Towing capacity for a BMW Serie 3 Touring

BMW Serie 3 Touring towing capacity : the practical guide

The BMW Serie 3 Touring is an estate, the body style historically built for towing in Europe. Long wheelbase and low load floor translate into measured behaviour with a caravan or a heavy trailer. Across the 4 engines listed, towing figures depend mostly on gearbox and engine torque.

BMW Serie 3 Touring towing capacity in one line

Across the 4 engines listed, built 2019, towing capacity is 1,600 kg (3,527 lb) to 1,800 kg (3,968 lb), with a manufacturer maximum braked towing weight of 1,600 kg (3,527 lb) to 1,800 kg (3,968 lb). Take the lower of those two figures and you have the real limit, before factoring in your gross train weight.

The diesel, petrol line-up gives you a real choice: diesel versions usually quote a higher towing capacity for the same trim, thanks to greater low-end torque, while petrol versions trade towing margin for lower CO2 figures.

What you can actually tow with this BMW Serie 3 Touring

At 1,750 kg you reach the comfortable four- to six-berth caravans ready to use (furniture, water, accessories included), single-horse trailers loaded, and 5-metre open boats. This is where you move from a light caravan to a properly equipped one without having to track every kilogram.

Best fit: Regular caravanners, owners of a light horse, open-boat sailors. Typical profile: large diesel SUV (often seven-seat) or premium estate.

Watch out: At this level, you usually want a detachable swan-neck towbar and a 13-pin connector becomes useful to drive reversing lights and the caravan fridge supply.

Gross vehicle weight, gross train weight and payload

Gross vehicle weight (GVW) is the maximum laden weight of the car alone : 2,180 kg (4,806 lb) to 2,350 kg (5,181 lb). Gross train weight (GTW) is the maximum laden weight of the whole outfit : not disclosed for the listed versions, check the V5C logbook. Payload (GVW minus kerbweight) sits at 605 kg (1,334 lb) to 615 kg (1,356 lb), the share you can use for passengers, luggage and the towbar noseweight.

What to check on the V5C of your own BMW Serie 3 Touring

• Field F.1 / F.2 : maximum laden weight (GVW). The figure on your logbook is the only one that legally applies to your car.
• Field F.3 : gross train weight (GTW). Compare it to the published values above to spot a discrepancy.
• Field O.1 : maximum braked towing weight. Sometimes lower than the manufacturer brochure if your car was originally fitted without a towbar.
• Field O.2 : maximum unbraked towing weight. Capped at 750 kg in most cases.

What licence do you need to tow with a BMW Serie 3 Touring?

If you passed the UK car driving test on or after 1 January 1997, you can now tow a trailer up to 3,500 kg MAM with a standard category B licence: the rules changed in December 2021 and the separate car-and-trailer (B+E) test was scrapped. Drivers who passed earlier usually keep grandfather rights. As a stability rule, less experienced drivers should keep the loaded caravan weight to no more than about 85 % of the car kerbweight, especially on motorways and in crosswinds. Always check the V5C logbook and the manufacturer plate before hitching up.

FAQ

What is the gross vehicle weight of the BMW Serie 3 Touring?
The gross vehicle weight of the BMW Serie 3 Touring is 2,180 kg (4,806 lb) to 2,350 kg (5,181 lb).

How much can the BMW Serie 3 Touring tow?
The BMW Serie 3 Touring can tow up to 1,600 kg (3,527 lb) to 1,800 kg (3,968 lb) depending on the engine.

Can you tow a caravan with a BMW Serie 3 Touring?
Yes, within its towing capacity of 1,600 kg (3,527 lb) to 1,800 kg (3,968 lb). Compare it with your caravan loaded weight (MTPLM) before buying.

What licence do you need to tow with a BMW Serie 3 Touring?
In the UK, drivers who passed the car test on or after 1 January 1997 can tow a trailer up to 3,500 kg MAM on a standard category B licence (the rules changed in December 2021 and the separate car-and-trailer test was scrapped). Drivers who passed before then usually keep larger entitlements. Always check the V5C logbook and the manufacturer plate.