E90 M sport advice

[Simoted]

Looking for some advice. After years of running Nissan lease cars I’ve decided to try a BMW. I’m looking to spend upto £10k. I’ve seen quite a few 320d coupe (and petrol versions) between 2009 and 2013 in this price range. Ideally I want something with no more than 60k miles on. Most of my driving is around town,I do maybe 8-9k miles per year. Would I be better off going for the petrol or diesel and what’s the common faults on these?. Do they both have timing chains?.
Thanks

[Simoted]

d_a_n1979 said:

IMO at that budget and mileage, as already said, stick to petrol and a straight 6

Yup; timing chains but very few issues, unlike the 4 pot petrols and diesels

Where are you located, how willing are you to travel for the right car, any particular colour and spec you want, auto or manual, saloon, coupe or touring (estate)? Are you ideally after BMW dealer car or happy with private sales also?

I’m near Sunderland. Ideally would like one within 50 miles or so but could travel further. A manual coupe. They look nice with the 19inch wheels but obviously that’s not a deal breaker. I’d probably prefer to buy from a garage, I am willing to look at private cars if the right one turns up.

[Simoted]

bmwmike said:

Six pot petrol means N53 engine and arguably it's worst years 2007/8-2009. Buying from a dealer should assure all latest bits fitted if not when you pick it up but when you have to take it back. Push for 2yr warranty.

Agree six pot petrol too btw I love the n53 in my car but no blind to its weaknesses.

Is the 2L petrol a straight six in these?. Also are the engines better from 2010-13?

[Simoted]

I’ve found a local private sale for a coupe on a 2010 with 50k miles on. It is the diesel but it’s only done 7k miles in the last 4 years, is that something to worry about?.

Edited by Simoted on Monday 21st January 16:05

[Simoted]

My aim is to get a nice looking car with not too high running costs. I don’t like the sound of an unreliable engine. I do like the sound of a straight six though!. I could live with a 2L diesel (I’ve had Qashqai 1.5 diesels for the last 6 years!).

[Simoted]

E-bmw said:

Simoted said:

My aim is to get a nice looking car with not too high running costs. I don’t like the sound of an unreliable engine. I do like the sound of a straight six though!. I could live with a 2L diesel (I’ve had Qashqai 1.5 diesels for the last 6 years!).

While you may well be able to "live with a 2l diesel" at that mileage /year it is absolutely NOT the car to buy, it WILL cost you more to run & you will also lose more on it.

Why will it cost more to run? What would you say I should go for?.

[Simoted]

E-bmw said:

Simoted said:

My aim is to get a nice looking car with not too high running costs. I don’t like the sound of an unreliable engine. I do like the sound of a straight six though!. I could live with a 2L diesel (I’ve had Qashqai 1.5 diesels for the last 6 years!).

While you may well be able to "live with a 2l diesel" at that mileage /year it is absolutely NOT the car to buy, it WILL cost you more to run & you will also lose more on it.

Why will it cost more to run? What would you say I should go for?.

[Simoted]

Thanks for the replies.

Which bMWs have the 6 cylinder petrol engines?. Is there a 3 series coupe with a 2.5 petrol around the 2010-2013?.

I have also looked at some 1 series couples that have been nice but similar prices to the 3 series, they were also diesel though. I mainly was looking towards the diesel due to thinking they would be more reliable when older, 8-9 year old car. I take it the petrol is as reliable?.

I’m not keen on having a 3L due to high road tax and probably poor fuel economy. I quickly got fed up of a Focus ST as it was never out of the petrol station!.

[Simoted]

You’ve got me looking at 325s now!, not as bad on tax as I thought. What are they like on fuel (real life figures, not from the spec sheets!). Also is there much to worry about if buying say a 2011 with 50k miles on with FBMWSH?.