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.
BMW 3 Series Upkeep Prices
During its first ten years of use, a BMW 3 Series will require roughly $13,219 in maintenance and repairs.
This costs $1,258 more than the industry standard for luxury car models. Additionally, there is a 40.39% likelihood that a 3 Series will need a significant repair within that time. This performs 0.83% worse than comparable cars in this category. The following graph shows how these expenses and the likelihood of repairs will rise over time.
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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. 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.
Is repairing a BMW 3 Series expensive?
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 Series 3 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.
Are BMW repairs more expensive?
Servicing your car as soon as the computer in it tells you to is the best method to cut down on maintenance costs. By seeing present or possible issues early on, maintaining a thorough and routine servicing program can help prevent the need for expensive repairs in the future.
BMW is known for having the highest levels of customer loyalty of any automaker worldwide. The cost of ownership and upkeep of “The Ultimate Driving Machine” is higher than most would think or predict, despite the widespread belief that performance cannot be priced.
If you purchased your BMW from a dealer, it should have a “BMW Ultimate Care” three-year, 36,000-mile manufacturer guarantee or service warranty. Under BMW Ultimate Care, all planned maintenance, including the initial spark plug replacement, is free. For an extra cost, Ultimate Care can be extended for up to 7 years/125,000 miles for vehicles manufactured in 2017 and later. Additionally, BMW offers customers a variety of plans that cover varying levels of maintenance, which helps owners organize their budgets effectively.
BMWs are more expensive to repair than other models, even rival luxury brands, once the manufacturer’s warranty expires. Over the course of ten years, maintaining a BMW might cost up to $5,000 more than maintaining a car like a Mercedes-Benz. Furthermore, the maintenance cost of a BMW might be up to $12,000 higher than that of a Toyota.
BMWs do not breakdown more frequently than other vehicles, according to experts. In terms of reliability, BMWs really fall in the center of the pack. The average BMW, according to sources like “RepairPal,” requires unscheduled maintenance 0.9 times annually, which is in line with the industry average.
BMW buyers adore their high-performance, luxurious automobiles despite the added cost. The best technological and safety features available are found in these elegant, high-comfort automobiles. In the automobile sector, BMW is still performing exceptionally well. Other brands find it challenging to compete with the brand on this front because the brand is connected with status, performance, and safety.
Are BMW components pricey?
In a nutshell, yes. Compared to other brands, BMW parts are among the most expensive. Additionally, the cost of the parts increases with the age of the BMW.
BMWs require between $5,000 and $12,000 more in maintenance than the majority of automobiles. This is so because BMWs are German automobiles produced with specialized components, technology, and parts.
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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 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.
How long is the life of a BMW 3 Series?
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.
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
Is a pre-owned BMW 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.