320d M Sport buying
Discussion
I'm test driving a 2010 320d Msport in a couple of days time. Really like the look of it has 80k on it and going for 8k getting put off with all the timing chain talk though and also like a 325d about the same price and miles on a 09 plate any advice would be great as I do about 20k miles a year and although buying any car is a risk would it be a better idea to go for the 325d as there more reliable and what's the though on the auto gear boxes? And lastly would the 320 be ok if it has had plenty services? Any help thanks.
I think whichever car you go for make sure it’s got full service history.
325d being six cylinder will sound and perform better. As for economy difference , that might depend how you drive. If you drive fairly sedately on long m way trips then there should be a worthy difference ; but if you’re eager and keen you may find you make the lower powered car less economical as you’re pushing it hard. That’s been my experience with 20d cars anyway
Do both cars have navigation / iDrive ?
If so are they the same , cos some earlier 2009 cars will have the older version. It’s not as good if that’s a pro or con to you?
But overall I’d go for a six cylinder diesel if you can irrespective of whether fears about timing chains are justified or not.
I’ve only driven the auto on the 335i. It was okay. Did the job. I prefer manual although I think auto suits all diesel cars.
325d being six cylinder will sound and perform better. As for economy difference , that might depend how you drive. If you drive fairly sedately on long m way trips then there should be a worthy difference ; but if you’re eager and keen you may find you make the lower powered car less economical as you’re pushing it hard. That’s been my experience with 20d cars anyway
Do both cars have navigation / iDrive ?
If so are they the same , cos some earlier 2009 cars will have the older version. It’s not as good if that’s a pro or con to you?
But overall I’d go for a six cylinder diesel if you can irrespective of whether fears about timing chains are justified or not.
I’ve only driven the auto on the 335i. It was okay. Did the job. I prefer manual although I think auto suits all diesel cars.
Thanks for the advice so far guys it's appreciated. The 325d has the newer idrive system but is private seller and something I haven't done before so a bit wary that and the car is 250miles away both cars look great though the 320 is the 4 door and the other coupe. Was also looking at some Audi's but they seem much more underpowered compared to the BMW's! Man in my work says I should try stay clear of the auto's which I thought strange as most others say go for the auto!
smashy said:
Walk away ...and dont look back...seriously
From all BMW's? What others would you suggest as I have always had run of the mill cars Astra, DS4 etc and was looking for something with a bit more va va voom I also seen a category D 120d sport with 42k on the clock that looks very nice going for just over 9kWelshbeef said:
Heck F10 535ds are around £11k
We've had this discussion before - no they are not.There is only one for sale on all of Autotrader for £11k and its a poor spec SE with 100k on it.
They don't really start until £13k or so and even they dont look great, besides this is 50% over the OP's budget anyway!
Fox- said:
Welshbeef said:
Heck F10 535ds are around £11k
We've had this discussion before - no they are not.There is only one for sale on all of Autotrader for £11k and its a poor spec SE with 100k on it.
They don't really start until £13k or so and even they dont look great, besides this is 50% over the OP's budget anyway!
Blackballed said:
Thanks for the advice so far guys it's appreciated. The 325d has the newer idrive system but is private seller and something I haven't done before so a bit wary that and the car is 250miles away both cars look great though the 320 is the 4 door and the other coupe. Was also looking at some Audi's but they seem much more underpowered compared to the BMW's! Man in my work says I should try stay clear of the auto's which I thought strange as most others say go for the auto!
Why these 2 particular cars? There should be lots of these types around I would’ve thought! Coupe’s are nice. I had a 335i and being a coupe Xenons , elec front seats and split folding rear seats were standard. I believe that all applies across the range ; if so does the 320 have all that. Non Xenon lights are crap !
Stay away from autos if like me you’d miss a manual
Otherwise , I don’t see a problem. I know on the more 335i dedicated forums they were handling remapped ECUs with mountains of torque. helix402 said:
6 cylinders are a lot more reliable. Though sadly the N57s are having timing chain problems too now, though less frequently than the 4s.
Jeez ohh never knew that they also have problems! I'm also realistic in that if I buy a car with 80-90k on the clock then things can go wrong...wear and tear etc but obviously a fecked engine is alot more cash to fix! I will just need to give it the test drive and see how it feels and sounds along with asking all the right questions like was it ever up for a recall and what work has been carried out over the years on the car and if it's good and I like it then Il probably go for it as you could talk yourself out of every buying anything and always looking at the negatives as no doubt for every person that has had problems there will be another 10 that have had a great experience by looking after and keeping there car well serviced. As I ain't going to another run of the mill car again as I have had plenty.Blackballed said:
While we're on here has anyone got anything specific I should ask when looking at the car or anything specific I should look out for like bits that are bad for wearing/rusting etc?
Should be no rust - I’d personally walk from one that does. The climate fan and regulator can fail and It’s a c£600 replacement job.
Wheels are prone to cracking
Undertray front part of the owner has nudged upto the kerb it can damage it so it scrapes each and every speedbump. Apart from a bodge fix its a whole new tray with repair to the front bumper. (I did that on mine OUCH).
Watch the doughnut on the prop shaft / that went on mine.
Also the plastic fuel filler to the fuel tank can and does fail meaning it leaks fuel if filled up to a certain level. Had a warranty fix on mine -4 days in the workshop... drain fuel tank remove and I think the rear subframe and transaxle had to come out to do the job.
Welshbeef said:
Should be no rust - I’d personally walk from one that does.
The climate fan and regulator can fail and It’s a c£600 replacement job.
Wheels are prone to cracking
Undertray front part of the owner has nudged upto the kerb it can damage it so it scrapes each and every speedbump. Apart from a bodge fix its a whole new tray with repair to the front bumper. (I did that on mine OUCH).
Watch the doughnut on the prop shaft / that went on mine.
Also the plastic fuel filler to the fuel tank can and does fail meaning it leaks fuel if filled up to a certain level. Had a warranty fix on mine -4 days in the workshop... drain fuel tank remove and I think the rear subframe and transaxle had to come out to do the job.
The fuel filler problem was only on early cars. It can be done with axle and tank in situ by lowering tank down, takes half a day max if you know what you’re doing. The climate fan and regulator can fail and It’s a c£600 replacement job.
Wheels are prone to cracking
Undertray front part of the owner has nudged upto the kerb it can damage it so it scrapes each and every speedbump. Apart from a bodge fix its a whole new tray with repair to the front bumper. (I did that on mine OUCH).
Watch the doughnut on the prop shaft / that went on mine.
Also the plastic fuel filler to the fuel tank can and does fail meaning it leaks fuel if filled up to a certain level. Had a warranty fix on mine -4 days in the workshop... drain fuel tank remove and I think the rear subframe and transaxle had to come out to do the job.
Blackballed said:
smashy said:
Walk away ...and dont look back...seriously
From all BMW's? What others would you suggest as I have always had run of the mill cars Astra, DS4 etc and was looking for something with a bit more va va voom I also seen a category D 120d sport with 42k on the clock that looks very nice going for just over 9ksmashy said:
Sorry mate meant N47 engines 20d from sep 2007 right through to 2012(still noise issues in 2012) check google
I had a 123d with the N47 engine from 2008 to 2014 - but the cam-chain horror stories got me worried, so in 2014 I bought a Z4 Coupe!And I haven't looked back - straight 6 N/A petrol seems to be the way to go!
Mr Tidy said:
smashy said:
Sorry mate meant N47 engines 20d from sep 2007 right through to 2012(still noise issues in 2012) check google
I had a 123d with the N47 engine from 2008 to 2014 - but the cam-chain horror stories got me worried, so in 2014 I bought a Z4 Coupe!And I haven't looked back - straight 6 N/A petrol seems to be the way to go!
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