Remove the Band-Aid now. Every 10,000 miles, BMW owners may anticipate paying between $150 and $400 per service. A significant service may cost up to $3,000 or more. In the end, owners spend more on maintenance and repairs than most brands, between $1,000 and $1,700 annually.
You may always purchase an extended warranty, either directly from BMW or through a third-party service contract, if you’re concerned about future ownership costs. Standard BMW maintenance expenditures are not covered by a car warranty, but it will cover pricey items that are more prone to break over time.
We’ve combed the market and selected a handful of the top third-party extended vehicle warranty companies because there are many possibilities for extended coverage. These are businesses who did well in regards to things like price, standing, and customer support.
To help you reduce your out-of-pocket vehicle ownership costs, compare the best BMW extended warranty packages above.
In This Article...
Fuel and Operating Expenses
As previously said, German automobiles have a reputation for being rather picky and less reliable. The majority of German cars typically incur high repair expenses over the course of a few years because of their heavy reliance on electronics. Since then, things have evolved, and cars are now lot more dependable. In actuality, prices have decreased with less frequent repairs.
The cost of maintaining a 3-series is still quite high, according to Edmunds. According to the five-year plan, you won’t have to pay any maintenance or repair costs in the first year. Repair expenses are free for the first three years of ownership (due to the guarantee), but in years four and five, they considerably increase to $907 and $1,391, respectively.
The total cost of maintenance for years three and four is $588, $3,392 for years three and four, and $2,735 for years five and six. The maintenance expenditures are slightly more expensive than those of a Mercedes C-class, although not significantly. However, the 3-series has substantially lower gasoline expenditures, coming in at $7,114 over the course of five years. However, depending on where you live and the type of traveling you do, fuel prices can vary dramatically. So take this as a guide.
In essence, the BMW 3-series will cost $6,715 in maintenance and $2,298 in repairs over the course of five years. The 3-series is a high-end sedan, so we think the maintenance fees are reasonable.
BMWs are expensive 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. In second position was Mercedes-Benz, which had an average 10-year maintenance cost of $12,900. 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.
Do different variants of the used BMW 3 Series have varying maintenance costs?
Owners of used BMW 3 series cars must search for the greatest model that will cost them the least over time when it comes to maintenance. There are now 3 main variations of the BMW 3 series available on the market, ranging from the base BMW 320d to the top-of-the-line 3 Series GT.
Every 3 series variation has roughly the same comfort features and engine setup. At first glance, the versions don’t appear to have many noticeable differences, but as we ascended, the power output and fuel efficiency somewhat varied. The iDrive controller, which facilitates effective vehicle management overall, is standard equipment on all models.
These sophisticated vehicles are designed for long-term comfort and pure driving enjoyment. The proper maintenance schedule might ultimately help you significantly reduce your maintenance costs.
How much does it cost to maintain a BMW Series 3?
Yes, BMW servicing is more expensive than many other manufacturers, whether they are premium or not, once the warranty expires. Over a ten-year period, a BMW may cost $12,000 more to maintain than a Toyota and $5,000 more than a Mercedes-Benz.
Because it’s a German car with specialized parts and technology, maintaining a BMW is pricey. It’s not merely a car to get people from point A to point B; it was designed for driving aficionados. A $400 battery replacement, for instance, might be necessary because the mechanic must register the battery with the engine control module. If not, the battery risk of an early demise since the vehicle won’t “know” how to charge it.
Additionally, the Digital Motor Electronics (DME) system in cars connects countless sensors and controls. A BMW may require a sophisticated method for a simple repair on another vehicle, which increases labor expenses.
Yes, a 3-Series BMW requires pricey maintenance once the manufacturer or certified pre-owned warranty has expired. A used BMW 3-Series typically costs $1,000 to $1,700 per year in maintenance and repairs.
A BMW 328i oil change can cost between $149 and $174, according to RepairPal. Nevertheless, depending on your area and BMW model, you can pay more than that.
Is buying a BMW 3 Series worthwhile?
What Makes the BMW 3 Series Good? The BMW 3 Series is a respectable luxury compact car, yes. Performance, which is still its main selling point, is characterized by assured handling and quick acceleration. The M3, the top model in the series, is designed to be track-ready while the base model has excellent fuel efficiency.
How long is the life of a BMW 3 Series?
While a BMW 3 Series can travel 200,000–250,000 miles, there are numerous instances of 3 Series cars traveling more than 300,000 miles without experiencing any significant mechanical problems.
The BMW 3 Series is dependable.
The 3 Series placed fifth out of 18 vehicles in the executive car class in our most recent dependability evaluation. A good 13th position finish for BMW as a brand out of 30 manufacturers was achieved.
Is repairing a BMW affordable?
BMW owners spend, on average, $968 annually on maintenance and repairs, according to RepairPal. BMWs are costly to maintain compared to the $652 industry standard. The maintenance costs of BMW are comparable to those of other German luxury models like Mercedes-Benz ($908) and Audi ($987).
The cost of owning a BMW varies based on the car. Compared to its normal commuter line, BMW’s high-performance M line and SUVs are more expensive to maintain. One of the reasons the BMW 3 Series is so well-liked is that it’s one of the most cost-effective versions to maintain.
Using information from RepairPal, the following table compares the cost of maintenance for a select BMW models:
You’ll be glad to learn that a few BMWs include a free maintenance term. Under BMW Ultimate Service, maintenance is included for four years or 50,000 miles on vehicles from the 2015 and 2016 model years. BMW Ultimate Care offers three years or 36,000 miles of maintenance on models made in 2017 and after. If you’re wondering how the two plans differ, BMW Ultimate Service covers more wear and tear and maintenance-related items than BMW Ultimate Care.
Free maintenance programs can initially reduce the cost of ownership, but you’ll need to be ready to pay maintenance and repair fees once the program has ended.
Is the BMW 3 Series an excellent first car?
The 3 Series is BMW’s most popular vehicle. It is a small family or executive car with excellent dynamics and lively handling.
As a safe and useful first vehicle, a BMW 3 series would be a wonderful choice. It has some great safety measures and has superb sight for the driver. However, it wouldn’t be practical for novice drivers with a limited budget.
The combined city and highway mileage for the 2.0L automatic is 30 mpg, which is acceptable.
The 3-series maintains some aspects of an affordable car while projecting a premium aura.
Do BMW oil changes cost more money?
Response given by. You are correct! An oil change for a more cheap automobile will often cost between $35 and $75, while an oil change for a BMW will typically cost between $135 and $175. There are three reasons why prices differ: oil type, components, and labor
Why is the BMW 3 Series so popular?
The brand-new BMW 3 Series may be the perfect vehicle for all of your driving requirements.
In an ideal world, we’d all want a sizable garage packed with a variety of vehicles suitable for all kinds of situations. Long-legged GT for trips up North, comfortable cruiser for the daily grind, lightweight sports car for the track, and so on.
We unfortunately live in a flawed world. But which car would you choose if you had to have just one to meet all of your needs? The new BMW 3 Series is, in all likelihood, the last car you’ll ever need. This is why:
1. Fashion and prestige appropriate for the contemporary young professional
It’s a BMW first and foremost. It is an impressive badge, and that counts for something. It exudes success and purpose and is elegant and high-end.
This latest generation model is also sleeker and sportier-looking, which is unquestionably advantageous for the contemporary young professional.
2. Because of its small size, it is easy to maneuver
Yes, some people enjoy driving large SUVs because of their commanding presence and driving positions.
But having a little, compact vehicle really makes life easier for every day use. You won’t have to stress about trying to squeeze into small parallel parking spaces or navigating packed car parks.
3. Technologies that benefit drivers and make lives easier
Modern technology is also fully integrated into the new 3 Series, including the new Operating System 7.0 and Intelligent Personal Assistant.
Everyday driving is made safer by useful features like Lane Departure Warning, Parking Assistant, and Reversing Assistant, which is essential to protect the entire family.
4. The family will have enough of daily convenience.
The 480-liter boot and comfy, roomy rear cabin of the 3 Series make it a family-friendly vehicle.
Naturally, it is also future-proof. The 3 Series can accommodate an expanding family, whether it’s transporting adolescent teenagers or fitting a child seat.
5. Stable and ready for the track
The 3 Series’ dynamic ability—smooth power delivery, muscular steering, a well-organized chassis, and excellent balance—is one of its most notable features.
You could definitely take it stock and compete on the track. Without a doubt, the 3 Series is still a pleasure car to drive even on regular roads.
6. Impressive without being very effortful
The BMW 3 Series is the only vehicle you will ever require because it is incredibly well-rounded while still being incredibly courteous.
Despite being a very well-rounded compact family vehicle, the BMW 3 Series nonetheless exudes a certain sense of understated presence (especially in this Luxury Line trim). It isn’t extremely shrill or haughty. Instead, it’s polite, sophisticated, and respectful.
The 3 Series is a vehicle that many of us can reasonably hope to own and eventually afford, which is maybe the most crucial factor. Because in all reality, it is the only car you will ever require.
If the 330i is still a bit out of your price range, why not think about the 320i instead? Fortunately, this page includes a helpful video review of the vehicle.