2007 E90 320i

[samman325]

Hi guys.

Looking for some advice/guidance.

My brother has the opportunity to buy a very nice E90 320i with low mileage still under motorplan for a great price.

I am looking for general information on the motor, reliability, common problem areas, etc. I know that there was a version of this motor, either the N42 or N46, that was quite troublesome so any advice will be appreciated.

I know there are probably 100's of other threads discussing this car/motor and if you could point me in the right direction to such a thread it would be appreciated.

Thanks a lot!

 

[Nick]

Was the e90 320 not a e43 engine?

I love mine, its not the fastest nor the more powerful thing on the road but she does criuse very well.

Mine will be going to Promoten for the full treatment of soon the the funds are ready.

There is a version on the 320 in europe called the 320Si which puts out 130 kW; 175 bhp.

So im hopeful i can squeeze some more outta mine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_3_Series_(E90) :thumbs:

 

[Mrcloc]

If he must buy a 320i, then make it a manual IMO. The 320i is already not fast and not too economical, and the auto box makes it worse. There's a 325i for sale on the forums - that's a much better engine, and the price is excellent! In terms of reliability, the E90s are all very reliable.

If your brother will travel a lot of open road or highway, then the 320i is excellent. For traffic and short runs it's very heavy on fuel. I would honestly recommend a 320d above the i. It pulls much harder and uses a lot less fuel. Reliability isn't an issue with the diesel. I've owned both the d and i - 320d (130kW) uses 40% less fuel and gets to 100 at least 3s faster; also does 80-120 about 3s faster (this is in PTA).

Does your brother live at the coast? If he lives at altitude, then definitely the d or a 6 cylinder.

 

[samman325]

The car is 2007 as in the thread title. It is manual, exclusive pack, single owner since new with fsh at dealers. Mileage is on 91k km's and he can get it for R95k. Overall condition is fantastic!

I'm also a fan of the 6pot but i must admit that its quite a sweet deal.

Car will be used for commute to work in jhb which is mostly traffic but am curious to know how it will compare fuel wise to his e46 330ia?

---

Car is still under MP until March next year as well

 

[Mrcloc]

The car is 2007 as in the thread title. It is manual, exclusive pack, single owner since new with fsh at dealers. Mileage is on 91k km's and he can get it for R95k. Overall condition is fantastic!

I'm also a fan of the 6pot but i must admit that its quite a sweet deal.

Car will be used for commute to work in jhb which is mostly traffic but am curious to know how it will compare fuel wise to his e46 330ia?

---

Car is still under MP until March next year as well

---

R95k is not bad - there is a lot of stock. Examples:
Here
Here

You can also get an 06 325i for around the same. There are a lot of options in that price range. But if the 320i is from someone you know and you know how they drive and look after the car, then that's a bonus.

At 91k km and MP ending in March, if it's been serviced, then you're not going to use the motorplan at all (unless something really goes wrong, which is highly unlikely).

The 320i's are great cars and I'm sure your brother will be happy with it. Just make sure he doesn't miss something he might have preferred. Drive the car, reset the fuel consumption, accelerate while on the go and feel the car.

Maybe I'm wrong, but an '04 or '05 320i E46 F/L might be a better option (or at least one to consider)? You can get them with around 150k km for under R90k.

At the end of the day a test drive and what your brother prefers should decide. I'm just giving ideas. R100k is a lot of money.

The best of luck to your brother!