Model year guide

2015 BMW M3

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2015 BMW M3 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 4 on record.

2015 BMW M3 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2015 BMW M3 at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints4
Combined20 mpg

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2015 BMW M3 recalls 3

Structure:frame And Members NHTSA Campaign #16V653000 · 09/09/2016

BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 BMW M2 Coupe vehicles, 2015-2017 M3 Sedan vehicles and 2015-2016 M4 Coupe and M4 Convertible vehicles. During servicing of the rear differential for a prior service action, the rear sub-frame bolts may have been reused instead of being replaced. Reuse of the existing bolts may cause the bolts to loosen.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear sub-frame bolts with new bolts, free of charge. The recall began on November 3, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Power Train:driveline:driveshaft NHTSA Campaign #15V782000 · 23/11/2015

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 M3 Sedan vehicles manufactured May 30, 2015, to September 2, 2015, 2016 M4 Coupe vehicles manufactured July 3, 2015, to September 11, 2015, and 2015-2016 M4 Convertible vehicles manufactured May 29, 2015, to August 4, 2015. The affected vehicles have a driveshaft with a slip-joint that may not have been filled with grease. As a result, the sl…

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driveshaft, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 14, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Air Bags:side/window NHTSA Campaign #24V288000 · 24/04/2024

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to l…

Fix: Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2015 BMW M3 common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.

2015 BMW M3 MPG & running costs

Combined20 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,900

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2015 BMW M3 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,500
Fuel only$19,500
Per mile$0.26

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.

2015 BMW M3 trims & engines on record

Trims
Base
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl 425 hp

2015 BMW M3 vehicles on record

Other BMW M3 model years

2015 BMW M3 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2015 BMW M3 have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2015 BMW M3. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2015 BMW M3?

Based on 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are fuel/propulsion system, engine.

What gas mileage does the 2015 BMW M3 get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2015 BMW M3 at about 20 mpg combined (17 city / 25 highway).

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