1998 BMW M3: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1998 BMW M3: 1 recall, 14 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #99V063001 · 1999 · 16,749 vehicles
What's wrong: 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. This system is unduly sensitive to certain non-crash impacts, such as contacting large potholes or curbs at substantial speed.
Why it matters: This could cause the side air bag to deploy without an actual side crash. In addition, the battery safety terminal (bst) could also activate, disconnecting the starter cable from the battery. In this case, the vehicle's electrical system could continue to operate and the engine would continue to…
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the central computer control module that regulates the performance of all of the vehicle's occupant protection systems.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (3): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (3).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Airbags (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1998 BMW M3 has 14 owner complaints, ranking #9 of 33 M3 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 13). Complaints peaked in 1999 (3 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 71,500 miles. Neighboring years: 1997 (19 complaints, 2 recalls), 1999 (11 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.2 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1998 BMW M3.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 1998 BMW M3 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1998 BMW M3. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1998 BMW M3 problems?
Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (3), visibility (wipers, glass) (2), airbags (2).
What gas mileage does the 1998 BMW M3 get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.2 L, Manual 5-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1998 BMW M3 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.