New guy to BMW

[JuddMan]

Howsit all!

Hope everyone is good 👌

So brief story to intro, I have never been a BMW fan. I was influenced by my father who has driven Mercedes since '92 so naturally I always liked Mercedes. I always thought BMW was over-rated and never paid attention to them. Can confirm I was obviously stupid . Not sure why or what caused it, but about 6 months ago a took a long look at a F30 320i M-sport in Estoril blue, and something just clicked like 'BMW's are stunning'!

Since then, as most people with ADHD will know, I have been hyper focused and done a masters degree of research into the brand and models (specifically on this forum) and I realised it doesn't have to just be that, I have adult money and can make my own decisions, so I want to start the searching purpose for what I would like. With that in mind, would love some advice/guidance from you guys as you have a wealth of knowledge to tap into. If you are kind enough, please let me know what you think?

• F30 320i (B48 motor, I know to avoid N20)
  • I know a lot of you suggest the 320d, but I've been in a diesel for the last 7 years and REALLY want a petrol 😅 for correct noise purposes.
• Possibly a 20% chance, I decide to move up a mid-life crisis choice and look at a convertible 220i or 420i (or equivalent)

In terms of spec, to me the below seems like non-negotiables? The optional extras I am not entirely sure of, as I struggled to decode what all was available etc. Also not sure what packs added what (i.e. some M-sports feature blue line trim on the interior dash, while others don't)

• M-sport pack
• Auto (very aware of how good the ZF boxes are, with good maintenance of course)
• HK audio
• sunroof (if not convertible)

Mods I would like to do at maximum, so fairly minimum:

• DP and full exhaust (or whatever you recommend, I do just enjoy a good exhaust note over standard)
• BMC replacement air filter (unless the OEM filter is good enough?)
• Mapping only if needed to account for the DP and exhaust
• Few extra things that you all know (carbon fibre goodies, gloss black badges etc)
• Suspension setup, but I doubt it as not to mess around with the M-sport suspension setup which seems great already

My budget is circa R350k, so second hand and out of motorplan is what I am expecting. I do have 1 or 2 questions here. Of course I will be looking at FSH from reputable dealers only, but:

• What mileage is too high? I have seen some examples around 100k to 110k and then those that are 180k+
• My biggest concern is maintenance costs. This was a luxury German vehicle to begin with, and not sure I am comfortable with needing to spend R20k every 6 months if that is what is required, would rather cut the dream short and admire from a distance unfortunately.

This will be a daily for myself. I have a wife and 2yo as well for family size. Wife will get a SUV for those requirements (Actually looking at X3 20d for her BMW bug has bitten HARD)

Appreciate any guidance and very sorry for the long write up

 

[Sibonelo]

welcome sir.. always good growing the BMW AA group! once you sip the cool aid!!!
I am not very familiar with the F series in terms of 3 series.. I like them legal in terms of years! lol.. but its a goo vehicle and yes the B48 is the go to. if you looking for the SUV for the better half why not live and get that 420i... you already have the practical vehicle might as well live!!

 

[FILV]

Hey there

Welcome to the community. Awesome place to be, and a privilege to be a part of the only active car forum around.

Seems you are already very well versed in whats needed to know,which is great.

With a budget of R350 000 You can get very decent F30's. It will just be matter of being patient to find the perfect one for you.

Cost wise it will not be that bad. A simple oil service you looking at around R1900
Then you can be smart and buy parts from Goldwagen such as Air filters,cabin filters,wipers etc and fit them yourself and save on the average labour charge of R600-R800 and hour that's the going rate these days.

Tires is something you need to consider. Will you be sticking to Runflats, or going normal? That wills ave you a lot.
There are a few 320I B48 owners on here, im sure they can give you more info on maintenance cost.


Just doing a quick search i found these that i would go look at:

BMW 3 Series 320i M Sport Auto for sale in Randburg - ID: 28192628

Used 2017 BMW 3 Series 320i M Sport Auto For Sale - R 349 900 - ID: 28192628

www.autotrader.co.za

BMW 3 Series 320i M Sport Auto for sale in Amanzimtoti - ID: 28191440

Used 2017 BMW 3 Series 320i M Sport Auto For Sale - R 339 800 - ID: 28191440

www.autotrader.co.za

BMW 3 Series 320i M Sport Auto for sale in Cape Town - ID: 27796773

Used 2016 BMW 3 Series 320i M Sport Auto For Sale - R 339 995 - ID: 27796773

www.autotrader.co.za

BMW 3 Series 320i M Sport Auto for sale in Pretoria - ID: 27863429

Used 2018 BMW 3 Series 320i M Sport Auto For Sale - R 329 900 - ID: 27863429

www.autotrader.co.za

you could even get anew G series:

BMW 3 Series 320i for sale in Centurion - ID: 28080471

Used 2019 BMW 3 Series 320i For Sale - R 349 900 - ID: 28080471

www.autotrader.co.za

You can go higher mileage (but still low in my opinion) and on the savings you can keep for maintenance. This one also meets your spec you looking for, plus 40 year Edition:

BMW 3 Series 320i M Sport Auto for sale in Klerksdorp - ID: 28166785

Used 2016 BMW 3 Series 320i M Sport Auto For Sale - R 288 000 - ID: 28166785

www.autotrader.co.za

 

[YozTruly]

Welcome @JuddMan and good luck with the search.

There are 2 active 320i threads on this forum that will provide you great insight into the car, none more legendary than @Sabretooth tiger .
https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/threads/charltons-2018-320i-edition-msport-shadow.99393/

The second is @Nishcat_M140i .https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/threads/nishs-f30-320i-m-sport.102154/

NB: @Sabretooth tiger is known to offer virtual stimulations, decline those. The in-person ones are the ones to accept . . . Apparently.

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

Welcome @JuddMan and good luck with the search.

There are 2 active 320i threads on this forum that will provide you great insight into the car, none more legendary than @Sabretooth tiger .
https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/threads/charltons-2018-320i-edition-msport-shadow.99393/

The second is @Nishcat_M140i .https://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/threads/nishs-f30-320i-m-sport.102154/

NB: @Sabretooth tiger is known to offer virtual stimulations, decline those. The in-person ones are the ones to accept . . . Apparently.

Why me, that tittle goes to @Teezoh (especially virtual ones and certain picks about his umm you know what also there are @M3boi @TBP88 @AshG108 and @Nishcat_M140i

Welcome bro. Condition, service history and mileage is a good indicator of how well a car was cared for. TH lower you can start the mileage on closer to 100 000km the best way you can manage any sludge build up by servicing every 10 000km or less.
My B48 has not given me a days hassle. You can check my thread posted above.

 

[Teezoh]

Hello and whalecum!

Good luck with your search, as you can see here so far your in good "hands"... Guys will sort and guide you... quick, quick.

 

[Greenz]

Welcome💪

Get a 6cyl if you want nice sounds.😁

 

[zabbo]

Welcome!!

 

[PsyCLown]

Welcome!

Seems you have done a decent amount of research already.
Wanting to do a downpipe, I would suggest doing a tune as well as this will give you a decent boost in power as well with the B48.
As for BMC filter, I guess this comes down to personal preference but I would stick with the stock paper filter if you're just doing downpipe and a tune.

As for what mileage is too high, this will differ from person to person. I personally would be more hesitant to purchase a vehicle with the B48 at 180 000km, but I would be comfortable purchasing one around 100 000km.

I must say, the G20 320i which Filv posted is quite tempting if that fits your budget. Newer chassis with newer tech and the mileage is reasonable too.
Although it is not a convertible, you will generally pay a premium for a convertible but I do understand the appeal behind one. Convertible you will most likely have to stay to the F series generation (F23 & F33) to fit your budget.

Not sure what cars you have had previouslt or what you currently drive, although not all BMW's are as expensive to service & maintain as people might initially think.
Other brands out there are pretty darn expensive too when it comes to parts and maintenance.

 

[FILV]

Also dont exclude a 330D from your search. Best of both worlds... Amazing fuel consumption with a better sound than a 4 cylinder petrol. And smile inducing grunt

 

[Nishcat_M140i]

Welcome bud, hope you enjoy your stay here.

R350k is a solid budget, you can get a really well spec'd out 2018+ 320i with not a hell of a lot mileage for that price.

Not sure if you've had a look at my threads yet, but I currently daily drive a 2018 F30 320i LCI M-Sport AT which I have owned ever since December last year. My M140i is more of my toy / garage queen.

Initially, I was never a fan of 4 cylinder petrol BMWs because of the N20 motor. Just like everyone else, when it was time to look at a daily, I was looking for a 320d. However for the price that the 320i's were selling for and in terms of specs, I felt I was getting better value for money with a 320i. I got my 2018 car for way less than your R350k budget and it was an M-Sport with 403m wheels, adaptive LEDs, paddle shifts, Harman Kardon Sound, extended cluster, etc. The only thing I wish it had were Pro Nav but its not a trainsmash since I have it on my M140i.

Going into nearly a whole year of ownership with the B48, and I can honestly say that its changed the way I feel about 4 cylinder BMW motors. Its a massive improvement over the N20, N46, and any other 320i from the past. I drive this car 95% of the time. Power is decent, and with a tune you'll be close to 180+ kws or so. Fuel consumption is pretty decent as well. I recently took it on a 2 hour road trip and I averaged 5.5 to and back. And in town I do around 9-10 with lots of stop and go traffic which is pretty fair.

Like every other aging BMW, One thing to be weary about is the cooling system on these cars due to the fact that BMW use POS plastic parts in their cars. In April this year, I had to replace the following parts:
-Coolant Flange
-Waterpump
-Thermostat
-Oil Filter Housing + Cooler
-Coolant Hose

The moment you see a coolant leak, that's when you get it pressure tested immediately. I had the very same issue with the M140i last year when I bought it, and that was far worse. Another common fault I've read up on with these cars is that the Valve Cover Gasket will eventually need to be replaced. The moment you notice oil on it when you remove the engine cover, that's when you know there's a leak. I haven't had this issue on this car and hopefully not anytime soon. But at the end of the day, all these should be preventative maintenance.

Overall, the B48 has proven to be a fairly reliable platform overtime. All the best with your search. If you need any advice, please reach out to me.

 

[Nishcat_M140i]

As much as I drive a 2018 320i as my daily, If I had R350k to spend, this is what I'm buying:

BMW 3 Series 335i M Sport for sale in Sandton - ID: 28147554

Used 2015 BMW 3 Series 335i M Sport For Sale - R 339 900 - ID: 28147554

www.autotrader.co.za

 

[JuddMan]

Thank you all for the warm welcome and the advice

Seems like I should just bite the bullet and not be too scared of the maintenance (provided everything is above board and it isn't some joburg cbd/wbc/dodgy deal) 😅. I was just mainly concerned with being able to afford replacement OEM parts, as I wouldn't want to do the car the injustice of all foreign and pirate parts

In terms of the above recommended threads on ownership (@Sabretooth tiger and @Nishcat_M140i), already read cover to cover before posting So I appreciate it. Also thanks to @FILV for the links, have already seen a few of them online. Safe to say I won't be too scared of 100 000km if everything checks out.

Could anyone guide me as to what interior options are definitely worth it and ensuring I don't rush anything? For example, I don't know the difference between the standard system and pronav? Also sports auto? etc.

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

Thank you all for the warm welcome and the advice

Seems like I should just bite the bullet and not be too scared of the maintenance (provided everything is above board and it isn't some joburg cbd/wbc/dodgy deal) 😅. I was just mainly concerned with being able to afford replacement OEM parts, as I wouldn't want to do the car the injustice of all foreign and pirate parts

In terms of the above recommended threads on ownership (@Sabretooth tiger and @Nishcat_M140i), already read cover to cover before posting So I appreciate it. Also thanks to @FILV for the links, have already seen a few of them online. Safe to say I won't be too scared of 100 000km if everything checks out.

Could anyone guide me as to what interior options are definitely worth it and ensuring I don't rush anything? For example, I don't know the difference between the standard system and pronav? Also sports auto? etc.

Look at best these cars are now 7 years old now. So I'd say start your focus on mileage, condition, accident history and service history before looking at interior options and kit. Nice thing about the outgoing year of manufacturing models ares you can often get luck as I did and BMW through the parts bin at it so I have a lot of nice to haves but that should not be your starting point. A car can have very nice kit and be a lemon under neath.

If you can try to get a MsportShadow edition like mine. Its a little more special (to me) than the usual Msport F30's. No offence to my fellow F30 brothers. I cum in peace 👀

 

[msm]

If you can stretch your budget or wait it out a bit longer, I'd also suggest going for a 6 cylinder. M135i, M235i, 335i, 340i, 330d are all a noticeable step up from the 320i... but yes, cost a bit more. Also perhaps go test drive a F10 530d M Sport, as those would be within budget but a bit more difficult to find.

 

[PsyCLown]

Thank you all for the warm welcome and the advice

Seems like I should just bite the bullet and not be too scared of the maintenance (provided everything is above board and it isn't some joburg cbd/wbc/dodgy deal) 😅. I was just mainly concerned with being able to afford replacement OEM parts, as I wouldn't want to do the car the injustice of all foreign and pirate parts

In terms of the above recommended threads on ownership (@Sabretooth tiger and @Nishcat_M140i), already read cover to cover before posting So I appreciate it. Also thanks to @FILV for the links, have already seen a few of them online. Safe to say I won't be too scared of 100 000km if everything checks out.

Could anyone guide me as to what interior options are definitely worth it and ensuring I don't rush anything? For example, I don't know the difference between the standard system and pronav? Also sports auto? etc.

Auto vs Sports Auto is to do with the gearbox tune and the physical gear selector. In the example below the installed selector is the normal auto, the one about to be installed is the sports auto selector. You can get a better gearbox tune with the xHP software and you can retrofit the sports auto selector if you prefer the look, its basically plug and play, provided you get the correct one for the F30 (or whichever car you decide to buy).
If I recall correctly, sports auto comes with flap paddles. Normal auto does not have the flap paddles - I stand to be corrected on this regarding the F30.

Pro Nav vs standard:
The Pro Nav has a larger screen with crisper graphics and I believe it is touch screen. There are some other differences as well which I am not sure about. You may need to research this one some more. Many also look at changing to an aftermarket android unit as this can offer wireless carplay and/or android auto.
However it seems some of the aftermarket units do not hold up well in the heat and might only last a couple of years.


Other things to consider would be the cluster, you get the normal one:

You get the extended cluster (6WA):

Then you get the digital cluster (6WB) which is rare:
https://www.justinbuice.com/blog/2023/2/20/is-the-bmw-6wb-digital-cluster-worth-the-hype

Sound for the F30, you get the base sound, HiFi and the range topper for the F30 is the Harmon Kardon system.

Electric seats on a 320i will be a rare find I feel.
Some other optional extras which are very rare in the F30 in South Africa would be heated seats and/or heads up display. Unlikely to get either on a 320i I feel.

The M-sport models have the alcantara headliner (black) where the non M-sport models have the standard headliner.
I can't think of much else interior wise.

 

[modocrat]

Look at best these cars are now 7 years old now. So I'd say start your focus on mileage, condition, accident history and service history before looking at interior options and kit. Nice thing about the outgoing year of manufacturing models ares you can often get luck as I did and BMW through the parts bin at it so I have a lot of nice to haves but that should not be your starting point. A car can have very nice kit and be a lemon under neath.

If you can try to get a MsportShadow edition like mine. Its a little more special (to me) than the usual Msport F30's. No offence to my fellow F30 brothers. I cum in peace 👀

Must you taint every thread...

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

Must you taint every thread...

what did I do?

 

[modocrat]

Welcome buddy.

I had a 2018 320i M Sport, had it for just under 3 years, with no issues experienced.

Car was spec'd with the following:
ProNav
442M wheels
Sport Auto + Paddle Shift
Heated Seats
6WB Cluster
Wireless Charging
Front & rear PDC

Rare but not impossible to find one with good options.

 

[Nishcat_M140i]

Look at best these cars are now 7 years old now. So I'd say start your focus on mileage, condition, accident history and service history before looking at interior options and kit. Nice thing about the outgoing year of manufacturing models ares you can often get luck as I did and BMW through the parts bin at it so I have a lot of nice to haves but that should not be your starting point. A car can have very nice kit and be a lemon under neath.

If you can try to get a MsportShadow edition like mine. Its a little more special (to me) than the usual Msport F30's. No offence to my fellow F30 brothers. I cum in peace 👀

https://www.autotrader.co.za/car-fo...0&so=1&pl=0&pr=3&po=1&pq=0&sp=1#&gid=1&pid=17

Here's one, price is a bit steep though for 130k mileage