Updated at: 27-07-2023 - By: Lucas

BMWs are known for their high fuel economy and long-lasting engines, but they also cost a lot. This makes buyers wonder: Are they worth it? How many miles can a BMW go before it breaks?

If you take care of your BMW, it should last between 200,000 and 250,000 miles. As the car gets older, you can expect to have to replace common parts like the coolant system, electric windows, and battery, in addition to doing regular maintenance.

People still drive BMWs that were bought in the 1980s all the time. You might even see well-kept BMWs with more than 500,000 miles on their odometers at the track on the weekends.

My first BMW was a 3-series, which I drove until it had 209,000 miles on it and then sold. With that in mind, you should think about what you should do (and what you shouldn’t do) to help your BMW last.

BMW Mileage Expectations

Next Gen BMW 5 Series Unveiled-2

These days, BMWs don’t appeal to drivers who want to get the most out of their money by buying a car that can go through several “cannonball runs.”

This market can find cars that last as long as a BMW for a lot less money, but have a lot less comfort.

BMW fans think that their “Bimmers” drive much better than other cars, so they can enjoy every mile they drive instead of just racking up miles without thinking.

BMW’s engineering is still the best, and sitting in a BMW is the best way to reach all of the car’s buttons and controls.

Unlike the competing Subaru, which is also known for its durability, most BMWs are rear-wheel-drive cars with perfect weight distribution between the rear and front wheels.

This engineering makes these cars “bulletproof” for new drivers and ensures that the engine, chassis, and body will last for a very long time—well over 200,000 miles.

If you take good care of your BMW, it shouldn’t break down and should last you at least 20 years. It’s not unusual to find a BMW in the garages of our grandparents or in the collections of car fans or millionaires who like old cars.

All of them will run like new if you test them on the road.

A BMW with more than 100,000 miles on the odometer that has been well taken care of will look much better than a Toyota Corolla with the same number of miles that has also been well taken care of.

The paint job on a BMW will look much better and have fewer flaws. Its parts will also last longer, even though they cost more.

How Reliable Are BMW Hybrids?

How Long Do Bmw Last

Most of BMW’s new hybrid and electric cars, like the i3 and the i8, haven’t been tested much yet.

People say that most cars in this category break down before they reach 100,000 miles. But the BMW models have parts made of carbon fibre that are as strong as steel but weigh half as much.

Hyundai, Kia, and Toyota, which are BMW’s competitors, all have more aluminium and plastic in the engine bay, which mechanics are starting to fear. BMWs, on the other hand, can last much longer.

But BMW’s electric cars are still not always dependable.

What Is High Mileage for a BMW?

“There is no such thing as an old BMW” is a popular saying among people who like cars. Fans say that BMW models from the 1980s still drive as well as they did when they were brand new. Many BMW car clubs exist across America.

But, like every other car company, the German company has made a few bad cars that you should avoid. Don’t buy anything from the BMW 3 Series from 2012, the BMW 3 Series from 2016, or the BMW 5 Series from 2009.

You might be able to find some cheap models online, but that’s because they won’t work after a few thousand miles of driving.

If you take good care of your BMW, you might be able to drive it up to 300,000 or even 500,000 miles, which is a lot for any car.

Also, you’ll be able to drive those miles in comfort that neither a Toyota nor a Kia can give you.

What Are the First Things to Fail or Need Replacing on a BMW?

BMW X3 models

Even though BMW cars have some of the best engineering on moving bodies, they are still far from perfect.

BMWs tend to break down, especially if they don’t get regular maintenance.

Here are the first things that BMW drivers commonly replace on their cars:

The system for coolant.

If a BMW doesn’t get regular maintenance, the coolant system could break between 80,000 and 120,000 miles later.

The ones with electricity.

The electronics in a BMW’s cockpit are controlled by a complicated electronic system, and the electric windows are often the first thing to break.

The way the climate is controlled. The BMW’s climate control system is closely tied to the coolant system. It can often overheat or underheat, which could mean that the coolant system is failing.

Batteries are dead.

Since BMWs have a lot of electronics, they use up more battery power than other cars. Even the way the car locks is powered by a battery, so if your battery dies, you might have to use an old-fashioned key to get in.

The knobs on the door.

The BMW X5 has a problem with door handles that break. If you lift the door handles and nothing happens, you will need to replace the whole locking mechanism.

How Can I Get More Mileage Out of my BMW?

To keep your beloved car in good shape and running well, make sure to:

Change your oil often and use the oil that BMW says is best for your model.

It’s also important to keep your tyres at the right PSI, replace old cabin filters, and stick to a tune-up schedule.

Limit your use to only a third of what the BMW manual says is the maximum vehicle capacity. Not only will this keep your ride comfortable, but it will also help your suspension, chassis, and engine last longer.

What Separates BMWs From Other Cars?

The company that makes BMWs, Bavarian Motor Works (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG), began making aeroplane engines in 1916. In 1928, the company started making engines for cars. Now, it makes BMW, Rolls-Royce, and Mini cars.

BMW has always been proud of its cars, calling them the “ultimate driving machines.” With the release of the hand-built BMW M5 sedan in 1985, which was the fastest mass-produced car of the decade, the slogan became a real thing that people could drive.

When the BMW 520i came out in 2001, it brought BMW’s famed durability into an era where fuel efficiency is king and durability is second. Newer Asian competitors have made cheaper cars by making engine parts out of plastic and aluminium, which are less expensive.

But BMW has stuck with engine designs that have worked well for decades. Over time, the company has made small, careful changes to its engine and hasn’t added anything to its production models until the new technologies have been perfected.

Toyota, which is one of the biggest car brands in the world today, has been the only car company to follow this philosophy. With the release of the Prius, the Japanese company hoped to join Tesla as the most well-known name in hybrid and electric cars.

But BMW is right behind Toyota with its electric i3 and i8 cars made of carbon fibre.

The difference is that BMW models are more expensive and out of reach for many people, while Toyota’s Prius models are priced to be more accessible to the general public.

Throughout its history, BMW has been known as an innovator and has never been beat when it comes to durability and longevity. But because the average BMW costs so much, competitors like Toyota and Hyundai have taken most of the market share.

Today, what sets BMWs apart from other cars is their drivers. BMW drivers are passionate about driving, while drivers of other cars just see their cars as tools to get them from A to B.

In conclusion, the last word is that if you take good care of your car, you should be able to drive it for hundreds of thousands of miles. If you’re still not sure whether BMWs are good cars or not, you should also read this article.