Is the BMW 3 Series really unreliable and expensive to maintain?

It seems there are lots of dissatisfied BMW 3 series owners (going by comments on various consumer reviews). Is there any statistic showing the ratio of dissatisfied versus satisfied owners in the USA? My thinking is that consumers with horrific experiences are twice more likely to vent their frustrations via various feedback/review systems than satisfied customers echoing their positive experiences via the same medium. I'm interested in buying a 2002-06 BMW 325 or 330.Is the BMW 3 Series really unreliable and expensive to maintain?Hi AyD



In my honest opinion, the 3 series is neither unreliable or expensive to maintain.



Firstly, maintenance if anything has got less expensive as labour times for servicing have been cut and the introduction of CBS (Conditioned based servicing) which involves only replcing parts when they really need replacing.

This however has generated some unhappiness with customers as it then means slightly more visits to the dealer ie Sparkplug service one month/ Oil and filter the following month / Brake fluid two months after etc etc.



With regard to reliability, I am not saying the 3 is flawless however all models in every brand has problems. Some vehicle manufacturers are better than others at keeping things quiet if you know what I mean.



The 3 Series was recently (November 10th 2008) voted most reliable car in the UK which for the first time put it ahead of all Japenese models. I am not aware of any fundemental differences between the US 3 series and the UK 3 series. Have a read.........



http://www.vcars.co.uk/news/bmw/3-series…



One thing of note is that BMW are selling more and more every year. A percentage of those will have problems, the more they sell then the more that have problems is always likely to increase.



If I could afford it right now a 3 would be my first purchase.



Hope I helped, Happy New Year,

PythIs the BMW 3 Series really unreliable and expensive to maintain?
All of the newer BMW lines have been plagued by one set of problems or another. The most common problems seem to be electrical in nature, which unfortunately is often the system that goes out of warranty first and is the most expensive to fix/replace.

Edmunds.com is a good source when researching any car line. They review each model themselves, as well as allowing reviews from consumers, which give you a better idea of what problems come up over the life of the vehicle. There is also a convenient cost calculation that charts have much you can expect to pay in repairs and maintenance, etc. throughout the life of the car.Is the BMW 3 Series really unreliable and expensive to maintain?Yes. Period.



ok i've been driving bmw's for awhile now. They are GOOD while it lasts, best performance/price ratio if you compare with benz or audi.



BUT always sell your bimmer after 2-3 years, they cost more to repair then audi AND mercedes benz. They are just too complex for current day technology, too many things can go wrong and some you can't repair without buying new equipment.



Stuff i had to replace:

Heating system

Glove compartment (because the spring broke and it won't open, had to buy a whole new case)

idrive....!!!



*i also know a friend with a 5 series and his engine just stopped working. on the spot, he doesn't even drive crazy, something inside broke so he fixed it and sold it. then he used to money to buy a audi.
yes...that can be true..but being an owner of one...it's pretty old...a 316i if you will...and it hasn't given me any problems....i think though..that some of the new ones have that unreliability and cost a fortune to run....that's why i stuck to my car...anyways....i think that...no, it's not that unreliable and expensive..it's always better than owning a higher-level 5-series..then you would need a bigger fortune to run...and in europe...it outsells the Ford Mondeo....which means people like the 3-series more.....you get more for your money if you buy a 3-series and it's like you enter a prestigious club that is exclusive for bmw drivers..Is the BMW 3 Series really unreliable and expensive to maintain?Depending on if you are handy or car savy. You might consider a repair as a big thing or small thing. BMW's come with a 4 year 50,000 mile free maintainence program where you have 4 years of free service at shceduled intervals. After 4 years you are on your own or may extend it to 6 years. Most indiivduals find it expensive to maintain because they bring their cars to the dealerships and have no idea about how to fix these cars. Fixing the cars yourself is the chepaer route.Is the BMW 3 Series really unreliable and expensive to maintain?
We love our 325. We have a 2006 and before that a 2001. neither has given us any major problems. Any small things that we have needed have been under the 100,000 mile maintenance package (highly recommended) and the folks at BMW are incredibly helpful and easy to work with. I have driven quite a few different cars in my day and the BMW is by far the best on the road.
BMW in themself are overrated unbelievably.

The only thing people recognise is that its a BMW.....

the fact still stands tho that underneath its a crap car.Is the BMW 3 Series really unreliable and expensive to maintain?
I think you have to look at this situation from a broad perspective. I recently bought a new 3 series and have no complaints at all about it. And I know many people who own BMW 3 series cars and have no problems with them either. The fact is that no car is perfect. You may be lucky enough to buy one and never have any problems at all with it for as long as you own it. But they are machines, and after a while you're going to have one problem with them or another.



I think it depends on a number of other things, too. Many people who own BMWs like to think of them as 'performance' cars, and they race the cars and drive them hard. As much as the 3 series is a staunch performer, its also a delicate piece of engineering. If you handle the car rough then its going to need more repairs sooner. Routine maintenance on a new BMW costs nothing because the factory warranty covers most things.



Some people also regularly put low grade fuel in the car to save money, and when the engine gets messed up they complain.



Another thing to remember is that all luxury cars typically come with a a lot of fancy electronics and gadgetry, and some of these things are often the first to go---but, again, they are covered by the factory warranty. Its really not a big deal. All you have to do is drive the car to the dealership (or they will tow it in), and while they're fixing it they give you a loaner. What you would have to be concerned about is driving the car after it goes off warranty, and unless you buy an extended warranty from the manufacturer then all the expenses will be out of pocket. This is true not only of BMW, but also of Mercedes, Lexus and all the others.