Sixth generation · F30/F31/F34 · 2012–2018

2012BMW 3 Series


The turbo era: nearly the whole range moved to turbocharged engines. For 2014 the coupe and convertible split off as the separate 4 Series, leaving the 3 Series as sedan, Touring (F31), and Gran Turismo (F34). US F30s ran model years 2012–2018, with the G20 arriving for 2019.

Sixth generation · F30/F31/F34

2012 BMW 3 Series (F30, sixth generation) — 320d Sport Line sedan, front three-quarter view

Photo: “BMW 320d Sport Line (F30) – Frontansicht, 26. Februar 2012, Wülfrath” by M 93 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 de. Cropped to 16:9; derivative licensed CC BY-SA 3.0 de.

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 2012 BMW 3 Series model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.

Complete, source-verified lineup

Find your exact 2012 3 Series

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

43factory configurations
Verified complete for the U.S.-marketHow this lineup was verified

We checked this U.S.-market lineup against period sources for EPA-documented model/body/engine/transmission pairings, F30 Sport/Luxury/Modern Lines, M3 Competition Package and Frozen Silver edition; other appearance/accessory permutations are excluded. Every version shown below has its own detail page.

Verified 2026-09-07 from BMW North America — 2012 3 Series sedan launch, BMW North America — model-year 2012 equipment changes, BMW North America — 2012 M3 ordering guide, pages 1, 4 and 6, BMW North America — 2012 Frozen Silver M3 Competition Edition, EPA/DOE — 2012 BMW model roster; individual pairing records cited per configuration.

43versions shown
328i12 exact versions

BMW 328i Convertible Automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive E93 retractable-hardtop convertible
Engine
3.0L naturally aspirated inline-six
Gearbox
6-speed Steptronic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

BMW 328i Convertible Manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive E93 retractable-hardtop convertible
Engine
3.0L naturally aspirated inline-six
Gearbox
6-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

BMW 328i Sedan Automatic

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive F30 sedan
Engine
2.0L turbocharged inline-four
Gearbox
8-speed Steptronic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

BMW 328i Sedan Manual

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive F30 sedan
Engine
2.0L turbocharged inline-four
Gearbox
6-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

BMW 328i Coupe Automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive E92 coupe
Engine
3.0L naturally aspirated inline-six
Gearbox
6-speed Steptronic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

BMW 328i Coupe Manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive E92 coupe
Engine
3.0L naturally aspirated inline-six
Gearbox
6-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

BMW 328i Sport Line Automatic

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive F30 sedan
Engine
2.0L turbocharged inline-four
Gearbox
8-speed Steptronic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

BMW 328i Luxury Line Automatic

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive F30 sedan
Engine
2.0L turbocharged inline-four
Gearbox
8-speed Steptronic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

BMW 328i Modern Line Automatic

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive F30 sedan
Engine
2.0L turbocharged inline-four
Gearbox
8-speed Steptronic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

BMW 328i Sport Line Manual

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive F30 sedan
Engine
2.0L turbocharged inline-four
Gearbox
6-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

BMW 328i Luxury Line Manual

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive F30 sedan
Engine
2.0L turbocharged inline-four
Gearbox
6-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

BMW 328i Modern Line Manual

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive F30 sedan
Engine
2.0L turbocharged inline-four
Gearbox
6-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
328i xDrive2 exact versions
328i Sports Wagon2 exact versions
328i xDrive Sports Wagon2 exact versions
335i12 exact versions

BMW 335i Convertible Automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive E93 retractable-hardtop convertible
Engine
3.0L turbocharged inline-six
Gearbox
6-speed Steptronic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

BMW 335i Convertible Manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive E93 retractable-hardtop convertible
Engine
3.0L turbocharged inline-six
Gearbox
6-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

BMW 335i Sedan Automatic

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive F30 sedan
Engine
3.0L turbocharged inline-six
Gearbox
8-speed Steptronic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

BMW 335i Sedan Manual

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive F30 sedan
Engine
3.0L turbocharged inline-six
Gearbox
6-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

BMW 335i Coupe Automatic

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive E92 coupe
Engine
3.0L turbocharged inline-six
Gearbox
6-speed Steptronic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

BMW 335i Coupe Manual

Body
Two-door rear-wheel-drive E92 coupe
Engine
3.0L turbocharged inline-six
Gearbox
6-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

BMW 335i Sport Line Automatic

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive F30 sedan
Engine
3.0L turbocharged inline-six
Gearbox
8-speed Steptronic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

BMW 335i Luxury Line Automatic

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive F30 sedan
Engine
3.0L turbocharged inline-six
Gearbox
8-speed Steptronic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

BMW 335i Modern Line Automatic

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive F30 sedan
Engine
3.0L turbocharged inline-six
Gearbox
8-speed Steptronic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

BMW 335i Sport Line Manual

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive F30 sedan
Engine
3.0L turbocharged inline-six
Gearbox
6-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

BMW 335i Luxury Line Manual

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive F30 sedan
Engine
3.0L turbocharged inline-six
Gearbox
6-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

BMW 335i Modern Line Manual

Body
Four-door rear-wheel-drive F30 sedan
Engine
3.0L turbocharged inline-six
Gearbox
6-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
335i xDrive2 exact versions
335is4 exact versions
M37 exact versions

The 2012 model year

Overview

The U.S. 2012 3 Series was a two-generation model year. New F30 328i and 335i sedans introduced the turbocharged sedan range, while E91 Sports Wagons and E92/E93 coupes and convertibles retained their own powertrains. The naturally aspirated 3.0-liter 328i carryovers and S65 V8 M3 were still important parts of the lineup.

Specifications

Engines
  • 2.0L turbocharged inline-four (F30 328i)
  • 3.0L naturally aspirated inline-six (E91/E92/E93 328i)
  • 3.0L turbocharged inline-six (335i)
  • 3.0L twin-turbocharged inline-six (335is)
  • 4.0L naturally aspirated S65 V8 (M3)
Body styles
F30 four-door sedan, E91 five-door Sports Wagon, E92 two-door coupe, E93 retractable-hardtop convertible

Year over year

What changed

  • The F30 sedan launched as the 328i and 335i with six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic; Sport, Luxury and Modern Lines were named equipment choices.
  • Carryover wagons and two-door cars used six-speed manual or six-speed automatic, except 335is and M3 models whose optional automatic was the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
  • BMW offered forty Frozen Silver M3 Competition Edition coupes with M-DCT for U.S. model year 2012. The M3 Convertible gained the BMW Individual Composition Package with three special paint choices, three extended-leather choices and Piano Finish Black trim; this appearance package is distinct from the coupe-only Competition Package.
  • M Sport replaced the former Sport Package on the carryover coupe and convertible. The E91 328i and 328i xDrive Sports Wagons also offered Sport and M Sport Packages; M Sport added aerodynamic trim, sport seats and an M steering wheel, with sport suspension excluded on xDrive. These equipment packages retain the underlying body and engine; confirm the factory option codes before selecting suspension parts.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • The Gran Turismo was not part of the U.S. 2012 lineup. M3 sedan production ended as MY2011; Lime Rock Park is MY2013 even though announced in calendar 2012.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • Identify chassis, body, engine and emissions version by VIN: a 2012 328i sedan uses a turbo four while a 328i coupe, convertible or wagon uses a naturally aspirated six.
  • Do not apply F30 service or parts assumptions to E91/E92/E93 carryovers; the M3 S65 and 335is twin-turbo powertrain also require their own application checks.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 2012 3 Series on the road

Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 2012 BMW 3 Series. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
7
Factory intervals
4
Fitment-scoped
7
Exact references
2

Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine oil and filter

    Fitment must be confirmed

    BMW's Condition Based Service system computes the due point from vehicle use; follow the vehicle display rather than a fixed generic mileage.

    Applies to: 2012 · 328i, 335i · United States, Puerto Rico · Gasoline 328i and 335i models covered by the cited 2012 3 Series booklet.

    Source: BMW of North America — 2012 3 Series Service and Warranty Information (preserved copy) · Special Note — Maintenance Intervals; Maintenance Service Summary, Engine oil · checked

  • Brake fluid

    Sourced interval available

    BMW specifies two years or an earlier CBS request.

    Applies to: 2012 · 328i, 335i · United States, Puerto Rico · Gasoline 328i and 335i models covered by the cited 2012 3 Series booklet.

    Published interval: 24 months · Every two years, or when specified sooner by CBS.

    Source: BMW of North America — 2012 3 Series Service and Warranty Information (preserved copy) · Required maintenance services — Brake Fluid Service · checked

  • Spark plugs

    Sourced interval available

    328i gasoline models.

    Applies to: 2012 · 328i · United States, Puerto Rico · Gasoline 328i and 335i models covered by the cited 2012 3 Series booklet.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi / 48,000 km · Or every second engine-oil service.

    Source: BMW of North America — 2012 3 Series Service and Warranty Information (preserved copy) · Spark plugs (not shown in CBS) — 328i · checked

    335i spark plugs

    335i gasoline models.

    Applies to: 2012 · 335i · United States, Puerto Rico · Gasoline 328i and 335i models covered by the cited 2012 3 Series booklet.

    Published interval: 60,000 mi / 96,000 km · Or every fourth engine-oil service.

    Source: BMW of North America — 2012 3 Series Service and Warranty Information (preserved copy) · Spark plugs (not shown in CBS) — 335i · checked

  • Engine air-filter element

    Exact reference available

    Replace every third engine-oil service; shorten the occurrence interval in dusty use.

    Applies to: 2012 · 328i, 335i · United States, Puerto Rico · Gasoline 328i and 335i models covered by the cited 2012 3 Series booklet.

    Source: BMW of North America — 2012 3 Series Service and Warranty Information (preserved copy) · Maintenance Service Summary, Engine oil — after every 3rd engine-oil change · checked

    4.0L S65 naturally aspirated V8 — K&N E-2994

    K&N E-2994

    Manufacturer-catalog replacement-part fitment only; it does not establish a BMW service interval. Confirm the VIN, production date, engine, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 2012 · 4.0L S65 naturally aspirated V8 · M3 · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW M3 replacement air-filter catalog · 2012 BMW M3 4.0L S65 V8 — E-2994 · checked

    Verified ordering references

  • Ventilation microfilter

    Sourced interval available

    Replace every two years or with the scheduled brake-fluid change.

    Applies to: 2012 · 328i, 335i · United States, Puerto Rico · Gasoline 328i and 335i models covered by the cited 2012 3 Series booklet.

    Published interval: 24 months

    Source: BMW of North America — 2012 3 Series Service and Warranty Information (preserved copy) · Maintenance Service Summary, Microfilter · checked

  • Oxygen sensor

    Sourced interval available

    Standard federal-emissions gasoline models.

    Applies to: 2012 · 328i, 335i · United States, Puerto Rico · Gasoline 328i and 335i models covered by the cited 2012 3 Series booklet.

    Published interval: 120,000 mi / 192,000 km

    Source: BMW of North America — 2012 3 Series Service and Warranty Information (preserved copy) · Required maintenance services — Oxygen Sensor Service · checked

    California-warranty 328i oxygen sensor

    328i eligible for the California Emissions Warranty.

    Applies to: 2012 · 328i · United States, Puerto Rico · California Emissions Warranty-eligible 328i.

    Published interval: 150,000 mi / 240,000 km

    Source: BMW of North America — 2012 3 Series Service and Warranty Information (preserved copy) · Oxygen Sensor Service — California Emissions Warranty-eligible 328i · checked

    328i SULEV (PZEV) oxygen sensor

    328i SULEV/PZEV models.

    Applies to: 2012 · 328i SULEV (PZEV) · United States, Puerto Rico · Gasoline 328i and 335i models covered by the cited 2012 3 Series booklet.

    Published interval: 150,000 mi / 240,000 km

    Source: BMW of North America — 2012 3 Series Service and Warranty Information (preserved copy) · Oxygen Sensor Service — 328i SULEV (PZEV) · checked

  • Engine oil filter — catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

    Applies to: 2012 · United States

    3.0L naturally aspirated inline-six — K&N HP-7014

    K&N HP-7014

    Manufacturer-catalog replacement-part fitment only; it does not establish a BMW service interval. Confirm the VIN, production date, engine, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 2012 · 3.0L naturally aspirated inline-six · 328i · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW 3 Series gasoline/hybrid replacement oil-filter catalog · 2012 BMW 3 Series N51/N52/N54/N55/N20/N26/B46/B48/B58 gasoline or ActiveHybrid 3 — HP-7014 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    2.0L turbocharged inline-four — K&N HP-7014

    K&N HP-7014

    Manufacturer-catalog replacement-part fitment only; it does not establish a BMW service interval. Confirm the VIN, production date, engine, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 2012 · 2.0L turbocharged inline-four · 328i · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW 3 Series gasoline/hybrid replacement oil-filter catalog · 2012 BMW 3 Series N51/N52/N54/N55/N20/N26/B46/B48/B58 gasoline or ActiveHybrid 3 — HP-7014 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    3.0L naturally aspirated inline-six — K&N HP-7014

    K&N HP-7014

    Manufacturer-catalog replacement-part fitment only; it does not establish a BMW service interval. Confirm the VIN, production date, engine, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 2012 · 3.0L naturally aspirated inline-six · 328i xDrive · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW 3 Series gasoline/hybrid replacement oil-filter catalog · 2012 BMW 3 Series N51/N52/N54/N55/N20/N26/B46/B48/B58 gasoline or ActiveHybrid 3 — HP-7014 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    3.0L naturally aspirated inline-six — K&N HP-7014

    K&N HP-7014

    Manufacturer-catalog replacement-part fitment only; it does not establish a BMW service interval. Confirm the VIN, production date, engine, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 2012 · 3.0L naturally aspirated inline-six · 328i Sports Wagon · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW 3 Series gasoline/hybrid replacement oil-filter catalog · 2012 BMW 3 Series N51/N52/N54/N55/N20/N26/B46/B48/B58 gasoline or ActiveHybrid 3 — HP-7014 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    3.0L naturally aspirated inline-six — K&N HP-7014

    K&N HP-7014

    Manufacturer-catalog replacement-part fitment only; it does not establish a BMW service interval. Confirm the VIN, production date, engine, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 2012 · 3.0L naturally aspirated inline-six · 328i xDrive Sports Wagon · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW 3 Series gasoline/hybrid replacement oil-filter catalog · 2012 BMW 3 Series N51/N52/N54/N55/N20/N26/B46/B48/B58 gasoline or ActiveHybrid 3 — HP-7014 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    3.0L turbocharged inline-six — K&N HP-7014

    K&N HP-7014

    Manufacturer-catalog replacement-part fitment only; it does not establish a BMW service interval. Confirm the VIN, production date, engine, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 2012 · 3.0L turbocharged inline-six · 335i · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW 3 Series gasoline/hybrid replacement oil-filter catalog · 2012 BMW 3 Series N51/N52/N54/N55/N20/N26/B46/B48/B58 gasoline or ActiveHybrid 3 — HP-7014 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    3.0L turbocharged inline-six — K&N HP-7014

    K&N HP-7014

    Manufacturer-catalog replacement-part fitment only; it does not establish a BMW service interval. Confirm the VIN, production date, engine, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 2012 · 3.0L turbocharged inline-six · 335i xDrive · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW 3 Series gasoline/hybrid replacement oil-filter catalog · 2012 BMW 3 Series N51/N52/N54/N55/N20/N26/B46/B48/B58 gasoline or ActiveHybrid 3 — HP-7014 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    3.0L twin-turbocharged inline-six — K&N HP-7014

    K&N HP-7014

    Manufacturer-catalog replacement-part fitment only; it does not establish a BMW service interval. Confirm the VIN, production date, engine, and installed filter dimensions before ordering.

    Applies to: 2012 · 3.0L twin-turbocharged inline-six · 335is · United States · Exact model-year and engine-family catalog scope; verify VIN and production date before ordering.

    Source: K&N — BMW 3 Series gasoline/hybrid replacement oil-filter catalog · 2012 BMW 3 Series N51/N52/N54/N55/N20/N26/B46/B48/B58 gasoline or ActiveHybrid 3 — HP-7014 · checked

    Verified ordering references

Collect

Bring this model year home

Find a scale model using the exact year, make, and model—not a generic generation search.

Sources

  1. BMW North America — 2012 3 Series sedan launch
  2. BMW North America — model-year 2012 equipment changes
  3. BMW North America — 2012 M3 ordering guide, pages 1, 4 and 6
  4. BMW North America — 2012 Frozen Silver M3 Competition Edition
  5. BMW North America — 2012 Sports Wagon brochure, pages 52–55
  6. BMW North America — 2012 F30 ordering guide, Lines pages 4–6

Other Sixth generation years

All Sixth generation · F30/F31/F34 years →

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