1998 BMW 328I problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: What gas mileage does the 1998 BMW 328I get?

The 1998 BMW 328I has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

1998 BMW 328I at a glance

Safety recallsNone

Owner complaints27

Combined19–20 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1998 BMW 328I recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1998 BMW 328I.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1998 BMW 328I common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System

Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Service Brakes

Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

Air Bags

Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

Vehicle Speed Control

Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.

Fuel System

Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.

Power Train

Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

1998 BMW 328I MPG & running costs

Combined19–20 mpg

City17 mpg

Highway25 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$3,450

EPA size classSubcompact Cars

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd

Passenger volume86 cu ft

Cargo volume10 cu ft

5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$5,250 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1998 BMW 328I costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,250

Fuel only$17,250

Per mile$0.23

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length

174.4 in

Width

66.9–67.3 in

Height

53.9–54.7 in

Wheelbase

106.3 in

Curb weight

3,120–3,362 lb

Front track

55.5 in

Rear track

55.5–55.9 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1998 BMW 328I — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 6

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

Bulletin B510819 · Electrical System, Visibility · Jan 2024

INFORMATION ON NEW AIRBAGS. *YC

Bulletin 72 04 98 · Air Bags · Oct 1998

CONDITION REGARDING LONG LIFE ENGINE OIL. *YC

Bulletin 11 08 98 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 1998

SUBJECT ON VOLUNTARY EXHAUST EMISSION SERVICE ACTION NO. 98E-A01. *YC *JN

Bulletin 12 10 97 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 1998

INFORMATION ON EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL AND FUEL FILLER CAP / FILLER DOOR LABELS. *YC

Bulletin 16 01 98 · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 1998

SUBJECT ON VOLUNTARY EXHAUST EMISSION SERVICE ACTION NO. 98E-A01. PRODUCED FROM 10/95 - 11/97 *YC*DB

Bulletin 12 10 97 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 1998

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 328I. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the BMW 328I

The BMW 3 series is a line of compact executive cars manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. It is the successor to the 02 series and has been produced in eight generations.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1998 BMW 328I vehicles on record

1998 BMW 328IWBAAM51030EH68840

1998 BMW 328IWBAAM51020EH66433

1998 BMW 328IWBAAM51000FN70112

1998 BMW 328IWBAAM51060AZ65635

1998 BMW 328IWBAAM51010EH66133

1998 BMW 328IWBAAM51020EH66058

1998 BMW 328IWBAAM51000EZ44532

1998 BMW 328IWBAAM51070EH68386

1998 BMW 328IWBAAM51000EH67113

1998 BMW 328IWBAAM51030FN70251

1998 BMW 328IWBAAM51090AZ55309

1998 BMW 328IWBAAM51060FN93572

1998 BMW 328IWBAAM51010EH72305

1998 BMW 328IWBAAM51040EZ41357

1998 BMW 328IWBAAM51060EH71828

1998 BMW 328IWBAAM51030EZ45206

1998 BMW 328IWBABG11000ER45765

1998 BMW 328IWBAAM51050EZ43036

1998 BMW 328IWBAAM51070EZ44723

1998 BMW 328IWBAAM51070EZ43488

1998 BMW 328IWBAAM51040EZ46476

1998 BMW 328IWBAAM51070EZ42342

1998 BMW 328IWBAAM51040EZ44873

1998 BMW 328IWBABG11060ER45852

Other BMW 328I model years

2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2001 2000 1999 1997 1996 1995 1994

1998 BMW 328I — frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 BMW 328I have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 1998 BMW 328I. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 BMW 328I?

Across all 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, service brakes, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 1998 BMW 328I get?

The 1998 BMW 328I has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.