I've got an early e91 msport 320d (pre-dpf) with over 105k on now which I bought at about 68k and it's been a fantastic car which I have no intention of getting rid of. Mapped to circa 200bhp for the last 30k miles and the biggest expense so far has been a bulb.

I understand the 318i is gutless and the 2 litre diesel is quicker and more economical than the 2 litre petrol but I guess that's personal choice. They are comfy but actually quite fun to drive when you are in the mood.

100% thumbs up from me!

 

My daily is an 53 reg 325i estate with 136k on the clock and I love it. Bought it last year for £1600 and it's not missed a beat. Use it for filling with tools for work, transporting dogs around, school runs, long motorway runs for site surveys. Even got a proper dad roof box for it so ample storage not a problem.

It's got just shy of 200hp as standard so not slow, goes sideways if you fancy turning the traction control off and is a great motorway cruiser.

If it blew up tomorrow I still think I'd just go and get another!

 

I have a 2008 (pre facelift) 320i which I have owned for 3 years, it has 67k on it now. It's nice enough to waft about in (wife's car) and has the 170bhp engine so is quick enough. Expect to have to replace coil packs and possibly injectors at some point. It does about 38MPG.

Mine has also had to have two binding calipers replaced.

 

they seem pretty reliable from what I can tell.

The other option I found is a VW passat 2.0 TDI (170 bhp) but from reading they can be a nightmare with water pumps, fuel pumps and injectors (at £300-£400 each) going

 

The E90 series is well proven, before i bought my E91 330i M sport I found the common failures were

ABS pump (well the electronics) but this tends to be on lesser used car and this happened to mine

Climate control sampling fan can start to squeak which can be annoying,

Broken springs that seem to effect all BMW's for some reason

Suspension bushes when you get north of 120K but that is to be expected

The tourings can have issues with the central locking and radio reception, all the gubbins are in the rear spoiler and the seals fail

Make sure it is has had regular oil changes the cam chain tensioners can fail on neglected cars

Don't buy one with poverty spec there are loads out there to choose from get some toys, just a word of advice if you don't like a hard ride then avoid the Msport it looks the part and handles great but it can get a bit wearing.

But like the other guys I have had mine for over 4 years now and apart from the ABS pump which happened soon after i bought the car so was covered by warranty it has cost me nothing beyond servicing and a set of rear tyres

 

I have an E91 320d and love it. On about 85k atm but honestly feels like new. Not driven the 318i or 320i but I have a 318d and can recommend those. Nice bit of torque and seem to be priced really well from what I've seen

 

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