E90 320d, 325i - advice needed

[trinomic]

Hi guys,

I am currently in the market for a family sedan with some decent power. I know these 2 are chalk and cheese in terms of engines, but they have both become options.

I do fairly low mileage per year, under 10 000kms, and my daily route to work is about 20kms (there and back). I know this may not be ideal for a diesel but the petrol price is out of control.

The 2 cars I am planning on going to view tomorrow.

2011 320d manual, 157000kms

2008 325i auto, 128000kms

My fear with the 320d is the potential timing chain / tensioner issues. Not sure which year models are safer or what VIN ranges may or may not have this problem. Did BMWSA have a recall for this? And with the constant short journeys, is the car going to suffer even more (injectors, dpf, turbo, etc)

Then with the 325i, im not too keen on the auto box and I've read some scary consumption figures (like 14L/100). Also some guys have had issues with injectors, fuel pumps,etc. I seem to feel the 325i would be more reliable though.

Fuel consumption is not exactly a deal breaker, but if we heading for R20/Liter soon then the petrol 6 cyl might be a bit of a bad move (for me).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

PS: I cant afford a 330i or 330d :sorry:

 

[yush1]

No choice, 320d, and 2011 will be the LCI model. Decent power and great torque with fantastic consumption. Just do the gearbox service, assuming its an auto, change the damper pulley and belts and you good to go. No brainer. :thumbs:

 

[Ashiel]

I would go the 320D route as well. The LCI is beautiful

 

[trinomic]

No choice, 320d, and 2011 will be the LCI model. Decent power and great torque with fantastic consumption. Just do the gearbox service, assuming its an auto, change the damper pulley and belts and you good to go. No brainer. :thumbs:

Thanks. Its LCI but manual.

WRT the damper pulley and belts, at what intervals are they meant to be changed or is this more of a preventative measure?

 

[tman]

No choice, 320d, and 2011 will be the LCI model. Decent power and great torque with fantastic consumption. Just do the gearbox service, assuming its an auto, change the damper pulley and belts and you good to go. No brainer. :thumbs:

Owned a 320d LCI for 5 years. Its the perfect daily. I would get a auto tho, the diesels auto is smoother & much more enjoyable to drive.

 

[SubLoaded]

You can view my showroom thread. I've posted everything that I've done on my 325i in terms of issues and maintenance. I've included prices as well.

I would suggest the 320d if your trips are 20km like you have said. You will appreciate the torque and consumption on the diesel.

The 325i is very heavy on fuel in the city runs.

On the open roads its decent. I get about 550-600km per tank. If you want to have some fun though you can expect that figure to almost halve itself.

 

[trinomic]

Thanks a lot guys!

Any info or advice regarding the timing chain / tensioner issues

 

[Schalk94]

Thanks a lot guys!

Any info or advice regarding the timing chain / tensioner issues

I am not necessarily convinced that this timing chain issue is as massive as Google makes it seem. We do have one forum member with a 23d X1 that had a timing chain failure,but I don't know of too many other cases.

The 320d LCI is by FAR the better option imo. They are extremely reliable and within you 10km commute to work,the car should reach operating temperature,so you shouldn't have any issues with reliability. These cars are really a pleasure to drive due to the torque and it should return more or less 80-90% better fuel consumption than the 325i.The diesel would definitely be the way to go.

The crank dampening pulley needs to be replaced at about 150000km,so just make sure that you budget for it when buying the car or that it was perhaps done by the previous owner already.

 

[trinomic]

Thank you all for the input, definitely leaning toward the diesel :thumbs:

 

[kilotango]

go with the diesel mate, the petrols are alot heavier on fuel for daily use and for no good reason either :thumbs:

 

[Clint@MMS AUTO]

320d would be my pick... Our E90 325i didn't give us too many issues in the 130k km's we had it for but it was heavy on fuel and slow and we had one case where the timing chain slipped and the car wouldn't start... repaired it and sold it after that..

 

[///Avi]

There is probably quite a large price difference between a 325i 2008 and a 320d 2011. I would say, LCI is the way to go and weigh up whether it is worth spending the extra for the diesel up front and paying less for fuel.

This is going to be your daily so the diesel is more sensible. The 325i is relatively low maintenance though. You will be surprised at what price the 330i will be available for. I think there might be one on the forum for sale. Will see if I can find a link.

Edit: Nope I see its sold. Was advertised for R105k with 125k km on the clock. 2005 model though

 

[trinomic]

Ok so one of the cars on my list (2008 320d A/T) is in great condition, but the service history has me a bit confused.

I understand the CBS concept, but is it really ok for 320d's to run for nearly 3 years on the same oil :thinking:

I am waiting on the Motorplan report from the seller to check what work has been carried out.

Service history...

24 October 2008 - Stamped but no odo reading or work boxes ticked

01 December 2010 - 43 331km - front and rear brakes

9 May 2011 - 48 544km - Oil and microfilter - (5 months, 5231km since previous service)

23 April 2014 - 73 305km - oil and brake fluid - (2 years 11 months, 24 761km)

04 july 2016 - 99 626km - oil and brake fluid - (2 years 2 months, 26 321km)

10 March 2017 - 117 294km - oil, air filter, diesel filter - (8 months, 17 668km)

13 December 2017 - 133 603km - oil - (8 months, 16 309km)

Currently on 145xxx kms. Service info states:

Front brakes: 16 000km
Rear brakes: 12 000km
Oil: 11 000km
Vehicle check: 60 000km

 

[tman]

Ok so one of the cars on my list (2008 320d A/T) is in great condition, but the service history has me a bit confused.

I understand the CBS concept, but is it really ok for 320d's to run for nearly 3 years on the same oil :thinking:

I am waiting on the Motorplan report from the seller to check what work has been carried out.

Service history...

24 October 2008 - Stamped but no odo reading or work boxes ticked

01 December 2010 - 43 331km - front and rear brakes

9 May 2011 - 48 544km - Oil and microfilter - (5 months, 5231km since previous service)

23 April 2014 - 73 305km - oil and brake fluid - (2 years 11 months, 24 761km)

04 july 2016 - 99 626km - oil and brake fluid - (2 years 2 months, 26 321km)

10 March 2017 - 117 294km - oil, air filter, diesel filter - (8 months, 17 668km)

13 December 2017 - 133 603km - oil - (8 months, 16 309km)

Currently on 145xxx kms. Service info states:

Front brakes: 16 000km
Rear brakes: 12 000km
Oil: 11 000km
Vehicle check: 60 000km

I presume this is via the service book (as you said you are still waiting for the MP report?)

Most BMW dealers dont bother to stamp books anymore, I dont know if they are just lazy, or if its a digital migration, but dont be too phased. My service book is completely empty for example. Wait for MP report, and post it here, it will have everything documented.

 

[trinomic]

I presume this is via the service book (as you said you are still waiting for the MP report?)

Most BMW dealers dont bother to stamp books anymore, I dont know if they are just lazy, or if its a digital migration, but dont be too phased. My service book is completely empty for example. Wait for MP report, and post it here, it will have everything documented.

Correct, all info from service book. I should receive the report later today.

---

Although, if the book is correct, would this be considered a dodgy service history or acceptable according to cbs?

 

[trinomic]

Ok, so it came down to a tough decision.

2008 320d m-sport, A/T, 145000kms, style 216 wheels :drool:

2011 320d, M/T, 122000kms, not many extras

Managed to fight off the temptation of the m-sport and got the LCI, picked it up yesterday :smilebounce:

Thanks for the help guys :thumbs:

 

[yush1]

Lovely car. i would have also went for the 2011 model. 3 years difference is alot.
All the best. :thumbs:

 

[tman]

CONGRATS! raise:

I would have taken the LCI too. Wishing you many happy miles.

 

[SubLoaded]

Congrats :thumbs:

 

[KPM3_30]

Congrats bud.. Would've been one hell of choice between the Pre-LCI Individual and the LCI Exclusive.

More pictures!