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BMW 3 Series vs Peugeot 408

BMW 3 Series

BMW 3 Series

BMW’s compact executive saloon.

VS
Peugeot 408

Peugeot 408

Peugeot’s sharp-lined fastback crossover.

First car
Second car
Pick this one if…

BMW 3 Series

Pick the 3 Series for benchmark handling, efficient engines and a premium cabin in a compact executive sedan.

Best engine: The 320i (petrol) or 320d (diesel).
Read the full guide
Pick this one if…

Peugeot 408

Pick the 408 for a striking fastback crossover with a modern interior and an electric option.

Best engine: The 1.2 Hybrid (136/145) or the e-408 for full electric.
Read the full guide

Performance

B48 320i · Petrol vs 1.2 PureTech 130 · Petrol

BMW 3 Series Peugeot 408
Power
184 hp Winner
130 hp
Torque
300 Nm Winner
230 Nm
0–100 km/h
7,1 s Winner
10,5 s
Top speed
240 km/h Winner
200 km/h
Power-to-weight
125,2 hp/t Winner
92,9 hp/t
CO₂ emissions (WLTP)
134 g/km
120 g/km Winner
Consumption (WLTP)
5,9 L/100km
5,5 L/100km Winner

Dimensions & space

BMW 3 Series Peugeot 408
Boot
480 L
536 L Winner
Boot (seats folded)
—
1.611 L
Wheelbase
2,85 m Winner
2,79 m
Length
4,71 m
4,69 m
Width
1,83 m
1,85 m
Height
1,44 m
1,48 m
Seats
5
5

Powertrain & tech

BMW 3 Series Peugeot 408
Platform CLAR (rear-wheel-drive base) EMP2 (modular)
Drive Rear-wheel drive · All-wheel drive Front-wheel drive
Engine family B48 petrol · B47 diesel · plug-in hybrid 1.2 PureTech · 1.2 Hybrid (48V) · 1.6 PHEV · e-408
Fuel Petrol · Diesel · Plug-in hybrid Petrol · Plug-in hybrid · Electric
Transmission 8-speed automatic (ZF) 6-speed manual · e-DSC6 · EAT8 · single-speed
Euro standard Euro 6d-TEMP (early) · Euro 6d (later) Euro 6/6d · N/A (e-408)
LEZ access Euro 6 diesel allowed in the LEZ (Brussels/Antwerp/Ghent) Euro 6/6d petrol and the e-408 allowed in the LEZ

Reliability & watch-outs

Known issues

BMW 3 Series
  • Early iDrive/infotainment quirks
  • DPF on diesels doing mainly short trips
  • Timing chain rare but known on B48
Peugeot 408
  • 1.2 PureTech (early): wet timing belt
  • PHEV/EV: check battery and charger condition
  • Infotainment software needs updates

Pros

BMW 3 Series
  • Benchmark handling (rear-drive base)
  • Efficient, strong B48/B47 engines
  • Excellent iDrive 7 infotainment
Peugeot 408
  • Striking fastback design
  • Modern i-Cockpit interior
  • Electric e-408 available

Cons

BMW 3 Series
  • Firm ride on M Sport suspension
  • Rear seat less roomy than some rivals
Peugeot 408
  • No diesel offered
  • Boot smaller than classic saloons

Compare specific generations

Belgian taxes & LEZ

Region
Fuel
Euro norm
First registration
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For sale at dealers