BMW Buyer's Guide

Comprehensive Used Car Analysis
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3 Series F30 / F31 / F34
3 Series F30 / F31 / F34
3 Series F30 / F31 / F34
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3 Series F30 / F31 / F34

F30 • 2012–2019 • Sedan, Touring, Gran Turismo
Engines: 4 Issues: 14 Reliability: 72%
4
Engine Options
14
Known Issues
2
Critical Issues
72%
Reliability Score

Facelift (LCI) – 2015

  • Full LED headlights standard
  • B-series engines replace N-series
  • Updated iDrive with new graphics
  • Minor exterior styling tweaks
72% – Good

Engines

N20B20 – 2.0L Turbo Petrol

320i, 328i • 184–245 hp • 270–350 Nm
Displacement 2.0L
Layout I4
Fuel Petrol
Transmission 6-Speed Manual (Getrag), 8-Speed Automatic (ZF 8HP)
TwinPower Turbo (twin-scroll)Valvetronic IIIDirect injectionDouble-VANOS
Known Issues4 issues
critical Timing Chain Stretch Common (>30%)
The N20 timing chain and guides wear prematurely, causing rattling and potential engine failure if ignored. Particularly common on earlier production units.
Typical Mileage
60,000–120,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€1,500–€3,000
DIY Friendly
✗ Specialist
Rattling on start-upCheck engine lightRough idleRough running
critical Oil Pump Failure Occasional (~15%)
Oil pump drive can fail leading to complete oil pressure loss. Catastrophic engine damage results.
Typical Mileage
80,000–150,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€2,000–€6,000+
DIY Friendly
✗ Specialist
Oil pressure warningEngine knockSudden power loss
medium Charge Pipe Failure Common (>30%)
The plastic charge pipe cracks under boost pressure, causing a sudden loss of power. Aftermarket aluminium upgrades available.
Typical Mileage
50,000–100,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€100–€250 (aftermarket upgrade)
DIY Friendly
✓ Yes
Boost lossWhistling noiseLimp mode
medium Coolant Loss at Thermostat Common (~30%)
Thermostat housing cracks or gasket leaks, causing slow coolant loss.
Typical Mileage
60,000–100,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€200–€400
DIY Friendly
✓ Yes
Low coolant warningPuddle under carOverheating

B48B20 – 2.0L Turbo Petrol

330i • 252 hp • 350 Nm
Displacement 2.0L
Layout I4
Fuel Petrol
Transmission 8-Speed Automatic (ZF 8HP)
Modular engine architectureTwinPower Turbo (twin-scroll)Valvetronic IVDirect injectionDouble-VANOS
Known Issues1 issue
medium Coolant System Weakness Occasional (~15%)
Electric water pump or thermostat may fail prematurely, particularly on early production units.
Typical Mileage
60,000–100,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€400–€800
DIY Friendly
✗ Specialist
Overheating warningCoolant lossReduced power

N55B30 – 3.0L Turbo Petrol

335i • 306 hp • 400 Nm
Displacement 3.0L
Layout I6
Fuel Petrol
Transmission 6-Speed Manual (Getrag), 8-Speed Automatic (ZF 8HP)
TwinPower Turbo (twin-scroll single turbo)Valvetronic IIIDirect injectionDouble-VANOSElectric water pump
Known Issues4 issues
medium Charge Pipe Blow-Off Common (>35%)
Factory plastic charge pipe blows off under high boost, particularly in warm weather or spirited driving. Aftermarket aluminium replacement recommended.
Typical Mileage
40,000–80,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€100–€250
DIY Friendly
✓ Yes
Sudden power lossBoost leak whistleLimp mode
high Valve Cover / VANOS Gasket Leak Common (>35%)
Valve cover and VANOS solenoid gaskets seep oil over time. Oil can drip onto hot exhaust components causing burning smell and smoke.
Typical Mileage
60,000–120,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€300–€700
DIY Friendly
✓ Yes
Burning oil smellVisible oil seepageSmoke from engine
high Oil Filter Housing Gasket Leak Common (>35%)
Oil filter housing gasket deteriorates and leaks oil onto belts and other components.
Typical Mileage
60,000–100,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€250–€400
DIY Friendly
✓ Yes
Oil leakBurning smellOil on engine
high Electric Water Pump Failure Common (~30%)
Electric water pump fails causing overheating. Shared issue with other N-series inline-6 engines.
Typical Mileage
80,000–130,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€400–€700
DIY Friendly
✓ Yes
OverheatingWarning lightNo heat from vents

B47D20 – 2.0L Diesel

318d, 320d • 150–190 hp • 320–400 Nm
Displacement 2.0L
Layout I4
Fuel Diesel
Transmission 6-Speed Manual (Getrag), 8-Speed Automatic (ZF 8HP)
Modular engine architectureCommon-rail solenoid injectionVariable geometry turboAluminium blockFront-mounted timing chain
Known Issues3 issues
high EGR Cooler Leak Moderate (~20%)
EGR cooler can develop internal leaks, mixing coolant into the exhaust system.
Typical Mileage
80,000–150,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€500–€1,000
DIY Friendly
✗ Specialist
Coolant lossWhite exhaust smokeOverheating
medium Injector Seal Leak Moderate (~25%)
Copper injector seals deteriorate, causing a black tar-like residue around injectors and diesel smell.
Typical Mileage
80,000–130,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€200–€400
DIY Friendly
✓ Yes
Diesel smellBlack residue around injectorsRough idle
medium EGR Valve Clogging Common (~30%)
EGR valve clogs with carbon, especially on cars doing mostly short trips.
Typical Mileage
80,000–130,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€300–€600
DIY Friendly
✓ Yes
Reduced powerRough idleEML light

Common Issues (F30-specific)

Electrical 2

medium Battery Discharge Issues Common (~30%)
Excessive battery drain from modules not entering sleep mode. Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) failures also common.
Typical Mileage
50,000–100,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€150–€400
Category
Electrical
Dead batteryMultiple warning lights on startElectronics reset
low Door Lock Actuator Failure Moderate (~20%)
Door lock actuators fail, causing doors not to lock/unlock properly.
Typical Mileage
60,000–120,000 km
Est. Repair Cost
€200–€400
Category
Electrical
Door won't lockClicking noiseComfort access failure

Wear Items

N20B20 – Wear Items

320i, 328i

Spark Plugs Every 60,000 km
NewReplace
Replacement Cost€80–€150
Wear Factor55%
Turbo Wastegate Rattle Fix 60,000–100,000 km
NewReplace
Replacement Cost€100–€300
Wear Factor45%

B48B20 – Wear Items

330i

Spark Plugs Every 60,000 km
NewReplace
Replacement Cost€80–€150
Wear Factor50%
Brake Pads (Front) 30,000–50,000 km
NewReplace
Replacement Cost€150–€400
Wear Factor55%

N55B30 – Wear Items

335i

Spark Plugs Every 45,000 km
NewReplace
Replacement Cost€100–€180
Wear Factor60%
Ignition Coils 80,000–120,000 km
NewReplace
Replacement Cost€200–€400
Wear Factor50%

B47D20 – Wear Items

318d, 320d

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter) 150,000–250,000 km
NewReplace
Replacement Cost€800–€2,000
Wear Factor40%
Glow Plugs 80,000–120,000 km
NewReplace
Replacement Cost€100–€250
Wear Factor45%

All Variants

All Variants

Complete list of model variants for F30 / F31 / F34

ModelEngineDisplacementLayoutPowerTorqueTransmission
320i N20B20 2.0LI4184–245 hp270–350 Nm Manual, Automatic
328i N20B20 2.0LI4184–245 hp270–350 Nm Manual, Automatic
330i B48B20 2.0LI4252 hp350 Nm Automatic
335i N55B30 3.0LI6306 hp400 Nm Manual, Automatic
318d B47D20 2.0LI4150–190 hp320–400 Nm Manual, Automatic
320d B47D20 2.0LI4150–190 hp320–400 Nm Manual, Automatic