BMW E92 - 320i / 325i

Moanin

I'm contemplating buying one of these 2007 /2008 model either 320i or 325i (325 would be my preference).

I'm not interested in diesel as I only drive max 7k miles per annum.

I've never driven BMW before and am interested to hear what this model is like in terms or reliability and driveability.

bazz26

325i all day long over the 320i. The E92 325i is a 6 cylinder engine so will be more refined and smoother. 2008 ones would be cheaper to tax on the newer co2 tax system.

BMW reliability can be hit and miss. I'm on my 3rd one and they have all been generally reliable but I've also heard of people with lots of problems. The 6 cylinder petrol models tend to be more reliable though.

Moanin

Thanks Bazz.

What about auto or manual box?

My head says manual....

bazz26

Try both, I drive an auto and would find it very hard to go back to manual. But I haven't driven a 6 cylinder in manual form so don't know if it's better or not.

Idbatterim

in that car Id take a manual. you going for m sport or SE? Good few 2007 325 coupes, they all tend to be SE. you can get an 06 or 07 for E1080 motor tax or if you get a 2008 it will be E570. Bear in mind you will pay more for the newer engine in the 2008 car, it is more powerful, but less reliable. It seems to be typical of bmw, there are very few occasions where its a win / win scenario...

Moanin

Idbatterim wrote: »

in that car Id take a manual. you going for m sport or SE? Good few 2007 325 coupes, they all tend to be SE. you can get an 06 or 07 for E1080 motor tax or if you get a 2008 it will be E570. Bear in mind you will pay more for the newer engine in the 2008 car, it is more powerful, but less reliable. It seems to be typical of bmw, there are very few occasions where its a win / win scenario...

Aesthetically I prefer the look of the msport but I'd imagine the SE would be a more comfortable drive. I'll test drive a few and see.
The lower road tax would probably attract me to 2008 model but if reliability is poor then where do I go.

bazz26

Should be worth noting that the newer 325i has a 3.0 litre engine over the old 2.5 litre.

Idbatterim

yeah the m sport is the better looking car, SE will be more comfortable. 2008 will get you cheaper motor tax, but you will pay a decent deal more, you will have higher depreciation and (loan interest) if applicable...

Moanin

Any reliability / common fault issues with these?

brianwalshcork

The 2.5l N52 engine has a common problem with a ticking noise from the hydraulic valve adjuster. It doesn't seem to cause any issues other than the noise.
More info here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_N52#Hydraulic_valve_adjuster_problems

I've spent the last two years eyeing up 325i and finally changed the 2001 320i saloon that I've had for 13 years & 370,000 KMs for a 2007 e92 325i SE this morning.

Tax is up (980 -> 1050) and insurance is up by +200 / year, but couldn't be happier :-)

Prices for the higher tax 2007 model are significantly lower than the 2008 ones - and there's far less 2008 ones coming up.

Edited to add: the 320 was the e46 170 hp 6 cylinder engine - it was pretty much bullet proof - I had to replace a cam shaft sensor in 2005.

Moanin

brianwalshcork wrote: »

The 2.5l N52 engine has a common problem with a ticking noise from the hydraulic valve adjuster. It doesn't seem to cause any issues other than the noise.
More info here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_N52#Hydraulic_valve_adjuster_problems

I've spent the last two years eyeing up 325i and finally changed the 2001 320i saloon that I've had for 13 years & 370,000 KMs for a 2007 e92 325i SE this morning.

Tax is up (980 -> 1050) and insurance is up by +200 / year, but couldn't be happier :-)

Prices for the higher tax 2007 model are significantly lower than the 2008 ones - and there's far less 2008 ones coming up.

Edited to add: the 320 was the e46 170 hp 6 cylinder engine - it was pretty much bullet proof - I had to replace a cam shaft sensor in 2005.

Thanks for that.

Best of luck with purchase. Did you buy manual or auto?

brianwalshcork

Moanin wrote: »

Thanks for that.

Best of luck with purchase. Did you buy manual or auto?

Thanks, it's an Auto, if a good manual had come up I would have preferred it, but not totally against the auto either.

All the 325i have steptronic I think (not 100 % sure of this) I've given the sport mode a quick try out, but not the manual changing option, so not sure how it compares to a normal manual gear change

Also, the insurance turned out to be only €38 extra for the remainder of the policy (8 months) - so not much more than the 320

Idbatterim

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/bmw/3-series/used-2008-bmw-3-series-325i-m-spo-dublin-fpa-6457642835081532692

nice car with IDrive on it here, auto with flappy paddle gear shifting. Manual v auto is personal preference, I wouldnt be going auto in the 2litre car though...

if you are going for an emissions based one in particular, go for the 3 cylinder every time. There is a bit of a difference for models up to 2007 between E710 v E1080 tax , still worth it in my opinion (to go for 6 cylinder). But E390 v E570, you would be mad not to go for the far more special 6 cylinder...

Idbatterim

I've spent the last two years eyeing up 325i and finally changed the 2001 320i saloon that I've had for 13 years & 370,000 KMs for a 2007 e92 325i SE this morning.

there are relatively a lot of 2006 and 2007 SE 325 coupes out there. Mind me asking what you paid roughly?

ciarsd

Do it! 325i is a great all rounder. I sold my E46 coupe and spent 6 months looking for an E92 6 pot with specific spec. I finally found it and 2 years on, it still brings a smile to my face driving it. I'd only consider selling it for a 335i with similar spec - which is nigh on impossible. The increased tax is worth it...its pennies over the course of 12 months. My insurance actually remained the same and with some phone calls has remained fairly static the past 2 renewals even with all of the increases in the industry.

Ensure you have the water pump, breather system (hoses) and the gaskets on the oil filter housing system checked/replaced. Same goes for the valvetronic unit...common areas of concern. Any specific questions about the car, just shout, happy to help if I can!

Here is a pic from another thread: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=100670887&postcount=1984 & http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=95825899&postcount=5252 & http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=98244038&postcount=9042

brianwalshcork

Idbatterim wrote: »

there are relatively a lot of 2006 and 2007 SE 325 coupes out there. Mind me asking what you paid roughly?

Under 7, pm with more info sent

Theboinkmaster

ciarsd wrote: »

Do it! 325i is a great all rounder. I sold my E46 coupe and spent 6 months looking for an E92 6 pot with specific spec. I finally found it and 2 years on, it still brings a smile to my face driving it. I'd only consider selling it for a 335i with similar spec - which is nigh on impossible. The increased tax is worth it...its pennies over the course of 12 months. My insurance actually remained the same and with some phone calls has remained fairly static the past 2 renewals even with all of the increases in the industry.

Ensure you have the water pump, breather system (hoses) and the gaskets on the oil filter housing system checked/replaced. Same goes for the valvetronic unit...common areas of concern. Any specific questions about the car, just shout, happy to help if I can!

Here is a pic from another thread: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=100670887&postcount=1984 & http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=95825899&postcount=5252 & http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=98244038&postcount=9042

Gorgeous car! Hope you're giving it the detailing attention it deserves

Moanin

ciarsd wrote: »

Do it! 325i is a great all rounder. I sold my E46 coupe and spent 6 months looking for an E92 6 pot with specific spec. I finally found it and 2 years on, it still brings a smile to my face driving it. I'd only consider selling it for a 335i with similar spec - which is nigh on impossible. The increased tax is worth it...its pennies over the course of 12 months. My insurance actually remained the same and with some phone calls has remained fairly static the past 2 renewals even with all of the increases in the industry.

Ensure you have the water pump, breather system (hoses) and the gaskets on the oil filter housing system checked/replaced. Same goes for the valvetronic unit...common areas of concern. Any specific questions about the car, just shout, happy to help if I can!

Here is a pic from another thread: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=100670887&postcount=1984 & http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=95825899&postcount=5252 & http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=98244038&postcount=9042

Class Machine. The hunt has started for a2008 325i preferable cream leather interior & manual gearbox

Idbatterim

Moanin wrote: »

Class Machine. The hunt has started for a2008 325i preferable cream leather interior & manual gearbox

I reckon you will have to go to the UK for it, or potentially wait ages here. Also I may bring one of them in at some stage, Id go for the 330 though, 0-100 in 6 v 6.6 sec... motor tax difference is E570 v E750... well worth it IMO...

bazz26

Here you go:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201703012807211?onesearchad=Used&sort=price-asc&seller-type=trade&transmission=Manual&fuel-type=Petrol&maximum-badge-engine-size=3.0&year-from=2007&radius=1501&model=3%20SERIES&keywords=M%20Sport&make=BMW&postcode=e95ab&advertising-location=at_cars&quantity-of-doors=2&body-type=Coupe&minimum-badge-engine-size=2.4&page=2

Direct link to the dealer's webpage:
http://www.cardifftradesales.co.uk/bmw-325i-3-series-m-sport-2dr-in-cardiff-glamorgan-6149186

Moanin

bazz26 wrote: »

Here you go:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201703012807211?onesearchad=Used&sort=price-asc&seller-type=trade&transmission=Manual&fuel-type=Petrol&maximum-badge-engine-size=3.0&year-from=2007&radius=1501&model=3%20SERIES&keywords=M%20Sport&make=BMW&postcode=e95ab&advertising-location=at_cars&quantity-of-doors=2&body-type=Coupe&minimum-badge-engine-size=2.4&page=2

Direct link to the dealer's webpage:
http://www.cardifftradesales.co.uk/bmw-325i-3-series-m-sport-2dr-in-cardiff-glamorgan-6149186

This is exactly what I want (Colour , spec etc.) but unfortunately it is out of my league pricewise. I'm looking at €8k max. I may need to drop back a year but then I'm screwed on road tax....

bazz26

Unfortunately it's going to be a trade off - pre 2008 high motor tax - low selling price or post 2007 - low motor tax but higher selling price. Looking on donedeal and anything decent with reasonable mileage 08 or newer is asking more than 8k.

Moanin

I'm in no panic to change and may even wait another 6 months or so to see how it goes.

Idbatterim

if in no rush, then definitely wait, the problem is, I dont think waiting will make much difference with the 2008+ 6 cylinders, they are rare as hens teeth and will likely be going for 10k plus for reasonable ones, even if they come up. What waiting will likely do, is get you into a 2008 320 in a private sale...

few options that would currently be affordable...

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/sapphire-black-bmw-320-coupe-excellent-condition/14814473

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-3-series-320-m-sport-coupe/14826190

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-320i-m-sport-coupe/14683131

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-320i-m-sport/14454515

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-e92-m-sport/14324542

Moanin

Idbatterim wrote: »

if in no rush, then definitely wait, the problem is, I dont think waiting will make much difference with the 2008+ 6 cylinders, they are rare as hens teeth and will likely be going for 10k plus for reasonable ones, even if they come up. What waiting will likely do, is get you into a 2008 320 in a private sale...

I've my heart set on a 325 so will see. Mind you I've yet to drive an E92 (Albeit 320 or 325). It's the look that has sucked me in....

What's the 320i engine like in terms of reliability? Google tells of some horror stories....

Idbatterim

again a ton of 325 if you are prepared to go SE and 2007... Its a feast or a famine! The m sport look better in my opinion, you could always get an SE and throw an msport bumper on though, that and change the angel eyes for white instead of the dated yellow, that would bring the car up a lot, looks wise...

bazz26

Moanin wrote: »

I've my heart set on a 325 so will see. Mind you I've yet to drive an E92 (Albeit 320 or 325). It's the look that has sucked me in....

What's the 320i engine like in terms of reliability? Google tells of some horror stories....

Your really compromising there imo. The 320i is a 4 cylinder engine and post 2007 versions have been known to be unreliable from frequent injector problems to stretching timing chains.

Idbatterim

our really compromising there imo. The 320i is a 4 cylinder engine and post 2007 versions have been known to be unreliable from frequent injector problems to stretching timing chains.

dont the 2008 petrols also suffer from coil pack issues?

bazz26

Yes but injectors and timing chain cost a lot more to replace.

Moanin

325 it will be I think. As I said I'm in no panic so when the right car comes up I will be ready to pounce. It will more than likely be a 2008 model though.

Moanin

So almost a year on I'm still looking (More actively now I must say). I've spotted this one in UK.

I know the mileage is high ish, but I only do approx. 7k miles per annum...

Comments appreciated:

http://r.ebay.com/Dl4i1F

Idbatterim

is there a point importing one of them, when they are plentiful here? I.e. that particular car type...

Moanin

Idbatterim wrote: »

is there a point importing one of them, when they are plentiful here? I.e. that particular car type...

Yes the car type, but not from 08 onwards with this engine. I cannot justify paying €1k per annum road tax (Pre 08)

Moanin

Are there any known issues with this engine regarding timing chain?

Does the water pump need changing at certain intervals?

Thanks

Leonard Hofstadter

Moanin wrote: »

Are there any known issues with this engine regarding timing chain?

Does the water pump need changing at certain intervals?

Thanks

Timing chains are only an issue with diesels. Water pumps were only a problem in the previous generation 3 series. I'd be more bothered by the ABS module and the electronic steering lock. I've heard mixed reports about oil usage in these engines - some say they are fine others say they are like the older M54 engine (which loves the stuff!).

It should have had the injector recall done by now (they did it back in 2010) so there shouldn't be any problems with injectors or coils by now (those engines were notorious for having problems in those areas when they were first introduced, I haven't heard much about it in a very long time so I'm assuming those issues have long since been resolved).

Those cars have a special place in BMW history being the last ever BMW cars with a naturally aspirated six cylinder engine.