| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
1998 BMW 3-Series repairs by problem area
Engine (44%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (8%)
Brakes and Traction Control (4%)
Suspension and Steering (19%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (14%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (6%)
Other (4%)
Chart based on 95 repairs.
1998 BMW 3-Series engine repair cost distribution
$2500+ (5%)
$1000 - $2499 (10%)
$500 - $999 (12%)
$100 - $499 (31%)
< $100 (43%)
Chart based on 42 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
1998 BMW 3-Series
Engine not specified
| 111000 mi US $350 |
One of the belt pulleys was making noise. I replaced tensioner and idler pulleys and went ahead and replaced water pump, belts, radiator hoses, thermostat, and coolant. |
| 110000 mi US $10 |
Low Coolant Sensor Failed |
| 111000 mi US $6 |
O2 sensors have gone bad and have not been replaced yet. This caused a spark plug to become fouled with carbon. Misfires occured and cured by a spark plug replacement on #4. I still have not done the O2 sensors. |
| 114000 mi US $400 |
Also did both precat O2 sensors. |
| 253000 mi US $20 |
Oil leak |
| 167000 mi US $1500 |
Had to replace secondary air pump (dead), check valve and 02 sensors. |
| 165000 mi US $200 |
The car is overheating not every trip but every other trip & will go to the red then come right back down to the normal range. Not all the time. Already replaced the radiator. |
| 210500 mi US $56 |
Replaced thermostat. |
| 164000 mi US $3000 |
Head gasket blew (I believe that my mechanics put in regular oil instead of synthetic at last oil changed and lied to me about it). Engine needed to be replaced. |
| 135000 mi US $99 |
Slapping noise from rear of engine was diagnosed as a loose spark plug. Tightening spark plug fixed that problem. Clutch also needs to be repaired - estimated at $1400 |
| 138000 mi US $25 |
intake boot cracked |
| 133000 mi US $100 |
Replaced valve cover gasket. Spark plugs were also changed. |
| 62500 mi US $900 |
Aux electric engine cooling fan controller failed in "On" position requiring replacement entire fan unit. $450 for part and replacement requires removing front bumper. |
1998 BMW 3-Series 4-door
6-cylinder manual 2WD
| 98000 mi US $50 |
replaced cooling system hoses |
| 118000 mi US $40 |
replace broken exhaust hangars |
| 172000 mi US $140 |
Leaking coolant, suspected head gasket. Block test for carbons in coolant was negative --> likely not head gasket. Gasket repair material added to coolant to plug leak --> improved but not completely fixed. |
| 175000 mi US $100 |
Car started overheating, replaced water pump and belts, flushed coolant - problem fixed. |
| 176000 mi US $250 |
Upper radiator hose broke loose while driving causing massive coolant loss. Upper rad bib found cracked -> new rad. 1st rad leaked, returned for 2nd rad. Also replaced hoses and thermostat. |
| 147000 mi US $2400 |
Head Gasket had to be replaced after coolant leak detected. |
1998 BMW 3-Series 4-door
6-cylinder automatic 2WD
| 91000 mi US $500 |
Replaced the radiator - again. This is now the third radiator in the vehicle. The first time, radiator neck cracked clear through at base of neck next to radiator - had to be towed. This time a hole developed on top of the radiator. Defective plastic. |
| 112000 mi US $300 |
Oil seepage, replaced valve cover gasket |
1998 BMW 3-Series 4-door
4-cylinder manual 2WD
| 148000 mi US $110 |
Cam position sensor needed to be replaced. |
| 151000 mi US $40 |
valve cover gasket leaking |
1998 BMW 3-Series 2-door
6-cylinder manual 2WD
| 147000 mi | Valve cover was leaking oil, replaced it. |
| 149000 mi US $22 |
Torn boot on ignition coil, replaced coil. |
| 149000 mi US $16 |
Replaced thermostat |
| 149000 mi | Replaced the leaking thermostat housing. |
| 88000 mi US $650 |
Engine missing @ low rpm. Coil bad on one cyl. replaced 1 coil 6 plugs, 6 boots |
| 150000 mi US $200 |
When we replaced the fan clutch, the water pump pulley shattered, being one of the lame plastic ones. I replaced it and the water pump, and the thermostat, and coolant and the belts. Tensioners may need to be done too, but haven't ordered them yet. |
| 163200 mi | Still gathering funds to buy radiator, fan, etc. Car overheated so I pulled over immediately and flatbedded it home to work on when I can afford the parts. Update: completed repair. |
| 170000 mi | Done diagnostic tests, on many systems, over last several months. It began with bad idle, progressed to stalling. Now it won't run, nor even start. At this point I'm fairly sure it needs new fuel pump. Need to save up $180 to buy one. |
| 170300 mi | Finally had money to buy new fuel pump. Bought it, put it in. Car is fine now. |
| 172000 mi | Stalling, running badly. Vacuum leak. Needed new hose in two spots. |
| 123800 mi US $40 |
The idle control valve had begun to stick and cause the idle to bounce, requiring removal, cleaning with a Gumout-like solvent and reinstallation. Four bucks for the carb cleaner was the total outlay. |
| 145000 mi US $275 |
Replaced the front O2 sensor. CEL came one,had the codes read. No running issues or reduced mileage for the four days the car was driven with the CEL on until I could drop the car off. Price also included a Oil Change and tire rotation. |
| 81000 mi US $800 |
muffler hangers needed to be replaced and a wheel straightnened. but thumping noise from trunk over bumps didn't go away, though dealer was sure the problem was the hanger. I didn't complain because the hangers were pretty worn. |
| 63600 mi | Low water light before starting engine and after going off. |
1998 BMW 3-Series 2-door
6-cylinder automatic 2WD
| 116000 mi US $1800 |
electric radiator fan failure and radiator failure |
| 203000 mi US $112 |
Replaced lower radiator hose, seemed to fix, very small coolant leak of unknown origin. |
| 145000 mi US $4200 |
Head gasket failed, I was noticing coolant loss without external leaks. I checked my oil cap and saw the coolant/oil mix. Most of the cost was labor, over 15 hours at $115 per hour. |
| 165000 mi US $933 |
Engine belt and pulleys broke. Water pump, belts, and all pulleys were replaced with 4 hours of labor costs. |
1998 BMW 3-Series 2-door
4-cylinder manual 2WD
| 89000 mi US $300 |
heater control valve |
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