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.
What is the maximum mileage for a BMW 3 Series?
We conducted a thorough investigation across numerous platforms to determine the BMW 3 series’ lifespan in miles. We have searched the databases of websites like Autotrader, Edmunds, repairpal, and others, just to name a few. For the BMW 3 Series, we have gathered a long list of various aspects.
We have taken care in this research to include all the true information that has developed over time rather than the manufacturer’s idealized information. You can see in this table how many kilometers a BMW 3 Series traveled before being on sale. We can observe that 4.36% of 3 Series vehicles have exceeded 150k miles, which is excellent.
For a dependable vehicle, we anticipate a result of more than 3%, and in the case of the BMW 3 Series, we have received more than 3%. This suggests that the 3 Series has a respectably lengthy lifespan.
453 of the 10,395 3 Series models in our database that were up for sale had more than 150k miles, and several of them had even more than 200k. While 31% of the database’s 3 Series had a mileage between 45 and 100, only 12.03 percent of them were between 100 and 150. And the remaining 51.75 percent of the vehicles had fewer than 45k miles.
Did you know that our #1 recommendation for first-time automobile owners who desire a BMW is the BMW 3-series? To learn more, go to: Which BMW is the best and are they good first cars? (Explained)
A BMW can it last 300k miles?
While a BMW 3 Series can travel 200,000–250,000 miles, there are numerous instances of 3 Series cars traveling more than 300,000 miles without experiencing any significant mechanical problems.
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.
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.
How far can a BMW travel?
With the right 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 go even longer. It’s simple to get off to a good start because every new BMW comes with free factory-recommended maintenance through BMW Ultimate Care.
Are BMWS trustworthy?
Fortunately, ratings of BMW dependability from several organizations support that excellent reputation: Customer Reports Every BMW in the lineup received a score above average in the 2020 rankings. The i3 electric car and the X6 midsize SUV are BMW’s most reliable models, and the brand as a whole is ranked seventh.
Are used BMWs trustworthy?
Considering a new BMW but put off by the price? Purchasing a used BMW can help you save a lot of money. These are widely available and far less expensive used than new.
BMWs have a long-standing reputation for high craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. They are renowned for the dependability of their rear-wheel drive and potent engines. The company produces a wide variety of designs, from sports cars to luxury automobiles.
It’s crucial to conduct thorough research before considering a used BMW. Here is a look at some things to think about.
The price of owning a BMW The BMW isn’t your typical car, and neither is the cost of maintenance. If you choose to purchase a BMW over a Subaru or Honda, you should be prepared to pay an additional $2,000 a year in repair, insurance, and maintenance costs. The car needs premium fuel, improved tires, synthetic oil, as well as labor and parts that are more expensive than usual.
Depreciation. Expect a significant decline in the value of your investment. Simply by comparing the cost of a BMW 3-Series that is three years old—roughly $30,000—you can see. At six years, it is worth around $17,000, though. The rate of depreciation, on average, is $4,000 per year. This indicates that for a used automobile buyer, purchasing a model that is five or six years old is likely wiser than purchasing a fresher one.
servicing and repairs. Because they have particular specifications, you must take your used BMW to a store that specializes in the brand. If you don’t have access to this kind of mechanic locally, repairs may be highly expensive and inconvenient.
Although you can get the service done at a BMW dealership, independent shops that focus on German vehicles will normally charge lower prices. Before you buy a car, make sure you bring it to one of these businesses to be inspected.
Dependability. Although Japanese vehicles have a higher track record than BMWs, BMWs are nonetheless dependable. Auto magazines and enthusiasts consistently give BMW cars “average” or “below average” ratings. Despite the company’s claims of lengthy servicing gaps, their turbocharged versions actually seem to have more issues more frequently.
Due to the fact that many parts on BMW and other European cars are made of plastic rather than more trustworthy materials, repairs are among the most frequent. The electronic system’s intricacy is another issue.
Do BMWs cost a lot 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.