328d Issues? Help with new car purchase

FahrAndWide · 05-01-2020, 06:23 PM

Hi All!

I posted a similar thread in the general F30 forum, but I wanted to "hear it from the horses mouth" so to speak. I am looking at a brilliant 2014 rwd 328d with 88k miles to replace my aging and ailing E90 with 175k+ miles. However, I have been warned about timing chain issues in F30s. Is this a concern for the Diesels? I have heard of the Transfer Case issues, but with it being rwd I thought I would avoid the major headaches. Is there anything else I should be worried about? I am a full time student for the next 5 years (through grad school) so the reliability and fuel economy of the 328d was really attractive. Thank you for any advice you can provide!

FaRKle! · 05-01-2020, 07:41 PM

The timing chain issues are really only for the N20/26. The N47 in the US hasn't had them (or a high enough rate of them to really be known as an issue).

The other well known thing is the EGR cooler, which has a recall and a 10yr warranty now (from time of the car's first owner purchase).

You can have some emissions sensors go bad, but I believe there's an extended warranty on them. Might want to double check. I don't think you'd really need to worry about the SCR or DPF system unless you plan on reaching over 150k really soon.

wicked510 · 05-12-2020, 02:44 PM

I would say avoid at all costs. The HPFP issue is an expensive nightmare.

Enabled · 05-12-2020, 03:55 PM

Highly debatable that it's an HPFP issue vs. a contaminated fuel issue. It can get expensive though, sure.

I'd add a second 328d, even with those miles, in a heartbeat to replace my really old TDI.

Not every broken leg is the fault of the bone.

capt_slow · 05-13-2020, 02:04 AM

The N47 timing chain issue was well before that engine made it to the F31, so I'm not sure if that issue is applicable to our platform.

n00bkiller944 · 05-13-2020, 09:08 AM

Love mine. But I did have the HPFP fail at 50k, covered under warranty extension for HPFP. 76k diesel particulate sensor covered under warranty extension as well.

haagm58 · 05-15-2020, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

The timing chain issues are really only for the N20/26. The N47 in the US hasn't had them (or a high enough rate of them to really be known as an issue).

The other well known thing is the EGR cooler, which has a recall and a 10yr warranty now (from time of the car's first owner purchase).

You can have some emissions sensors go bad, but I believe there's an extended warranty on them. Might want to double check. I don't think you'd really need to worry about the SCR or DPF system unless you plan on reaching over 150k really soon.

Great advice. Also the NOx sensors are covered under an extended warranty that BMW provided last year. I had one of mine (our cars have 2) go out in 2018 and it was around $600 to replace. Though the dealer quoted $1,200. I had it replaced at an Indy shop prior to the extended warranty notification and BMW reimbursed the costs 100%.

gryffishhawk571 · 12-12-2021, 09:20 PM

Feel like it depends on the type of driving you're planning on. If mostly highway this IS the car for you but the car is no pleasure for urban stop and go and short trips. Bought mine for my daily commute--about 30 mi each way and 90% of that drive is interstate. This car is a dream on the highway but stop and go driving is almost the opposite story--IMHO

05-01-2020, 06:23 PM	#1
FahrAndWide New Member 0 Rep 15 Posts Drives: BMW 328i '09 4D Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	328d Issues? Help with new car purchase Hi All! I posted a similar thread in the general F30 forum, but I wanted to "hear it from the horses mouth" so to speak. I am looking at a brilliant 2014 rwd 328d with 88k miles to replace my aging and ailing E90 with 175k+ miles. However, I have been warned about timing chain issues in F30s. Is this a concern for the Diesels? I have heard of the Transfer Case issues, but with it being rwd I thought I would avoid the major headaches. Is there anything else I should be worried about? I am a full time student for the next 5 years (through grad school) so the reliability and fuel economy of the 328d was really attractive. Thank you for any advice you can provide!
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05-01-2020, 07:41 PM	#2
FaRKle! Brigadier General 4016 Rep 3,539 Posts Drives: 328d Wagon, M2 Comp, i4 eD35 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2023 BMW i4 eDrive 35 [0.00] 2017 BMW 328dx Wagon [0.00] 2021 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00]	The timing chain issues are really only for the N20/26. The N47 in the US hasn't had them (or a high enough rate of them to really be known as an issue). The other well known thing is the EGR cooler, which has a recall and a 10yr warranty now (from time of the car's first owner purchase). You can have some emissions sensors go bad, but I believe there's an extended warranty on them. Might want to double check. I don't think you'd really need to worry about the SCR or DPF system unless you plan on reaching over 150k really soon. __________________ -328d Wagon Build Log (with helpful reference links) -My YouTube Channel for some of the best DIYs and in depth information Please don't PM me for suspension recommendations unless interested in paid private consultations.
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05-12-2020, 02:44 PM	#3
wicked510 Enlisted Member 19 Rep 42 Posts Drives: 328d xDrive Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Berkeley, CA iTrader: (0)	I would say avoid at all costs. The HPFP issue is an expensive nightmare.
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05-12-2020, 03:55 PM	#4
Enabled Lieutenant Colonel 1410 Rep 1,802 Posts Drives: 328xd Wagon, M2 Competition Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Houston iTrader: (0)	Highly debatable that it's an HPFP issue vs. a contaminated fuel issue. It can get expensive though, sure. I'd add a second 328d, even with those miles, in a heartbeat to replace my really old TDI. Not every broken leg is the fault of the bone. __________________ -2014 328d Wagon, 8HP. Self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs. -2019 M2 Competition MT, Alpine White. Self-tuned 560hp -2016 Mini Cooper S, MT. Many plans. Others: -E36 328is. 2000 Z3 Roady. 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual. Estoril Z3M Coupe.
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05-13-2020, 02:04 AM	#5
capt_slow Captain 556 Rep 906 Posts Drives: 2017 F31 328d Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1) Garage List 2015 VW Golf SportW ... [0.00] 2017 BMW 328d xDriv ... [10.00] 2020 BMW i3 Rex [0.00]	The N47 timing chain issue was well before that engine made it to the F31, so I'm not sure if that issue is applicable to our platform. __________________ 2017 328d xDrive Sports Wagon: Estoril Blue, Black Sensatec, M-Sport Pkg 2020 i3 Rex: Capparis White, Giga World
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05-13-2020, 09:08 AM	#6
n00bkiller944 Lieutenant 126 Rep 424 Posts Drives: '14 328d M Sport Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Richmond, VA iTrader: (0)	Love mine. But I did have the HPFP fail at 50k, covered under warranty extension for HPFP. 76k diesel particulate sensor covered under warranty extension as well.
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12-12-2021, 09:20 PM	#8
gryffishhawk571 New Member 2 Rep 16 Posts Drives: BMW 328d Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Feel like it depends on the type of driving you're planning on. If mostly highway this IS the car for you but the car is no pleasure for urban stop and go and short trips. Bought mine for my daily commute--about 30 mi each way and 90% of that drive is interstate. This car is a dream on the highway but stop and go driving is almost the opposite story--IMHO
	Appreciate 0 Quote