Looking at 3 series BMW convertables

[MikeyH]

Hi all, I've started looking at the 3 series BMW 2.0 SE convertibles to replace our daily runabout Ford Focus CC. It would be a 2010/2012 year and my concern is the engine. Is this the same one that is in the E89 that has the timing chain problems? Thank you all in advance. Mike

 

[Pondrew]

No it will be the N43 engine. N20 in the E89.
Up until 2013 the 3 series vert was an E93. They started fitting the N20 in the F33 (next gen 3 series vert which became a 4 series :? ) from 2013 until 2017. Then changed to the B48. The E93 325i has the N52 six pot which is he same as in the E85 2.5i.

If you can, I would go for an early F33 (2013 on). They are much more modern cars internally and externally.

 

[MikeyH]

Thank you Pondrew, I thought that when they updated the 3 series they left the vert looking as it was. I’ll start looking for the 2013 ones and see what is out there. Of course from preference I would rather have the 4 series but I don’t like spending money on cars. Mike.

 

[Mr Tidy]

According to Wiki the 4 cylinder E9*s only had the N46 52 engine until 2007, then they got the N43.

The early 325i and 330i only had the N52 until 2007, then they got the N53 that seems to suffer from injector and fuel pump issues. Which is why my E90 330i is an early one with the N52!

 

[Pondrew]

According to Wiki the 4 cylinder E9*s only had the N46 52 engine until 2007, then they got the N43.

The early 325i and 330i only had the N52 until 2007, then they got the N53 that seems to suffer from injector and fuel pump issues. Which is why my E90 330i is an early one with the N52!

Indeed, with Ze Germans designating their numbers differently from the mid 2000s does get a bit confusing. Long gone are the days when you could tell a German car's engine size by the numbers on the back. :roll:

A 330 was a six pot 3 litre. Now it is a 4 cylinder 2 litre with a slightly fruity map. :?

And then BMW decided to call their 3 series coupes and verts (and hatches) a 4 series.

 

[MikeyH]

Thank you Mr Tidy and Pondrew, this is getting very complicated. :?

 

[Pondrew]

Just remember Mikey, 3 series verts (and 4 series) have hardtops which are even more complex than the E89, as they had an extra panel to fold.

Go for a C class Merc. They have soft tops and their engines generally are not as fragile.

Or an Audrey A5 vert. Better interiors and use the VAG 2.0l which has been used in everything for donkeys' years.

 

[MikeyH]

My wife wants a hard top convertible as 3 quarter vis is better but yes I had wondered about the reliability of the roof.

 

[M1k3yC]

My dad had an E93 M3 and I'm pretty sure it was back with BMW more than once for maintenance on the folding hard top.

 

[B21]

Be aware the E90 versions that used the N53 had the same injector and HPFP issues as the N54 in the E89 35i..same parts..

Also the folding top is almost an identical version of the E89 roof with the same issues.

 

[MikeyH]

Oh god, think I had better convince the wife to have an Audi. :roll: At least I can now blame you lot.

 

[sars]

I wouldn't hesitate in getting a 4 series convertible, all convertible roofs have some issues given the complexity of mechanism and sensors etcetera. Also I believe the e93 and f33 roof panels are identical, so much of the issues were ironed out with the f33. Also the 4 series has the roof raising mechanism to get into the luggage space with the top down and that was very useful, worth the extra price alone

The only issue that I had was water entering the HK amplifier causing it to short out, taking most of the speakers with it.

 

[MikeyH]

Thank you sars, not in a hurry, just as well as not a lot in this area at the moment. Quite like the Mercedes e class convertible but seems a bit large compared to the BMW.

 

[Pondrew]

The only issue that I had was water entering the HK amplifier causing it to short out, taking most of the speakers with it.

So nothing major then? :roll:

4 series verts (and coupes) have a drainage issue, cos the cill drains are shite and get blocked easily. They then fill the rear wings with rainwater and it overflows into the boot and finds the lowest point. Guess where the amp is? Mine had a stupid DVB tuner which was sat under the HK amp, so two expensive bits to short out.
Luckily I caught mine before it overflowed into the boot. Still got about 2 gallons out of both rear wings.

 

[MikeyH]

That sounds like a lot of trouble to me, think I’ll avoid BMW.

 

[Ole gits rule]

That sounds like a lot of trouble to me, think I’ll avoid BMW.

As SARS said the roof mechanism is the same on the E93 as the F33 so most issues would have been sorted.

Had the dreaded water in the rear panel, it can be done at home with a tiny bit of spannering, (Take a look You tube) or get the garage you buy it from to sort it, if buying privately my garage did mine for £60 and its a permeant fix, just get it done from day one as it can also affect the electric rear quarter window motors which fail and can stop the rood lowering as well as the amp.

Touch wood, my roof has been faultless and the transformer thing is a gimmick IMHO, I've used mine once as I never leave the car anywhere with the roof down, not even at home.

Just make sure you get one with the air collar / heated seats / wind deflector as the car can be driven in colder weather with the roof down.

The issue is, no one ever comes onto a forum to say my roof has been great - its always, i have had an issue how do I fix it, I bet there are plenty of cars out there with no issues.

 

[sars]

Thank you sars, not in a hurry, just as well as not a lot in this area at the moment. Quite like the Mercedes e class convertible but seems a bit large compared to the BMW.

So before the 435xd I had the E350D convertible, it was a lovely car, comfortable and a relaxed drive, the only downside was traction, to much torque and not enough grip. The 435xd didn't feel smaller at all and it was a lot more fun, I would definitely have the F33 BMW over the Mercedes

 

[Ole gits rule]

Thank you sars, not in a hurry, just as well as not a lot in this area at the moment. Quite like the Mercedes e class convertible but seems a bit large compared to the BMW.

So before the 435xd I had the E350D convertible, it was a lovely car, comfortable and a relaxed drive, the only downside was traction, to much torque and not enough grip. The 435xd didn't feel smaller at all and it was a lot more fun, I would definitely have the F33 BMW over the Mercedes

We have an e250 vert and you are right not much difference in size, in fact the new c class very is a little smaller than the 4 series from memory, I looked at an e class but remember you said it was like a boat so went for the M4.

Plus the older e class interior is not as nice as a F33 IMHO - just looks very dated, the new ones are much nicer, both ours are 15 plates and the 4 series looks much better and is a better place to sit

 

[Pondrew]

The E class is a size larger than the 3 or 4 series, though. They are not made to compete in the same market.

3 (or 4) are equivalent to a Merc C class and the Audi 4 (or 5).

E class is in the same market as the 5 series BM or 6 (and 7) Audrey.

If I was to buy another 4 seat vert, I think I would go Audrey A5.

However, me being me, I have started seriously looking at the latest generation RS6 estate. Fecking expensive; but a supercar estate, what's not to like?

 

[Ole gits rule]

The E class is a size larger than the 3 or 4 series, though. They are not made to compete in the same market.

3 (or 4) are equivalent to a Merc C class and the Audi 4 (or 5).

E class is in the same market as the 5 series BM or 6 (and 7) Audrey.

If I was to buy another 4 seat vert, I think I would go Audrey A5.

However, me being me, I have started seriously looking at the latest generation RS6 estate. Fecking expensive; but a supercar estate, what's not to like?

We are talking earlier e class & I think the earlier e class (2009 - 2016) Coupé and convertible models of the E-Class of the same generation are W204 C-Class based and known as the C207 and A207, so similar to the four series, they were called e class as they had e class technology on the c class chassis from memory.

L 4670 v 4700 W 2010 v 2020 H 1390 v 1400

The latest generation of e class are made on the e class chassis so definitely bigger and compete with the 5 series.

RS6 - You would be selling that in 2 weeks when you realise it does about 10mpg and cost £1200 for a service