Buying 2.0 Petrol 1 series

[interstellar]

ok so there seems to be plenty of negativity around these engines.

If I happened to be buying the wife a 3 series cab in the coming month or two (which I am) and I wanted petrol which engine is any good from 2009-2012?

[iSore]

interstellar said:

ok so there seems to be plenty of negativity around these engines.

If I happened to be buying the wife a 3 series cab in the coming month or two (which I am) and I wanted petrol which engine is any good from 2009-2012?

Nothing is perfect - although you hear lots of horror stories, they don't all go wrong - but lots do. The N43, once it's had the chain and guides replaced, is an okay engine but a 325i will be soooo much better. I'd spend the extra and buy from a BMW dealer, and get/extend the warranty.

325i Convertible with the 6 speed auto - lovely.

As a guide, it's around £6-700 to have the chain and guides replaced on an N43 - harsh but cheaper than the alternative.

[interstellar]

iSore said:

interstellar said:

ok so there seems to be plenty of negativity around these engines.

If I happened to be buying the wife a 3 series cab in the coming month or two (which I am) and I wanted petrol which engine is any good from 2009-2012?

Nothing is perfect - although you hear lots of horror stories, they don't all go wrong - but lots do. The N43, once it's had the chain and guides replaced, is an okay engine but a 325i will be soooo much better. I'd spend the extra and buy from a BMW dealer, and get/extend the warranty.

325i Convertible with the 6 speed auto - lovely.

As a guide, it's around £6-700 to have the chain and guides replaced on an N43 - harsh but cheaper than the alternative.[/quo

Isn't the 325i the N53 engine which a poster on the previous page said his indy said avoid like the plague. That only leaves the 335i doesn't it. She is going to end up with a 340i like mine in a minute.

Edited by interstellar on Wednesday 26th October 20:28

[RiccardoG]

interstellar said:

Isn't the 325i the N53 engine which a poster on the previous page said his indy said avoid like the plague. Thanks only leaves the 335i doesn't it. She is going to end up with a 340i like mine in a minute.

I am no expert but I believe that the 335i has got considerably more engine issues than the 325/330i do. Its the same engine plus a couple of turbos, which aren't known for their longevity.

I suppose there is also the 125i cabrio as another option if you don't mind a 1 series?

[interstellar]

RiccardoG said:

I am no expert but I believe that the 335i has got considerably more engine issues than the 325/330i do. Its the same engine plus a couple of turbos, which aren't known for their longevity.

I suppose there is also the 125i cabrio as another option if you don't mind a 1 series?

Too small. May go for an Audi A5 Cab instead.

[iSore]

iSore said:

A mate of mine bought a 120i Convertible for a family member (is that you?) recently. 40'000 miles, FSH. Did 30 or 40 miles in it when the EML light came on. An ex BMW dealer mate took the cam cover off to find the guides shattered. The sump was full of bits, many of which were blocking the oil pick up strainer - he was very lucky to get away with that.

As an update, the engine knocked a couple of big ends out about a month after this........the engine was scrap.