Bmw 320d Coupe advice.

sgds

I was hoping to take a big step this year and buy a car I've wanted for a while, a BMW 320d Msport Coupe. I have a budget for a 2008 or 2009 model.
I have been reading reviews and forums and it seems like a very high risk due to the timing chain issue with the N47 engines on these models.
Any advice, should I keep away from the 2.0L? Does the 325d have the same problems or would I be better going for a 5 series?
I also thought about buying an Audi A5 but I'm not sure if there is issues there as well.
I bought a 07 Transporter van last year and the gearbox went after about 8months!! I didn't realise until afterwards that this was a common problem.
Don't want to make mistake with the Bmw!

Any advice appreciated

PaulKK

Up to 2010 or so the 325d used the M57 which does not have chain issues. They are rare as hens teeth though and seem to command quite a premium.

I was looking out for one myself but couldn't find one within a reasonable budget so I waited and bought an April 11 N47 which supposedly should have the problem resolved or at least less likely to suffer the problem as it was ment to be rectified from March 2011.

There was a post on here the other day about bmw repairing the chain some older cars for free now also which may be encouraging if you go for an N47 from the more 'troublesome' years.

sgds

Thanks for that. I couldn't stretch to a '11 model but I'll look into the possibility of bmw repairing ones otherwise I look at something else.
I wonder what percentage of the N47's actually give problems with the chain.

PaulKK

sgds wrote: »

Thanks for that. I couldn't stretch to a '11 model but I'll look into the possibility of bmw repairing ones otherwise I look at something else.
I wonder what percentage of the N47's actually give problems with the chain.

I'm wondering that myself. I have heard of a few people having issues but there are thousands of these cars around too.

I believe it's getting cheaper to fix at independent garages also.

You mentioned an a5 there also. My cousin has a 13 sline and finds it great. I'd be surprised if you could get an a5 in the same budget as a 08/09 3 series though.

Out of interest if you don't mind me asking what's your budget?

sgds

I'd hope to go from 15k to max €18/19k with a dealer warranty.

PaulKK

Just for reference. I paid just over your bottom figure for my 11 320d saloon from an independent garage, it is like most of them a UK import and was only in the country 2 days when I bought it.

3k in your pocket would cover a lot of surprises.

Preset No.3

Just under 15k for a 11 320D facelift is a decent price considering the model changed in 2012.

Was it an SE? Or that very nice M Sport for end of model special?

PaulKK

Preset No.3 wrote: »

Just under 15k for a 11 320D facelift is a decent price considering the model changed in 2012.

Was it an SE? Or that very nice M Sport for end of model special?

I said just over, it was just over 16k.

Its a 320d efficient dynamics with a couple of small extras (sport seats, upgraded wheel)

166man

The timing chain issue will affect cars from late '07 right up until 2013/2014 cars. 142 reg saw the introduction of the B47 engine which has supposedly rectified this issue.