E92 325i or 320i

[the_g_ster]

cgauk said:

I have the 3.0 325i on a 57 plate and wouldn’t cal it reliable. It’s just been in to have all its injectors replaced again which must be about set number 5 since new and it hasn’t hit 100k miles yet.

It has an oil leak from somewhere but the bmw garage don’t have the skill to find it as the computer can’t tell them where it is. It’s had the sump gasket changed to no effect.

And it has an annoying vibration at low revs as you put down the throttle. I can feel it, passengers feel it but bmw master technicians cannot.

Reading this back, maybe the engine could be fine if looked at by a proper mechanic but my perception is that I’ve seen a number of other people with 325/330/335 of the same era having many of the same issues.

I think your last point hits the nail on the head:
- The N53 is a complex engine, as are all of them
- The wrong software and reading of fault codes can mean some people don't have the skill to find the problem, otehr than to just say new coils, new injectors, new sensors etc etc.
- Finding the right garage is key, BMW themselves will have limited training on the older models unless staff are long termers, hence it doesn't mean a dealership is always the best bet, although some will be great, some may not be.

[bmwmike]

the_g_ster said:

cgauk said:

I have the 3.0 325i on a 57 plate and wouldn’t cal it reliable. It’s just been in to have all its injectors replaced again which must be about set number 5 since new and it hasn’t hit 100k miles yet.

It has an oil leak from somewhere but the bmw garage don’t have the skill to find it as the computer can’t tell them where it is. It’s had the sump gasket changed to no effect.

And it has an annoying vibration at low revs as you put down the throttle. I can feel it, passengers feel it but bmw master technicians cannot.

Reading this back, maybe the engine could be fine if looked at by a proper mechanic but my perception is that I’ve seen a number of other people with 325/330/335 of the same era having many of the same issues.

I think your last point hits the nail on the head:
- The N53 is a complex engine, as are all of them
- The wrong software and reading of fault codes can mean some people don't have the skill to find the problem, otehr than to just say new coils, new injectors, new sensors etc etc.
- Finding the right garage is key, BMW themselves will have limited training on the older models unless staff are long termers, hence it doesn't mean a dealership is always the best bet, although some will be great, some may not be.

Agree. N53 is probably one of BMW more complex non M engines because of the stratified charge. The injection strategies are very interesting (check out bimmerprofs ). Finding a specialist who actually knows these engines is challenging. I am not sure I'd own one if I didn't have diagnostic and spanner wielding capabilities. Not sure I'd own any car out of manufacturer warranty in that case mind.

The early n53s seem riskier I guess because they could be running older HPFP etc.

Mine has been fine except for consumables (plugs, injectors, coil packs lol).

Edited by bmwmike on Tuesday 27th August 10:22

[anonymous-user]

The 325i is the no mans land (or woman in my case) of the range. It’s not as economical as a 320i and not as powerful as a 330i. I had a 2007 port injection version and it was okay. It came to life in the higher rev range. I regret not going with the 330i. Less problems than the 335i. Those had timing issues (an expensive repair of the cam sprocket back of the engine). Don’t forget the E9X also had security issues. There is a blind spot on the driver side window. The glass can be broken without setting off the interior sensor. Key cloning was rife on these. So you would need to beef up security or keep it in a garage at least.

[Mr Tidy]

Super_G said:

The 325i is the no mans land (or woman in my case) of the range. It’s not as economical as a 320i and not as powerful as a 330i. I had a 2007 port injection version and it was okay. It came to life in the higher rev range. I regret not going with the 330i. Less problems than the 335i. Those had timing issues (an expensive repair of the cam sprocket back of the engine). Don’t forget the E9X also had security issues. There is a blind spot on the driver side window. The glass can be broken without setting off the interior sensor. Key cloning was rife on these. So you would need to beef up security or keep it in a garage at least.

I can relate to that - I had an E91 325i Touring (but with the N52 engine so no port injection issues) for only one year as it just felt a bit "flat".

Replaced it with an E90 330i (also N52 engine) earlier this year - what a difference.

Seeing as it is now 14 years old I don't worry about security issues too much!