BMW 3-Series BMW 3-Series

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BMW 3-Series repairs by problem area

Engine (42%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (6%)

Brakes and Traction Control (4%)

Suspension and Steering (11%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (25%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (8%)

Other (5%)

Chart based on 8820 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the BMW 3-Series.

BMW 3-Series repair cost distribution

$2500+ (5%)

$1000 - $2499 (16%)

$500 - $999 (19%)

$100 - $499 (35%)

< $100 (24%)

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

Chart based on 4117 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

BMW 3-Series problems by year

before 2001 (14%)

2002 - 2005 (26%)

2006 - 2006 (11%)

2007 - 2008 (23%)

2009 - 2011 (17%)

2012 - 2015 (8%)

2016 - 2018 (1%)

2019 - 2022 (0%)

2023 - present (0%)

Chart based on 8916 repair trips.
See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans and Wagons.
See TrueDelta's information for all BMW models.

What Our Members Are Saying about the Personal Experiences of the BMW 3-Series

BMW 3-Series Personal Experiences: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2010 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
Owned 3 series for 10 years before this purchase - loved my E46 full 2010 BMW 3-Series review
2009 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
This is my second BMW and a thrill and pleasure to drive. The car fits me like a glove and is not too large or too small for my everyday driving needs. full 2009 BMW 3-Series review
2009 2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
Lont term body integrity full 2009 BMW 3-Series review
2009 4dr Sedan 414-horsepower 4.0L V8
6-speed manual RWD
I enjoyed owning my previous 330. full 2009 BMW 3-Series review
2008 2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
Excellent reliability of 2008 535xi wagon, wonderful car to drive. full 2008 BMW 3-Series review
2008 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD
Owned a previous 3 series, starting looking at the competition however I felt I would not be as happy full 2008 BMW 3-Series review
2008 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
This is our 4th 3 series car. They have been reliable and all have given us fine driving experiences. full 2008 BMW 3-Series review
2007 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
Owned older version 3 series and really liked the car. full 2007 BMW 3-Series review
2007 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD
This is my 5th BMW. Each one gets better. Nothing handles like a BMW. Hold their value very well. Available as a manual shift full 2007 BMW 3-Series review
2007 2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
Dealer and service excellent. full 2007 BMW 3-Series review
BMW 3-Series Personal Experiences: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2006 4dr Sedan 255-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
I've loved my 3-Series BMWs, but they can be very expensive to repair. full 2006 BMW 3-Series review
 

BMW 3-Series Problems and Repair Histories

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 BMW 3-Series problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.