BMW drops diesel from 3 Series sedan range

The new BMW 3 Series sedan will be the first of its kind in decades not to be available with a diesel engine option.

There's been at least one diesel engine offered in all generations of the 3 Series, except for the first, which exclusively featured petrol power and two-door bodies.

Launched last week, the new eighth-generation 'G50' 3 Series will initially be available in Europe with the choice of three 48V mild-hybrid petrol powertrains. The 318 has a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 115kW and 250Nm, while the 320 utilises the same engine, but with outputs increased to 155kW and 330Nm.

The performance leader, for now, is the M350 xDrive, which has a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six under the bonnet cranking out 326kW and 580Nm.

As is typical with the 3 Series, more drivetrain choices will be added throughout the car's life, with a petrol M3 already confirmed.

At the launch BMW told members of the European press, including Automotive News Europe, the new 3 Series sedan won't be offered with a diesel engine. BMW hasn't confirmed the powertrain options for the upcoming wagon, but in previous generations the wagon has tended to field a subset of the sedan's drivetrains.

While a 3 Series diesel seems unlikely for now, the automaker told BMW Blog there will be a plug-in hybrid variant joining the range in 2027. The existing 330e makes a total of 215kW/420Nm, and has a 19.5kWh battery that's said to be good for an EV driving range of between 89 and 101km under the WLTP standard.

The axing of diesel from the 3 Series sedan range follows a broader trend in the European market. Not so long ago diesel engines were the preferred choice of buyers across the region, but the market shifted significantly around the time of the Dieselgate emissions cheating scandal that engulfed Volkswagen from late 2015.

In 2015, diesel cars accounted for 51.6 per cent of the European market, with petrol second on 43.7 per cent. Hybrids (1.7 per cent) and EV/PHEV (1.4 per cent) sales were negligible. 

Fast forward to the first half of 2026, and in the greater European market hybrids (36.9 per cent) now lead the pack, with EVs (22.2 per cent) second, and petrol (22.0 per cent) rounding out the podium places. Plug-in hybrids (10.9 per cent) are fourth, and diesel (6.5 per cent) a distant fifth.

Although BMW doesn't break out sales figures by drivetrain type, Automotive News understands diesel engines accounted for up to 80 per cent of European 3 Series sales during the 'E90' (2005 to 2013) and 'F30' (2011 to 2019) generations. 

The trade publication also says diesel engines accounted for around 25 to 30 per cent of 3 Series sales in Germany during 2025. 

While the omens aren't good for diesels in general, sales are reportedly holding up better in large SUVs, with diesels responsible for over half of all X5 and X7 movement in Europe.

Production of the new petrol-powered 3 Series sedan is set to begin soon at BMW's Dingolfing plant, with the first examples arriving in Australian showrooms in early 2027.

MORE: Explore the BMW 3 Series showroom