Quick answer: the 330 sits above the 320 in the 3 Series, between the everyday versions and the M sports cars, but the name covers very different cars. In the E46 (2000–2006) it was a 3.0-litre naturally aspirated six-cylinder with 231 hp. In today's G20 there are three: the petrol 330i (245 hp), the six-cylinder diesel 330d (286 hp) and the 330e plug-in hybrid (292 hp and 85 to 101 km of electric range).
On the Portuguese used market the 330e is by far the most common. On 28 September 2026 there were 29 BMW 330s for sale on AUTO.MOTO, 18 of them 330e, from €10,950 (a 2006 330) to €39,950 (a 2023 330e). You can see the current listings in used BMW 330 for sale.
BMW 330 generations: from E46 to G20
- E46 (2000–2006): 330i saloon, 330Ci coupé and 330d; six cylinders, rear-wheel drive, manual gearboxes common.
- E90/E91/E92/E93 (2005–2013): saloon, estate, coupé and convertible; the 330i still with a naturally aspirated six.
- F30 (2012–2019): the 330i moves to a four-cylinder turbo and the first 330e plug-in hybrid arrives.
- G20/G21 (since 2019): saloon and Touring, with 330i, 330d and 330e, rear-wheel drive or xDrive.
BMW 330i E46 and 330Ci: the naturally aspirated six
According to the BMW archive, the 330i E46 was built from June 2000 to February 2005, with the 2,979 cc M54 engine and 231 hp, 0–100 km/h in 6.5 seconds. It replaced the 328i as the top of the regular range.
The 330Ci coupé used the same engine from 2000 to 2006 and was the best-selling coupé of the generation. It had bigger brakes and 17-inch wheels. Today an original, well-kept example is increasingly hard to find: many have been lowered or tuned.
Throttle response is linear, power builds with revs and there is little electronics between your foot and the engine. That is what enthusiasts look for. But these cars are over 20 years old: suspension, cooling system, bushes, rubber parts and electronics need a careful look.
An E46 with 250,000 km and documented servicing can inspire more confidence than one with 180,000 km and no records. A cheap example quickly turns into an expensive project.
BMW 330 E90/E92: the last naturally aspirated generation
In the E90 (saloon) and E92 (coupé) generation, the 330i kept the 3.0-litre naturally aspirated six. The car grew, became quieter and better equipped, but the response is still progressive: you need to rev the engine to get the best out of it.
It is not faster than a modern 330. It is a more mechanical experience, for those who feel today's cars have become too filtered.
BMW 330i: the switch to turbo
From the F30 onwards, the 330i used a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo. In the current G20, the BMW Portugal technical data lists 245 hp, 400 Nm, an eight-speed automatic, 0–100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and 6.6–6.7 l/100 km (WLTP).
Torque arrives early, so the car is easy to drive in traffic and when overtaking. You lose the sound and character of a six-cylinder, but gain lower consumption and less effort day to day.
A 2018 or 2019 330i (F30 or early G20) is a way to own a recent 3 Series without paying for a new G20. Between two cars of the same year, gearbox, drivetrain, M package and mileage matter more than the registration year.
BMW 330d: the six-cylinder diesel
The 330d still has six cylinders. In the G20, the 330d xDrive has 2,993 cc, 286 hp and 650 Nm, does 0–100 km/h in 5 seconds and quotes 5.4–6.0 l/100 km (WLTP), according to the same technical data.
Its strength is in-gear acceleration: on the motorway it gains speed without dropping several gears. For anyone covering many kilometres a year between Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve, that reserve of pulling power matters more than outright acceleration.
BMW 330e: the plug-in hybrid
The 330e combines a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor. For the G20 saloon, BMW Portugal quotes 292 hp and 420 Nm combined, 0–100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and 85 to 101 km of WLTP electric range (81 to 96 km for the 330e xDrive).
If you charge at home or at work, most daily journeys can be done in electric mode, keeping the petrol engine for trips. If you rarely charge, you carry the weight of the battery without the benefit, and a 330i or 330d makes more sense.
On a used car, ask for the service history of the hybrid system and have the battery checked at a dealer or a workshop with brand diagnostics. See the BMW 330e for sale to compare years and equipment.
BMW 330 estate: 330e Touring and 330d Touring
The Touring estate takes the same recipe into a more practical body. The 330e xDrive Touring has 292 hp, 83 to 91 km of WLTP electric range and a boot of 410 to 1,420 litres, according to BMW Portugal.
The 330d xDrive is also available as a Touring, with the same six-cylinder diesel. For a family that does not want an SUV, the Touring remains one of the most balanced versions of the 3 Series.
Used BMW 330 prices in Portugal
The figures below come from active listings on AUTO.MOTO on 28 September 2026 (29 BMW 330 listings, including the 330e). They are asking prices, not sale prices.
- Registered 2020 onwards (G20): 19 listings, median price €31,750, from €17,500 to €39,950.
- Registered 2012 to 2019 (F30 and early G20): 8 listings, median price around €20,000, from €15,900 to €33,950.
- E46 and E90/E92: only two listings; a 2006 330 at €10,950 and a 2008 one at €16,000.
If your budget does not stretch to a 330, compare it with the 320, the most common 3 Series version. We looked at engines, costs and what to check in our BMW 320 guide.
Is a used BMW 330 worth buying?
Yes, but the individual car matters more than the badge. Before you close the deal:
- ask for invoices and the service book, especially on an E46 or E92;
- check the car's history with the VIN check;
- on a 330e, check the battery condition and whether the charging cable comes with the car;
- be wary of suspension, wheel or engine modifications without paperwork;
- work out the annual road tax with the IUC calculator: it depends on engine size, registration year and, for cars registered since July 2007, CO₂ emissions;
- book an inspection at an independent workshop before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
How much power does the BMW 330i have?
It depends on the generation. The E46 330i has 231 hp (six cylinders, 3.0 litres). The G20 330i sold new in Portugal today has 245 hp (four-cylinder turbo, 2.0 litres).
What is the electric range of the BMW 330e?
For the current 330e saloon, 85 to 101 km WLTP; for the 330e xDrive, 81 to 96 km; for the 330e xDrive Touring, 83 to 91 km. In real use, in the cold or on the motorway, it is lower.
BMW 330d or 330e?
The 330d is better for high motorway mileage. The 330e pays off for mostly short journeys when you can charge every day.
Which BMW 330 do enthusiasts want most?
The E46, especially the 330Ci coupé with a manual gearbox, for its naturally aspirated six. An original, well-maintained example is increasingly rare.
