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exelero

Original Poster

2,082 posts

118 months

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Monday 10th June 2019

Time for a change again, after having a Celica for about 6 months and now owning a Saab for about , I decided I defo need something newer.
Budget is 5k.
Criterias: Petrol, Auto or manual doesn't really matter, around 200 bhp, and from around 2009-.

I searched the whole autotrader and 98% percent of my search matches were BMW 3 series. Now anyone owns a 320i (E92?) and has any horror stories or what to look out for?
Any more suggestions are welcome (can stretch the budget as well)
Thanks

ZX10R NIN

30,528 posts

154 months

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Monday 10th June 2019

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Monday 10th June 20:08

exelero

Original Poster

2,082 posts

118 months

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[news]

Monday 10th June 2019

Thanks man. The Giulietta, Titanium X and the Peugeot (I can't believe I'm saying this) are good shouts, also considered the IS250. And the Octavia VRS would be nice with DSG biggrin

Mr Tidy

31,245 posts

156 months

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Monday 10th June 2019

Personally if I was buying a 3 Series I wouldn't go for a 320i - I've read that those engines can have issues, and they don't meet your 200bhp requirement anyway!

I've had a 325i and a 330i and they are great - but the 330i would definitely be my preference.

The pre-facelift model has the N52 engine, which only seems to suffer from failure of the electric water pump between 8 and 10 years of age. Problem is the new pump costs over £200! But the facelift cars have the later N53 engine that seems to have few other problems as well.

ilikejam

1,229 posts

145 months

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Tuesday 11th June 2019

I had an E90 320i - albeit pre-facelift - and had a world of timing chain woes (plastic guides broke, caused issues with oil pressure). I'd maybe have a 6 pot version, but would definitely avoid the 4 pots.

Also had trouble with the rear drive shafts corroding leading to the reluctor knocking the ABS sensor and causing random braking. Got a bodge job done on the reluctor and ditched the car quickly.

I did like the car and wanted to keep it, but it was just costing too much.

exelero

Original Poster

2,082 posts

118 months

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Tuesday 11th June 2019

Mr Tidy said:

the 325 is a 6 pot isn't it? Is there any real world MPG difference between the325 and 330?

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