e92 320i M Sport - any reason why not?

[ShortShift811]

I don't venture into here much, but may be doing so in the future!

After having a brand new lease car stolen, I'm looking to buy a new one outright. Currently in first place is a 2013 e92 coupe, a 320i M Sport with 23K on the clock. Sticker price is £15,750 from an indy dealer, which doesn't seem too far off the mark looking at others on Autotrader.

If I drive it, like and want it, is there anything to be aware of with this particular variant or anything that should make me run a mile?

It's one owner, full BMWSH as far as I'm aware.

Complete newbie to BMW's so any advice would be appreciated.

[cerb4.5lee]

According to the internet the 20i engine isn't known for its reliability but apart from that it seems a lovely motor to me.

[diehardbenzfan]

I havent owned/driven any e92's but Ive had 2 E46 330is in the past and they are very heavy cars, I test drove a 318i and a 320i prior to getting the 330i's and they were underpowered, sure the 320i (2.2 170bhp straight 6) was quick but only when pushed hard, if I was you I'd pay a little extra and get a 325i or a 320d, you'd get more money back in future as well!

[iSore]

2.0 petrol - no. But a 2.5 or 3.0 petrol....that's a proper car.

[helix402]

Indeed, the N43 is a bad engine prone to various problems. Even when working its bad. Google will tell all......

[Mr Tidy]

I think I would go for a 325i or 330i for the proper BMW experience! But even a 320d might be a better option than a 320i, so long as you don't mind the soundtrack and do enough miles to avoid any dpf issues.

The advice from the local BMW specialist who looks after my two is to avoid the 4 cylinder models, but especially the petrol ones! 6 cylinder is apparently better, but from a reliability/running cost perspective petrol is preferable to diesel - might be why he goes to work in an E39 530i!

[diehardbenzfan]

Yup, 6 cylinder is the best option, especially in the facelift e92, 2 satin silver exhausts on the side, prefer it to the 335i

[bmwmike]

The n43 is a four pot version of the n53 isn't it ?

[evoivboy]

I thought a 2013 3 series is an F3X series

I have a new one coming in 2 weeks and its the N48 engine

Edited by evoivboy on Wednesday 22 June 20:04

[iSore]

bmwmike said:

The n43 is a four pot version of the n53 isn't it ?

Sort of. It's basically the old N42/46 bottom end but with an N52 style head with N52 vanos units.

It's a shame because when working, they're a nice unit. But the timing chain is a consumable - at 60'000 it really does want replacing along with the tensioner rails. Some do many more miles, many don't get as far as 60k.

[bmwmike]

iSore said:

Sort of. It's basically the old N42/46 bottom end but with an N52 style head with N52 vanos units.

It's a shame because when working, they're a nice unit. But the timing chain is a consumable - at 60'000 it really does want replacing along with the tensioner rails. Some do many more miles, many don't get as far as 60k.

Oh OK thanks. Not much shared then.. the bottom half of n53 is n52 basically i think. Top half is more like n43 direct injection less valve tropic of n52. Timing chains on n53 do not go pop though.

Odd how BMW could get something as mundane as a timing chain so wrong on n43?

[Mr Tidy]

bmwmike said:

Oh OK thanks. Not much shared then.. the bottom half of n53 is n52 basically i think. Top half is more like n43 direct injection less valve tropic of n52. Timing chains on n53 do not go pop though.

Odd how BMW could get something as mundane as a timing chain so wrong on n43?

Not lately - try a search for "N47 Quality enhancement"!

I'm guessing it may be cost driven, although putting them at the back of the engine must have a huge impact on the cost of replacing them!

[iSore]

N42/43/45/46 chains are at the front but are also a very big job. Unlike the old 1990's engines, there isn't the removable front timing case that made replacement of the chain a 3-4 hour job.