BMW 3 Series Cost to Own
By CarWhere Research · Updated
A 2026 BMW 3 Series costs about $51,517 over 5 years and 75,000 miles in depreciation, fuel and insurance. Depreciation is the biggest share at $31,767 (56% of the median new price); fuel $13,340 and national-average insurance $6,410 make up the rest. Scheduled maintenance, repairs and registration fees come on top.
5-year total
$51,517
depreciation + fuel + insurance
Depreciation
$31,767
56% of new price
Fuel
$13,340
$2,668/yr
Insurance
$6,410
national average
5-year cost-to-own breakdown
Assumptions: 5 years, 15,000 miles a year (75,000 total), bought new. Every line shows its formula and source.
| Line | 5 years | Per year | How it’s calculated | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depreciation | $31,767 | $6,353 | $56,727 median new price (2026) × 56% below new for 5-year-old (2021) listings | CarWhere depreciation study |
| Fuel | $13,340 | $2,668 | 75,000 mi ÷ 29 MPG × $5.158/gal premium (median of 4 EPA versions) | EPA × EIA November 2, 2026 |
| Insurance | $6,410 | $1,282 | U.S. average expenditure per insured car (2023) × 5 years. Not specific to the 3 Series. | NAIC, by state |
| Scheduled maintenance | See note | — | BMW Ultimate Care Scheduled Maintenance (36 months or 36,000 miles) is included; beyond its terms, the BMW schedule below applies. No manufacturer-published service prices. | BMW schedule |
| Registration and fees | Varies by state | — | State registration, title and taxes. | State title guides |
| Total | $51,517 | $10,303 | Depreciation + fuel + national-average insurance. Maintenance, repairs and fees not included. | |
Depreciation
New 3 Seriess list for a median $56,727 (10,013 listings). In CarWhere’s used-market study, 2021 models (5 years old) list 56% below that, so a 3 Series loses about $31,767 in its first five years.
| Model year | Age | Median listing | Below new | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 | $24,987 | 56% | 687 |
Fuel
The EPA rates the 2026 3 Series at 29 MPG combined; 29–31 MPG across 4 EPA-listed versions. At $5.158/gal premium (EIA, week of November 2, 2026), 75,000 miles cost about $13,340, or $2,668 a year.
EPA versions included: 330i Sedan, 330i xDrive Sedan, M340i Sedan, M340i xDrive Sedan.
Insurance
Insurance varies by driver, location and coverage. Across all insured cars, U.S. drivers spent an average of $1,282 a year in 2023 (NAIC); see car insurance cost by state for your state’s average.
Is the 3 Series expensive to maintain?
BMW's published oil-change interval: condition Based Service (CBS): the car's BMW Maintenance System forecasts engine-oil service by date and mileage from sensors, elapsed time and driving profile. BMW Ultimate Care Scheduled Maintenance: 36 months or 36,000 miles. For the 3 Series: engine air filter every 3rd oil service (approx. 30,000 mi).; spark plugs every 6th oil service (approx. 60,000 mi); M3 every 3rd (approx. 30,000 mi).. We list the schedule rather than a dollar figure because BMW doesn't publish service prices.
For repair patterns owners report, see 3 Series known issues.
BMW Ultimate Care Scheduled Maintenance
Term: 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever first, from original in-service date (2026 vehicles bought from an authorized US BMW center); transferable to subsequent owners
Covers: At no cost when called for by the BMW Maintenance System: engine oil and filter, brake fluid replacement, vehicle check, M 1,200-mile running-in service, plus 'combine with engine oil' items — cabin microfilter(s), remote key battery, engine air filter, spark plugs, and front differential/final drive oil (M). Excludes brake pads and discs (incl. carbon ceramic), parking brake shoes, wiper blades, engine drive belt, tires, alignment/rotation, and services done early or outside authorized BMW centers.
Source: 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care)
Oil changes
Normal: Condition Based Service (CBS): the car's BMW Maintenance System forecasts engine-oil service by date and mileage from sensors, elapsed time and driving profile. The booklet equates the 2nd oil service with approx. 20,000 miles (i.e., roughly 10,000 miles per oil service).
Severe or special conditions: No fixed severe schedule; CBS shortens intervals for short trips, cold starts, idling, stop-and-go and high-rpm driving.
Oil: Factory-filled with BMW-approved fully synthetic oil; see Owner's Manual for the specific approval.
Source: 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care)
| Interval | Items | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Every engine oil service (per CBS) |
| 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care) |
| Every 2nd oil service (approx. 20,000 mi) |
| 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care) |
| Every 3rd oil service (approx. 30,000 mi) |
| 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care) |
| Every 4th oil service (approx. 40,000 mi) |
| 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care) |
| Every 5th oil service (approx. 50,000 mi) |
| 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care) |
| Every 6th oil service (approx. 60,000 mi) |
| 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care) |
| Per CBS (date-based) |
| 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care) |
| Long-life |
| 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care) |
| 1,200 miles (M models only) |
| 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care) |
3 Series-specific notes
- Engine air filter every 3rd oil service (approx. 30,000 mi).
- Spark plugs every 6th oil service (approx. 60,000 mi); M3 every 3rd (approx. 30,000 mi).
- Cabin microfilter every 2nd oil service (approx. 20,000 mi).
Source: 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care)
Prices the manufacturer publishes
- BMW Ultimate Care covered scheduled maintenance (first 3 yrs/36k mi): $0 ('at no expense to you') (2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care))
- BMW Oil Change Plan (3 years) — oil and filter changes incl. labor, max 2 per contract year; only for vehicles past 60 months/60,000 miles with no active plan; not available in DE, WI, FL, NH: $249 plus taxes and disposal fees (BMW Maintenance Plans — Ultimate Care (bmwusa.com, redirects to bmwusaservice.com/ultimatecare))
More 3 Series research
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to own a BMW 3 Series?
A 2026 BMW 3 Series costs about $51,517 over 5 years and 75,000 miles in depreciation, fuel and insurance. Depreciation is the biggest share at $31,767 (56% of the median new price); fuel $13,340 and national-average insurance $6,410 make up the rest. Scheduled maintenance, repairs and registration fees come on top.
Is the 3 Series expensive to maintain?
BMW's published oil-change interval: condition Based Service (CBS): the car's BMW Maintenance System forecasts engine-oil service by date and mileage from sensors, elapsed time and driving profile. BMW Ultimate Care Scheduled Maintenance: 36 months or 36,000 miles. For the 3 Series: engine air filter every 3rd oil service (approx. 30,000 mi).; spark plugs every 6th oil service (approx. 60,000 mi); M3 every 3rd (approx. 30,000 mi).. We list the schedule rather than a dollar figure because BMW doesn't publish service prices.
Is the 3 Series expensive to insure?
Insurance varies by driver, location and coverage, and CarWhere doesn't publish model-specific premiums. Across all insured cars, U.S. drivers spent an average of $1,282 a year (NAIC, 2023), or $6,410 over 5 years; our state-by-state study shows the average where you live.
How much does a 3 Series depreciate in 5 years?
In CarWhere's used-market study, 5-year-old 3 Seriess (model year 2021) list for 56% below the median new price of $56,727, about $31,767 of lost value.
How much does a 3 Series cost to fuel per year?
About $2,668 a year at 15,000 miles, based on the EPA rating of 29 MPG combined; 29–31 MPG across 4 EPA-listed versions and $5.158/gal premium (EIA, week of November 2, 2026).
Sources and method
Formula: 5-year total = depreciation (median new price × % below new at age 5) + fuel (75,000 mi ÷ EPA combined MPG × EIA national price, or kWh/100 mi × EIA residential rate for EVs) + insurance (NAIC national average expenditure × 5). Lines without a citable source are left blank.
- CarWhere car depreciation by model study — CarWhere Research (data as of 2026-10-25)
- Fuel economy data (vehicles.csv) — U.S. EPA / DOE, fueleconomy.gov
- Weekly U.S. retail gasoline and diesel prices — U.S. Energy Information Administration (week of November 2, 2026)
- Auto Insurance Database Report (average expenditure) — NAIC, via CarWhere state study (2023 data)
- 2026 BMW All Models Maintenance booklet (incl. BMW Ultimate Care) — BMW (opened 2026-11-06)
- BMW Maintenance Plans — Ultimate Care (bmwusa.com, redirects to bmwusaservice.com/ultimatecare) — BMW (opened 2026-11-06)