oh crap, I bought a 320i

[Iklwa]

I needed a car to do a lot of short journeys of around 5 miles a day, so decided a petrol car would fit the bill.

Really like the previous shape Beemer 3 series, so after not a lot of looking around, I went for a 320i, 2009 model.

Very nice spec, and drove nicely, but after buying it I did a bit of Googling ( the internet hadn't been invented on Saturday, or yes, I would have checked BEFORE buying it), and was shocked at how much of a plum these engines are considered to be!! It feels perfectly powerful to me, and I like it, but everything I've read says it'll blow up soon, all I can do is hope that as it's carrying some miles, the poor blighter who had it before me got it all fixed.

For me it seems like a great petrol run about, with decent get up and go, but now I'm thinking I should have gone for a 325 or 330, I could even speak to the garage about swapping it for something more expensive if this engine will inevitably be endless trouble.

So how bad are these? And should I just leave it somewhere with the keys in and hope it just goes away?

Edited by Iklwa on Monday 20th October 09:53

[xxChrisxx]

Iklwa said:

Very nice spec, and drove nicely,It feels perfectly powerful to me, and I like it,For me it seems like a great petrol run about, with decent get up and go,

So lets get this straight. You bought a car that you like, with a spec you want, that drives well, feels powerful enough for your needs. But you want to swap it because someone, somewhere said something negative about it on the internet.

Sorry to be blunt but, stop being silly. Pay too much attention to the internet and you'd never buy another car, or even leave your house, again.

[Iklwa]

xxChrisxx said:

So lets get this straight. You bought a car that you like, with a spec you want, that drives well, feels powerful enough for your needs. But you want to swap it because someone, somewhere said something negative about it on the internet.

Sorry to be blunt but, stop being silly. Pay too much attention to the internet and you'd never buy another car, or even leave your house, again.

Fair point, it was only because the internet is awash with negative stories about the engine, and at this early stage I might be able to make a change, but you are right, I like it so I will hope it's a good un.

[Shaoxter]

I think the main problems on the E90 cars affect all the cars, not just the 2.0L engines.

It's a perfectly fine car in its own right, quiet and enough power for most people. If you ever decide you want a couple more cylinders and a bit more grunt you can always trade up

[Sheepshanks]

Buy a warranty.

[cerb4.5lee]

If you are happy with it then just enjoy it I read loads about TVR`s being unreliable on the internet...sadly though the internet was right on that occasion!

[TheHound]

Shaoxter said:

I think the main problems on the E90 cars affect all the cars, not just the 2.0L engines.

It's a perfectly fine car in its own right, quiet and enough power for most people. If you ever decide you want a couple more cylinders and a bit more grunt you can always trade up

Don't want to scare the OP but the 2 litre petrol suffers from timing chain issues (read snapping), this is not a common issue with other engines variants. This particular issue has been featured on Watchdog.

I'm sure the chances of this happening in reality are very small. I would say to the OP buy a warranty, forget about it and enjoy the car.

[nitrodave]

use it, enjoy it, look after it and don't worry about it.

you only ever hear the horror stories on the internet. Google any car followed by 'common faults' and there will be enough discussions to put you off buying anything that exists

[xxChrisxx]

Iklwa said:

Fair point, it was only because the internet is awash with negative stories about the engine, and at this early stage I might be able to make a change, but you are right, I like it so I will hope it's a good un.

Good stuff, just run it and don't worry. If you really are wobbly about something going wrong, get the BMW insured warranty.


Bear in mind that BMW made st loads of these cars and it's only a relatively small subset that have issues. If you go searching for places that are discussing about faults, you will find lots of people complaining about faults. Noone goes onto those forums to say 'everything is working splendidly'.

Buy a 325i or 330i with the N52; you will find stories telling you that your camshaft bearing ledge WILL FAIL imminently, new VANOS £1100 to replace.
Buy a 330i N53; your injectors WILL FAIL imminently, £1000 to replace.
Buy a 335i N54; your turbo waste gates WILL rattle themselves to death, £2000 to replace.

[Iklwa]

I think you're right Chris, I'm just going to enjoy the car, I think maybe too much information can be a bad thing.

Any recommendations for a warranty? Is it worth seeing if BMW offer warranties on older cars?

Edited by Iklwa on Monday 20th October 13:12

[Shaoxter]

Get a warranty quote here:
https://www.bmw-warranty.co.uk/Start

When you take into account the excess I really doubt it would be worth it though.

[smashy]

warrantywise is ok ,just dont hit the buy button when you get your online quote ,you will then get a phonecall next day offering you a special one off deal,,,,warrantydirect play the exact game,


.......and the watchdog prog merntioned was for Diesel not your petrol.

[Sheepshanks]

BMW's warranty would be best if the cost isn't ridiculous, but I went for WarrantyDirect after reading of members experiences on a Merc forum - some members had had fortunes out of them. They'll cover wear and tear which BMW don't.

As suggested above, put your correct details into the online quote system and then wait for them to call you. In my experience they'll do almost anything to get you to sign up - increase the mileage limits, waive the excess and waiting periods etc - and you have 30 days to cancel so even if you change your mind you can cancel later.

Be aware that if you go for dealer rate repair cover then the car has to be dealer serviced.