E90 320i

[Riaad]

@Dirtydeedsman ...I am here:cartel:

Have we ever heard from them?

Yeah, Ive mentioned some stuff in my showroom thread - Riaad's e90 320i

Have they ever shared their stories through ownership?

Yes again, in short, my dad purchased this car brand new in 2009, and he didnt really "use" it, therefore it became mine.

Is it as bad as it is made out to be?

Personally, I dont think so, but just like any pre-owned BMW, they have their problems (listed by others in this thread), my car currently has 85k kms...I have been the sole driver for about 3.5 years now and covered 40k kms ...the car had 7 years of MP and came off MP with around 45k kms (like i said, my dad hardly made use of the car as he had other vehicles to run about with)...We had taken full advantage of the motorplan, replacing a lot of things such as suspension components etc (not going to get into everything here - total MP bill is just shy of 100k over 7 years). During my "ownership" I have done services every +-10k kms and I had to replace the coolant plate, and did the oil filter, cam shaft sensor and solenoid seals as well regular items such as brakes, air filter etc.

Do they regret buying this vehicle and ever wish they can redo the process and change to something else?

To be honest, if I had known that the 320d was far superior than the 320i back in 2009...things may have been different, it was never my dad's intention to buy a brand new car that day, nor was it even going to be a Bmw. All and all, my car has been good to me, gets me from a to b, once its going, it goes and does definitely looks good!

In Summary, in my cars 9 years, she has never given a days trouble, she gives me 9.5 - 10.5l/100km in my daily commute, and 7.5 l/100km on South Coast drives. One will struggle to find a LCI msport e90 as clean as mine, which is one of the reasons I wont sell my car for another e90 plus the fact that she has never given me a reason to want to sell.

Will I recommend an e90 320i? Definitely not, there are 6cyl e90s and diesels that can be acquired for alil more money these days, similar fuel consumption...a much more satisfying driving experience. Those that own their 320i's for some time (when the other models were out of their budgets) they really arent all that bad.

Will I recommend my e90 320i? Well if the person is interested in a super clean example, isn't concerned by performance and can deal with the decent fuel consumption...then definitely :thumbs:

 

[abd_baker]

My dad had an e90 320i auto from 2006 till around 2011.

It was slow, sounded terrible, guzzled fuel and oil like you wouldn’t believe
Maybe we just drove it badly though...

We did push for a 330i, but he couldn’t understand why he was paying 100k more for the same car


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[SubLoaded]

I may be wrong here but what we forget is that when these cars came out, we most likely compared it to it's previous gen and only assumed they would be somewhat better.

We did not have real world experience and stats/data to compare the 320i to a 320d or its other siblings. I know some people that buy new cars on pre-order before even getting a hands-on-approach with the car/engine and how it works.

We now know how the 320i compares to its siblings because its has been out for so long and we can see comparison reviews etc etc etc.

They are also much cheaper now and Nick pretty much covered up the financial point of view.

Picture yourself in 2005/2006 when you're giving a review of a new car. Whether its a 320i or a 330i - your review is most likely sponsored and you're overwhelmed with sitting in the new gen car, refreshed cabin, world of features etc etc.

We now obviously know better as to which car would make more sense to buy in in the E9x range...

 

[FerdiBotha]

I may be wrong here but what we forget is that when these cars came out, we most likely compared it to it's previous gen and only assumed they would be somewhat better.

IMO the E46 320i was far superior to the E90 320i. The E46 at least had a 6-pot motor and didn’t feel as lazy.

 

[Soprano890925]

I owned a 2006 manual, and from my experience it is a solid 'daily drive' car apart from the fact that it is terribly under powered and is quite heavy on juice compared to other offerings.

The most annoying thing I experienced was the noisy diff and a noisy power steering. I also had to change the clutch after 170K.

other than that, it was general maintenance, like belts, oil, filters, etc.

Perhaps it is fair to say that the most obvious issues I have with the 320i is that it has a small motor and heavy chassis and this quickly becomes very noticeable minus the regular BMW comforts.

 

[SubLoaded]

I may be wrong here but what we forget is that when these cars came out, we most likely compared it to it's previous gen and only assumed they would be somewhat better.

IMO the E46 320i was far superior to the E90 320i. The E46 at least had a 6-pot motor and didn’t feel as lazy.

This reinforces my point though. We would have expected the E90( back at its debut) to do better. We now know better. I'd also feel the E46 out does the E90 in the 320i.

 

[Dirtydeedsman]

Thank you all for your responses,
You have pretty much done what I wanted to do with this thread. Usually when someone joins and says they want to buy a 320i people automatically tell them to buy a 325i or 330i or 320d but there has never really been a place were the 320i was discussed without mockery.

Dankie Fanatics :cartel:

 

[Ceaser - VAG]

2011 320 LCI Auto NON M PACK driver here... I use it daily. Fuel economy sitting on about 11.9l/100 or something, could be higher

I literally only got her Mid Dec 2017.

Initially was looking for 323 / 325 / 330 but couldnt pass up on the deal for this car.

I did around 13 000kms since I got her, car sitting on a little over 86 000kms

Just got a warning for brakes but want to have my car scanned just to put my mind at ease.
Car idling on 600rpm, is this normal?
I havent owned a BMW prior and only driven or been in friends and family BMW but non was ever a 320.

My car history is VAG group, apart from my first car being a Tazz - all of which were hatchbacks

With a 1.5 year old, the boot space makes sense.

So far I have No regrets, previous car costed me alot and I had endless issues with it...

---

Thank you all for your responses,
You have pretty much done what I wanted to do with this thread. Usually when someone joins and says they want to buy a 320i people automatically tell them to buy a 325i or 330i or 320d but there has never really been a place were the 320i was discussed without mockery.

Dankie Fanatics :cartel:

I think the issue is that there are 2 types of people and this is regardless of which BMW you buy.
1. People who want you to KNOW that you got a BMW
2. People who need it to perform a function.

BMW as a brand has a, for lack of a better word, stigma behind it that if you in a BMW you made it in life.

 

[Nick]

The car should idle around there when its up to temp.
Your fuel usage makes sence for an Auto.

 

[Ceaser - VAG]

The car should idle around there when its up to temp.
Your fuel usage makes sence for an Auto.

Thanks, still think I need it scanned...

And to all the 320i drivers out there... You have the fastest BMW out.... I dont know if its the 110kw (or 115kw) or the 200nm torque but some of the guys do drive them ridiculously fast... 140km/h regardless of car is still 140km/h and I think people forget that, and the only difference is time it takes you to get to 140km/h

 

[NBaikie]

I've had my 2011 E90 320i auto for almost 3 years now and to be honest I would get rid of her tomorrow if I could.

I've had endless issues with her and spent tons of money on the her (over and above my general maintenance costs). Had to replace all 4 injectors just after the car reached 100,000km, had to have the gearbox reconditioned just on 120,000 km, had to replace the valve stem seals on about 110,000 km, and every other month i get a different warning light on the dash.

My car has really put me off from buying another BMW, never mind another 320i.

 

[SubLoaded]

I've had my 2011 E90 320i auto for almost 3 years now and to be honest I would get rid of her tomorrow if I could.

I've had endless issues with her and spent tons of money on the her (over and above my general maintenance costs). Had to replace all 4 injectors just after the car reached 100,000km, had to have the gearbox reconditioned just on 120,000 km, had to replace the valve stem seals on about 110,000 km, and every other month i get a different warning light on the dash.

My car has really put me off from buying another BMW, never mind another 320i.

Who has been maintaining your vehicle after MP?

 

[444YYY]

Yes yes I know this is not the most exciting thread and people really just look away at anything e90 320i. We even have a thread to comfort people that own them but...

Have we ever heard from them?

Have they ever shared their stories through ownership?

Is it as bad as it is made out to be?

Do they regret buying this vehicle and ever wish they can redo the process and change to something else?

I only know @Nick and @Riyaad on the forum that have the cars and I have never heard any complains or regrets from them.

Tell us owners, Few weeks, months or years later... are you still in love and happy with your decision?

A Work colleague has a neat 2009 LCI Auto with low km coming up for sale. He will send me pics, then it will be posted in the for sale section.

 

[NBaikie]

I've had my 2011 E90 320i auto for almost 3 years now and to be honest I would get rid of her tomorrow if I could.

I've had endless issues with her and spent tons of money on the her (over and above my general maintenance costs). Had to replace all 4 injectors just after the car reached 100,000km, had to have the gearbox reconditioned just on 120,000 km, had to replace the valve stem seals on about 110,000 km, and every other month i get a different warning light on the dash.

My car has really put me off from buying another BMW, never mind another 320i.

Who has been maintaining your vehicle after MP?

Auto Alpina Boksburg and Alberante BMW. What worries me is not the maintenance after MP but rather the maintenance before MP expired. I wonder whether maintenance was actually done under MP.

 

[Ceaser - VAG]

I've had my 2011 E90 320i auto for almost 3 years now and to be honest I would get rid of her tomorrow if I could.

I've had endless issues with her and spent tons of money on the her (over and above my general maintenance costs). Had to replace all 4 injectors just after the car reached 100,000km, had to have the gearbox reconditioned just on 120,000 km, had to replace the valve stem seals on about 110,000 km, and every other month i get a different warning light on the dash.

My car has really put me off from buying another BMW, never mind another 320i.

Who has been maintaining your vehicle after MP?

Auto Alpina Boksburg and Alberante BMW. What worries me is not the maintenance after MP but rather the maintenance before MP expired. I wonder whether maintenance was actually done under MP.

Is your Service book empty? If so have you contacted a dealer and asked them if they can pull up vessel detail.

I was given a copy of my cars as I bought it from a BMW dealer. on there was date, mileage and work carried out... A full log...

Im not clued up would assume that all BMW dealers have this information available or can access it.

 

[Gideon Loots]

Hi.
I also have a E90 320i automatic. We ( the wifey and me), are driving it now for a year. I really like the car and it sure is a pleasure to drive. I only have one problem though; it is a bit heavy on the fuel. I get about 10 on the open road ( from George to Cape Town). And I do smell a lot of petrol fumes in the morning when we start it.
Otherwise I am a very happy chappy with the car. It is our first BMW and I trust, not the last.


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[SubLoaded]

Hi.
I also have a E90 320i automatic. We ( the wifey and me), are driving it now for a year. I really like the car and it sure is a pleasure to drive. I only have one problem though; it is a bit heavy on the fuel. I get about 10 on the open road ( from George to Cape Town). And I do smell a lot of petrol fumes in the morning when we start it.
Otherwise I am a very happy chappy with the car. It is our first BMW and I trust, not the last.


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I had this on both cars, coupled with a rough idle/surge upon cold starts. You probably have a slight misfire that you aren't even noticing.

If this is the case, what sorted it out for me were new plugs and coilpacks.

Let us know how it goes

 

[Gideon Loots]

Yes you are right on the spot with the comment.
The next service is in about 20000 km's. I will let them have a look and will comment again.
Thank you very much

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[SubLoaded]

Yes you are right on the spot with the comment.
The next service is in about 20000 km's. I will let them have a look and will comment again.
Thank you very much

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Please don't wait that long to service your car.. Sorry for the derail to the rest of the forum. Don't want this gentleman's car to break :hammerhead:

 

[RAArmstrong]

Yes you are right on the spot with the comment.
The next service is in about 20000 km's. I will let them have a look and will comment again.
Thank you very much

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Please don't wait that long to service your car.. Sorry for the derail to the rest of the forum. Don't want this gentleman's car to break :hammerhead:

+1 10 000km/1 year intervals is going to be much better for your car