BMW 3 Series Saloon Lease Deals

The BMW 3 Series Saloon is the compact executive four-door that most rivals are still measured against: five seats, four doors, rear- or all-wheel drive, and a chassis reviewers have praised for decades. This page covers the Saloon only.

It suits company car drivers, commuters and small families who want something genuinely enjoyable to drive without moving up to a 5 Series or across to an SUV. Boot space runs from 375 to 480 litres depending on version, and the car is about 4.71 m long.

The choice is simple enough: Petrol or Plug-in hybrid, then Sport, M Sport or M Sport Pro, with the M340i and Black Edition sitting above them for anyone who wants the 387 bhp six-cylinder.

Image for illustration purposes only. The actual vehicle and specification may differ.

About the BMW 3 Series Saloon

This is the seventh-generation 3 Series, on sale in this form since 2022, and it remains BMW's core saloon: smaller and keener than the 5 Series, more grown-up than a 1 Series. Five seats, a boot of 375 to 480 litres depending on version, and a 3-year, unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty.

Road testers consistently rate it as the best-handling car in the compact executive class, praising the steering and the balance that rear-wheel drive brings. The common criticisms are familiar too: the move of climate controls onto the touchscreen divides opinion, and the plug-in hybrid gives up boot space to its battery.

Performance spans 4.3 to 7.4 seconds to 62 mph across the Petrol versions, so the character changes a lot depending on which one you pick.

3 Series Saloon or 3 Series Estate?

Pick the Saloon for the shape and the sealed boot; pick the Estate if you regularly carry bulky things. The Saloon holds 375 to 480 litres with the seats up, while the 3 Series Estate holds 410 to 500 litres, rising to 1,420-1,510 litres with the rear seats folded.

Both are 4.71 m long and seat five. The Estate is about the same height at 1.44-1.45 m and tows up to 1,800 kg braked, the same ceiling as the Saloon. If you'd rather see both together, the full BMW 3 Series range is one page along.

On the Plug-in hybrid, the Saloon often costs about the same per month as the Estate like for like, so this is usually a decision about shape rather than money.

Why lease a BMW 3 Series Saloon?

Because the standard specification is strong across the whole range, which matters more on a lease than it does on a used purchase - you're paying for the car you ordered, not adding kit later. Every version gets heated front seats, built-in navigation, a digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Safety and assistance kit is standard throughout as well: autonomous emergency braking, front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera and self-steering parking. Three-zone climate control, LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers and power-folding mirrors are there on every trim too.

Practically, it's a five-seat saloon with a tyre repair kit rather than a spare, a turning circle of 11.4 to 12.0 m, and a kerb weight between 1,515 and 1,835 kg depending on version.

Image for illustration purposes only. The actual vehicle and specification may differ.

View BMW 3 Series Saloon deals

Which 3 Series Saloon powertrain is right for me?

There are two: Petrol and Plug-in hybrid, both automatic.

Image for illustration purposes only. The actual vehicle and specification may differ.

Petrol

Nothing to plug in. Power runs from 181 bhp to 387 bhp with 300-540 Nm of torque, an 8-speed automatic, and rear- or all-wheel drive depending on version. WLTP economy is 39.8-42.8 mpg, CO2 148-162 g/km, and the 480-litre boot is the biggest in the range.

Plug-in hybrid

A 2-litre turbo paired with a 22.3 kWh battery (19.5 kWh usable), 288 bhp, rear-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic. It charges at up to 11 kW, 0-100% in 2.3 hours on the best version. Worth it if you can charge regularly; the boot drops to 375 litres.

BMW 3 Series at a glance

Which 3 Series Saloon trim should I choose?

Three everyday trims, then two performance versions above them.

Image for illustration purposes only. The actual vehicle and specification may differ.

Sport

The starting point, on 17-inch V Spoke Style 778 alloys with cloth upholstery, Connected pro, a three-spoke multifunction sport leather steering wheel, heated front seats and cruise control on the wheel. Adaptive cruise control, a head-up display, a 360-degree camera and an opening panoramic roof are available as options.

M Sport

Adds sports suspension, front sports seats, a three-spoke M Sport flat-bottomed leather steering wheel and the parking assistant pack, on 18-inch Double Spoke Style 848m alloys. Rear cross-traffic alert and lane-keep assist join the options list. This is the one most drivers picture when they think 3 Series.

M Sport Pro

Adds Adaptive LED Headlights, automatic high beam and privacy glass over M Sport, on 19-inch Double Spoke Style 995m alloys. If night driving is a regular part of your week, the headlights alone make it worth a look. A heated steering wheel and wireless phone charging remain options.

Then come the performance versions, both with the 387 bhp petrol six.

M340i

All-wheel drive, 387 bhp, and among the quickest in the range to reach 62 mph. Over M Sport Pro it adds electric memory seats and ambient light projected into the door entry areas, on 18-inch Double Spoke Style 848m alloys. Active lane-change assist becomes optional here.

Black Edition

An edition of the M340i with the same 387 bhp all-wheel-drive setup, Adaptive LED Headlights and 19-inch Double Spoke Style 995m alloys. It's about the look rather than extra mechanical kit. Deals on editions like this come and go, so ask our team if you don't see one below.

Similar cars to consider

If you're cross-shopping, the Audi A5 covers much the same ground as a premium four-door with petrol and plug-in hybrid options. You can also browse the wider BMW range if a different size or body suits you better.

Audi A5Covers similar ground

From £431.75 a month

BMW 3 Series Saloon FAQs

Specifications from BMW's UK data; equipment, dimensions and availability vary by version, so check the individual deal before you order.

Page updated 28 September 2026 by First Vehicle Leasing. Prices and availability shown on this page are live and change as deals are refreshed.