How Many Miles can a BMW 3 Series Last

How Many Miles Can A BMW M3 Last

How Many Miles can a BMW 3 Series Last

While a BMW M3 offers luxurious interiors and a seamless driving experience, the above-mentioned questions are often asked by car enthusiasts. On an average, a BMW 3 can last for 200,000 to 250,000 miles, a well-maintained BMW 3 can last for as long as 300,000 to 350,000 miles without facing any serious mechanical issues. According to an estimate, if you drive 15,000 miles per year your car could drive for 15-17 years without requiring any expensive repairs.

How Reliable is the BMW 3 Series

The BMW 3 was launched in 1975 and the car is still one of the most popular models ever produced by the company. The car comprises almost 30% of overall BMW sales and is currently on its 7 th Generation.

BMW 3 Series offers a perfect 50:50 distribution of weight in the rear and front wheels and provides the power and efficiency that you can expect from a premium automobile. J.D. Power has given the 2022 BMW 3 Series a predicted reliability score of 79 out of 100. A predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average, and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.

How Many Miles Can a BMW 3 Series Last: A Comparative Analysis with Audi A4, Mercedes Benz C-Class and Volvo S60

The A4 is a sleek luxury car produced by BMW's German rival automaker Audi. The Audi A4 is estimated to last between 150,000 - 200,000 miles on average, whereas the BMW 3 Series can last 200,000 - 250,000 miles.

Similarly, the Mercedes C-Class is well known for its minimalist design and luxurious comfort. The C-Class is estimated to run up to 200,000 miles on average VS. 250,000 for the BMW 3 Series. The Volvo S60 is famous for its availability in a wide range of power trains including a plug-in hybrid. The Volvo S60 is estimated to last up to 200,000 miles on average with an estimated annual maintenance cost of $739.

Make and Model Estimated Annual Maintenance Cost Average Miles Covered BMW 3 Series $773 200,000 - 250,000 Miles Mercedes-Benz C-Class $739 175,000- 200,000 Miles Volvo S60 $739 150,000 - 200,000 Miles Audi A4 $750 150,000 - 200,000 Miles

How Many Miles Can a BMW 3 Series Last Without Requiring Repair

Most of the cars require major repairs after completing a certain number of miles. How many miles a BMW 3 Series will last before it requires any type of serious maintenance, depends on three major factors.

  • First, the climate of the area,

  • Second, the driving habits of the owner

  • Third, how well you are maintaining your car.

If you are planning to buy a used BMW 3 series, it is recommended that you buy it from an area with little or no snow and moderate temperatures. For those living in the areas with heavy snow or extreme temperatures it is recommended that you keep your car dry and parked inside a temperature-moderated garage. Keep it dry and covered when you are not driving it.

If you want your 3 Series to last longer without causing any major repair maintenance work, you'll have to make sure that you keep your car's service record, and the vehicle is subject to regular maintenance.

The regular maintenance of your car includes routine tabs on fluid levels, air filters, tire pressures etc. as well as keeping up to date with factory scheduled maintenance intervals.

Are BMW 3 Series Expensive to Maintain?

In the manufacturer's current lineup, the BMW 3 series is the cheapest to maintain. However, once the car is out of the factory or CPO warranty the maintenance cost of 3 Series becomes higher than the average maintenance costs that you might expect to pay. The average total annual cost of repairs and maintenance for the BMW 3 Series is $773, however for a used BMW 3 Series you may expect $1000 - $1700 maintenance costs per year.

How Many Miles Can a BMW Series 3 Last: Your BMW 3 Series Maintenance Schedule

A BMW can last for life if maintained properly. How many miles will your BMW 3 series last really depends on how well you are maintaining it. While casual behavior might cut life and mileage of the vehicle short, a well-maintained BMW 3 series can last up to 300,000+ miles.

It is recommended to conduct routine services such as oil changes, tire rotations, and tune-ups. This can help in ensuring that your new/used, or certified pre-owned BMW 3 Series provides you many years of driving enjoyment.

When to Change Oil of Your BMW 3 Series

It's important to regularly change the oil of your BMW 3 Series. Generally, BMW recommends an oil change after every 5000 to 7500 miles, however, you should follow the oil change frequency as specified in your car's Owner's Manual.

How to Take Care of Your BMW 3 Series Transmission

If maintained as per manufacturer's recommendations, the transmission of a BMW 3 Series is expected to last between 200,000 - 250,000 miles or approximately 13 - 17 years, based on 15,000 miles of driving per year.

How to Take Care of Your BMW 3 Series Tires

The stock tires of a BMW 3 Series can last roughly 3 years based on 12,000 - 15,000 miles per year. To get maximum utility out of the tires, rotate them every 5,000 miles and maintain the ideal air pressure. Get the pressure of the tires checked on a monthly basis.

How Long Do the Brakes of BMW 3 Series Last?

The brakes of a BMW 3 Series last around 30,000 to 70,000 miles or 2-4 years based on an estimated drive of 15,000 miles per year. For regular stop-and-go traffic you can expect the brakes to wear out sooner than the estimated time.

How Soon Can I Expect BMW 3 Series to Rust

BMW offers a thorough corrosion protection treatment that can provide a 12-year anti corrosion warranty in case of new vehicles. However, in order to keep this warranty validated the vehicle must be subjected to an annual rust inspection at the dealership.

Coming back to the BMW 3 Series specifically, since the under-body of the car is galvanized and sealed, the BMW 3 Series is not expected to rust for a very long time. Rust on a new BMW 3 Series is out of the ordinary and additional rust protection treatments are not usually recommended. However, if you own a one of the older models of the BMW 3 Series, depending on where you live, rusting can be much more of an issue if:

. You live in or around coastal regions, where salty ocean air harms the paint and corrodes metal parts.

. Areas with aggressively salted roads in winter. Any kind of extreme exposure to salt or any other chemical agents can wreak havoc on your vehicle.

. Areas with heavy rainfall and high humidity.

How to Prevent Rust on BMW 3 Series

To help keep your 3 Series rust free, we advise:

. Clean and cover your car properly and regularly especially after exposure to rain, dirt, snow and salt.

. Keep your car stored in a garage out of the elements.

. Exposed metal oxidizes more quickly, repairing damaged paint spots and scratches as soon as you detect them.

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