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.
In This Article...
All-around High Mileage
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.
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.
How far can a BMW travel?
BMWs are renowned for their high efficiency ratings and reliable engines, but with a price tag to match, customers wonder if they are really worth it. How many miles is a BMW good for?
With regular maintenance, the majority of BMW vehicles have a lifespan of 200,000–250,000 kilometers. As a car ages, you can anticipate replacing common elements like the battery, electric windows, and coolant system in addition to routine maintenance.
BMWs bought in the 1980s that are still in use today are not rare. On the weekends, you might even see well-kept BMWs with odometers showing more than 500,000 kilometers at the racetrack.
A 3-series was the first BMW I ever owned, and I drove it until it reached 209,000 miles on the odometer before trading it in. With that in mind, it’s important to think about what you should do (and avoid) to prolong the life of your BMW.
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.
How many miles should a used BMW have?
Although the average BMW can travel between 100,000 and 250,000 miles, excessive mileage is actually regarded as being a little less than this. Most dealers won’t carry BMWs with mileage over 100,000, and some even think 60-80,000 is a high mileage range for these vehicles.
Therefore, you’ve reached the high mileage area if you’re looking at BMWs with between 60 and 80,000 miles on the odometer. Keep a watch on this because it demonstrates that there are high mileage BMWs available with vastly different mileage estimates.
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.
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.
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.
After 100,000 kilometers, are BMW X5 still dependable?
The X5, which was introduced in 1995 and is currently in its fourth generation, is a well-liked option for families that frequently travel. It offers a long list of features, a sizable cabin, and a potent engine.
An X5 should survive between 150,000 and 200,000 miles, although with proper care and maintenance, these estimates may be exceeded; some X5s have been reported to have exceeded 250,000 miles. However, as you come close to the 200k mark, you should prepare for some significant repair expenses.
Though this may be unfair to German automakers, BMW has gained a reputation over the years for building pricey, problematic vehicles.
J.D. Power conducted a reliability study on more than 500,000 automobiles in 2018 to identify which models on the market could log the most miles without needing expensive repairs.
Surprisingly, BMW outperformed premium manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Acura, and Lincoln to come in eighth place out of 29 brands.
Although many X5 owners place less importance on reliability than they do on a vehicle’s appearance and performance, the X5 nonetheless excels in these areas.
Although not extremely unreliable, X5s do have a fair amount of issues, with certain versions significantly less problematic than others.
Follow a routine maintenance schedule, which should include checking the oil and fluid levels and making sure the tires are inflated properly, to extend the life of your BMW.
Although it is recommended that you take your BMW in for maintenance at least once a year or every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, there is no harm in going in a bit earlier.
One of the most crucial things you can do to maintain the health of your BMW is to have regular maintenance performed.
Older BMWs are they worth it?
BMW is renowned for producing some of the best driving machines the world has ever seen, yet the majority of mechanics will advise you to steer clear of pre-owned models.
Once upon a time, BMW was a renowned automaker, a premium German brand with a lengthy history and an amazing collection of vehicles crisscrossing the globe. Sadly, though, circumstances are now different for the employees at the Bavarian Motor Works. The brand has been permanently damaged with prior owners and do-it-yourselfers due to an emphasis on producing mass-market automobiles that don’t age well.
August 2021 revision: You’ll be delighted to know that we’ve updated this post and go into more detail about the many issues a Bavarian automobile owner may run into if they decide to purchase a used BMW. This should assist you in making the greatest choice for your upcoming automobile purchase.
The majority of knowledgeable owners and mechanics will advise you to avoid used BMWs, especially those manufactured within the previous 20 years or so. Simply put, they are not worth the money you will undoubtedly have to invest in them. They are expensive to repair, have expensive replacement parts, and require a lot of labor.
They certainly have a cool appearance and a certain charm. But when you force personal checks to pour in at the neighborhood Euro repair shop, that beautiful siren tune will finally hit a string of unfavorable notes. Here are 15 compelling arguments against buying a used BMW.
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.