discussion F30 2013 320D or 2014 320i

[E90Francois]

Good day.

I am currently in the market for a good used F30 320i or 320D.

I am also looking at the usual mods like down pipe, reflash EGR delete, XHP flash if auto etc.

Just not sure which one would be best for reliability wise, my previous e90 320d 2006 was a lemon spending 90% of the time being repaired than anything else (guy caught me with a bad one, had 700 000km+ milage but cluster showed 212k+-) He did mention the ECU was replaced so i though that's what caused the tamper dot to appear.

Any how, there is also a 520i with roughly 140k milage in neat condition FSH 2013 model within my budget.
With the baby on the way i have to get rid of the unreliable E90 i have currently.

Considering all are around the 150k milage with FSH, which would be the more reliable option to go for as the car will be 90% used by my wife, also are the auto's more problematic than manual. (i prefer manual but my better half wants a slushbox for traffic)

Anyone who has owned these please enlighten me.

Kind regards.

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

If you looking at 320i's try and stay away from the pre-facelift N20 models.
Rather get a 320d or a 320i with the B48 motor.

 

[E90Francois]

If you looking at 320i's try and stay away from the pre-facelift N20 models.
Rather get a 320d or a 320i with the B48 motor.

From which year did the 320i come with the B48 ?

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

From which year did the 320i come with the B48 ?

Speaking under correction but I believe from the LCI models. So 2015 onwards

 

[E90Francois]

Speaking under correction but I believe from the LCI models. So 2015 onwards

Many thanks, will have a look see.

So basically 320d is good and 320i LCI, avoid the N20 engine in all models ?

 

[Kyle]

Don't let your bad experience deter you from a 320d, the F30 is known to be very reliable compared to the E90 pre-lci. As with any car though, you will need to find one that's been well cared for.

As mentioned, stay away from the 20i and 28i variants in the early model F30s, they are known for being troublesome and not really worth the preventative they require. They are cheaper for a reason....

 

[E90Francois]

Don't let your bad experience deter you from a 320d, the F30 is known to be very reliable compared to the E90 pre-lci. As with any car though, you will need to find one that's been well cared for.

As mentioned, stay away from the 20i and 28i variants in the early model F30s, they are known for being troublesome and not really worth the preventative they require. They are cheaper for a reason....

Many thanks, i am a bit biased against the 320d ... i spent almost as much as the purchased price of the car on repairs (and repaired it myself) so no labor charge , and its still giving me issues. A week ago the DMF and clutch packed up which was the last straw, so putting it out to pastures.

I kept if for sentimental reasons as it was the 1st car my wife purchased for me, but now she needs a car and she cant sit stranded next to the road with a lemon.

However if the new 320d's are reliable i will seriously consider them.

Out of curiosity as i am getting conflicting results, are the Auto F30 320d 8 speed or 6 speed.

 

[Schalk94]

Many thanks, i am a bit biased against the 320d ... i spent almost as much as the purchased price of the car on repairs (and repaired it myself) so no labor charge , and its still giving me issues. A week ago the DMF and clutch packed up which was the last straw, so putting it out to pastures.

I kept if for sentimental reasons as it was the 1st car my wife purchased for me, but now she needs a car and she cant sit stranded next to the road with a lemon.

However if the new 320d's are reliable i will seriously consider them.

Out of curiosity as i am getting conflicting results, are the Auto F30 320d 8 speed or 6 speed.

Your 320d shouldn't be used as a yard stick of sorts and is definitely not the best reflection of how reliable a 320d usually is.The N47 motors in the LCI E90 320d and Pre-LCI F30 320d have a very good reputation for being extremely reliable. I would definitely much rather spend my money on a 320d F30 over a B48/N20.

The F30 box is 8 speed.

 

[Kyle]

Many thanks, i am a bit biased against the 320d ... i spent almost as much as the purchased price of the car on repairs (and repaired it myself) so no labor charge , and its still giving me issues. A week ago the DMF and clutch packed up which was the last straw, so putting it out to pastures.

I kept if for sentimental reasons as it was the 1st car my wife purchased for me, but now she needs a car and she cant sit stranded next to the road with a lemon.

However if the new 320d's are reliable i will seriously consider them.

Out of curiosity as i am getting conflicting results, are the Auto F30 320d 8 speed or 6 speed.

The Auto box in the F30 is a ZF8.... It's an 8 speed box which is known to be quite reliable as well.

But again, there are many lemons out there so just do your homework on the car you're interested in. To answer your question given the above choices, the 320d is the way to go.

 

[FILV]

Any 20D or 30D is the most reliable Bmw you can buy.
Unfortunately you had the experience of an absolute lemon that would have been a nightmare regardless if it was a petrol or diesel.

I would also only recommend a 320i if you get an F30 facelift (late 2015 or early 2016) look out for the facelift led Tail lights as a way to see if they are the facelift.

Otherwise a 320D all the way. Make sure it is properly loved and do you research before buying it.

 

[E90Francois]

Many thanks everyone for the help, think i will be going for a 320d f30

I have my eye on a few that i will check out over this coming week.

For 2013 model 320d with between 120 to 150k milage, is it realistic to find them between R100000 to R130000 ?

i see a few on FB market place but on autotrader they about R170000 +-

 

[Riaad]

For 2013 model 320d with between 120 to 150k milage, is it realistic to find them between R100000 to R130000 ?

this is E90 320d money - extremely unlikely to pick up a f30 for this amount

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

this is E90 320d money - extremely unlikely to pick up a f30 for this amount

And if you do be careful. be very careful

 

[v1p3r]

Many thanks everyone for the help, think i will be going for a 320d f30

I have my eye on a few that i will check out over this coming week.

For 2013 model 320d with between 120 to 150k milage, is it realistic to find them between R100000 to R130000 ?

i see a few on FB market place but on autotrader they about R170000 +-

Nowhere near what F30 320d's go for unfortunately. Their prices have actually gone up in the last 3 to 4 years as many people realised the value, economy and quality of the cars at their then price point and it became more sough after. Especially well specced ones

 

[E90Francois]

And if you do be careful. be very careful

I will be, taking my diagnostic laptop + ISTA and cable with this time... (Curtesy of the E90's problems that i have this) not falling for that again.

will be looking at everting in detail before i buy.

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

If I was in your shoes I would rather look for a facelift good condition e90 320d in that price bracket than a cheap f30

 

[Kyle]

Many thanks everyone for the help, think i will be going for a 320d f30

I have my eye on a few that i will check out over this coming week.

For 2013 model 320d with between 120 to 150k milage, is it realistic to find them between R100000 to R130000 ?

i see a few on FB market place but on autotrader they about R170000 +-

Nope, realistically for a very low spec model you would expect to pay 180k + for something with decent mileage and good condition

 

[E90Francois]

If I was in your shoes I would rather look for a facelift good condition e90 32od in that price bracket than a cheap f30

Does the facelift 320d F30 have the same engine as the non facelift model ?

there is one close to me that ill go look at

Used Cars & Bakkies Deals in Johannesburg CBD | Gumtree Classifieds Johannesburg CBD

Find Used Cars & Bakkies Deals in Johannesburg CBD! Search Gumtree Free Classified Ads for Used Cars & Bakkies Deals and more in Johannesburg CBD.

www.gumtree.co.za

And this one near my cuzzy in CPT

2013 BMW 320d for sale | Blouberg | Gumtree South Africa

2013 Silver BMW 3 Series for sale in Blouberg. Find the best deals on new and used cars from dealers and private sellers on Gumtree South Africa!

www.gumtree.co.za

One question though, i saw on some adds that the service history is shown on the I drive, can this be fudged or can it generally be trusted.

 

[v1p3r]

Does the facelift 320d F30 have the same engine as the non facelift model ?

there is one close to me that ill go look at

Used Cars & Bakkies Deals in Johannesburg CBD | Gumtree Classifieds Johannesburg CBD

Find Used Cars & Bakkies Deals in Johannesburg CBD! Search Gumtree Free Classified Ads for Used Cars & Bakkies Deals and more in Johannesburg CBD.

www.gumtree.co.za

And this one near my cuzzy in CPT

2013 BMW 320d for sale | Blouberg | Gumtree South Africa

2013 Silver BMW 3 Series for sale in Blouberg. Find the best deals on new and used cars from dealers and private sellers on Gumtree South Africa!

www.gumtree.co.za

One question though, i saw on some adds that the service history is shown on the I drive, can this be fudged or can it generally be trusted.

Avoid those X Auto blue and white licence plate JHB CBD dealerships like the plague. They sell the same car under different dealerships all over that strip, just with different plates. Mostly skelms.

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

Speak to Coisman on the forum and ask him to also check the enatis history for you.
+1 on what V1p3r said. Either scams/mileage tampered cars or salvaged and repaired cars