Carsieve All versions
Show all 15 variants
At a glance
- Built from 2019: the G20 saloon and G21 Touring, with diesel, petrol and 330e plug-in hybrid engines.
- The issues that matter most: recalls with fire risk (330e battery, starter), steering knocks, iDrive reboots and suspension wear.
- Reliability: 2/5. Several recalls, some with fire risk, and steering and suspension wear reported in the press.
- DIY: 2/5. Software and recall work need a dealer.
- Prefer: a car with dealer records that the recalls are done, and a test drive that checks the steering and the iDrive screen.
- Avoid: a 330e built in 2020 with no proof of the battery recall work.
Engines and gearboxes
- 2.0 B47 diesel (318d, 320d): the engine's own faults are in the B47 guide.
- 3.0 B57 diesel (330d, M340d): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 2.0 B48 petrol (318i, 320i, 330i) and 330e: coolant leaks from the hoses, expansion tank and thermostat housing (gebrauchtwagenberater.de, Za Rulem). No guide yet.
- 3.0 B58 petrol (M340i): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 3.0 S58 (M3, engine only): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 8-speed automatic (ZF 8HP): shift faults and gearbox service are in the ZF 8HP guide.
- 6-speed manual: no fault confirmed in the sources read.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering knocks and rack wear | All G20 and G21 | About 100,000 km | No confirmed price |
| Suspension ball joints and bushings | All G20 and G21 | 60,000-120,000 km | No confirmed price |
| iDrive screen reboots and navigation crashes | iDrive 7 cars, 2019 to summer 2022 | Not stated | 0-150 EUR for the software update (fahrzeugschein.de, year not stated) |
Before you buy
- Recall check by VIN. Ask a BMW dealer to check the VIN for open campaigns: the 330e battery (2020 cars), the starter, the 48-volt starter-generator cables, the brake discs and the front belt buckle. Bad result: an open campaign, or no record of the work.
- Steering knocks. Drive slowly at full lock in both directions, then over a few bumps. Bad result: a knock or creak from the rack or the joints.
- Suspension (needs a lift). Ask a workshop to lift the car and check the ball joints and bushings for play. Bad result: play in a ball joint or worn bushings.
- ZF 8HP shifts. On a test drive, pull away gently and change gears under light throttle. Bad result: jerks or delayed shifts.
- Coolant (petrol and 330e). With the engine cold, check the coolant level and look for wet hoses under the expansion tank. Bad result: coolant to top up between services.
- iDrive. Start the car cold and check that the screen comes on within about 20 seconds, Bluetooth pairs and the navigation runs. Bad result: a reboot, a dropout or a frozen screen.
Running costs
| Operational | €181 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €131 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €201 |
| Total per month | €513 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €105 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 3,434
- 25th percentile
- €21,500
- Median price
- €26,399
- 75th percentile
- €33,500
- Median mileage
- 95,770 km
- Median first registration
- 2021
- Dealer share
- 83.8%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €27,700
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.
In detail
Steering knocks and rack wear
Symptoms: a knock from the steering rack, or from the universal joints of the steering shaft. Owners also report creaks at full lock and a knock when the wheel passes straight ahead.
Cause: wear in the rack, the joints and the tie-rod ends.
Which cars: all G20 and G21.
Fix: the rack is adjusted or replaced. Tie-rod ends and joints are replaced when worn. A rear knock can come from the upper-arm bushings or the shocks (Za Rulem).
Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: Za Rulem: G20 faults, AUTO BILD: 3er and 4er TÜV report 2026, PistonHeads: G20 steering issue
Suspension ball joints and bushings
Symptoms: play in the front ball joints, worn anti-roll bar bushings and knocks from the rear. Arm bolts can seize.
Cause: wear of the joints and the rubber bushings.
Which cars: all G20 and G21.
Fix: the arms are replaced. Aluminium arms are expensive as original parts (Za Rulem).
Cost: no confirmed price.
Sources: Za Rulem: G20 faults, AUTO BILD: 3er and 4er TÜV report 2026
iDrive screen reboots and navigation crashes
Symptoms: the main screen reboots, mostly in cold weather. Connected Drive drops out, Bluetooth drops and the navigation crashes. The touchscreen can respond slowly.
Cause: software. The sources give no cause.
Which cars: iDrive 7 cars, 2019 to summer 2022. Later cars have iDrive 8.
Fix: a workshop reads the fault memory and installs a software update. BMW often does this under goodwill.
Cost: 0-150 EUR for the software update at a BMW workshop (fahrzeugschein.de, year not stated).
Sources: fahrzeugschein: BMW 3er used car check, carwiki: BMW 3er G20, Za Rulem: G20 faults
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK (Auto Express); Germany (elektroauto-news); Austria (ÖAMTC) | not given | Built 20 January to 18 September 2020 (Auto Express), or 13 March to 6 August 2020 (ÖAMTC) | Weld beads or particles in the 330e battery can short circuit the cells, with a fire risk. A workshop checks the battery. BMW's fix was due from mid-November 2020. |
| UK (GOV.UK); Germany (gebrauchtwagenberater.de, carwiki) | R/2019/290 | 2019; Germany: built 28 June to 1 August 2019 | The rear centre head restraint can fold back in a crash. The restraint is replaced. |
| UK (GOV.UK) | R/2020/219 | Listed under the 3 Series 2019 page; build dates not given | Steering tie rods can fail. Both tie rods are replaced. |
| Germany (gebrauchtwagenberater.de, carwiki) | not given | Built 2019 and 2020 | A misfitted sensor in the seat belt buckle can fire the airbags and belt tensioners without a crash. Parts are checked and replaced. |
| UK (GOV.UK) | R/2021/168 | 2021 model year, 60 cars | The front seat belt buckle screw connection may not be tight. It is checked and reworked. |
| UK (GOV.UK) | R/2021/085 | 2021 model year, 705 cars | Brake discs may not be made to specification. They are checked and replaced if needed. |
| UK (GOV.UK) | R/2021/015 | Recall dated January 2021, 388 cars | The battery cables on the 48-volt starter-generator may not be tightened correctly. They are checked and reworked. |
| Germany (gebrauchtwagenberater.de, AUTO BILD) | not given | Built 1 September 2023 to 24 March 2025 | A faulty starter-generator connection can raise the resistance, with drivetrain faults and a fire risk. The connection is checked and reworked. |
| UK (Auto Express); Germany (gebrauchtwagenberater.de) | not given | Built 2020 to 2024 (sources differ on the end date) | The starter magnetic switch wears and can short circuit and overheat, with a fire risk in the worst case. Do not leave the car running unattended. |
Check open campaigns for your VIN with a BMW dealer.
Maintenance
- Software: ask for the workshop record of the latest iDrive software update.
Sources
English
- GOV.UK: 3 Series recalls, 2019
- GOV.UK: 3 Series recalls, 2020
- GOV.UK: 3 Series recalls, 2021
- Auto Express: plug-in hybrid battery recall
- Auto Express: starter recall, 2026
- PistonHeads: G20 steering issue
German
- gebrauchtwagenberater: BMW 3er G20 and G21 problems
- AUTO BILD: 3er and 4er TÜV report 2026
- fahrzeugschein: BMW 3er used car check
- carwiki: BMW 3er G20
- elektroauto-news: plug-in hybrid battery recall
- ÖAMTC: BMW and Mini plug-in hybrid battery