2006 BMW 3 Series

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

• Electric water pump and thermostat failures All years

  What to check: Ask when the water pump and thermostat were last replaced, and plan to do both if there is no record. Watch the temperature gauge and look for coolant leaks; Turner says the coolant should still be BMW's blue.

  Turner Motorsport says the pump and thermostat often fail around 80,000 to 90,000 miles, and AutoGuide calls the failures widespread. Six owners in two forum threads describe replacing the water pump or other cooling parts, some well before 100,000 miles.

  Sources ^10,11,12,13

• Oil leaks from the gaskets All years

  What to check: Look for oil around the valve cover, the oil filter housing and the oil pan, and under the car.

  Turner Motorsport lists the valve cover, oil pan and oil filter housing gaskets, and AutoGuide says a leaking valve cover can lose oil unnoticed. Four owners in two forum threads describe leaks from these gaskets.

  Sources ^10,11,12,13

• High-pressure fuel pump failure All years

  What to check: Ask whether the high-pressure fuel pump has been replaced, and watch for long starts, stumbling or a warning light.

  Turner Motorsport lists a weak pump on the N54. AutoGuide says it is common on both engines, that most N54s had one replaced by about 60,000 miles, and that BMW extended its warranty on it.

  Sources ^10,11

• Wastegate rattle All years

  What to check: Listen for a rattle from the turbos when lifting off the throttle, and watch for power loss or smoke.

  Turner Motorsport and AutoGuide both list it on the N54, and Turner says BMW extended the warranty for it.

  Sources ^10,11

• Leaking fuel injectors All years

  What to check: Ask about misfire codes and injector replacement. AutoGuide advises replacing all six together.

  Turner Motorsport says leaking injectors can put the car in limp mode, and AutoGuide that they cause misfires.

  Sources ^10,11

• Starter motor failure All years One source so far

  What to check: Listen to it start from cold, and ask if the starter has been replaced.

  Three owners in one forum thread report starters failing, around 80,000 to 90,000 miles by one account. One adds that the intake must come off to reach it.

  Sources ¹²

• Air conditioning evaporator All years One source so far

  What to check: Check the air conditioning blows cold.

  AutoGuide says the evaporator mainly fails on the E90 sedan, and that the dash has to come out to replace it.

  Sources ¹¹

• Hard ride on run-flat tyres All years One source so far

  What to check: Note what tyres it is on, and judge the ride on a rough road.

  Three owners in one forum thread found the ride stiff or choppy on the run-flat tyres, and two say they replaced them.

  Sources ¹²

Recalls

• 13V564000 2006–2007

  The mat that senses a front passenger can crack, which could switch off the passenger airbag in a crash.¹⁴

• 15V318000 2002–2006

  Moisture can get into the driver's airbag inflator, which can then rupture when it goes off.^15,16,17

• 17V428000 2006

  The mat that senses a front passenger can crack, which could switch off the passenger airbag in a crash.¹⁴

• 17V676000 2006–2011

  Wiring and connectors for the heating and air conditioning airflow control can overheat and melt, with a risk of fire even when the car is parked. They are replaced.^{14,18,19,20,21,22}

• 14V428000 2000–2006

  The front passenger airbag can build too much pressure and burst its inflator when it goes off. BMW advises not driving the car until it is repaired. The date is when NHTSA last received a report on it.^23,15,16

• 19V273000 2006

  The heater in the crankcase ventilation valve can short-circuit, with a risk of fire even when the car is parked. Widens 17V683000.¹⁴

• 20V018000 2000–2006

  Front passenger airbag inflators fitted as a stopgap repair can burst as their propellant ages. The passenger airbag is replaced.^23,15,16,17

• 20V017000 2006–2013

  Driver airbag inflators fitted as a stopgap Takata repair can burst as their propellant ages. The airbag is replaced.^{14,18,19,20,21,22}

• 24V513000 2006–2012

  The driver airbag in a replacement sport steering wheel can burst when it goes off. The airbag is checked and replaced as needed.^{14,18,19,20,21,22}

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

• Sought after: The single-turbo N55 335i, from 2011 All years

  Turner Motorsport and AutoGuide both call the N55 the more reliable 335i engine for a car kept stock, and two owners in one forum thread say they would choose it over the twin-turbo N54.^10,11,12

• Avoid: A high-mileage N54 335i without records All years Less sought after

  AutoGuide warns that the 335i needs more than routine upkeep, especially past 100,000 miles, and Turner Motorsport says to assume any service without a record was not done. Two owners in one forum thread warn that its turbos are costly to replace.^11,10,12

Before you pay

Open the buyer's checklist

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.