bmw 320d

[robbieBMW3]

Hi can any one give me some advice as to weather i should steer clear of a 2001 320d i am looking at it is in really good condition but has 98000 on it is this a problem how long are these engines good for?

ta rob

[taylor86]

if service history is there and its a good price yes go for it i once had a 180 000 mile car and did me good for 2 years 30k more

[HRH2009]

Take a look at the bmwland forum for details about this model. There was a face-lift for this car in 2001. Cars before the face lift were perhaps underpowered but much less prone to turbo failure.

If it is an early 2001, go for it would be my advice.

My own experience was that I had five years trouble free motoring with one, purchased at 48k and sold 148k. I only changed mine because I needed a touring, and that if I left changing too long the only E46s available,second hand, would be all over five years.

[to3m]

robbieBMW3 said:

Hi can any one give me some advice as to weather i should steer clear of a 2001 320d i am looking at it is in really good condition but has 98000 on it is this a problem how long are these engines good for?

ta rob

For whatever it's worth, I've got a facelift 2001 320D that I bought with 101,000 miles on 3 years ago. It has done 128,000 miles now, and it seems to be OK. Performance is as you'd expect, it doesn't sound too awful, it never fails to start, it doesn't smoke unnecessarily, and the engine has yet to blow up. No dancing girls... but aside from that it's been fine.

It HAS required things doing on each service and MOT, but this has been primarily non-engine parts -- suspension, brakes and tyres. It needed a new breather valve (? - don't ask me, I just drive it) for the MOT 2 years ago, was about £150 I think, and that's been it. Not perfect, but to my untutored eyes this seems pretty reasonable for an 8 1/2 year old car that's done that many miles. When I was looking I got the impression that the engine was unlikely to be a problem and this has certainly been the case for me.