| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2002 BMW 3-Series repairs by problem area
Engine (42%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (5%)
Brakes and Traction Control (4%)
Suspension and Steering (16%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (22%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (6%)
Other (5%)
Select a problem area
- Engine
- Transmission and Drivetrain
- Brakes and Traction Control
- Suspension and Steering
- Electrical and Air Conditioning
- Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim
- Other
Chart based on 589 repairs.
2002 BMW 3-Series body repair cost distribution
$2500+ (3%)
$1000 - $2499 (12%)
$500 - $999 (6%)
$100 - $499 (35%)
< $100 (44%)
Chart based on 34 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2002 BMW 3-Series
Engine not specified
| 154000 mi US $1500 |
headlight covers fogged, break pedal squeaking. |
2002 BMW 3-Series 4dr Wagon
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 61000 mi US $50 |
replaced front driver door speaker ring |
2002 BMW 3-Series 4dr Wagon
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed manual RWD
| 113500 mi US $50 |
Replaced windshield/cowl seal. |
2002 BMW 3-Series 4dr Wagon
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed manual AWD
| 96100 mi C $150 |
Window regulator |
| 190900 mi C $200 |
A rear hatch bracket supporting a gas-filled strut rusted thru and failed. Replaced brackets on both sides and re-installed struts. |
2002 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| Sunroof had to be repaired. Known problem. |
| 99000 mi US $50 |
Rattle from underneath the car. Started after previous torque converter fix by dealer. Turned out they forgot to tighten loose front splash panel during previous repair. |
2002 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 162000 mi | Original paint failing all around the car at the lowest seam, in areas that have not had any damage. |
2002 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 112000 mi US $220 |
Rain molding came apart again. |
| 123600 mi | Window trim coming apart. |
2002 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 115000 mi | Rattle coming from radio/center console Sunroof doesn't open. Inner part is stuck. |
2002 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed manual RWD
| 77000 mi US $300 |
Interior A and C pillar trim replaced. |
| 91000 mi | Rain rail separated and loose. |
| 96000 mi US $125 |
Replaced exterior window trim due to corrosion. Replaced driver's side mirror glass due to corrosion. |
| 109000 mi | Exterior door trim fell off and needed to be reattached. |
2002 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
333-horsepower 3.2L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 87000 mi US $19 |
Replaced trim around shift. Badly scratched |
| 87000 mi US $123 |
Replaced cubby storage. Door very scratched |
| 56000 mi | Both window trims have delaminated. Very common problem on E46 coupes. Trim expands in heat and shears off adhesive. New trim material corrects issue. Dealer wants $1050 to replace old trim. Attempting to have BMWNA cover cost. |
| 59000 mi US $800 |
Replaced drooping interior door trim on both sides. Well known problem on early E46 coupes due to differing rates of thermal expansion between rubber portion (pinch sensor) of trim and fabric portion of trip, shearing the adhesive between . |
| 63000 mi US $100 |
Front bumper support cracked, required replacement. Part was $15 |
| 149000 mi | sunroof shade stuck/broken. also, seats worn. |
| 106000 mi US $1300 |
door moldings fell off, replaced, total for this and other work 800 in parts and 500 in labor. |
| 116000 mi US $200 |
Rear Trunk Handle Separated from Trunk |
| 123000 mi | Sagging interior liner |
2002 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
333-horsepower 3.2L I6 6-speed automated manual RWD
| 63860 mi | Boot lid handle mountings failed. Super glued mounts back in and re-attached handle. Interior trim around door seal on the inside of the car coming off. Pushed back into position but not glued. |
2002 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed manual RWD
| 99200 mi C $131 |
Replace leaking windshield cowl trim (leaky gaskets caused wiper linkage to corrode and seize up) |
| 98500 mi US $325 |
Gap between driver's window and B-pillar causing wind noise. Body shop replaced regulator. Gap still present. |
| 136000 mi US $1000 |
passenger side kidney grill fell out due to plastic tabs breaking off. probably due to being ten years old. replaced grill with new from BMW dearer for $55. Very easy repair; just pushes into place. |
2002 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed manual RWD
| 185000 mi US $35 |
Reseal and remount trunk mounted taillights, reattach C pillar trim fabric. |
2002 BMW 3-Series 2dr Convertible
225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 109000 mi US $1825 |
Hydraulic cylinder line for automatic convertible top had a leak. Had to buy entire cylinder for this one line repair. |
| 80700 mi US $800 |
Conv. top would not close, big poblem since it would open no problem but had to go to manual mode to close. seems there should be a override for this as the motor was not reading lockdown when it opened but so it wouldnt close. |
2002 BMW 3-Series 2dr Convertible
225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed manual RWD
| 130000 mi US $4982 |
Clear coat on hood fogged and flaking, rest of car dulling with age. Repainted in factory color with subtle "true flames" ghosted in pearl on nose, hood and front sides. Front seats reupholstered in matching leather. Very nicely done! |
2002 BMW 3-Series 2dr Convertible
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 169000 mi US $180 |
convertible top |
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