| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
Expensive BMW 1-Series repairs by problem area
Engine (64%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (4%)
Brakes and Traction Control (3%)
Suspension and Steering (6%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (19%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (1%)
Other (2%)
Chart based on 90 repairs.
BMW 1-Series repair cost distribution
$2500+ (18%)
$1000 - $2499 (82%)
$500 - $999 (0%)
$100 - $499 (0%)
< $100 (0%)
Chart based on 62 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2013 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
turbocharged 320hp 3.0L I6 7-speed automated manual RWD
| 19000 mi US $1100 |
Oil housing was leaking. Gasket replaced |
2012 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 7-speed automated manual RWD
| 75000 mi US $2500 |
Complete water pump failure. 2nd time this car has left me stranded. Water pump replaced, along with thermo and some hoses. $2500. I love this car but no longer trust it *at all*. |
2012 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 115 mi US $2100 |
Oil leak repairs: Valve cover replaced; turbocharger oil drain line replaced. |
| 42900 mi US $2000 |
Oil leak, oil pan replaced |
2012 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 38000 mi US $571 |
Replaced one elec coil |
| 47500 mi US $800 |
Replaced failing coil. Second coil to fail of 6 so I replaced all remaining coils with new type. Also did spark plugs proactively since they are due in the next 5000 miles or so |
| 65000 mi US $400 |
Routine service with fluid change. |
| 67000 mi US $200 |
Replaced one coil for second time. |
| 71000 mi US $1100 |
Replaced Vanos sensor and one coil. |
2012 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 35000 mi US $1500 |
The controller to pop the trunk went bad and was replaced. |
2012 BMW 1-Series 2dr Convertible
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 32630 mi US $1411 |
Eccentric Shaft Position Sensor failure |
2011 BMW 1-Series
Engine not specified
| 123380 mi €3500 |
turbo replaced |
2011 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 7-speed automated manual RWD
| 53000 mi US $1500 |
Oil filter gasket housing replaced Transmission pan replaced because it was leaking Transmission reprogrammed because the DCT transmission was jerky at low speeds or while coming to a stop. The revs would build up and fall down. Software was updated to fix the problem. Sway bar bushings needed to be replaced. The serpentine belt was replaced along with the idler pulley as it had oil on it due to a leaky oil filter gasket. Front sway bar links replaced |
| 58000 mi US $150 |
Got a "Engine Overheating: Drive Moderately" message while driving at 60mph with the A/C on. Pulled over, let the car cool for 15 minutes and message went away. Took to shop and got water pump, coolant hose and thermostat replaced. Water pump was covered under 3rd party warranty. |
| 68000 mi US $1100 |
Passenger side wheel speed sensor replaced Alternator replaced since it stopped working |
2011 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 20000 mi US $1548 |
Automatic doors did not automatically relock if not opened and told to open. Car computer systems given a manual reset by the technician. System now works. |
| 43000 mi US $185 |
My key FOB went bad and would not let me unlock the car. Took 2 trips (1 to get new key and 1 to reprogram the car) |
| 50220 mi C $450 |
Cylinder 2 Coil was causing misfires. Replaced coil and all spark plugs. |
| 72540 mi C $1700 |
Engine was overheating. Replaced water pump, and thermostat. Replaced and programmed for new battery as it failed load test. Had oil changed. |
| 102300 mi C $750 |
Replaced valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket. |
2011 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 31800 mi US $1200 |
Battery and Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) needed to be replaced. IBS was replaced 3 years ago under warranty. Per dealer due to car being driven infrequently, this puts stress on battery and IBS. Recommended use of battery charger. |
2011 BMW 1-Series 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 7-speed automated manual RWD
| 60000 mi US $1100 |
Oil filter housing gasket leaking. |
2011 BMW 1-Series 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 103900 mi US $1093 |
Replaced water pump. Car started overheating while 600 miles from home. I was able to get back home with heater blasting in hot rainy weather and careful driving. |
| 134000 mi US $120 |
Diagnosing aux headlight bulb out indicator. All bulbs appear to work but the computer claims a bulb is out. Replacing bulbs doesn't help. I gave up after shop spent an hour looking for the source without success. |
| 137600 mi US $220 |
Repair rim bent by pothole |
| 153000 mi US $300 |
Bought replacement rims for snow tires after 3 were bent by potholes. |
| 149000 mi US $337 |
Punctured rear tire on trip. Had to replace with wrong tires to get home same day. |
| 156000 mi US $3675 |
Reverse synchro broke. Parts aren't available to properly repair transmission - dealer expects you to buy a new one. But shop was able to open, remove the broken synchro, and reseal the transmission. |
2011 BMW 1-Series 2dr Convertible
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 67000 mi US $1500 |
Wheel bearings replaced. When rear wheel bearings were replaced brake pads were noted to almost be worn out so changed them at same time. |
| 78000 mi US $2000 |
Replaced valve cover |
| 51000 mi US $2000 |
Gasket, pump |
2011 BMW 1-Series 2dr Convertible
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 25000 mi US $1000 |
Shifter shaft seal cracked and was leaking transmission fluid Windshield washer fluid pump failed |
2010 BMW 1-Series 4dr Hatch
168-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 37820 mi A $950 |
Vacuum pump ~ oil o-ring leaking and cam-cover gasket. Sympton ~ Oil fume smell in cabin. This was repaired new oil o ring and gasket. |
| 38440 mi A $600 |
Repair of oil leak coming from cam cover///not successful. stil leaking slightly. There is an vacuum pump in the same area that was leaking. |
| 418190 mi A $1200 |
The above work included Pad replacement Front & Rear discs. Front & Rear sensors |
2010 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 69700 mi US $1500 |
All 6 fuel injectors needed to be replaced |
| 125000 mi US $1100 |
Intake carbon build up required walnut-blasting. Had never been done in 125,000 miles After walnut blasting the tech test drove the car, parked it and the temp gauge began to go up: the water pump had failed. The water pump failure and replacement was not caused by the shop; the water pump had never failed prior to 125,000 miles so it was good it failed at the shop. Replaced it and the thermostat. After (a) the walnut blasting, and (b) the water pump and thermostat, then (c) the SES came on again. Kuni’s excellent service staff spent nearly 20 hours to diagnose the issue since there was not yet a code that pointed to the fuel injectors. Once a code finally popped, the fuel injectors were replaced and I asked them to replace the BMW Performance spark plugs which had not been replaced since 48,000 miles. The whole system holds together and so a cascade of events after 125,000 miles is not shock. Runs like it is brand new now..and I’m keeping it along with my new 2018 M2. |
2010 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 60760 mi C $350 |
Sealed AC refrigerant leak and recharged |
| 70060 mi C $1200 |
Fuel tank leak. Both fuel senders replaced. |
2010 BMW 1-Series 2dr Convertible
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 65000 mi US $1100 |
Thermostat Check Engine Light, replaced thermostat, during that noticed the water pump had sedimentation, replaced that while engine was apart. |
2009 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 34720 mi A $1000 |
One of the six fuel injector misfire/faulty Wind screen washer pump failure |
| 45200 mi US $250 |
Replaced cracked rear third brake light (in trunk lid). Replaced wheel speed sensor which was causing ABS failure indication. |
| 43800 mi US $2900 |
SES light returned indicating combustion misfire in cylinders #1-3. Replaced all 6 fuel injectors, decouplers (gaskets for fuel injectors), and spark plugs, even though the plugs had less than 2,500 miles on them. |
| 58072 mi US $1689 |
Replace wheel speed sensor Replace valve cover gasket |
2009 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 76000 mi US $480 |
Drivers side window regulator replaced with OEM part |
| 80500 mi US $1650 |
water pump replaced after catastrophic failure. Thermostat also was replaced on my request as a preventative measure. |
| 26860 mi A $3500 |
Turbos needed to be replaced |
| 44300 mi US $3000 |
Hpfp failed. Covered by BMW under extended warranty terms. Needed all six injectors replaced. Three were leaking. Had to replace all due to new part number. They don't mix and match. |
| 49100 mi US $2000 |
Clutch was clearly abused by previous owner before I purchased it, had to replace clutch and flywheel due to slippage in 6th gear. |
| 59000 mi US $100 |
Replaced rear shocks, noticed a lot of rear end moment over bumps |
| 80000 mi US $200 |
broken sensor |
| 35000 mi US $250 |
Brake pedal pressure unusually difficult after cold start. Had repair shop check brake fluids, brake booster valve. Nothing found, problem continues. |
| 46000 mi US $1800 |
Car required all 6 fuel injectors to be replaced as there is a known issue with the year the car was manufactured. |
| 53000 mi US $100 |
valve repair |
| 66000 mi US $600 |
window regulator broke |
| 84000 mi US $600 |
window regulator broke |
| 87000 mi US $1350 |
pulley failed and destroyed compressor |
| 89300 mi US $1400 |
Thermostat and water pump |
| 94700 mi US $753 |
water pump failed. blew out radiator hose |
| 120000 mi US $2800 |
Had A/C problems. Suddenly died. Only a recharge. Oil leak. Oil pan seal. Discovered while performing A/C repair. Replace battery. Replace ignition coils (already known to be failing), which led to fuel injectors, spark plugs; had warning lights. Four trips total in September that included some separately reported repairs. |
| 130000 mi US $130 |
no refrigerant |
| 50000 mi US $300 |
AC recharge port replacement |
| 56000 mi US $1000 |
Battery and charge sensor |
| 60000 mi US $1000 |
Window regulator replacement |
| 75000 mi US $5300 |
Battery Turbos |
2009 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 75000 mi US $900 |
Bad coil in 6th cylinder and bad solenoid. |
| 85000 mi US $1100 |
Needed new coils and drive belt tensioner. |
2009 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
215-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 48360 mi $1200 |
AC in the car failed to work again after replacing the Compressor month or 2 earlier. Dealer said it was the evaporator this time. so they get it changed. I think the evaporator was the problem, afraid compressor was replaced by mistake pilot window failed to operate |
2009 BMW 1-Series 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 56200 mi C $4000 |
Valve cover replaced & gaskets. Oil filter housing, oil cooler, turbo cooler, gaskets and seals. Replaced 3 injection coils. |
| 56916 mi C $130 |
Oil Change, Brake flush, underbody tray, check v-clamp/DP leak, dif brace, re grease sway, found sways, replace coils cylinder 2&4, no oil leaks replaced battery |
| 64846 mi C $801 |
Replaced 6 coils, 6 spark plugs, replaced front sway bar bushing, replaced transmission and diff fluid |
| 67877 mi C $100 |
air filter, cabin filter, oil change, passenger front tire leak/repair. Front bump stops damaged |
| 71920 mi C $180 |
Recharge AC |
| 73110 mi C $157 |
wheel alignment (Z3 spec) |
| 73694 mi C $320 |
oil change, replaced cabine air filter, front bump stops gone, rear suspension sleeve hanging off. Downpipe gasket cracked, small oil leak from pan (cleaned), checked, no oil leak from oil filter cover, OCC checked out and fine |
2008 BMW 1-Series 4-door
4-cylinder diesel manual 2WD
| 84200 mi US $1700 |
Battery warning light on |
| 85000 mi US $1000 |
Alternator cable had slipped, needed to be replaced |
2008 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 75000 mi US $1200 |
Water pump is electric, when it fails it stops, light comes on and car has to be and was towed. Thermostat, I just replaced (over $100) as a good sense measure since they have to take it out anyway to replace the pump. |
| 79500 mi US $825 |
Drivers side window regulator failed. |
| 45600 mi US $1000 |
broken water pump valve in the intake manifold |
| 88000 mi US $1800 |
Engine overheating, vehicle disabled. Failed Water pump replaced. Passenger side mirror dimming liquid leak, mirror replaced. |
| 105 mi US $1500 |
Small piece of metal scrap in rode tore tore through under carriage cover with ease. Damaged power cables. $1500 repair 2 days after buying car. Car came with soft under carriage cover, hard plastic on replacement |
| 46000 mi US $1000 |
replaced water pump |
| 48000 mi US $200 |
replace battery |
| 53000 mi US $500 |
rear brake pads replaced |
2008 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 38200 mi US $1800 |
A/C condenser sprang a leak and leaked fluid, so it needed to be replaced. This required removal of the entire dash to access the condenser. |
| 52000 mi US $1300 |
Water pump had to be replaced. |
| 136000 mi US $750 |
AC compressor. This was a mistake by me. this was meant to be for another vehicle. Please delete this repair. Water pump failed. Towed to shop, Replaced, |
| 145000 mi US $700 |
After ten years the battery finally went. Battery replaced. Vehicle went into limp mode for twenty miles then totally shut down. Towed to repair shop. Diagnosed failed water pump. Replaced. |
| 195000 mi US $400 |
Howling noise from rear passenger wheel. Replace wheel bearing. |
| 42160 mi C $1800 |
Water pump and thermostat, left stranded. Expensive trip. Classic BMW. |
| 53320 mi C $1800 |
Water pump and thermostat broke, engine overheated. Needed a tow. |
| 55800 mi C $1400 |
Belts were sheered, lost steering and all other functions when on road. Mechanic/dealer said engine may be contaminated with fragments, estimated about 6000 to crack engine open and fix. Opted to replace belts and trade in car for a chevrolet cruze, 2017 premier hatch. |
| 66340 mi C $1600 |
Failed coolant pump. |
| 68200 mi C $3550 |
Rear main seal popped out and was leaking. Replaced seal, oil pan gasket, and valve cover (with integral PCV valve, suspected to be cause of seal popping out). |
| 74400 mi C $135 |
Dash warning lights indicating trouble with ABS system. Diagnosed fault with ABS Hydro unit. Elected not to repair at this time as I wanted to explore reman options. After shop visit the lights went off, and have only come on a couple times since, briefly. Suspect may only be dirty electrical contacts. |
| 41540 mi $300 |
There isn't really a category for the catastrophic failure of a glass sunroof. But that's what happened. In the middle of an open motorway, at speed, not trailing any other car, the sunroof spontaneously shattered. |
| 76040 mi $1200 |
Water pump failed, car went into limp mode. Water pump replaced, engine checked for damage from overheating (tests negative). |
| 52000 mi US $1000 |
Electric water pump failed, had it replaced by an Indy shop. It's a known problem for any modern BMW, these electric pumps just don't last as long as mechanical ones. |
| 56700 mi US $200 |
Replaced boost solenoids, they we're faulty and throwing the underboost code. Also adjusted wastegate actuator |
| 64000 mi US $1000 |
Had two leaking fuel injectors, I replaced all six though to make sure I had the latest BMW indexed injectors |
| 77000 mi US $140 |
Had misfires on multiple cylinders, replaced all 6 coil packs |
2008 BMW 1-Series 2dr Coupe
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 59500 mi US $250 |
replace ignitor cylinder 5 |
| 87000 mi US $1500 |
coolant leaking into motor oil replace oil filter housing gasket. Valve cover gasket. |
| 84900 mi US $600 |
Pulley tensioner started to bend and the belt was slowly walking off the pulley. |
| 92000 mi US $1084 |
Valve cover gasket leaking oil. |
| 109000 mi US $1500 |
Replaced spark plugs and ignitions coils due to misfiring on cylinders 2 and 4 |
| 41300 mi US $500 |
Driver's side window regulator collapsed when window was wound down when getting in car after it sitting outside in a hot Texas day. |
| 43800 mi US $200 |
Passenger door lock actuator broke, would lock, but would not unlock. Had to replace. |
| 52000 mi US $450 |
Driver side door lock actuator broke. |
| 70000 mi US $600 |
Timing chain tensioner went bad, causing massive issues to rails etc, basically all timing chain elements had to be replaced, car out for 2 weeks ($5500, R66 warranty covered 4900). |
| 70700 mi US $260 |
Resistor blew on blower motor, warranty covered $690 of $950. |
| 75000 mi US $1500 |
eccentric shaft sensor had to be replaced |
| 99674 mi US $355 |
sensor software failure- reprogrammed DME |
| 99674 mi US $694 |
PremAir sensor failure- required replacing radiator (sensor built into radiator) |
| 119199 mi US $162 |
Replaced h7 low beam bulb |
| 124500 mi US $1244 |
Hi Temp and radiator warning light coolant leaking, towed to dealer determined radiator cracked replaced radiator |
| 80400 mi US $133 |
Emissions system leak |
| 107500 mi US $427 |
Replaced Mass Air Sensor |
| 122500 mi US $369 |
Frozen right front brake caliper |
| 135000 mi US $1075 |
Replace original front struts, front control arms, rear dampers |
| 161000 mi US $375 |
replaced front struts and springs |
| 163000 mi US $1125 |
Replaced oil pan and oil filter housing gaskets |
| 165200 mi US $275 |
Oxygen sensor (Pre cat Bank 2) replaced |
2008 BMW 1-Series 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 49000 mi US $2000 |
The dealer replaced the front disc brakes, changed oil and did the general 50K maintenance. |
| 71000 mi US $1915 |
Engine misfiring on cold start, all fuel injectors replaced. |
| 78000 mi US $500 |
Drivers side window motor failed. |
| 85000 mi US $1000 |
had to replace both turbochargers ($6500 charge mostly covered by aftermarket extended warranty) replaced intake solenoid suspected cause for periodic engine light over the entire 3 yr's I've had the car. Cause may have been the turbo's that also needed to be replaced. |
| 97000 mi US $1500 |
Head gasket leak |
| 132000 mi US $247 |
replaced battery |
2008 BMW 1-Series 2dr Convertible
230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 26600 mi US $400 |
windshield washer fluid pump leaked. Replaced pump. |
| 30000 mi US $2700 |
window became detached from convertible top. Replaced top |
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