E91 as a reliable family wagon on a budget?

[SouperJim]

Sardonicus said:

Seriously reliability ? ........................ buy jap otherwise you will only be disappointed I work on both and there is no comparison and there never was I own a BMW for my daily but am ex Honda from the 80/90's and I get to repair mine for free kind of

Would jump at an 8th gen accord touring, but it seems I'd have to double my budget to buy the petrol version... now nosing around at whether the diesel would be a sensible purchase.

[Touring442]

The 318i/320i cars are both disasters to be avoided at all costs. 325i and 330i are okay but really, a good pre 2008 320d with the old M47N engine is the one to have. They go really well, do 45 mpg. Look for an 07 plate one with reasonable mileage and that's a great car for £4000. I'd prefer an auto myself.

This one is just about perfect:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Mr Tidy]

I had an E46 320td with the M47 engine from 2005 to 2008, which was pretty good. Then an E87 123d with 2 turbos that was much better.

Then last year I got an E91 325i that was also impressive, but this year I sold it after I got an E90 330i which is just so much better!

I would have liked a Touring, but they are so much more expensive - and at least I've got the split/fold rear seat option!

I'd recommend a petrol 6, but if your mileage dictates a diesel go for a 6 cylinder one.

[m20b25]

M57 330d will do you well. Superb cars

[chunkytfg]

Just bought an E91 325i M Sport.

I've already been online looking for a replacement water pump as the cars got 107k on it and I have no idea if it's been changed yet.

I'll come back next year to tell you if it's been plain sailing or a deep pit of large bills and laying on my back under it!

[Mr Tidy]

Don't know if it helps, but I bought my E91 325i on 132K miles.

The water pump died at 135K, but I suspect it may have been it's second one! The pump on my 1st Z4 only made it to 60K.

Even so, you may have some miles to go - but it's not a precise science.

[chunkytfg]

Mr Tidy said:

Don't know if it helps, but I bought my E91 325i on 132K miles.

The water pump died at 135K, but I suspect it may have been it's second one! The pump on my 1st Z4 only made it to 60K.

Even so, you may have some miles to go - but it's not a precise science.

Thanks.

All being well i'll be keeping the car for a while so no harm in having it just in case. Pity they don't have a Engine temp gauge on the dash though(I know about the secret menu to find it though). Would make it simpler identifying it going wrong!

[Mr Tidy]

It sounds like you've done your research, but FWIW you want to get a Pierburg water pump as they made the OEM ones.

I know what you mean about the lack of a temperature gauge - whoever thought that was a good idea?

Mind you my Z4 did have one, and it went up so fast I didn't notice until the red light started flashing!

I had my 325i for just over a year and 7,000 miles. Apart from the water pump, it only needed a new battery - not even a service as it had one at a main agent a month before I got it. So given it's age and mileage I'd say it was pretty reliable.

Replaced it with a 55 plate E90 330i earlier this year on 107K, so I'll see how that works out! I would have got another Touring, but 330i Tourings are silly money. So I convinced myself a Saloon with the split/fold rear seat option would work.

I hope your car treats you well.

[chunkytfg]

Mr Tidy said:

It sounds like you've done your research, but FWIW you want to get a Pierburg water pump as they made the OEM ones.

I know what you mean about the lack of a temperature gauge - whoever thought that was a good idea?

Mind you my Z4 did have one, and it went up so fast I didn't notice until the red light started flashing!

I had my 325i for just over a year and 7,000 miles. Apart from the water pump, it only needed a new battery - not even a service as it had one at a main agent a month before I got it. So given it's age and mileage I'd say it was pretty reliable.

Replaced it with a 55 plate E90 330i earlier this year on 107K, so I'll see how that works out! I would have got another Touring, but 330i Tourings are silly money. So I convinced myself a Saloon with the split/fold rear seat option would work.

I hope your car treats you well.

I have bikes so no getting around the need for the extra height the E91 gives over the E90.

Also investigating Injectors as its a bit lumpy on Startup and has Index 9's in it at the moment but for the time being they can wait.

[LasseV]

Nope. Our 320d was a very expensive car to maintain. 2xrear wheel bearings 250eur per bearing, pdf was 1000euros and suspension can't handle bad roads ie all the time is in suspension something wrong. And after that you have to add all the normal Service costs. They are reasonable tho.

[SlowV6]

m20b25 said:

M57 330d will do you well. Superb cars

I second this. Are you ruling out 330D's? We have a 58 plate pre-LCi e91 330D M-Sport (last of the M57s) and it has been great for the 2.5yrs we have had it. I would recommend the automatic (ZF6 gearbox). The engine and gearbox make a fantastic pairing.

Your budget would get you an SE, but possibly not an M-Sport (that has been cared for), but you can get SE's with M-Sport seats, which are very comfy. Budget for replacing the thermostats and also consider blanking off the swirl flaps if you are going to keep.

Non-BMW suggestions! I would also consider a Mondeo estate in Titanium X spec. They are much bigger if you have any concerns an e91 might be a bit small inside. They are a bit pokey to be fair. Also the largely forgotten C-Max. We have had our C-Max for 13yrs! - very spacious and to be frank a much better all rounder than the 330D for family duties, which is why I keep it. C-Max's are bargain cars - try and find a 2.0TDCi with the 6-speed manual but avoid the Ghia with the stupid electronic parking brake.

Good luck!

[mcdjl]

My E91 320 has been fine. In 2.5 years its blown 1 bulb, worn out 2 tyres (the 4 on it were half worn when i bought it so they don't count) and rear brake pads. Thats not bad going for 40k miles (its now on 103k). It cost me £8k in 2017, worth considerably less now though!

[gizlaroc]

LasseV said:

pdf was 1000euros

DPF should never need replacing on these imho. If it did there was something else wrong somewhere.

I had it keep blocking and after replacing stats, glow plugs and cleaning out EGR, blanking flaps and getting everything cleaned you could see the DPF start emptying again with diagnostics plugged in.

To many garages just swap the DPF, will be OK for another 20k miles or so, but then will block again, always issues eleswhere imho.

[helix402]

gizlaroc said:

DPF should never need replacing on these imho. If it did there was something else wrong somewhere.

I had it keep blocking and after replacing stats, glow plugs and cleaning out EGR, blanking flaps and getting everything cleaned you could see the DPF start emptying again with diagnostics plugged in.

To many garages just swap the DPF, will be OK for another 20k miles or so, but then will block again, always issues eleswhere imho.

Spot on. Even blocked ones can be chemically cleaned if a forced regen doesn’t work.