An illustration of a Personal Contract Purchase: Cash price PS10,000, deposit PS150, and borrowing PS8,500 for 4 years at a representative 7.4% APR (fixed). A total of PS4127.50 will be paid after 47 instalments of PS132.04. PS1833.38 is the total cost of credit. Payable in total is PS11,833.38. 8,000 miles per year as a base. If excess miles is used, there are fees. Finance subject to status; only those 18+.
Although BMW has a reputation for building dependable vehicles, its poor 21st place finish (out of 30 manufacturers) in our 2021 Driver Power customer satisfaction study demonstrates that there are still some areas that need to be improved. In the Driver Power Best cars to own survey, the 3 Series came in at number 31 out of 75 vehicles.
The latest 5 Series, which shares most of its technology with the most recent 3 Series, was ranked in 40th place, which is good news for the new car’s dependability despite the fact that the 3 Series was not included in the survey of customer satisfaction. We expect the 3 Series can raise its overall ranking as many of the infotainment technologies as well as the car’s fundamental design, engine, and gearboxes performed well in the 5 Series.
BMW is known for building secure vehicles, and the 3 Series lives up to that reputation. The most recent vehicle underwent a thorough safety testing process in 2019 and received a perfect five-star rating from Euro NCAP. Protection for adult and child occupants was 97% and 87%, respectively.
Under what BMW refers to as Active Guard Plus, additional safety systems are included. This incorporates cruise control with braking capability, speed limit information, lane departure warning, a collision and pedestrian warning system with a city brake function, and all of the aforementioned features.
Customers can add the Driving Assistant Professional package for about PS1,250 for a more complete set of safety features. Active cruise control, steering and lane control assistance, lane keeping assistance with active side collision protection, priority warning and wrong-way warning systems, and cross-traffic alert are some of the features that fall under this category. In the event of an accident, BMW’s Connected+ service, which comes standard, can notify the emergency services.
In This Article...
The best BMW 3 Series model is which?
Unsurprisingly, it appears that the newer 3’er you purchase will benefit you more. In terms of dependability, at least. On a scale of 1 to 5, Consumer Reports rates reliability, and generally speaking, the newer the Beamer, the shorter its stay at the dealer. This is especially true for the BMW 3 Series in 2021. The 2021 3’er received a stellar 4/5 rating for both owner satisfaction and dependability.
Given how unstable the other old 3 Series cars on the market are, even though their ratings in each area don’t match those of the Toyota Camry, they are nonetheless excellent. The 3 Series has not historically been a highly dependable vehicle. Thankfully, some of the more recent models have made an effort to change that. With identical ratings of 4/5 in terms of dependability and owner satisfaction, the 2016 and 2019 3 Series stand out as significant outliers.
The most recent BMW you can afford is the best used model.
Are you completely out of luck if you want a 3 Series but can’t afford a brand-new one? Actually, no. In general, the most recent generation of 2019+ 3’s is seen as being reasonably trustworthy. Always purchase the most luxurious, most recent 3 Series you can afford, if that helps. It’s preferable to return when you have a little more money if you’re struggling to swing one. Happy searching.
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.
What Does a BMW 3 Series Have a High Mileage?
The Bavarian Engine Works Company, or BMW, has a long history of producing fantastic automobiles with good mileage figures. It is a well acknowledged truth that a car will last longer on the road with routine engine maintenance and oil changes. In light of this, a BMW 3 Series may go between 200,000 and 500,000 miles before needing to be repaired.
How dependable are 3 Series BMWs?
The BMW 3 Series: is it dependable? The anticipated reliability rating for the 2022 BMW 3 Series is 79 out of 100. J.D. Power predicts that reliability scores will range from 91 to 100, with 91 to 100 being the best, 81 to 90 being great, 70 to 80 being medium, and 0-69 being fair and below average.
Which BMW 3 Series generation is the most dependable?
The most recent 3 Series you can afford is the best used model. If not, you’ll end up spending far more than you intended. And if at all feasible, aim for a CPO 3’er. If not, the 2019 and 2021 model years of the BMW 3 Series are the most dependable.
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.
What BMW model is the most trustworthy?
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.
Which is more trustworthy, Audi or BMW?
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.
Mercedes or BMW, which is more dependable?
Both BMW and Mercedes are recognized for their high-end, high-performance automobiles; yet, because of the engineering intricacy, should something go wrong, this could result in pricey repair work.
According to the J.D. Power 2021 Vehicle Dependability Study, the most recognizable brands in the world’s 2018 models were evaluated for the number of issues per 100 vehicles. With a score of 108 problems, BMW placed 11th. Mercedes-Benz came in at number 15 with 122.
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.
Which BMW 3 Series year is the best?
Your budget will be the most important consideration when deciding which of the top 3 series to purchase. Models of the current 3 series have been arriving at dealerships from 2019, following the announcement of the generation in 2018. An M340i will be your finest option if you want to get a new 3 series. This offers you a lot of the performance you demand from BMW and is just one step below the M3.
The 2006–2011 generation of the BMW 3 series gets the highest overall reliability rating if you’re looking at a used model. You’ll have a durable vehicle if you buy one of the 328i sedans or coupes from this era. From 2006 to 2010, the N54 motor, which was a powerful but fragile powertrain, was installed in the 335i of this generation. BMW upgraded it to the N55 motor in 2011 and addressed many of the issues.
Which BMW 3 Series engine is the best?
The 318d and 320d four-cylinder diesel versions, in particular if you travel a lot of miles, are so fuel-efficient while yet offering plenty of performance that they remain popular even though diesel cars aren’t quite as popular as they were a few years ago.
The four-cylinder 320i and 330i petrol engines offer sporty performance without significantly losing fuel economy as compared to the diesel counterparts if you drive less kilometres.
If power and performance are your top priorities, the top-of-the-line M340i xDrive with its powerful 3.0 litre six-cylinder engine is definitely the best option. Although the M340d’s diesel engine isn’t quite as powerful, it is almost as quick. But in our opinion, the M340i with a gasoline engine is the more enjoyable vehicle to drive.
The sporty-looking M Sport trim level is by far the most popular when it comes to trim levels, but the lower-spec SE and Sport trims are still attractive and well-equipped options.
What is the average lifespan of a BMW 3 Series?
But how far is a BMW 3 Series capable of traveling? When maintained properly, you can anticipate your 3 Series to endure between 200,000 and 250,000 kilometres.