the road
Gearboxes, driven wheels and final-drive hardware changed with engine, market and production date.
Manual transmissions
Six-speed manuals remained on selected petrol and diesel derivatives; clutch and dual-mass flywheel should be assessed under load.
8HP and other automatics
ZF 8HP became the primary automatic, but exact variant and calibration follow the engine. Service must follow unit identification.
xDrive
The transfer case is sensitive to tyre circumference mismatch. Inspect for shudder, VTG faults and documented fluid history.
What changed underneath
Suspension, brakes, safety systems and electronics evolved across the range, even when cars shared the same basic architecture.
Architecture
- Wheelbase increased over E90
- Front struts and multi-link rear axle
- Electromechanical power steering
F34/F35
- F34 and F35 use a 2,920 mm wheelbase
- F34: elevated seating, frameless doors and active rear spoiler
- F35: local China-market body prioritising rear-seat space
Electronics
- Early CIC and later NBT/NBT Evo iDrive
- CBS, intelligent battery sensor and battery coding
- Driver-assistance content follows camera, radar and market specification
How the generation evolved
The important launches, additions and updates did not always happen at the same time for every body or market.
F30 launch
Sedan is revealed in 2011 and reaches major markets in 2012.
F31 and F35
Touring and the BMW Brilliance long-wheelbase China-market sedan enter production.
Gran Turismo
F34 adds a long wheelbase, taller body and tailgate while Coupe/Cabriolet move to 4 Series.
LCI
The family receives chassis and lighting revisions, B-series engines and the 330e plug-in hybrid.
Phase-out
F30 yields to G20, F31 ends in 2019 and F34 Gran Turismo in 2020.
The versions that stood apart
Performance models, option packages and regional editions may look related, but their engineering and production identity can be very different.
F35 Li
F35Separate locally produced BMW Brilliance long-wheelbase sedan; it should not be labelled as a standard F30.
ActiveHybrid 3
F30Non-plug-in hybrid pairing N55 with dedicated high-voltage components.
330e
F30B48 plug-in hybrid with luggage and mass differences from a conventional sedan.
Inside the car
Cabin technology and standard equipment changed by country and year; a build sheet remains the best guide to one individual car.
Lines and chassis
- Early Sport, Modern and Luxury Lines
- M Sport, adaptive suspension and variable sport steering
- Brake and wheel sizes tied to engine and package
Infotainment and assistance
- CIC, NBT and NBT Evo by build date
- Head-up display, cameras and parking systems
- ACC, lane-departure warning and sign recognition where offered
What to check today
A practical starting point for inspecting and maintaining a car from this generation — not a diagnosis of an individual example.
Engine
- Early N20/N26 timing-chain and guide evidence
- N47 timing-chain history
- Plastic cooling parts, oil-filter housing and leaks
Driveline and chassis
- ZF 8HP shift quality and documented service
- xDrive matching tyres and no transfer-case shudder
- Arms, damper mounts and adaptive-damper condition
Body and electrical
- Battery, IBS and energy-management faults
- F31 tailgate wiring and F34 powered mechanisms
- Dedicated high-voltage report for 330e/ActiveHybrid
| Item | Interval / trigger | Catalog note |
|---|---|---|
| Oil and filter | CBS-based; adapt to duty cycle | Approval follows engine, particulate-filter fitment and market. |
| Automatic transmission | identified ZF/other manufacturer procedure | Sump-filter, fluid, temperature and level form one service process. |
| xDrive | inspect tyres every service; fluid condition/schedule based | Verify closely matched rolling circumference after tyre replacement. |
| Brake fluid | every 2 years | CBS does not replace visual inspection of discs, hoses and calipers. |
How to identify the exact car
The badge and registration year tell only part of the story; production date, body code, engine and factory options complete it.
- Body
- F30, F31, F34 and F35 have different geometry, wheelbases and body parts.
- LCI
- Resolve by build date and VIN, not appearance alone; powertrain transitions differed by market.
- Engine/transmission
- VIN decoding and unit identification are mandatory before ordering parts or fluids.
Where the information comes from
The story is mapped through English Wikipedia and its bibliography, then important dates and technical claims are checked against BMW material.
- 01BMW 3 Series (F30)Wikipedia contributors
English-language secondary overview of the generation, body programme, powertrains and production chronology; key claims are cross-checked against the factory sources below.
- 0250 years of the BMW 3 SeriesBMW Group Classic / BMW Group
Official body history, production dates and position within the model range.
- 03The new BMW 3 Series Gran TurismoBMW Group Classic / BMW Group
Official body history, production dates and position within the model range.
- 0450 years of BMW 3 Series productionBMW Group Classic / BMW Group
Official body history, production dates and position within the model range.
Notes and limitations
- F35 is represented as its own body inside the generation while the historical F30–F34 catalogue URL remains stable.
- F35, 330e and diesel dates and equipment are particularly market dependent.
4 primary references · market differences documentedPhotography: High Contrast, CC BY 3.0 DE · Wikimedia Commons. Rights checked 2026-08-06; local 640 px and 1,280 px avif versions created; the complete source frame is retained without cropping.Updated 6 August 2026