BMW E90 - What to look out for?

[ln1234]

Thinking of getting a 318/320i saloon for a member of the family, and wanted to find out what kind of things to look out for in terms of things going wrong? I was looking at 2006/2007 cars, but understand there was a facelift in later years?

Also does a full BMW SH matter if they're planning on keeping the car for around 5 years?

Cheers

[kbee540]

Pretty stout these vehicles. Just avoid M-Sport suspension and run flats - a terrible combination that can make the car almost unusable on anything but ultra smooth roads. It's really really inappropriate for this country. I've spent 1000's fixing the ride on my M-Sport.

[g3org3y]

On a 2007 car I'd expect FBMWSH tbh. It is unlikely that I would continue that. A good honest indy will be cheaper and perform the work with more care and attention than a main dealer imo.

Any particular reason you've gone for the 318i/320i rather than the diesel alternatives?

My own personal opinion regarding the matter is either:

Diesel - epic economy
Petrol - stuff the economy and get the six cyl, the smoothness and sound alone is worth the hit economy wise.