Most common 1998 BMW M3 problems
Share of the 14 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW M3 complaints by model year
Best M3 years: 2007, 2006, 2017. Years to avoid: 2008, 2009, 2011, 2010, 2003. Compare all years →
1998 BMW M3 recalls (1)
Air bags › Side/window
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles are built with a side air bag system consisting of door-mounted thorax air bags (rear door air bags are optional), a central electronic sensor and diagnostic system, left and right satellite impact sensors, and associated wiring.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the central computer control module that regulates the performance of all of the vehicle's occupant protection systems.
What 1998 BMW M3 owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
The gear shift in my manual transmission, 1998 BMW M3 (4 door), sticks under fifth gear and often I am also unable to shift into fifth gear. The issue with this is well known by BMW of north America. The danger here is that when I want to shift into fifth gear I cannot, and more importantly, it is extremely difficult to downshift from 4th to 3rd because the gear shift naturally wants to go into fifth. This can be a very serious problem when going into a turn or needing to downshift to control engine speed rather than using brakes when conditions May be too slick to safely apply the brakes.
Repeated failure of the shift gate. Tranny sticks in 5th gear position, causing dangerous shift delays while in traffic. See: http://www.brazeauracing.com/tech/transmissions.htm for a partial listing of those affected.
1998 BMW M3 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 26 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 BMW M3 a good car?
Based on 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 M3 rates use caution: 1.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the M3 at the same age. It is one of the M3 years we suggest avoiding. 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 1998 BMW M3?
The transmission & drivetrain — 3 complaints, 21% of all complaints for this model year, most often about manual transmission. Next are the air bags (2) and electrical system (2).
How many recalls does the 1998 BMW M3 have?
There is 1 recall for the 1998 BMW M3, the most recent from November 15, 1999 (side/window). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW M3?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2007, 2006 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2008, 2009, 2011, 2010 and 2003. See the full BMW M3 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 BMW M3 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 73,000 miles; 17% 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.