2010 BMW 3 Series 320i M Sport Business Edition 2.0 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Very modern feeling despite its age

Faults:

Very little in the 2 years I have had it. Service history is essential with these cars, and I bought this one used as good as it gets, every receipt going back to 2010.

Brakes need attention soon and a service is due, it will get everything it needs.

General Comments:

Fast, reliable, and a quality car. The 3 series has never been a cheap car to buy or maintain, but find a looked after one and it is worth it. My car is in such good condition you'd think 2010 was just last year, not 12 years ago!

Be under no illusions - these cars are expensive when they do go wrong, and there are a LOT of rough examples out there for silly prices. Do yourself a favour and be very picky and look for a nice low mileage car with history.

I settled for the 320i petrol automatic saloon - fast enough and 40 mpg + is still possible. They are also more reliable long term than diesel so my mechanic tells me. I am very happy with the engine, quiet and smooth as well.

M Sport Business Edition has leather and just about every option. I have beige leather and blue exterior, just so happens to be my favourite colour combination. I reckon buying new I would have picked the same spec and colours.

The car is great to drive, very responsive, handling is as good as it gets, and comfort levels are about perfect for me anyway.

Negatives? Expensive to buy used, I wouldn't normally spend well over 7 grand on a 10 + year old car, but that was the asking price. Given used values have went up in the last 2 years, I'd say I got a good deal, it certainly has not lost any value despite slightly higher mileage now. Oh and it's not as spacious as you might expect, but it is a 3 series, not a 5 or 7 series. Still, probably the best used compact exec you can buy currently, better than my old 2003 Audi A4, which was a nice car but just getting on a bit as well.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th October, 2022

10th Oct 2022, 06:13

I've had my 2009 320i (N46 not the direct injection one) for 3.5 years, now done the equivalent of 64K mi. Agree with the review. I noticed that internal plastics are not as good as my previous E46 (every single vent tab has broken despite care, ditto with the plastic ticket clip by the vanity mirror), so I was doubtful of how good the car will be vs. my previous one which I kept for 9 years. Well, plastics aside, and despite being an automatic, my car has turned out to be more reliable and dependable than my previous car. Not what I expected, but I can't complain. Not even the coils packed up. The only issue is the oil consumption - worn valve guide seals suspected, but for the last 1.5 years I've been waiting for it to blow smoke and hasn't. Fuel consumption is pretty good when constantly on open road, but when urban driving is factored in, usually does 9-10 km/L (25-28 MPG UK).

2010 BMW 3 Series 320d 2.0 turbo diesel from South Africa

Summary:

Brilliant and amazing!!!

Faults:

Nothing really, just normal wear and tear stuff. But I had to replace a light control module, which I basically broke with DIY sound fitment removal.

General Comments:

Absolutely amazing car, the reliability and performance is almost bullet proof. I do about 5000km+ every month and the car just keeps begging for more. Long trip are a joy with 4.7 litres per 100km; better than my previous car, which was a 1.3 liter Toyota Yaris, which I found most shocking.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th August, 2015

5th Jun 2016, 13:42

Brilliant review. I'm also in SA, I have always wanted a 320d and I finally got mine 3 weeks ago. 2010 M Sport 6 speed manual, full house, with 17 inch runflats and full HID kit. Ride quality is good given the sports suspension compared to my other sedan car, but the performance on the diesel is something else. BMW got the diesels right all in one (power, handling, and economy and looks).

I'll tell you this much, this one is decat, running a 76mm performance pipe, and gives out the sweetest sound I've heard from a turbo. She pulls like a train, very quick car, revs easily up to 5000 RPM and before you know it you have to worry about the speed traps. Fuel economy is even lighter, even when driven hard.

31st Aug 2022, 15:29

They are good cars, even petrol models are OK on fuel, and performance is also fine.