E90 3 series diesel estate advice

MyStubbleItches

Hi folks.

I'm looking at changing in the new year and am drawn towards one of the above, preferably automatic. I have a budget of about 10k. 318d or 320d, I'm not too fussy which. I'm a very easy driver but will be doing about 400 miles per week over 4 days a week.

So, can I get a decent car for my budget? What should I look out for?

Thanks for looking.

bazz26

The Touring 3 Series is known as the E91, they are pretty thin on the ground here especially in auto. You might have to look over in the UK for one.

This one has pretty good spec but it isn't cheap and there is no mention of a service history to verify the very low mileage:


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-320d-se-touring-06-only-53-000-mls/4885351

Better off sticking to the 163bhp version as the newer 177bhp ones can suffer from timing chain problems which are expensive to repair.

MyStubbleItches

Saw that one on donedeal. Looks exactly like what I'd like to get. I'm getting more and more suspicious of donedeal though.

Yeah, I wouldn't be against going to the uk for it. I'm not under pressure to change. Are there any particular things to look out for? Are the swirl flaps an issue on these models?

bazz26

Yes swirl flaps should be removed and replaced with blanks.

Turbo breather filter should be replaced with the newer vortex type filter and then changed every second oil service.

Steering wheel lock sensors can give trouble on them also as can the ABS wheel sensors.

MyStubbleItches

Thanks for everything so far.

Any issues with the gearboxes on these?

bazz26

No experience of the auto I'm afraid.

RobAMerc

three years ago I was selling a 320d msport touring auto with 63k - and was accused of being a moron for looking for 14k for it on this site ! seems that one for 11k means they hold their value better if you're not a member of boards.
At the time in fact I had 2 dealers bidding on it as it was a rare car !

Anyway - I am on my 4th BMW and 3rd diesel one. I've just collected my current one from the dealers today having had its turbo replaced - and yep you guessed it the third time I've had this happen too !
Luckily it was under warranty this time, but I would budget 2k for having it done, it will happen I'm afraid !

All had FBMWSH by the way.

ian87

I'm totally open to being corrected here but maybe 3 turbos blowing could be indicative of your driving style. I've had almost 10 turbo diesel cars over the years and never once an issue with a turbo. 2 of those being bmws btw with nigh on 100k miles. *touches wood*

I don't see why a turbo can't last the life of a car once it's been serviced properly and let warm up and cool down correctly.

Back on topic. I've always said when childer come along in the distant future a 3 series touring will be high on my shopping list. Would a 5 touring suit? There would probably be more of a selection locally without a huge increase in price?

Gumbo

RobAMerc wrote: »

three years ago I was selling a 320d msport touring auto with 63k - and was accused of being a moron for looking for 14k for it on this site ! seems that one for 11k means they hold their value better if you're not a member of boards.
At the time in fact I had 2 dealers bidding on it as it was a rare car !

Anyway - I am on my 4th BMW and 3rd diesel one. I've just collected my current one from the dealers today having had its turbo replaced - and yep you guessed it the third time I've had this happen too !
Luckily it was under warranty this time, but I would budget 2k for having it done, it will happen I'm afraid !

All had FBMWSH by the way.

FBMWSH means nothing if you didn't change the breather filter. It's not in BMW's standard service items and only done by special request from the owner.

MyStubbleItches

Thanks folks.

So I need to make sure that the breather filter has been done, the swirl flaps have been done and that there is an otherwise good service history.

5 series probably not for me, couldn't really justify the size and I'm not overly gone on them anyway.

Gumbo

MyStubbleItches wrote: »

Thanks folks.

So I need to make sure that the breather filter has been done, the swirl flaps have been done and that there is an otherwise good service history.

5 series probably not for me, couldn't really justify the size and I'm not overly gone on them anyway.

Swirl flaps aren't an issue on the E90 IIRC but some still remove them for peace of mind.

John_Mc

Are these issues valid for the 2010 320D Efficient Dynamics model as well? I bought one in November with about 65k km and need to check if it's been done.

Also, any tips on how to drive/operate in a way that's good for the Turbo?

Thanks

Gumbo

John_Mc wrote: »

Are these issues valid for the 2010 320D Efficient Dynamics model as well? I bought one in November with about 65k km and need to check if it's been done.

Also, any tips on how to drive/operate in a way that's good for the Turbo?

Thanks

what is the engine code?
Im naearly sure thet ED engine in that uses the older 163bhp engine so the main issue os the breather filter.

But double check the engine code.

John_Mc

kceire wrote: »

what is the engine code?
Im naearly sure thet ED engine in that uses the older 163bhp engine so the main issue os the breather filter.

But double check the engine code.

Yeah it's 163BHP. How do I find out the engine code?

Any idea on the cost of the breather filter?

bazz26

Inlet manifold was redesigned in late 2007 so swirl flaps are no longer an issue. Breather filter was redesigned also so should not need to be changed regularly but would advise having it inspected when the oil is being changed.

The main concern on your car is the possibility of the timing chain getting noisy and then breaking. If it does then you will need to have it replaced before it breaks. It is a well documented problem with the N47 engine.

John_Mc

Thanks for the info. Was reading about the timing chain the other day alright. Will keep an ear out for any noises.

Is it still a really expensive job to get done?

bazz26

Costs about €1800 to €2k from a independent garage. If it breaks then you are talking a lot more as it can do a lot of damage to the engine.

RobAMerc

ian87 wrote: »

I'm totally open to being corrected here but maybe 3 turbos blowing could be indicative of your driving style. I've had almost 10 turbo diesel cars over the years and never once an issue with a turbo. 2 of those being bmws btw with nigh on 100k miles. *touches wood*

I don't see why a turbo can't last the life of a car once it's been serviced properly and let warm up and cool down correctly.

I am glad you are open to being corrected because you are wrong !
I have had numerous turbo cars. I'll also bet I am very much in the minority when it comes to actually knowing how to look after a turbo engined car and am very carefull to do so - only the BMW's failed.
The first went 7 months after I bought it (1 month after the warranty ran out :rolleyes: ) the second 1 year after I bought it at 65k miles and the third car I have had since July ! It ain't my driving style, there are a lot of folk much harder on their cars than I !
Btw I forgot to mention the DSC module went in both the 320d's I had too.
Mine while I had it and the other while the new owner had it at roughly the same mileage too( sold it to my brother in law ).

I wouldn't let it put you off. Very few family boxes provide as much entertainment for the enthusiast - of 38 odd cars its the only one I have ever had a second one of and have had 3 (e46 vert, e90, e91 )!

Idbatterim

how about the below op?

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/5-Series/M-SPORT-/37313848769695740/advert?channel=CARS

woops, just noticed it was a 2.5 petrol!

Greyfoot

Check for excessive gear lever,clutch-excessive movement, vibration, could indicate shot dual mass flywheel.

Idbatterim

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/318I-TOU/37113776963312710/advert?channel=CARS

how about the above op? 2 litre, petrol 150bhp AFAIK. Ticks all of the boxes except that its a petrol.

MyStubbleItches

Idbatterim wrote: »

http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/3-Series/318I-TOU/37113776963312710/advert?channel=CARS

how about the above op? 2 litre, petrol 150bhp AFAIK. Ticks all of the boxes except that its a petrol.

Diesel is vital, I suppose I'd drive a manual estate or an auto saloon but it does need to be diesel. I'm currently driving a 00 passat which is an absolute miser so I couldn't handle anything less than 50 mpg!

If I haven't found one in the next 6-8 weeks I'd look at a diesel manual estate. Seems to be a greater choice.

MyStubbleItches

Oh, it can't be silver!! I'll be divorced before I'm married! 5 of my seven vehicles to date have been silver. I quite like the grey, black would probably my second choice.

Fussy, I know!

ian87

@robamerc no offence intended. Sounds like you were unlucky.

@mystubbleitches I had a 177bhp version(the one with the timing chain issues) and when I was on n road doing 90 - 110km 55mpg+ was entirely expectable with a lightish foot. I did 80% main roads and the rest country roads and city driving which saw roughly 48 - 50mpg combined. I can't see there being that huge a difference between the two.

Just to throw in a curveball I drive a 530d and only see my diesel bills being 10 - 15% higher on the exact same journeys. A very cheap price to pay for 6cyl power.

MetzgerMeister

RobAMerc wrote: »

Anyway - I am on my 4th BMW and 3rd diesel one. I've just collected my current one from the dealers today having had its turbo replaced - and yep you guessed it the third time I've had this happen too !

You didn't have that Merc long.

Carlo11

Hi OP,
I had an 05 E91. It was a beautiful car. I had a couple of things go wrong with it many of which were normal such as ABS, et.-but it didn't stop me from sticking with BMWs. Because of this beautiful car I bought a 520d E60 and in the past few months upgraded to a 530 GT. My car was well looked after by the previous owner and by me. However, the diversity amplifier went. This is a device in the rear spoiler that receives the signal from your key fob and opens the car and turns off the alarm. It's apparently common enough in the car. This would have been pretty expensive had I not found a second hand unit on ebay and had a good indie mechanic fix it. Also, as an FYI we weren't getting a very high MPG compared to the 520d. Saying that my wife much preferred the Touring to the 520d she currently drives. I would also say that depending on how young the kids are, a 3 series is a little small. It's a beautiful car though. Good luck with it.

RobAMerc

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

You didn't have that Merc long.

give me a classic Merc or a modern BMW any day.
Superb engineering in both cases, however modern MB's and BMW's ain't built to last - no way!

MetzgerMeister

RobAMerc wrote: »

give me a classic Merc or a modern BMW any day.
Superb engineering in both cases, however modern MB's and BMW's ain't built to last - no way!

What happened to that newish S Class you had?

RobAMerc

MetzgerMeister wrote: »

What happened to that newish S Class you had?

things changed - I went from doing 12k kms last year to 12 kms in 3 months - the S Class was the car to do it in, but my wallet got tired of the fuel bills that were getting just obscene !
Bought an 2011 520d - to be honest except for the l&f of the SClass the 5 series is much more of a drivers car, almost as quick, and not a huge amount behind it in ride and refinement. I spend a lot less time in the filling station too!

Idbatterim

Just to throw in a curveball I drive a 530d and only see my diesel bills being 10 - 15% higher on the exact same journeys. A very cheap price to pay for 6cyl power.

the tax on the 3 litres is scandalous, the 2.5 is pushing it in my opinion, but at least you get the 6 cylinders...

ian87

I justify the tax bill as I bought the 5er for cash after selling the 3er. Paid off my loan in the process. The extra in tax over a 2.0d is the interest I would have paid on a loan for a car with cheap tax.