BMW 3 Series Leasing
Top 3 Features
One of the best compact executive cars to drive.
A wide range of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid engines.
Class-leading practicality, especially the Touring estate.
Why Lease A BMW 3 Series?
What’s The Cabin Like?
How Does It Drive?
Similar in size to the Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class there’s more than enough room in a 3 Series for 4 adults to ride with comfort. The front in particular gives you a little more space than either of its main rivals. And there’s decent storage space all round the interior – a proper glovebox and a useful second storage compartment under the centre armrest.
In the back seats, the 3 Series again trumps the Mercedes and Audi with noticeably more width – ideal if you’ve got 3 big passengers sitting in for a longer trip.
As a Saloon, the 3 Series has a very decent 480-litre boot – the load area is biggest of the 3 German rivals – but remember that, if you get a plug-in hybrid, some of that space is given up to hold the batteries and so you only have 375 litres to play with. However, the rear seats on the 4-door can drop down flat to give you a big extended carrying area. But if you really need lots of room, then the Touring estate is a more obvious choice, as it has anything between 500 and 1510 litres depending on whether the rear seats are up or down.
Powered by a choice of petrol, diesel and petrol-electric plug-in hybrid engines, the BMW 3 Series has all bases covered. The plug-in hybrids are the most efficient on paper, provided you can regularly plug them in to charge them and drive on electric power regularly – but even the conventional petrol and diesel engines are still impressively economical. The 3 Series diesels offer reliable mid-50s mpg, with the petrol engines not far behind in the low- to mid-40s mpg economy-wise.
Models Available
3 Series Saloon
The most traditional 3 Series body style, the compact executive BMW is available as a 4-door saloon.3 Series Touring
The 3 Series is also offered as a more practical 5-door estate, or in BMW-speak, a Touring.Trim Levels
The BMW 3 Series Vs Competitors
Fitted with a 12kWh battery, plug-in hybrid 330e versions of the BMW 3 Series Saloon can travel between 34 and 36 miles on all-electric power. Some models of the 330e Touring have a slightly reduced electric range, covering 32 miles officially, but there are also versions which can do up to 37 miles in zero-emissions comfort.
If you connect the 3 Series plug-in hybrid to a 7kW home wallbox, the battery will be recharged to 80% of its capacity within 2.5 hours. A 100% refill takes 3.5 hours. On a domestic 3-pin plug connection, the battery will be fully charged after 5 hours.
A broad range of trim levels is offered to drivers who are looking to lease a 3 Series. SE Pro models provide the range’s entry point, while Sport Pro models add more style. M Sport and M Sport Pro Editions give a sporty flavour, and M340 xDrive versions offer luxury and sportiness. The M3 Competition is the firecracker in the range, its 510hp engine focused primarily on performance.
The BMW 3 Series has a flat boot floor which allows for easy loading of bulky objects. The 3 Series Touring offers better access due to its lifting rear hatch, but the Saloon also has folding rear seats to aid practicality. The plug-in hybrid versions aren’t as practical load-wise, though, as their batteries force them to give up more than 100 litres of space compared to the petrol and diesel models.
With a well-earned reputation for driving dynamics, a prestigious image and a choice of practical body styles, the BMW 3 Series is a popular and attractive leasing choice. Its wide range of engines, fuel types and trims allow for plenty of options and its high-quality fit and finish are other compelling reasons to choose the BMW.
Leasing a 3 Series with Vanarama is the smartest way to upgrade what you drive. Not only will you get the best price, guaranteed with our Price Promise*, there’s also no hidden fees, extra protection should the worst happen and access to expert advice when you need it! What are you waiting for? Find your New Lease Of Life today!