Is BMW reliable? Reliability and general BMW problems (2023)

Genuine BMW, OE, OEM and aftermarket parts

I'm sure we've all heard the various acronyms for BMW: "Big Money Waster", "Broke My Wallet", "Broken Motor Works" and "Barely Moving Wreck" to name a few. Everyone knows a guy who knows a guy who knows another guy who owned a BMW for a year before bankrupting it. It seems that many people believe that BMWs are among the most unreliable cars in the world and many dream of one day being able to afford a BMW and its maintenance. Before you buy a BMW, you might be asking yourself: is all of this true? Am I buying a car that will become a money pit?

Is BMW reliable?

Research on various websites that provide reliability data undoubtedly agrees with the consensus that BMW cars are unreliable; Many feature below-par BMWs, cost more annual repairs, end up in the shop more often, and are more likely to have serious and expensive repairs compared to other makes of car. While completely ignoring these reports is ridiculous, we, along with many other BMW owners, refuse to believe the popular perception that BMWs are money pits.

Certainly there are BMWs that have been plagued by frequent and expensive problems. It's not hard to find horror stories and complaints about reliability. On the other hand, however, there are also many BMWs that go over 100,000 miles with no problems or with a few minor problems. Our 2008 BMW 535i had some issues, while our 2007 335i and 2008 135i were generally reliable cars. Remember: these are all 12 or 13 year old N54 engines, widely known as one of the least reliable BMW engines. However, we have had positive reliability experiences with 2 out of 3 of them.

This is a small sample size and 2 out of 3 might not sound very good on the surface. However, what we mean is this: overall reliability is difficult to measure and really depends on each case. A BMW may be poorly maintained but eclipse 100,000 miles with no problems, and another may be meticulously maintained but have numerous problems. BMW is not alone in this; Similar examples can be found at each car brand.

BMW standard maintenance

We believe standard maintenance is an important factor in the perception that BMWs are unreliable. There is no doubt that the BMW has a more demanding and expensive standard maintenance than the average car. You can probably drive a Toyota Camry to one of the millions of oil change shops on every corner offering $20-$30 oil changes. Meanwhile, a BMW oil change using synthetic oil can cost over $100. Also, compared to a regular car, most BMWs come with larger brakes, wheels, and wider tires (staggered configurations with tires that can't be rotated)-inspired tires and a sportier, more aggressive chassis.

All of these factors contribute to the fun, sporty driving experience of a BMW, but they also come at an additional cost. Brakes may need to be replaced more frequently along with new rotors. The staggered performance tires in the rear are non-spinning, resulting in replacement every 15,000 miles or sooner if you use the power available. Sportier suspension setups typically wear out faster, resulting in expensive maintenance after around 10 years or 100,000 miles.

As the old saying goes, "You have to pay to play". This is certainly true of BMW models, especially the sportier ones like the 335i, 340i, M3, M4, M5 etc. Standard maintenance can quickly add up and become overwhelming for unsuspecting homeowners. Add a $1,000 repair right after an $800 set of tires and it's easy to see why some owners might get frustrated and always think they're unreliable cars.

BMW repair costs

Another likely contributing factor to BMW's poor perception of reliability. In the US, it's difficult to find a reputable, experienced, quality BMW repair shop that will work for less than $100 an hour. Many stores charge upwards of $150/hour. Combine long hours of work with a narrow, compact engine compartment designed only for the elongated design of BMW's beautiful in-line 6-cylinder engines and you've got the perfect recipe for costly repairs. For example, the BMW N54 valve cover gasket is a common area to develop oil leaks. A simple $50 gasket and bolts can add up to a $1,000+ repair due to 7 hours of labor.

It's not a challenging solution for mediocre DIYers; Grab some tools and spend the night in the garage to save $1,000. As previously mentioned, BMWs often have compact engine compartments, which can be intimidating but are generally not too challenging or complex to navigate with some basic knowledge and patience. Even the most inexperienced handyman can change spark plugs in his garage in under an hour; a job that some stores may charge $100-200 for. If you like, or can tolerate, the occasional do-it-yourself repair, you'll likely find your BMW to be a relatively inexpensive and reliable car. For those who cannot or do not want to perform simple DIY repairs, please understand that BMW repairs are often more expensive than the average car.

Typical BMW problems

While we believe BMW cars are reliable, there are a few key issues that affect the vast majority of all BMW and BMW engines. Many of these problems appear between 80,000 and 120,000 miles. Conveniently, there are tons of used BMWs on the market that have less than this mileage and are a lot cheaper to start with. Some consumers buy these cars unaware of the issues and are understandably frustrated when they receive $1,000 repair bills shortly after purchasing their BMW. Some things to keep in mind are:

• electrical problems
• oil leaks
• Problems with the cooling system

This is not an exhaustive list and some specific BMW models may experience other common issues, while other models may not experience all or some of the common issues above. However, cooling and electrical system issues and oil leaks top the list of some of the more well-known issues.

bmw electrical problems

To name a few, you may find problems with your door lock actuators, window regulators, faulty tire pressure monitoring systems, or driver or passenger restraint systems. Not all BMWs succumb to electrical system problems, and it's certainly more common on luxury models or models with additional electrical features. For BMWs that develop electrical problems, many may not even require actual repair. Our 535i often displays a message that there is a problem with the passenger restraint, but there is no actual fault with the passenger restraint. Likewise, our 335i has had a brake light for two years, but no problem with any part of the braking system.

Although technically two of our BMWs have electrical problems, the problems are not our concern. Everything works fine on the 335i and 535i, except for the lights, which for some reason we can't turn off. It is not worth spending time or money on such questions. Of course, you want to make sure there's nothing really wrong with the car that could affect its safety, performance, or reliability. This leads some BMW owners to spend thousands of dollars on the car to locate a problem that isn't that serious. Check the basics and make sure there isn't a serious problem with the car; If all goes well, don't spend a lot of money or effort trying to find the cause of a light that can easily be ignored.

bmw oil leaks

Ahh, the infamous BMW oil leak. All BMW owners should remember this so they have some ammo next time their friends make fun of their smoking BMW: “It's not an oil leak. Longtime BMW owners have most likely experienced oil leaks firsthand and maybe even multiple leaks. Oil leaks usually develop after about 100,000 miles but can show up at 50,000 miles or the car can go 150,000 miles without leaks. Some common areas where BMW develops oil leaks are:

• valve cover and valve cover gasket
• Oil pan and oil pan gasket
• Oil filter housing and gasket

Other oil leaks can definitely occur, but the above three are among the most common BMW oil leaks. Brittle seals are often the cause of oil leaks, but the labor cost of replacing old seals can be high. Because of the labor costs, you should consider replacing the entire part and not just the gasket, especially if your BMW has driven more than 100,000 miles.

One more thing to consider: some of these oil leaks can be left for a while as they usually don't pose a risk to engine longevity. Be careful, however, that leaking oil drips onto extremely hot engine parts such as the turbocharger and exhaust manifold. Oil escaping the oil filter housing can also drip onto the belt and pulleys or into the area, causing premature wear or failure.

Unfortunately, oil leaks are BMW property. The cost of repairing oil leaks can be quite high when the work is done in a body shop. Gaskets are inexpensive, however, so do-it-yourselfers can save a lot of money on an overnight or weekend visit to the garage.

Problems with the BMW cooling system

When thinking about common problems with the BMW cooling system, the water pumps probably jump to the forefront of BMW owners' minds. It's almost amazing to see how many BMW water pumps actually work 80,000 years ago. Unfortunately, water pumps can only be the start of cooling system problems, while other common problems surface after around 100,000 miles. Some cooling issues to watch out for are:

• water pump and thermostat
• coolant hoses
• cooler
• Fan

Sounds like the whole cooling system? Yes, more or less. With BMW's recent move to a mostly turbocharged lineup, these new turbocharged engines generate significant heat and put BMW's cooling systems to the test. Still a problem on non-turbo models, but more common on hotter running turbo engines. Some of the newer BMW engines have switched to more advanced cooling systems that should solve, or at least improve upon, these issues.

bmw water pumps

Due to the nature of their electrical design, many BMW water pumps use a composite (fundamentally stronger plastic) impeller which is prone to cracking and failure. Simple - just get a replacement water pump with a metal impeller, right? Not quite. An electric water pump requires a lightweight composite impeller; Otherwise, the heavier metal impeller will wear out the electric pump. If your BMW has this electric water pump design, be prepared for the suction cup to come out after as little as 30,000 miles. All three N54s use this design, and all three N54s have new water pumps. The 535i had to be replaced at 50,000 and another at around 80,000, the 335i lasted a whopping 95,000 miles (I'm not kidding, 95,000 is impressive) and the 135i had to be replaced at 40,000 miles. It is always recommended to replace the thermostat together with the water pump.

Other problems with the BMW cooling system

Coolant hoses become brittle and can crack or rupture over time, causing coolant leaks. Find all hoses in the area that needs replacing and replace them as preventive maintenance to avoid additional work in the future. Over time, high heat can crack the radiator and create coolant leaks. Finally, BMW electric fans are prone to premature failure.

Genuine BMW, OE, OEM and aftermarket parts

BMW reliability considerations

In our opinion, BMWs are more reliable than general perception suggests. Regardless of reliability, BMWs are arguably more expensive when it comes to general maintenance and the actual cost of a specific repair. Standard maintenance items like oil changes, brakes and tires are more expensive than a regular car. Likewise, replacing a water pump on a Hyundai or Toyota is likely to be cheaper than replacing a water pump on a BMW.

The cost savings can be huge for those willing to spend a few hours in their garage here and there to make basic repairs. Proper maintenance should contribute to overall reliability and longevity, although some of that comes down to sheer luck. Understand what you get in a BMW; It is usually sportier and more sophisticated than a normal car. After all, BMWs are the "ultimate driving machine," not the "ultimate cost-saving machine."

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