2014 BMW 3 Series Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life Expectancy, MPG

The 2014 BMW 3 Series lasts around 250,000 miles with only minor sunroof and parking lamp issues. At $12,500 to $17,125, it’s a great value for an entry-level luxury car offering a fun driving experience.

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The Good

Powerful engines are available, steering is much more responsive than other luxury cars and the technology is great for its age.

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The Bad

The automatic gear selector is complicated to use, the suspension is firmer than other cars and repair costs are high.

Is the 2014 BMW 3 Series a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 8/10 – 2014 is a great year for the 3 Series earning a high overall rating since it combines a great driving experience with dependable engines. Owner reviews praise the tight handling, good technology, and upscale interior.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are high quality with nice leather options, seats are supportive for quick driving, while cargo space is lower than average.
• Reliability 7/10 – There are no widespread problems reported on the 2014  BMW 3 Series. Buyers should avoid the 2007 model since it has a lot of problems. We recommend going with a 2008–2020 which are all very reliable.
• Performance 8/10 – The base 4-cylinder engine found in the 320i is weak, while the 6-cylinder used in the 335i model is very quick.
• Safety 8/10 – The 2014 3 Series earns an overall 5-star rating in government crash tests. Optional safety technology includes a rearview camera, parking sensors, blind spot monitoring, as well as an automatic parking system.
• Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy good at up to 28 MPG, which gives 440 miles of range from the 15.8 gallon tank. Gas costs are $9 cheaper than average, at $197 per month.
• Value 7/10 – The 2014 BMW 3 Series is a compelling choice for a luxury car since it’s affordable on the used market. Prospective buyers should be prepared for high maintenance costs as they age.

Positive Owner Reviews

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toshimi k

You get around mpg 30 with economy mode drive. It is fuel efficient too.

It is sporty yet comfortable. It is fun to drive. It is stylish.

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Danelle F

Diesel get great mileage with up to 50 mpg in the summertime

It gets great mileage, very comfortable and fun to drive

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Adriana H

BMW 2014 328i with easy drive.

I honestly love my BMW. It is comfortable to drive in and not too big but has enough space. It drives smoothly and I haven’t had any big problems so far. It comes with unique features that I really like and my car looks really nice when clean. I would definitely recommend buying this car.

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Haley K

New 2014 BMW first timer. It really is the ultimate driving machine.

There are no problems. When I first purchased my car back in 2014, they offered me up to 50, 000 miles or 5 year warranty where everything would be covered. From oil change, to brakes, they took care of everything. I opted not to get the tire package, but looking back, I should have. They use run flat tires which run a pretty penny.

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Denise T

Easy on gas, and very safe to drive it has a great reputation

It is sleek and runs really good. The resale value is decent, and the car is really safe

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Cheryl B

BMW 335i love the heated seats and steering wheel. Must have for winter months.

Twin turbo provides the power and speed when you need it. Love the heated seats and heated steering wheel especially awesome as I live in the Midwest and experience some extremely cold winter days. The steering is tight and responsive. I have not had unplanned mechanical issues and have only invested in regular – predictive mechanical maintenance.

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sh a

It is a great car and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a new car.

Love how it drives, and it has good gas mileage. It is also reliable.

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Bridget F

It’s a safe car and handles very well. It’s very aesthetic looking.

My car looks very nice and has a clean look. It handles very well. I also love the size of the car.

Negative Owner Reviews

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Jodi B

My car has four wheels and a radio that I like.

It feels like it might be a little overpriced for what I am getting. It is not my favorite color and I think I could have got a lot more car for the amount of money that I spent on it. I like how it drives but I do not need it to turn as well as it does because my commute is mostly red lights.

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Danielle N

Is ok, overpriced as there’s many problems. Best to invest in better model.

Lots of electrical problems; good comfort and reliability. Good ‘beginner’ on the a luxury end. There are problems with the radio, squeaky brakes – even after getting them fixed – brakes themselves are pretty weak. Always something wrong with the car.

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Philip Z

BMW. Is not all smiles anymore.

My car is the 4 cylinder BMW 320i. I really do not like it as it is a cheapened version of the old but reliable 6 cylinder. The inside is cheap and plastic. It is slow and does not feel as tight as older models did. It has run flat tires that are loud and sloppy feeling with poorer traction in bad weather.

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Anna M

It will drain you of your money, Bring your wallet & join triple A

Maintenance is very expensive. Not good on gas. Not enough comfort.

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Alisa O

I love the lights under the handles that turn on when you lock.

I’ve started having issues with the ‘eco’ drive. Often, when stopping at a stop light the engine shuts off as it is supposed to but sometimes does not restart when I let my foot off the break. This causes the transmission to slip into park and takes a minute to restart and start again so that I can put it back into drive. I also have always had issues with the auxiliary working properly.

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Dan M

BMW 328 series owner review.

This vehicle has reliability issues. I have had a check engine light on for almost my entire time I have owned it. The performance is less than I would expect, and the comfort and features are what I would expect from BMW. Which is to say not much to brag about.

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Greg D

2014 BMW 328i sedan 2.0l twin turbo.

Too many electrical problems. Performance is great lots of power. Comfort level is pretty good coverall. The audio system is awful and I ended up upgrading the speakers and amp. If I had a choice to buy this vehicle again I probably would not and go back to Honda.

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Robyn C

Sporty little economy car.

The car gets good gas mileage. It handles well on dry roads. It takes longer to heat up in cold weather than I expected. It does not handle well on slick roads or in snow. The trim started coming apart at 60k miles. It has not met the quality standard I have come to expect from bmw.

What Do Critics Say About the BMW 3 Series?

• Consumer Reports says the 2014 3 Series is an excellent high quality car with average owner satisfaction scores.
• Edmunds gives the 3 Series a 4.2/5 praising the responsive handling, but doesn’t like the auto start-stop system.
• Kelley Blue Book users rate the 3 Series at 4.5/5 enjoying the sporty driving experience, but owners don’t like the more stripped-down interior.

What Common Problems Does the 2014 BMW 3 Series Have?

Common problems found on the 2014 BMW 3 Series include water leaks from the sunroof, a parking lamp malfunction, along with a musty smell from the A/C system. Overall, these problems are less severe than other luxury cars, however, repair costs are higher than average due to parts prices.

Water leaks from the sunroof are a complaint from owners at around 55,000 miles. The gasket on the sunroof wears out as the car ages, causing leaks to develop over time. Changing out the main sunroof gasket fixes the problem, costing around $1,100 depending on local labor rates.

Parking lamp malfunctions are mentioned by some owners in the first 25,000 miles. The first thing to check are all of the bulbs to make sure none have burnt out. If all of your bulbs are working then the monitoring system may be broken. Changing out the parking lamp monitor costs around $650.

A musty smell coming from the A/C system show up on some 3 Series models at around 50,000 miles. The smell is usually caused by a clogged A/C drain line, which allows mold to form in the system. Cleaning out the system costs about $200.

There are 4 recalls on the 2014 BMW 3 Series, which are similar to other luxury cars. The most serious recall covers the brake assistance system, which ultimately increases the chance of an accident. BMW will install a locking ring on the seal to prevent the vacuum pump from leaking. Other recalls cover the exterior lights, and are less of a concern.

How Long Will the 2014 BMW 3 Series Last?

A well-maintained 2014 BMW 3 Series should last around 250,000 miles, which is only around 50,000 miles less than the highly-rated Lexus IS. Regular annual maintenance costs are higher than other small cars, according to data from Repair Pal, at $677 per year. These prices are similar to other luxury European cars.

Since nearly all used 2014 BMW 3 Series models will have over 100,000 miles buyers should be prepared to replace the valve cover gasket for $600, ignition switch costing $225, and the brake master cylinder reservoir, which costs $200.

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Sveneet W

Till now I have no problem with this vehicle. Hopefully, it stays that way. Till now it is a very reliable.

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brianna b

I personally have never had any maintenance issues with my car, only the occasional service and the people at the BMW dealership are always easy to work with.

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Danielle D

It is very reliable in many ways. As I have mentioned before. There are a few issues with the ability to see certain objects when it comes to the design of the frame where the front window and windshield meet, but that could be due to my height. The push start button and the button on top to control whether or not the car uses gas consumption is too close, so you may end up pushing one or the other, which can be alarming when the car seems to shut off when you stop. And sometimes the Bluetooth option does not sync up, but that could also once again be due to other factors, such as satellite connection.

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Natasha P

It is reliable. I never had it break down on me. However over the past few years I have had issue with the brakes and tires.

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Marie P

Yes it is reliable. Does not have too many problems except for the tire pressure alert during winter time.

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Gaye M

Very reliable. I have had no major problems with it. The only ‘problem’ (not BMW’s fault) was when someone shredded one tire. BMW roadside assistance towed by car to the dealership and in less than an hour and a half, my tire was replaced and I was on my way.

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Heather N

It is reliable, most issues have been related to recall or standard maintenance things, nothing big.

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Angie N

It is reliable and quite amazing. I would say everyone should at least test drive one. If not now someday soon

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is great in the 2014 BMW 3 Series with a standard 6.5-inch display used on entry-level models. There’s also an available 8.8-inch display with BMW apps. Safety technology is good as well with an optional rearview camera, blind spot monitoring, automated parking, adaptive cruise control, as well as a lane departure warning system.

Is the 2014 BMW 3 Series a Good Value?

Yes, the 2014 BMW 3 Series is a good value for a sporty European car. Blue book prices range from $12,500 to $17,125, making it close in price to the Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class. When new, the price range was $32,750 to $45,400. Depreciation is worse than a normal compact car, but similar to other luxury cars, losing about 14% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the BMW 3 Series?

There are three main models of the BMW 3 Series offered for 2014, from the base 320i up to the high-performance 335i. Each model is also available with either rear wheel drive, or optional all-wheel-drive from BMW’s xDrive system.

320i is the entry-level model with:

• 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Premium Vinyl Seating
• Dual Zone Climate Control
• Cruise Control
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• 5-Inch Infotainment Screen

328i is a step up, adding:

• More Powerful Engine
• Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror
• Power Adjustable Seats

335i is the fastest model which adds:

• Larger 6-Cylinder Engine
• 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Adaptive Xenon Headlights
• Automatic High Beams
• Sunroof

Options Available On All Models Include:

• Premium Leather Seating
• 8-inch Screen with BMW Apps
• Sport Suspension
• Heated Front Seats
• Harmon Kardon Stereo System

What Engines Come In the BMW 3 Series?

• The 320i comes with a weak 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder which makes 180 horsepower while getting up to 28 MPG.
• A step up in the 328i is the stronger 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder making 240 horsepower at up to 27 MPG.
• There’s a very strong 3.0L turbocharged 6-cylinder found in the 335i which makes 300 horsepower and gets up to 25 MPG. Performance is great, taking 4.7 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.

What Colors Does the BMW 3 Series Come In?

How Comfortable Is the BMW 3 Series?

The 2014 BMW 3 Series is very comfortable with seating for up to 5 people, and is available as a 4-door sedan or 5-door hatchback. The seats are supportive, although they aren’t as plush as the ones found in some other luxury cars.

Passenger room is good throughout the cabin, with enough space for taller adults in the backseats.

How Much Storage Space Does the BMW 3 Series Have?

Cargo space is average in the sedan with enough room for 3-4 suitcases, while the hatchback has enough space for up to 10 suitcases.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The sixth generation of the BMW 3 Series was launched in 2012, which was replaced by the seventh generation in 2019.

2012: Fully redesigned for the sixth generation with new styling, larger interior along with better technology.

2013: xDrive all-wheel-drive system returns, new 320i model introduced.

2014: The 3 Series coupe was discontinued and relaunched as the 4 Series. The 3 Series is available as a sedan or wagon.

2015: Standard Bluetooth connectivity, heated front seats and navigation are standalone options now.

2016: Minor exterior styling changes, 335i model renamed to 340i, LED headlights, and new track handling package.

2017: Standard M Sport package on 340i models, Apple CarPlay added, 328i renamed to 330i.

2018: No major changes.

How Does the BMW 3 Series Compare to the Competition?

The BMW 3 Series is one of the best entry-level luxury cars offering a nice interior with better performance than a lot of the competition.

The BMW 5 Series is another sedan from BMW which costs about $2,000 more. Passenger space is better in the BMW 5 Series with more legroom in the backseats, however, the BMW 3 Series is more nimble, making it quicker in turns. We recommend the BMW 3 Series for most buyers unless you need the extra space found in the BMW 5 series.

The Audi A4 is another small German sedan in the same price range. Where the Audi A4 stands out is with standard all-wheel-drive, but the BMW is quicker. We recommend the BMW 3 Series for most people, although both are excellent entry-level German luxury cars.

Ranks #7 Luxury Small Cars by Owners

1

car

2014 Audi S5

2

car

2014 Lexus IS 350

4.84

7

car

2014 BMW 3 Series

4.57

Do Owners Recommend the BMW 3 Series?

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Sveneet W

Yes, it’s a good vehicle. I enjoy driving it everywhere I go. I would recommend this car to anyone who can afford it.

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brianna b

Yes, it is a very reliable car and I have never had any problems. It comes with a cool package that is gives you the ability to have an app to track your car and send you speed alerts too.

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Danielle D

Yes, it is a good vehicle. It has a smooth feel to it and is a quiet ride. Having features such as the tap to lock or unlock car doors or slight kick under the car to open the trunk are extremely useful and helpful when you have too many things in your hands. Not to mention, is quite safe when it comes to not having to reach for keys. Electronics are fairly easy to use once you understand the process.

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Natasha P

Yes the vehicle is a good but could be better. As the car gets older it tends to have more mechanical issues. This model year also has less features.

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Marie P

Yes it is a good vehicle but this was a bit overpriced. The luxury package was almost an additional $10,000.

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Gaye M

It is a great vehicle! I have replaced the tires and battery, but have had no problems with it. I take it to the dealership once a year for the necessary services (which were at no charge for the first four years).

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Heather N

I really like it. It is comfortable to drive, has good power and has been a good little car for me. It is great.

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Ashton S

Yes. The vehicle drives well and has good handling. Good interior and exterior design and car is safe as well