BMW 3 Series F30 (2011–2019)
Generation-specific owner insights from 95+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy one?
5,360
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2011–2019
47
recall campaigns
engine
most-complained area
What owners say about this generation
Our take, from owner reports
Owner sentiment on the F30 is mixed but leans positive when the car has been maintained.
11 problems reported (3 recurrent, 8 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- RecurrentTiming chain failure on the N20 four-cylinder
With repair quotes ranging from $12,000 to $22,000 for a new engine.
- RecurrentOil leaks, described as a matter of when rather than if on the N55
- RecurrentWater pump and thermostat failure on high-mileage cars
+ 8 more issuesShow fewer
- IsolatedWorn front thrust rod bushings around 75,000 miles
- IsolatedTurbo oil feed lines worn at 36,000 miles
- IsolatedElectrical failure traced to a wiring harness rubbed by a bracket
- IsolatedPower steering pump failure
- IsolatedFuel pressure sensor failure
- IsolatedRain water leaking into the cabin through door seals and a clogged sunroof drain
- IsolatedBrake rotor surface rust
- IsolatedDrivetrain error messages accompanied by misfires and a camshaft sensor fault
The version owners recommend
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. The strongest partial signal favors the N55-powered 335i, which owners describe as far better than the N54 it replaced and generally reliable, with one owner calling it the best-sounding mass-produced straight six. The N52-powered 2011 328i also draws praise as very reliable for a BMW and more engaging to drive than the turbo fours, though owners note it is not as fast. The N20 four-cylinder in the 2012-2015 328i is the version owners most often warn against.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Mazda 6, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Lexus IS350 and Infiniti Q50.
Is a 2011–2019 3 Series right for you?
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Overall sentiment
Owner sentiment on the F30 is mixed but leans positive when the car has been maintained. Owners who have lived with the car describe it as solid and trouble-free, with one long-term owner reporting zero drivetrain issues over three years and another calling it "the best of the bunch" among the 3 Series they have owned. The most common criticism is that the F30 feels numb and isolating compared to earlier 3 Series generations, with one owner noting the steering was so numb they were uncomfortable pushing it. Early F30s (2011-2013) draw more concern than later cars, largely because of the N20 four-cylinder's timing chain risk and the fact that early turbo fours are the version most often flagged as a risk. Owners repeatedly stress that condition and service history matter more than model year, and that a well-kept F30 is a reasonable used purchase while a neglected one is a money pit.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners consistently position the F30 as nicer to drive and nicer to sit in than mainstream competitors like the Mazda 6, Accord, and Civic, with one owner saying they would regret choosing a Mazda 6 every time they saw an F30. At the same time, owners admit the F30 is more expensive to repair and more prone to failure than Japanese rivals, and several recommend the Mazda 6, Accord, or Civic as the financially smarter choice at the same price. Against the Lexus IS350, Infiniti Q50, and Genesis G70, owners treat the F30 as the sharper-driving but less reliable option, with the IS350 repeatedly named as the reliable alternative. Against the Audi A4 and Mercedes C-Class, owners see the F30 as comparable in cost of ownership rather than clearly better or worse. One owner noted the F30's steering feel was so numb that the newer generation was a large improvement, and another said the F30 still looks perfect to them despite the criticism.
Recommended configurations
Owners recommend the 2011 328i with the N52 for buyers who want reliability and a more traditional feel, and the 335i with the N55 for buyers who want performance, with the caveat that the N55 will eventually leak oil. Owners advise avoiding the early N20 four-cylinder because of timing chain failures. Rear-wheel drive with the six-speed manual is described as the enthusiast configuration, with one owner saying all-wheel drive is not the true enthusiast choice. Owners also suggest the 2016 and later 330i as an improvement over the earlier 328i, and one owner specifically recommended the 2019 330i over the 2018 for its updated engine output. Several owners advise buying the lowest-mileage, best-documented example you can afford rather than chasing a specific year.
General recommendations
Owners say this generation suits buyers who want a sporty, modern-feeling sedan and are willing to budget for maintenance, and it does not suit buyers who cannot absorb an unexpected repair bill. Owners repeatedly warn against cheap high-mileage examples, rebuilt or salvage titles, and cars with incomplete service history, with one owner calling a cheap German car the most expensive car you can buy. Buyers are advised to get a pre-purchase inspection, check the Carfax, confirm the timing chain and water pump and oil filter housing have been addressed on early cars, and prefer one- or two-owner cars from regions with minimal road salt. Owners suggest budgeting roughly $1,000 to $1,500 per year for maintenance and repairs, and several recommend an extended warranty for peace of mind. Owners also advise shorter oil change intervals than the factory schedule, generally 5,000 to 7,500 miles.
Remarks
Owners note that the F30's steering feel is its most criticized trait, with one owner saying the complaint is blown out of proportion while another said the numbness made them uncomfortable pushing the car. Several owners point out that the 2019 model year is the start of the next generation rather than an F30, so buyers shopping that year should confirm which car they are looking at. Owners also note that the F30 received a mid-cycle refresh around 2015, which is when the 328i became the 330i and the 335i became the 340i. Analysis based on approximately 95 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
Complaints and recalls by model year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 82 | 0 | engine |
| 2018 | 177 | 0 | engine |
| 2017 | 222 | 0 | engine |
| 2016 | 279 | 0 | engine |
| 2015 | 546 | 8 | electrical system |
| 2014 | 957 | 12 | engine |
| 2013 | 804 | 5 | engine |
| 2012 | 373 | 9 | engine |
| 2011 | 1,920 | 13 | engine |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices for this generation
2015 · exterior lightingcampaign 15V520000
BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured March 21, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehicles manufactured June 28, 2013, to April 21, 2015, and 2014-2015 328xd Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured July 5, 2013, to April 21, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the front side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
2015 · air bags:side/windowcampaign 24V288000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.
2015 · air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator modulecampaign 24V527000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
2015 · engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:gas recirculation valve (egr valve)campaign 18V755000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 BMW 328d and 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon and 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d and 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. If the EGR cooler leaks internally, the coolant can mix with diesel engine soot. The high EGR temperatures may result in these particles possibly smoldering and melting the intake manifold.
2015 · power train:driveline:constant velocity jointcampaign 20V185000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2016 328d xDrive sedans and 2013-2015 328d xDrive station wagon vehicles. The constant-velocity joint which transfers power between the transfer case and the rear drive shaft, may become damaged, possibly resulting in loss of power to the rear wheels.
2015 · fuel system, dieselcampaign 21V907000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon, 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV, and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV diesel vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. The EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold.
2015 · fuel system, diesel:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 21V586000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, X5 xDrive35d, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, and 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles. The high-pressure fuel pump may fail.
2015 · engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pumpcampaign 24V608000
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
2014 · exterior lightingcampaign 15V520000
BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured March 21, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehicles manufactured June 28, 2013, to April 21, 2015, and 2014-2015 328xd Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured July 5, 2013, to April 21, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the front side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
2014 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 15V189000
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 228i Coupe, M235i Coupe, 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, ActiveHybrid 3, 328xi Sports Wagon, 428i Coupe, 428xi Coupe, 435i Coupe, 435xi Coupe, 428i Convertible, 428xi Convertible, 435i Convertible, 328xi Gran Turismo, 335xi Gran Turismo, and 2015 428i Gran Coupe, 428xi Gran Coupe, and 435i Gran Coupe vehicles. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.
2014 · air bags:side/windowcampaign 24V288000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.
2014 · air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator modulecampaign 24V527000
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.
16 more recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.