F30 320i advice

[Zenith]

So I've pulled the trigger. F30 320i, 71000 km on the clock, 2013 model with Xenon lights, PDC.

The colour is silver, and when I first saw the pic I wasn't sure as I've been used to my white E90 and I like the white colour. But when I saw the dealer pull up in the silver F30 it looks fantastic.

It has 17" wheels, so the ride is a little harsher than my previous drive with the F30 (it had 16" wheels), but not so bad. I'm getting a really good deal on this car, so I couldn't pass it up. Even has a sunroof.

Question about the Xenons ... do you guys use them all the time? Will they get worn up or blow if you use them all the time while driving?

 

[Lizzard]

If your car comes with xenon's it should theoretically come with auto headlight switch also. Just leave it on that. Mine is on when the car feels it needs to be based on the sensor in the windscreen.

I do think that it is only the on off switch of them that is critical for their life span. But mine still works, 230 xxxKm later and never replaced.

OP, but why are you asking this, do you want to drive with them on the whole time, what would the reason be for this if you wanted to?

And OP, no pic no new car :rollsmile:

 

[Zenith]

OP, but why are you asking this, do you want to drive with them on the whole time, what would the reason be for this if you wanted to?

Well, because I heard from someone that they are hellishly expensive to replace once they go.

Of course the coolness factor of having them on all the time while driving is what I would prefer. But I thought I would just ask for opinions here.

I'll just keep it on auto I guess. And yeah, will send some pics once I get the car. Hopefully all done next week.

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

Awesome post some pics! :clapper: The pre-LCI looks best running with DRLs only.

The LCI.. Looks horrid with the DRLs. :hammerhead:

 

[Zenith]

Awesome post some pics! :clapper: The pre-LCI looks best running with DRLs only.

The LCI.. Looks horrid with the DRLs. :hammerhead:

Not sure what that means. Mine will be a 2013 model. Is that pre LCI?

I saw what just the daytime running lights look like on their own and it's nothing special. The Xenons are a must-have to complete the look (IMO). Makes it look special.

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

Indeed yes pre LCI :=): I like the eye brow on the DRL on the pre LCI and that is my preference looks hot IMO :rollsmile:

 

[Zenith]

:smashScreen:

I like these emoticons. So Day 1 with the car and I'll probably get it chipped. :rollsmile:

Nah, I don't want to void the motor plan.

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Just a quick question. The production date for the vehicle is late 2012. It is a 2013 model, that is the registration.

Someone said earlier that the 2012 models had issues that I had to stay clear of. Will this model be okay then? Just want to be clear.

Production date was 2012/10/03.

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Just found the post :

Are you in the market for a 2012 model 320i? The 2012 N20 engines are shit. They had updated heads and oil pumps in 2013 AFAIK so if it is a 2012 stay well away. I had a 2012 F20 125i and it's the same engine and it blew up with 50k on the clock. There are many other examples of 2012 models that had similar failures.

So again, am I in the clear based on the info I posted?

 

[FerdiBotha]

:smashScreen:

I like these emoticons. So Day 1 with the car and I'll probably get it chipped. :rollsmile:

Nah, I don't want to void the motor plan.

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Just a quick question. The production date for the vehicle is late 2012. It is a 2013 model, that is the registration.

Someone said earlier that the 2012 models had issues that I had to stay clear of. Will this model be okay then? Just want to be clear.

Production date was 2012/10/03.

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Just found the post :

Are you in the market for a 2012 model 320i? The 2012 N20 engines are shit. They had updated heads and oil pumps in 2013 AFAIK so if it is a 2012 stay well away. I had a 2012 F20 125i and it's the same engine and it blew up with 50k on the clock. There are many other examples of 2012 models that had similar failures.

So again, am I in the clear based on the info I posted?

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Afaik the revision on the N20 motor only came towards mid 2013.

That doesn't mean your motor will be faulty. Some are faulty and some aren't :coolShake:

 

[Zenith]

I'm a little uncertain now what I should do. :blueCry:

I spoke to my dealer (Rothman Auto), he said that if there were serious problems on these engines BMW would have done a recall.

Obviously he wants a sale, and he tells me its my decision to make. He tells me if there were serious issues they likely would have presented themselves by now.

So, not sure what to do. Don't want to be in a situation that the engine fails out of motor plan. My 2005 E90 has been going strong up until this point, so the idea of paying a car off for another 3 years or so and something major goes is making me worried.

What are your thoughts?

 

[ChefDJ]

Ensure you have a decent aftermarket warranty in place and carry on driving with peace of mind.

 

[Zenith]

What are decent aftermarket warranties?

I phoned SMG BMW and the foreman I spoke to said that he had some cases of oil pumps being replaced, but the actual percentage is very, very low. It wasn't a major problem and in those cases the car wasn't maintained properly.

My dealer said I can extend the motor plan, but apparently I can only do so within 4-5 months or so. I think I definitely will need a good aftermarket warranty just in case. Would you recommend I extend the motor plan and then once that expires get the aftermarket warranty or just the aftermarket warranty without bothering with extending motor plan?

My go-to guy for repairs on my E90 was Anton at APS and I must say, he saved me LOADS of money and always did fantastic work for me.

 

[peanut125i]

When my car went in for the blown motor they said it's due to the common and known crappy oil pump. I asked why didn't they issue a recall to replace and the chap said BMW decided replacing them as they failed would be cheaper than replacing all the oil pumps. So I guess it's a cost benefit ratio thing where the x qty oil pumps are more expensive than the risk of serious failures. It's possible they thought they would catch the failed oil pumps during normal maintenance before it caused more serious failures. Hard to say if yours will fail or not though you mentioned fitting a plug and play and I should add that the N20 heads were updated in 2013 due to failures experienced with modded engines so if you wanna mod.... maybe think twice on that particular car.

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[Zenith]

Okay, then I definitely won't mod. I was actually kidding about chipping the car on the first day, but it would have been cool to do that later on. Definitely don't want serious problems to take place because of modding.

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When my car went in for the blown motor they said it's due to the common and known crappy oil pump. I asked why didn't they issue a recall to replace and the chap said BMW decided replacing them as they failed would be cheaper than replacing all the oil pumps. So I guess it's a cost benefit ratio thing where the x qty oil pumps are more expensive than the risk of serious failures. It's possible they thought they would catch the failed oil pumps during normal maintenance before it caused more serious failures. Hard to say if yours will fail or not though you mentioned fitting a plug and play and I should add that the N20 heads were updated in 2013 due to failures experienced with modded engines so if you wanna mod.... maybe think twice on that particular car.

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When did your motor blow? What car are you driving now? Otherwise I would have to look for a 2014 model now and the price just goes up and up and up, especially with Xenons.

Any advice on after market warranties to prevent these kinds of failures from ruining my life? :=):

 

[ChefDJ]

Your car should still be on BMW motorplan? To expire early next year? Extend it.

 

[peanut125i]

Engine was replaced June 2015 and car was on 51600km. Replaced it last year with a 2012 135i coupe.

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[bmw220i]

The last I checked a few, extended plans from car dealers are about R1 a kilometer, atleast.

The cover however, is always not as great as the the original motorplan ie. You will have to fork out a percentage from your own pocket.

BMW hopefully cover 100%, ask the dealer before u extend and ensure u have it in writing [WINKING FACE]


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[Zenith]

Are there any other 320i F30 owners (2012) that have had engine failures or oil pump replacements?

I'm really starting to get worried here. Had I not created this thread I would have already purchased the car!

I CAN extend the motor plan until 2020 if I wish. But the main thing for me is that I need reliability. I don't drive like a maniac and I would service the car when applicable.

I just need reassurance that these F30 engines are reliable and so far the comments are .... basically avoid?

 

[peanut125i]

https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za:443/showthread.php?tid=69462

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https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za:443/showthread.php?pid=979647#pid979647

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[cOlDFuSiOn]

Motorplan extension on KMs is not cheap.. Buying years is fine, few thousand bucks and worth it.

The car surely made it up to know with few issues, what does the MP history reveal?

Remember it is a 5 year old car as it stands, cars are not built to last long anymore, things to think about and keep in mind regardless.

Aftermarket warranty.. Hmm.. Have heard nothing but bad things, rather keep the money on the side. My 2c on those policies.. It's like any other insurance, won't pay.

 

[Zenith]

Motorplan extension on KMs is not cheap.. Buying years is fine, few thousand bucks and worth it.

The car surely made it up to know with few issues, what does the MP history reveal?

Remember it is a 5 year old car as it stands, cars are not built to last long anymore, things to think about and keep in mind regardless.

Aftermarket warranty.. Hmm.. Have heard nothing but bad things, rather keep the money on the side. My 2c on those policies.. It's like any other insurance, won't pay.

I haven't done the MP history. I first have to fill out application form and send bank statements etc. Then they do a full check before I make any payments to see if the car was in accidents, or if anything major was replaced.

I guess I'll have to wait and see. If I do extend the motor plan it will definitely be by year, NOT km. The car currently is at 72000km. I do about 12000km a year +-. Motor plan expires early 2018.

If I extend by another 2 years I should be under 100K mileage.