Buying 320d E91 auto - advice please

MyStubbleItches

So I finally have to change my old passat and have found a nice 320 touring. It's got plenty extras and is in clean condition, drives well, etc. no problems as far as I can tell. It's a 2008 reg (uk import) with 155k miles and a full BMW service history in the uk up to 146k miles.

So, what should I be looking out for or planning on getting done with this?
Turbo?
Gearbox oil and filter?

bazz26

Timing chain stretching and breaking is a major concern on these engines and expensive to fix, plenty of information on the web about BMW's now famous N47 engine trouble. Make sure the car is examined by someone who knows these engines well, if the engine sounds rattily then run away.

MyStubbleItches

bazz26 wrote: »

Timing chain stretching and breaking is a major concern on these engines and expensive to fix, plenty of information on the web about BMW's now famous N47 engine trouble. Make sure the car is examined by someone who knows these engines well, if the engine sounds rattily then run away.

You must be sick of me by now Bazz, thanks for replying yet again!

Anyone know of a good BMW mechanic who would come do an inspection? Car is in Newcastlewest, Co. Limerick.

bazz26

There is a BMW specialist in Abbeyfeale that gets recommended frequently over on bmw-driver.net. Bavarian Auto Technik is the name of garage and they have a website.

MyStubbleItches

bazz26 wrote: »

There is a BMW specialist in Abbeyfeale that gets recommended frequently over on bmw-driver.net. Bavarian Auto Technik is the name of garage and they have a website.

Excellent, will have a look. Just reading up on the timing chain issues. Am I mad to consider buying this car?

bazz26

Well I had one for 3 years, it was 5 years old with half the mileage of the one you are looking at when I sold it and it was fine. However I know of a few cases where they have snapped on low mileage cars as well as high mileage so it's really a case of being lucky/unlucky. If you are still keen then make sure it is checked by someone who is knows what they are looking/listening for. Also did you go through the service history? At that mileage it is possible that the car already had the chain replaced. Worth looking further into imo.

Personally I would try and find one with the older M47 engine, yes the tax is higher but minuet compared to forking out for a replacement timing chain or worse new engine.

MyStubbleItches

Is it safe to assume that 163hp engines are M47 and therefore don't have that particular issue? I'd have no problem paying the higher tax for a more reliable car. Choice is limited for auto e91s though.

bazz26

Yes.

318d - 122BHP - M47
320d - 163BHP - M47

318d - 143bhp - N47
320d - 177bhp - N47
320d - 184bhp - N47
323d - 210bhp - N47

N47 cars also have Efficiency Dynamics or stop/start.

MyStubbleItches

Will get it checked out first so before I commit. Otherwise the search goes on.

MyStubbleItches

Checked out the uk service history with the dealer there. No major work done, timing belt, turbo or gearbox oil.

If I go ahead and buy, should I realistically budget for these jobs or should I just steer clear altogether?

MyStubbleItches

Also, anyone have any idea what it would cost to have the timing chain replaced (and whatever other associated work) before the event as opposed to after it snaps?

bazz26

My local BMW indy quoted about €1900 to put it right as preventative maintenance about a year ago so it might be a little cheaper now. It's a labour intensive job. If the chain breaks then you will be talking a lot more depending on the damage it does to the engine.

MyStubbleItches

I spoke to that guy in Abbeyfeale this morning and was quoted around 2k with a heavier timing chain ( a third edition of the chain he reckons). Also asked what a gearbox oil change would be and it's €550. So 10k purchase and 2.5k after. Starting to get expensive.

vectra

bazz26 wrote: »

Yes.

318d - 122BHP - M47
320d - 163BHP - M47

318d - 143bhp - N47
320d - 177bhp - N47
320d - 184bhp - N47
323d - 210bhp - N47

N47 cars also have Efficiency Dynamics or stop/start.

Does this include the D3 Alpina as using the N47 engine?

bazz26

If the D3 uses the same block then yes.

vectra

bazz26 wrote: »

If the D3 uses the same block then yes.

How would I know that?

bazz26

I'm not an expert on Alpina but afaik all the Alpina models use the standard BMW models as a basic template before making their own modifications/upgrades. Easiest way would be the engine code I'd imagine.

vectra

bazz26 wrote: »

I'm not an expert on Alpina but afaik all the Alpina models use the standard BMW models as a basic template before making their own modifications/upgrades. Easiest way would be the engine code I'd imagine.

Will try to find out.
Thanks