gjm 3258 Report post Posted April 4, 2019 Early days, but considering one of these. It'll be a 116i, 118i or 120i. 4 cylinders. Performance is not an important criteria; reliability and economy are. I know well enough to stay clear of the N42 engine, but that doesn't apply. The models we'd looking at would have either the N45 or N46 engine; I seem to recall that the N46 isn't especially great, either, but I know little of the N45. I understand the timing chain needs to be looked after/replaced, and that VANOS can cause vibration. And that using **good** oil and fuel are very important. Any thoughts? Other than the engines, what should we look out for? Any longer-term owners have experiences (good or bad) they can share? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KwS 2421 Report post Posted April 4, 2019 I thought the general consensus was avoid the 4 bangers like aids, because of unreliability and the economy difference wasn't worth it against a 6 pot? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
E30 325i Rag-Top 2956 Report post Posted April 5, 2019 Not a lot to add, except... would you be interested in a 116d Manual...? It's a 2.0d engine de-tuned so easy to get the power / torque back up. Pretty nippy as is with the benefit of "Feel like a proper race car driver" manual transmission... 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gjm 3258 Report post Posted April 5, 2019 1 hour ago, KwS said: I thought the general consensus was avoid the 4 bangers like aids, because of unreliability and the economy difference wasn't worth it against a 6 pot? I think that all the 4-pots got tarred with the N42 brush, but could be wrong. Hence the question. 40 minutes ago, E30 325i Rag-Top said: Not a lot to add, except... would you be interested in a 116d Manual...? It's a 2.0d engine de-tuned so easy to get the power / torque back up. Pretty nippy as is with the benefit of "Feel like a proper race car driver" manual transmission... I'd be interested... Filling up once a week, if then, is so attractive! Drop me a line? Looking to the future for Miss M's next car. Something to eventually replace the E46 318i (M43, not N42!). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qube 3570 Report post Posted April 5, 2019 https://www.trademe.co.nz/2012518824 pretty much as cheap as it gets these days. not much difference in price between these and some E46 1.8L varients etc 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gjm 3258 Report post Posted April 5, 2019 46 minutes ago, qube said: https://www.trademe.co.nz/2012518824 pretty much as cheap as it gets these days. not much difference in price between these and some E46 1.8L varients etc 1 NZ owner... How many in Japan? That is cheap. ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
