Most common 1999 BMW M Roadster problems
Share of the 18 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW M Roadster complaints by model year
Best M Roadster years: 2002, 1999. Compare all years →
What 1999 BMW M Roadster owners say
Body & structure
After others told me of the defects in their z3 cars, I decided to check my own car. After removing the carpet in the trunk and it revealed multiple broken spotwelds of the crossmember that supports the differential and connects to the trunk floor pan. Also the left side of the floor pan is pulling loose from the body and extends along the entire left side of the floor pan. The left side of the trunk has recessed by about a half inch. The differential mount that connects the crossmember to the differetial has a crack in it.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 BMW m Roadster. The contact heard a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was inspected and the contact was informed that the subframe had fractured. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. No repairs were performed. The current and failure mileage was 135,000. Updated 09/19/11 the mechanic informed the consumer the problem was due to fatigue. The sheet metal was too thin and the box beam was too small. Updated 11/04/11
Transmission & drivetrain
Took vehicle in for engine maintenance and asked them to address squeaks and rattles. On inspection it was found that the rear crossmember had almost completely separated from the unibody and the mount holding the differential in had only 1/4 in of 4 inches holding the aft end of the differential. Complete failure could have caused a catastrophic chain of events causing a crash and possible fatalities. Looking on line I found numerous failures of the same kind resulting from metal fatigue brought on by faulty design. At least this was the opinion of other people with the same failure. One person had a phds in metallurgy.
Four months ago I purchased a stock excellent condition 99 m Roadster (my 4th BMW in 5 years). 75000 miles, no track time, no modifications to the driveline. Normal driving has caused the differential mounts to fail - the mount is rivets to the trunk bed and the rivets are popping out. If I lay any significant power through the driveline the differential will torque right off. My differential is falling off due to nothing more than ill-design. I will have to find a way to rebuild and support this area because this is my only vehicle and it's not really drivable. I hear from local folks and read online that this is a common problem with this vehicle, and BMW's only repair is back to factory spec. Consider this complaint official from me to BMW for their inadequate differential mount design on the z3 body. True repair will be very costly and time consuming.
Suspension
Took vehicle in for engine maintenance and asked them to address squeaks and rattles. On inspection it was found that the rear crossmember had almost completely separated from the unibody and the mount holding the differential in had only 1/4 in of 4 inches holding the aft end of the differential. Complete failure could have caused a catastrophic chain of events causing a crash and possible fatalities. Looking on line I found numerous failures of the same kind resulting from metal fatigue brought on by faulty design. At least this was the opinion of other people with the same failure. One person had a phds in metallurgy.
Over several months I heard increasing noise from the rear of my car. When I took it to my mechanic he found that the entire crossmember that holds the differential to the subframe had pulled loose from the trunk. The car could not be safely driven, my bodyshop suggested I send it to the BMW dealer in charlotte nc. They kept my car for about 3 weeks and fixed it. Now 5 years and 10K miles have passed and the sub-frame mount is pulling loose again, the welds pop out and the noise has started. It makes the car dangerous to drive and impossible to sell.
1999 BMW M Roadster engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Sports car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1999 BMW M Roadster a good car?
Based on 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1999 M Roadster rates average: 20% fewer complaints than a typical year of the M Roadster at the same age. It is one of the best M Roadster years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 BMW M Roadster?
The body & structure — 9 complaints, 50% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frame and members. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (5) and suspension (5).
How many recalls does the 1999 BMW M Roadster have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1999 BMW M Roadster. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW M Roadster?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2002 and 1999. See the full BMW M Roadster years comparison.
At what mileage do 1999 BMW M Roadster problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 75,000 miles; 25% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.