I had a 12 plate 320d ED model and it was a cracking car. Regularly got 80mpg on long motorway runs for work and once hit 91.4 on a trip from Coventry to York whilst driving like my toes wee broken! Proper workhorse of a car, never let me down, comfortable and quick if needed.
@@byMRTNjournals Had the Gran Coupe M-Sport. Possibly the best car I ever had, and I'm on my 30th consecutive now. This one has to be a keeper, as I'm retired!
Thanks for the video. Because of our crazy annual road tax around here, the 320D was the dream car for the rep. The 330D was way out of reach! Someone is getting great value, especially with a recent full service and 4 new tyres.
I've had a few cars that covered high miles in the first 3 years - they were brilliant! best way to run-in an engine, 60k of motorway cruising is about the same as 15k around town but so much better.
My daughter has just bought a white BMW 320d M Sport (2013). Hers is a beautiful car... Low mileage, full history, refurbished wheels, new tyres , heated black leather seats... Looks absolutely amazing 😍
The car has the N47 engine which had chain issues but BMW claimed they were fixed by 2009 and only risk was of a noisy chain. Some people did have problems with later cars though. The B47 series new design came in about May-ish 2014 depending on model. I have had several N47 with no chain problems - the main issue is public perception of risk.
sadly the chain on my 2010 320D touring let go, was very tempted to have it fixed but the car was just a bit too small anyway. That said with 12000 mile oil changes it made it to 187000 miles despite a BMW remap. It was a cracking all rounder though. Had a new 330e touring as a hire car recently. Very nice, very competent, much bigger but has lost something.
I have an e90 with the N47 engine and I’m currently at 305,000km which I think is around 185-190k miles. I’ve owned it for a couple of years now and have put a huge amount of mileage on it, oil is changed every 8000km/ 5k miles and my car couldn’t be healthier. They’re great cars if you mind them. A lot of people neglect their cars and then whinge when they break down which just creates bad perceptions.
I had one of these a couple of years ago and it's hard to describe just how good they are if you haven't driven one. Diesel aside, they are incredible. And even so, still pretty pokey.
I used car vertical two weeks ago for the 330d I just bought. The result told me it was a 335i and had less information than all of the free car checks. Waste of time and money.
Ive been waiting for this video Matt 👍 Have a 12 plate top spec 320d myself and it works like an absolute trojan, cannot fault it. It can also shift when you need to put your foot down. Its been well looked after all its life and still feels as smooth as ever. If you look after something, it will look after you. Great cars 👍
4 different tyres spray can repairs low mileage for a 12 year old BMW,steering off from hitting a kurb,definitely a Bradford car.also they never fixed the timing chain issue to this day.
This BMW looked very tidy at the end of the video, I’m sure it will be popular with customers. It’s a lot of car for the money, good luck with the prospective sale Matt❤.
14:40 I was thinking the same thing lol. That has got to be one of the BMW 3 series of all times. Like it's not entirely stock, but it's as if the person who ordered it intentionally made it as boring as they could lol. I do like the look of that generation of BMW though, might even be peak BMW design. After that they started increasingly losing the plot...
Such a nice comfortable car, I had a 12 plate one but the timing chain guides failed, chain at the back of the engine, engine out to repair, hence I didn't massively overspend but sold for parts - still gutted as it was such a comfortable car.
I'm not a BMW fan boy but quite liked the look of that purchase. A lot of car for the money, although I've never sat in any BMW that didn't feel like you were on a sheet of MDF, maybe you need a have Teutonic backside! It might have been worth trying that solution in the water bottle on the headlight over-spray, obviously with gloves. Another professional production as usual.
Matt, Recently one of our loved ones was on their deathbed and their last words were the Car Vertical segment of your videos. If you only you were there 🚗↕️
I knew you’d sort those tyres out that’s the right thing to do. I love that boring car as I detest all extras on modern models it’s basically a sound workhorse I’d drive that any day plus it’s a lovely shape BMW unlike the oversized flash modern ones that’s just my opinion .Great video
I do love a 3-series. Had an 55 plate E90 which I bought with 150k-ish miles on it, and I took it to 174k miles before I sold it and it gave me absolutely no grief… on top of that, maintenance and upkeep was cheap/reasonable. Granted, secondhand they aren’t the highest spec cars, unless someone has previously paid for loads of optional extras, but they still drive nicely and do have an extra feel of luxury over counterparts. I also think they externally and internally age better that their German counterparts from the same era.
I'm going to good old Manchester Tommrow to potentially pick up my first car which is a 2003 Toyota Yaris 😅. It's a 1.3 over the 1litre so not completely terrible 😂
If it makes you feel any better I had two company, F30s 320ds back to back did 120k plus in each over three years. Never missed a beat. Pleased as punch to of got one. Now on company 530e and can't really fault that either. They have just worked for me. Only cost being consumables. Looking at opting out company car scheme and I am still tempted by the f30
Had a few 2.0d 3 series in my time Matt, mostly as company steeds. Generally put 20-30k pa annum on them over 3 years and got 50-60 mpg. I looked up one of my old cars on the MOT checker. It was a 2006 2.0d manual SE Touring. It had 56k on the clock when it left me, it has now done 229k and is still on the road ! Good cars as long as you don’t get caught with a timing chain issue 😡
Just bought one and honestly, the lack of specification is dismal. It’s equipped like a Moroccan prison. I only bought one because my 13’ vRS was written off and I would have the Skoda back any day of the week.
...Susan....I was a bit bored and I've dismantled my corby trousers press and I cant put it back together again..will that show up on my bill?...what time do you knock off....fancy a drink? This review had the exact feeling of this episode of I'm Alan Partridge!!!
@dedede9664 the newer bmws are just getting uglier and uglier. My last favourite designs were the E38 and E39 but that was so long ago they genuinely don't know how to make a good looking car anymore.
My personal favourite is the 335d/435d/640d etc, they suffer none of the timing chain issues that were a problem with 2.0L N47 diesel engines. Purely a personal opinion but I think the N57 diesels are the best ever made, especially when mated to the ZF 8HP gearbox
I had a 2017 320d Touring -- brilliant cars, quick super-economical trouble free and great handling. Will do 80+ all day long and as Chris Harris from Top Gear said possibly the only car you'd ever need. As I always said, buying an Audi is like buying clothes, buying a 3 series is like buying a set of Snap On tools for the toolbox...Those diamond cut wheels are expensive to refurb - dont like them really...
So expensive to maintain even an "economy" car these days. I understand why maintenance seems to be passed on. Its far too expensive. The older I get the more unimpressed I am with cars from the ownership perspective. They are all basically luxury car items with how expensive they are vs the real wages we make. I understand why so many people are going anti car as the days pass. They have lost touch. But then again people keep buying them and struggle to maintain and keep payments.
I sold a manual one of these last July, it was a 2013 and only had 49,000 miles and I'd had it 8 years. It had a better spec though with front and rear sensors, satnav and full leather heated seats. I weighed it in for a G20 but only got £6500 part ex so I reckon yours at £4995 retail is a decent buy for someone who wants a quiet, reliable family motor that returns good mpg. The service history is in the dashboard on the F30 by the way.
@@F80.M3 Sadly the dealerships are pricing the cars like that. In Germany where I live if I would trade a car that's 5 or 10 years old, they may not even take it, because it's that old doesn't matter what the mileage is.
Bloody hell , this makes me feel better about my 127,000 318i its in WAY better condition, it need a little bump pulling out and spraying but everything else is SOOO much nicer , thanks Matt
17:08 As a BMW owner, I did have a momentary twitch at the Bong of Death... It looks exactly what Matt suggested it was; a fairly basic, non-descript but smart rep-mobile. The sort of thing that looks professional and presentable but anonymous in the average company car park. Which in my head is useful stock to have. I KNEW Matt wouldn't be able to stop himself getting a set of tyres. And the bodywork is not perfect, but looks ok; the overspray is small and the flat boot could easily be age so not doing that makes sense.
Yup, got 2x on the wife’s Mini, they’ve done 20k and have been excellent albeit they’re ready for changing - ironically I’ve just put 2x Mazzini runflats on the back …
@mohitl1697 service might prolong it sure trouble is at that age nobody truly knows. I stay away from 2.0d when it's getting close to 140k. I see them daily through auction with engine failure. The issue is the guides fail and ruin the chain .
Mine is on 201k, original chain and tensioners. No noise, and still runs smooth, for a diesel anyway. Oil changed every 6-7000 miles. Owned from 29k. Most go kaput because they aren’t properly cared for.
@Mark-uw9kz don't get me wrong I've seem plenty on high miles. They are not the sort of car a dealer wants to get involved with at 130k miles just too much risk.
@@DaleSteel i agree, my thoughts are £1200 for the timing chain replacement vs the value of the vehicle vs the likelihood of other failures at this age/mileage. My intention is to keep it until it fails or becomes uneconomical to repair with a reserve in place already to replace when it happens not if it happens. 👍
Who ever buys that will be well P'd off if they think they're buying a full fat 320d and don't do their home work. The EfficientDynamics is a propper poverty spec aimed at fleet buyers with a detuned engine that makes only 160bhp to keep fuel consumption and CO2 emissions as low as possible so you don't get your pants pulled down on company car tax.
You're right about the timing chain issues, that was the version before this. If you see the screen in either a 1 or 3 series you can breath a sigh of relief when it comes to timing chain issues
Nexen and sumitomu are far from ditchfinders and they are decent. But having so many different brands is terrible as are the weird Chinese ditchfinders it had (sunfall or whatever)
3mm on the tyres is plenty. More than the robbing Dick Turpin's at Lexus Stoke who wouldn't change the rear tyres on a £19k Mercedes that were totally bald. I withdrew from buying it and they kept my £1,000 deposit. I hope they choked on it.
You’re right about the timing chain issue with these cars Matt, although I think it mainly affected the petrol engine versions. My uncle bought a 320i petrol new then a few months later at low mileage it snapped its timing chain which wrote the engine off. The engine was replaced under warranty by BMW and then proceeded to snapped its chain at low mileage writing the engine off. My uncle asked and got his money back from BMW and went out and bought a Honda and had no issues at all with it.
Hi Matt .it just shows when most of the general public would think that because of the mileage the car would only fit for the scrap yard you pulled it out of the fire, nice one...cheers Phil from Newark
Just on tyres, if I had a car with a mix of odd bits and bobs like that I would lose sleep. I would wake up sweating - I sense you are a man after my own heart. I do like a matching set of tyres.
I do like the ZF-8 gearbox on this. Long enough to do motorways at 1600 rpm, yielding some 64 mpg average economy. I am trying to see what is the difference between Sport on the button (Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+) and Sport via the gearstick. ( Save for sticking in manual if one then plays with the paddles. ) It is taking much experimentation.
I owned one of these 320D efficient dynamics since 2013, it's very reliable car, never given me any issue, it was my Company car delivered 0 miles then I bought it after 4 years, still drives exactly like new, driven 160,000 miles, however fully serviced at bmw! Great car!
E91 was much better put together sadly, drove them back to back - F31 and E91 and got a late 2012 318d E91 used. 160,000+ miles later its been an absolute gem of a car, countless trips to Europe, and all over the place - keep the oil services strict (every 8-10k) and it will be a happy car!
I had a e90 320d with the m47 engine. I loved it. 238000 miles when I got rid of it. Last year my budget wouldn’t run to an f30 and I didn’t fancy the timing chain issue on an e90 with the n47 engine so I bought a w204 Merc but it turns out the rear sub frame rots in them 😁 Merc swapped it FOC when they did a passenger air bag recall. I’ll be looking at the f30 next though
Matt I am on my 2nd version of this engine. That car is fitted with the N47 diesel engine which is notorious for dropping its timing chain . It was replaced in 2015 with a modified B47 engine. At 127000 it should have been done.The wheels on this car are Not SE spec alloys. It''s a base spec model with cloth seats and thankfully has the optional auto box . On the plus side they can rack up the miles . I have one opposite me same year , colour and its clocked up 187000 miles.
they cost no more to maintain than a toyota. in my experience the overall running cost are lower than other manufacturers, excluding say tesla. The problem is fleet/ business users run them to 15-18k service intervals which is never good further down the line.
I had a 64 plate 730d and had it for 3 years and spent around £7k in maintenance including nearly £3.5k for the rear suspension compressor and airbags…..and I only paid £12k for the car 😂
@@markmoran916 a 7 series is a Rolls Royce by comparison to a 3. I would expect to pay what you have. As Matt always says, leave plenty in reserve for such motors.
Absolute shite, they're great cars and fixing them is quite cheap if you use an indy and buy your own parts In 1.5 years my F20 has cost me 2 rear shock absorbers, been an absolutely amazing car.
A work colleague got one of these, 320d. Just passed half a million. Nothing really been done to it at al, it had it first brake service last year, yes that part of the world where you can drive over an hour without touching the brakes at high speeds. Anyway, seam to be happy to do another half a million
Hi On a F30 BMW with a 2.0 D engine will have a N47 engine which are prone to timing chain issues when serviced in accordance with BMW service suggestions ie up to 19,000 mile intervals not a good idea !
Not trying to start a flame war or anything but just interested because i am also 58. I tend to agree that it would lift the dull interior of this car but whats your age got to do with it?
Decent cheapish car if you live outside of the greater London area ULEZ zone, which is massive and stretches out to the M25 in some places. It will cost you over £87 in ULEZ charges every week you drive it if it's used daily. Ok for up north though.
@@williamegler8771 It's a country with a population of over 60 million people. Surely that doesn't make the cars be regularly less than a quarter of the price of the left hand drive equivalent? Take Germany for example, the same car will be sold within the country will never depreciate nearly as much. Same goes for any other European country. Still makes no sense to me.
@MyRealName How many of those 60 million people purchase a new or used vehicle annually? A car sold in Germany could be driven throughout mainland Europe or exported to left-hand drive countries
I'm pretty sure that most of us could recite the carverticle part from memory.
I just skip the first 4 minutes every time now 😂
I recite it at night to help me sleep 😂
Apart from the spelling!!!😢
Its a useless app
Not me, I don’t listen, skipping adverts, sponsored ads as and when I can.
Its scary that this is a 2012 model. Only looks a few years old to me. Its no fun getting old 😂
HAHA my sentiment exactly...looks like a 2 year old motor to me too👍
They made it till 18 I think hence why still looks newish. Actually 18 is still 6 yrs ago 😢
@@spingybingy5610damnnn
I agree it still looks up to date
F30's in my country are 13k or more for younger models... How the fuck did he get one for 3k?!? 3k in my country gets you a 1999 Toyota Yaris...
Love your sense of humour and humility....don't ever lose those traits!! Makes you a head above everyone else!
I can't be the Only One who ALWAYS Fast Forward the "carvertical" Advert?!🤣
You are not..
u definately arent
As soon as I see any ad I always skip ahead even if it means missing part of content. Just no patience
Your not
Fact is, he's gotta do what he's gotta do for the sponsorship.
One of the last business-like smart looking BMW’s, before the brand completely lost their way!
In reliability or design? Both, probably
@@sumisusan1517Design, reliability by this point was piss poor
G20 looks and feels much more expensive and classy, or business like if you wish.
Not lost their way. China now makes up 30% of BMWs sales, they love big grills and brash in your face branding on their cars.
For me the last gen 5 series was peak BMW
I had a 12 plate 320d ED model and it was a cracking car. Regularly got 80mpg on long motorway runs for work and once hit 91.4 on a trip from Coventry to York whilst driving like my toes wee broken! Proper workhorse of a car, never let me down, comfortable and quick if needed.
Yes the nicest diesel cars to drive ever
@@pauldavies6037 640d is the best diesel ever
I have one of these as a commuter too. Great car. Not exciting but still handles nicely and eats miles without drinking fuel.
@@byMRTNjournals Had the Gran Coupe M-Sport. Possibly the best car I ever had, and I'm on my 30th consecutive now. This one has to be a keeper, as I'm retired!
@@FTFLCY I have the 320d ED but as soon as I have the money, I'm getting the gran coupe
7:50 That's genuine BMW indicator fluid, it has a mystical glow and shimmer to it 😂
another scared micra driver !
All of those oily patches on the ground in parking space 14 say a lot for the cars you get in part exchange 😂😂
We need some ‘An awful lot of tea for the money’ High Peak Autos branded mugs!
An awful lot of Coffee your money?
I’d buy one
It's a good brew this 😅
I'll take this mug to the kitchen, give me... say... 2 weeks!
and a mug that says “ it’s alright, this “ 😊
Rims are aftermarket M style from later G20 series
They’ll be reps as I’m sure the stud pattern changed on the G chassis.
@@MrJordanwainthat’s what I assumed it’s deffo a replica as g series has different studs
looks good on an M5
Only ever seen it on the M6.
Could have used adaptors or wheel spacers
Overspray and four mismatched tires tells me everything I need to know.
I'll pass?
and what looks like pee in the high spring bottle just the cherry on top
Avoid unloved cars.
Yeah, I agree, pass.
Insane to me that it's legal to mismatch tires like that, the UK really isn't a civilized country
Thanks for the video. Because of our crazy annual road tax around here, the 320D was the dream car for the rep. The 330D was way out of reach! Someone is getting great value, especially with a recent full service and 4 new tyres.
Ahhh the BMW bong, used to hate that sound😂
AKA The bong of doom 🤣🤣
It was the sound of the BMW Service Department cash register 😢
Ah…I thought it was the Rolls bong 😂
Someone at BMW obviously had a sick sense of humour, the same bong for low fuel as well as some sort of catastrophic engine failure. 😕
I've had a few cars that covered high miles in the first 3 years - they were brilliant! best way to run-in an engine, 60k of motorway cruising is about the same as 15k around town but so much better.
Fair play Matt the way you prepare your cars is first class great content.
My daughter has just bought a white BMW 320d M Sport (2013).
Hers is a beautiful car... Low mileage, full history, refurbished wheels, new tyres , heated black leather seats...
Looks absolutely amazing 😍
Good car that. Especially the m sport body kit
Junior Management spec!
lollll
@@InvisibleJiuJitsu hehehe
The car has the N47 engine which had chain issues but BMW claimed they were fixed by 2009 and only risk was of a noisy chain. Some people did have problems with later cars though. The B47 series new design came in about May-ish 2014 depending on model. I have had several N47 with no chain problems - the main issue is public perception of risk.
Your lucky to be fair the chain issues are real on these
sadly the chain on my 2010 320D touring let go, was very tempted to have it fixed but the car was just a bit too small anyway. That said with 12000 mile oil changes it made it to 187000 miles despite a BMW remap. It was a cracking all rounder though. Had a new 330e touring as a hire car recently. Very nice, very competent, much bigger but has lost something.
N57s are even worse... rod bearings, oil pump, timing chain...
Hello Matt, thank you for taking the time to upload another video. The BMW looked nice in the end. Ged.
I have an e90 with the N47 engine and I’m currently at 305,000km which I think is around 185-190k miles. I’ve owned it for a couple of years now and have put a huge amount of mileage on it, oil is changed every 8000km/ 5k miles and my car couldn’t be healthier. They’re great cars if you mind them. A lot of people neglect their cars and then whinge when they break down which just creates bad perceptions.
I had one of these a couple of years ago and it's hard to describe just how good they are if you haven't driven one. Diesel aside, they are incredible. And even so, still pretty pokey.
Which one did you had 320d or 330d?
I used car vertical two weeks ago for the 330d I just bought. The result told me it was a 335i and had less information than all of the free car checks. Waste of time and money.
I had a 320d and it was so economical in town and motorway, superb car.
Thanks for brightening my day - laughing out loud at the bottle of ‘highland spring’!
Those wheels absolutely make an otherwise bog standard bimmer look fantastic.
They do look good. I don't understand the present fascination for black wheels. Ugh!
@@saddoncarrs6963 I'm with you on that, black wheels with dried out rubber tyres look awful.
Those aren't the standard alloys they're off an M340i.
Ive been waiting for this video Matt 👍 Have a 12 plate top spec 320d myself and it works like an absolute trojan, cannot fault it. It can also shift when you need to put your foot down. Its been well looked after all its life and still feels as smooth as ever. If you look after something, it will look after you. Great cars 👍
Matt + good value = overspend
4 different tyres spray can repairs low mileage for a 12 year old BMW,steering off from hitting a kurb,definitely a Bradford car.also they never fixed the timing chain issue to this day.
It would be good if you could do an update video on the cars you film with - did they sell, and what you got for them, that sort of thing.
This BMW looked very tidy at the end of the video, I’m sure it will be popular with customers.
It’s a lot of car for the money, good luck with the prospective sale Matt❤.
14:40 I was thinking the same thing lol. That has got to be one of the BMW 3 series of all times. Like it's not entirely stock, but it's as if the person who ordered it intentionally made it as boring as they could lol. I do like the look of that generation of BMW though, might even be peak BMW design. After that they started increasingly losing the plot...
Had a 12' 335i from this generation: great performance, especially after a mild tune, great handling but numb electric power steering!
Exactly what I have with a remap...nippy car
Such a nice comfortable car, I had a 12 plate one but the timing chain guides failed, chain at the back of the engine, engine out to repair, hence I didn't massively overspend but sold for parts - still gutted as it was such a comfortable car.
I'm not a BMW fan boy but quite liked the look of that purchase. A lot of car for the money, although I've never sat in any BMW that didn't feel like you were on a sheet of MDF, maybe you need a have Teutonic backside! It might have been worth trying that solution in the water bottle on the headlight over-spray, obviously with gloves. Another professional production as usual.
F30s 320d’s were still bad for timing chains
Much better from 2016 the lci when the changed the engine from n47 to b47
100% mine went the other month, had to buy a new engine, any n47 engine over 100000 miles, replace the timing chain!
Yeah absolutely, every single n47 was bad for them, mines a november 2013 and needed changing at 131k
Absolutely right
B series engines only appeared in G series cars
@@FinleyESB not true b47 appeared in F30 lci
Matt, Recently one of our loved ones was on their deathbed and their last words were the Car Vertical segment of your videos. If you only you were there 🚗↕️
if you'd fitted your loved one with new plates, it would instantly have lifted them...
@@jujuUK68 lol
fresh MOT, good to go for another 12 months
Couldn't you buff them back to life?
Should've called the guys at Tameside Valeting.....
Westlake! a step up from Happy Gallops but only a very small step Matt.
I love these proper whack tyres with random names 🤣 it’s my favourite part of your vids
Who knew so many tyres are produced in outer Mongolia 😂 and then the bottle of piss in a shitbox. 😆
I knew you’d sort those tyres out that’s the right thing to do. I love that boring car as I detest all extras on modern models it’s basically a sound workhorse I’d drive that any day plus it’s a lovely shape BMW unlike the oversized flash modern ones that’s just my opinion .Great video
Good luck with the sale!
I do love a 3-series. Had an 55 plate E90 which I bought with 150k-ish miles on it, and I took it to 174k miles before I sold it and it gave me absolutely no grief… on top of that, maintenance and upkeep was cheap/reasonable.
Granted, secondhand they aren’t the highest spec cars, unless someone has previously paid for loads of optional extras, but they still drive nicely and do have an extra feel of luxury over counterparts. I also think they externally and internally age better that their German counterparts from the same era.
I'm going to good old Manchester Tommrow to potentially pick up my first car which is a 2003 Toyota Yaris 😅. It's a 1.3 over the 1litre so not completely terrible 😂
Great news and great car.
I had a 2000 Yaris as my first car - enjoy it!
Check the insurance and tax etc before you buy it
Your first car ? I bet you’re well excited mate.
Will serve you just right, you'll have a special bond with your first car. Mine is a Volvo V70 of '99, still in love with it over 2 years later
Always a good day when Matt uploads 🤩
Those wheels absolutely gorgeous 😊🎉
Hi Matt liked the American joke 2 Yanks to open bonnet. True to your skills tracking out straight away.
Hi matt another great review on a everyday car which will be perfect for a small family hope you are well best wishes ian
If it makes you feel any better I had two company, F30s 320ds back to back did 120k plus in each over three years. Never missed a beat. Pleased as punch to of got one. Now on company 530e and can't really fault that either. They have just worked for me. Only cost being consumables. Looking at opting out company car scheme and I am still tempted by the f30
Thats what ive got. Totally reliable, quick and economical. Love it.
You think the car is boring? Thanks for your videos. They help whenever I have trouble sleeping.
That's not a bad looking BMW really Matt ,those alloys make a huge difference 😊
Had a few 2.0d 3 series in my time Matt, mostly as company steeds. Generally put 20-30k pa annum on them over 3 years and got 50-60 mpg. I looked up one of my old cars on the MOT checker. It was a 2006 2.0d manual SE Touring. It had 56k on the clock when it left me, it has now done 229k and is still on the road ! Good cars as long as you don’t get caught with a timing chain issue 😡
no chain issue , just dont leave oil changes at daft 20k intervals .
Nice turnaround no whistles or bells on this model but im sure someone will love it. And a penny in the boot possibly. For new owner
Just bought one and honestly, the lack of specification is dismal. It’s equipped like a Moroccan prison. I only bought one because my 13’ vRS was written off and I would have the Skoda back any day of the week.
...Susan....I was a bit bored and I've dismantled my corby trousers press and I cant put it back together again..will that show up on my bill?...what time do you knock off....fancy a drink? This review had the exact feeling of this episode of I'm Alan Partridge!!!
The E46 was a genuine sweet spot for BMW as the best and most complete 3 Series.
100%
The Mexican MR BOSS FTW
Shame they rotted remember booting my rear arches and they just turned to dust.
one of the most beautiful designs of a car. shocking that BMW have ditched these classic designs
@dedede9664 the newer bmws are just getting uglier and uglier. My last favourite designs were the E38 and E39 but that was so long ago they genuinely don't know how to make a good looking car anymore.
My personal favourite is the 335d/435d/640d etc, they suffer none of the timing chain issues that were a problem with 2.0L N47 diesel engines. Purely a personal opinion but I think the N57 diesels are the best ever made, especially when mated to the ZF 8HP gearbox
Oh yes timing chains dpf and egr its the n47c engine both n47a and n47c both suffer
I have rebuilt a few
only on poor maintained cars , top quality fuel , top quality oil changes couple times a year , and see 250,000 no probs .
I had a 2017 320d Touring -- brilliant cars, quick super-economical trouble free and great handling. Will do 80+ all day long and as Chris Harris from Top Gear said possibly the only car you'd ever need. As I always said, buying an Audi is like buying clothes, buying a 3 series is like buying a set of Snap On tools for the toolbox...Those diamond cut wheels are expensive to refurb - dont like them really...
So expensive to maintain even an "economy" car these days. I understand why maintenance seems to be passed on. Its far too expensive.
The older I get the more unimpressed I am with cars from the ownership perspective. They are all basically luxury car items with how expensive they are vs the real wages we make. I understand why so many people are going anti car as the days pass. They have lost touch. But then again people keep buying them and struggle to maintain and keep payments.
just take the bus for a few days , then all the expense of a car just melts away as you appreciate just how much you love / need a car .
I sold a manual one of these last July, it was a 2013 and only had 49,000 miles and I'd had it 8 years. It had a better spec though with front and rear sensors, satnav and full leather heated seats. I weighed it in for a G20 but only got £6500 part ex so I reckon yours at £4995 retail is a decent buy for someone who wants a quiet, reliable family motor that returns good mpg. The service history is in the dashboard on the F30 by the way.
Was it m sport? You’ve been ripped off
@@F80.M3 Sadly the dealerships are pricing the cars like that.
In Germany where I live if I would trade a car that's 5 or 10 years old, they may not even take it, because it's that old doesn't matter what the mileage is.
You can’t go wrong with a 320d for the right money .
Bloody hell , this makes me feel better about my 127,000 318i its in WAY better condition, it need a little bump pulling out and spraying but everything else is SOOO much nicer , thanks Matt
The replica wheels were a warning to the kind of person that owned it.
i reckon the tyres are too!
Manual seats ? On a car this age means there’s less to go wrong, that’s a plus in my book. KISS anyone? Enjoyed the video.
Does anyone else drive back and forth in their car looking at other cars in a car park?
17:08 As a BMW owner, I did have a momentary twitch at the Bong of Death...
It looks exactly what Matt suggested it was; a fairly basic, non-descript but smart rep-mobile. The sort of thing that looks professional and presentable but anonymous in the average company car park. Which in my head is useful stock to have.
I KNEW Matt wouldn't be able to stop himself getting a set of tyres. And the bodywork is not perfect, but looks ok; the overspray is small and the flat boot could easily be age so not doing that makes sense.
Never quite got over Matt slagging Sumitomo Tyres off when I'd just banged 4 on my Passat for 500 quid!
😂👍🏻
You shouldn't worry.
Sumitomo is a high-quality Japanese rubber company that manufactures Falken, Dunlop and Sumitomo tyres.
I enjoyed a set on my Passat for over 50k miles.
Yup, got 2x on the wife’s Mini, they’ve done 20k and have been excellent albeit they’re ready for changing - ironically I’ve just put 2x Mazzini runflats on the back …
2015 F30 facelift, with the B47 engines have the timing chain fixed
£28k in 2012 depreciation is real painful. €8k €10k in Europe 👍
Even more than that at this mileage and in this economy
I'm not an expert, but.....if you can get a car like this for 5K, why buy something new?
This car had a depreciation of 1£ every 5 miles. Ouch...
not as bad as an ev
That car would also be much more expensive in most European countries on the continent.
(The UK is still part of Europe)
Great seeing you at petrol hedonism yesterday Matt!
At 140k they need the timing chain and guides changing. That's why so many of the 2.0d kaput
Not if its been serviced on time ideally at less than 10k intervals. no chain sound either or cam crank correlation codes
@mohitl1697 service might prolong it sure trouble is at that age nobody truly knows. I stay away from 2.0d when it's getting close to 140k. I see them daily through auction with engine failure. The issue is the guides fail and ruin the chain .
Mine is on 201k, original chain and tensioners. No noise, and still runs smooth, for a diesel anyway. Oil changed every 6-7000 miles. Owned from 29k. Most go kaput because they aren’t properly cared for.
@Mark-uw9kz don't get me wrong I've seem plenty on high miles. They are not the sort of car a dealer wants to get involved with at 130k miles just too much risk.
@@DaleSteel i agree, my thoughts are £1200 for the timing chain replacement vs the value of the vehicle vs the likelihood of other failures at this age/mileage. My intention is to keep it until it fails or becomes uneconomical to repair with a reserve in place already to replace when it happens not if it happens. 👍
Who needs a friend like this in the motor trade, I'd bin them if I were you Matt as that car is rough on the paintwork.
Who ever buys that will be well P'd off if they think they're buying a full fat 320d and don't do their home work. The EfficientDynamics is a propper poverty spec aimed at fleet buyers with a detuned engine that makes only 160bhp to keep fuel consumption and CO2 emissions as low as possible so you don't get your pants pulled down on company car tax.
Still does 60 in 8s. No slouch by any means
Stick a ChipExpress chip on it and I reckon a 20% increase on power and torque.
You're right about the timing chain issues, that was the version before this. If you see the screen in either a 1 or 3 series you can breath a sigh of relief when it comes to timing chain issues
I believe the liquid in the door was indicator fluid. BWM drivers drink it before setting off then they don’t have to indicate it’s genius !!
Had a 2013 one, in grey, best car I ever drove, great fun!
4 ditch finders - deathwish in perfect storm
Nexen and sumitomu are far from ditchfinders and they are decent. But having so many different brands is terrible as are the weird Chinese ditchfinders it had (sunfall or whatever)
Have the same car in estate version.
Apart from an expensive year in 2022 it’s been as good as gold, 125k miles in now
3mm on the tyres is plenty. More than the robbing Dick Turpin's at Lexus Stoke who wouldn't change the rear tyres on a £19k Mercedes that were totally bald. I withdrew from buying it and they kept my £1,000 deposit. I hope they choked on it.
Nice Ray Ban Clubmasters! My Wife had this era of 4 series Gran Coupe which had no issues at all asides from a recall on a coolant issue.
Has the Wondergrip driver retired...
You’re right about the timing chain issue with these cars Matt, although I think it mainly affected the petrol engine versions. My uncle bought a 320i petrol new then a few months later at low mileage it snapped its timing chain which wrote the engine off. The engine was replaced under warranty by BMW and then proceeded to snapped its chain at low mileage writing the engine off. My uncle asked and got his money back from BMW and went out and bought a Honda and had no issues at all with it.
It happens when you boot it from cold
This car is a monument to doing things on the cheap.
A nice bottle of driver tizer in the drivers door pocket 😂😂
I thought it was coolant.
@@saddoncarrs6963 So did I
Hi Matt .it just shows when most of the general public would think that because of the mileage the car would only fit for the scrap yard you pulled it out of the fire, nice one...cheers Phil from Newark
what ? it only had 128 k on it , just run in on a well maintained bmw engine , good for another 128 k no probs !
NOT the "Ultimate Driving Machine" then 🤔
Just on tyres, if I had a car with a mix of odd bits and bobs like that I would lose sleep. I would wake up sweating - I sense you are a man after my own heart. I do like a matching set of tyres.
It could possibly be a London 2012 Olympics vehicle.
I had one- had euro 6 ulez compliance on a 12 plate❤
I do like the ZF-8 gearbox on this. Long enough to do motorways at 1600 rpm, yielding some 64 mpg average economy.
I am trying to see what is the difference between Sport on the button (Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+) and Sport via the gearstick. ( Save for sticking in manual if one then plays with the paddles. )
It is taking much experimentation.
I owned one of these 320D efficient dynamics since 2013, it's very reliable car, never given me any issue, it was my Company car delivered 0 miles then I bought it after 4 years, still drives exactly like new, driven 160,000 miles, however fully serviced at bmw! Great car!
It will,be a £3500 car until,the timing chain borks on you and swallows the other £1500
E91 was much better put together sadly, drove them back to back - F31 and E91 and got a late 2012 318d E91 used. 160,000+ miles later its been an absolute gem of a car, countless trips to Europe, and all over the place - keep the oil services strict (every 8-10k) and it will be a happy car!
I’m quite good at pricing = I’ve massively overspent 😉😂
I had a e90 320d with the m47 engine. I loved it. 238000 miles when I got rid of it. Last year my budget wouldn’t run to an f30 and I didn’t fancy the timing chain issue on an e90 with the n47 engine so I bought a w204 Merc but it turns out the rear sub frame rots in them 😁 Merc swapped it FOC when they did a passenger air bag recall. I’ll be looking at the f30 next though
That's the boggiest of bog standard spec BMW I've seen in a while. At least the wheels look half decent
Matt I am on my 2nd version of this engine. That car is fitted with the N47 diesel engine which is notorious for dropping its timing chain . It was replaced in 2015 with a modified B47 engine. At 127000 it should have been done.The wheels on this car are Not SE spec alloys. It''s a base spec model with cloth seats and thankfully has the optional auto box . On the plus side they can rack up the miles . I have one opposite me same year , colour and its clocked up 187000 miles.
There is no such thing as a "Cheap BMW"...one way or another it will take the contents of your bank account and run far away!
Got a 2012 one of these and in two years I’ve needed a couple of bulbs.
they cost no more to maintain than a toyota. in my experience the overall running cost are lower than other manufacturers, excluding say tesla. The problem is fleet/ business users run them to 15-18k service intervals which is never good further down the line.
I had a 64 plate 730d and had it for 3 years and spent around £7k in maintenance including nearly £3.5k for the rear suspension compressor and airbags…..and I only paid £12k for the car 😂
@@markmoran916 a 7 series is a Rolls Royce by comparison to a 3. I would expect to pay what you have. As Matt always says, leave plenty in reserve for such motors.
Absolute shite, they're great cars and fixing them is quite cheap if you use an indy and buy your own parts
In 1.5 years my F20 has cost me 2 rear shock absorbers, been an absolutely amazing car.
A work colleague got one of these, 320d. Just passed half a million. Nothing really been done to it at al, it had it first brake service last year, yes that part of the world where you can drive over an hour without touching the brakes at high speeds. Anyway, seam to be happy to do another half a million
Hi
On a F30 BMW with a 2.0 D engine will have a N47 engine which are prone to timing chain issues when serviced in accordance with BMW service suggestions ie up to 19,000 mile intervals not a good idea !
My dads just bought a F31 320D for £3,600 with full BMW service history and timing chain done its on 144k runs and drives like brand new
At my age, 58, I'd want a sunroof. This one leaves me unexcited.
Not trying to start a flame war or anything but just interested because i am also 58. I tend to agree that it would lift the dull interior of this car but whats your age got to do with it?
at your age get one with a proper engine too and twin turbos
@@dangosypethauyeah a 340i
@@voivod6871 or another Grand Picasso but with a panoramic roof.
@@voivod6871 I meant time of life, which is entirely unique to me. I just want a sunroof, comfy seats, a decent sound system and 140 bhp
Decent cheapish car if you live outside of the greater London area ULEZ zone, which is massive and stretches out to the M25 in some places. It will cost you over £87 in ULEZ charges every week you drive it if it's used daily. Ok for up north though.
This is a 13.000 Euro car anywhere in Europe at the moment. UK prices of used cars are so bizarre to me.
Why?
Right-hand drive limits the available buyers and limited buyers mean lower prices.
@@williamegler8771 It's a country with a population of over 60 million people. Surely that doesn't make the cars be regularly less than a quarter of the price of the left hand drive equivalent? Take Germany for example, the same car will be sold within the country will never depreciate nearly as much. Same goes for any other European country.
Still makes no sense to me.
Well in UK everybody sees how old your car is on the license plate, so prices are much lower.....
@@maitremonkey5561 How does that make sense? Every car's age can be checked when your buying it?
@MyRealName How many of those 60 million people purchase a new or used vehicle annually?
A car sold in Germany could be driven throughout mainland Europe or exported to left-hand drive countries