2002 BMW M3 Convertible

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

64/100

Skip unless cheap

AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 91 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 BMW M3 Convertible, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Engine and engine cooling	13	14%
Air bags	12	13%
Power train	10	11%
Electrical system	8	9%
Exterior lighting	5	5%
Suspension	4	4%
Suspension	4	4%
Visibility	4	4%
Structure	3	3%
Fuel system	3	3%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

BMW M 3 parked in the driveway and had been turned off for several hours I was wax the car when I noticed a puff of smoke coming out of the air condition vent so I sat in the driver seat to investigate out of habit I cl
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

IN NOVEMBER, 2020, I RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FROM BMW THAT THE PREVIOUS FIX TO MY AIRBAG WAS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX, AND I NEEDED TO BRING MY CAR IN FOR A PERMANENT FIX. IN JANUARY, 2021, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON. I AM G
NHTSA complaint: Air bags

THE DOOR CENTRAL LOCK CONTROL MODULE FAILS ON ALL OF THE E46 BMW MODELS WHERE THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER CAN BECOME TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE DOOR LOCKS CANNOT BE UNLOCKED IN ANY WAY BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY GM5 CENT
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

UPON INSPECTION, VEHICLE'S REAR SUBFRAME MOUNTING POINTS SHOW CRACKING AND OTHER SIGNS OF STRUCTURAL FATIGUE CONSISTENT WITH OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES THAT HAVE UNDERGONE COMPLETE REAR SUBFRAME FAILURE. VEHICLE'S SUBFRAME N
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

THE STEERING WHEEL RESISTS TURNING BACK TO THE LEFT AFTER A RIGHT TURN. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE. IT IS MY DAILY DRIVER AND EVERY WEEK THE RESISTANCE IS HARDER TO OVERCOME. IT IS GETTING VERY CONCERNING ABOUT THE
NHTSA complaint: Steering

2002 BMW 3 SERIES. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND REQUESTED INFORMATION ABOUT ANY ADDTIONAL RECALLS. *JS
NHTSA complaint: Air bags

MICHELIN PILOT SPORT A/S PLUS TIRES 275/30/19 ON BMW M3 HAD BLOW OUT ON FREEWAY AT NORMAL SPEEDS OF 65 MPH. COULD HEAR RUBBER WHIPPING THE ROAD JUST PRIOR TO THE ABRUPTLY BURSTING. HAD TIRES INSPECTED AND TECHNICIAN FOUN
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE CAR. CAR WAS PARKED, DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK AFTER PUSHING REMOTE OR CONSOLE BUTTON OR WHEN PULLING DOOR HANDLE INSIDE WHICH NORMALLY UNLOCKS IT. THIS COULD BE A DEA
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other

The seven scores

Reliability raw	75	good
Longevity est.	74	good
Maintenance	41	below average
Depreciation	92	excellent
Performance	60	average
Efficiency	29	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 23% of compact cars
Longevity: better than 27% of compact cars
Running costs: better than 2% of compact cars
Value retention: better than 89% of compact cars

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 75: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 74: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 2002 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 41: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 2002 BMW M3 Convertible?

Owners have filed 91 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 13 of them (14%). No recalls are on record for it.

Is the 2002 BMW M3 Convertible reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.

How long will a 2002 BMW M3 Convertible last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2002 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 2002 BMW M3 Convertible?

AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 64/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.

Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.