BMW 3.0 325i opinions (2010 model)

[Barry-dke04]

HI,

I have recently been looking at the 3.0 325i coupe from late 2010.

Seen a few for just over £8k that look pretty nice, with around 50k on the clock, full BMW S/H, folding rear seats, sunroof etc.

Does anyone have any decent experience of these who can offer advice about what to look for, reliability, real world mpg etc.

I thought they would be too thirsty to run in this day and age however the official figures show extra urban 49.5mpg and combined of just under 40. I realise the figures as normal will be a few less than the official figure but realistically how much?

I was looking at 320i but a mate said the 4 cylinder engine was pretty bad from 2006 onward and quite unreliable, however the 6 cylinder was a peach, so much he has upgraded his 2010 330i to a 2013 325i.

If anyone can offer any assistance i would be much appreciative as im off to test one in a couple of days and never having had a BMW before im not exactly sure what things to look out for that could be problematic in the future.

Many thanks

[A4 cabrio]

Firstly, ignore them MPG figures. I had a 2008 330i convertible & was getting 26mpg but that would go upto the lowish 30s while on the motorway, the convertible is heavy so you could probably add a mile or 2 MPG onto them figures, the 325i & 330i are the same engine so MPG figures will be very similar so if I was you I’d go for the 330i.

I’ve no personal experience of a 320i but a friend had one & his mpg figures weren’t much more than mine so choose a 6 cylinder instead of a 4 cylinder, you’ll enjoy driving it much more.

I still miss my 330i.

[skypeller]

I promise you will wish you waited and found a 330i as said above same mpg but more power and slightly nicer engine note. It’s a fairly quick car versus a dull one.

I’ve had e46 325i years ago and sold it and got a 330ci it was same story with e46 as e90 .... I’ve had a 130i same engine as 330i and my friend has a 325i e90 and he wants rid of it for a 130 or 330

Insurance is pretty much the same, mpg same, tyres , etc etc

[wrongmark]

I've had a 2011 320i E90 for a few years now (second owner). I was looking for a 325i or better but these were pretty hard to find at the time in a saloon.

I like the 320i, but I wish I'd got a 325i or better. The n43 direct injection 4 cylinder engine does have some issues, especially if not properly cared for, but can be ok. I'm quite over the top with the maintenance on mine and have still had some issues. The MPG is averaging around low 20s round town (and I'm being generous at that). You might get lucky and see 30s if you reset the trip computer just before a motorway drive.

My advice would be go for a 6 cyl. If it's a manual, ensure the clutch is smooth on setting off. They're prone to judder like mad and I'm pretty sure the only fix is a new clutch.

Edited by wrongmark on Thursday 10th January 13:45

[dcb]

Barry-dke04 said:

I have recently been looking at the 3.0 325i coupe from late 2010.

You don't tell us petrol or diesel and you don't tell us manual or auto.

If it's petrol, it will probably have the N53 engine. If so, IMHO, avoid.

Fuel injectors, high pressure fuel pumps, blocking idle control valves,
cylinders clagging up because it's an 155 mph autobahn cruiser that can't
get much exercise in the UK, NOx sensors etc etc etc

Let's not forget that a BMW isn't a Ford or VW and so when it
goes wrong, expect big bills.

If it's auto, check if it has the ZF6 gearbox. If so, IMHO avoid.

Other manufacturers managed ok with the ZF6 gearbox, but BMW didn't
on this occasion. The gearbox will need at very least a refresh every 60K - 80 K miles.

Yes the six cylinder car sounds nice, but the 4 cylinder will be cheaper to
run, insure, better mpg and will get you anywhere just as fast as the 6 cylinder.

I have averaged 31 mpg with my 325 auto. I can get to 37 mpg if I drive like
a pensioner. About 25 mpg in town.

[bmwmike]

dcb said:

You don't tell us petrol or diesel and you don't tell us manual or auto.

If it's petrol, it will probably have the N53 engine. If so, IMHO, avoid.

Fuel injectors, high pressure fuel pumps, blocking idle control valves,
cylinders clagging up because it's an 155 mph autobahn cruiser that can't
get much exercise in the UK, NOx sensors etc etc etc

Let's not forget that a BMW isn't a Ford or VW and so when it
goes wrong, expect big bills.

If it's auto, check if it has the ZF6 gearbox. If so, IMHO avoid.

Other manufacturers managed ok with the ZF6 gearbox, but BMW didn't
on this occasion. The gearbox will need at very least a refresh every 60K - 80 K miles.

Yes the six cylinder car sounds nice, but the 4 cylinder will be cheaper to
run, insure, better mpg and will get you anywhere just as fast as the 6 cylinder.

I have averaged 31 mpg with my 325 auto. I can get to 37 mpg if I drive like
a pensioner. About 25 mpg in town.

The "i" generally means petrol.
LOL at the four pot being a better bet, if talking petrol still and not the 20d.

I don't disagree the n53 can throw some large (ish) bills but the n43 is a disgrace by comparison. Realise you've been bitten by the n53 but once they are a lot more reliable than they used to be as long as someone has ponied up and paid the bills for latest injectors and HPFP. NOx has good atermarket support so one would be stupid to go with BMW for that. HPFP is same type as n55 and they don't fail so often these days.

[skypeller]

I’ve actually found vw & bmw parts to often be cheaper than the equivalent ford part

[Mr Tidy]

I've had an E91 (Touring) 325i with the N52 engine for almost a year.

I don't commute now I've stopped working, so the OBC is showing an average of 33.6 mpg - my use is 95% dual-carriageways/M-ways.

I really didn't want one with the later N53 engine because of the HPFP/injector/coking-up issues the N53 seems to suffer from, but right now any petrol seems like a better option than a diesel.