2016 Bmw M3 problems
The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M GmbH. M3 models have been produced for every generation of 3 Series since the E30 M3 was introduced in 1986.
The initial model was available in a coupé body style, with a convertible body style made available soon after. M3 saloons were offered initially during the E36 (1994–1999) and E90 (2008–2012) generations. Since 2014, the coupé and convertible models have been rebranded as the 4 Series range, making the high-performance variant the M4. Variants of the 3 Series since then have seen the M3 produced as a saloon, until 2020, when the M3 was produced as an estate (Touring) for the first time, alongside the saloon variant.
E30 generation (1986–1991)
The first BMW M3 was based on the E30 3 Series and was intended to be a homologation special to satisfy the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft and Group A Touring rules, which required a total of 5,000 cars to be built. It was presented to the public at the 1985 Frankfurt Motor Show, and began production from March 1986 to June 1991. The E30 M3 was mainly produced in the coupé body style, but limited volumes of convertibles were also produced.
The front splitter, the rear apron, sill panels, as well as changes to the body in the area of the rear window (C-pillar) and the bootlid improved the aerodynamics. For aerodynamic reasons, the rear window was flattened and the tailgate was made of light, glass-reinforced plastic raised by approximately 40 mm for better air flow. The changes over the rear of the car resulted in lower lift forces and better straight-line stability. In addition, the windscreen was glued in – not, as with the other E30 models, framed with a window rubber and piping. As a result, the M3 achieved a relatively low drag coefficient of Cd=0.33 instead of Cd=0.38 as in the standard 3 Series. The only exterior body panels the regular 3 Series and the M3 shared were the bonnet, roof panel, and sunroof.
The brake calipers, discs and master cylinder were unique to the M3 model.
The transmission was a Getrag 265 5-speed manual. European models were outfitted with a dogleg version with close ratios and a 1:1 ratio for fifth gear. North American models used a traditional shift pattern and had wider gear spacing with an overdriven fifth gear. A clutch-type limited-slip differential was standard equipment.
In 2004, Sports Car International named the E30 M3 number six on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1980s. In 2007, Automobile Magazine included the E30 M3 in their "5 greatest drivers cars of all time" under their 25 Greatest Cars of All Time.
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Common 2016 Bmw M3 problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the BMW M3 2016, several common problems have been reported:
- Engine Failure: Engine failure has been highlighted as a significant problem with the BMW M3 2016. This issue can be critical and may lead to costly repairs or even engine replacement. Owners should be vigilant for any signs of engine failure and address them promptly to avoid severe damage to the vehicle.
- Transmission Problems: Transmission issues have been reported by owners of the BMW M3 2016. Problems with the transmission can affect the vehicle's performance and drivability. It is crucial to address any transmission issues promptly to ensure the safety and reliability of the car.
- Faulty Radiator: A faulty radiator has been identified as a common problem with the BMW M3 2016. Issues with the radiator can lead to overheating and engine damage if not addressed promptly. Owners should monitor the radiator's performance and address any signs of malfunction to prevent potential engine problems.
- High Annual Repair Costs: The BMW M3 2016 has been associated with high annual repair costs, which can significantly impact the overall ownership expenses. Owners should be prepared for potentially expensive repairs and maintenance to keep the vehicle in optimal condition.
- Depreciation Rate: The BMW M3 2016 has been noted for its depreciation rate, with a five-year depreciation rate of 38%. Understanding the depreciation value of the car is essential for owners considering resale or future investments in the vehicle.
By addressing these common problems promptly and proactively maintaining the BMW M3 2016, owners can ensure the longevity and performance of their vehicle. Regular maintenance, timely repairs, and attention to any warning signs can help mitigate these issues and enhance the overall ownership experience.
Is 2016 BMW M3 a good car?
Edmunds says. A class act both on the street and at the track, the 2016 BMW M3 is one of the best high-performance sedans you can buy.
Is the BMW M3 a reliable car?
Due to a combination of high average annual repair costs, as well as frequency and severity of unscheduled repairs, RepairPal gave the BMW M3 a below-average reliability rating of 2.0 out of 5.0.
Are M3 expensive to maintain?
BMW M3 Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost. The annual maintenance cost of a BMW M3 is $1,161. Repair and maintenance costs vary depending on age, mileage, location and shop.
How many miles will a BMW M3 last?
On an average, a BMW 3 can last for 200,000 to 250,000 miles, a well-maintained BMW 3 can last for as long as 300,000 to 350,000 miles without facing any serious mechanical issues.
Is 2016 BMW M3 a good car?
Edmunds says. A class act both on the street and at the track, the 2016 BMW M3 is one of the best high-performance sedans you can buy.
Is the BMW M3 a reliable car?
Due to a combination of high average annual repair costs, as well as frequency and severity of unscheduled repairs, RepairPal gave the BMW M3 a below-average reliability rating of 2.0 out of 5.0.
Are M3 expensive to maintain?
BMW M3 Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost. The annual maintenance cost of a BMW M3 is $1,161. Repair and maintenance costs vary depending on age, mileage, location and shop.
How many miles will a BMW M3 last?
On an average, a BMW 3 can last for 200,000 to 250,000 miles, a well-maintained BMW 3 can last for as long as 300,000 to 350,000 miles without facing any serious mechanical issues.
2016 Bmw M3 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Bmw M3 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine problems
- Suspension problems
- Power train problems
- Structure problems
- Unknown or other problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2016 Bmw M3 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2016 Bmw M3 complaints
The NHTSA has received 5 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2016 Bmw M3.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-07-27
- VIN: WBS8M9C53GP
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: THERE'S A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2015+ BMW F80 M3 S55 ENGINE. THE ISSUE IS THE CRANK HUB SPINNING OUT AND DAMAGING THE CAR. IT LEAVES THE VEHICLE IN A DANGEROUS STATE WHEN DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND TO OTHERS NEAR BY. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS TO STOCK VEHICLES AND MODDED ONES. IF THE CRANK HUB SPINS WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING, IT CAN LEAVE THE CAR IN A DANGEROUS STATE WITH NO POWER. LINKS ABOUT IT: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/RESULTS... SPECIFIC VIDEO THAT EXPLAINS THE CRANK HUB ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL OF A CAR: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/SJR3ZHEGS_U?T=160 THIS ISSUE HAS PERSONALLY HAPPENED ON MY M3. I WAS COASTING DOWN A HILL TOWARDS A GREEN STOPLIGHT, AND A DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION ERROR POPPED UP ON MY SCREEN. I IMMEDIATELY PUSHED IN THE CLUTCH, AND WITHIN 1 SECOND MY ENGINE TURNED OFF. MY CAR WAS LEFT WITH NO POWER, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. I GOT THE CAR HOME BY TOWING IT, THEN USING A WINCH TO GET IT IN MY GARAGE. I USED MY OBD2 READER TO READ THE DTC'S AND ALL THE CODES THAT CAME UP WERE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE CRANK HUB SPINNING. IT WAS DANGEROUS BECAUSE I WAS APPROACHING A BUSY INTERSECTION. I HAD TO PUSH MY CAR OUT OF THE INTERSECTION. I WAS NOT INJURED, I DID NOT CRASH, AND I DID NOT LOSE CONTROL. ALTHOUGH IF I WAS GOING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED, IT WOULD BE EASY TO LOSE CONTROL FROM THIS ISSUE.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-12-18
- VIN: WBS8M9C56G5
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: THE CRANKHUB ON THESE CARS ARE TICKING TIME BOMBS AND IS LIKELY TO FAIL JUST OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY FORCING HUGE REPAIR BILLS. IN SOME CASES, A "LUCKY" FEW JUST NEED TO BE RETIMED AND ONLY REQUIRE 18 HOURS OF LABOR. HOWEVER, OTHERS HAVE NOT BEEN SO LUCKY AND HAVE REQUIRED AN ALL-NEW ENGINE. THIS IS AN ISSUE BMW IS FULLY AWARE OF BUT HAS NOT TAKEN RESPONSBILITY FOR THEIR INSUFFICIENT ENGINEERING.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-07-27
- VIN: WBS8M9C53GP
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: THERE'S A KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2015+ BMW F80 M3 S55 ENGINE. THE ISSUE IS THE CRANK HUB SPINNING OUT AND DAMAGING THE CAR. IT LEAVES THE VEHICLE IN A DANGEROUS STATE WHEN DRIVING ON THE ROAD AND TO OTHERS NEAR BY. THIS ISSUE HAPPENS TO STOCK VEHICLES AND MODDED ONES. IF THE CRANK HUB SPINS WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING, IT CAN LEAVE THE CAR IN A DANGEROUS STATE WITH NO POWER. LINKS ABOUT IT: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/RESULTS... SPECIFIC VIDEO THAT EXPLAINS THE CRANK HUB ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL OF A CAR: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/SJR3ZHEGS_U?T=160
SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-07-13
- VIN: WBS8M9C52G5
- Components: SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE
- Summary: KEEP HEARING A KNOCKING SOUND ON DRIVER SIDE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. FEELING VIBRATION UNDER CAR UNDER ACCELERATING AND BREAKING. CARBON FIBER ROOF LAMINATE PEELING OFF.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-12-08
- VIN: WBS8M9C57G5
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I'VE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN TO THE SERVICE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE I'VE PURCHASED THE CAR BACK IN NOV. 2016. I NOTICED A CLUNKING AND JOLTING SENSATION FROM MY REAR AXLE WHICH I KNEW WAS NOT NORMAL. THE DEALER AFTER DIAGNOSING THE ISSUE TOLD ME IT IS NORMAL AND THERE ISN'T AN ISSUE AT ALL. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ONLINE AND PERSONAL FRUSTRATION KNOWING I'M PAYING FOR A NEW CAR WHICH DOESN'T FEEL NEW AT ALL, I FOUND THE ATTACHED RECALL NOTICE. MY CAR HAS A PRODUCTION DATE OF MAY 20, 2016 WHICH FALLS IN BETWEEN THE TIMELINE MENTIONED IN THE ATTACHED RECALL MEMO WHICH WILL REQUIRE A REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. ALSO, SEARCHING ONLINE ON THE BMW M3 FORUMS, MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS SIMILAR VEHICLE HAVE SUCH AN ISSUE AND I AM WORRIED THIS MIGHT ALSO POSE A SAFETY THREAT TO ME. FOR THESE REASONS, I AM SUBMITTING THIS FORM HERE.
2016 Bmw M3 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 2016 Bmw M3.
- Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
- Components: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
- Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2016-2017 BMW M3 Sedans, 2016-2017 BMW M4 and M4 GTS Coupes and 2017 BMW M4 Convertible vehicles. The connection between the driveshaft and the flange may fail resulting in a loss of propulsion.
- Consequence: A loss of vehicle propulsion can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: BMW will notify vehicle owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
- Components: STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
- Summary: BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 BMW M2 Coupe vehicles, 2015-2017 M3 Sedan vehicles and 2015-2016 M4 Coupe and M4 Convertible vehicles. During servicing of the rear differential for a prior service action, the rear sub-frame bolts may have been reused instead of being replaced. Reuse of the existing bolts may cause the bolts to loosen.
- Consequence: Loose rear sub-frame bolts may adversely affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear sub-frame bolts with new bolts, free of charge. The recall began on November 3, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC
- Components: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
- Summary: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 M3 Sedan vehicles manufactured May 30, 2015, to September 2, 2015, 2016 M4 Coupe vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to September 11, 2015, and 2015-2016 M4 Convertible vehicles manufactured May 29, 2015, to August 4, 2015. The affected vehicles have a driveshaft with a slip-joint that may not have been filled with grease. As a result, the slip-joint may fail over time.
- Consequence: If the slip-joint fails, there would be a loss of power to the rear axle and therefore the vehicle would stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driveshaft, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 14, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Positive 2016 Bmw M3 car reviews
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Lazaro Erdman 2024-11-27
Car is great! It sounds like you've had some amazing cars in the past, including M5s, Porsche 911s, and even considered getting a Ferrari. However, it's great to hear that you're having a ton of fun with the M3! It's also exciting to hear that you plan to track it later this year. Enjoy the ride!
Kristian Blick 2024-10-19
You'll really get to appreciate the car's performance envelope once you've tracked it.
Tom Price 2024-09-12
Simply perfect. Have owned it for 9 months and haven't turned on the radio. The exhaust note, engine note make driving a pleasure. Perfect touches from every angle inside and out. 20,000 miles on the clock, and not an issue or complaint.
Chris Padberg 2024-02-19
Before making a purchase decision, we recommend taking this car for a test drive. You'll experience a well-designed vehicle that offers a unique driving sensation that is hard to find in other cars of its class. The handling, responsiveness, and comfort are exceptional and difficult to compare with other vehicles.