BMW 3 Series vs Audi A4
Luxury sedans · head to head, 2010–2025
The BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 were both sold for 16 model years (2010–2025). Among the 3 Series's own years, no year clearly stands out as the best bet; years to avoid: 2020; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the A4's own years, its best bet is 2019; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
BMW 3 Series
Sedan · 2010–2027
- Best bet no standout year
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid 2020
- Be careful 2010–2014
Audi A4
Car · 2010–2025
- Best bet 2019
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2010
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy 3 Series year says nothing about whether it beats a A4. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | BMW 3 Series | Audi A4 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.2× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 3.6× usual, mostly steering and brakes | Side by side |
| 2024 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2023 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly engine and power train | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.7× usual | Side by side |
| 2020 | AVOIDSerious complaints 2.5× usual, mostly engine and air bags | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.8× usual, mostly collision avoidance and suspension | Side by side |
| 2019 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly engine and power train | BEST BUYSerious complaints 0.4× usual | Side by side |
| 2018 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
| 2017 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.4× usual, mostly air bags and engine | Side by side |
| 2016 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.8× usual | Side by side |
| 2015 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | Side by side |
| 2014 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly engine and engine and engine cooling | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly engine and steering | Side by side |
| 2013 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.7× usual, mostly engine and air bags | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.5× usual, mostly steering and engine | Side by side |
| 2012 | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.5× usual, mostly engine and air bags | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | Side by side |
| 2011 | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.0× usual, mostly engine and engine and engine cooling | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.1× usual | Side by side |
| 2010 | CAREFULSerious complaints 2.3× usual, mostly air bags and engine | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.8× usual, mostly power train and engine | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2025: the newest shared year, at a glance
| 2025 BMW 3 Series | 2025 Audi A4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | GOOD BUY | GOOD BUY |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | $45,500 to $85,300 base price by trim, 7 trims | — |
| Engines and horsepower | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 255 hp 3.0L 4-cyl turbo, 386–523 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, 386–523 hp manual available | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 261 hp |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 18–31 mpg | 26–29 mpg |
| Seats | 5 | — |
| Third row | No | — |
| Cargo behind last row | — | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | 5 of 5 stars | 5 of 5 stars |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 0 · 6 | 0 · 1 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2025 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| 3 Series 330i lowest price, $45,500 | 3 Series M3 Competition xDrive highest price, $85,300 | A4 S Line quattro Premium first listed | A4 quattro Prestige last listed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Standard | Standard | — | — |
| Adaptive cruise control | — | — | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | — | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | Standard | Standard | — | — |
| Ventilated front seats | — | Optional | — | — |
| Sunroof or moonroof | Standard | Optional | — | — |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2025 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2025 page (3 Series, A4).
Known fixes and extended coverage
BMW 3 Series
24 manufacturer programs on file: 20 extended coverage, 4 repair programs.
- Extended coverage For the basic steering gears, one possible cause is that the mounting bolts for the electric motor may become loose, missing and/or broken due to corrosion. (B012618, 2012–2015 models)
- Extended coverage N26 LEAK DIAGNOSIS MODULE (NVLD): LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES FOR ""NON-CALIFORNIA EMISSION"" STATUTE STATES. INFORMATION For the eligible vehicles that are not covered under the ""State of California PZEV (SULEV)… (B011516, 2012–2013, 2015 models)
- Extended coverage Engine Camshaft (VANOS) Adjustment Units: Limited Warranty Extension to 10 Years Without Mileage Limitation. INFORMATION BMW of North America, LLC ("BMW NA") is extending the limited warranty for the Camshaft (VANOS) Adjustment Units on… (011014, 2011–2013 models)
- Extended coverage The Radiator Grilles Lower Active Air Flap Assembly limited warranty for defects in materials and/or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date. (B010725, 2021–2022 models)
Audi A4
15 manufacturer programs on file: 10 extended coverage, 5 repair programs.
- Extended coverage This Document informs dealers on the new oil consumption & piston fracture warranty extension for 2012 A4, A5, A6, Q5 & TT / 2013 A4, A5, A6, Q5 & TT / 2014 A4, A5, A6, Q5 & TT / 2016 A3 & TT / 2017 A3 & TT vehicles (AWA 24, 2012–2021, 2023 models)
- Extended coverage This Document informs dealers on the new turbo warranty extension for 2013-2016 A4, 2013-2017 A5/Q5, and 2012-2015 A6 vehicles (AWA 21, 2013–2021 models)
- Extended coverage This Document informs dealers on the new DSG transmission warranty extension for 2010-2012 S4 & S5 vehicles (AWA 22, 2010–2012, 2018–2021 models)
- Extended coverage The communication contains the details of the water pump extended warranty. (AWA 19, 2010, 2012–2014 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2015–2019, 2021–2025. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Shopping around 2020: the A4 is rated good buy (serious complaints 1.8× usual, mostly collision avoidance and suspension), while the 3 Series is rated avoid (serious complaints 2.5× usual, mostly engine and air bags). Each against its own other years.
- Years to skip: 3 Series 2020.
- Newest year rated a good buy: 3 Series 2025; A4 2025.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2025: 3 Series at 31 mpg (A4: 29), for the most efficient version of each.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.