2008 BMW 3 Series Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life Expectancy, MPG

The 2008 BMW 3 Series lasts around 200,000 miles with only some minor belt tensioner and A/C issues. At $6,229 to $9,852, it’s a good value for an entry-level luxury car.

likeFilled

The Good

The engines offer excellent power for its size, the handling is very responsive and the seats offer enough room for tall drivers.

dislikeFilled

The Bad

Parts are very expensive if something breaks, the stereo system is clunky to use and the suspension is very firm.

Is the 2008 BMW 3 Series a Good Used Car?

• Yes, 2008 is a good year for the 3 Series. Owner reviews praise the power, responsive steering, and advanced technology.
• Interior quality is above average, the cloth and leather options are both very nice, and the infotainment system offers good features for a vehicle its age.
• Reliability ratings are above average. Models from 2007 have a few more mechanical issues, but nothing widespread, so models from 2007–2012 are good choices.
• Performance is above average from the standard 6-cylinder, and the twin-turbo 6-cylinder offers excellent power.
• The 2008 3 Series is reasonably safe, getting 4 out of 5 stars overall in government crash tests, with 4 stars in the front impact score as well.
• Fuel economy is very good for a luxury car at 22 MPG, and with the 16.1 gallon fuel tank owners can expect to get about 354 miles out of a tank of gas.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle

SHA B

It is really cool to drive. It handles incredibly well too. It isn’t too expensive to put gas into.

I like to drive it in any weather, including snowy conditions.

accountCircle

Sharon J

Drives and handles wonderful. Really love this car.

Had several problems. Oil issuers but I still love the car. Have a recall but the dealer puts me off in getting it taken care of.

accountCircle

Alex H

The BMW 3 series experience.

I haven’t came across any problems with my vehicle except for, there is not a spare tire place in the trunk. The tires that came with the car are suppose to last until you can replace them, even if you run over something. I do like my car because its small and rides very smoothly. It’s great on gas and loves that it tells me when something is wrong with the car, for example, it tells me when my cooling is low and when my tires need air.

accountCircle

Susan K

Great drive and handling!

I absolutely love this car. Bought it used and it drives and performs great!! I would definitely buy a new one when I am in the market to purchase a new vehicle.

accountCircle

Roger W

They say the valve covers leak easily on my make, so be weary of that.

It’s sleek and cool. Very fast. Coup style which is my favorite. Solid and reliable.

accountCircle

Leslie R

It’s expensive but worth it. It goes very fast but is very low

My car is very comfortable. I would recommend it to anyone who can afford it. It’s old so all the maintenance is due

accountCircle

Brittany L

You must take care of it.

BMW 335i is very comfortable and reliable. I have never had any issues with breaking down or anything of that sort. It’s a very smooth ride. The right side view mirror will turn to the ground so you can see as you reverse. There is a sunroof, AUX connect, charging port, 3 cup holders available upfront. Twin turbo.

accountCircle

Kortez M

This vehicle is very comfortable for me being a tall guy it suits my special needs for a car. Drives smoothly as well.

That it’s great on gas and requires a person to keep it running well.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle

Simona V

Always breaking and the part are expensive to get fixed.

There’s always something that needs to be fixed and the parts to get it fixed are ridiculously expensive. Also the car is very low to the ground so every little bump hits the bottom of the car so very hard. It is only a car that you can drive on a perfectly paved even road.

accountCircle

Elizabeth J

Pretty car but has some EXPENSIVE mechanical problems

Lots of mechanical issues and a lot of buttons that aren’t useful/do weird things

accountCircle

Jordon M

Luxury seats, enjoyable ride, and nice interior

The car is a very sporty and luxury like car. It was my parents car but they gave it to me. It has some problems here and there but it still drives very good.

accountCircle

Beth P

BMW 3 series is fun to drive but expensive to own.

Love the way it handles & rides. Hate how once the warranty is over it is so expensive to own. Tires are very expensive since only 2 options. I onl6 have 50k miles on it but am getting ready to have to put another set of tires on it. Overall love it while it is under warranty.

accountCircle

Candace B

It has less than 50, 000 miles on it.

I like the reliability, but not happy with the boot style of the car. . Have always had sports cars, and this car does not meet my expectations.

accountCircle

Ling W

Good quality, last long, comfortable driving.

It last pretty well for its age, BMW has very good customer services so no need to worry much, gas assumption is big but the car drives very stable. So far no big problems, I choose leather seat and I am happy with my choice, it still works very well.

accountCircle

Wai i

It runs fast. It takes premium gas.

I like the performance and acceleration of my car. I do not like it being so small

accountCircle

Nick P

BMW 335i has pretty good performance

Performance-wise this car has so much potential. From the factory you get a fairly quick quarter mile time. As long as you take good care of it by performing standard oil changes and make sure you put the right kind of oil, gas, and engine coolant, then you really shouldn’t run into any major problems. My car has 140k miles on it and I’ve only had to replace the fuel pump, water pump, and some oil gaskets. Not bank-breaking maintenance, although I have to replace the tires often and that can be expensive.

What Do Critics Say About the BMW 3 Series?

• Consumer Reports says the 3 Series is the quintessential sports sedan, and owner satisfaction scores are average.
• Edmunds gives the 3 Series a 4.5/5 and praises the luxurious cabin, but doesn’t like the complex iDrive infotainment system.
• Kelley Blue Book users rate the 3 Series at 4.6/5, enjoying the sporty driving experience, but owners don’t like the overly firm suspension.

What Common Problems Does the 2008 BMW 3 Series Have?

The most common problems found on the 2008 BMW 3 Series include a broken belt tensioner, air conditioning system issues, and problems with the fuel pump. Overall, the problems are not widespread, and aren’t as bad as on other luxury cars. One downside is that parts are expensive if something does break.

A broken belt tensioner is the most common problem reported by owners at around 60,000 miles. The spring in the tensioner wears out as the car gets older and has to be replaced, costing around $650.

Air conditioning system issues are reported by some owners at around 75,000 miles. The source of the issue is with the A/C compressor. Replacing the compressor is relatively expensive, costing about $1,100.

Fuel pump issues are another complaint from some owners at around 50,000 miles. The fuel sending unit in the tank fails in some vehicles. Replacing the entire assembly costs around $1,200 depending on local labor rates.

There are 8 recalls, which is average for a car from 2008. The most serious recall is for the A/C blower motor wiring which may overheat and increases the risk of a fire. Many other recalls cover air bags and seatbelts, and are not a concern once they’ve been replaced.

How Long Will the 2008 BMW 3 Series Last?

A well-maintained 2008 BMW 3 Series should be able to last around 200,000 miles, which is about 50,000 miles more than rivals like the Mercedes C-Class. Regular annual maintenance costs are high at $726 per year according to Repair Pal, but similar to other German luxury cars.

Since most 2008 3 Series models will have over 100,000 miles owners should be prepared to replace the alternator for $750, the A/C electronic control module costing $550, and the transmission mount which costs around $150.

accountCircle

Donna M

It’s reliable. I haven’t had many problems with it. Though sometimes the problems are complex because of the computer system, so I’d have to take it in to the BMW center; which costs more.

accountCircle

Edith S

Mine currently has no issues. When I got the car it did need a new headlight and a sensor. Plus an oil change but that is normal wear and tear

accountCircle

My C

So, far I have not had any problems. I bought it used and have only had it a year, so it’s too soon to tell.

accountCircle

Julie B

My car is super reliable. My car has absolutely no problems & drives perfectly fine. It has never broken down on me or given me any issues

accountCircle

Wendy M

The 2008 BMW 3-Series is very reliable. This vehicle hardly ever gives me problems. It works very well

How Much Is the 2008 BMW 3 Series Worth?

Blue book values range from $6,229 to $9,852, making the 3 Series about $1,000 more than an Audi A4 or Volvo S60. When new, the price range was $32,700 to $49,500. Depreciation is worse than average, losing about 14% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the BMW 3 Series?

There are two models of the BMW 3 Series available for 2008, and they’re offered with rear-wheel, or all-wheel-drive.. The 2008 3 Series is part of the E90 generation which was made from 2005 through 2011.

328i is the entry-level model with:

• 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Leatherette Seating
• Wood Dash Trim
• 10-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo With 3.5mm AUX Jack

335i is the performance model and adds:

• 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Sport Tuned Suspension
• Aluminum Interior Trim
• Paddle Shifters

Optional Features On Both Include:

• Full Leather Seating
• Heated Front Seats
• iDrive Navigation System
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Harmon Kardon Logic 7 Surround Sound System

What Engines Come In the BMW 3 Series?

• The base engine is a decently powerful 3.0L 6-cylinder which makes 230 horsepower and gets up to 22 MPG combined.
• An available upgrade is the very strong 3.0L 6-cylinder twin turbo which produces 300 horsepower and gets up to 20 MPG combined. Performance is excellent, taking only 4.9 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.

What Colors Does the BMW 3 Series Come In?

How Big Is the BMW 3 Series?

The 2008 BMW 3 Series is a compact car, offered as a 4-door sedan, 5-door wagon, 2-door coupe, and 2-door convertible, and is similar in size to the Infiniti G37 and Acura TSX. Passenger room is a bit cramped in the backseats of all models for taller adults.

Cargo space is good for a compact car and there’s enough space for 2-3 suitcases in the convertible, 3-4 in the sedan, and 5-6 in the wagon.

How Does the BMW 3 Series Compare to the Competition?

The 2008 BMW 3 Series is average compared to other luxury cars on the market from 2008, and focuses more on sporty driving dynamics rather than an upscale interior.

The Lexus IS is a competitor which costs about $1,200 more. Reliability ratings are better in the Lexus IS, but the BMW 3 Series is more exciting and sporty to drive. We recommend the Lexus IS since the ownership costs are lower for a used car, and they last longer.

The Mercedes C-Class is another rival which costs about $1,300 more. Where the Mercedes C-Class stands out is with a more luxurious interior, but the BMW 3 Series is faster. We recommend going with the BMW 3 Series since they have fewer mechanical problems.

Ranks #10 Luxury Small Cars by Owners

1

car

2008 Volvo V50

2

car

2008 INFINITI G37

4.7

10

car

2008 BMW 3 Series

4.37

Do Owners Recommend the BMW 3 Series?

accountCircle

Brittany M

Yes! It drives well and I haven’t had many problems with it. It’s a little expensive to maintain though.

accountCircle

Shelby W

Yes but made difficult for anyone but a mechanic to work on. And high maintenance. But a beautiful, reliable car.

accountCircle

Mark W

Yes. Good quality, it is fun to drive, has a good stereo system, comes with standard alloy wheels, and has a moonroof

accountCircle

Jasmine V

Yes I love this car! It’s decent on gas.. however the sporty exterior and interior make it stunning. Love the push to start button. Car has great sound system as well

accountCircle

Jenny M

Yes the 2008 BMW 3 series is a great vehicle. Hardly any problems with it and it drives extremely well