BMW E92 advice please :)

[PistonheadRob]

Hi I have read these forums for a while now but finally got round to posting......

I currently have a SEAT ibiza mk4 1.9 pd130 that I got as a cheap car to run whilst I was a student. Now I cant fault the car as it has been 100% reliable over 3 years and the engine is fantastic for an older diesel engine and can easily get 40mpg+ round town and on a good run 60mpg+ it is so cheap to run. The only problem with it is the ride is very very stiff and the handling isnt great. Now I'm doing a lot less miles I would like to move back to petrol, and probably get a new car in the next three months.
Insurance is not an issue as Im now 30+
I was looking at an Alfa Gt but I feel they are starting to look dated now plus the petrol engines are supposed to be very thirsty.

I have been seriously considering a BMW E92 coupe petrol I was looking at the 325i petrol efficient dynamics model around an 2008 plate. The car seems to have low road tax and if driven very carefully high 30mpg is achievable.

I just wanted everyone's opinion on these and the reliability etc on them, and if any other cars can be recommended (must be 2 or 3 door) Some forums seem to say go for the 330i as there is very little in fuel consumption, but sometimes its how far do you go.
I was looking at a mk5 golf 2.0 petrol gti but I feel they are very overpriced due to the reputation they have, im not saying they are a good car just they seem expensive even for tatty older examples.

Thanks everyone in advance.

Rob

[Lozw86]

The 325i is the same 3.0 engine as the 330i in detuned state. They use similar amounts of fuel but the 330i is more powerful and pleasing to drive.

[Driver101]

There is far more value buying a used BMW. They don't seem to be as fashionable as they once were, leading to getting more value for money.

The M Sports are the better looking models. The 19" MV4 wheels on them have a poor record for cracking though.

As above the ride on M Sport suspension and big wheels is rough, but getting rid of the run flat cars makes a huge difference.

[Jonnas]

I've got a 330i and you won't see high 30's unless you drive like a nun at all times. You might see very low 30's if you are careful, I average about 27 with a mixture of commuting and the odd hoon. It is a lovely engine though.......

[iSore]

Bear in mind some insane parts and repair costs. The killer on the six cylinder E90/1/2/3 is the ABS/DSC unit. Now a very common problem, £2200 with fitting and coding and virtually no chance of a good used one.

[PistonheadRob]

Hi thanks for every ones replies and help

So I feel the best choice would be the 330i overall I only do a total of 10 mile return trip 5 days a week for work so diesel would not really be ideal with the dpf etc etc.

I cant believe the expense of that part though, especially if there is no other option and it is a common fault on that model. I knew BMW was a more expensive for parts etc but that is ridiculous. They should have recalled all affected models.

Is there any other suggestions for alternative cars that look as good for a similar budget ?

[Driver101]

PistonheadRob said:

Hi thanks for every ones replies and help

So I feel the best choice would be the 330i overall I only do a total of 10 mile return trip 5 days a week for work so diesel would not really be ideal with the dpf etc etc.

I cant believe the expense of that part though, especially if there is no other option and it is a common fault on that model. I knew BMW was a more expensive for parts etc but that is ridiculous. They should have recalled all affected models.

Is there any other suggestions for alternative cars that look as good for a similar budget ?

BMW aren't that expensive for parts when you consider other similar cars for costs. Even VW charge similar prices for many components.

BMWs are generally cheap to insure compared to similar performance cars.

Servicing isn't bad at all. On my 335i an oil service is £130, oil and Microfilter £190 and the bigger 3rd service with plugs is only £250 now that BMW has reduced the costs of servicing the E9x cars. Service intervals work in to be around 17000 miles with me as they are variable.

https://www.bmw-service.co.uk/

If it isn't too old, and the miles too high, an approved BMW warranty might be worth considering. Prices shoot up a lot with higher miles. Pay monthly and it doesn't go up in price in your ownership.

https://www.bmw-warranty.co.uk/

[un1corn]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

All HPFP's now run with a 10 year warranty.

[Driver101]

un1corn said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

All HPFP's now run with a 10 year warranty.

Isn't that just for the Americans?

There does seem to be real connections between pumps failing and cheap fuels they use. Pump failures aren't as common in the UK as over there according to many.

[PistonheadRob]

Hi thanks for everyone advice I really need to look into that pump

You think some company could fix the unit for a lot less

thanks Rob

[P1H]

I went for an E92 330i following my EP3 Type R. I've enjoyed my first year of ownership and my advice would be to go for the 330i over the 325i as the tax as petrol cost is pretty negligible. Happy to answer any questions you have.

[Urban Sports]

I got 23mpg over 2 years in my e90 325i.

Best ever was 33mpg at 70mph on the motorway on an 80 mile journey, there's no way that car will average 30+ mpg in normal / sedate use.

[PistonheadRob]

Hi thanks PH1 what mpg are you currently getting and what year is your car ?

The 325i e90 is that the 2.5 older engine, that is not as good on fuel ?

Thanks Rob

[Driver101]

I normally get 28mpg out of my 335i and that is balanced between living in a city centre and doing some reasonable trips.

On long journeys I've seen 37mpg.

The 335i comes with more risks with two turbos if you buy the N54 engined versions, it is the best of the E9x cars in my opinion though.

[un1corn]

Driver101 said:

Isn't that just for the Americans?

There does seem to be real connections between pumps failing and cheap fuels they use. Pump failures aren't as common in the UK as over there according to many.

Ahhh, maybe it is. It's over 12 months since I last looked at 335's so I may have got it wrong.

[Monty Python]

iSore said:

Bear in mind some insane parts and repair costs. The killer on the six cylinder E90/1/2/3 is the ABS/DSC unit. Now a very common problem, £2200 with fitting and coding and virtually no chance of a good used one.

Odd, because on other posts it seems to be the 4-pot engines....

http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f125/2005-e90-...

[david_h]

I am 3 weeks into owning an efficient dynamics 325i m sport saloon 2010. I love it, the car is an auto and does 31mpg with mixed driving if you are careful, but town only around 27mpg.

These cars should not be confused with the pre lci engines that don't have the direct injectors and electric pas.

[va1o]

I looked into getting one of these but got scared of by all the horror stories about the N53 engine. Sounded like its a bit of a lottery running them out of warranty.

PistonheadRob said:

I was looking at a mk5 golf 2.0 petrol gti but I feel they are very overpriced due to the reputation they have, im not saying they are a good car just they seem expensive even for tatty older examples.

Thing is though they completely warrant their price. For the money nothing else touches the Mk5 GTI as an all round package. Find one that's been looked after well (most people keep them for a long time) and it will serve you well.

[P1H]

va1o said:

I looked into getting one of these but got scared of by all the horror stories about the N53 engine. Sounded like its a bit of a lottery running them out of warranty.

PistonheadRob said:

I was looking at a mk5 golf 2.0 petrol gti but I feel they are very overpriced due to the reputation they have, im not saying they are a good car just they seem expensive even for tatty older examples.

Thing is though they completely warrant their price. For the money nothing else touches the Mk5 GTI as an all round package. Find one that's been looked after well (most people keep them for a long time) and it will serve you well.

I'm no expert on this, but I believe the 330i up to and including 2007 is the N52 not the N53. The N52 has slightly worse economy (and circa 5bhp less) but doesn't suffer from the same problems as the last N53. My understanding is that the N52 is a highly reliable unit.

I went for a 2007 330i msport and I've not been disappointed.

[P1H]

PistonheadRob said:

Hi thanks PH1 what mpg are you currently getting and what year is your car ?

The 325i e90 is that the 2.5 older engine, that is not as good on fuel ?

Thanks Rob

The only time I've measured properly was on a long run travelling a constant indicated 80mph and it was 35mpg or just above.

The computer seems to record an average of approximately 27. Though I have to admit I've turned off the computer as I prefer to ignore it!

In any case, my feeling is it is better on a long journey and comparable day to day with my previous Type R, which is acceptable to me considering the additional power.