Buying 320d/330d

[RikusF]

Hi All

I'm in the market for an E90 320d or 330d - depending on what is available.

What do I typically need to look out for as I can only afford ones over the 100k kms mark?

I specifically saw this one:
2006 330d M-sport A/T
137 000km
R118 000
Has FSH until 2013, from there on the owner maintained it himself. So far he replaced the starter in 2015 and serviced using only Liqui-Moly oil only.

The mags needs some new paint and is in need of new rear tires (making me wonder how the car was driven...:thumbdo

Oh. One more thing: What does LCi stand for?!?! dumb questions probably...

 

[FerdiBotha]

Hi All

I'm in the market for an E90 320d or 330d - depending on what is available.

What do I typically need to look out for as I can only afford ones over the 100k kms mark?

I specifically saw this one:
2006 330d M-sport A/T
137 000km
R118 000
Has FSH until 2013, from there on the owner maintained it himself. So far he replaced the starter in 2015 and serviced using only Liqui-Moly oil only.

The mags needs some new paint and is in need of new rear tires (making me wonder how the car was driven...:thumbdo

Oh. One more thing: What does LCi stand for?!?! dumb questions probably...

The tyres will be a problem on a 330d due to the amount of torque it produces. Wheels being chipped etc. could happen if the wheels were badly refurbished etc.

LCI stands for "Life Cycle Impulse", which is the name BMW gives to its facelift models.

As for reliability on E90 320d/330d - these are pretty reliable cars apart from parts that could fail over many years/miles (eg. turbo), but with preventative and regular maintenance they should last long.

When buying one of these car you should really check the VIN for comments, possibly check the e-natis database with Coisman etc. to make sure the history all checks out and nothing major went wrong under the previous owners' names.

If the budget allows, go for a 330d, but a 320d is also a great car and will not disappoint.

 

[RikusF]

Hi All

I'm in the market for an E90 320d or 330d - depending on what is available.

What do I typically need to look out for as I can only afford ones over the 100k kms mark?

I specifically saw this one:
2006 330d M-sport A/T
137 000km
R118 000
Has FSH until 2013, from there on the owner maintained it himself. So far he replaced the starter in 2015 and serviced using only Liqui-Moly oil only.

The mags needs some new paint and is in need of new rear tires (making me wonder how the car was driven...:thumbdo

Oh. One more thing: What does LCi stand for?!?! dumb questions probably...

The tyres will be a problem on a 330d due to the amount of torque it produces. Wheels being chipped etc. could happen if the wheels were badly refurbished etc.

LCI stands for "Life Cycle Impulse", which is the name BMW gives to its facelift models.

As for reliability on E90 320d/330d - these are pretty reliable cars apart from parts that could fail over many years/miles (eg. turbo), but with preventative and regular maintenance they should last long.

When buying one of these car you should really check the VIN for comments, possibly check the e-natis database with Coisman etc. to make sure the history all checks out and nothing major went wrong under the previous owners' names.

If the budget allows, go for a 330d, but a 320d is also a great car and will not disappoint.

Besides Coisman, where else can I check the VIN for comments or get a decent history on the car?

The 330d never really crossed my mind, but this particular one falls within my budget. I am planning to go for the 320d

 

[tman]

What do I typically need to look out for as I can only afford ones over the 100k kms mark?

Ferdi makes some excellent points there...

I would personally not touch a car without FSH, specially after 100 000km. Some will see the fact that the owner did all the services in the last 4 years himself as a negative. I would however look at the facts and ask the following questions so that you can make an informed decision.

1. Was there some sort of record keeping system in place (invoices, dates of services ect).
2. What parts where used, (el'cheapo stuff, or OEM), you mention he used quality oil, which can be a indication that he looked after the car well.
3. What was the service intervals, and what was replaced during periodical services?
4. Was any preventative maintenance done over and above, or just what is required?

The only other you need to remember of is that you are buying an 11 year old car. Generally, these cars have proven to be very reliable, but with a car being older than 10 years there will most probably be some small issues, rattles, etc. Be sure to keep some money aside to fix some small issues that might arise.

 

[FerdiBotha]

Hi All

I'm in the market for an E90 320d or 330d - depending on what is available.

What do I typically need to look out for as I can only afford ones over the 100k kms mark?

I specifically saw this one:
2006 330d M-sport A/T
137 000km
R118 000
Has FSH until 2013, from there on the owner maintained it himself. So far he replaced the starter in 2015 and serviced using only Liqui-Moly oil only.

The mags needs some new paint and is in need of new rear tires (making me wonder how the car was driven...:thumbdo

Oh. One more thing: What does LCi stand for?!?! dumb questions probably...

The tyres will be a problem on a 330d due to the amount of torque it produces. Wheels being chipped etc. could happen if the wheels were badly refurbished etc.

LCI stands for "Life Cycle Impulse", which is the name BMW gives to its facelift models.

As for reliability on E90 320d/330d - these are pretty reliable cars apart from parts that could fail over many years/miles (eg. turbo), but with preventative and regular maintenance they should last long.

When buying one of these car you should really check the VIN for comments, possibly check the e-natis database with Coisman etc. to make sure the history all checks out and nothing major went wrong under the previous owners' names.

If the budget allows, go for a 330d, but a 320d is also a great car and will not disappoint.

Besides Coisman, where else can I check the VIN for comments or get a decent history on the car?

The 330d never really crossed my mind, but this particular one falls within my budget. I am planning to go for the 320d

You can use the VIN to check for comments at any BMW dealership. Coisman helped met out on the forum to check the history on e-natis - you can send him a PM with the vehicle's details and he should be able to check it out for you.

You cannot go wrong with a 320d :coolShake:

 

[RikusF]

Thanks for the help all

 

[NtandoN]

The 330d eats the rear tyres but it's excitingly fun :rollsmile:. The 320d is a great car overall with excellent fuel consumption. I think the turbo is the most critical item with forced induction cars - so when driving it hard let it cool down before switching off the car. Maybe a decat might be a consideration - the knowledgeable guys can offer some detailed advice here...
Also the e90 electric water pump is a known issue and mine failed at around 150000km, that mileage seems to be the life for these parts. Change the thermostat while you're at it.
The suspension is also something to look at but this is when you get close to 200000km. Replacing bushes on your suspension and shock mounts.
These are awesome cars. My 330i is on 210000km and still pushing strong.

 

[michael.joseph]

Thats decent milage for an 06 model. If its been well maintained and in good nik- you wont go wrong.

All the best man

 

[KidB]

I've had to replace

• Rear wheel bearings
• Crank dampener pulley (known to fail around 150k kms)

so far. The diff now makes my car sound like an aeroplane and will be refurbished next month.

Mine is a 2010 330d with 150k kms.

The fun that I get every-time I drive it makes me forget about the maintenance money I am putting in. The torque of the 330d is addictive and imo you will not be making a mistake if you pick up one of these up.
In fact writing this post, makes me want to go for a drive now. :clapper:

 

[Straight six]

Vader on the forum is selling his 2012 model (LCI) 320D

Ticks all the boxes (and still in plan)....and it's in top condition

its R185k though...not sure what is your budget

 

[NtandoN]

Vader on the forum is selling his 2012 model (LCI) 320D

Ticks all the boxes (and still in plan)....and it's in top condition

its R185k though...not sure what is your budget

+1
See link https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=80236