2010 e91 318 petrol buying advice

[Al_85]

Hi all,

I may be in the marketing for a 2010 E91 318. I do a 15-16 mile round trip in heavy traffic, so want petrol, but have a growing family and prefer the space offered by the touring. I'm still open to a nicely spec'd saloon though.

Having searched it seems the engine is renowned for having problems - but this is a post LCI car, so does that impact anything around the coil packs and injectors? I also own a '08 116, which also has a notoriously unreliable engine, and replacing the coil pack there wasn't a huge job - but I don't want to buy a lemon, and the cost of injectors seems high.

Mileage is around the 70k mark and this particular car I've seen is a really good spec. Any thoughts on the engine choice though?

For people reccomending 6 cylinders - I'm worried about the MPG etc in heavy traffic.

Thanks,

[Smuler]

If it’s just a bumper to bumper slog why bother with a BMW ; must be cheaper non premium brand cars for this task.

Otherwise I’d look into the minutia of whether a six cylinder engine is really that much more expensive for your low miles. I don’t know the E91 4 cylinder petrols but they don’t get a good press here and I hated the newer 4 cylinder petrols I’ve driven.

[Al_85]

Hi Smuler,

I've had a look at other contenders, and they just dont have much visual appeal for me, and I like the way my 1er does drive when I get the chance sans traffic.... mondeo - hardly any petrols about, skoda petrols look really bland. I will have a look at 6cy running costs though as suggested.

Anyone have any real world experience with 318 of a similar era?

[Smuler]

Fair enough, BMWs are best
But have a close look. I drive hard and around town and I’m only getting 5 p a mile saving on a 20d than my old 2002 325i petrol.
So I’m really wondering if you will save much.
If no one here has any direct experience of 318 try e90postuk , dedicated sub forum to the E90

[helix402]

It will have a horrible unreliable N43. Prone to injector and timing chain failures amongst other problems. 6 cylinder is the answer, or old M47 4 cyl diesel.

[iSore]

As above, absolutely avoid this engine like the f*ck*ng plague. It is appalling rubbish. It will break, it will cost you lots of money.

If you really must have an old E90, a 318d/320d is best but even then there's chain dramas. I like BMW's but at this age/price I'd be looking at Mazda 6, Mondeo etc. There are enough good cars around to avoid junk like the N43.

Edited by iSore on Friday 16th February 10:06

[SebringMan]

All things considered I'd look at the Mundaneo.

You get more space, a slightly more exciting cabin thanks to robbed designs and a decent drive.

We had 2 2.5Ts at home and both combined have cost less than a friend's 328i and my E46 M3 to own. They're a fun drive too but I suspect the engine in our case plays a bit part.

[Al_85]

Thanks for the replies all. I've done additional research and it really has put me off. I don't fancy a diesel so I think that rules out the 3 series altogether at the 6-8k range. I'll look at some alternatives!

[Al_85]

@ Sebring - agreed they look good. Its just there arent that many around. Good insight though, thanks.

[Smuler]

Al_85 said:

@ Sebring - agreed they look good. Its just there arent that many around. Good insight though, thanks.

I did a third of a million miles in various Mondeos for work about a decade ago. Newest was a 2006 so I know squat about the new ones.
But the old ones were pretty good.

Best of luck with your non BMW search.

[iSore]

I'd pretty much avoid VAG stuff as well - just too many nasty issues.

[SebringMan]

Al_85 said:

@ Sebring - agreed they look good. Its just there arent that many around. Good insight though, thanks.

Yup, we found this out as a friend was looking for one. Petrols are very rare in the MkIVs.

With the MkIVs they are pretty solid but the Sat-Navs can play up in the NX Sat Nav models ; it's generally the drive which is £100.

Both of ours are on 160 (Bought at 125k in 2015) and the other has passed 170k (bought on 110k in 2013). They've been pretty good. The only real problem to speak of is the 170k car has needed its AC fixing for a year.

[Swervin_Mervin]

Al_85 said:

Thanks for the replies all. I've done additional research and it really has put me off. I don't fancy a diesel so I think that rules out the 3 series altogether at the 6-8k range. I'll look at some alternatives!

That budget will put you in a decent 6cyl E91. I'd not bother looking at anything else in the range, or a Mundaneo

[Mr Tidy]

Swervin_Mervin said:

That budget will put you in a decent 6cyl E91. I'd not bother looking at anything else in the range, or a Mundaneo

Yes, I found one last week for half that! Mind you it has done over 100k miles, but it's had nearly 30 visits to main agents so I'm hoping it's a good 'one!

[Mike335i]

A well looked after N43 should be OK, wasn't it the stupid service intervals that caused so many issues? Find one with 10k oil changes and injectors / hpfp already changed and it should be fine.

Not as nice as a 6cyl and the mpg in town is going to be awful either way.

Serious question though, if all you are doing is sitting in traffic, is it worth leasing a 330e or looking at the older hybrid 3 series? Don't know how much electric car your budget buys mind. Just a thought.

Scrap that, active hybrid 3 or 330e and about 15k minimum, but how about a lexus GS450h? Do these run on electric only when in traffic? Not an estate, but you did say a well specced saloon could work.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2017...

Edited by Mike335i on Sunday 18th February 09:30

[iSore]

Mike335i said:

A well looked after N43 should be OK, wasn't it the stupid service intervals that caused so many issues? Find one with 10k oil changes and injectors / hpfp already changed and it should be fine.

No, they're utter crap. Every journey is EML roulette.

The HPFP is no biggie, and the injectors are the least of its woes. Timing chain and guides, NoX sensor........and what injectors does it have? Are they the latest ones? Just a NoX sensor is £500 fitted. Five hundred quid!

The very, very least you need to do is replace the chain and guides at anything over 30-40k because that's a normal mileage for trouble. They are not worth the bother though. Plenty of good cars about to avoid junk like this.