E90 Buyers advice?
Discussion
Olivergt said:
Does it have to be the Diesel?
Would you consider a 325i petrol? Much, much better in every respect, especially engine wise.
Others will be along to confirm shortly, but the 320D has the N47? engine, which can suffer from Timing chain issues.
I don't think I could cope with the MPG, you also don't get red petrol Would you consider a 325i petrol? Much, much better in every respect, especially engine wise.
Others will be along to confirm shortly, but the 320D has the N47? engine, which can suffer from Timing chain issues.
Get a 330d.
Driven sedately it won't be much worse on fuel than the 320d. Those older 4 pot diesels are noisey, clattery, suffer timing chain issues and are just generally f
king horrid. The 330 is a more reliable engine and nicer in every way.
The 318d is the same engine as the 320d but with a weaker turbo. So it suffers the same issues with about 40bhp less.
Driven sedately it won't be much worse on fuel than the 320d. Those older 4 pot diesels are noisey, clattery, suffer timing chain issues and are just generally f
king horrid. The 330 is a more reliable engine and nicer in every way.The 318d is the same engine as the 320d but with a weaker turbo. So it suffers the same issues with about 40bhp less.
Edited by nunpuncher on Tuesday 25th February 12:01
nunpuncher said:
Get a 330d.
Driven sedately it won't be much worse on fuel than the 320d. Those older 4 pot diesels are noisey, clattery, suffer timing chain issues and are just generally fking horrid. The 330 is a more reliable engine and nicer in every way.
The 318d is the same engine as the 320d but with a weaker turbo. So it suffers the same issues with about 40bhp less.
I would love a manual 330D. Genuinely would, 2 things tho.Driven sedately it won't be much worse on fuel than the 320d. Those older 4 pot diesels are noisey, clattery, suffer timing chain issues and are just generally f
king horrid. The 330 is a more reliable engine and nicer in every way.The 318d is the same engine as the 320d but with a weaker turbo. So it suffers the same issues with about 40bhp less.
Edited by nunpuncher on Tuesday 25th February 12:01
1: Insurance would really enjoy bending me over
2: A manual 330D is abit of a rare beast.
Been running a 2012 318d E91 Touring since 50k, now its on 130k - £30 RFL is nice aswell.
Been a fantastic machine, routinely gets 850-900 from a tank, not a creak or rattle to be heard.
Keep eye on the oil changes, make sure you do 8-10k MAX on engine oil (to ward off chain wear)
Plenty fast enough, and they remap nicely.
Another plus is the 318d variant do not have swirl flaps (another possible headache on the 320d+)
330d's are nice machines aswell, but they are significantly heavier on fuel if your a high mile user.
Cant see me changing mine for a long time, its just too good + the wife loves driving it, so I got myself an old Saab 9-3
Been a fantastic machine, routinely gets 850-900 from a tank, not a creak or rattle to be heard.
Keep eye on the oil changes, make sure you do 8-10k MAX on engine oil (to ward off chain wear)
Plenty fast enough, and they remap nicely.
Another plus is the 318d variant do not have swirl flaps (another possible headache on the 320d+)
330d's are nice machines aswell, but they are significantly heavier on fuel if your a high mile user.
Cant see me changing mine for a long time, its just too good + the wife loves driving it, so I got myself an old Saab 9-3
All manual diesel from BMW from between Sept 2005 and Sept 2011 did have some issues with the dual mass flywheel.
Just check it pulls away OK with no judder, especially pulling away up an incline.
BMW were replacing the clutch and flywheel for customers who complained so many have been done.
Suspension can take a beating with the run flats, but should feel very solid with no clunking.
Can be expensive to rectify.
Yeah timing chains can be an issue, but just listen for any really noisy rattles on start up and look through the history, loads at this age have been sorted anyway.
They are such a great every day car imho, they can be very frugal and still fun to drive.
Just check it pulls away OK with no judder, especially pulling away up an incline.
BMW were replacing the clutch and flywheel for customers who complained so many have been done.
Suspension can take a beating with the run flats, but should feel very solid with no clunking.
Can be expensive to rectify.
Yeah timing chains can be an issue, but just listen for any really noisy rattles on start up and look through the history, loads at this age have been sorted anyway.
They are such a great every day car imho, they can be very frugal and still fun to drive.
Why go for a manual when the ZF autoboxes on these are so good. They have a full transmission lock-up facility so the economy isn't much down on a manual and as long as they've had the necessary 65,000mile fluid and filter change (not 'sealed for life' as claimed by BMW) then they are practically unburstable.
PS. Check for fuel leaks on the tank breather pipe caused by it chafing against bodywork. Cheap part but a bd to fit.
PS. Check for fuel leaks on the tank breather pipe caused by it chafing against bodywork. Cheap part but a b
d to fit.Have you had a look at what a 330i would cost to insure? My 130i is cheaper to insure than a 17 year old 1.9tdi Passat; you might be surprised.
As far as fuel costs go, that really will depend on your useage.
Around town I get 27/28mpg, on a long run from London to West Yorkshire I saw 47/48mpg sat on cruise control.
As far as fuel costs go, that really will depend on your useage.
Around town I get 27/28mpg, on a long run from London to West Yorkshire I saw 47/48mpg sat on cruise control.
DoubleD said:
The 330d is a really great engine, as is the 330i
I wouldnt bother with any of the other engines.
I don't know about the 330d, but the engine in my 330i is great. I wouldnt bother with any of the other engines.
If insurance is an issue for the OP a 325i or 325d might be an worth looking at. They also tend to be cheaper, and 325is are much easier to find than 330is - especially manual ones.
Based on my E92 experience (assume most of this will still apply), avoid 19s on an m-sport like the plague, they crack easily and the ride is very harsh. Look out for peeling on the central part of the steering wheel. Get a manual without I-drive. Go for a 6 pot, it’s what bmw do best, you won’t regret it.
Can't comment on the diesels but the E9x is a very good car to use daily.
My e92 325i has been great for the last 3 years. I have the SE so the ride on 17's is very nice, even with runflat tyres. If I had an m sport I would've gone with normal tyres and a can of goo. I also prefer not having idrive as I feel the dash looks cleaner and classier. I've never liked lots of tech as I think it really dates a car and after a couple of years is obsolete.
Manual gearbox in mine is great.
Repairs can be costly but they are well built and all the mechanicals are strong.
My e92 325i has been great for the last 3 years. I have the SE so the ride on 17's is very nice, even with runflat tyres. If I had an m sport I would've gone with normal tyres and a can of goo. I also prefer not having idrive as I feel the dash looks cleaner and classier. I've never liked lots of tech as I think it really dates a car and after a couple of years is obsolete.
Manual gearbox in mine is great.
Repairs can be costly but they are well built and all the mechanicals are strong.
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