Which engine should I pick?

straychev · 03-27-2016, 01:13 PM

Hello guys,

I am relatively new here. Really interested in the 3-series. Planning on buying second hand car in the UK soon, but my problem is - which engine should I chose? There are so many different versions...
320d - 163
320d - 177
320i - 150
320i - 170

I will be doing around 14,000 miles / per year.
40% city
60% motorway

I will be mainly using the car for my daily commute to and from work. And some short trips with my girlfriend during the weekends.
I want an engine that will be reliable and strong. I know that it really depends on the car itself and on it's previous history, but I want to make sure that I also chose the right engine as well.
What do you guys think is best for a first time buyer, a 23 year old?
Should I go for diesel or petrol? Also which engine is more reliable?
I am looking to spend around £3,000-£4,000 on a used car(there are plenty online). Which engine should I go for?

Aragorn30d · 03-27-2016, 02:55 PM

Personally i'd be buying the diesel.

Your doing enough motorway miles so the potential DPF issues wont be a problem.

the 177 is probably the better engine to have, but they were only fitted in later cars which might not be in budget. The 163 is perfectly good though, its just a bit less efficient as its an older design.

The diesel will provide better low/mid range drivability. Not sure how much experience you have of petrol and diesel engines, but the petrol engine has a very linear power delivery and requires worked hard to get the power out of it. The diesel on the other hand has a short fat power curve, as it doesnt rev very high, but has masses of torque low down, which makes it easier to extract the power from it.

The 163 diesel is pretty bomb proof, my brother has one thats done 212k miles. Some of the 177's have timing chain issues, so you'd want to be sure those were fixed prior to purchase.

The 320i petrols have a plethora of issues, Theres a few threads on here about it.

Give some serious thought to the 6 cylinders, they're a whole different experience. Perhaps setup a test drive of the 320i and 320d models and try to get a 325d or 330d as well

pmmcbl · 03-27-2016, 03:52 PM

Mmm £3-4K won't get you a 320d 163 or 177. Unless they have been to the moon and back. I wouldn't get an E90 for that money. Get an older 320d e46.

Rich_D · 03-28-2016, 04:52 AM

320d > 320i all day long, the 163 is the older M47 engine, so would be the better option

Gear Head · 03-28-2016, 05:13 AM

4k for an e90/e92? Do you want it to actually work?

Chappers 71 · 03-28-2016, 09:21 AM

Have a look at some e46 325is before you make you mind up & rember that diesel is the fuel of satan

Phil325i · 03-28-2016, 12:08 PM

Save up your pennies a bit longer and get a six cylinder engine. BMW 4-cylinders are notoriously troublesome.

Aragorn30d · 03-28-2016, 01:23 PM

The M47 is a fine engine. As i said in my post above, its likely the one to have.

I dont think the budgets all that unreasonable?

Unless your being stupid and trying to find an abnormally low mileage car, or wanting a top spec MSport car... An early E90 is coming up for 10 years old, and will have over 100k on it in. A quick look on ebay even finds a tidy enough MSport car with 110k for £3500...

My brothers was £3700 and he bought that about 3 years ago... But it was a high mileage (170k at the time) 2005 car with minimal spec.

Given the choice, i'd rather buy a cheaper E90, than a top dollar E46, you simply get a lot more car for the money. The E46 looks like a 1998 car, and buying a late model doesnt change that, it still looks dated.

Aragorn30d · 03-28-2016, 01:33 PM

And things like this are available:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-325D-S...YAAOSwAvJW9XDp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi..._old&logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...ge=1&logcode=p

Chappers 71 · 03-28-2016, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aragorn30d

And things like this are available:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-325D-S...YAAOSwAvJW9XDp

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi..._old&logcode=p

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...ge=1&logcode=p

Bit boring though, there's some nice e46 318ci, 325ci & 330cis about with under 80k, leather & all the toys for under £4000.

Aragorn30d · 03-29-2016, 11:44 AM

Perhaps, but everyones requirements differ.

I'd rather have a fairly basic spec 325d E90, than a E46 325i with some leather seats and a lower meaningless number on the dashboard...

I always prefer to buy from the start of a model range, than buying a similarly priced model from the previous range. E46's look dated now, thats not to say they're not nice cars, but the E90 looks much more modern.

Chappers 71 · 03-29-2016, 04:42 PM

Granted, but it's not about what you or I would choose to drive, all we can do is offer our opinions & help the guy make an informed decision. I just thought he may want to consider something less dull than a e90 diesel is all.

n54teek · 03-30-2016, 06:15 AM

My mum is selling her 320d 55 plate. Its a 163 but its been remapped by evolve. PM me if your interested.

03-27-2016, 01:13 PM	#1
straychev Registered 3 Rep 3 Posts Drives: Wanna drive a 325i (E90) Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: West Midlands, UK iTrader: (0)	Which engine should I pick? Hello guys, I am relatively new here. Really interested in the 3-series. Planning on buying second hand car in the UK soon, but my problem is - which engine should I chose? There are so many different versions... 320d - 163 320d - 177 320i - 150 320i - 170 I will be doing around 14,000 miles / per year. 40% city 60% motorway I will be mainly using the car for my daily commute to and from work. And some short trips with my girlfriend during the weekends. I want an engine that will be reliable and strong. I know that it really depends on the car itself and on it's previous history, but I want to make sure that I also chose the right engine as well. What do you guys think is best for a first time buyer, a 23 year old? Should I go for diesel or petrol? Also which engine is more reliable? I am looking to spend around £3,000-£4,000 on a used car(there are plenty online). Which engine should I go for?
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03-27-2016, 02:55 PM	#2
Aragorn30d Lieutenant Colonel 175 Rep 1,596 Posts Drives: E90 330d Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Fife iTrader: (0)	Personally i'd be buying the diesel. Your doing enough motorway miles so the potential DPF issues wont be a problem. the 177 is probably the better engine to have, but they were only fitted in later cars which might not be in budget. The 163 is perfectly good though, its just a bit less efficient as its an older design. The diesel will provide better low/mid range drivability. Not sure how much experience you have of petrol and diesel engines, but the petrol engine has a very linear power delivery and requires worked hard to get the power out of it. The diesel on the other hand has a short fat power curve, as it doesnt rev very high, but has masses of torque low down, which makes it easier to extract the power from it. The 163 diesel is pretty bomb proof, my brother has one thats done 212k miles. Some of the 177's have timing chain issues, so you'd want to be sure those were fixed prior to purchase. The 320i petrols have a plethora of issues, Theres a few threads on here about it. Give some serious thought to the 6 cylinders, they're a whole different experience. Perhaps setup a test drive of the 320i and 320d models and try to get a 325d or 330d as well
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03-27-2016, 03:52 PM	#3
pmmcbl Lieutenant 35 Rep 435 Posts Drives: E91 335i M-Sport Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Berkshire iTrader: (0)	Mmm £3-4K won't get you a 320d 163 or 177. Unless they have been to the moon and back. I wouldn't get an E90 for that money. Get an older 320d e46.
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03-28-2016, 04:52 AM	#4
Rich_D Captain 96 Rep 667 Posts Drives: E90 330d M Sport LCI Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Lancs, UK iTrader: (0)	320d > 320i all day long, the 163 is the older M47 engine, so would be the better option __________________ BMW E90 330d M Sport LCI in Sapphire Black
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03-28-2016, 05:13 AM	#5
Gear Head Private 6 Rep 59 Posts Drives: E92 325i M Sport Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Kent iTrader: (0)	4k for an e90/e92? Do you want it to actually work?
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03-28-2016, 09:21 AM	#6
Chappers 71 Major General 5532 Rep 5,443 Posts Drives: Beige G31 40ix m sport Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Kent, The Garden of England iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 G31 xdrive 40i ... [4.00] 2006 E92 335i SE [9.50]	Have a look at some e46 325is before you make you mind up & rember that diesel is the fuel of satan
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03-28-2016, 12:08 PM	#7
Phil325i Brigadier General 624 Rep 3,201 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	Save up your pennies a bit longer and get a six cylinder engine. BMW 4-cylinders are notoriously troublesome. __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
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03-28-2016, 01:23 PM	#8
Aragorn30d Lieutenant Colonel 175 Rep 1,596 Posts Drives: E90 330d Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Fife iTrader: (0)	The M47 is a fine engine. As i said in my post above, its likely the one to have. I dont think the budgets all that unreasonable? Unless your being stupid and trying to find an abnormally low mileage car, or wanting a top spec MSport car... An early E90 is coming up for 10 years old, and will have over 100k on it in. A quick look on ebay even finds a tidy enough MSport car with 110k for £3500... My brothers was £3700 and he bought that about 3 years ago... But it was a high mileage (170k at the time) 2005 car with minimal spec. Given the choice, i'd rather buy a cheaper E90, than a top dollar E46, you simply get a lot more car for the money. The E46 looks like a 1998 car, and buying a late model doesnt change that, it still looks dated.
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03-28-2016, 01:33 PM	#9
Aragorn30d Lieutenant Colonel 175 Rep 1,596 Posts Drives: E90 330d Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Fife iTrader: (0)	And things like this are available: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-325D-S...YAAOSwAvJW9XDp http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi..._old&logcode=p http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...ge=1&logcode=p
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03-29-2016, 11:44 AM	#11
Aragorn30d Lieutenant Colonel 175 Rep 1,596 Posts Drives: E90 330d Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Fife iTrader: (0)	Perhaps, but everyones requirements differ. I'd rather have a fairly basic spec 325d E90, than a E46 325i with some leather seats and a lower meaningless number on the dashboard... I always prefer to buy from the start of a model range, than buying a similarly priced model from the previous range. E46's look dated now, thats not to say they're not nice cars, but the E90 looks much more modern.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-29-2016, 04:42 PM	#12
Chappers 71 Major General 5532 Rep 5,443 Posts Drives: Beige G31 40ix m sport Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Kent, The Garden of England iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 G31 xdrive 40i ... [4.00] 2006 E92 335i SE [9.50]	Granted, but it's not about what you or I would choose to drive, all we can do is offer our opinions & help the guy make an informed decision. I just thought he may want to consider something less dull than a e90 diesel is all. __________________ G31 40ix M Sport E92 335i. E36 328is coupe E39 540i V8 6SP manual E34 3.6 M5. E34 525i sport. VW Jetta Mk2 GTI 16v. 1679cc 1967 resto-cal beetle
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03-30-2016, 06:15 AM	#13
n54teek Private 6 Rep 68 Posts Drives: E60 M5 Pre LCI Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: North East England iTrader: (0)	My mum is selling her 320d 55 plate. Its a 163 but its been remapped by evolve. PM me if your interested.
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