Sell your 2001 BMW 3 Series for cash

The 2001 BMW 3 Series is a wagon that came with a choice of 2.5L 6-cyl and 3.0L 6-cyl engines. At 25 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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2001 BMW 3 Series at a glance

Body styleMinicompact Cars, Subcompact Cars, Compact Cars, Small Station Wagons
Engines2.5L 6-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl
TransmissionsAutomatic 5-spd, Manual 5-spd, Automatic (S5)
DriveRear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
FuelPremium Gasoline
Fuel economy16–18 city / 23–27 highway / 18–21 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$3,900–$4,550 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂423–494 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA20 configurations: 325ci Convertible, 330ci Convertible, 325ci, 330ci, 325i, 325xi and more
Age25 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 25 years old, most of a 2001 3 Series's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a wagon, 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 9 recalls for the 2001 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 121,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2001 BMW 3 Series recalls

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls covering the 2001 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 BagsJan 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V018000Park outside / do not drive

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3 Convertible vehicles equipped with non-desiccated frontal Takata PSAN inflators and PSPI passenger frontal air bag…

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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 BagsOct 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V698000Park outside / do not drive

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 325i and 325xi Sedan, and 323Ci, 325Ci, and 330Ci Convertible vehicles. This recall affects certain vehicles that may have had a driver-side air bag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bag…

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Air BagsJun 2018 · NHTSA campaign 14V428000Park outside / do not drive

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons; 2001-2005 325xi sedans and Sports Wagons; 2006 325i coupes and convertibles; 2001-2006 330i sedans, coupes, and…

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure could cause rupturing of the inflator resulting in metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger se

Air BagsJan 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V047000Park outside / do not drive

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 BMW 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 323Ci, 325Ci, 330Ci, M3, 323iT, 325iT and 325xiT vehicles, 2001-2002 525i, 530i, 540i, M5, 525iT and 540iT vehicles, and 2001-2003 X5 3.0i, X5 4.4i, and X5 4.6is vehicles. These vehicles may have had a driver-side air bag module…

Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Engine and Engine CoolingMay 2002 · NHTSA campaign 02V138000

On certain passenger vehicles, the engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.

Risk: If this were to occur, engine overheating and subsequent engine damage could result. In addition, it is possible for the failure of the electrical circuitry to cause a fire in the fan control unit located in the front of the engine compartm

Engine and Engine CoolingJun 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V206000

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The engine auxiliary/cooling fan operation, including variable speed, is electronically controlled. Failure of the fan motor can cause the electrical circuitry of the fan control unit to overload and fail, causing the fan to stop operating.

Risk: If this were to occur, engine overheating and subsequent engine damage could result. In addition, it is possible for the failure of the electrical circuitry to cause a fire in the fan control unit located in the front of the engine compartm

WheelsNov 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V383000

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The machine used to mount and inflate the tires on the wheels at the assembly plant may have damaged the inner rim flange of the wheels.

Risk: This could lead to a sudden loss of air from the tire affecting handling and vehicle control.

Common 2001 3 Series problems

Owners have filed 530 complaints about the 2001 BMW 3 Series with NHTSA. 21 reports involved a crash and 32 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 43 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 Bags93
  • Electrical System55
  • Exterior Lighting51
  • Engine and Engine Cooling31
  • Power Train31
  • Air Bags27

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Air Bags121,000 mi
  • Electrical System118,000 mi
  • Exterior Lighting127,000 mi
  • Engine and Engine Cooling141,000 mi
  • Power Train118,000 mi
  • Air Bags67,000 mi

2001 BMW 3 Series service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 50 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2001 BMW 3 Series. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Engine and Engine Cooling11
  • Air Bags6
  • Fuel System6
  • Equipment4
  • Exterior Lighting4
  • Electrical System3

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJan 2024 · B510819

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

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsSep 2022 · B610120

    Customer is unable to power up or charge accessories through a plug adapter inserted in the front 12-volt power socket plug. Alternatively, it will only operate when cons

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsSep 2022 · B662419

    Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column.

  • 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 · SIB511318

    Any or all of these conditions may be present: A. The exterior rearview mirror glass is discolored or cracked B. The power windows and folding mirrors may not operate C.

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 2 defect investigations covering the 2001 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 BagsPE02011 · opened Jan 2002, closed Jul 2002

Inadvertent side-impact air bag

Other BMW 3 Series years

‹ Sell a 2000 3 Series · Sell a 2002 3 Series › · All BMW 3 Series years

Other 2001 BMW models

Selling a 2001 3 Series: questions

How much is a 2001 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 2001 3 Series that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2001 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 2001 3 Series with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2001 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 2001 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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