| 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 repair cost distribution
$2500+ (4%)
$1000 - $2499 (15%)
$500 - $999 (17%)
$100 - $499 (27%)
< $100 (37%)
Chart based on 84 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
| BMW in California, United States Oct 2011 - Jan 2013 | |||
| Jun 2012167000 miUS $1500 | Had to replace secondary air pump (dead), check valve and 02 sensors. | ||
| BMW in Mississippi, United States Oct 2009 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Nov 2009121000 miUS $1500 | Replaced rear axle. Replaced calipers. | ||
| BMW in Florida, United States Dec 2011 - Jan 2012 | |||
| Jan 2012253000 miUS $20 | Oil leak | ||
| BMW in North Carolina, United States Jan 2012 - Apr 2012 | |||
| Apr 2012111000 miUS $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. | ||
| BMW in New Hampshire, United States Nov 2010 - Feb 2012 | |||
| Jan 2011300000 miUS $500 | Cracked wires to right front & rear blinkers, dashlights out. Blower motor resistor replaced. | ||
| Mar 2011303000 miUS $30 | gas pedal hinge broke. | ||
| BMW in South Carolina, United States Aug 2011 - Nov 2012 | |||
| Jan 2012110000 miUS $10 | Low Coolant Sensor Failed | ||
| Mar 2012111000 miUS $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. | ||
| Oct 2012114000 miUS $400 | Changed out the control arms. I went to get it aligned and the tie rods were siezed up. Changed the tie rods and aligned. Also did both precat O2 sensors. | ||
| BMW in Oregon, United States Mar 2011 - Dec 2015 | |||
| Aug 2015166600 miUS $210 | Driver seat was worn & split I replaced the upholstered sections myself with used but new looking parts that I bought on E-Bay. | ||
| BMW in Kentucky, United States Jan 2011 - Apr 2013 | |||
| Feb 2011141000 miUS $20 | BMW E36 M3 brake light switch replacement watched a You tube video & fixed myself after problem was supposedly repaired at shop. It was $20 part & took 10 mins to fix. However, I had paid $90 previously. The AAA towing person told me. | ||
| Apr 2011146000 miUS $50 | The seats would not adjust. Ordered parts and installing today. Hope it works. Common problem with these cars | ||
| Apr 2013165000 miUS $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. | ||
| BMW in Oklahoma, United States Sep 2010 - Jan 2013 | |||
| Oct 2010180000 miUS $13 | Window regulator off track repaired and lubricated it myself. Passenger door outside door handle not working. Lubricated it and latch and now works properly. Cost about $5 for lubricants. Coin holder was broken. I repaired it with an extra spring and some glue. Replaced the Shift boot with a used leather boot found on ebay for $8.00 | ||
| Jan 2011210500 miUS $56 | Replaced thermostat. | ||
| BMW in Tennessee, United States Sep 2010 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Oct 2010128000 miUS $1100 | clutch and clutch master and slave cylinder | ||
| BMW in Pennsylvania, United States Apr 2012 - Jun 2013 | |||
| Jun 2013133000 miUS $100 | Replaced valve cover gasket. Spark plugs were also changed. | ||
| BMW in California, United States May 2012 - Jul 2014 | |||
| Jun 2012135000 miUS $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 | ||
| Jun 2014138000 miUS $25 | intake boot cracked | ||
| Jul 2014138000 mi | headliner coming off | ||
| BMW in Belgium Dec 2012 - Mar 2013 | |||
| Jan 2013160580 mi€105 | Central locking actuator for the passenger stopped working in the closed state. Had to remove the door card, take out side airbag, peel back vapor barrier, replace with new actuator and reassemble. | ||
| BMW in Washington, United States Jul 2015 - Aug 2015 | |||
| Aug 2015212000 miUS $35 | Heater fan quit working, replaced hedgehog, still not working. | ||
| BMW in Texas, United States Dec 2011 - Jun 2013 | |||
| Jan 2012US $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. | ||
| Feb 201366300 miUS $1200 | Aux electric cooling fan controller failed - in the "on" position, draining battery while parked. Replacing controller requires removing grill and radiator. | ||
| BMW in New York, United States Feb 2010 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Apr 2010164000 miUS $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. | ||
1998 BMW 3-Series 4-door
6-cylinder manual 2WD
| BMW in California, United States Mar 2010 - Mar 2020 | |||
| Mar 201196000 miUS $80 | Leaking power steering hose. | ||
| Jun 201198000 miUS $50 | replaced cooling system hoses | ||
| Mar 2012102000 miUS $340 | Rear wheel bearing. Requires a press and a special BMW tool for removal | ||
| May 2012102300 miUS $54 | Replaced cracked bump-stops on front suspension | ||
| May 2018118000 miUS $40 | replace broken exhaust hangars | ||
| Dec 2019152000 miUS $1200 | Replaced the factory drive shaft including the center support bearing | ||
| BMW in Virginia, United States Jun 2017 - Jun 2018 | |||
| May 2018209000 miUS $200 | Replaced caliper | ||
| BMW in Virginia, United States Mar 2009 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Sep 2009133000 miUS $1500 | Replaced front right brake caliper | ||
| BMW in California, United States Jan 2009 - Jun 2013 | |||
| May 2009134000 miUS $700 | Replaced all ball-joints (including control arms) in front suspension to cure rattle. | ||
| Jul 2009137000 miUS $1000 | Strut mounts had worn bearings, causing a rattling. Struts replaced as well for preventative maintenance. | ||
| Sep 2012172000 miUS $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. | ||
| Mar 2013175000 miUS $100 | Car started overheating, replaced water pump and belts, flushed coolant - problem fixed. | ||
| May 2013176000 miUS $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. | ||
| BMW in California, United States Jan 2010 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Feb 2010147000 miUS $2400 | Head Gasket had to be replaced after coolant leak detected. | ||
| BMW in Massachusetts, United States Feb 2009 - Oct 2009 | |||
| May 200998000 miUS $1000 | One front left spring. Clutch replaced, mechanical failure. | ||
| BMW in Alberta, Canada Oct 2009 - Sep 2012 | |||
| Mar 2010105400 miC $1000 | Windshield wiper-linkage replacement. | ||
1998 BMW 3-Series 4-door
6-cylinder automatic 2WD
| BMW in Georgia, United States Feb 2009 - Mar 2010 | |||
| Mar 200991000 miUS $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. | ||
| BMW in Michigan, United States Jan 2009 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Jan 2011154000 miUS $2400 | Car was doing great, but then the tranny blew up... | ||
| BMW in New Jersey, United States Jan 2011 - Mar 2011 | |||
| Feb 2011112000 miUS $300 | Oil seepage, replaced valve cover gasket | ||
1998 BMW 3-Series 4-door
4-cylinder manual 2WD
| BMW in Wisconsin, United States Jan 2009 - May 2013 | |||
| Sep 2009148000 miUS $110 | Cam position sensor needed to be replaced. | ||
| Mar 2010151000 miUS $40 | Ball Joint worn valve cover gasket leaking | ||
1998 BMW 3-Series 2-door
6-cylinder manual 2WD
| BMW in Florida, United States Apr 2011 - Jun 2011 | |||
| Jun 2011120000 miUS $800 | Clutch job. Throwout bearing had expired and there was little life left in the clutch. Also replaced Flywheel and all wear and tear parts. | ||
| BMW in Florida, United States Jun 2011 - Jun 2022 | |||
| Feb 201363600 mi | Low water light before starting engine and after going off. | ||
| BMW in Wisconsin, United States Jan 2017 - Jul 2020 | |||
| Jul 2017146000 miUS $64 | Replaced center support bearing. | ||
| Sep 2017147000 mi | Valve cover was leaking oil, replaced it. | ||
| Nov 2017147000 miUS $64 | Replaced a bad rear wheel bearing and brake backing plate. | ||
| Mar 2018149000 miUS $22 | Torn boot on ignition coil, replaced coil. | ||
| Jun 2018149000 miUS $16 | Replaced thermostat | ||
| Apr 2020149000 miUS $100 | Patched rusted rocker panels | ||
| May 2020149000 mi | Replaced the leaking thermostat housing. | ||
| BMW in Colorado, United States Apr 2010 - Nov 2011 | |||
| May 2010118000 miUS $600 | Steering rack rebuilt due to excessive wear/leaking. Blower motor resistor failed- replaced. | ||
| Apr 2011121000 miUS $150 | Window regulator and passenger door locks do not work. Replacing as a DIY task. | ||
| BMW in District of Columbia, United States Sep 2010 - May 2012 | |||
| Jul 201188000 miUS $650 | Engine missing @ low rpm. Coil bad on one cyl. replaced 1 coil 6 plugs, 6 boots | ||
| May 201295000 miUS $378 | Replaced cruise control throttle cable | ||
| BMW in New York, United States Jun 2009 - Nov 2010 | |||
| Dec 2009117000 miUS $350 | Noisy left rear wheel bearing, attempted repair myself but found it to require tools I didn't have. Had been living with it for about a month. | ||
| Apr 2010123800 miUS $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. | ||
| BMW in Wisconsin, United States Jan 2009 - Mar 2010 |
| BMW in North Carolina, United States Sep 2009 - May 2010 | |||
| Oct 2009195000 miUS $777 | wheel joints replaced both sides front. window motor replaced drivers side. | ||
| Dec 2009197000 mi | rebuilt transmission, new clutch because it was "slipping." | ||
| May 2010199000 mi | Power top quit working in 2008 because one motor blew. No engine problems at all, just lots and lots of interior/cosmetic and electrical problems. | ||
| BMW in Wisconsin, United States Nov 2009 - Jun 2012 | |||
| May 2012109900 miUS $85 | Drivers side Window Regulator broke. Replaced with used part. | ||
| BMW in Pennsylvania, United States Nov 2009 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Mar 201181000 miUS $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. | ||
| Jul 201799000 miUS $500 | Struts | ||
| BMW in Florida, United States Nov 2010 - Jan 2011 | |||
| Dec 2010145000 miUS $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. | ||
| BMW in California, United States Mar 2010 - Jun 2010 | |||
| Jun 2010136000 mi | Sunroof headliner had fallen off when sold. Power windows did not always work when sold. | ||
| BMW in Michigan, United States Jan 2009 - Dec 2017 | |||
| Jun 2009148000 miUS $700 | Too much play in tie rods, replaced steering rack. Also, oil leaking from front right strut, so replaced both front struts. | ||
| Mar 2010150000 miUS $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. | ||
| Jun 2010150000 miUS $550 | master cylinder leaking, pedal soft at stoplights. also front calipers and pads ancient, rusted, unsafe. | ||
| Sep 2010152000 miUS $200 | control arms, bearings, strut mount | ||
| Apr 2012163200 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. Bought charge gauge and Enviro-Safe freon. Recharged AC using only one 6 oz. can. | ||
| Oct 2012170000 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. | ||
| Nov 2012170300 mi | Finally had money to buy new fuel pump. Bought it, put it in. Car is fine now. | ||
| Jan 2013172000 mi | Stalling, running badly. Vacuum leak. Needed new hose in two spots. | ||
1998 BMW 3-Series 2-door
6-cylinder automatic 2WD
| BMW in New York, United States Aug 2009 - Jan 2014 | |||
| Mar 2010199000 miUS $500 | Front struts badly needed to be replaced after 199,000 miles | ||
| Jul 2010203000 miUS $112 | Replaced lower radiator hose, seemed to fix, very small coolant leak of unknown origin. | ||
| BMW in North Carolina, United States Apr 2009 - Jul 2012 | |||
| Jul 2012116000 miUS $1800 | electric radiator fan failure and radiator failure | ||
| BMW in California, United States Feb 2009 - Oct 2012 | |||
| Feb 2011145000 miUS $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. | ||
| Jun 2012165000 miUS $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
| BMW in Minnesota, United States Jun 2017 - Jul 2020 | |||
| Jul 2020106000 miUS $5000 | Suspension and clutch replaced | ||
| BMW in Colorado, United States Mar 2011 - Jun 2013 | |||
| Oct 201189000 miUS $300 | heater control valve left rear outer wheel bearing | ||
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