When maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance schedule, which includes regular oil and filter changes, you can anticipate that BMW engines will last well over 200,000 kilometers.
Owners that neglect the aforementioned routine maintenance are typically the ones who complain the most about engine reliability. However, there are a few extra things to consider all during your ownership.
Because BMW engines are known to burn oil more quickly than those in other vehicles, it’s important to always maintain the oil level topped up in between repairs to prevent damage and prolong the engine’s life.
There have also been a few cases where parts in certain BMW engines have failed earlier than anticipated, and some models have had more issues than others, but overall, BMW makes durable, dependable engines.
Engines frequently last longer than many other automotive parts, and many complaints about breakdowns of BMW vehicles focus more on the electronic systems than the mechanical parts that make up the engine.
In This Article...
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.
What kind of mileage does a BMW have to 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.
What Factors Affect the Lifespan of BMW Engines and How Long Do They Typically Last?
Some of the most dependable vehicles are BMWs. Their market-leading engines are very dependable, with a typical lifespan of about 150,000 kilometers. But there are a lot of things that can affect how long a BMW engine lasts. For instance, using inferior coolant or oil can hasten the deterioration of a vehicle, and driving practices might also have an effect. People who frequently travel short distances or in stop-and-go traffic are more likely to experience an earlier rate of engine wear. The BMWs of people who mostly travel on highways and refrain from excessive idling, however, should last longer. It is not unusual for BMW engines to travel 200,000 miles or more with proper maintenance.
How long can these BMW vehicles last?
We were familiar with several exceptionally dependable BMW vehicles from the 1990s that could travel up to 300,000 miles without experiencing a serious breakdown. But things are different now. And the lifespan of new BMW vehicles is short. It’s partially due to brand competition in the technological market. Additionally, it’s due to the yearly changes in ecological regulations.
The auto industry must quickly adopt the new regulations and develop new technology. They simply lack the time to investigate how these technologies function in practice. This explains why there are currently so many recalls. Additionally, businesses just lack the time to test their new projects due to increasing competition and time constraints.
We can state the following facts concerning BMW vehicles’ longevity:
- Modern BMW engines typically last about 130 000 miles before they begin to exhibit numerous faults;
- Additionally, the transmissions in BMW vehicles are problematic; nearly all automatic transmissions fail at or near 150 000 miles;
- The pneumatic suspension is a problem because it can break down after 100 000 miles and cost a lot of money to fix or replace;
- One of the weak connections is the steering system, which BMW owners begin replacing at 100,000 miles or less;
- Electronics can break down at any time, but often, they start having issues after 100,000 miles or more.
As you can see, it’s debatable if current BMW vehicles are dependable. Please keep in mind that we are now discussing the latest generation of automobiles. We would suggest that it is accurate for vehicles produced between 2015 and 2017. The earlier vehicles were superior, but there were some terrible outliers, like as the powerful engines found in M trims.
Anyone who purchases a BMW should be aware that the German company does not prioritize the durability and usefulness of their vehicles. Performance, comfort, and technologies are the three main factors. Furthermore, combining longevity with performance is impossible. Because of this, you will have to decide what to buy when you buy an automobile.
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.
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 km does a BMW start to have issues?
Although we think BMWs are dependable vehicles, there are a few main problems that affect the vast majority of BMW vehicles and BMW engines. A number of these issues begin to surface between 80,000 and 120,000 miles. Conveniently, there are a ton of used BMWs available that are close to this mileage and are considerably less expensive initially. Some customers purchase these vehicles without being aware of the problems, and they rightly become angry when they receive $1,000 maintenance bills soon after purchasing their BMW. A few things to watch out for are as follows:
- Electricity Problems
- Oil Spills
- Probleme with dem Kühlsystem
This is not a comprehensive list, and some specific BMW models might have additional frequent problems while other models might not have any of the aforementioned frequent problems. However, the most well-known and frequent difficulties are oil leaks, cooling system problems, and electrical problems.
After 100,000 miles, are BMWs still dependable?
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.
Which BMW engine has the best reliability?
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
How long should I maintain my BMW?
BMW (6.2 years on average) BMW encourages brand devotees to update frequently with its advances in technology, safety, and fashion. BMW customers maintain their cars for an average of 6.2 years before turning them in, with 23% keeping them for more than 10 years and 54% changing them in under 5 years.
How frequently should a BMW have its oil changed?
They are made to go up to 12,000 or even 15,000 miles between oil changes, or nearly one driving year. Even the owner’s manual for your BMW suggests having your oil changed every 15,000 miles.
How can I prolong the life of my BMW?
- Keep it dark.
- Maintain a clean automobile.
- Safeguard your leather.
- Wax your vehicle.
- Verify the tread on your tires.
- Organize your lenses.
- Run all your errands at once.
- Driving cautiously
Long-term reliability of BMW
BMW’s overall reliability outperformed that of high-end rivals including Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Lincoln, and Acura. the J.D. Power A 2019 study assessed how frequently 3-year-old vehicle owners encountered mechanical issues over the course of a year. In this study, BMW reliability also performed better than average.
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.