BMW 318i SE E90

skywanderer

I'm currently driving an E36 BMW with the last 10 years, a grand fine solid reliable car, no major mechanical issues or anything. However with interest rates on deposits so low, sterling tanking after Brexit I'm thinking to upgrade my car finally; it was always going to have to happen so I figure I'd bit the bullet now.

I'd like to get others opinions of these cars, I'm thinking to buy the 2.0L Petrol model with 152g/km of Co2 for €350 motor tax annually. I also only drive an automatic and have been driving Autos since the beginning and have an Auto restricted licence. I'm not interested in Diesel due to their unreliability and I would buy no modern Diesel car manufactured in the last 15 years basically, also my mileage is low around 14,000kms per year. Turbos and DPF issues are all horror stories I've heard about and with Petrol I'm hoping to avoid those.

I'm thinking to import from the UK to take advantage of sterling at the moment, this is something I have done twice previously with my e36 ten years ago and also two years ago on a car for another family member.

The MPG figures quoted are around 44mpg, I'd be guessing this would translate to 40mpg real world; for an Automatic 3 series this is very good. I get 30mpg on my e36 but I have it converted and running on LPG with the last 4 years and I would have changed the car sooner only for the financial saving of LPG.

I won't buy a car with more than 70,000miles as this car will do me for the next 10 years really. It will really be a rinse repeat of my previous car ownership.

I'm thinking to buy a 2008 or 2009 model; something these two;

http://goo.gl/avmDZR
http://goo.gl/NIF2Or

My budget is around €10,000 - €11k max and VRT will cost ~€2.5k; I'd also do an LPG conversion costing €1k a few months after importing it but that will pay for itself.

Thoughts or suggestions?

bmwguy

You will not average 40mpg. If its going down LPG route this might not really matter to you. 40mpg on motorway is achievable though if you stick to 120kmph.

Otherwise go for it, nicer cars in the range (325i sport for example) but if this ticks your boxes and you want to keep tax low since you will keep it for a long time do what suits your pocket.

bazz26

Post 2007 4 cylinder BMW petrol engines with efficient dynamics are well known for giving problems with injectors and coil packs.

Also the E90 has a very small boot so converting it to LPG means the LPG tank may consume most of the boot space.

grogi

bazz26 wrote: »

Post 2007 4 cylinder BMW petrol engines with efficient dynamics are well known for giving problems with injectors and coil packs.

Also the E90 has a very small boot so converting it to LPG means the LPG tank may consume most of the boot space.

You put a toroidal LPG tank instead of the spare - and hang around only with tyre repair kit and phone number to recovery...

skywanderer

grogi wrote: »

You put a toroidal LPG tank instead of the spare - and hang around only with tyre repair kit and phone number to recovery...

I don't think is possible as AFAIK the E90 like alot of modern cars didn't come with a spare wheel (can of gunge instead) and thus no spare wheel well to install the donout tordial tank. I have the Torodial tank in my e36. Is there any E90 owners who can confirm if they came with a spare wheel well?

bazz26

I had an E90 a few years back. It came from the factory with run flat tyres so no spare wheel or tyre well for that matter, only a small compartment. I got a space saver for it but had to keep it secured in the boot.

R.O.R

bazz26 wrote: »

Post 2007 4 cylinder BMW petrol engines with efficient dynamics are well known for giving problems with injectors and coil packs.

Also the E90 has a very small boot so converting it to LPG means the LPG tank may consume most of the boot space.

The early ED auto's didn't have start/stop so were generally much better than the manual's for coil/injector failures. No idea if they started to suffer when start/stop was introduced as everyone was on diesel by then.

There is a fairly deep "well" in the boot of an E90 if memory serves me correctly - wonder if there's an LPG tank that could be fitted there?

bazz26

R.O.R wrote: »

The early ED auto's didn't have start/stop so were generally much better than the manual's for coil/injector failures. No idea if they started to suffer when start/stop was introduced as everyone was on diesel by then.

There is a fairly deep "well" in the boot of an E90 if memory serves me correctly - wonder if there's an LPG tank that could be fitted there?

I couldn't fit a space saver in there and it involved taking out the storage compartment so not sure an LPG tank would fit in there either unless is it's a very small tank.

Idbatterim

Does it make financial sense to import one, even with the weak pound? Why wouldn't you go for the 320, same engine but bit more poke...

allybhoy

bazz26 wrote: »

Post 2007 4 cylinder BMW petrol engines with efficient dynamics are well known for giving problems with injectors and coil packs.

Also the E90 has a very small boot so converting it to LPG means the LPG tank may consume most of the boot space.

I had an e92, broke my heart with injectors and coil packs, there is a well known issue with that engine that should have warranted a recall.. more info and the scale of the issue can be found here, if i was you id stay well clear

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136258

gavman1

My only advice would be do a lot of research before buying any bmer made since the e36 although even they had there problems.the more modern cars can really kill your pocket.as said there are problems which should have been recall issues but we're put on the long finger by alot of stealerships until the warranty ran out.with all this said if ye get a really well cared for one they are still a the nicest cars to drive

buzzing147

Im thinking of buying a 2008 318 2.0 petrol model, low miles, very clean
Having heard about injector problems and coil problems, im now reluctant to buy it
Must ask the seller if they had these problems, and if theyre fixed do they last long until these problems occur again??

Idbatterim

if you decide to buy it, have it checked by a bmw specialist before closing the deal!

buzzing147

Idbatterim wrote: »

if you decide to buy it, have it checked by a bmw specialist before closing the deal!

It has a full bmw service history, 60,000 miles, ill have to ask seller did they have the injectors and coils changed on it

bazz26

I'd take the seller's answer to that with a dose of salt as at the end of the day they are trying to sell the car.

From someone who is on my third BMW I'd avoid those post 2007 petrol models especially if your used to the reliability of the Accord.

buzzing147

bazz26 wrote: »

I'd take the seller's answer to that with a dose of salt as at the end of the day they are trying to sell the car.

From someone who is on my third BMW I'd avoid those post 2007 petrol models especially if your used to the reliability of the Accord.

Yea never a seconds bother with the 2.0 petrol accord, but have it 6 years now just need a change, i guess ill not risk the bmw petrol, what are the diesels like? Any more reliable? Otherwise it'll be an a6 maybe.

bazz26

Biggest problems with the diesels is the timing chain and turbo. But if you're only doing mostly short start stop trips then best avoid diesel. They are not designed for that sort of use and also offer nothing in the way of fuel savings.

Maybe have a look at the Mazda 6:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Mazda/Mazda6/1.8-EXECUTIVE/201314656025906190/

Or Honda Civic saloon:
http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Honda/Civic/1.8I-SES/6096085916937307645/

The Civic saloon is not too far off the size of the Accord you have now.