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BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class Lemon Odds and Nada Odds for the Year Ending June 30, 2018

An asterisk (*) marks results based on small sample sizes.

Year Make/Model Nada Odds per 100 Cars Lemon Odds per 100 Cars    
50 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 22200 miles driven

Refresh. Most of the reported repairs are minor creaks and rattles, plus some minor electrical problems.
2016
BMW 3-Series / M3
[?] see reported repairs
  50 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 22200 miles driven

Refresh. Most of the reported repairs are minor creaks and rattles, plus some minor electrical problems.
51 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 31100 miles driven

Includes 4-Series.
2015
BMW 3-Series / M3
[?] see reported repairs
  51 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 31100 miles driven

Includes 4-Series.
62 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 48000 miles driven

Includes 4-Series.
2014
BMW 3-Series
[?] see reported repairs
  62 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 48000 miles driven

Includes 4-Series.
42 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 46400 miles driven

Refreshed for this model year. Reliable so far.
2014
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
[?] see reported repairs
  42 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 46400 miles driven

Refreshed for this model year. Reliable so far.
37 vehicles, 11.1 months per vehicle, 62500 miles driven2013 BMW 3-Series 4dr
[?] see reported repairs
  37 vehicles, 11.1 months per vehicle, 62500 miles driven
66 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 72200 miles driven

Average odometer reading much lower for the M3. Common problem with the water pump in the 335i.
2011
BMW 328
[?] see reported repairs
  66 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 72200 miles driven

Average odometer reading much lower for the M3. Common problem with the water pump in the 335i.
26 vehicles, 11.1 months per vehicle, 86200 miles driven

Redesigned for this model year.
2010
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  26 vehicles, 11.1 months per vehicle, 86200 miles driven

Redesigned for this model year.
27 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 96900 miles driven2007 BMW 328 Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  27 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 96900 miles driven
25 vehicles, 11.2 months per vehicle, 99000 miles driven2007 BMW 335 Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  25 vehicles, 11.2 months per vehicle, 99000 miles driven
30 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 120700 miles driven

First year for the E90 4-door.
2006
BMW 3-Series 4dr Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  30 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 120700 miles driven

First year for the E90 4-door.
31 vehicles, 10.9 months per vehicle, 146500 miles driven

Average odometer reading much lower for the M3.
2004
BMW 3-Series Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  31 vehicles, 10.9 months per vehicle, 146500 miles driven

Average odometer reading much lower for the M3.
26 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 143000 miles driven

Average odometer reading much lower for the M3.
2002
BMW 3-Series Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  26 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 143000 miles driven

Average odometer reading much lower for the M3.

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BMW 3-Series vs. Mercedes-Benz E-Class Lemon Odds and Nada Odds

Other sources of BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class reliability data provide only averages, which can conceal as much as they reveal. So we also report the percentage of BMW 3-Seriess and Mercedes-Benz E-Classs with no repairs at all in the past year and the percentage of BMW 3-Seriess and Mercedes-Benz E-Classs that are lemons (required three or more repair trips in the past year). These figures might surprise you.

These stats are promptly updated four times a year, to closely track BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class lemon odds as the cars age. Others can be over a year behind. Only TrueDelta tells you how reliable the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class have been recently.

To see how frequently BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.

What Our Members Are Saying about the Brand Reputation of the BMW 3-Series

BMW 3-Series Brand Reputation: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2010 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
see full BMW 3-Series review
2009 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
Acura = Honda Audi = VW Mercedes = Chrysler (still) Lexus = Toyota Infinity = Datsun BMW = BMW see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD
BMW proved once again the 3 series is the ultimate driving machine see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD
well regarded by most enthusiasts see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
BMW 3 series regularly makes lists as a "drivers car" and best in its class. see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
Looks are amazing. see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD
Built solidly and lasts see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
exclusivity see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD
The 3-series is considered the benchmark for sporty sedans. see full BMW 3-Series review
2007 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD
the 3-series really seems to be the sport sedan icon to which all other brands are compared. It feels good owning the best-of-the-best. And did I mention great re-sale value? A truly great, dependable and well-handling car. see full BMW 3-Series review
BMW 3-Series Brand Reputation: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 4dr Sedan turbocharged 265hp 3.0L I6 Diesel
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
You know. But hey, you buy it because of how it drives, irregardless of others perceptions. see full BMW 3-Series review
2002 2dr Coupe 225-horsepower 3.0L I6
5-speed manual RWD
When you drive a BMW, everyone on the road assumes you're the biggest a$$hole on the face of the Earth. Sure there are some bad actors out there, but the majority of us are really nice people...I promise! see full BMW 3-Series review
 

TrueDelta Reviews the Brand Reputation of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Brand Reputation: Pros
YearComment
2014 I tend to ignore brand reputation and image, and this is reflected in my reviews. But there's just no way to ignore that a Mercedes is a Mercedes. Audi and BMW now command similar prices, but haven't yet acquired the same mystique. They probably never will for people born before 1980. This mystique cuts both ways. The three-pointed star makes too strong a statement for some people. see full Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Brand Reputation of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Brand Reputation: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2010 4dr Sedan 268-horsepower 3.5L V6
7-speed shiftable automatic RWD
Premium mark, german engineering and ride. Powertrain durability see full Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
2009 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 3.0L V6 Diesel
7-speed shiftable automatic RWD
Prestige see full Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
2008 4dr Sedan 268-horsepower 3.5L V6
7-speed shiftable automatic RWD
Good looking & styling. see full Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
2007 4dr Sedan 268-horsepower 3.5L V6
7-speed shiftable automatic RWD
It is a Mercedes, enough said. see full Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
2007 4dr Sedan 268-horsepower 3.5L V6
7-speed shiftable automatic RWD
The Merc E-Class has established itself as a performer as well as a superior luxury vehicle. see full Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
2007 4dr Sedan 507-horsepower 6.2L V8
7-speed shiftable automatic RWD
It is Mercedes, there is nothing like pulling up to a place in an AMG. see full Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
2007 4dr Sedan 382-horsepower 5.5L V8
7-speed shiftable automatic RWD
Mercedes Benz brand reputation speaks for itself. see full Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
2005 4dr Sedan supercharged 469hp 5.4L V8
5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
Mercedes is still king. Is why you see movie stars go buy them. see full Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
2004 4dr Sedan 221-horsepower 3.2L V6
5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
It is the quintisential Mercedes. see full Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
2004 4dr Sedan supercharged 469hp 5.4L V8
5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
Mercedes has always been a car that demands perfection from its assembly line. And AMG even raises the bar. see full Mercedes-Benz E-Class review