Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 82 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 BMW M3, and it carries 5 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.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 34 | 41% |
| Engine | 17 | 21% |
| Air bags | 5 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 1% |
| Air bags | 1 | 1% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 1% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 1% |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
During a regular fuel stop at a gas station, I noticed the central lock button nor the physical door hinge fail to operate to open the door for me to exit. The fuse for the central power door lock/unlock button blew ou
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Passenger Seat Occupancy Sensor error displayed in vehicle information center. Warning restraint/Air Bag not functioning properly. This was taken to the BMW dealership for diagnosis, and it was determined the Passenger O
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
VISIBLE GASOLINE LEAK FROM THE CHASSIS UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE REAR PASSENGER AREA. STATIONARY INSIDE GARAGE.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, CEL CAME ON, CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE, BEFORE LOSING POWER ALTOGETHER WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. REPORT OF ENGINE DAMAGE REQUIRING AN ENTIRE REPLACE
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW M3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN REVERSE ON A HILL. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT APPLIED PROPERLY AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE HILL AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 17V676 THIS RECALL WAS ISSUED OVER A YEAR AGO AND STILL HAVE YET TO BE CONTACTED BY BMW TO RESOLVE THE RECALL OR PROVIDE ANY RECOURSE. WHAT IS THE TYPICAL RESPONSE TIME?
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW M3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TAKATA RECALL. DESPITE MY HAVING RECEIVED 2 RECALL NOTICES REGARDING MY AIRBAG, AND MY CAR'S VIN BEING LISTED ON NHTSA.DOT.GOV AS BEING SUBJECT TO AN AIRBAG RECALL, THE BMW DEALER LISTED ON MY RECALL NOTICE, BMW OF MOUN
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2008 BMW M3. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.
Risk: A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-5
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi,
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and ai
Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons,
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BM
| Reliability raw | 70 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | good |
| Maintenance | 41 | below average |
| Depreciation | 92 | excellent |
| Performance | 65 | good |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 82 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 34 of them (41%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 70/100 (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.
AVOIR scores its longevity 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 63/100. 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.