Last chance for a BMW 3 Series diesel, until the G20 versions can still be ordered in Romania
The decision marks the end of an era of over four decades for the Bavarian sedan. Shortly after the official presentation of the new generation of the BMW 3 Series with combustion engines (internal code G50), the Munich-based manufacturer confirmed a historic change in its engine strategy: the new model will no longer include any diesel versions in the range intended for the European market.
The end of an era that began in the mid-1980s
Since the launch of the first diesel version on the second-generation 3 Series (E30 324d), compression-ignition engines have been a central pillar of sales for the mid-size sedan on the European continent. Legendary models such as the 320d have become benchmarks for long-distance commuting, offering an ideal balance between dynamic performance and low fuel consumption.
With the arrival of the new generation G50, BMW is closing this chapter on the European market. The launch range will consist exclusively of petrol units equipped with 48V mild-hybrid technology, to be joined later by plug-in hybrid variants (PHEV) and the all-electric i3 version.
Reasons for the decision: Euro 7 standards, homologation costs and falling demand
Brand spokespeople indicated that the elimination of diesel versions from the portfolio of the brand's best-selling model is the result of several economic and regulatory factors:
- Strict Euro 7 norms: Emission regulations make the development and approval of new generations of diesel engines extremely expensive.
- Declining demand in Europe: The market share of diesel vehicles has steadily declined in recent years, as buyers shift towards electrified petrol powertrains and hybrid models.
- Efficiency of the new mild-hybrid powertrains: The new gasoline engines supported by the 48V system manage to offer optimized fuel consumption, significantly reducing particulate and nitrogen oxide emissions.
What options remain for customers: Petrol mild-hybrid, PHEV and the new i3
For customers who drove tens of thousands of kilometers annually behind the wheel of diesel versions, BMW proposes as an alternative an efficient range of B48 (4-cylinder) and B58 (6-cylinder in-line) gasoline engines:
- BMW 318: 2.0L Turbo 4-cylinder (167 HP / 250 Nm)
- BMW 320: 2.0L Turbo 4-cylinder (222 HP / 330 Nm)
- BMW M350 xDrive: 3.0L Turbo Inline 6-cylinder (443 HP / 540 Nm)
For customers focused on low running costs, new Plug-in Hybrid versions will be introduced from 2027, alongside the 100% electric BMW i3.
Last call for diesel engines: Current generation (G20) continues production for the last few months
Buyers who still want a diesel-powered midsize sedan still have a short window of time. The current-generation BMW 3 Series (G20) remains in production for the final months of its life cycle, available to order in the 318d, 320d (and 320d xDrive) and the performance M340d xDrive.
Comparison: Current diesel range (G20) vs. New mild-hybrid petrol range (G50)
| Performance Level | Current Diesel Version (G20) | Diesel Output (G20) | New Petrol Version (G50) | 48V Petrol Output (G50) |
| Entry-Level | 318d (2.0L Turbo Diesel) | 150 hp | BMW 318 (2.0L Turbo Petrol) | 167 hp |
| Core Model | 320d / 320d xDrive (2.0L Diesel) | 190 hp | BMW 320 (2.0L Turbo Petrol) | 222 hp |
| M Performance | M340d xDrive (3.0L 6-cyl. Diesel) | 340 hp | BMW M350 xDrive (3.0L Petrol) | 443 hp |
Availability and estimated prices on the Romanian market for the latest diesel models (G20)
The diesel versions of the current G20 generation remain in the official configurators in Romania until the final production quotas are exhausted.
| Diesel Version (G20) | Output / Transmission | Romanian List Price (excl. VAT) | Final Romanian Price (incl. 19% VAT) | Equivalent Price in RON |
| BMW 318d Sedan | 150 hp / 8-speed Steptronic | ~€37,500 | ~€44,625 | ~223,125 RON |
| BMW 320d Sedan | 190 hp / 8-speed Steptronic | ~€41,000 | ~€48,790 | ~243,950 RON |
| BMW 320d xDrive Sedan | 190 hp / 8-speed xDrive | ~€43,200 | ~€51,408 | ~257,040 RON |
| BMW M340d xDrive Sedan | 340 hp / 8-speed xDrive | ~€59,500 | ~€70,805 | ~354,025 RON |