[Iesutoro]

Hey all,

Currently considering purchasing a new vehicle and rented a BMW 328i recently and was extremely impressed on how it handled, drove, etc. Far more superior (and wayyyy more comfy) than my Honda accord and the 4cyl turbo had plenty of power and acceleration! Feels more so than my Honda V6.

The 328i's I'm looking at right now are a 2011 - 2014 328i with around 50k miles. I've always been scared about the cost if anything should go wrong with the vehicle, but I wanted to see what I should be looking for and if they really aren't as reliable as people say they are. Cost of fuel and insurance don't really bother me and I'm not looking to spend more than $19k/$20k on the car want to take payday loans on this website https://maybeloan.com/payday-loans to buy a car. I would probably like to keep it for 7/8 years as well.

Another thing is, I've walked around a BMW lot and it seems like most also have smut in their tailpipes as well. Is this something normal? It seems like they are all burning oil or something.

[chowser51]

tailpipe gets dirty. live with it or paint it black.

is that the year of the n20 engine? if it is check the timing chain? i dunno, stick a fork in it is what i've been seeing on facebook.

i'd suggest saving for the b46/b48 engine if you're going to get a 4 cyl bmw.

mine is going strong. i'm at 71k miles on my '18 430 with b46 engine. running bm3 stage 1. other than oil/filter and engine filter cabin filter changes, these are the maintenance items i have done:

48k - rear pads, rotors, sensor wire, $225ish
58k - wipers $25
64k - change spark plugs - $60 (would have been cheaper but i had to buy the socket)
65k - front pads, rotors, sensor wire, brake fluid system flush, $225ish

Probably going to do plugs again at 80k and maybe coils since i'm running a tune.

also i don't know about the f30 since i have the f33, but the lci gets led headlights/taillights i believe

[schnellwagen]

Go for it! The F30 is an amazing car and the 4 cylinder is a great engine. I would recommend picking up one with a build date post 3/15, because that was when the timing chain guides got updated for the N20/N26.
If you're in California (assuming you are unless there's another Santa Clara in the US I'm unaware of), make sure you get one with the N26 or B46 SULEV engine, because on top of lower emissions, you get a state mandated 15 year/150,000 mile warranty on a myriad of drivetrain and emissions parts.
Considering your budget, you could get a 2017 CPO 320i or 330i. I got my 330i for $20,000 with 20k miles.

[hollovoid7]

I have a 428i (N26) and crossing 86k miles. Other than a faulty transfer case at 49k (I have xdrive) miles I haven't had many issues. Oil changes and brake pads/rotors, the telematics battery, and a Venturi line (40$). I did transmission fluid and pan, and differential oils, but It's actually cost me less overall so far than my Accord did at this mileage.

Take care of it and it will do fine. Like any other car.

[Billfitz]

Avoid N20/26 engine cars made before February 2015. Those are the models where timing chain failure is a potential problem.

[adhrp]

My 2012 328i has 115k miles and is going strong with no major issues at all. The usual maintenance and a chafed headlight wire that needed to be repaired at my local indy.

[Newman1]

I have a 2014 with 60k miles. The only reason I’ll consider keeping it longer term is because the timing chain failed during warranty, and it’s paid off.

[bgalakazam]

My only 'repair' and not maintenance or tuning was a rear wheel speed sensor. Very happy with the car in terms of reliability. Not happy with the car as a whole but hard to sell without a loss.

[eddymerckx3]

seeing how u r new to this forum, here is some required reading ...welcome and enjoy!


https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1614899

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by schnellwagen

Go for it! The F30 is an amazing car and the 4 cylinder is a great engine. I would recommend picking up one with a build date post 3/15, because that was when the timing chain guides got updated for the N20/N26.
If you're in California (assuming you are unless there's another Santa Clara in the US I'm unaware of), make sure you get one with the N26 or B46 SULEV engine, because on top of lower emissions, you get a state mandated 15 year/150,000 mile warranty on a myriad of drivetrain and emissions parts.

+1 to this regarding motor production post 03/15.

You’re not out of line to consider maintenance costs. BMWs can be relatively reliable, but generally they do require more routine maintenance than Japanese models and their maintenance is generally more expensive. If you get a late 2015 model or a 2016 model to keep for 7 - 8 years you’re going to incur some maintenance expense. If you’re not a DIYer you’re going to want to find a good independent mechanic who specializes in BMWs.

Good luck with your search. They’re very enjoyable cars to drive. If you can raise your price range by a couple of thousand dollars it’ll increase your choices substantially.

[JoeyF30]

2013 n26 with 130k miles I'm fine.

[tturedraider]

I love car shopping. Especially with other people’s money! Peter Pan BMW has about 8 - 10 2017 330i’s priced from $20,000 - $21,000. About half of them are CPOs. Here’s the one I like best. It has iDrive, but doesn’t have navigation. It’s a one owner, clean CarFax/no accident damage car. https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing It’s a Sport line, so it has nicer wheels and they’re staggered with high performance tires and it has a slightly higher speed limiter, not that you’ll ever drive 155 mph. The 330i has the B46 motor and it has proven to be quite reliable so far.

btw - BMW Financial Services is offering 0.9% for up to 36 months and 1.49% for up to 60 months on 2017 and 2018 CPO 3 Series.

[schnellwagen]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

I love car shopping. Especially with other people’s money! Peter Pan BMW has about 8 - 10 2017 330i’s priced from $20,000 - $21,000. About half of them are CPOs. Here’s the one I like best. It has iDrive, but doesn’t have navigation. It’s a one owner, clean CarFax/no accident damage car. https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing It’s a Sport line, so it has nicer wheels and they’re staggered with high performance tires and it has a slightly higher speed limiter, not that you’ll ever drive 155 mph. The 330i has the B46 motor and it has proven to be quite reliable so far.

btw - BMW Financial Services is offering 0.9% for up to 36 months and 1.49% for up to 60 months on 2017 and 2018 CPO 3 Series.

Wow! That's the same dealership (and price) I got my car from! Peter Pan is by far the most competitive dealer in the Bay Area right now when it comes to CPO vehicles, and the buying experience is so smooth and straightforward.

[whatevs]

+1 regrading the timing chain issue. I have a 2016 328xi that I bought a year and a half ago at 13K miles. Now has about 23K miles, and absolutely no issues so far. Love the car!

[joesid]

Originally Posted by Iesutoro

Another thing is, I've walked around a BMW lot and it seems like most also have smut in their tailpipes as well. Is this something normal? It seems like they are all burning oil or something.

I've read that this a feature of direct injection engines and likely why most manufacturers have switched to fake exhaust tips with hidden pipes.

[schnellwagen]

Originally Posted by joesid

I've read that this a feature of direct injection engines and likely why most manufacturers have switched to fake exhaust tips with hidden pipes.

This. Carbon on the exhausts is typical of a DI engine. Also, be sure to drive your DI engines like a lunatic once in a while to prevent carbon buildup on the internals of the engine and to put a smile on your face

[PK2348]

Originally Posted by Iesutoro

Hey all,

Currently considering purchasing a new vehicle and rented a BMW 328i recently and was extremely impressed on how it handled, drove, etc. Far more superior (and wayyyy more comfy) than my Honda accord and the 4cyl turbo had plenty of power and acceleration! Feels more so than my Honda V6.

The 328i's I'm looking at right now are a 2011 - 2014 328i with around 50k miles. I've always been scared about the cost if anything should go wrong with the vehicle, but I wanted to see what I should be looking for and if they really aren't as reliable as people say they are. Cost of fuel and insurance don't really bother me and I'm not looking to spend more than $19k/$20k on the car. I would probably like to keep it for 7/8 years as well.

Another thing is, I've walked around a BMW lot and it seems like most also have smut in their tailpipes as well. Is this something normal? It seems like they are all burning oil or something.

You're either trolling or completely out of touch with realty comparing reliability between Honda and BMW.
With a budget of 20k and a plan to keep the car for 7 years you should be looking at a new Japanese compact sedan, something like a civic

[328iX]

Originally Posted by whatevs

+1 regrading the timing chain issue. I have a 2016 328xi that I bought a year and a half ago at 13K miles. Now has about 23K miles, and absolutely no issues so far. Love the car!

With 23k miles you're not giving any testament to reliability.

My 06/15 328i probably has had more warranty work than what you paid for your car.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

I love car shopping. Especially with other people’s money! Peter Pan BMW has about 8 - 10 2017 330i’s priced from $20,000 - $21,000. About half of them are CPOs. Here’s the one I like best. It has iDrive, but doesn’t have navigation. It’s a one owner, clean CarFax/no accident damage car. https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing It’s a Sport line, so it has nicer wheels and they’re staggered with high performance tires and it has a slightly higher speed limiter, not that you’ll ever drive 155 mph. The 330i has the B46 motor and it has proven to be quite reliable so far.

btw - BMW Financial Services is offering 0.9% for up to 36 months and 1.49% for up to 60 months on 2017 and 2018 CPO 3 Series.

lesutoro, are you still around? Did you make a decision?

[whatevs]

Originally Posted by 328iX

With 23k miles you're not giving any testament to reliability.

My 06/15 328i probably has had more warranty work than what you paid for your car.

Agreed! I was just sharing my experience so far. Sucks that you've had to have quite some warranty work done on your car which is just a year older than mine.