[saijin]

So I'm considering replacing my 07 328xi with a 6th generation 3 series xDrive.

But I kept hearing that the F30 2012 and above have terrible timing chain and turbo issues and are just terrible cars.

What do you guys advise ? I really don't wanna go to a C300

[n55david]

Originally Posted by saijin

So I'm considering replacing my 07 328xi with a 6th generation 3 series xDrive.

But I kept hearing that the F30 2012 and above have terrible timing chain and turbo issues and are just terrible cars.

What do you guys advise ? I really don't wanna go to a C300

LOL.. in no way are the f series cars terrible compared to the E series.. they are vastly superior

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by saijin

So I'm considering replacing my 07 328xi with a 6th generation 3 series xDrive.

But I kept hearing that the F30 2012 and above have terrible timing chain and turbo issues and are just terrible cars.

What do you guys advise ? I really don't wanna go to a C300

What is your budget? An LCI model, 2016 - 2018, is your best bet. The F30 is a somewhat different animal than the E90.

[schnellwagen]

Get a 2016+ F30 with the B series engines and you'll be fine.

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by saijin

So I'm considering replacing my 07 328xi with a 6th generation 3 series xDrive.

But I kept hearing that the F30 2012 and above have terrible timing chain and turbo issues and are just terrible cars.

What do you guys advise ? I really don't wanna go to a C300

Saw your post in the e90 section. Yeah, they despise f3x’s and not sure why someone suggested a c300 but the f3x’s are far from ‘terrible’. As someone just mentioned, we need to know your budget and if mods are important or not. Also, is xDrive really a necessity? I used to live in Upstate NY where the winters were brutal and got away with an e28 with snow tires.

Originally Posted by Phantom10R

LOL.. in no way are the f series cars terrible compared to the E series.. they are vastly superior

Well, obviously the driving dynamics IMHO are better in the e9x chassis as it’s more connected to the road, looks are debatable but interior goes to the f3x’s. Steering sucks in the f3x’s.

Originally Posted by tturedraider

What is your budget? An LCI model, 2016 - 2018, is your best bet. The F30 is a somewhat different animal than the E90.

Yup we need to know OP’s budget.

[HarryTee]

I replaced my E90 with my current F32 440i (Gran Coupe).
The F32 has been with me for 2 years now and I always think it's one of the best decisions I've made.

[saijin]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

What is your budget? An LCI model, 2016 - 2018, is your best bet. The F30 is a somewhat different animal than the E90.

The cheaper the better and I'm thinking of waiting until early 2022 due to price inflation I heard.
I don't do mods for racing, this is just a daily driver and I've always driven a basic sedan.

Originally Posted by schnellwagen

Get a 2016+ F30 with the B series engines and you'll be fine.

so 2016 and up with B series. ok

Originally Posted by F30lolz

Saw your post in the e90 section. Yeah, they despise f3x’s and not sure why someone suggested a c300 but the f3x’s are far from ‘terrible’. As someone just mentioned, we need to know your budget and if mods are important or not. Also, is xDrive really a necessity? I used to live in Upstate NY where the winters were brutal and got away with an e28 with snow tires.



Well, obviously the driving dynamics IMHO are better in the e9x chassis as it’s more connected to the road, looks are debatable but interior goes to the f3x’s. Steering sucks in the f3x’s.



Yup we need to know OP’s budget.

I do need 4 wheel drive.
I didn't know they don't like the F series.

So anything 2016 and above with B engine won't have turbo and timing chain issues like I read in many places?

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by saijin

The cheaper the better and I'm thinking of waiting until early 2022 due to price inflation I heard.
I don't do mods for racing, this is just a daily driver and I've always driven a basic sedan.




so 2016 and up with B series. ok




I do need 4 wheel drive.
I didn't know they don't like the F series.

So anything 2016 and above with B engine won't have turbo and timing chain issues like I read in many places?

N20’s are on 2016 328’s and 320’s. 2017/2018 saw the B48 for the 330 and the N20 was kept for the 320 through 2018. E9X group are biased but since I own both platforms I’m fortunate to have my cake and eat it too I guess. Turbo failure on the fx’s isn’t too common so I wouldn’t worry about that. Also, you can wait for prices to go down but then again, you won’t get much for your e92 as you would now. Catch 22, great time to sell but you’ll be paying more to buy.

[saijin]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

N20’s are on 2016 328’s and 320’s. 2017/2018 saw the B48 for the 330 and the N20 was kept for the 320 through 2018. E9X group are biased but since I own both platforms I’m fortunate to have my cake and eat it too I guess. Turbo failure on the fx’s isn’t too common so I wouldn’t worry about that. Also, you can wait for prices to go down but then again, you won’t get much for your e92 as you would now. Catch 22, great time to sell but you’ll be paying more to buy.

Thanks for helping me out.

I'll be looking at the 2017 330xi.
Is the 340xi version a true 6 cylinder and no turbo?

lastly what about the newer 2019 330xi ?

In terms of time of purchase I think I'll start to hunt one down closer to january / february. I hope the inflated prices go down a little. And I don't think my 2007 328xi is worth much in its condition

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by saijin

Thanks for helping me out.

I'll be looking at the 2017 330xi.
Is the 340xi version a true 6 cylinder and no turbo?

lastly what about the newer 2019 330xi ?

In terms of time of purchase I think I'll start to hunt one down closer to january / february. I hope the inflated prices go down a little. And I don't think my 2007 328xi is worth much in its condition

All BMW’s basically since 2014 have turbos so the b58 powering all 40i models have one. I had two loaners a couple of years back that were g20’s (current 3 series generation 2019 and on) and the driving dynamics felt closer to e9x than the f3x’s. Haven’t been watching the 2019 330 xDrive in prices but I would assume they’ll be at least in the 30’s unless you find one with over 100k miles.

Don’t assume you’ll get peanuts for your car. Trade in values are at an all time high and it wouldn’t hurt to post your car for sale. Just be honest and up front about everything and you should get fair value.

[saijin]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

All BMW’s basically since 2014 have turbos so the b58 powering all 40i models have one. I had two loaners a couple of years back that were g20’s (current 3 series generation 2019 and on) and the driving dynamics felt closer to e9x than the f3x’s. Haven’t been watching the 2019 330 xDrive in prices but I would assume they’ll be at least in the 30’s unless you find one with over 100k miles.

Don’t assume you’ll get peanuts for your car. Trade in values are at an all time high and it wouldn’t hurt to post your car for sale. Just be honest and up front about everything and you should get fair value.

alright, so to summarize, look for either a 2016/2017 330xi or 2019 330xi .

And these cars are reliable enough that the timing chain or turbo won't go kaput on me?

[Psi5]

I went from a 2007 E90 335 (N54) to a 2020 F32 440 (B58). Happy I made the upgrade every day. I think the summary is a rec to get a 2016-20 F30/F31/F32 340 since it will have the more powerful and desirable B58.

[saijin]

Originally Posted by Psi5

I went from a 2007 E90 335 (N54) to a 2020 F32 440 (B58). Happy I made the upgrade every day. I think the summary is a rec to get a 2016-20 F30/F31/F32 340 since it will have the more powerful and desirable B58.

Thanks for the advice!

but if I want to save some $ and go for 330xi it's still a desireable B-engine, correct?

[n55david]

Originally Posted by saijin

Thanks for the advice!

but if I want to save some $ and go for 330xi it's still a desireable B-engine, correct?

yeah its just not the 6cyl

[Danddd]

Come from an '06 E91with sports package to a '16 F31 328xi. F series seems a much nicer car except for the driving dynamics. Steering gives very little feedback that took a long time to get used to. It is noticeably faster and with quicker turn in. So 2016 and newer is the best option as far as engine goes. In 2016 they added some suspension pieces for improved handling according to Car and Driver in 2016 review of the update F30.

[saijin]

then I'll be looking for a 2017 or 2019 330xi
I wonder if I can get one at around $20k or lower?

Thanks for all the advice, I needed it.

PS: I didn't know that the e90 forum people are super biased... they made it sound that everything after the e90 model are absolute rubbish.

[n55david]

Originally Posted by saijin

then I'll be looking for a 2017 or 2019 330xi
I wonder if I can get one at around $20k or lower?

Thanks for all the advice, I needed it.

PS: I didn't know that the e90 forum people are super biased... they made it sound that everything after the e90 model are absolute rubbish.

it's strange how that works but basically the e90 n55 cars are garbage. it's the worst of both worlds but still better in some ways. they seen the issues there, mainly lack of power and tuning abilities at the time and just assume the n55 powered cars are bad.. and well they were.. then the f30 came and brought tons of improvements all around and then again with the ewg cars. parts and tuning options happened, hpfps etc etc. now, well.. a fbo hpfp upgraded f30 car with an 8spd is nasty, not to mention cars with upgraded turbos. all I can say is it's fun having an 11.3 car and 10.9 will happen in the spring when I get things sorted.

so it's awesome being underestimated by e9x guys either with 335s or M3s etc..

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by saijin

then I'll be looking for a 2017 or 2019 330xi
I wonder if I can get one at around $20k or lower?

Thanks for all the advice, I needed it.

PS: I didn't know that the e90 forum people are super biased... they made it sound that everything after the e90 model are absolute rubbish.

I’m afraid for either a 2017 or 2018 330i xDrive you’re looking at the 30s.

[saijin]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

I’m afraid for a either 2017 or 2018 330i xDrive you’re looking at the 30s.

Is that due to the inflated prices right now?

I'm also thinking of getting it from either enterprises or someone I bought my previous car who got his from a chevy dealership. He said he'll give me a fair price

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by saijin

Is that due to the inflated prices right now?

I'm also thinking of getting it from either enterprises or someone I bought my previous car who got his from a chevy dealership. He said he'll give me a fair price

Yeah trying to get a 2017 f30 330i xDrive for under $20k will be tough unless it has crazy high miles or a branded title. About two years ago Braman BMW in WPB had a 2017 330i with 274k miles for sale on the lot. Crazy that in a span of two years that car went through all those miles. Something like that can he had for under $20k. Goes to show that a b48 handled that many miles.

Also as you know now, great time to sell/bad time to buy. While I’m not trying to guide you hear, if you really need a newer car now, try Penfed for an auto loan as their rates are notoriously low or your local credit union. Heck, even try BMWFS and see what they can offer for any CPO’s listed on their website. Or if you want to pull out all the stops and don’t give a F, get a new M340i on BMW Select Financing. What that is (unless it’s been changed recently) is that you finance the car for 5 years and after those 5 years you have options:

1. Refinance the balloon for another 5 years
2. Trade it in for another BMW
3. Give it in and walk away

Someone correct me if I’m wrong but that is what it was years ago.

[Danddd]

I wouldn't be worried about a 2016 328. Having driven the 330, there is a certain liveliness about the 328 engine I enjoy.

[saijin]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

Yeah trying to get a 2017 f30 330i xDrive for under $20k will be tough unless it has crazy high miles or a branded title. About two years ago Braman BMW in WPB had a 2017 330i with 274k miles for sale on the lot. Crazy that in a span of two years that car went through all those miles. Something like that can he had for under $20k. Goes to show that a b48 handled that many miles.

Also as you know now, great time to sell/bad time to buy. While I’m not trying to guide you hear, if you really need a newer car now, try Penfed for an auto loan as their rates are notoriously low or your local credit union. Heck, even try BMWFS and see what they can offer for any CPO’s listed on their website. Or if you want to pull out all the stops and don’t give a F, get a new M340i on BMW Select Financing. What that is (unless it’s been changed recently) is that you finance the car for 5 years and after those 5 years you have options:

1. Refinance the balloon for another 5 years
2. Trade it in for another BMW
3. Give it in and walk away

Someone correct me if I’m wrong but that is what it was years ago.

I'm looking at a 2017 330xi and the price tag varies between $20k - $26k
2018 for $28k.
BUt I'm very interested in the 2019 body design.

Do you know anything about buying from Enterprises car rental/sales?


Thanks for the advice on finance, I'm going to pay the seller in cash basically so I hope that gives me even more leverage. I hate buying cars since they are a depreciating investment and a fast one at that, so I'm trying to get one once the lows hit around 50-58%