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BMW 3-Series and Saab 9-3 Lemon Odds and Nada Odds for the Year Ending June 30, 2018

An asterisk (*) marks results based on small sample sizes.

Year Make/Model Nada Odds per 100 Cars Lemon Odds per 100 Cars    
50 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 22200 miles driven

Refresh. Most of the reported repairs are minor creaks and rattles, plus some minor electrical problems.
2016
BMW 3-Series / M3
[?] see reported repairs
  50 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 22200 miles driven

Refresh. Most of the reported repairs are minor creaks and rattles, plus some minor electrical problems.
51 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 31100 miles driven

Includes 4-Series.
2015
BMW 3-Series / M3
[?] see reported repairs
  51 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 31100 miles driven

Includes 4-Series.
62 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 48000 miles driven

Includes 4-Series.
2014
BMW 3-Series
[?] see reported repairs
  62 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 48000 miles driven

Includes 4-Series.
37 vehicles, 11.1 months per vehicle, 62500 miles driven2013 BMW 3-Series 4dr
[?] see reported repairs
  37 vehicles, 11.1 months per vehicle, 62500 miles driven
66 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 72200 miles driven

Average odometer reading much lower for the M3. Common problem with the water pump in the 335i.
2011
BMW 328
[?] see reported repairs
  66 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 72200 miles driven

Average odometer reading much lower for the M3. Common problem with the water pump in the 335i.
28 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 95500 miles driven2008 Saab 9-3 Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  28 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 95500 miles driven
27 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 96900 miles driven2007 BMW 328 Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  27 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 96900 miles driven
25 vehicles, 11.2 months per vehicle, 99000 miles driven2007 BMW 335 Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  25 vehicles, 11.2 months per vehicle, 99000 miles driven
30 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 120700 miles driven

First year for the E90 4-door.
2006
BMW 3-Series 4dr Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  30 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 120700 miles driven

First year for the E90 4-door.
31 vehicles, 10.9 months per vehicle, 146500 miles driven

Average odometer reading much lower for the M3.
2004
BMW 3-Series Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  31 vehicles, 10.9 months per vehicle, 146500 miles driven

Average odometer reading much lower for the M3.
26 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 143000 miles driven

Average odometer reading much lower for the M3.
2002
BMW 3-Series Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  26 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 143000 miles driven

Average odometer reading much lower for the M3.

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BMW 3-Series vs. Saab 9-3 Lemon Odds and Nada Odds

Other sources of BMW 3-Series and Saab 9-3 reliability data provide only averages, which can conceal as much as they reveal. So we also report the percentage of BMW 3-Seriess and Saab 9-3s with no repairs at all in the past year and the percentage of BMW 3-Seriess and Saab 9-3s that are lemons (required three or more repair trips in the past year). These figures might surprise you.

These stats are promptly updated four times a year, to closely track BMW 3-Series and Saab 9-3 lemon odds as the cars age. Others can be over a year behind. Only TrueDelta tells you how reliable the BMW 3-Series and Saab 9-3 have been recently.

To see how frequently BMW 3-Series and Saab 9-3 problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.

What Our Members Are Saying about the Brand Reputation of the BMW 3-Series

BMW 3-Series Brand Reputation: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2010 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
see full BMW 3-Series review
2009 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
Acura = Honda Audi = VW Mercedes = Chrysler (still) Lexus = Toyota Infinity = Datsun BMW = BMW see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD
BMW proved once again the 3 series is the ultimate driving machine see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD
well regarded by most enthusiasts see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
BMW 3 series regularly makes lists as a "drivers car" and best in its class. see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
Looks are amazing. see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD
Built solidly and lasts see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
exclusivity see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD
The 3-series is considered the benchmark for sporty sedans. see full BMW 3-Series review
2007 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD
the 3-series really seems to be the sport sedan icon to which all other brands are compared. It feels good owning the best-of-the-best. And did I mention great re-sale value? A truly great, dependable and well-handling car. see full BMW 3-Series review
BMW 3-Series Brand Reputation: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 4dr Sedan turbocharged 265hp 3.0L I6 Diesel
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
You know. But hey, you buy it because of how it drives, irregardless of others perceptions. see full BMW 3-Series review
2002 2dr Coupe 225-horsepower 3.0L I6
5-speed manual RWD
When you drive a BMW, everyone on the road assumes you're the biggest a$$hole on the face of the Earth. Sure there are some bad actors out there, but the majority of us are really nice people...I promise! see full BMW 3-Series review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Brand Reputation of the Saab 9-3

Saab 9-3 Brand Reputation: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
excellent car reputation for safety see full Saab 9-3 review
2008 4dr Wagon turbocharged 180hp 1.9L I4 Diesel
6-speed manual FWD
The history and the underdog mentality. Also the brand is unique in getting good design and performance in one package. The SAAB brand known for there engineering of new technology, and will see more of that nowadays I guess. see full Saab 9-3 review
2008 4dr Sedan turbocharged 280hp 2.8L V6
6-speed manual AWD
Saab is different and independent, I know it was part of GM in this model year but they are still made by Swedes and have the Swedish touch. see full Saab 9-3 review
2008 4dr Wagon turbocharged 255hp 2.8L V6
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Cool, not showy or glitzy, integrity of design and reputation see full Saab 9-3 review
2008 4dr Wagon turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
Only a concern when you play the 4 year new car shuffle, not feasible anymore on these cars! Again, if you're stressed out by your coworkers/neighbor's opinion of your car, a SAAB is not the best for you. Unless he/she has one? see full Saab 9-3 review
2008 4dr Wagon turbocharged 255hp 2.8L V6
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
I had never known Saab until the moment I saw a black 93 stationwagon in a used car lot. I started my research, by that time Saab was already bankrupted so that Saabs are cheap to buy but expensive to own. I did my pros and cons and decided to went for it. This isa very special car, very handsomely styled and very, very cool! see full Saab 9-3 review
2006 4dr Sedan turbocharged 250hp 2.8L V6
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Great design inside and out. Reliability sems to be going up with Spyker. I purchased my 2006 with resaerch that the 2002 to 2004 were very troubled years. Bumper to bumper warranty better than BMW. see full Saab 9-3 review
2006 4dr Wagon turbocharged 150hp 1.9L I4 Diesel
6-speed manual FWD
cool man see full Saab 9-3 review
2006 4dr Wagon turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Saab is a unique Brand. see full Saab 9-3 review
2004 2dr Convertible turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
So far Saab has lived up to its reputation. see full Saab 9-3 review
Saab 9-3 Brand Reputation: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2008 4dr Wagon turbocharged 180hp 1.9L I4 Diesel
6-speed manual FWD
Some may think that this is an uncertain buy, but who cares? see full Saab 9-3 review
2007 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Does Saab have an image? see full Saab 9-3 review
2007 4dr Wagon turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
GM ruined the brand image. Car reviewers seem to dislike Saab see full Saab 9-3 review
2003 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Once upon a time, Saab had a good name, what happened (Read realiability, that may answer your question) see full Saab 9-3 review
2003 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Reputation for costly repairs and unreliability. see full Saab 9-3 review