BMW models do not enjoy the most reliable reputation, and BMW M models, with their higher potency, tend to fare even worse. According to RepairPal, BMW has an overall reliability rating of 2.5 out of 5, while CarEdge says that BMW is one of the most expensive luxury brands to maintain, with an average 10-year maintenance cost of $16,021. These high maintenance costs are only beaten by Land Rover and Bentley.
However, you may be surprised to hear that there are lots of BMW M models that buck the overall less-than-reliable trend of the German brand, and have been given high reliability ratings by their owners. Below are the 10 most reliable used BMW M models you can buy in 2025, listed in ascending order from least to most reliable; some of them are on Honda and Toyota-grade owner-rated dependability levels.
2024 BMW M4
Reliability Rating: 4.2/5
At only a year old, the 2024 BMW M4 is still going to cost you around $78,000, but boy, do you get a lot for your money. Just one level down from the ridiculously powerful BMW M4 Competition, we don’t think you’ll be left wanting more power, thanks to the 473-horsepower bi-turbocharged inline-six under the hood. If you opt for the manual transmission, which we’d recommend if you really want to feel the power, you can hit 60 mph in as little as 4.1 seconds. To complement the awesome power and snappy throttle, you also get the Adaptive M Differential to shore up handling, M Sport Brakes to handle stopping power, and Adaptive M Suspension to help you both pin it into the corners and cruise in comfort on the highway. It is aggressive BMW M sportiness and touches of German luxury in one snarling-looking package.
2024 BMW M4 Reliability
With an owner-rated reliability score of 4.2 out of 5 (out of eight reviews on Kelley Blue Book (KBB)), the year-old M4 has so far been very reliable for people who have rated it. 80 percent of owners would recommend buying one, and while it is only a year old, and we have to take that into consideration, there haven’t been any safety recalls for it. The thing you won’t be able to avoid is the high-ball German maintenance reputation, and you will have to have deep pockets to keep it on the road. The figures below are based on the BMW 4 Series, as both RepairPal and CarEdge don’t have any information on the M4, so we would cautiously say that the true maintenance figure is likely to be a bit higher.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $2,781 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $16,040 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 0
2018 BMW M5
Reliability Rating: 4.4/5
Thankfully, the 2018 BMW M5 has been hit by the typical luxury market value drop, and today you can pick one up for just over $42,000 (down from just under $108,000). As one of BMW’s most prominent full-size performance sedans, the BMW M5 is everything you’d expect from a German marque. You get four-zone climate control, a Harman Kardon audio rig, a heated steering wheel, a 10.2-inch touchscreen with navigation, and a leather-wrapped dash, so you get a plush cabin to go alongside the powerhouse of a mill under the hood: a 4.4-liter bi-turbocharged V8. This animal of an engine can send out 600 horsepower and get you to 60 mph in as little as 3.2 seconds. Considering the M5 weighs in at around 4,370 pounds, and you still get 18.7 cubic feet of storage space, we don’t think it is too shabby.
2018 BMW M5 Reliability
Compared to even some of the newer BMW M models, the 2018 M5 can be seen as relatively ‘cheap’ to maintain. With a yearly maintenance cost of under $1,200, it is one of the better M models for garage visits and your wallet. Owners on KBB have rated the M5 well, and according to CarEdge, 10-year maintenance costs are not so bad compared to some of its M brethren. You should be aware, though, that there have been two safety recalls for the 2018 M5; one for the fuel pump that may fail and cause the car to stall, and the other for a faulty fuel sensor, which can throw up the wrong fuel level reading on your cluster.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $1,173 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $15,628 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 2
2008 BMW M5
Reliability Rating: 4.5/5
Boasting a tantalizingly low average used price of just under $13,700, the 500-horsepower V10-equipped 2008 BMW M5 won’t do any favors for your wallet on fuel costs (FuelEconomy.gov says that it will cost you an estimated $4,600 a year on gas), but it will be sure to put a grin on your face. The ’08 M5’s naturally aspirated 5.0-liter S85 V10 can redline up to 8,250 rpm and dumps its full load of torque (383 pound-feet) at 6,100 rpm, getting you to 60 mph in around 4.1 seconds. Value-for-money-wise, today, you are paying just $27.40 per horsepower. To finish it off, the M5 boasts a near 50:50 front:rear weight distribution, and all the power is sent through a seven-speed SMG-III automated manual transmission and an Active M Differential to the rear wheels, so you get intense grip and a lot of back-end fun if you fancy attempting to drift.
2008 BMW M5 Reliability
Like the previous M5 on our list, the 2008 iteration has been estimated to cost you just south of $1,200 a year in maintenance. However, because the 2008 model comes equipped with the S85 V10, it may cost you a little more than that when things go wrong. While it is one of the best BMW M engines ever made, it is not the most reliable engine. The S85 is effectively racing heritage DNA for the road, so with that comes a lot of intricate parts, a lot of wear and tear, and heavy loads. This, in turn, means that there is a lot to go wrong, and S85 owners have a long list of complaints and major problems that have occurred, including rod bearing failure, VANOS system failure, throttle actuator failure, and hydraulic pump failures on the SMG transmission. Yes, it does sound contradictory that the ’08 M5 has garnered good owner reliability ratings.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $1,173 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $15,628 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 2
10 Used BMW M Models That Are Affordable In 2025
The used market offers plenty of opportunities for enthusiasts to experience BMW’s Motorsport engineering without breaking the bank.
2020 BMW X3 M
Reliability Rating: 4.8/5
Blending some light off-roading chops with a classy cabin and a beast of an engine, the 2020 BMW X3 M was the first MY for the lineup here in the U.S. Today, you can pick up one of these beauties for the average used price of just shy of $39,000 – down from its original price of just under $73,000. The BMW X3 M is only five years old, so the cabin is still relatively up to date with a 10.25-inch touchscreen, heated front seats wrapped in Merino leather, and carbon fiber trim. Under the hood is a 473-horsepower bi-turbocharged inline-six that is mated to an eight-speed paddle-shift auto and a rear-biased AWD setup. So, you get sporty feels when you want it, and über traction in the wet. The 2020 X3 M can also hit 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and tops out at 173 mph; it really is no slouch for its size.
2020 BMW X3 M Reliability
Being a hefty SUV, even one of its luxury and athletic ilk, seems to have had a calming effect on annual maintenance costs, and, overall, the X3 enjoys good-for-BMW costs. The annual maintenance cost below is for the BMW X3; again, RepairPal hasn’t got information on the X3 M, so expect slightly higher maintenance costs in reality. The engine under the hood is an S58 inline-six, which thankfully is one of the more reliable M engines up for grabs. It is a re-engineered and hardier version of the B58 mill. The S58 has been designed with a lot of lessons learned, and can handle its power well, thanks to reinforced internals, an advanced cooling system, and a closed-deck design, so with proper maintenance, it should keep going in the long run.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $1,034 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $19,052 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 2
2016 BMW M2
Reliability Rating: 4.8/5
Boasting a 100 percent owner recommendation on KBB, the 2016 BMW M2 is the ideal choice if you are looking for a very aggressive-looking and acting two-door coupe with a mighty engine under the hood that is highly thought of by its owners. Today, you can pick up a ’16 BMW M2 for just under $31,000. For this kind of money, you get a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six that kicks out 365 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque (469 pound-feet with overboost engaged); this translates to rest-to-60 times of 4.2 seconds. The 2016 M2 is also very renowned for its agility, which is courtesy of its wide track width of 62.2 inches at the front and 63 inches at the rear, lightweight 19-inch wheels wrapped in performance tires, M Dynamic Mode (MDM), an active diff, and firm springs on each corner.
2016 BMW M2 Reliability
There is unfortunately no record of the M2 of any year on RepairPal, but CarEdge has estimated that it will cost you just over $15,000 for maintenance over 10 years. It is likely that it will cost you less for maintenance in the first five years of ownership, with the subsequent five years throwing up more maintenance issues, as is the case with most cars. It is worth noting that the 2016 M2 has also been subject to a safety recall concerning rear sub-frame bolts, which will need replacing to ensure that nothing comes adrift in a corner. Make sure who you are buying from has information about whether this has or hasn’t been done before driving off in one.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: N/A (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $15,269 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 1
2006 BMW M3
Reliability Rating: 4.8/5
Boasting an overall KBB owner rating of 4.8 out of 5, you may have to forgo some of the modern-day luxuries that you are used to with a 2006 BMW M3, but if you are looking for some mid-2000s, old-school guts, you can’t go wrong. The cabin is sparse in comparison to modern BMWs, but we don’t think you’ll mind. You get a very luxe-for-its-age combination of comfort and sportiness, thanks to a leather-wrapped M steering wheel, a Harman Kardon audio system, auto climate control, and a classic-looking BMW cluster. Under the hood sits a 3.2-liter inline-six with individual throttle bodies and Double VANOS that can rev up to 8,000 rpm and shifts out 338 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. All this power is sent through either a manual box or a six-speed automatic, through a limited-slip differential to the rear wheels.
2006 BMW M3 Reliability
The RepairPal yearly maintenance costs are likely based on newer BMW M3 models, so expect to spend a little more in the way of costs for electrics and wear and tear. The NA inline-six under the hood is a S54 unit, which, while it is relatively reliable if looked after, owners have mentioned that high-mileage models can suffer from rod bearing failures, courtesy of years of high-revving fun. On your test drive, listen out for vibrations from the hood, low oil-pressure lights, a metallic knocking noise that gets louder and more frequent when you push the revs up, and rough idling.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $1,161 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $14,852 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 1
The Most Reliable BMWs You Can Buy In 2025
J.D. Power’s 2025 consumer ratings show that BMW still offers several models with strong dependability records.
2001 BMW M3
Reliability Rating: 4.8/5
As the inaugural MY of the third-gen E46 M3, the 2001 iteration is considered by many BMW fans as the benchmark for sports coupes/convertibles. It is the ideal combination of a high-revving engine, engaging hydraulic steering, minimal nannies, and the aggressive feel and look that is so loved about M models. Today, you can pick up a 2001 BMW M3 coupe for just under $10,000, and the convertible flavor for just over $10,000. Under the hood, the 2001 M3 features a rev-happy 3.2-liter NA inline-six that kicks out 332 horsepower and gets you to 60 mph in the five-second range; you get a choice between a six-speed manual and a six-speed SMG auto box, and a front air dam, flat rear window, and sporty apron up front help you cut through the air. For many, it is just the right age for an M model; it is modern enough for everyday use, but it doesn’t have all the distracting dash and cluster prompts.
2001 BMW M3 Reliability
We aren’t surprised that the 2001 BMW M3 has garnered such high ratings on KBB (4.8/5 overall), and what makes it even better is that owners rate it very highly for dependability. Like other older M models on our list, the maintenance cost estimates below are likely based on newer models, so expect a little more to keep an eye on compared to a newer M3. There has been only one NHTSA recall for the 2001 M3, but it is a doozy. The recall concerns the BMW Takata airbag campaign (NHTSA recall no.: 17V-047). The front airbags were originally fitted with a dangerous inflator, which, when set off, can go off very aggressively. BMW issued a ‘Do Not Drive’ notice for approximately 230,000 models built between 2000 and 2006. It is very important that if you are looking at buying a 2001 M3, you ensure this airbag inflator has been replaced by a safe unit.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $1,161 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $14,852 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 1
1995 BMW M3
Reliability Rating: 4.9/5
Another older BMW M model that is showing the newer models how it should be done is the 1995 BMW M3 (E36). This sporty coupe has all the 1990s-esque athletic grunt without the nannies: the ideal mix. Today, the first MY of the E36-gen M3 is very collectible, with an average auction price of just over $53,000. The most expensive example sold in the last five years went across the block for $320,000, and we can see why they are so collectible. Only circa 8,500 manual-transmission models were originally sold in the U.S.A., while only approximately 1,700 automatic-transmission models were sold. Plus, you do get a very sporty setup all-round, courtesy of a 230-horsepower VANOS 3.0-liter inline-six, 50:50 weight distribution, a ‘Z-Axle’ at the rear, a limited-slip diff, and thick anti-roll bars. You get a perky mill and lots of handling chops.
1995 BMW M3 Reliability
We haven’t added the annual maintenance costs estimated by CarEdge and RepairPal, as it is likely that they wouldn’t actually match reality. Likewise, there is no information on any NHTSA recalls. However, we have found that owner reviews on KBB are very positive when it comes to reliability, and the S50 mill is pretty dependable if looked after. It can suffer from rod bearing failures, but it isn’t reported nearly as much as rod bearing failures in the later S54 engine. Owners have also said that the VANOS system can fail over time, while the high-revving nature of the engine means you have to keep on top of oiling and maintenance to make it see the miles.
I have owned a BMW M3 convertible for several years. It has been very reliable and fun to drive.
– Owner review of 1995 BMW M3 on Kelley Blue Book
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: N/A (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: N/A (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: N/A
2020 BMW X5 M
Reliability Rating: 5/5
At only five years old, the 2020 BMW X5 M is available to buy for around $56,000 — down from its original MSRP of $108,000. Just one of the best reasons to buy a used luxury SUV over a new one. With the ’20 BMW X5 M, you also get an up-to-date cabin, lots of safety features, M xDrive AWD, an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission, and two engine output options, depending on whether you want a lot of power or a silly amount of power. The ‘base’ X5 M boasts a 4.4-liter bi-turbocharged V8 good for 600 horsepower, while the X5 M Competition comes equipped with the same engine, but with a boosted output of 617 horsepower. Average used prices for the 2020 BMW X5 M Competition are actually less, at around $52,000, and for that, you get all the comfort and sportiness of a BMW M and a 3.1-second sprint time.
2020 BMW X5 M Reliability
The X5 M and X5 M Competition are very sporty and very luxe inside, but with all that power comes very high fuel costs, with FuelEconomy.gov estimating that it will cost you $4,000 a year for gas. Owner reliability ratings on KBB are as high as it gets. However, the NHTSA does not think it is the safest. There have been 11 safety recalls for the 2020 BMW X5, which will include the X5 M as well. These safety recalls are for the following reasons:
- Steering column shaft bearing not fitted properly.
- Steering rack pinion teeth may break under load.
- Sunroof may close without prompt.
- Starter may overheat and cause a fire.
- Headlights may emit a blue light, dazzling other drivers.
- Starter motor may have extra bolt that can fall into transmission and cause a stall.
- Faulty starter motor can cause a fire after repeated attempts to start engine.
- When shifting into reverse, some of the backup camera image is obstructed.
- Rotor and shaft within the integrated brake system may not have been welded properly and could separate during hard braking.
- Weld between the front axle support and the right front control arm bearing bracket may separate.
- Back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rearview image is no longer visible.
While the 2020 BMW X5 M is rated as one of the most reliable BMW M models on the used market, you should really make sure all these points have been addressed before buying one.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $1,166 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $20,339 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 11
Affordable BMW Models You Should Buy Used
These are all the five-year-old BMWs that have hit the sweet spot of depreciation.
2015 BMW M3
Reliability Rating: 5/5
According to owners who left a review on KBB, the 2015 BMW M3 is the most reliable used BMW M model you can buy in 2025. Average used prices are reasonable considering its caliber, with prices currently sitting at $31,930. The cabin is still relatively up to date, though obviously, some changes in the market over the last 10 years may mean, for some, that it looks a little dated. However, if you are looking for a sports sedan with dependability and power on its side, then the 2015 M3 is the car for you. Under the hood is a bi-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that sends out 425 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent through either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed M-DCT dual-clutch auto box, with the automatic transmission option giving you the best rest-to-60 times of around 3.9 seconds.
2015 BMW M3 Reliability
With a perfect five out of five owner reliability rating on KBB (though there have only been three reviews) and not-horrendous-for-BMW annual maintenance costs, you can be pretty sure of longevity with proper maintenance of the 10-year-old M3. There have been three safety recalls that you should be aware of, though, and they are for the driveshaft slip joint not being greased properly, rear sub-frame bolts loosening, and the potential for airbag inflators to rupture. Like everything you should check when buying a used car, all these safety recalls must be addressed before burning off in a 2015 BMW M3.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $1,161 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $14,852 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 3
Sources: JD Power, CarEdge, NHTSA, Classic.com, and RepairPal.