2002 BMW 3-Series BMW 3-Series 2002

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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%)

Chart based on 589 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2002 BMW 3-Series.

2002 BMW 3-Series engine repair cost distribution

$2500+ (5%)

$1000 - $2499 (14%)

$500 - $999 (20%)

$100 - $499 (41%)

< $100 (21%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 214 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

71000 mi

US $350
idler pulley and belts 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 4dr Wagon

184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD

81000 mi

US $75
Water pump shaft broke 
108000 mi

US $400
accessory belt broke 
40000 mi Noise from engine pulleys and idler. Replaced along with ribbed V belt. Engine oil pressure switch leaking. Replaced. 
68000 mi

US $2350
Oil leak valve cover gasket 
72000 mi

US $1258
Thermostat failed. Preemptively replaced water pump. Drivers airbag recall completed. 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 4dr Wagon

184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

44000 mi

US $60
Radiator hose failed, leaking coolant. Replaced hose. 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 4dr Wagon

184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed manual RWD

112000 mi

US $500
Replaced entire cooling system. 
100000 mi

US $800
Expansion tank and hoses needed to be replaced 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 4dr Wagon

184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed manual AWD

175000 mi

US $600
radiator, res. tank, ac fan 
109500 mi

US $500
valve cover replaced, vanos seals replaced 
108800 mi replaced secondary air check valve 
138000 mi

US $200
both post-cat O2 sensors replaced 
140000 mi

US $300
oil filter housing gasket 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 4dr Wagon

159000 mi Coil was misfiring. Had to install a new coil. 
160000 mi Replaced Cam Filter sensor and housing 
116560 mi

R 8000
Clutch kit,including flywheelh Replaced engine mountings 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD

58900 mi

C $400
Water pump and thermostat 
56500 mi

US $900
Pulley broke causing engine to overheat. Car towed to dealership. Replaced expansion tank, fan, and pulleys. 
153000 mi

US $1200
The head gasket was cracked and leaking oil slowly, hot oil fell on hoses that deteriorated them. All was replaced and working fine. 
207000 mi

US $220
Replaced upper radiator hose and water pump. 
97000 mi

US $50
CAT O2 sensor threw check engine fault and needed to be replaced. 
127100 mi

US $506
replaced spring-type belt tensioner with hydraulic belt tensioner; replaced pulley adjuster and offset idler replaced fan clutch; 
134000 mi

US $730
fuel pump stopped working, required towing and replacement 
140000 mi

US $350
electrical burning smell in cabin caused by broken seal (forgot which) next to cabin air intake  

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2002 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

158000 mi

US $300
Coolant overflow reservoir 
71000 mi

US $80
Thermostat failure, stuck open. Second thermostat with same problem. Replaced again. Fuel gauge erratic indication. The error codes were cleared but I am still having a hard shift between 1st and 2nd gear. It sounds like I need the transmission and engine software updated (150 dollars) 
42555 mi

US $228
Replace DME relay and tighten air intake boot due to check engine light on 
50000 mi

US $497
Rear differential mount leaking. Installed shft seal and rubber mount. Parts 60.60; labor $436 
52000 mi

US $434
Persistent burning odor caused by oil leak requiring gasket set replacement. 
62000 mi

US $439
Several pulley and belt tensioners replaced to eliminate belt/bearing noise 
70000 mi

US $238
Worn intake hoses for emissions system 
72000 mi

US $400
Oxygen sensors replaced (first time!) 
82800 mi

US $450
Cracked intake manifold 
100000 mi

US $2557
oil filter housing leak 
107000 mi

US $1000
Emission control component 
110700 mi

US $325
Broken water pump and can belt 
112000 mi Cracked radiator. Replaced along with hose 
115000 mi

US $600
replaced upper and lower air boots and replaced air pump mounts 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed manual RWD

88000 mi

US $250
Coolant expansion tank had crack. was replaced. 
92000 mi

US $700
Coolant leak: replace radiator. Service engine light: lean mixture & misfire codes. Problem traced to damaged upper intake boot. Part replaced. 
71000 mi

US $20
Replace timing chain tensioner. 
77000 mi

US $30
CEL code indicated weak mixture - replaced cracked rubber intake boot. 
93000 mi

US $70
Check engine light and code indicated thermostat jammed open. Replaced thermostat. 
105000 mi

US $110
Replace intake camshaft position sensor 
84200 mi

US $200
Replace VANOS piston seals and CCVV. 
157000 mi

US $250
Replace crank case vent valve and various vacuum hoses 
60000 mi

US $250
Leak in coolant system hosing. 
185000 mi

US $600
Replaced PCV valve 
115000 mi

US $390
worn valve cover gasket leaks oil to ignition coil, replace ignition coil on cylinder 1 
122700 mi

US $300
Valve cover gasket replaced 
103000 mi

US $600
Check engine light. Intake and exhaust sensors needed replacement. 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed manual AWD

85000 mi

US $4
Bad stumble on fuel injectors caused misfire on 2 cylinders. No activation of CEL. Used quality fuel injector cleaner and full tank of premium gas and problem corrected self. 
89000 mi

US $567
The thermostat and sensor for the cooling system needed to be repaired. While doing that repair, old belts and hoses were replaced - maintenance items. 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD

112000 mi

US $150
Check transmission light came on 
114000 mi

US $1800
Changed gasket, thermostat 
120800 mi

US $1000
radiator crack, replaced radiator and expansion tank 
128000 mi

US $700
belts, pulley broker. replaced. 
125700 mi

US $1604
intake runner, plugs, breather and oil separator hose thermostat assembly 
135600 mi

US $378
PCV valve 
157000 mi Cooling system leak, replaced all system components ie expansion tank, radiator, and hoses, and a header. Leak fixed 
129000 mi

US $1500
The repairs have not yet been done. The repair items are the water pump,  
112000 mi

US $220
Vacuum lines were broken 
154000 mi

US $1500
car would not start,  
117000 mi

US $725
Oxygen sensor problem could not get car to smog. Computer software update required.  
103500 mi

US $750
Rough Idle and occasional dying when cold. Replaced ICV (Intake Control Valve). 
106300 mi

US $150
Replaced fuel pump. Replaced DISA valve, aka adjuster unit. It sounded like a spray paint can being shaken when engine was running. 
108000 mi

US $400
Pulley failed and serpentine belt shredded. Replaced mechanical tensioner with hydraulic tensioner. Replaced all pulleys, and both belts. 
108300 mi

US $40
Leaking oil from engine bay. Replaced the engine's valve cover gasket. Fixed. 
140000 mi

US $200
Radiator sprung a leak and was replaced. 
170000 mi

US $2000
Engine had idling problems at low speeds. Frequent piston misfires. 
62000 mi

C $220
Oil level sensor malfunctioned. 
64480 mi

C $660
Leak coming from thermostat. Thermostat housing replaced. Head gasket leak. 
82460 mi

C $150
check engine light activated by one malfunctioning oxygen sensor. both oxygen sensors replaced as a precaution. Repair successful. 
109460 mi

C $36
Replaced hose leading to the secondary air injection pump. The hose hadn't failed but was in poor shape where it connected to the pump. I wasn't getting any warning/check engine lights showing yet. 
92880 mi

C $1020
Acc. Belt Tensioner / AC belt tensioner / Idler pulley replaced. 
98580 mi

C $500
Oil pan gasket and the seal btwn the dip stick and block were weeping oil. 
114080 mi

C $400
Valve cover gasket was seeping. Gasket was replaced. 
210000 mi

US $500
gaskets 
217000 mi

US $100
Coil pack blown. Replaced. 
98000 mi

US $1700
Cooling system: Replaced cracked radiator surge container and broken air vent. 
105000 mi

US $600
Cracked oil strainer caused vacuum leak engine not running correctly. 
116700 mi

US $340
Oil leak from gasket between engine block and adapter for oil filter. Emissions control having to do with catalytic converter 
160800 mi After cooling system overhaul car still overheats sporadically. 
95000 mi

US $3000
Belts, Coolant(anti-freeze) system, wiper-fluid pump. 
134000 mi

US $1100
Radiator 
110000 mi

US $700
Cooling fan clutch broken 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

97000 mi

US $450
Leaking water pump 
112000 mi

US $1500
Sensors that control engine idle. 
112000 mi

US $500
The entire cooling system failed at the same time. Had to replace the thermostat, reservoir, fan clutch, hoses, & hot air valve after the thermostat failed on the freeway and the car began to overheat. 
130000 mi

US $800
ICV broke, oil was spewing into exhaust 
86180 mi

C $150
Leaky coolant expansion tank 
86480 mi

C $225
Replace cvv or oil separator and associated hoses due to age (140000km). A small amount of gunk was seen inside oil separator. Hoses were hardened and one of them had a crack on it. 
88040 mi

C $300
Replaced leaky cooling thermostat and cooling hose between thermostat and radiator Replaced leaky cooling thermostat and cooling hose between thermostat and radiator 
148300 mi

US $245
Thermostat replaced. Service code p0128. 
160000 mi

US $600
Valve cover gasket replaced 
115000 mi Coolant leaking 
127000 mi Oil leak Secondary air flow reporting error code 
125000 mi Replaced intake sensor as engine would not start 
108000 mi Engine Mounts need replacing 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed manual RWD

175000 mi

US $4500
Replaced water pump, cooling fan and several hoses. Replaced serpentine belt and all idler pulleys 
180000 mi

US $150
Replaced entire crankcase ventilation system 
145000 mi

US $850
Several coolant leaks found. Replaced expansion tank, radiator and valve cover gasket. 
156000 mi

US $140
fuel pump failed 
124000 mi

C $800
Valve cover gasket leak - replaced 
146320 mi

C $220
Valve Cover gasket oil leak - replace gasket 
166040 mi

C $450
Intake manifold - valve not working causing engine to surge 
184140 mi

C $300
Coolant recovery tank cracked, causing coolant leak 
151000 mi

US $2300
Had random puffs of white smoke out the exhaust and slight loss of power. Replaced valve cover, valve cover gasket, oil filter housing. Problem is bad valve seals. Did not replace due to cost. Leaking coolant. Replaced thermostat. 
17900 mi Replace exhaust camshaft position sensor Fix pass. seat rattle 
41200 mi Replace mass airflow sensor 
48500 mi Replace thermostat 
105000 mi

US $100
CEL illuminated. Scan revealed failed radiator output temp sensor. Replaced sensor. 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed manual AWD

121000 mi The electric thermostat failed and had to be replaced. 
131000 mi

US $370
Expansion tank ruptured, replaced radiator hoses, tank and thermostat 
147000 mi

US $80
New plugs 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan

168-horsepower 2.2L I6 5-speed manual RWD

102380 mi Replaced thermostat. 
108520 mi

R 19000
Losing water. Radiator was replaced, water bottle cracked by new thermostat. Dealer only waived labor charge, said that the failure was "normal." Replaced all ignition coils and spark plugs. 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe

333-horsepower 3.2L I6 6-speed manual RWD

67000 mi

US $428
Replaced Oxygen Sensor post catalytic, bank 2 
88000 mi

US $230
Misfires on cylinder 1 and 6, replaced all 6 coils and spark plugs as repair. 
39569 mi

US $3324
Brake fluid changed, AC and alternator belts, muffler hanger BMW Vanos (variable valve timing) system replaced with Dr. Vanos system (aftermarket). 
38460 mi

US $350
Replaced ignition coils and spark plugs 
58668 mi Oil pan replaced due to over tightening of drain bolt. Stripped threads. 
58688 mi Replaced water pump/thermostat, under 90 warranty 
86018 mi

US $2748
Replace failed VANOs 
89000 mi

US $300
Repair exhaust hangers. Worn out and cracked. 
121000 mi

US $15
Rubber exhaust hanger broke and needed to be replaced 
238000 mi

US $50
Idler pulley seized up went to auto parts store and replaced it at home. Easy fix. 
133000 mi

US $75
Constant Pressure Valve needed to be replaced. $30 part, and needed $45 worth of tools to complete. 
130000 mi

US $129
replaced spark plugs and coils 
132300 mi

US $300
50-cent crush seal on vanos, rest labor; might have to replace vanos because of oil leak, fluid changes filter change 
83000 mi

US $800
vanos oil return line blew off, leaking oil all over engine and passenger side of engine bay into wheel well. Oil was dripping down to exhaust manifold causing it to burn off as well (lots of white smoke). line popped off on the highway 
67000 mi

US $1500
Water Pump and Fan was replaced along with the radiator. 
68300 mi

US $100
Replace O2 sensor. 
50000 mi

US $160
Replaced Ignition coils, as original coils are known to deteriorate over time. I felt about a dozen misses over a 2000 mi drive. The dealer who looked at it recommended replacement, but couldnt cover it under warranty, cause it hadn't thrown a code. 
54000 mi Car needed new engine so brought a used one from BM spares.  After engine replacement replaced Crank shaft sensor V common problem on these cars. 
87000 mi

US $400
Valve adjustment. 
113500 mi

US $100
Ignition coil replaced, spark plugs & fuel filter replaced. 
136500 mi

US $3900
valve adjust, variable cam solenoid, oil leak repair,  
137300 mi

US $20
service light came on again; apparently cam position solenoid replacement part failed. mechanic is researching similar failures to determine best course. 
139000 mi

US $150
Ignition coil needed replacement 
143200 mi

US $1000
Exhaust cam timing 
145000 mi Vanos adjustment. Mechanic misadjusted vanos on reassembly during earlier repair. 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe

333-horsepower 3.2L I6 6-speed automated manual RWD

79000 mi

US $1200
Check engine light came on. Took it to BMW dealer. They replaced an emission control unit (a $500 part, I think), and performed a BMW inspection I. Total cost $1200 to $1500 (I've forgotten the exact price.) 
50500 mi Oil Leak....not yet found. Put dye in system. Think it's the S54's relief valve sticking open from time to time. Looking for an oil leak. 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe

225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD

142000 mi

US $3000
water pump 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe

225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

89000 mi

US $400
Coolant tank cracked and needed replacement. 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe

225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed manual RWD

129000 mi

US $1057
pulleys and accessory drive belts 
160000 mi

US $465
fuel pump failed, replaced 
164700 mi

US $300
oil filter housing replaced 
180700 mi

US $287
replaced intake cam sensor and coolant temp switch 
188300 mi

US $2416
replaced water pump, thermostat, tensioner pulley, main serpentine belt 
192300 mi

US $1225
Oxygen sensors, crankcase vent kit, DISA valve 
193400 mi

US $457
Secondary air pump and EGR valve replaced. 
203000 mi

US $1300
Replaced catalytic converters with used units 
104000 mi

US $60
thermostat 
98000 mi

US $112
Replace water pump not due to malfunction, annoying sound appeared. Car was drivable before the repair. 
130000 mi

US $200
The adjusting valve or "disa" valve was leaking air causing a check engine light. Replaced disa valve. 
31000 mi Faulty ignition coil repaired under warranty. 
45880 mi

C $240
Thermostat replaced. 
76000 mi clutch replacement water pump and thermostat replacement 
79320 mi

C $865
Replace faulty thermostat 
80600 mi

C $205
Replaced rubber intake boots, rebuilt DISA valve 
80900 mi

C $372
Electric cooling fan failed 
82000 mi

C $137
Faulty exhaust can position sensor 
87400 mi

C $1800
Oil separator failure. Replaced entire crankcase ventilation system, intake manifold gasket, valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, VANOS oil line. Thermostat leaking; replaced under part warranty. 
88440 mi

C $189
Replaced faulty intake camshaft position sensor. 
99200 mi

C $750
Replaced accessory belts 
119040 mi

C $1125
Replace failed valve cover gasket after CCV clogged 
127720 mi

C $1600
Replaced failed valve cover;  replaced failing accessory belt tensioners and idler pulleys. 
129200 mi Service Engine Soon (SES) light activated. Codes p0171 and p0174= lean on both banks. 
130000 mi

US $650
Intermittent Service Engine Soon (SES) light for "lean on both banks". 
193400 mi

US $110
expansion tank leak water pump leak 
238000 mi

US $160
Fuel pump failure, replaced. radiator small leak, replaced. 
88400 mi

US $67
Idler pulley broke while driving. Replaced pulley and belts Idler pulley broke while driving. Replaced pulley and both belts 
74680 mi

C $600
replaced thermostat DISA valve flap making noise 
76880 mi

C $250
Replace idler pulley 
77380 mi

C $1000
replace expansion tank 
79560 mi

C $600
replaced crankcase ventilation valve (high oil consumption) and one (1) ignition coil 
84320 mi

C $800
Replace thermostat  Replace engine valve gaskets 
84320 mi

C $420
Diagnose and replace upper radiator hose 
80000 mi

C $1600
Leaking radiator 
92380 mi

C $400
Oil filter housing leak. Replace gasket. 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe

184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

88000 mi

US $475
Replaced water pump 
89000 mi Car ran very rough then stalled and wouldn't re-start. Had to be towed to shop. Started and ran perfectly the next day. No computer codes! Shop tech. put 100 miles on the car trying to duplicate the problem. No luck. 
92500 mi

US $500
Replaced fuel pump. Working perfectly when the car was being driven. The problem only occured when starting the car. It wouldn't start at all or started and ran very rough at low idle. 
101000 mi

US $1500
Cooling Ststem: Plastic Tanks cracked under coolant fill cap and on radiator. Replaced tank and radiator/tank. Surprised BMW makes these thermally stressed coolant tanks out of plastic... Cheap to make expensive to fix... 
121000 mi Water pump replaced 8/14 failed and leaked resulting in coolant loss, engine overheated badly, head warped, head gasket blew,coolant flow into cylinder, engine totaled. Giving car to charity.Cost to replace engine (used)= value of car :( 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe

184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed manual RWD

169000 mi

US $13
Expansion tank cap replaced. The plastic at the second o-ring had broken. Leaving one intact o-ring.  
179000 mi Replaced both intake hoses due to CEL 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 2dr Convertible

333-horsepower 3.2L I6 6-speed manual RWD

53000 mi

US $200
One exhaust system mounting bracket replaced. 
78300 mi

US $750
Freeze expansion plug blew out of engine, leaked oil from cylinders onto exhaust assy. 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 2dr Convertible

333-horsepower 3.2L I6 6-speed automated manual RWD

71000 mi

US $150
Oil leak from oil level sensor. 
85000 mi

US $650
oil level sensor leaking; 4th time replaced 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 2dr Convertible

225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD

126000 mi

US $420
oil leak in common area for m54 engine; oil filter housing gasket replaced. also preventive maintenance replaced pre and post o2 sensors. 
110000 mi Leak around crankcase: no estimate; needed further exploration. Leak around seal that had been recently replaced: $400 
111000 mi

US $30
Thermostat replacement 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 2dr Convertible

225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed manual RWD

85000 mi

US $900
valve seal damage engine temp sensor damaged 
100000 mi

US $7000
New clutch (preventive - original clutch had not failed 
109200 mi

US $600
Replace rubber air intake passages. Original equipment age cracked. 
138000 mi

US $800
Intermittent misfire, replaced three ignition coils. 
64167 mi

US $165
Water pump failed. Part was under warranty, only cost was coolant. Valve cover gasket VANOS Seals replaced, symptoms were lack of power at low RPM 
86000 mi

US $450
Replaced engine thermostat following "Service Engine Soon" light. 
45000 mi

US $350
Check engine warning light, reset. 
68000 mi

US $600
Exhaust system. Brakes redone. New wheels and tires. Regular maintenance. Total of $6,000. 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 2dr Convertible

184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD

127000 mi

US $1100
fuel pump failed 
141000 mi

US $1200
oil leak 
146600 mi

US $300
oil leak 
163300 mi

US $740
replaced radiator and fan 
177000 mi

US $180
replaced valve cover gasket 
181000 mi

US $200
replaced thermostat per check engine codes 
131000 mi

US $127
replaced fuel pump under back seat of car, took about 30 mins. to do. 
126000 mi

US $50
I had to replace a leaky valve cover gasket. 
135000 mi

US $150
The cooling system expansion tank ruptured and caused a massive loss of coolant. I removed and replaced the tank. For peace of mind, I also purchased a new coolant level sensor which mounts in the bottom of the tank. 
143000 mi

US $125
I had misfire codes for 2 cylinders, replaced the spark plugs with no change in the problems. I then changed the ignition coils for those same 2 cylinders and the error codes, and rough engine problems were solved. 

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2002 BMW 3-Series 2dr Convertible

168-horsepower 2.2L I6 5-speed manual RWD

101680 mi

€200
fuel pump dead 
139500 mi

€660
DISA broken 

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2002 BMW 3-Series Engine Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2002 BMW 3-Series problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.