How Long Do BMW’s Last?

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Did you know that BMW is one of the pioneers of many vehicle features?

They introduced the first V8 engine way back in 1938 and introduced an ABS braking system in 1988.

Although the company’s vehicles are ahead of their times, the question arises, how long do BMW’s last, and is jumping on the bandwagon even worth it?

BMW has an average life cycle of about ten years.

This means that if you buy a brand-new BMW, it will typically last for another 8-10 years before the engine needs replacing or you start running into various issues.

Many factors should be considered, which can heavily affect this number: your vehicle maintenance history, the terrain it is driven on, and its protection against the elements.

One thing that I can tell you is that BMW’s are not easy to keep. They have a set of demands, which will be discussed in the article down below.

So, without any further ado, let’s get started!

Is A BMW A Good For High Mileage? Number Of Miles A BMW Can Last

Is a BMW a good car? Find some benefits of having that vehicle

Many of you may want the same answer as the introduction regarding mileage.

Well, the typical mileage of a BMW car is around 200000 miles. This may seem less, but it is better than many vehicles out there.

As was said in the introduction, the number may vary greatly. There are a lot of owners rocking their BMW’s with more than 250000 miles on the meter. That is seriously impressive.

All of this depends on how carefully the vehicle is kept. More about this will be discussed down below.

Maximizing The Mileage Of A BMW

Sticking to a strict maintenance schedule will ensure that you can maximize the mileage of a BMW.

The German vehicle provides you with a smooth and memorable ride experience, so we should also care about it to ensure that its performance will remain consistent.

BMW provides a maintenance schedule with each vehicle, tuned according to that specific vehicle.

Nowadays, they even provide these schedules online, in PDF, which ensures that you will not have to go through too much trouble to get access to it.

With the perfect combination of care and driving, you can expect to drive your BMW for a long time.

You may even be one of the rare users who were able to drive their vehicles for more than two decades.

But that is only possible if you have been the only owner of your vehicle. This way, you will have the peace of mind that the car has been kept with care at all times.

Are BMW’s Reliable?

Now, this is where it gets interesting. BMW vehicles are mainly popular due to their reliability, apart from the unchallenged luxurious experience.

JD Power, one of the most reliable and trusted sources, has consistently rated BMW extremely high. It has also associated the brand name with the words, quality, and reliability.

In recent years, as of writing this article at the end of 2021, BMW has improved its consistency greatly. Since 2017, the brand has been rated one of the best by users and reviewers alike.

Now, this does not mean that their vehicles are perfect. None of them are!

But what I can assure you is that there is a little to zero chance of you receiving a vehicle that has too many faults.

Older models have a mixed history. Buying from a relative or a friend will be better for you than buying from a stranger. This way, you will know how the vehicle has been kept.

The Most Reliable BMW Model

If you have finally decided to get a BMW as your next ride, then you may be interested in knowing which one is the best of them all.

Well, the award easily goes to the 3 Series. Although it is not as luxurious as the seven series, it is more than enough to satisfy a person.

The E390, for example, has been very popular among consumers due to its excellent performance and an overall lack of issues.

The Most Unreliable BMW Model

If you are considering a BMW, it would be best for you to stay clear of the X5. This crossover beats almost any other in terms of looks and performance.

Still, according to buyer reviews, it has way too many issues to be recommended to anyone for daily driving.

Some of the most common ones are:

  • Issues with fuel injection
  • Unnecessary oil consumption
  • Batteries failing before time

As parts for BMW’s don’t come cheap, especially when buying from an authorized dealer, the costs may rack up quickly for this particular model.

So, it would be better to consider a crossover from another brand if that is what you are set on getting.

BMW Vs. Mercedes

The only brand that comes close to BMW in terms of luxury, comfort, and pricing is none other than the globally loved Mercedes.

With both of them being German-based companies, they have stellar performance.

But the question arises, how does a Mercedes hold up compared with a BMW?

Well, BMW loses this round. Mercedes have proven to be more reliable.

One of the main reasons could be that the manufacturer listens to its customers and fixes the problems.

It is completely fine if you don’t want to take my word as is. Nothing can beat the authenticity of facts and figures, which I am going to present to you right now.

  1. BMW rated last when compared with 100 vehicles. It had a total of 181 issues.
  2. Mercedes had a total of 136 issues when compared with the same number of vehicles.

Although both have a significant number of issues, it can be seen that on this list of 100 vehicles, Mercedes has much fewer issues as when compared to a BMW.

So, it can be concluded that when talking about reliability, Mercedes easily beats BMW.

BMW Vs. Honda

Honestly, this is an unfair comparison. Although Honda makes some great premium vehicles, it serves a completely different market segment when compared to a BMW.

In terms of reliability, vehicles from both sides can easily cross 200000 miles. This has been proven for the BMW in this article and is a well-known fact for Honda.

So, in terms of reliability, the result is tied.

The main difference between both of them is reliability costs. As BMW’s offerings tend to be more expensive than the competition, the same goes for the replacement parts.

Honda, on the other hand, is a manufacturer that is established throughout the world. They can keep the maintenance prices low, which helps attract a lot of customers.

According to a rough estimate, in a decade, BMW maintenance can get as high as $18000 but when it comes to Honda, during the same period, the answer drops down to $7000.

That is truly a huge difference, and this is something that you should consider before you buy your next BMW vehicle.

Which Are Better – Diesel Or Gasoline BMW’s?

The answer to this question may actually surprise you. Diesel-run vehicles tend to last longer than gasoline-powered ones.

The reasoning will help you understand how they are better in terms of reliability. Diesel engines can last for around 250000 to 300000 miles.

That is a huge difference when compared to gasoline-based vehicles. It turns out that diesel is an excellent lubricant.

So, when it flows inside the engine, apart from it combusting to produce energy, it is lubricating the insides too.

This ensures that all parts are working flawlessly and there is less friction. Friction is the reason for the deterioration of engine parts.

Gasoline, on the other hand, has no hidden advantages. So, choosing which fuel your vehicle is compatible with can have a huge impact on the long-term reliability of that BMW.

When Do BMW’s Start Having Problems?

BMW’s are considered to enter the high mileage range after they have been driven for 100000 miles. After this point, you can expect issues to start showing up.

This definitely does not mean that they become obsolete after a mere 100000 miles, but the frequency of problems will increase.

This concerns the engine and everything else, such as headlights.

How To Get A BMW Repaired And Maintained

Whether it be a light scratch or an engine issue, it is recommended to go to the manufacturer of your vehicle directly. This applies to all vehicles, not just BMW’s.

Although their prices may be higher than local mechanics, you will not have to worry about receiving parts that are not genuine or the installation being incorrect.

Unlike brands such as Honda and Toyota, not everyone can work on BMW vehicles.

Unless you want to mess something up bad or want to be bombarded with different error messages, you should take your car to a certified service professional.

The same goes for maintenance. The only thing that you can do is change the oil by yourself.

Even for that, you have to make sure that the oil has the correct viscosity, so there are no performance issues.

When it comes to oil filters and similar parts, it is recommended to buy and install ones from BMW certified technicians.

This way, you can ensure that the installation is correct, and you can maximize your vehicle’s lifespan.

Lifespan Of BMW Batteries

BMW batteries meet the norm when compared to other high-end manufacturers. A battery can last for around five years.

Now, this time range is valid for a place with an ideal temperature, places where the temperature is not too hot or too cold.

If you are living in areas with extreme conditions then the scenario changes. Cold or hot environments can adversely affect battery life.

If you live in an environment that is too cold, then the CCA may not be enough to start your vehicle in one go.

This is a common complaint of users that live in places with exceedingly cold temperatures.

In cases like these, you may need to swap out the batteries for ones equipped to handle such environments.

Another factor that many people don’t consider is the terrain on which the BMW is driven on.

If it is an uneven surface with bumps that cause shocks and vibrations, there is a good chance that the battery will fail earlier than expected.

The reason for all of these is that BMW’s are designed for ideal conditions only.

The environment can vary quite a bit, but no vehicle has been made to handle all of this and extreme conditions too.

Average Working Time Of BMW Brake Pads

Brake pads on a BMW can last for a maximum of 50000 miles. This specific part’s lifespan can be greatly influenced by how you use your vehicle.

If you are one to use your vehicle for racing purposes, then the brake pads will deteriorate much quicker.

Due to the excessive drifting, you can expect these pads to last for a minimum of 30000 miles.

It is recommended to install high-quality brake pads because cheap ones can not only affect the performance but can compromise your safety of you.

Expected Lifespan Of BMW Tires

There are many things to consider in a vehicle’s tires, BMW or not. From tread life to performance in different weather conditions, tire performance can vary greatly.

The stock tires that come with BMW vehicles are designed to work in such conditions in an excellent manner.

Although they have been equipped to handle such terrains, it does not mean that they will be last for the same amount of time as when compared to driving on even roads.

Still, you can expect the stock tires on a BMW to last from a minimum of 30000 miles and a maximum of 50000 miles. This is on par with other popular tires on the market.

When you reach the point that you have to replace your tires, you should go for your BMW’s recommendation.

As these recommendations change over time, you need to keep yourself up to date to make sure that you get the best there is.

Conclusion

Although BMW’s are rated high when it comes to talking about reliability, there is always something that you can do to make it better.

This article covered not only the consistency of BMW vehicles but how they compare to other popular manufacturers out there.

Overall, with a lifespan that easily crosses a decade, if you do choose to buy a BMW, you will be genuinely impressed with it.

You need to keep in mind the high maintenance costs and the strict schedule for maintenance too. This way, you can maximize the performance of your BMW vehicle.

I hope that you got the answer to the question, how long do BMW’s last?

It is recommended to conduct proper research to make sure that the car you choose is suitable for your use. If it is, then you should definitely go ahead and buy one!