2009 3 Series 320i SE Coupe. Buying advice?

[JonFiesta]

Hello guys or girls,

Need some good advice surrounding a 3 series coupe I am looking at. I've done my research and a lot of people complain about the timing chain issues and regular ignition coils and injectors problems with this 4cyl 2L engine? Just want some verification surrounding these issues. Are these problems mainly due to irregular servicing (not looked after) or is it just a poor engine overall? How reliable is the engine day to day?

A lot of people I've seen say, "just get a 6cyl", unfortunately UK insurance is a joke - keep in mind I am 21, so the 4 pot is what I can afford.

I've test driven the car the other day and felt smooth and responsive. It had regular servicing every 5-8k miles, 2 owners and with an overall mileage of 51K on the clock.

Let me know what you think? Would be much appreciated 😎

Cheers,
Jon.

[helix402]

Problems are not due to poor servicing, they are due to a poor engine (N43).

[iSore]

They are such a lottery but the chances of them going pop are too high for me. They are BMW's least reliable engine and I'm struggling to think of an engine from anyone that is worse - generally VAG TFSI type scrap, Triumph Stags etc.

I went to view one yesterday, a 2009 320i Touring that wouldn't start. Well, it span over with no compression and a faint clank-clank sound - chain still there so it had gone badly wrong some other way.

They aren't all bad but I'd just bear in mind what they can cost to fix. The diffs on these are utter st as well.

I'd buy a 320d. More reliable, faster, 50 mpg.

[Jonny-T]

Thanks for the replies.

iSore - I've heard they're a bit of a lottery too, some owners having no issues while others have constant issues. However, the constant issues I keep seeing on forums like this is: coils, injectors and nox sensor (which is £££££). It's quite surprising how a manufacturer such as BMW can produce such unreliable model of engine.

The design is beautiful, but under the bonnet it's a Fiat.

Thanks for the suggestion, but the 320d would be pretty pointless for me. I would probably be doing more damage than good as I only do around 6000K miles a year.

Cheers,
Jon.

[Craikeybaby]

That's harsh on Fiat, our 500 has had far less trouble than our 120i!

[mekondelta]

We had a 118i from new for 9 years so same basic engine but a detuned 2.0i.

It was in a few times for injector coil issues and had lights coming on towards the end for NOX and O2 sensors. Engine rough when cold and I could feel the injectors going again. We've now sold it thank goodness. Compared to the equivalent diesels they're gutless too. A 118d will run rings around a 118i. Also not sure about the 120i but the manual seemed to have a very heavy flywheel which made pressing on quite difficult as well keeping the changes smooth. No idea what manual diesels are like.

IMO I'd go for a diesel 4cyl every time, even for low miles. For 6cyl+ either is usually fine.