E92 318i, 320i, 320d

[Benzo26]

Afternoon fellow petrolheads. So I've had my Mustang for nearly a year now and I'm loving it but I'm doing a bit more driving with work and don't want to pile the miles on, plus I think it is diluting the experience a tad going back and forth. I really do want to preserve it and use if for social driving only.

Which leads me on to reaching out and asking for advice. I am prepared to spend up to about £7k on something comfortable and semi sensible just for DD. I'm considering an Alfa 159, Audi A5 or any of the above mentioned BMWs. Now I know these engines aren't really rated but I just want something to get me to work and back, about 22 miles a day with next to no traffic involved.

I know enough about Alfa and Audi but I'd like some real world input from owners of E92 318i, 320i or 320d. Are they really likely to break my heart or should I be okay with what my budget will buy- LCI with 60-80k on the clock and FSH from my research.

Thank you as always, Benzo

Edited by Benzo26 on Wednesday 22 September 16:05

[g3org3y]

My money would go on a 6 cyl model tbh (and most likely petrol) - 325i or 330i.

[d_a_n1979]

g3org3y said:

My money would go on a 6 cyl model tbh (and most likely petrol) - 325i or 330i.

^^^

This...

I would not buy a 4-pot petrol or diesel in any range TBH; but more so the E9x range

My money would be on something like this, as an example; perfect for a daily driver, great engine with good comfort too:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165059929523?hash=item2...

[Benzo26]

Lol lol I knew this would be the feedback straight away.

I live in Northern Ireland and there are no 6 cylinders over here at that money at the minute. The ball ache of coming to England for a car at 5 or 6k isn't appealing ( and I do it regularly to get my cars).

[g3org3y]

Any E63 630s about within budget?

[helix402]

Run away fast from all those models. Sorry. Timing chains of doom and other problems.

[Benzo26]

Oh dear, doesn't seem to be a well received set of engines...

[ToNyC1]

I had an e92 320i, cost me a fortune in repairs! Engine had a common fault where it would need a new coil pack and spark plugs per cylinder quick regularly. That is approx £300 per cylinder.

Recommend a 6 cylinder!

[Benzo26]

ToNyC1 said:

I had an e92 320i, cost me a fortune in repairs! Engine had a common fault where it would need a new coil pack and spark plugs per cylinder quick regularly. That is approx £300 per cylinder.

Recommend a 6 cylinder!

Cheers Tony, that's helpful feedback.

[Mr Tidy]

When I was thinking of replacing my E46 325ti my ex-Sytner Indy recommended at least 6 cylinders and preferably petrol if i didn't want to spend too much time visiting him!

And as his daily was an E39 530i that seemed like good advice, so I bought an E91 325i - although I did replace it in 2019 with an E90 330i for a bit more oomph!

I can't see any appeal in the 4 cylinder options.

[Benzo26]

Mr Tidy said:

When I was thinking of replacing my E46 325ti my ex-Sytner Indy recommended at least 6 cylinders and preferably petrol if i didn't want to spend too much time visiting him!

And as his daily was an E39 530i that seemed like good advice, so I bought an E91 325i - although I did replace it in 2019 with an E90 330i for a bit more oomph!

I can't see any appeal in the 4 cylinder options.

Ordinarily I'm all about displacement and wouldn't consider 4 cylinder engines but because I've got a 5litre V8 in the Mustang, this is literally about something to tootle back and forth to work in and not create too much expense with fuel, insurance and tax. Therefore I don't care about performance, reliability is my main concern but I'm not filled with confidence so far reading these posts lol.

[g3org3y]

Benzo26 said:

Ordinarily I'm all about displacement and wouldn't consider 4 cylinder engines but because I've got a 5litre V8 in the Mustang, this is literally about something to tootle back and forth to work in and not create too much expense with fuel, insurance and tax. Therefore I don't care about performance, reliability is my main concern but I'm not filled with confidence so far reading these posts lol.

Then an N52 engined 325i or 330i would be your best best.

Do bear in mind, that they are getting on a bit so bills may crop up.
- Coils, £30
- Electric waterpump, £300
- Vanos Solenoids, OEM BMW ~ £100 each
- Leaky bits: cam cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, sump gasket, oil cooler gasket.

[helix402]

g3org3y said:

Then an N52 engined 325i or 330i would be your best best.

Do bear in mind, that they are getting on a bit so bills may crop up.
- Coils, £30
- Electric waterpump, £300
- Vanos Solenoids, OEM BMW ~ £100 each
- Leaky bits: cam cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, sump gasket, oil cooler gasket.

Or an M57 engined 325d/330d.

[Benzo26]

helix402 said:

Or an M57 engined 325d/330d.

Cheers for this, yeah I'm conscious they are getting a bit leggy and that'll bring associated costs. Just hard to bring myself to the idea of buying something a bit newer like a Fiesta or a Polo lol.

[GTEYE]

Be careful of Pistonheads.

The same old suspects on here will tell you not to touch anything with four cylinders and you must have a six pot.

if you buy something solely on price, you'll have problems with either.

I'd say buy in good condition with low miles, and consider a warranty. I'd avoid the 318i and 320i because they feel a bit gutless.

I've seen 320d's rack up easily 180,000 miles (and based on BMW long-life servicing).

A 320d would be where my money would go.

Don't take as gospel everything you read on the internet.

[d_a_n1979]

GTEYE said:

Be careful of Pistonheads.

The same old suspects on here will tell you not to touch anything with four cylinders and you must have a six pot.

if you buy something solely on price, you'll have problems with either.

I'd say buy in good condition with low miles, and consider a warranty. I'd avoid the 318i and 320i because they feel a bit gutless.

I've seen 320d's rack up easily 180,000 miles (and based on BMW long-life servicing).

A 320d would be where my money would go.

Don't take as gospel everything you read on the internet.

bks... Everyone I know (quite a few folk) that have had 4 pot BMWs have had nothing but issues inc my FIL & Dad with BMW 520D and X3 20D respectively

Never again

[Benzo26]

It's difficult isn't it because nearly every car, especially ones getting on a bit, have some sort of big issue or common failing. Hard to know what to buy.

[d_a_n1979]

Benzo26 said:

It's difficult isn't it because nearly every car, especially ones getting on a bit, have some sort of big issue or common failing. Hard to know what to buy.

Absolutely; but the 6'ers are prone to less issues than the 4 pots

It is personal choice I get that; but the 4 pots are always a bigger risk IMO

[Benzo26]

d_a_n1979 said:

Absolutely; but the 6'ers are prone to less issues than the 4 pots

It is personal choice I get that; but the 4 pots are always a bigger risk IMO

I absolutely agree with you and if I was spending more money I'd never ever consider a 4 pot. It's purely down to monthly costs that I'm considering them (outside of the issues highlighted).

[d_a_n1979]

Benzo26 said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Absolutely; but the 6'ers are prone to less issues than the 4 pots

It is personal choice I get that; but the 4 pots are always a bigger risk IMO

I absolutely agree with you and if I was spending more money I'd never ever consider a 4 pot. It's purely down to monthly costs that I'm considering them (outside of the issues highlighted).

Why not look at the likes of a Ford Focus etc; if it's simply going to be a daily drive, I'd not consider the 4 pot BMWs at all...

Would rather stick with a car that's going to be easy & cheap to maintain..

Honda Civic/Jazz etc?

Or do you specifically want a BMW?