Sell your 1999 BMW 3 Series for cash

The 1999 BMW 3 Series is a small car that came with a choice of 1.9L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl and 2.8L 6-cyl engines. At 27 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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1999 BMW 3 Series at a glance

Body styleMinicompact Cars, Subcompact Cars, Compact Cars
Engines1.9L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl, 2.8L 6-cyl
TransmissionsAutomatic 4-spd, Manual 5-spd, Automatic 5-spd
DriveRear-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline
Fuel economy17–20 city / 25–30 highway / 20–24 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$2,800–$3,350 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂370–444 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA14 configurations: 323i Convertible, 328i Convertible, 323is, 328is, 318ti, 323i and more
Age27 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 27 years old, most of a 1999 3 Series's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a small car, it weighs less than a truck or SUV, so its value leans more on parts than on scrap weight. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 1999 3 Series. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the air bags, typically around 117,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

1999 BMW 3 Series recalls

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls covering the 1999 BMW 3 Series. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Air BagsMay 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V401000

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 BMW 3 Series (323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci and 330Ci), 1999-2001 323i, 328i, 330i, 330xi, and 2000 323i, 328i stationwagon vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata. These vehicles are equipped with driver-side air bag inflators that…

Risk: The inflator could explode during air bag deployment, resulting in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the risk of serious injury o

Air BagsNov 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V851000Park outside / do not drive

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 1999 323i and 328i vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata at one specific inflator production facility. These inflators do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI…

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the

Air BagsNov 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V852000

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 1999-2000 323i and 328i and 2000 323Ci and 328Ci vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata. These inflators do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb…

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the

Air BagsNov 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V853000

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 1999-2001 323i, 325i, 328i and 330i and 2000-2001 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, 323iT, and 325iT vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI) manufactured by Takata. These vehicles may have received a replacement driver air bag as part of a vehicle repair. Due to…

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants. An underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant. These scenarios increase the

Air BagsAug 2002 · NHTSA campaign 02V223000

On certain 4-door passenger vehicles, the side air bag system could deploy in certain non-crash impacts, such as when contacting large potholes or curbs at substantial speeds.

Risk: This could cause the side air bag and head protection system to deploy without an actual side crash or impact severe enough to cause significant visible damage to the vehicle. Unexpected deployment of the side air bag could cause serious in

Service Brakes, HydraulicMay 1999 · NHTSA campaign 99V100000

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. It is possible that the retaining clip that secures the brake booster pushrod to the brake pedal arm was not properly installed during production. It is possible for the clip to detach from the pin on the brake pedal arm allowing the pushrod to disconnect from the arm.

Risk: If this occurs, braking is not possible.

Air BagsMar 1999 · NHTSA campaign 99V063000

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 head protection system (hps) for front occupants, a central electronic sensor and diagnostic system, left and right satellite impact sensors, and associated…

Risk: This could cause the side air bag and hps to deploy without an actual side crash. In addition, the battery safety terminal (bst) would also activate, disconnecting the starter cable from the battery. In this case, vehicle electrical system

Common 1999 3 Series problems

Owners have filed 247 complaints about the 1999 BMW 3 Series with NHTSA. 22 reports involved a crash and 10 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 18 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Air Bags61
  • Power Train35
  • Air Bags18
  • Structure15
  • Air Bags14
  • Electrical System8

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Air Bags117,000 mi
  • Power Train119,000 mi
  • Air Bags136,000 mi
  • Structure106,000 mi
  • Air Bags124,000 mi
  • Electrical System121,000 mi

1999 BMW 3 Series service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 27 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1999 BMW 3 Series. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Engine and Engine Cooling7
  • Air Bags6
  • Exterior Lighting3
  • Service Brakes3
  • Electrical System2
  • Equipment2

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJan 2024 · B510819

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

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJun 2022 · SIB360222

    Starting mid-May 2022, the QR code on the tite sidewalls of Pirelli tires has been omitted due to patent reasons.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJun 2022 · SIB510822

    Whistling noise is heard coming from the front bumper while driving at highway speeds.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJun 2022 · SIB640521

    A rattling/droning noise is heard in the vehicle interior when the air conditioning (AC) is activated. Vibrations are felt in the driver's footwell.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 2021 · B340414

    Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Br

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsNov 2020 · B651820

    SERVICE ACTION - HEAD AIR BAG HOLDER RETROFIT: A rattle noise may develop from the head air bag (ITS) gas generator contacting adjacent component. This noise can be heard

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 2 defect investigations covering the 1999 BMW 3 Series.

Air BagsEA02012 · opened Jul 2002, closed Jun 2003Led to recall 02V223000

Inadvertent side-impact air bag deployme

The subject vehicle's air bag electronic control module contains programmable logic for deploying the side-impact air bags.BMW revised the module several times over the span of the model years 1999 through 2002 (identified as mrs2.ca, mrs2.bb, mrs3, mrs3+ and mrs4).although model year 1999.5 vehicles with version mrs2.

Air BagsPE99017 · opened Mar 1999, closed May 1999Led to recall 99V063000

Inadvertent side air bag deployments

Alleged that the driver's or front passenger's side air bags may deploy without a vehicle crash

Other BMW 3 Series years

‹ Sell a 1998 3 Series · Sell a 2000 3 Series › · All BMW 3 Series years

Other 1999 BMW models

Selling a 1999 3 Series: questions

How much is a 1999 BMW 3 Series worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 1999 3 Series that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 1999 3 Seriess that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 1999 3 Series with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 1999 BMW 3 Series; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 1999 3 Series?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Before you sell

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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