E90 318i ES

[BMracing]

My brother's looking at one of these, I think he just wants to pretend he's far wealthier than he actually is.

The car in question is apparently an '07 with 95k miles. I've warned him about it being gutless and not particularly amazing on fuel, just wondered if there were any particular problem areas to look for? And although they're pretty reasonable to service, are they potentially expensive to repair?

If he must have a 'modern' BMW, would he not be better off with an E46? They're soooo much cheaper.

Opinions please!

Cheers

[Sjoerd320i]

Check if it has the coils and injectors replaced, seems to be a common failure.
My parent have a 2008 e91 318i and they have had some isseus with that and there are some series that have problems with the electronic streering lock, also quite expensive to fix.

They are reasonable on fuel imho and they have not fixed maintenance schedule, the car lets you know when it needs service. they don't even have a dipstick...

[kitch]

My parents have a 60 plate with 17k on it. As has been mention above, the coils. Theirs went a couple of months ago. Luckily it's still under warranty from BMW. Apart from that it seems a very good car, easily get 40mpg and seems quick enough to me. I do find it a bit odd that it hasn't got a dipstick though lol.

[Ajsingh]

Seen quite a few of these at work now (dealer) and the engines have jumped timing & injectors and coils failing. I work on them all day and would never own a 318i/316i or 320i e90. They are gutless on power, yes good fuel can be achieved but they just dont have that bmwness in the engine. Id go for an e46 325i or 320i 2.2.

[bss325i]

And dont go for the Povo spec ES model, SE or M sport.

[Morat]

I hope the oil sensor is more reliable than the E46 one if it doesn't have a dipstick :/

[Sanchez]

not sure ide buy a car without a dipstick.

Saying that most car owners probably dont know what one is.

[320Touring]

not sure ide buy a car without a dipstick.

Saying that most car owners probably dont know what one is.

Every car you drive has one

to the OP- I'd probably put similar money into an E91 with lower miles thats already had the niggles ironed out.

mind you, I'd faint at spending more than a weeks wages on a car..

[Barx325i]

Every car you drive has one

not for long.... they'll contain thousands of 18650 lithium ion cells!

[Andyboy]

The 07 onwards 318i/320i with the stronger tensioner set up are less prone, but I still wouldn't really want one. The 320Si is worth looking out for but I'd still be going for a 325i. The N52 is a cracking engine. They're reliable, go well and are pretty good on fuel if you're careful. They're just a proper BMW. Just be careful with the early ones to avoid getting bummed on car tax.

[Jhonno]

not sure ide buy a car without a dipstick.

Saying that most car owners probably dont know what one is.

Every car you drive has one

[BMracing]

Thanks for all the views and info.

Yeah the ES is a very stingy spec., with particularly nasty wheels!

And yes Neil, my thinking is usually similar to yours, for a daily anyway!

My brother's rolling around in a Ford Fusion 1.4 atm ( ), so he reckons a 318i will blow his mind. I think he's coming round to the wonders of 6 cylinder BMW's though.

I think a 6 pot E90 outside the super tax bracket and its insurance would be out of reach for him with insurance as well, it'd have to be an e46/m54 I reckon.

[Barx325i]

an es, but this bling was 5k

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190678603953

[Andyboy]

it'd have to be an e46/m54 I reckon.

They're cheap now. Something like a late model 320i SE would do the job but itb would have to be a nice one with decent miles.