One-step plug and play is not typically associated with vehicle ownership. Owning a car or any other type of vehicle requires consideration of a variety of issues. We’ll be examining the ownership expenses of BMW’s best-selling model, the 3-series, in more detail in this discussion.
BMWs from the past have a reputation for being unreliable, and to some extent, this is still true. There are differing opinions among BMW enthusiasts about both the adored M3 and the notoriously unreliable E60 M5. However, things have improved as BMW is currently ranked as the 9th most trustworthy brand by Whatcar.
Moving on to the vehicle in issue, the latest iteration of the BMW 3-series has been praised for its dependability and appears to be superior to its fellow German rivals, the Audi A4 and the Mercedes-Benz C-class.
Over the course of five years, the real cost of owning a BMW 3-series is $58,870. Numerous factors, including depreciation, insurance, fuel, and maintenance costs, are taken into account; their breakdown and associated costs are provided below.
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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 the Ultimate Driving Machine cost-effective in terms of maintenance?
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.
average cost of maintaining a BMW
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.
How much does it cost to maintain a BMW annually?
If you’ve done any research on BMWs, you probably already know how pricey they are to maintain. But you’ll have to pay a premium if you want a BMW. The industry average for maintenance costs is $652 yearly. Unfortunately, expenditures for BMW owners are roughly twice as high as those for owners of other models.
How much does it cost to own a BMW?
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.
Why is maintaining a BMW so expensive?
Because it’s a German car with specialized parts and technology, maintaining a BMW is pricey. BMW is not only a vehicle to move passengers from point A to point B; it is designed for driving aficionados. BMW’s advanced technology calls a specialized certification to be repaired correctly. A skilled BMW mechanic will possess the knowledge necessary for a thorough and effective repair.
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.
BMWs: Are they worth it?
When BMW began promoting its cars as the “Ultimate Driving Machine” in the 1970s, the company soon grew to become one of the world’s top luxury automobile manufacturers.
BMW has a long history of producing eye-catching vehicles and SUVs that receive high praise from automotive writers.
Both auto fanatics and everyday people who just want the best for their vehicles greatly prize them.
Because they are high-performance luxury vehicles with excellent interiors, a smooth ride, high levels of comfort, and some of the best technological features available, BMWs are a good investment. BMW is a brand that embodies high status, and their cars offer an exceptional driving experience.
Which is more expensive, BMW or Audi?
In many car classes, but not all, BMW and Audi face off against one another. Although it’s not always fair to compare prices between BMW and Audi because the latter provides a much greater variety of models, in general, Audis are less expensive than their BMW rivals. We’ve listed each Audi and BMW model together with its base price, except the mandatory destination fee, which is typically roughly $1,000 on most models, to make it easier for you to determine which models are more reasonable. You’ll see that BMW offers a wider selection of automobiles than Audi. Comparable models typically come with comparable features and choices.
- BMW 2 Series is $37,300 while the Audi A3 is $33,300.
- BMW 3 Series $40,250 vs Audi A4 $39,200
- BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe $44,750 vs. Audi A5 Sportback $44,200
- BMW 5 Series is $53,400 while the Audi A6 is $58,900.
- BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo costs $70,300 versus $68,000 for the Audi A7.
- Audi A8 ($83,000) vs. BMW 7 Series ($86,450)
- BMW X1 costs $34,950 against Audi Q3 $34,700.
- BMW X3 costs $41,000 against Audi Q5 $42,950.
- BMW X5 costs $60,700 against Audi Q7 $53,550.
- Audi Q8 ($67,400) against BMW X7 ($73,900)
- BMW 4 Series Coupe $44,950 vs. Audi A5 Coupe $44,200
- BMW 4 Series Convertible costs $53,100 compared to the Audi A5 Cabriolet’s $51,200.
- Audi TT $44,900 vs BMW Z4 $49,700
- Compared to the BMW i8, the Audi R8 costs $169,900.
- BMW X2 $36,400
- BMW i3 $44,450
- $111,900 BMW 8 Series Coupe
- BMW X4 $50,450
- BMW X6 $63,550
Additionally, it should be mentioned that both Audi and BMW have a wide range of high-performance vehicles that have been upgraded for more strength and agility. Typically, these models are more expensive than the less expensive variations. The iconic M3 and M5 vehicles are BMW’s high-performance M division’s most well-known creations, but it has also produced high performance versions of the BMW X3, X4, X6, and other models. With S and RS versions of many cars, Audi offers two levels of performance options. The performance of the RS models is significantly better than the S ones. Customers interested in high-performance Audi vehicles should look at the RS3, RS5, and RS7.