Sub £2.5k E90 320D?

[Jimmy No Hands]

Are these a good idea? I have found a sub 110k mile example but with no history of much other than routine servicing. The stories of expensive clutch and flywheel changes, swirl flaps and plastic manifolds do scare me a bit. Servicing seems okay - 21k, 37k, 43k, 60k, 64k, 73k, 78k, 94k, 105k. Although oil change is not ticked on some of these.
It doesn't seem to have any of the common issues addressed which concerns me somewhat. Can these be expensive?

Thank you chaps.

[helix402]

Go for one with an M47. Swirl flaps don’t often break on them, just leak. No inlet manifold problems.

[Jimmy No Hands]

I am assuming a March 2007 E90 will be M47, don't think it changed until 2008? I have an engine bay picture, it appears to be an M47 anyway.

[helix402]

That’s the changeover date. Probably M47.

[Mr Tidy]

I had an E46 320td with the M47 engine for a few years and liked how it drove. I didn't have any issues with it, but then it had only done 45K when I P/Xd it.

For a pre-registered 123d with the N47 engine that was amazing for a 4 cylinder diesel. I had that for over 6 years and 80K miles and only had a couple of unexpected issues. A battery and a starter motor - probably because it had stop/start.

Anyway, by this time I was reading horror stories about cam-chains letting go - they are on the back of the engine, so access is an issue! And I read somewhere that early ones (like mine) often needed a new crankshaft as well if the chain went!

So I sold it!

If I bought another diesel I'd definitely look for an M47.

Edited by Mr Tidy on Saturday 8th June 00:38