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BMW 3-Series Lemon Odds and Nada Odds

BMW 3-Series Lemon Odds and Nada Odds:

Other sources of BMW 3-Series reliability information provide only averages, which can conceal as much as they reveal. So we also report the percentage of BMW 3-Seriess with no repairs at all in the past year and the percentage of BMW 3-Seriess that are lemons (required three or more repair trips in the past year). These figures might surprise you.

These stats are promptly updated four times a year, to closely track BMW 3-Series lemon odds as the cars age. Others can be over a year behind. Only TrueDelta tells you how reliable the BMW 3-Series has been recently.

See what our members say about BMW 3-Series lemon odds and brand reputation.

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BMW 3-Series

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BMW 3-Series Lemon Odds and Nada Odds through December 31, 2012

General NotesNote the sample sizes in the right column. For a precise Nada Odds, it'd be best to have 50+ cars. For Lemon Odds, 100+. In most cases the sample sizes are between 25 and 35, and differences of less than six points are probably not meaningful. This is especially a factor with the "Lemon Odds," where nearly all scores are low.

That said, the Lemon Odds figures are probably much lower than many people suspected, so we've posted them. Similarly, the Nada Odds are probably higher than many people suspected. Even with the least reliable cars in this results set your odds of no repairs would be better than one in three. Surprised? MethodologyThe samples include cars for which we have at least nine months of data in the past year. The "Nada-odds" are adjusted based on the average number of months of data per car. These stats are very close to what they'd be if we included only cars with a full year of data.

Only successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Recalls and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
Year Make/Model Nada Odds per 100 Cars Lemon Odds per 100 Cars
89 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 20200 miles driven2011 BMW 3-Series / M3 79 < 1
33 vehicles, 11.2 months per vehicle, 32700 miles driven2010 BMW 3-Series / M3 Join or sign in to view
34 vehicles, 11.2 months per vehicle, 35800 miles driven2009 BMW 328 Join or sign in to view
32 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 53900 miles driven2008 BMW 328 Join or sign in to view
36 vehicles, 11.9 months per vehicle, 49200 miles driven2008 BMW 335 55 6
27 vehicles, 11.2 months per vehicle, 28500 miles driven2008 BMW M3 Join or sign in to view
42 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 64700 miles driven2007 BMW 328 63 5
43 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 55500 miles driven2007 BMW 335 62 2
69 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 81300 miles driven2006 BMW 3-Series 4dr 56 < 1
35 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 99600 miles driven2004 BMW 3-Series 50 3
27 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 98300 miles driven2003 BMW 3-Series Join or sign in to view
31 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 124100 miles driven2001 BMW 3-Series Join or sign in to view

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Competing Car Model Lemon Odds and Nada Odds Results through December 31, 2012

Year Make/Model Nada Odds per 100 Cars Lemon Odds per 100 Cars
28 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 27500 miles driven2010 Acura TL Join or sign in to view
29 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 55000 miles driven2008 Acura TL Join or sign in to view
29 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 59300 miles driven2007 Acura TL Join or sign in to view
43 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 92500 miles driven2005 Acura TL 73 < 1
29 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 99500 miles driven2004 Acura TL Join or sign in to view
25 vehicles, 12.0 months per vehicle, 34100 miles driven2010 Acura TSX Join or sign in to view
38 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 78400 miles driven2006 Acura TSX 75 < 1
48 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 23600 miles driven2011 Audi A4 85 < 1
27 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 21900 miles driven2011 Audi S4 Join or sign in to view
50 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 35200 miles driven2010 Audi A4 62 < 1
37 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 32900 miles driven2010 Audi S4 81 5
54 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 43200 miles driven2009 Audi A4 56 < 1
31 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 52100 miles driven2008 Audi A4 Join or sign in to view
43 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 62100 miles driven2007 Audi A4 61 < 1
65 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 83700 miles driven2006 Audi A4 44 11
26 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 138700 miles driven2002 Audi A4 Join or sign in to view
36 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 22100 miles driven2011 BMW 5-Series 80 < 1
30 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 61000 miles driven2008 BMW 528 / 550 / M5 Join or sign in to view
26 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 91400 miles driven2002 BMW 5-Series Join or sign in to view
25 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 27300 miles driven2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Join or sign in to view
28 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 44800 miles driven2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Join or sign in to view
34 vehicles, 11.6 months per vehicle, 41800 miles driven2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Join or sign in to view

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What Our Members Are Saying about Brand Reputation and the BMW 3-Series

Brand Reputation of the BMW 3-Series: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 Acura = Honda Audi = VW Mercedes = Chrysler (still) Lexus = Toyota Infinity = Datsun BMW = BMW
2008 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD		 The 3-series is considered the benchmark for sporty sedans.
2008 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 exclusivity
2008 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD		 Built solidly and lasts
2008 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 Looks are amazing.
2008 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 BMW 3 series regularly makes lists as a "drivers car" and best in its class.
2008 2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD		 well regarded by most enthusiasts
2008 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD		 BMW proved once again the 3 series is the ultimate driving machine
2007 2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 Sport image, racing heritage and exclusiveness.
2007 2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 BMW is a well established company with a great reputation. I have been treated well at the dealership.
2007 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 BMW says it all as to quality and positive driving experience.
2007 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 Great reputation for driving pleasure and build quality.
2007 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 Snob appeal
2007 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD		 the 3-series really seems to be the sport sedan icon to which all other brands are compared. It feels good owning the best-of-the-best. And did I mention great re-sale value? A truly great, dependable and well-handling car.
2006 4dr Sedan 255-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD		 BMW is the most driver-focused marque on the market with the exception of dedicated sports car makers like Porsche and Ferrari. The focus is always on the driving experience first. No other mainstream maker has such a strong emphasis on driving.
2006 4dr Sedan 255-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD		 It is know for its handling and sporty appearance. The image is of one that enjoys driving.
2006 4dr Sedan 255-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 BMW has a solid reputation for designing and engineering a quaility vehicle.
2006 4dr Sedan 255-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 According to Edmonds, and I agree, it is the best entry level luxury vechicle on the road.
2005 4dr Sedan 184-horsepower 2.5L I6
5-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 Previous ownership provided trouble free ownership.
2005 4dr Sedan 184-horsepower 2.5L I6
5-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 The car has an excellent reputation for engineering and Style. It is timeless in appearance.
2005 2dr Convertible 184-horsepower 2.5L I6
5-speed manual RWD		 It shows others my very particular preference for having & enjoying the very best in life.
2004 4dr Sedan 225-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD		 performance-oriented German engineering
2004 2dr Coupe 225-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed automated manual RWD		 Good Brand, good car
2002 4dr Sedan 225-horsepower 3.0L I6
5-speed manual RWD		 Strong brand.
Brand Reputation of the BMW 3-Series: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 4dr Sedan turbocharged 265hp 3.0L I6 Diesel
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD		 You know. But hey, you buy it because of how it drives, irregardless of others perceptions.

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