100,000 km or more is regarded as high mileage for the majority of sellers and BMW owners. Drivers typically estimate that a car will only last four to five more years after 100,000 miles.
A basic BMW will survive for at least 150,000 kilometers. But because to technical improvements made by BMW, some of their cars may now survive up to 200,000 or even 250,000 kilometers. In order to get the most life out of a used BMW, try to choose one with fewer than 100,000 miles on it.
A typical American driver logs 12,000 to 13,000 miles annually. Multiply the number of years you anticipate using the vehicle by 12,500 miles, and then account for the remaining mileage on the BMW. For instance, you must go at least 62,500 miles if you want this BMW to last for 5 years. You must locate a BMW with 100,000 miles or fewer because they only last between 150,000 and 200,000 kilometers. More than that, and the BMW is probably going to malfunction before the five years are up.
In This Article...
How Was the Car Maintained by the Previous Owner?
The importance of the owner taking care of the vehicle’s maintenance and repairs increases as the vehicle ages.
High mileage BMWs can be quite valuable to second, third, and fourth owners, but if the mileage reaches close to 100,000, it is crucial that the car has been well-kept.
The last thing you want to do is buy a ten-year-old E90 3 Series with 120,000 miles on it and poor maintenance from the previous owner. It WILL deplete your bank account and BE VERY UNRELAXED. You will have spent thousands of dollars more than the cost of the automobile by the time you are done restoring one to decent shape!
I have firsthand experience with the dramatic impact that properly maintained BMWs make. In my line of work, I occasionally purchased 3 Series BMWs with more than 100,000 miles on them to conduct some small repairs and resell, and occasionally I purchased BMWs with the same mileage for $500 since they were in terrible shape.
What Does a BMW Have a High Mileage?
“There is no such thing as an old BMW,” is a saying that’s popular among auto enthusiasts. BMW vehicles from the 1980s are considered classics around the world, and admirers assert that they still drive well today. In America, there are numerous BMW vehicle clubs.
However, the German brand has a few duds in its range that you should steer clear of, just like all automakers. Neither the 2012 BMW 3 Series nor the 2016 BMW 3 Series nor the 2009 BMW 5 Series should be purchased.
Some models might be available online for inexpensive prices, but that is only because they will stop working after a few thousand miles of use.
BMWs may be driven up to 300,000 or even 500,000 miles with proper maintenance, which is a very high mileage for any vehicle.
Furthermore, you’ll be traveling those kilometers in comfort that a Toyota or a Kia cannot offer.
How Many Miles Can a BMW 3 Series Expect?
In general, BMW 3 series cars are strong, dependable, and robust; when well-maintained, they can last a very long time.
There are many reports online from owners who are close to reaching 200k miles and many others who have reached this milestone, however it is impossible to overstate the value of routine maintenance.
There are tales of owners clocking far over 300k, and some owners we encountered having driven well above 250k.
While high mileages like this aren’t impossible, they shouldn’t be expected, thus we suggest setting a reasonable expectation for a 3 Series BMW’s lifespan to lie between 200k and 250k.
Big-ticket components, like the engine or transmission, start to fail after a certain number of kilometers; when this happens, the expense of repairing the car exceeds its value.
These factors impact longevity:
- Climate
- driving practices
- How strictly maintenance guidelines are adhered to
In states (at least in the US) with little to no snow and temperate temperatures, many BMW buyers search for secondhand cars.
No matter where the car has been driven, a full service history is crucial, and many forum users swear by the rule that they’ll never purchase a BMW out of warranty.
Japanese automobiles are often regarded as being more durable; nevertheless, one adage should be treated with caution:
BMWs last a lifetime if you maintain them. Hondas, however, last a long time despite not being serviced!
In essence, you must keep up with maintenance if you want your 3 Series to enjoy a long, healthy life.
This include performing routine inspections of things like fluid levels, air filters, tire pressures, etc., as well as adhering to the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance intervals.
Comparison of BMW models with other brands
According to data from 2017 provided by U.S. News, BMW models had an average of 139 issues per 100 vehicles. A comparable but marginally lower 131 faults per 100 cars were experienced by Mercedes-Benz.
The majority of vehicles from other automakers are thought to be free of problems before 100,000 miles, aside from regular wear and tear. For this reason, many warranties include the first 100,000 miles. Even after only 20,000 miles, minor mechanical issues can arise, but routine maintenance can generally fix them.
Conversations on Quora reveal a range of customer experiences. Significant issues also point to factors including road conditions, driving habits, and regular maintenance. For instance, clutches can go far beyond 100,000 miles unless the driver shifts quickly or grinds in harder than usual on a regular basis.
The lesson? More expensive cars are not necessarily more reliable. While certain BMW models continue to run smoothly after the typical road life, most BMW owners start having issues sooner rather than later. Additionally, those fixes typically cost more.
Is a BMW with high miles worthwhile?
In order to wrap up this article, let’s review everything we’ve covered. In general, BMW vehicles get good gas mileage. They typically reach their maximum range of 150–250,000 miles. Therefore, anything in the range is considered to have a mileage that may be too high to justify owning the car. But when they reach 60–80,000 miles, the majority of BMWs fall into the high mileage category. Therefore, it is clear that there is still a long way to go before you reach the “too high” point.
With all of that in mind, purchasing a high mileage BMW might be a wise financial move because you’ll receive a great car that’s dependable, has plenty of miles remaining in the tank, and is much less expensive.
I’m Scott, a huge fan of BMWs and a long-time owner of these incredible vehicles. I’m here to chronicle my encounters with BMWs over the years and, hopefully, to be of use to others.
BMWs still dependable after 100,000 miles?
BMW is renowned for producing opulent vehicles with outstanding handling and driving dynamics. Do BMWs still be reliable after more than 100,000 miles on the road?
JD Power and other reliability evaluations have routinely placed BMW among the top ten most trustworthy cars.
Furthermore, having driven a BMW myself, I can vouch to the reliability of these vehicles, even after more than 100,000 miles on them. Some models are trustworthy while others are not, therefore it also depends on the models. They require maintenance, but any vehicle that you want to keep in good running order requires maintenance as well.
It heavily depends on the circumstances. It has been said that several BMW models, including the E46 and the E90, can go more than 300,000 miles on a single charge.
This, however, depends on a number of variables. For instance, it’s possible that your car may need significant repairs after 100,000 miles if you don’t change the oil in it frequently or maintain it properly.
How many miles should a used BMW have?
When assessing the condition of low mileage used cars, you should keep the following things in mind if you’re thinking about buying a used BMW: What is high mileage in terms of use? Anything with a mileage of over 75,000 fits into this group. However, compared to 75,000 miles of motorway, 50,000 miles of stop-and-go traffic deteriorates more fast.
Are BMW engines trustworthy?
BMW is known for producing high-end vehicles. You could be wondering if they are trustworthy, and the answer is that they are absolutely trustworthy. Even though they have quite high price tags, they are still worth the money. They have superb and potent engines that will allow you to use them at their maximum speed.
- 1. BMW B58 Motor
- 2. BMW M20 Motor
- 3. BMW M50 Motor
- 4. BMW S62 Motor
- 5. BMW N52 Motor
- 6. BMW M54 Motor
Which BMW is the most dependable?
When it comes to the creation of sport sedans, BMW has established the benchmark for premium vehicles with the E90 330i that Acura and Volvo aspire to match. The BMW E90 330i is your best option if you’re looking for a sedan that provides the ideal balance of functionality and performance without sacrificing stability and comfort.
The BMW E90 330i is one of the most popular luxury vehicles in the United States and is not only the best-selling model in the 3 Series. It also sold over 336,232 units. Even in the mid-size luxury automobile category, the BMW 3 Series received the Top Safety Pick designation in 2006. The best car options in terms of driver injury prevention and driver restraint features are highlighted by this award.
A BMW can it last 300k miles?
When properly maintained and driven cautiously, the BMW 3 Series can endure between 200,000 and 250,000 miles. It will last roughly 13 to 17 years if you drive 15,000 miles per year before needing pricey and uneconomical maintenance. In some cases, the 3 Series can travel up to 300,000 kilometers.
What is a BMW’s maximum mileage?
This 1986 BMW 535i is the BMW with the most miles overall, having been reported to have traveled 563,000 miles. This 535i is being offered by a private seller in Finksburg, Maryland. According to the ad, it has only had two owners since the present owner purchased it from the first owner in 1996.
How can I maintain a high BMW mileage?
Regular oil changes are one of the simplest methods to keep a BMW in good condition. Aim for every 12,000 to 15,000 miles or in keeping with the manufacturers’ recommendations for planned maintenance. Regular oil changes not only keep the engine running smoothly, but they also assist avoid more expensive repairs in the future.
When getting an oil change at Milito’s, customers get high-quality oil that is specially formulated for their car model, a new filter, free inspections, and a luxurious car wash!
How far can a BMW travel?
But how many miles do BMW cars typically last? With good care, almost any BMW has the ability to last up to 200,000 or even 250,000 miles, and there will always be outliers that last even longer.
Audi or BMW, which is more dependable?
Which Luxury Car Brand Has a Better Reputation? Despite the great reliability of both BMW and Audi, Audi ultimately prevails because to its extended warranty coverage and additional safety measures.
Do BMWs cost a lot to maintain?
BMWs are by far the most expensive car manufacturer to repair, claims Your Mechanic. The competition is not even close. With an average maintenance cost of $17,800 over ten years, BMW comes in #1. Mercedes-Benz came in second with an average maintenance cost of $12,900 during a 10-year period. In contrast, the typical Toyota only cost $5,500 to maintain during a 10-year period because they are recognized for requiring less maintenance.
According to Your Mechanic, such high maintenance costs are usual in German premium vehicles. Audi comes in sixth with an average $12,400 maintenance expense over a 10-year period. This is primarily a result of the pricey, high-end parts that these luxury vehicles require. Naturally, it will cost a lot of money to fix those pieces when they break or need maintenance.
However, while being premium vehicles, they also have ongoing problems. For instance, according to Your Mechanic, a BMW is four times more likely to not start than a typical automobile. It was ranked seventh overall as a result. Additionally, the window regulator on the BMW required replacement 18 times more frequently than the window regulator on the ordinary car.