How Many Miles Does a BMW Last?

With proper care and maintenance, your BMW can last over 200,000 miles and up to 15 years.
Written by Maxine Boyko
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
A
BMW
can last for 15 years and 200,000 miles, easy—that is, with proper care and maintenance per the German automaker’s specifications. 
BMW is known all over the world for making quality luxury vehicles. Unfortunately, a higher price tag doesn’t grant immunity from aging, hard-driving, and missed maintenance appointments. Yes, even the costliest vehicles right out of the box need a spit shine and oil change now and then to keep things in top shape. 
Jerry
the
car insurance
comparison
super app
is here to talk more about what BMW vehicles need to thrive. We’ll cover how long they can last, the heartiest and weakest reliability models, and what sort of costs you can expect out of ownership. We’ll also beam you up with advice on how to protect your investment and extend its lifespan.
icon
Make safe driving pay
Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning now

How many miles does a BMW last?

BMWs can last for well over 200,000 miles—and up to the 250,000-mile mark with routine maintenance and care.
How long your vehicle lasts ultimately depends on several factors, namely how well you take care of it and its age. Another critical factor in determining your vehicle’s lifespan is its make and model. A BMW’s odometer can accrue thousands of miles if it’s well taken care of—so be sure to adequately maintain it if you plan to top 200,000+ miles. 

How many years do BMWs last?

The average BMW will last for 15 years, but only if you attend to it and provide proper care and maintenance. 
Sure, manufacturers may rate life expectancy in miles, but how your vehicle is treated can also shorten or extend your BMW’s lifespan. Towing heavy loads, running the car without fuel, or letting the car sit for extended periods of time are just a few surefire ways to shorten your vehicle’s vitality. 
On the other hand, certain factors can extend your car’s life expectancy. Sticking to the recommended service schedule and following basic
vehicle care tips
will help your BMW run for at least a decade and a half—if not longer!
rating reverse-full
"I’m earning
awesome rewards
every week, just for driving safe!”

How reliable is a BMW?

When it comes down to it, there’s plenty of evidence to suggest BMWs are not all that reliable. At best, BMWs are rated as average for reliability. On the other end of the spectrum, owners say that they are Big Money Wasters, due to frequent and expensive repair costs, and RepairPal gives the brand a 2.5 out of 5 reliability score
Let’s go over two BMWs and their attributes so you know what to look out for when it comes to reliability green lights and red flags

Most reliable: BMW 318i

The BMW 318i is a relatively reliable entry-level sedan, which was also known as the E46 before 2002. It’s known as being a bit of a workhorse in the BMW lineup, which is likely why it’s one of BMW’s best-selling model generations of all time.
The 318i was an impressively powerful vehicle when it first arrived on the scene with a 2.0-liter engine capable of delivering 141 horsepower. Plus, all the models look great, whether you prefer a sedan, coupe, or wagon. 
If you’re able to find a rare E46-exclusive
330i ZHP, look out
! This little beamer’s equipped with extra power in addition to better suspension, wheels, brakes, and design. It’s basically an E46 M3 without being an
M3
and makes for a great daily driver.
In sum, if you’re not completely turned off from the possibility of putting in a little preventative maintenance and keeping things well-tuned, then a used 318i is a pretty solid purchase—just be sure to perform a professional inspection to brush up on its repair work history before finalizing any deals.

Least reliable: BMW 120d

The BMW 120d was released as part of the 1 Series lineup and was available in many forms, including the well-known three-door hatchback E81. The 120d had an M47 engine from its inception in 2004 until 2007 before switching over to an N47 for the second generation.
While both engines were turbocharged, the N47 from 2007 through 2013 is infamous for timing chain problems. The five-door hatchback was a pretty decent quality car all-around—but unfortunately, without intensive (and expensive) maintenance and frequent repairs, the car is at risk of falling into rapid degeneration and premature failure.

Are BMWs expensive to maintain?

BMWs are easily the most expensive vehicles to maintain, hovering well above the national average. The annual maintenance costs for a typical BMW vehicle sit between $1,000 to $1,700, and RepairPal reports the average owner spends $968 on yearly maintenance and repairs
Of course, how much you will have to shell out depends on many factors, including: 
  • Age
  • Mileage
  • How well you keep up with routine maintenance
  • Shop location
  • Labor, parts, and repair costs

Brakes

BMW brake pads last anywhere between 30,000 and 70,000 miles. They tend to cost $150 to $450 per axle—even more if your particular vehicle requires a special type of brake pad. 
These costs can add up quickly depending on your driving habits and the overall health of your vehicle. If you frequently drive in a lot of fast and heavy traffic with persistent stops and starts, your
brakes will wear down
much faster and need to be changed more often than a car used for casual, slow coasting. 
icon
Make safe driving pay
Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning now

Tires

BMW all-season tires that are kept properly can last for 50,000+ miles—but like all things, the actual life expectancy of your tires can vary wildly based on general wear and tear and whether you take any maintenance measures.
It’s safe to assume your BMW’s tires can hold up to at least 25,000 to 30,000 miles, as long as you perform the bare minimum upkeep and avoid riding on rough terrain. When all is said and done, these tires should last you for two to four years—barring any damaging incidentals like
hitting potholes
.

Transmission

BMW transmissions will last up to 300,000 miles or more
Properly caring for your transmission entails changing the fluids, allowing your vehicle to warm up properly, and getting regular checkups.

Spark plugs

In general, spark plugs can last up to 80,000 miles. 
You should keep in mind, however, that this number depends on what kind of engine your BMW has. If your BMW was manufactured after 2010 and has an N20 or N55 engine, you’ll need to replace your spark plugs every 60,000 miles. 
That said, misfiring, rough idling, or slower acceleration are all signs you’ll probably need to
change your spark plugs or ignition cables
(or both) before your next anticipated replacement.

How to prolong the lifespan of your BMW

We’ll say it one more time for the people in the back(seat): the best way to prolong your BMW’s lifespan is with proper care and maintenance. 
Check out our quick guide on ensuring your BMW lives a long and healthy life:
  • Stick to the schedule: Read up on your BMW’s basic maintenance needs and schedule. Every BMW manual supplies information on what type of services your vehicle will need and how frequently it’ll need them, plus extra care tips.
  • Take car alerts seriously: It’s important to pay attention to any symptoms or alerts and to take action as soon as possible. An illuminated
    check engine light
    , leaks, sounds, smells, or sluggish performance are all signs your vehicle needs some extra TLC.
  • Don’t buy the cheap stuff: We get it—sometimes you’re in a pinch and need to save some money, but consider how much more you spend over time when you use cheaper parts. Buying BMW-recommended parts and fluids upfront will help save you time and money down the line.
  • Keep it kempt: Maintaining a clean car isn’t about keeping up appearances—there's a good reason for it! Vacuuming and keeping clutter at bay reduces wear and tear on the interiors. Plus, regularly
    washing and waxing
    your car will help protect the paint.
Key Takeaway If you properly follow a regular care and maintenance schedule, your BMW can last up to 200,000 miles and over 15 years. 

Saving on car insurance on your BMW

Taking care of your BMW can involve a great deal of work, but it’s necessary for your vehicle’s health and vitality. Fortunately, you don’t have to do all the legwork—not when you have
Jerry
doing it all!
Here’s how Jerry works: download the app, answer a few easy questions, and you’ll be given highly competitive quotes from 50+ leading insurance providers—all for free and within 45 seconds! Once you find a policy that you like, Jerry will help you switch.
Leave the hassles and stress behind and find security and savings with Jerry—the average customer saves nearly $900 each year on car insurance!
“Insurance companies originally charged me $189 while driving my BMW 300 miles per year. Thanks to
Jerry
, I only pay $56! I’m so happy.”  —Ray T. 
RECOMMENDED
Thousands of customers saved on average $887/year on their car insurance with Jerry
This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍
avatar
Gabriella R.
Find insurance savings
rating primary
4.7/5 Rating on App Store
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
Try Jerry

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings