F30 320i M-Performance Advice

[dp1504]

Good day BMW Fam

Hope everyone is doing good.....

I'm new to the forum and will own a Beemer soon so i would like some advice..

Ok some quick background, I have mostly owned Toyotas in my younger days, the Gli Twincam, then the 20v RXI, then the RunX Rsi but then i became a family man and needed something a bit bigger and safer so got a Jetta (yeah the sacrifices )

Currently I got the opportunity to buy my aunt's 2014 BMW 320i M-Performance (think these were a limited edition to 500 in SA), which i will be buying as a spare car(weekender, meet up with the homies ride) for now till i upgrade the Jetta....
It has all the M Performance cosmetic enhancements and none of the mechanical enhancements I think...
Most probably i will have the car before end of May....

It currently has 131 000km, one owner, full service history with BMW and in Mint Condition, with no current issues...

i have read the forum regarding issues with the engine etc. but if nothing has popped up by now, should i still be concerned and need to sort any maintenance issues immediately that you could recommend ?

Any mods that you can recommend that will bring out the best in her (the car not my aunt)?

Is there any Service Plans you can Recommend (with which company) ?
Is there any Warranty Plans you can Recommend (with which company) ?

Should i still take it to BMW for service or do you recommend any other RMI workshops that you think would provide me with a better service or just stick with BMW (I'm in the Pretoria, Moot area) ?

Thank you in advance, much appreciated

 

[Swiegie]

Hi

That vehicle should have the N20 engine. You will most probably have to do the timing chain and some gaskets, like tappet cover, etc.

Stick to shorter service intervals and good quality oil.

I am making use of the Motorite warranty and so far they have helped a lot with some claims on parts. I took the double up option for two years at a once-off cost of +- R20K.

T

 

[///M Individual]

Good day BMW Fam

Hope everyone is doing good.....

I'm new to the forum and will own a Beemer soon so i would like some advice..

Ok some quick background, I have mostly owned Toyotas in my younger days, the Gli Twincam, then the 20v RXI, then the RunX Rsi but then i became a family man and needed something a bit bigger and safer so got a Jetta (yeah the sacrifices )

Currently I got the opportunity to buy my aunt's 2014 BMW 320i M-Performance (think these were a limited edition to 500 in SA), which i will be buying as a spare car(weekender, meet up with the homies ride) for now till i upgrade the Jetta....
It has all the M Performance cosmetic enhancements and none of the mechanical enhancements I think...
Most probably i will have the car before end of May....

It currently has 131 000km, one owner, full service history with BMW and in Mint Condition, with no current issues...

i have read the forum regarding issues with the engine etc. but if nothing has popped up by now, should i still be concerned and need to sort any maintenance issues immediately that you could recommend ?

Any mods that you can recommend that will bring out the best in her (the car not my aunt)?

Is there any Service Plans you can Recommend (with which company) ?
Is there any Warranty Plans you can Recommend (with which company) ?

Should i still take it to BMW for service or do you recommend any other RMI workshops that you think would provide me with a better service or just stick with BMW (I'm in the Pretoria, Moot area) ?

Thank you in advance, much appreciated

Hi bud

Ultimate list of Toyota's owned there!

The only limited edition was in Laguna Seca Blue and Valencia Orange metallic.

That said it is still a 320i with the N20 motor which is not the best that BMW has produced.

Preventative maintenance to do:
Replace timing chain and gaskets as advised above
Gearbox service at ZF

Not sure what else is common on these cars.

Mods - Maybe just remove the cat and replace with a downpipe. I would not advise putting any further stress on the motor by making it more powerful.

Try Innovation group for the service plans and warranty.

 

[KPM3_30]

I would suggest you buy another car, the N20 has a host of potential issues and is not worth the headache.

Timing chain, timing guides, thrust bearing and the oil feed (causes smoke and could stuff up the turbo) are some of the potential issues that spring to mind.. If you want to go ahead, just get a proper warranty as it can become costly.

 

[Riaad]

The only limited edition was in Laguna Seca Blue and Valencia Orange metallic.

I think Alpine white was in the limited run as well

 

[VinceM]

I had great ownership of a 2014 320i over a 5 years period. Though I must mention that I only did 68500km. No headaches whatsoever. Had a year of use after-plan expired. Don’t remember any issues.

What I learnt through Google searches is that timing chain / guides could be an issue.

I have seen WBC and AutoTrader with cars around 300 000km on the clock. So, go for it! The general fanatic oil change is half BMW mileage. I do 12500km oil changes, 1 DIY and 1 via Agents (at official interval timing). Seems to be okay. 10 000km oil seem to be recommended too.

All the best! They are very nice cars.


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[///M Individual]

I would suggest you buy another car, the N20 has a host of potential issues and is not worth the headache.

Timing chain, timing guides, thrust bearing and the oil feed (causes smoke and could stuff up the turbo) are some of the potential issues that spring to mind.. If you want to go ahead, just get a proper warranty as it can become costly.

I agree with buying another car unless you getting it from your aunt at a real steal of a price well below book value to cover potential maintenance.

Alternatively you could also buy it and resell at a profit, if your aunt won't mind that is.

 

[dp1504]

Thanks guys for the inputs thus far....

Yeah I'm getting the car at an exceptional Black Friday price so definitely have head room for some preventative maintenance costs...

I also dont do much mileage in a year so annual service will be within the 10 000km bracket

And most probably she wont be my primary mode of transport

So if I replace the timing chain and guides and other stuff , it will be replaced with updated ones ? and this will negate the common issues experienced with this engine?

I know they took extreme good care of the vehicle and I'm sure if BMW requested them to replace items , they would have done so , therefore i kind of have a bit of peace of mind that it is in excellent nick but with any used car it is a gamble ....

Do you guys have recommendations who I should take the car to, for the timing chain replacement and for any other preventative maintenance replacements?

I also see BMW has a "My BMW SERVICE PLAN" for R5999 for 3 year service plan, good buy ?

Still looking around for quotes on service plans and warranty plans so drop your input ...

thanks guys once again, much appreciated

 

[zabbo]

I have a 2013 320iMSport Auto bought as a demo with 8000km on the clock and have never had a single major issue with the vehicle. Vehicle was serviced regularly on MotorPlan and afterwards with a reputable independent mechanic.

Car is currently sitting on 122xxx kms and last year I did a decat with downpipe and Xcede software, which really made the car alot more fun to drive with 30% more power (there is more power available but I did not want more power to sacrifice reliability as this is my daily).

Yes there are those issues mentioned above with these motors but I must be lucky to not have experienced them ... but I do service the vehicle regularly and use the correct spec oils and service intervals. The car is not babied at all and is as reliable as any other car.

 

[F30LagunaSeca]

I have a 2014 320i M Performance edition in Laguna Seca Blue. It has been extremely reliable with no issues to date. As is with all cars, maintenance is key. The timing chain is the most common issue with the N20. I plan to do mines soon as well. Thats an Awesome list of Toyota's you had. I also had the Gli Twincam and the Rxi 20v, only difference was I went for the Honda Accord Type S instead of the RunX Rsi.

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[dp1504]

Thanks for the input guys, i did purchase a couple of months back
i have uploaded a few pics

2014 320i M Performance Edition

Hi guys Picked up a mint 320i M Performance Edition a couple of months back.... I've named her Brenda (as she is my Weekend Special 😁 ) She's still rather fresh, full history service history (BMW)with 132000km atm. Lady owned and still runs smooth, never driven hard by her... This is the Limited...

www.bmwfanatics.co.za