BMW 3-Series
- Reliability (shortcut)
- Repair Histories (shortcut)
- Extended Warranty
- Real-World Gas Mileage (shortcut)
- "Why (Not) This Car?" Reviews (shortcut)
- Tire Reviews
- Forums
- Specifications
- Features
BMW 3-Series Reliability
Want to more clearly know what the difference in reliability will be if you buy a BMW 3-Series rather than another vehicle? Concerned about your chances of getting a lemon?
TrueDelta provides this information in the form of "times in the shop" stats that make the actual repair rates clear and, in the future, "lemon-odds."
The latest Car Reliability Survey (CRS) results include BMW 3-Series reliability information based on owner experiences through June 30, 2009:
Repair Info by VIN
Want repair and accident information on a specific car? AutoCheck is more comprehensive and less expensive than CarFax.
To get started, click here.
| Successful Repair Trips per Year (per 100 vehicles) | |||||
| Year | Make | Model |
Trips / Year | TS | Cars Mon/Car Av Odo |
| 2008 | BMW | 335 |  | 35 8.2 9100 | |
| 2008 | BMW | 328 | | 26 7.9 10900 | |
| 2007 | BMW | 335 | | 49 8.9 17400 | |
| 2007 | BMW | 328 | | 39 9.5 21300 | |
| 2006 | BMW | 3-Series 4dr | | 65 7.0 37200 | |
| 2005 | BMW | 3-Series / M3 |  | 30 8.4 42800 | |
| 2004 | BMW | 3-Series / M3 | | 35 7.5 46500 | |
| 2003 | BMW | 3-Series / M3 | | 34 7.8 68300 | |
| 2002 | BMW | 3-Series / M3 | | 29 7.2 74400 | |
| 2001 | BMW | 3-Series / M3 | | 39 8.1 83800 | |
| 2000 | BMW | 3-Series* | 16 7.8 118300 | ||
| 1999 | BMW | 3-Series - E46* | 11 6.9 138900 | ||
To see how the BMW 3-Series's reliability compares to that of competing car models, and for a table key, click here. New results quarterly.
To provide comprehensive results, TrueDelta needs reliability data on all cars--not just the BMW 3-Series--from people like you. To encourage participation, those who help provide the data receive free access to the site's car reliability information. Find out the details.
BMW 3-Series Repair Histories
To supplement our Vehicle Reliability Survey, TrueDelta collects BMW 3-Series repair histories, a list of all the repairs that have been performed on a vehicle. With these, no minimum sample is required and owners can report repairs that occurred before joining.
Individual responses to both the Vehicle Reliability Survey and the Vehicle Repair History Survey are posted here:
Think you might have a lemon, and want to see if other owners are having similar problems? Then this is the place to check.BMW 3-Series Extended Warranty
Concerned about the BMW 3-Series's reliability? Considering an extended warranty? Warranty Direct is a 26-year-old company with nearly 2 million contracts sold and over $500 million in paid claims.
Like insurance, extended warranties are best bought to limit downside risk, and from a company that is almost certain to remain in business. While for most people extended warranties will not pay off, for some they will pay for themselves many times over.
If you are unsure about the BMW 3-Series's reliability, or simply want the peace of mind afforded by an extended warranty, you can click here to purchase one from Warranty Direct.
BMW 3-Series Gas Mileage
Everyone knows that government estimates often aren't indicative of the BMW 3-Series's gas mileage in the real-world.
In response, TrueDelta began collecting gas mileage data from owners of the BMW 3-Series, with the intent of providing real-world gas mileage estimates customized to how and where you drive.
BMW 3-Series Real-World Gas Mileage
"Why (Not) the BMW 3-Series?" Reviews
For car buyers' reasons for buying a 3-Series--or not--click here.
Want another perspective? Since 1999, Michael Karesh, the developer of TrueDelta, has contributed reviews to Epinions,
where he is one of two people who oversee the autos section.
Michael's most recent BMW 3-Series review.
Note: The older the review, the more likely it has become outdated owing to more recently introduced competitors.
BMW 3-Series Tire Reviews
The Tire Rack offers the Internet's most extensive collection of BMW 3-Series tire reviews, tire survey results, and tire tests. To see which tires are available for the BMW 3-Series--or for your car--and go from there to Tire Rack's comprehensive information, use the tool in the sidebar.
The Tire Rack can be especially useful as a source of winter tires, which I have strongly recommended ever since buying a set for my car. If you're unhappy with your car's handling and braking on snow and ice, you probably just need proper winter tires, not a new car.
BMW 3-Series Forums (TrueDelta partners)
These forums have helped make our results possible. For discussions of the 3-Series by owners, visit:
bimmerforums.com -- BMW 3-Series forum
2004 BMW 3-Series Specifications
| Body | 2-door Coupe | 4-door Sedan | 2-door Convertible | 4-door Wagon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 107.3 | 107.3 | 107.3 | 107.3 |
| Length | 176.7 | 176.0 | 176.7 | 176.3 |
| Width | 69.2 | 68.5 | 69.2 | 68.5 |
| Height | 53.9 | 55.7 | 54.0 | 55.5 |
| Curb Weight | 3197 | 3219 | 3560 | 3362 |
| Fuel Capacity | 16.6 | 16.6 | 16.6 | 16.6 |
| R1 Headroom | 36.3 | 37.0 | 38.0 | 37.0 |
| R1 Shoulder Room | 54.5 | 54.4 | 54.5 | 54.4 |
| R1 Legroom | 41.7 | 41.4 | 41.7 | 41.4 |
| R2 Headroom | 36.2 | 37.4 | 36.4 | 37.6 |
| R2 Shoulder Room | 52.7 | 54.2 | 45.9 | 54.2 |
| R2 Legroom | 33.2 | 34.6 | 32.0 | 34.4 |
| Cargo Volume, Minimum | 9.5 | 10.7 | 7.7 | 15.4 |
| Cargo Volume, Maximum | 9.5 | 10.7 | 7.7 | 57.1 |
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