| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2004 BMW 3-Series repairs by problem area
Engine (42%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (6%)
Brakes and Traction Control (3%)
Suspension and Steering (16%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (23%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (6%)
Other (5%)
Select a problem area
Chart based on 751 repairs.
2004 BMW 3-Series suspension repair cost distribution
$2500+ (4%)
$1000 - $2499 (23%)
$500 - $999 (24%)
$100 - $499 (31%)
< $100 (19%)
Chart based on 102 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2004 BMW 3-Series
Engine not specified
| 55000 mi US $1100 |
control arm bushing power steering hoses and pump were replaced. |
| 58000 mi US $1200 |
steering pump fail, power steering hose has leaks. This suck because my 1997 honda accord has about 200k miles and doesn't has any of these problem. |
| 79360 mi | Steering pump leaked and replaced. Very slight knock on steering wheel can be felt when idle before replacement. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Wagon
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 108500 mi C $10 |
Power steering pump failed - replaced for third time - under warranty |
| 124000 mi C $300 |
Replace front shocks |
| 147560 mi C $600 |
Rod was loose and dangerous - failure could cause wheels to move independently if left |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Wagon
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 32240 mi | Replaced rear sway bar and linkage. Under warranty. |
| 35960 mi C $250 |
Repair front control arm. 4 wheel aligment done on car. |
| 85440 mi C $76 |
Replaced lower control arm bushings on both front wheels. Turned out to be parts set up for track, sent in error. Ordered correct parts. |
| 87820 mi C $230 |
Replaced worn out front lower control arm bushings, both sides of car, this time with the correct OEM parts. |
| 94240 mi C $650 |
lower control arm ball joint failure, drivers side. Replaced both front control arms and ball joints. |
| 81000 mi US $800 |
replaced both rear springs - broken off near bottom and resting directly on supports |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Wagon
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed manual RWD
| 89100 mi US $700 |
Clunking at low speeds and wandering on the highway. Replaced front control arms, FCA bushings, and sway bar endlinks as recommended at this mileage. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
235-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 90200 mi US $95 |
replaced worn front control arm bushings |
| 77000 mi US $160 |
Control arm bushings worn, replaced. |
| 90000 mi US $55 |
Replaced worn front control arm bushings (FCAB). |
| 109700 mi US $1300 |
Sway bar links needed to be replaced. |
| 127000 mi US $3000 |
Rear passenger side wheel bearing replaced Leak coming from power steering hose. Hose, clamp, and gasket replaced. Rear sway bar end links were completely broken, shop removed what was left of the endlinks and just removed the sway bar completely until I get suspension parts. Was notified that rear shocks totally blown as well as both rear springs both broken (apparently this is a common issue). No repair done yet, ordered parts online and will replace as DIY. |
| 128000 mi US $850 |
Replaced rear shocks, springs, and all associated hardware (shock mounts, bolts, reinforcement plates, bump stops, etc...) |
| 135000 mi US $1200 |
Control arm bushing replacement and shock/strut replacement |
| 129000 mi US $1000 |
New shocks, struts, sprongs and both front and rear control arm bushings. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
235-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 88000 mi US $100 |
Replaced power steering reservoir (dirty filter) and clamps (leaking). |
| 89000 mi US $900 |
Replaced struts, shocks and springs. Shocks and struts were completely shot. |
| 92700 mi US $200 |
Swaybar links and tierods. Alignment from local shop. |
| 96500 mi US $150 |
Front wheel bearings were worn and needed to be replaced. |
| 120500 mi US $750 |
Anti roll bar end links torn |
| 102700 mi US $2100 |
front control arm bushings worn |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
225-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 133200 mi US $600 |
Original shocks and struts were worn out. Replaced with OEM parts. Replacement cost includes all new hardware associated with install - bolts, nuts, washers, etc. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
225-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual AWD
| 115000 mi US $1200 |
Heavy steering. Steering rack replaced |
| 145000 mi US $85 |
Both rear coil springs - replaced with new Bilstein |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 68820 mi C $1600 |
Leaking power steering rack. Replaced. Ball joints worn. Whole assembly replaced on both sides. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 90000 mi US $1900 |
replace all front suspension components,and full alignment. |
| 135000 mi US $600 |
new springs,shocks and struts plus alignment. price didnt include parts as i had planned on doing it myself. i had read that the rear springs were prone to breaking on the 330xi and one was broken. |
| 76000 mi US $300 |
rear drivers side shock broke after pothole. the shock itself sheared clean through, so no other damage. |
| 85500 mi US $3000 |
power steering hose, |
| 104000 mi US $1200 |
Broken rear springs, both sides, rear shocks both sides |
| 145000 mi US $675 |
Front lower control arms, ball joints and bushings. Sway rod ends. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 6-speed automated manual RWD
| 87000 mi | The front bushings would need to be replaced at some point (they made rattles when you hit bumps in the road). |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 57520 mi C $100 |
Replaced front stabilizer links. Warranty paid $139 of $239 total. |
| 62620 mi C $600 |
Replaced both front lower control arms and left tie rod Covered under 3rd party warranty (EasyCare) We paid $100 deductible on control arms - would have been $1200 Paid $362 parts & labor for left tie rod |
| 90000 mi US $400 |
Replaced power steering hose. |
| 82000 mi | Control arm bushing. |
| 65000 mi US $1000 |
Front control arm bushing repairs |
| 106000 mi US $110 |
Wheel bearing started to make some noise. |
| 30380 mi | Broken rear spring. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 62000 mi US $560 |
Control Arm Bushings Worn. Maintenance indicator 700 miles short of service interval. Oil change and 60K to be completed when indicator comes on. |
| 42780 mi C $1300 |
Oil leak from power steering pump. |
| 77005 mi C $1300 |
Repair A/C, water pump, coil springs,shocks, belt, stabilizer links, cabin filter, |
| 56000 mi US $300 |
both rear springs were broke and replaced |
| 72200 mi US $100 |
front control arm bushing |
| 73000 mi US $800 |
one inner and 2 outer tie rods 2 Stabilizer links |
| 98000 mi | new control arms and stabilizers last ones only lasted 2 yrs. |
| 106000 mi US $165 |
power steering pump filter and housing. |
| 43000 mi US $1000 |
Rear springs cracked. |
| 53200 mi US $800 |
Lower control arm bushings |
| 57300 mi US $1200 |
Replaced right front sway bar link. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed manual RWD
| 41373 mi C $56 |
Noise from front suspension. Replaced stabilizer pins? |
| 62994 mi C $995 |
Blown right front shock (bad roads?). Replaced both front shocks. |
| 89280 mi C $900 |
Sway bar bushings, CABs |
| 63167 mi US $172 |
Replaced rear shock mounts. Worn ones were making "thunking' sound from rear when going over bumps. Covered under BMW CPO program. I paid $50, BMW/dealer paid rest. Changed oil and oil filter. Replaced rear shock mounts. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4dr Sedan
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed manual AWD
| 140000 mi US $500 |
Axle, ball joint, control arm |
2004 BMW 3-Series 4-door
turbocharged 6-cylinder diesel automatic AWD
| 96600 mi | Replace steering rack |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
333-horsepower 3.2L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 61000 mi US $500 |
Rear trailing arm bushings (RTAB) were shot. Replaced with new and limiters. |
| 108000 mi US $1100 |
Replaced power steering pump, reservoir, and all hoses. Had a minor leak in a hose and metal pieces in power steering fluid reservoir, so replaced entire power steering system. |
| 89200 mi US $60 |
Clunk through steering wheel on braking. Diagnosed as excessively worn rear lower control arm bushing on passenger side. Ordered online and replaced. |
| 26000 mi US $400 |
Front control arm bushing needed replacement. |
| 65000 mi US $600 |
I track this car so you might consider this a consumable but it happens often. Front Control Arm and Rear Trailing Arm bushings needed replacement. |
| 91000 mi US $900 |
Front control arm bushing failed and ball joints had play so entire l & r control arms replaced. |
| 121000 mi US $50 |
Replaced lower steering shaft coupler to eliminate excessive play in steering. |
| 50000 mi US $230 |
RTABs were replaced. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
333-horsepower 3.2L I6 6-speed automated manual RWD
| 230200 mi US $2500 |
Rear subframe mount points cracked, required welding and reinforcement. All rubber parts in rear suspension, diff mounts & shocks also replaced as maintenance items. |
| 49000 mi US $250 |
Replaced the high pressure power steering hose. |
| 81000 mi US $2000 |
Front right wheel hub assembly replaced. |
| 164000 mi US $420 |
High pressure power steering hose failure. $230 OE replacement + fluid. |
| 99000 mi US $1645 |
rear control arm bushings were worn. 4 hours shop labor, only $60 for the part at dealer. Nobody but the dealer would have found this. New rear tires wore out in 5,000 miles. Car handles like new now. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
235-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 60000 mi US $200 |
Front lower control arm bushings failed and replaced. |
| 151000 mi US $500 |
Replace left rear wheel bearing to eliminate rumbling noise. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
225-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 102000 mi US $1500 |
Control arms |
| 153400 mi | Car had a metallic rattling noise from the trunk area which was getting worse. Ended up stripping the inside of the trunk and found the nut at the top of the suspension support loose. Tightened it up and the rattle is now gone. |
| 157000 mi £40 |
Car was pulling to one side when initially applying or releasing the brake, though slowed in a straight line once brakes fully applied. Replaced the front suspension wishbone bush on the passenger side |
| 158500 mi £100 |
Noticed that right rear of the car was lower than usual and other side. Replaced rear suspension coils, which are known to fail. No clear failure of spring, but new springs resolved the height difference |
| 164000 mi £80 |
Rear bush for the suspension wishbone was damaged. Car was starting to wander a bit on the motorway at higher speeds. Rear bushes were replaced and the problem is resolved - much more stable and better tracking on the motorway, and better feel through the steering. |
| 167 mi £100 |
Rear shocks were found to be significantly degraded - offered no resistance or push back for much of the shocks travel. Replaced the shocks, and also found that the bump stocks had dry rotted and that a number of the washers were rusted and or damaged, so were replaced. Also replaced the shock mounts as a precaution, although the original ones appeared to be fine. Rear trailing arm bushes on rear suspension had been noted as being worn at previous MOT. Driver also noted some movement in the rear, particularly under hard cornering. Upon removal, old bushes were found to have the rubber intact and in okay condition, but the metal casing had corroded to powder. New bushes were installed using a special bushing tool specifically designed for the car. |
| 67000 mi US $270 |
Front control arm bushings wore out, replaced them with new ones. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
225-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed automated manual RWD
| 78000 mi US $700 |
Replaced front control arms, control arm bushings, sway bar links, and tie rods. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 143000 mi US $2800 |
front end alignment and 2 new tires |
| 69000 mi | Dealer said front sway arm bushings were starting to detererat and recomended replacement. Cost was about $400. Decided not to do its at that time due to no noticable driving diffrence and scheduling conflicts. |
| 72000 mi US $300 |
Replaced Control Arm Bushings which had deterioated. Replaced lower left rear window trim peice as rubber gasket was cracking. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Coupe
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed manual RWD
| 59000 mi US $60 |
Control arm bushings were causing a vibration through the steering wheel when braking from highway speeds. |
| 83400 mi US $1700 |
I had to replace the front and rear shock absorbers on my car. The damage was due to road construction by the city. |
| 178000 mi US $250 |
I replace the lower control arms subframe bushings among other bushings |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Convertible
333-horsepower 3.2L I6 6-speed manual RWD
| 53000 mi US $500 |
Tightened swaybar bolt. |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Convertible
333-horsepower 3.2L I6 6-speed automated manual RWD
| 53000 mi US $800 |
ball joint replacement (required new control arm), power steering leak, |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Convertible
235-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 74000 mi US $170 |
Replaced both front control arm bushings. |
| 74300 mi US $260 |
Replaced both front wheel bearings, dust caps & seals. |
| 99300 mi US $75 |
Replaced worn out front control arm bushings. |
| 105000 mi US $1200 |
Replaced worn out tie rods. |
| 119000 mi US $400 |
Replaced front struts and top hats. |
| 121000 mi US $200 |
Replace leaking power steering hoses. |
| 129000 mi US $1075 |
New control arms needed (both). |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Convertible
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 119000 mi US $1900 |
Front stabilizer bar repleaced |
2004 BMW 3-Series 2dr Convertible
184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed manual RWD
| 134000 mi US $100 |
replaced tie rod end |
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