2009 BMW 3 Series Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life Expectancy, MPG

The 2009 BMW 3 Series lasts around 200,000 miles with some fuel pump and air conditioning issues. At $7,279 to $12,095, it’s a good value for an entry-level German sports car.

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The Good

Performance is great from the turbocharged motor, the handling is very responsive and the interior offers a nice mix of durability and luxury.

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The Bad

The stereo system is difficult to use, the cabin doesn’t have much storage space and the suspension feels overly firm on bumpy roads.

Is the 2009 BMW 3 Series a Good Used Car?

• Yes, 2009 is a good year for the 3 Series. Owner reviews praise the strong engines, minimal problems for a luxury car, and responsive steering.
• Interior quality is above average, offering nice cloth and leather seating options and up-to-date technology for its age.
• Reliability ratings are good for a luxury sports car. We recommend avoiding models from 2007 and going with a 2008–2013, which all have fewer mechanical issues.
• Performance is better than average from the standard 6-cylinder engine, and the turbo model offers even more power.
• The 2009 3 Series is reasonably safe, getting an overall score of 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests, with the lowest score being 4 stars in the frontal impact test.
• Fuel economy is great for a luxury car averaging around 22 MPG, which should get owners 350 miles of range out of the 16.1 gallon gas tank.

Positive Owner Reviews

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Giovanni S

That the car is in great shape even when it is almost 10 years old.

I like the steering and the handle when you drive. I love how low it is and the big wheels it comes with. I dislike how it picks up kind of slow in speed, initially.

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Vonesa Q

It’s a convertible hard top.

My vehicle is very reliable and in great condition. It’s a straight 6 335i and It’s drives great. It’s almost 10 years old and it’s seems as the car is brand new. I highly recommend.

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Stefini Kirkland’

Amazing vehicle

I absolutely love this car and I’ve been rough on it. Out of the 17 I’ve owned this one is by far my fav. My only issue is the front and back passenger inside pull handles melting. Uggh I’m only selling next month as a upgrade.

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Karen D

It is a good safe car. German engineering, but parts of it were made/mfg. In USA and Mexico.

My BMW is a safe car. It is red. It has been good to me, having few problems in It’s many years. Although car repairs in general are high, the one thing I dislike about BMW is that they cost a lot to maintain and repair. These costs are much more than other cars. I’d like to get my car to the dealers for such repairs, but they are more expensive than other repair shops.

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Luis H

BMW e92 3 series coupe – an iconic look and an exceptional drive.

Reliable, well performing vehicle perfect for two passengers. While repairs and maintenance are usually considered expensive, the comfort and luxury it provides are well worth it. If I had to complain about something it would be that the seat belt feeder is well known to not operate as expected, leaving you reaching behind to grab it more times than not.

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Allison G

It’s reliable and high quality. Very comfortable to drive.

It’s stylish, easy to drive, and just the right size for me. My only complaint is that I wish I had an electric vehicle.

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Reg C

BMWs are really good cars and if you take care of them, they will take care of you. People don’t realize my car is as old as it is because it looks like it’s about two or three years old.

My vehicle is a gorgeous car. I like the color and the fact that it’s a fun drive. My previous car was a two door, so I love having a four door.

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Pam R

It only takes premium gas.

I have enjoyed driving my BMW because I have always wanted a convertible and it is fun to drive. However, BMW has had two open recalls on this model and has been poor in its response to fixing them. The airbag took almost a year and there is a wiring issue on the ventilation that they still have no plans to fix. I want to sell this car soon and will have trouble with an open recall.

Negative Owner Reviews

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Barbara Brumer Fueg

Horrible accident

The car was stopped, foot on the break and it had an acceleration surge Totalled the car, and my brain is messed up and I need surgery. Horrible, but cute car for a man going through a midlife crisis.

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Sandra fueg

Horrible acceleration surge

Will BMW take responsibility for acceleration surge, while my foot was on the break?

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Courtney L

Expensive upkeep. Not worth the price tag if you just need a vehicle to get you places and don’t care about the driving experience

There is a lot of maintenance required. When I have to take it in for maintenance it is never cheap and never quick. Not reliable

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Haley K

It is an attractive, expensive car.

I like the make of the car, but it has a lot of miles on it now so it does not drive like a brand new vehicle would.

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Valeria N

My car has been involved in an accident but still runs pretty well

It’s a fast sports car that drives well but is really heavy. Old BMWs have a lot of problems so high maintenance is required

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DJ U

Its red so it stands out a lot.

It is a good car once it reaches over 100,000 miles. If you do not get a warranty on the car you are going to be spending a lot of money on repairs in the future. I have spent thousands of dollars on multiple repairs and it’s breaking the bank. Since its a foreign car the repairs cost a little more than most cars.

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PA J

It was Bought used by me and now needs repairs that are costly

Like the size don’t like the mpg, cost of repairs, fact it’s getting close to 90k miles

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Vanessa B

It is a nice car well put together, should know an oil change is eighty bucks.

I like the look and comfort of it I do not like repair bills and the fact that lights come on for no reason.

What Do Critics Say About the BMW 3 Series?

• Consumer Reports says the 3 Series has a refined powertrain and agile handling, but owner satisfaction scores are lower than average.
• Edmunds gives the 3 series a 4.6/5, praising the high quality interior for the money, but doesn’t like the lack of cargo space.
• Kelley Blue Book users rate the 3 Series 4.5/5 and enjoy the performance from the turbo engine, but owners don’t like the overly firm suspension.

What Common Problems Does the 2009 BMW 3 Series Have?

The most common problems with the 2009 BMW 3 series include fuel pump failures, air conditioning leaks, and vibrating while accelerating. Overall, these problems are similar to other luxury sports cars, but repair costs are more expensive than American rivals.

Fuel pump failures are the most common complaint from owners at around 125,000 miles. The high pressure fuel pump is a known weak spot and can result in the car going into limp mode. Replacing the high pressure fuel pumps costs about $650.

A/C system leaks are another issue reported by owners at around 55,000 miles. The evaporator coil in the air conditioning system fails as the car ages, and has to be replaced. A new evaporator coil costs around $1,400.

Vibrating while accelerating is another problem mentioned by some owners. The u-joint on the driveshaft comes loose on some models, which leads to increased vibration. Replacing the u-joint costs about $750, depending on local labor rates.

There are 8 recalls, which is average for a luxury car from 2009. The most serious recall is for a battery cable which is replaced with a new one to prevent a potential fire. Other recalls cover air bags, and the A/C blower motor and are not a big concern once they’ve been changed.

How Long Will the 2009 BMW 3 Series Last?

A well-maintained 2009 BMW 3 series can last around 200,000 miles, which is about 50,000 miles better than other luxury cars like the Volvo S60. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other European cars at $752 per year, according to Repair Pal.

Since most 2009 3 Series models will have over 100,000 miles buyers should be prepared to replace items including the coolant reservoir for $400, mass airflow sensor which costs $500, and the power steering pump, which costs around $750.

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Aki Y

Yes, it is very reliable. It does not have any issue at this time. No issue at all at this time.
Very reliable.

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Darlene M

Totally reliable. No problems whatsoever.. But has been well taken care of. All maintenance done at dealership.

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Kari C

It is very reliable since I do maintenance myself such as changing the oil or any major work I have no problems with it.

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Jacquie C

The car is reliable but has had some major repairs done recently. I had to put a new starter and battery. When the car is working and has functioning parts it is a great car. The problem is when I have to make a repair, it is over $300.

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Nancy G

It is reliable. The only problem would be not following the cars maintenance. If a problem is not taken care of immediately it may result in costly repairs.

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V O

So far it’s been fine. I haven’t had it very long. Only driven for one year. The repairs are very high costly.

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Martha S

It is very reliable and dependable. I bought it in 2009 and has given me no major issues till this day.

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Matthew P

So far, I have not had any major problems with my vehicle. All work and maintenance performed to this point has been done by me. There are no garages near me that work on BMW and the nearest dealership is a 45 minute drive. I wish I had known before buying the car just how expensive it would be to own. Everything costs much more than expected for my vehicle and this is a point I cannot stress enough to potential buyers.

How Much Is the 2009 BMW 3 Series Worth?

Blue book values range from $7,279 to $12,095, which makes the 3 Series similarly priced to rivals like the Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class. When new, the price range was $33,600 to $50,700. Depreciation is average for a luxury car, losing 12% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the BMW 3 Series?

There are two main models of the 2009 BMW 3 Series available and they are offered with either rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive. The fifth generation of the 3 Series was introduced for the 2006 model year, and replaced by the sixth generation in 2012.

328i is the entry-level model with:

• 16-Inch Wheels
• Leatherette Upholstery
• Sunroof
• 10-Speaker Stereo System With USB & 3.5mm AUX

335i is a sportier model which adds:

• 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Xenon Headlights
• Power Front Seats
• Sportier Suspension

Options available on both include:

• Larger Wheels
• Black Exterior Trim
• Premium Leather Seating
• i-Drive Navigation System
• Parking Sensors
• Active Cruise Control

What Engines Come In the BMW 3 Series?

• The standard engine is an average 3.0L 6-cylinder which makes 230 horsepower and gets up to 22 MPG.
• An available upgrade is the stronger turbocharged 3.0L 6-cylinder which produces 300 horsepower while getting up to 20 MPG. Performance is good, 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 2009 BMW 3 Series is an average compact car, and is available as a 2-door coupe, 2-door convertible, 4-door sedan, and 5-door wagon. The 3 Series is similar in size to the Lexus IS and Infiniti G37. Passenger space is average for a compact car in the backseats of the sedan and wagon, but there’s more headroom than rivals.

Cargo space is average for a luxury car with enough space for 2-3 suitcases in the trunk of the convertible, 3-4 in the sedan and coupe, and 5-6 behind the backseats in the wagon.

How Does the BMW 3 Series Compare to the Competition?

The BMW 3 Series is a nice entry-level luxury sports car which focuses more on driving dynamics than many of its rivals, and earns our recommendation.

The Audi A4 is a popular rival, which costs about $600 less. Interior materials and the standard all-wheel-drive system are nice in the Audi A4, but the BMW 3 Series offers better performance. We recommend the BMW 3 Series since ownership costs are lower, but both are good choices.

The Mercedes C-Class is another competitor, which costs about $700 more. The interior is more luxurious in the Mercedes C-Class, but ownership costs are lower in the BMW 3-Series. We recommend the BMW 3 Series for the 2009 model year since there are fewer serious problems reported, but the competition is closer in other years.

Ranks #10 Luxury Small Cars by Owners

1

car

2009 Volvo S40

4.78

2

car

2009 Volvo V50

4.75

10

Tie

car

2009 BMW 3 Series

4.36

Do Owners Recommend the BMW 3 Series?

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Aki Y

Yes, it is an excellent car.
I really enjoy driving the car.
Excellent, dependable, and stylish car.

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Darlene M

Yes, great vehicle. Taken good care of. All scheduled maintenance done by dealership and in time. Vehicle recalls.

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Kari C

Yes it’s very reliable vehicle I have invested money in it have replaced several parts it’s a sport car.

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Jacquie C

Yes it is a good car and a great driving car. It handles great on curves and country roads. Because of the age of the car, it has small repairs needed to be fixed.

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Nancy G

Very good. Very nice to drive. It has to be treated delicately. It is an expensive ride. Gas, tires, maintenance is more expensive but a beautiful car to drive.

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V O

Overall, yes but expensive on gas and to repair. .It’s a bit too low to the ground and not easy to get in and out of. I love the look and feel of the drive through.

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Martha S

It is actually a great vehicle. My BMW is a nice looking car, rides smooth, very reliable and dependable.

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Matthew P

In relation to reliability, style and performance I am fairly satisfied with this car. I have not had to make any expensive repairs as of yet and my odometer just recently rolled over the 70,000 mile mark.