1999 BMW M Roadster Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 28%of 18 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1999 BMW M Roadster, 28% of the 18 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The differential mount for the car has torn loose from the trunk floor it is welded to. There was no accident because I found this defect before one occurred. Had I not found this defect, the entire rear axle could have come loose from the vehicle while driving it.”
NHTSA complaint #10290785, filed 2009-11, 98,010 miles“Four months ago I purchased a stock excellent condition 99 M Roadster (my 4th Bmw in 5 years). 75000 miles, no track time, no modifications to the driveline. Normal driving has caused the differential mounts to fail - the mount is rivets to the trunk bed and the rivets are popping out. If I lay any significant power through the driveline the differential will torque right off. My differential is falling off due to nothing more than ill-design. I will have to find a way to rebuild and support this area because this is my only vehicle and it's not really drivable. …”
NHTSA complaint #10168630, filed 2006-09, 75,000 miles“Differential subframe causes weld failures appearing in trunk and other body locations. I believe that this is caused by a defect that generates a significant safety hazard. This defect is being reported by an increasing number of z3 owners over time.”
NHTSA complaint #10257030, filed 2009-01, 60,000 miles“Took vehicle in for engine maintenance and asked them to address squeaks and rattles. On inspection it was found that the rear crossmember had almost completely separated from the unibody and the mount holding the differential in had only 1/4 in of 4 inches holding the aft end of the differential. Complete failure could have caused a catastrophic chain of events causing a crash and possible fatalities. Looking on line I found numerous failures of the same kind resulting from metal fatigue brought on by faulty design. At least this was the opinion of other people with the same failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #10744495, filed 2015-07, 145,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 1999 BMW M Roadster
9 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 BMW M Roadster
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology