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Bmw 3 SERIES

2,376 registered in New Zealand · 1996–2026 · 69% from Germany

The Bmw 3 SERIES is a recognisable name on New Zealand roads, with 2,376 registered across model years 1996 to 2026. It averages 6.3 L/100km in fuel consumption and produces an average of 201 kW. Most are petrol-powered saloons with a 2.0L engine.

Below you'll find a complete breakdown of fuel types, body styles, drivetrain options, regional distribution, and estimated running costs. Select a specific model year to see detailed specs, buyer insights, and variant-level data for that generation of the 3 SERIES.

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2,376 On NZ Roads
2.0L Engine
6.3 L/100km
201 kW

Fuel Types

Bmw 3 SERIES fuel type breakdown: PETROL 63%, DIESEL 28%, PLUGIN PETROL HYBRID 6%, PETROL HYBRID 3%.

PETROL 63% DIESEL 28% PLUGIN PETROL HYBRID 6% PETROL HYBRID 3%

Fleet Age Profile

How many Bmw 3 SERIES vehicles from each manufacture year are still registered in NZ. Taller bars mean more of that year on the road — better parts availability and more mechanics who know it.

Bmw 3 SERIES fleet age profile: 2022: 138, 2023: 156, 2024: 131, 2025: 118, 2026: 36.

Drivetrain

Transmission

Bmw 3 SERIES transmissions: 8-GEAR AUTO 87%, 7-GEAR AUTO 4%, 6-GEAR MANUAL 1%.

Engine Size

Bmw 3 SERIES engine sizes: 2.0L 31%, 2.0L 17%, 3.0L 17%, 3.0L 12%, 2.0L 9%.

Imported From

Bmw 3 SERIES imported from: Germany 69%, Mexico 15%, South Africa 15%, Japan 1%, United Kingdom 0%.

When They Arrived in NZ

When Bmw 3 SERIES vehicles were first registered in New Zealand — showing import waves and buying trends.

Bmw 3 SERIES NZ arrival timeline: 2022: 183, 2023: 188, 2024: 147, 2025: 132, 2026: 39.

Estimated Running Costs

Select a model year to estimate fuel costs for that specific Bmw 3 SERIES.

— per week
— per year
— per km
km/year
1,000 km 50,000 km
Fuel price —
Fuel economy —
Fuel type —
Prices updated —

Colours

WHITE 688 (29%)
BLACK 588 (25%)
GREY 587 (25%)
BLUE 248 (10%)
SILVER 165 (7%)
RED 44 (2%)
GREEN 29 (1%)
ORANGE 18 (1%)

Colours shown are approximate representations of NZTA basic colour categories, not exact manufacturer paint codes.

Where They Are in NZ

Bmw 3 SERIES regional distribution: AUCKLAND: 1,265, CHRISTCHURCH: 163, HAMILTON: 121, WELLINGTON: 120, TAURANGA: 80.

Body Types

SALOON 69%
STATION WAGON 28%
HATCHBACK 1%
SPORTS CAR 1%

Similar Cars

1 Holden logo
Holden Commodore 49,259
1978–2022 11.1 L/100km
2 Ford logo
Ford Falcon 33,206
1960–2020 11.5 L/100km
3 Toyota logo
Toyota Camry 30,957
1980–2026 7.3 L/100km
4 Toyota logo
Toyota Corolla 24,532
1956–2023 5.8 L/100km
5 Honda logo
Honda Accord 20,130
1978–2020 7.9 L/100km

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Bmw 3 SERIES are there in New Zealand?

There are 2,376 Bmw 3 SERIES vehicles registered in New Zealand as of March 2026, making up 0.1% of the total passenger fleet. Model years range from 1996 to 2026.

How much does it cost to run a Bmw 3 SERIES?

Based on NZTA fuel economy data, the Bmw 3 SERIES averages 6.3 L/100km. At current fuel prices ($3.41/L), that works out to roughly $50 per week or $2,578 per year in fuel, assuming 12,000 km of annual driving. Actual costs vary by model year, driving conditions, and fuel type.

What body type is the Bmw 3 SERIES?

The Bmw 3 SERIES is primarily classified as a saloon in the NZTA fleet register. It is also available in other body configurations: station wagon, hatchback, sports car. The most common fuel type is petrol.

Are Bmw 3 SERIES cars imported or NZ-new?

69% of Bmw 3 SERIES vehicles in New Zealand originated from Germany. A mix of NZ-new and imported vehicles make up the fleet. Check the import status and origin country for the specific year you're considering on the individual year pages.

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