2011 BMW 3 Series Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life Expectancy, MPG

The 2011 3 Series can last over 200,000 miles but does have some minor oil leaks and electrical issues. At $8,918 – 14,732 you get a lot of performance for the money.

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The Good

Safety scores are good, performance from the larger engines is excellent and the handling is outstanding.

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The Bad

The suspension is very firm on bumpy roads, interior materials are not as nice as rivals and ownership costs get expensive as it ages.

Is the 2011 BMW 3 Series a Good Used Car?

• Yes, 2011 is a good year. We have received a lot of positive owner reviews mentioning great steering, performance, and luxurious interior.
• Reliability ratings are great. Avoid the 2007–2010 models and go with a 2011 or newer with fewer engine fuel delivery issues.
• Three powerful 6-cylinder engine options are available including an efficient and high powered diesel.
• Fuel economy is great at up to 27 MPG combined.

Positive Owner Reviews

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Chris B

Drive in luxury and style.

Smooth quiet ride, reliable, interior and exterior styling that sticks out. Fun to drive. It has amazing tight handling. I have never had issues with the engine or transmission. It gets decent gas mileage. It also is all wheel drive and gets around well in all forms of weather.

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George H

This car is very maneuverable and fun to drive.

I have had zero problems with my car, great gas consumption. Its sporty and has plenty of room to haul four people. The interior has held up really well. The only thing I would say is that the car suspension is pretty tight, so if you live in an area with bumpy roads you might want to think about a different car.

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Tim J

Beemer problems 101 with Tim Jenkins.

Usually nothing be wrong with but from time to time it is things like air will mess up lil things but the lil things cost with the BMW. Everything on it is so expensive it is aggravating. But I mean if you actually get the car it is the best thing ever. Even the design. If I do not have my car I miss my car it is beautiful.

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Erin M

The most important thing that others should know about my car is that it is powerful.

My vehicle in a 2011 BMW 335i xdrive. I love it. I don’t have any complaints. It has a perfect amount of power and it is all wheel drive.

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Tina E

It is affordable luxury that looks great!

I like the look and reliability. It is fun to drive and I know it will last a long time. I wanted something classier than I had in the past.

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Doug W

It is a high performance machine that has incredible handling. It has been free of repairs save normal maintenance.

It drives like no other. It’s styling is classic and still looks great after 8 years on the road.Superior paint & finish.

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Barbara G

It is very dependable and fun to drive around. I love it.

No complaints. It is a great car; good gas mileage, good size (not to big and not too small)

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Ammayeh B

Fastest in its class, peanut butter leather seats.

It’s one of the best driving experience I ever had. Very smooth and sporty drive on highway and local. As long as its maintained regularly I have no problems.It’s very reliable and spacious trunk space with a sport package. Heated seats steering wheel traction control button. Sunroof and fully powered seats both driver and passenger.

Negative Owner Reviews

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Mandy V

Do not buy unless you plan on keeping it in the garage.

The repairs on bmw’s is more than they’re worth. You can keep up with maintenance and it is still gonna break down, it is more a car for show or for someone that does not need to use it as an everyday car, a single or childless person, extremely unreliable the only perk is some of the features but I still wouldn’t recommend it.

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Laine Barnsley

Beware!

Errible car! The bolts sheared off cam shaft and fell into the engine bmw claimed to have fixed it ( this is a common problem on 2011 models) however would not show me the pieces they were able to get out. I left the lot with lights and alarms going off on the dash. When I went straight back they said that was a totally separate problem and I’d have to pay additional to have it repaired. Since then it has broken down numerous times. Most recently all of the oil began pouring out and it has been sitting in my car undiagnosalbe (sorry we dont know what’s wrong) and still i am paying a $400 a month payment. I will never buy another bmw.I wish this blog would allow zero star reviews.

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Eugene J

I think the most important part that people should know is that parts are expensive and fixing older bmw takes some money

There are exhaust leaks constantly happening, my acceleration is horrible, the parts are expensive so fixing a bmw gets very expensive

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Stu N

My BMW is a lemon that requires too much money to maintain and keep running.

Every year I have owned my vehicle it has required some major repair. At this point the vehicle has barely over 100k miles on it and it is basically on its last leg, requiring more money in repairs than the vehicle itself is worth. Maintenance is terribly expensive and I expect better for a European-made car.

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Blake W

The car has a unique sound and the car is a very smooth and comfortable ride.

I have a 2011 BMW 328i and it is a very smooth and great car to own. The car strives in many areas but it also lacks in many areas as well. The car drives very well and is an all around comfortable car. The main downside to the car is that it is a lot of upkeep. The car has problems pretty often and they are not cheap fixes. Once you fix one thing there’s always another thing bound to go wrong weather it is a big fix or a small fix.

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James K

A car that’s beginning to have a lot of problems

It’s at the point where the warning lights keep going on. It’s super annoying. I want a new car. Like Now

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Jessica B

Love and hate my BMW 328i.

I bought this car used. It is beautiful but an absolute lemon. I have had nothing but problems since I purchased. I do love the look and leather interior. I am glad I kept my Kia as a backup car. My BMW has had over $10, 000 in repairs this year. I do not like the front seat cup holders. I do like the safety features. I like the classic look and the fact that even though, it is 2011, it looks like a newer car. The seat warmers and location features and great. Buyers should know that at around 100, 000 miles they start to require repair and it is always costly. For example, I need a new alternator. The part and repair is $988 at a local shop. I do think this car is safe.

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Chloe K

Convertible hardtop is not a noticeable feature until it is brought down.

I am not too crazy about my vehicle in the sense that the maintenance on the vehicle is a higher cost than the value of the car now. The moment I bought the vehicle it was beautiful however, once off the car lot, the value of the vehicle decreased significantly, and I cannot sell it for the loan is worth or more. The reliability of the car is good, performance is good, problems would be coil misfires, and dc fuel pump, otherwise normal wear and tear.

What Do Critics Say About the 3 Series?

• Consumer Reports finds the 3 Series to be well built and powerful, but long term owner satisfaction ratings are lower than average.
• Edmunds users rate the 3 Series 4.2/5 with outstanding handling, but cramped rear seats.
• Kelley Blue Book gives the 3 Series a 3.6/5, finding it to be a great entry-level luxury car, but mentions ownership costs get expensive as they age.

What Problems Does the 2011 BMW 3 Series Have?

Problems with the 3 Series include engine oil leaks, push button start failures, and faulty fuel level sensors.

Oil leaks are the most serious complaint on the 3 Series at around 50,000 miles. Gaskets on the oil pan fail as the car ages, and have to be replaced. Installing a new gasket can cost over $2,000 at a dealership.

Push button start failures are another issue at around 50,000 miles. Some owners report the starter motor being the source of the problem costing about $550 to replace.

Fuel level sensor problems show up in some cases at around 40,000 miles. The sensor in the tank is a weak spot and can fall into the tank, leading to inaccurate fuel readings. Fixing the sensor costs about $300.

There are 9 recalls including driveshaft bolts, engine cooling fan, loss of electric power, camshaft housing bolts, air bags, blower motors, and ventilation valves. The most serious recall is on ventilation valves, which increase the risk of a fire.

How Long Will the 2011 BMW 3 Series Last?

A properly maintained 2011 BMW 3 series will last about 200,000 miles, which is about 50,000 miles longer than popular European rivals like the Audi A4. Regular annual maintenance costs are very high, according to Repair Pal, at $821 per year.

As a 3 Series reaches 100,000 miles owners should prepare to replace the power steering hose for $800, brake booster costing $750, and heater hose which costs $450.

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Conor F

Only cosmetic issues so far. No engine issues. I make sure I change the oil every 5-6k miles. I use the good BMW oil.

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Robert M

Very reliable vehicle. Run flats make it easy to get around when you get a flat. Maintenance is a little expensive. I haven’t had any major repairs needed since I bought the car.

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Blake H

It is a reliable vehicle and does not have any problems. I have had the vehicle for 3 years with no issues so far.

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Karen H

No problems that I am aware of. The cup holder is not in a good spot I do not think. The passenger has long legs and his knee always pops the cup out.

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Amy M

Yes it is very reliable. I only have had to do general maintenance on the vehicle and only replace a few minor things.

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Tayler Z

The car does not have any problems right now. This car is reliable and I haven’t had a big issue with it yet. It has gotten me halfway across the country, there and back without an issue.

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Brooke V

It is very reliable. Besides standard maintenance I have not had any major issues with this vehicle.

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Skyy G

The BMW is reliable. The only problem is the difficulty changing the headlights. I prefer to work on the car without a mechanic

How Much Is the 2011 BMW 3 Series Worth?

Blue book prices range from $8,918 – 14,732, making the 3 Series more affordable than a Mercedes C-Class or Lexus IS. When new, the price range was $34,600 to $59,650. Depreciation is worse than average, losing about 15% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the 3 Series?

There are three main models available. The 3 Series is offered as a sedan, coupe, wagon, and convertible. Technology is decent for the era since it was just updated for 2011, but a complete redesign arrives in 2013.

328i is the entry-level model with:

• 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Vinyl Upholstery
• Automatic Climate Control
• 10-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo System With 3.5mm AUX Jack

335i is a performance-oriented model adding:

• 17 or 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Sport-Tuned Suspension
• Leather Upholstery
• Adaptive Xenon Headlights

335d is a more efficient version of the 335i with a diesel motor and the same features.

Optional upgrades available on all models include:

• Heated Seats
• Navigation With iDrive and Bluetooth
• Premium Harmon Kardon Surround Sound System

Is the BMW 3 Series a Safe Car?

Safety scores are good on the 3 Series, getting a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. The only advanced feature is adaptive cruise control. Standard safety features include antilock disc brakes, a full suite of air bags, traction and stability control.

What Engines Come In the 3 Series?

Three 6-cylinder engines are available in the 3 Series offering great power for a compact car. Performance is very good, taking around 4.9 seconds to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in the 335i.

• The base engine found in the 328i is a reasonably powerful 3.0L inline-6 with 230 horsepower.
• A powerful turbocharged 3.0L inline-6 is found in the 335i model, making 300 horsepower.
• The most efficient engine is the 3.0L twin turbo diesel found in the 335d, which makes 265 horsepower.

What Colors Does the 3 Series Come In?

How Big Is the 3 Series?

The 2011 3 Series is a compact car similar in size to the Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4. Passenger room is cramped in the backseats with limited support from the bench seat.

Cargo space in the sedan is okay with 12 cubic feet of room. The wagon is more spacious at up to 48.9 cubic feet of storage space.

How Does the 3 Series Compare to the Competition?

The highest-rated compact luxury car is the more affordable Volvo S60. Where the S60 comes out ahead is with better safety features, but the 3 Series is more fun to drive. We recommend the 3 Series since it’s sportier with more technology and ownership costs are lower.

Another rival is the more expensive Lexus IS. The Lexus has lower long term ownership costs and better reliability, but the BMW is more fun and exciting to drive. Overall, the Lexus is a better small sedan for people looking for a used luxury car since they last longer.

Ranks #9 Luxury Small Cars by Owners

1

car

2011 Volvo S60

4.78

2

car

2011 INFINITI G37

4.64

9

car

2011 BMW 3 Series

4.41

Do Owners Recommend the BMW 3 Series?

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Conor F

Yes I like it. I am at 67k miles. I have to replace the weather strip trim across the top & back roof. I need to glue back the side near the rear passenger door. However, things are all cosmetic. I make sure I change my oil @5k & use the good BMW oil. I only put 91 gas & it drives great. Good pick up. Cost a lot to maintain yes. But overall fun ride.

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Robert M

Yes. Very reliable. Performs as expected. Powerful motor. Love the handling. Tiptronic shifting makes the car a joy to drive.

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Blake H

Yes it is. I haven’t had any major problems with it outside of regular maintenance and wear and tear.

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Karen H

Yes it is an excellent vehicle. Very dependable very strong very sturdy. Excellent service. Extremely fun to drive. Will never drive anything else again.

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Amy M

Yes I love the car. I feel very safe even in bad weather. It also rides nice. It is comfortable, not to big and not too small. It has nice features and power as well. It is a four door sedan that is comfortable for everyone riding in it.

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Tayler Z

The car is great in the snow due to the all wheel drive. The sound system is amazing. If you like sporty cars then this one’s for you.

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Lindsay R

Yes. Very reliable. The interior is beautiful and I have never had any major repairs needed. I love the way it handles. It’s a driver’s car, not as comfortable for passengers.

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Emily C

It is a good vehicle. The ride feels secure on all types of roads. It handles like a race car with precision.