BMW 3 series - worst car ever owned

rosser44 · 03-09-2021 12:55pm

An e36/e46 with a straight 6 is one of the best driving experiences money can buy.

It'll cost you a small fortune to keep running if you can't do the work yourself, but the big smile when you plant your right foot is worth every penny

dinneenp · 03-09-2021 2:42pm

I've asked for opinions in another thread but re reliability, running costs hopefully someone here can assist-

2015 318D SE auto, 2 owners, 56k miles. I haven't contacted the dealer yet re service history but will. It's 6 years old & low mileage. I'm guessing/hoping it'd be reliable (if regular service)

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2015-bmw-318d-se-automatic-low-miles/28614174

Somebody else mentioned this, really lovely but 2014 and 177km so I'm imaging less reliavle & higher potential maintenance costs-

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/bmw-5-series-d-luxury-auto-huge-spec/29081091

Thanks,

Pa.

Leonard Hofstadter · 03-09-2021 3:15pm

There's really nothing special about a bottom of the range diesel F30 on SE suspension, the driving dynamics are nothing to write home about to the point you'd be wondering if it is a BMW at all. They need a big engine and M Sport suspension to have a driving experience more in keeping with what one might expect from a car from BMW. The ZF 8HP auto is terrific in the diesels.

R.O.R · 03-09-2021 3:19pm

Apart from one slow puncture, I haven't had any issues with any of the 3 Series I've had.

Seth Brundle · 03-09-2021 4:07pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117842432#Comment_117842432

My own advice would be to pay a few quid more and buy from BMW with a two year full warranty simply because you can get the bulk of the usual age related problems sorted under warranty. Plus go for the 5er over the 3er any day of the week!

I think there are much nicer examples out there than the base model and cost won't be much different. 5er sport looks and feels so much better than the SE or any other model. Check out a few and ask here for opinions.

Magown3 · 06-09-2021 11:53am

Just an update on my money pit.

Over the weekend I replaced, Throttle body, propshaft centre support bearing, flex disk between gearbox and propshaft, and gearbox mounts.

It drives much nicer now. Still doesn't regen the DPF tho.

2nd hand throttle body - 40

Propshaft Support bearing - 80

Flex disk - 60

Gearbox mounts - 30

Scanner says I have issue with back pressure sensor.... It's neverending.

benny79 · 06-09-2021 12:24pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117852950#Comment_117852950

Seriously why keep it?

galwaytt · 06-09-2021 12:34pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117827160#Comment_117827160

My sis-in-law has just had the same on her 3-series, including chains etc. Still, once done, it's cured for another while.

As for wheels, I hate the trend for 18/19 and now 20's. Completely out of kilter with what our roads are like to drive on.

I have an Porsche and I've just put 17's on it. Hallelujah. Transformed the car; now quiet, comfortable, and far nicer to drive/steer. Oh, and, tyres cheaper too.

dinneenp · 06-09-2021 4:36pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117842918#Comment_117842918

Cheers for the input. I think for the moment I'm going to go for a Mazda 6 petrol or Skoda Octavia and maybe revisit BMWs down the line. Call me stupid but why is this priced 'so well'? And is there any site that you cam compare specs between model versions easily?

https://www.usedcarsni.com/2015-BMW-3-Series-320d-xDrive-SE-4dr-Step-Auto-Business-Media-274966189?search_type=2&car_class%5B%5D=26&fuel_type=0&age_from=2015&price_from=7000&user_type=0&trans_type=2&age_to=2017&price_to=11000&mileage_to=90000&keywords=&location%5B%5D=0&body_style=0

selectamatic · 06-09-2021 5:06pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117822113#Comment_117822113

Oil leaks wouldn't be too common on the diesel powered ones.

I've an e46 320d with over 200k hard miles on it and it's never leaked a drop.

Original turbo and clutch in it too.

Msport suspension, big wheels and Irish roads are a bad combination though.

Andrewf20 · 06-09-2021 9:42pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117825962#Comment_117825962

From what I remember it was a rattle noticed at tickover but would remain with low revs. Not too noticeable from the driver seat but quite noticeable standing outside. Think it cost 1200eu to fix but I cant remember what was done exactly.

Sexual Chocolate · 06-09-2021 11:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117852950#Comment_117852950

What is it a 320d ? What are you using to read codes and what code specifically are you getting for DPF ?

Sebastian Dangerfield · 07-09-2021 12:04am

I had a similar experience unfortunately. Bought cheap and old, it got to a point where I was putting money aside monthly for the inevitable quarterly trip to the garage. I had a similar experience on an A4, which I later found out had been a cat A, B, C and D write off in the UK, and put back on the road here.

Im in the market for a second car soon, budget 3-5k. Id love an older Audi or a C Class, but my fear or a similar experience is putting me off.

Magown3 · 07-09-2021 6:10am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117856391#Comment_117856391

It's a 330d. I bought a Foxwell scanner 530 to read the codes and it's pretty good.

It's giving a back pressure sensor code. I've had it off the car last night for a look and it wasn't clogged or anything. I blew compressed air down its connecting hose to DPF.

Will check if it's OK tomorrow but may need a new sensor at about 40 quid!

After that it'll be 100%.......

And repeat 😐

07-09-2021 6:27am

If you’re changing that many shocks and constantly cracking alloys, are you slowing down for things like speed bumps? The wheels would suggest that the shocks aren’t the fault of the car.

AndyBoBandy · 07-09-2021 11:33am

I have a 2006 e90 320d M-Sport Auto, bought in 2012 for €12,000. Had 150,000km on the clock. (M47 engine so no timing chain issues or swirl flaps).

It was the first car I bought for myself. I wanted a BMW, went to see it, test drove it about 200 meters! and decided, yeah, I'll have it. Didn't even lift the bonnet!!!

In the time I've had it, I've had a fair bit of work done to it, mostly standard wear and tear stuff (fuel filter, rear control arms, ABS rings, water pump etc..) . Turbo was the biggest job (2013), and unfortunately I got rinsed by Joe Duffy for about €5k for a new turbo!! Was driving into Dublin from Navan one morning, and it went while still in Navan, so panicked and drove it straight to Joe Duffy Finglas (lesson learned)!! Since then I had Valdas do all the work on it (excellent service, reasonable prices), with the exception of oil changes which I do myself.

The car now has 307,000km on the clock, but still drives like a dream (ABS sensor(s) need replacing which I'm getting done next week).

18 months ago we bought a new Tesla so the 3 Series has been relegated to 2nd car, and its only done about 800km since then.... but every time I do get back into it, it's still a brilliant car to drive, and once I get over how slow it is compared to the Tesla, I still love driving it. Breaks my heart to tax (€710) & insure it every year when it's doing such little mileage!! Our work situation has also changed whereby we don't really need 2 cars in the house anymore, but I still want to try and hold onto it for at least another year before committing to getting rid of it (which will break my heart).

How old do BMW's need to be to get them on a classic policy? And are there any ways of getting a better tax rate on them if they are classed as a classic? with reduced mileage?

Padre_Pio · 07-09-2021 11:50am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117857587#Comment_117857587

30 years to classic tax, so 2036 for your BMW. 25 years (usually) for classic insurance.

The pre-08 tax bands and government scrappage scheme have caused so many lovely cars to get scrapped, it's criminal. I saw so many lovely cars in a scrapyard a few years back. Nothing wrong with them, just traded in against new cars.

Leonard Hofstadter · 07-09-2021 1:26pm

20 years for classic insurance with BMWs. An E90 with a decent engine and spec is a fantastic car when it's running right, rather better than the E46 that came before it (and I say that as someone who's got an E46).

The F30 is very meh by comparison, but I've never driven a petrol one so I reserve the right to change my mind on that and say they're lovely too when I've driven one with an engine I like!

Buddy Bubs · 07-09-2021 2:14pm

I don't think you can just put any car on a classic policy...has to be something a bit unusual or rare doesn't it? A 320d was a top selling family car / company car so not sure if it will qualify. Could be wrong though, I've never had a car on classic policy before.

BronsonTB · 07-09-2021 2:56pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117858451#Comment_117858451

Normally the Insurance company's underwritter would dictate what they cover under 'Classic' policies & correct, not everything is automatically covered. And each Insurance company can have different criteria on what they call 'classic'.

Multiple factors can be used to decide if it's covered but no generally it doesn't have to be rare or unusual to be covered. I've had quite a few classic policies over the years. Most classic car owners clubs negotiate to have their cars covered on classic policies.

Sexual Chocolate · 07-09-2021 10:47pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117856596#Comment_117856596

4D03 ? That's the one I was getting on my 320d before I removed the dpf, was still appearing after I replaced the sensor after every other regen.

LillySV · 07-09-2021 11:17pm

By the sounds of things you were just unlucky buying a ball of shite that most likely didn’t get any love or attention during the years… run to the ground and sold/fixed up for u! I’ve an 09 520d m sport and I’ve been relatively lucky … touch wood! Haha …mine only got around 135k miles at this stage though …

Magown3 · 08-09-2021 5:35pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117861168#Comment_117861168

Yes I'm getting both 41BB and 4D03.

Planning to get a back pressure sensor over the weekend. Fingers crossed

CalamariFritti · 08-09-2021 5:42pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117813233#Comment_117813233

Lol 'Bring mich Werkstatt'.

Having said that I got a 3 series myself and I like it very much and it didnt break on me at all (yet).

Sexual Chocolate · 09-09-2021 12:38am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117864548#Comment_117864548

I never replaced it the second time but was told by the garage that the cheap ones can fail quite easily. Dunno if mine was a cheap one or not, it was done by a garage that I stopped using over a year ago. My dpf also used to regen very frequently as well.

Magown3 · 09-09-2021 6:36am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117866151#Comment_117866151

I left the car in with dpf issues also and they replaced the sensor with what looks like (I opened it up) the cheapest sensor they could find. And then charged thru the nose for installation. It's literally a 90 second job.

Bought a Foxwell scanner, car won't be back to a garage.

kdevitt · 09-09-2021 9:02am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117858451#Comment_117858451

You can. Once its 20 years of age its eligible - that's the current situation anyway, who knows what criteria will apply in 5 years time.

Currently have two 3ers on a classic policy and one is the daily, no significant issues with any of them - and I've owned the E36 for 22 years.

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000 · 09-09-2021 10:30am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117858170#Comment_117858170

Oh I don't know, there's very very little between the E46 and the E90 imo. It's an almost identical driving experience anyway. Personally I prefer the E46 styling...I think it's the last of the proper BMWs...and I've an e92. I came from an e36 which was like driving a horsebox in comparison the the E46/E90. There's just something about them with 6 cylinders. Unfortunately I've the diesel with 6 cylinders.

Once the preventative maintenance is done they're bombproof but the msport suspension isn't made for Irish roads. Im constantly replacing bushings.

Leonard Hofstadter · 09-09-2021 1:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117866879#Comment_117866879

I've had my e46 325Ci for nearly five years, but I've done a fair few miles in an e90 330i, and I know I much prefer it to my own car. To be honest it's gotten to the stage it annoys me how much better the e90 is over it, and I never thought I'd say that before.

What it loses in steering feel (which isn't much) and ride comfort (which is the one big drawback over the e46) it makes up for with sharper handling, slicker gearshift and best of all, the throttle response from the N52 is what one might expect from a NA petrol rather than the diesel like throttle response from the M54 in the e46. The N52 lacks the low down torque of the M54 and isn't as nice (or loud) sounding at low revs but it has a higher rev limit, performance higher up the rev range is obviously a lot stronger, it still sounds great when you give it some beans, all of which means both the e46 and e90 are proper BMWs in that they are both highly engaging and rewarding cars to drive, I enjoy both of them equally for different reasons.

What's different is the extra gear in the e90 means better fuel economy and better cruising manners on the motorway. There's noticeably less wind and tyre noise and the seats are far more comfortable makes for a much better long distance cruiser. There's more tech in the e90 which makes it easier to live with, the iDrive is brilliant and it's not even the good version of the system! The e90 doesn't rattle like an e46 does either over bumps.

The e46 is definitely a better looking car, especially inside, it is definitely more comfortable on bad roads and speed ramps and there's just something about the noise of the M54 engine. Any BMW I've driven with hydraulic steering just has beautiful steering but there's something extra special about the e46's steering for the amount of feedback it provides.

I wouldn't trade an e46 in for a low spec e90 or one with the Efficient Dynamics nonsense but the big engined cars with decent spec, hydraulic steering and before Efficient Dynamics took over are a significant step forward over the equivalent e46 IMO.

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000 · 09-09-2021 2:45pm

I suppose it's a while since I had an E46... In my head they're very similar to the E90. I must go back and take one for a spin.

wandererz · 09-09-2021 8:55pm

2006 e90 320d Manual, bought in 2014 for €10,000. Had 25,000km on the clock. I'm 2nd owner.

(M47 engine so no timing chain issues).

Some minor maintenance done, such as swirl flap removal, vortex filter installed,just for peace of mind.

Two major things done since:

- ABS control unit replaced - second hand unit. Cost €140. Fitted myself.

- Turbo replaced - refurbished. Cost €450 including fitting at BMW specialist.

Had one cracked wheel, so was lucky enough to find a replacement in that style ~€80.

Got a new set of Pirelli's last year.

Battery replaced last year ~€150.

Other than that, egr valve cleaned every so often by me.

EGR pipe replaced - expensive, but was my fault, I cracked it when removing - €400 from BMW.

Regular brakes,filters & oil services done by me with LiquiMoly German oil.

Remapped to ~200bhp. ~€500

Installed an Android head unit with GPS, Bluetooth, touchscreen etc ~€300.

Invested in a code reader so that I know if there are problems.

Mainly motorway driving.

Gets valeted by the guys at Platinum Valeting.

Sitting at 65K miles / 105,000km at the moment and drives like a dream. No problems at all except during lockdown & winter last year when it was sitting for a bit and had to replace the battery.

Honestly no need to sell it or upgrade at the moment.

And other than the cosmetic extras above, and regular maintenance, it's only cost me about €1000 in 7 years.

wandererz · 09-09-2021 9:07pm

Also have a 2007 Saab 93.

Bought about 5 years ago with 8,000mls / 12,000km and one owner for €6000.

Now at 70,000km. Probably the lowest milage of its age in the country.

Have had to do absolutely nothing on it except tires and regular maintenance.

Just as with the BMW, buy low mileage, low number of owners, take care of it and it will serve you well.

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000 · 09-09-2021 9:50pm

I think the mistake a lot of people make with these cars is to think if they pay 5 or 6k for it that they're done. I'd always budget in another 1000 for swirl flap removal, remap and a service before I'd even get into it and that's with the old m47... The newer n series needs a little bit more budget if the chains haven't been done. At the end of the day you'll be left with a smile on your face if you mind them.

Leonard Hofstadter · 09-09-2021 10:41pm

I wouldn't bother with a diesel unless you absolutely have to. Well not the four cylinder ones at any rate. Never mind the well known issues with the timing chain, the N47 is an absolute tractor of an engine, I can't believe they got away with selling such an unrefined and noisy engine for so long, even by the standards of four cylinder diesels it's not a pleasant engine to drive. About the only saving grace is that the Mercedes OM651 diesel is even louder and rougher.

I haven't tried a six cylinder diesel e90 but in the f30 it makes an absolutely massive difference, people go on about getting six cylinders in the petrols but if anything getting the six cylinders matters far more in the diesels.

MEGA BRO WOLF 5000 · 10-09-2021 11:05am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117870291#Comment_117870291

I think for me the diesel made more sense at the time, I was doing high mileage and got the e92 330d with some very nice mods. Completely standard on the outside, on the inside it's got 360bhp, remapped auto box with paddle shift and pretty much m3 suspension. Most of the time it doesn't even feel like a diesel.

Its getting an nct in a few weeks and I'll go for a 6cyl petrol one because my commute is about 5k a day now.

Sexual Chocolate · 11-09-2021 9:49am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117871549#Comment_117871549

Xhp flash ? Is it worth doing the it ? I hate that mine is so eager to get to 5th/6th as quick as possible and sit at 1200rpm, especially with the swirl flaps gone.