e90 320d thoughts

M

Machine monkey

Lifer
 In the shire Oxfordshire
Been offered what on the face of it seems a good deal.
2011 E90 320 140K miles its cheaper than most I can find. The car is a little tatty and needs tiding up.
Having owned a few older BMWs with high mileage. It wasn't ever an issue 160k on my last e46.
But how do the new bread of BMs stack up. I hear there are issues with the N47 engine. Regarding the cam chain. But this seems mostly in pre 2007 cars.

If anyone has one or owned one. Knows of anything i should look out for when viewing please let me know. :thumbsup:
 
We bought my wife a 2007 318i on about 36k a year ago so I did a little reading up on this. Obviously mine is petrol but the issue is the same - the cam chain guides are plastic, and they can break up, and bits of plastic could get into the engine. Which can bork the engine, of course.

As the internet is mostly full of problems rather than posts about having no problems at all, I asked my indy. His view was firstly that if you pay any attention at all to cars when you are driving them you will hear it before it breaks badly enough to do any damage. To be fair I have never heard it but I am guessing rattling chain type sound :D

His second point was that the petrol and Diesel engines are differently designed. On the petrol the cam chain is at the front of the engine, so changing the guide is a relatively straightforward job. On the diesel it’s at the back, which means if it needs changed the engine needs to come out, which is a very pricey job in labour alone. He had one in needing the work done when we were looking and he reckoned it was going to be £2k or so to fix. I’m not sure if that included repairing any damage caused.

Vacuum pump seal can go, which was an issue on ours (indicated by an oil leak underneath) sorted under warranty from the selling dealer, as can the VVT motor... which also happened on ours.

And that’s all I know, but hopefully a little help.
 
Worth saying, we’re very happy with the car. Grossly underpowered, but to be honest it’s very comfortable, has quite a good options list, and I kind of like the enforced calm and patience as a contrast to the M :D
 
I had a 57 plate 123d for over 6 years and 80K miles, and it was largely cam-chain worries that made me bail out of it!

Still, every cloud, etc. as that was when I bought my 1st Z4. :lol:

The 1 Series didn't get the N47 until the March 07 facelift and when I was trawling reports there were quite a few issues with later ones on other forums, but I don't remember any as late as 2011 - but then I was looking in 2014. I think the problem with early ones was the drive sprocket was an integral part of the crankshaft so if the chain went you needed a new crank too! :o

If you decide to go for it code the stop/start off, or turn it off every time you use it! I needed a new AGM coded battery after 4 years, and a starter motor after just 6 years. :headbang:

Early E90s used a revised version of the M47 - but after experiencing N52 loveliness in my Z4, when I was looking for an E91 earlier this year it had to have an N52 in it.
 
Thanks guys
I have been offered a 320d it’s scruffy few dents. Flimper spec. But I have been offered it for £2k it’s fone 140k miles it’s a 2011.

The internet is confusing but it should have the better or improved chain tensioner. It’s got full BMW history until 2014 then Indy there after. Just not sure what to do!!
 
given up on the 320 idea. I know they wont all be effected. But i will always worry about the cam chain.
I cant afford a good e90 3.0ld so I am buying a car i have always fancied since they first came out E46 330d m sport salon. and i am viewing one tomorrow. if its as good as the guy says i am getting a peach of a car and not a lot of money.
 
As you've said at 2011 the cam chain should be problem free, but I understand why your steering clear just in case. At that age they have more issues with injectors and flywheels failing that damage the crank sensor making them run like a pig.
E46 330d wise, just make sure its had the swirl flap delete or get it done yourself, you dont want the engine eating those little buggers.
 
My dad had a 330D as a kid and man I loved it. With the big iron block its arse was always hanging out, even more fun in the winter and although not an M3 it was the ridiculously economical M3 variant. There was very little wrong with that car at all and always look fondly when I see them on the road.

Started the ball rolling with modern fast diesels.
 
MACK said:
As you've said at 2011 the cam chain should be problem free, but I understand why your steering clear just in case. At that age they have more issues with injectors and flywheels failing that damage the crank sensor making them run like a pig.
E46 330d wise, just make sure its had the swirl flap delete or get it done yourself, you dont want the engine eating those little buggers.
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I think they have been done but i will be checking it. I will be giving it a good service and going over. I have 3 weeks off over Christmas. I am going to try and get the zed done too.

Its not an M sport but just a auto sport model. Has m sport seats but standard looking bumpers but thats fine with me.
 
tomscott said:
My dad had a 330D as a kid and man I loved it. With the big iron block its arse was always hanging out, even more fun in the winter and although not an M3 it was the ridiculously economical M3 variant. There was very little wrong with that car at all and always look fondly when I see them on the road.

Started the ball rolling with modern fast diesels.
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Similar memories for me. A mates dad had one he had a cheeky remap and it went like stink.
Cant wait to own one. I was just going to get a boggo focus. But i am excited about this. And the zed now becomes a true weekend car.
 
Machine monkey said:
Its not an M sport but just a auto sport model. Has m sport seats but standard looking bumpers but thats fine with me.
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BMW hadn't invented M-Sport back in the days of the E46, Sport was as good as it got - same as E85/86s! But the Sport did get M-Sport suspension, seats, steering wheel and wheels (usually MV2s I think).

The grunty diesels do have a certain charm, especially with a little remap! :laugh:

My 123d was entertaining, but I bailed because of the potential N47 cam-chain woes - so I can quite understand why you gave the 320d a miss.

I hope the 330d works out. :thumbsup:
 
Well I won’t be buying that one! Described as mint in perfect condition! It 100% was not flat tyre rust all 4 wheels damaged! No service for 20k miles. And it stank of weed inside!!

What a waste in time!
 
academic now, but i had a 2006 320d and loved it remapped it and went like stink, never had any problems, best beemer i ever had, as said, you only ever see the problems posted. i never had any. :)
 
road warrior said:
academic now, but i had a 2006 320d and loved it remapped it and went like stink, never had any problems, best beemer i ever had, as said, you only ever see the problems posted. i never had any. :)
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I believe you. And fully agree but I have read too many horror stories now. And with my track record and luck I will get a Friday afternoon car.
 
Machine monkey said:
road warrior said:
academic now, but i had a 2006 320d and loved it remapped it and went like stink, never had any problems, best beemer i ever had, as said, you only ever see the problems posted. i never had any. :)
Click to expand...

I believe you. And fully agree but I have read too many horror stories now. And with my track record and luck I will get a Friday afternoon car.
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Your a clever bloke, don't believe you for a second :D
 
for what its worth, I blummin' love my e90 330d... lovely place to be, the engine is a peach and with a remap to 280bhp it pulls like a train. and in Germanic black with dishy wheels it looks great. had 99k on it when I bought it 2 years ago, now on 135k and I honestly can't see me replacing it.

you wont go far wrong with an M57 engine, generally bulletproof :)
 
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