[prozach]

Hi all,

Happy to be back on this forum!! Sold my 06' 330i sport / premium 2 years ago to save for my first home. Happy to say the house is bought, the 98' camry I was driving is gone, and it's time to get back in the BMW game.

I know I should search, but very limited on time - need your help!

Found a base 09' 328i with 67,000km (40,000 miles), 6-speed, heated seats, power memory seats, etc for 22,000 with OEM winter wheels and tires.

What should I look for? What common issues plague this car? Do the 09's still have loud lifter issues? Reliability issues? Recalls? Reasons I should or shouldn't buy an 09' 328i?

Any info you can share regarding this car is appreciated!

[GChase]

I have an 09 328i and it's a great car

The sports package is a must though. If that car doesn't have it then don't buy it. You will regret it. Mine is fully loaded minus navi with 68k miles and I got it for significantly cheaper.

You also won't have to worry about any fuel pump or turbo issues since it's not a 335 and it's LCI. Are you getting an E90 or an E92? Since it sounds like you have a family I'm guessing E90.

[ndog14]

Xenons.

[GChase]

Originally Posted by ndog14

Xenons.

+1 and truest sig I've ever read

[ndog14]

Originally Posted by GChase

+1 and truest sig I've ever read

Fuck black ca..... hippies.



OP, moonroof and sat radio and iphone/ipod connector?


09s do not have lifter issues. Mostly 06/07s, some early builds 08 had them but too few to even mention.


Also, rwd or awd? If rwd test drive a 328 with sport pckg, even if its auto, because the rwd sport 328 and rwd non-sport 328 have different suspenions. If you are getting a rwd 328 coupe, it will already have the sport suspension regardless of sport package or not.

Also, all 3 series got the 4th gen iDrive in 2009 if that is something you want. Not a single person on this forum with 4th gen iDrive would buy another E90 without it.

[ctuna]

Be carefull not to get one with base stereo
They may have slipped in with a late 09 build
the 2010's and early 2011's suffered from this ampless
terrible system.

[BLKBRY]

I have no complaints on my '09 328i...it's the love of my life! Oh wait..that would be my husband. But yeah...no issues at all! I can't imagine trading even after she's paid off. But mines is an e93...I can't speak for sedans. I'm sure they give the same good feelings.

[QUiKSR20]

I just picked up an 08 6 Speed 328i and love it.. Id say probaly the same as the others have said already..

• Sport package is a must and HID's as well
• Navigation is nice but not a must have like the other two options.
• I prefer real leather over the fake leather but in all honesty they dont look too diff.

Whatever car you get have it looked over by BMW ( PDI ) for $150 or so, It will let you sleep better knowing for the most part its in great mechanical shape.

[RedRaiderDavid]

Have an 09 328i sedan with Nav and love it. I don't have xenons or sport package but have just about everything else and have yet to wish I had either. Not going to debate the benefits or drawbacks of either but don't let anyone tell you not to buy one unless it has x because to each their own. Also best I can tell I have the HiFi system (one up from base, but below Top Hifi and Logic 7). Tell you what I've been pretty impressed with the sound and my last vehicle had a $2000 custom sound system.

[MattMD]

Mine is non-sport and feels really sporty. No body roll, great ride, and it hugs the road on stock 205 16 runflats lol. (235/265 19s soon) This is all blasphemy! The thing is still a BMW 3 series, the best sport sedan money can buy. Don't think it isn't a sporty car w/o the sport pkg.

iDrive is a must if you like playing your own music. I could do without the nav, but not the HDD for music. Best $30 I ever spent was on the BMW USB & cable to sync music from my phone to pc, to usb, and then to car.

Xenons are a good thing too. It makes the car look better. Halogens are outta place in a $45k car. You can get 'em in $25k Hyundais.

Same with leather. Vinyl in a $45k car? You can get that in a $25k Buick.

[QUiKSR20]

Originally Posted by The Low Key OG

Mine is non-sport and feels really sporty. No body roll, great ride, and it hugs the road on stock 205 16 runflats lol. (235/265 19s soon) This is all blasphemy! The thing is still a BMW 3 series, the best sport sedan money can buy. Don't think it isn't a sporty car w/o the sport pkg.

iDrive is a must if you like playing your own music. I could do without the nav, but not the HDD for music. Best $30 I ever spent was on the BMW USB & cable to sync music from my phone to pc, to usb, and then to car.

Xenons are a good thing too. It makes the car look better. Halogens are outta place in a $45k car. You can get 'em in $25k Hyundais.

Same with leather. Vinyl in a $45k car? You can get that in a $25k Buick.

Exactly! Xenons and Real leather are a must.. But im against ya on the sport package..

Non sport seats look like there from a chevy cavalier compared to the sport seats.

as well as the baby 205's vs the sports 255's but rims/suspension are an easy add.


You be the judge, its your car though and any 3 series is a good machine.

Sport ( hi bolsters / extendable botton / inflatable bolsters )


Non-Sport ( very flat like an econo car )

[MattMD]

Originally Posted by QUiKSR20

Exactly! Xenons and Real leather are a must.. But im against ya on the sport package..

Non sport seats look like there from a chevy cavalier compared to the sport seats.

as well as the baby 205's vs the sports 255's but rims/suspension are an easy add.


You be the judge, its your car though and any 3 series is a good machine.

Sport ( hi bolsters / extendable botton / inflatable bolsters )


Non-Sport ( very flat like an econo car )

Yeah, the seats are definitely better in Sport pkg cars. I was referring to just the driving dynamics in my post, and I really don't think there's much difference. My 328i is a very sporty car.

You purposely found the worst picture you could though. Here's the seat from my car. It's a good seat, most people won't dislike it. But yes, the sport seats are better.

[QUiKSR20]

Originally Posted by The Low Key OG

I was referring to just the driving dynamics in my post, and I really don't think there's much difference. My 328i is a very sporty car.

I agree you will enjoy any 3 series, you don't realize how low and sporty you sit when in a 3 series until you go drive another simular sized car...

Drove my girlfriends accord the other day and felt like I was sitting on a phone book.

[aram0492]

Tail lights have a recall, my 2009 e90 did... Everything works fine now. Great car. Mine is pretty much the base and the two things I regret the most are, not having iDrive, and the xenon headlights. I put in hid's but it just isnt the same

[prozach]

Thank you all!

This is the second time this forum has helped me buy a car!

First an 06' 330i sport / premium ... Now this 09' 328i.

It did end up having moonroof and Xeions, plus premium. Great suggestions to check.

Super happy with the car as a daily, and appreciate you taking the time to help me out!

Now, you can help me pick suspension and wheels

Cheers!

[MattMD]

Originally Posted by prozach

Thank you all!

This is the second time this forum has helped me buy a car!

First an 06' 330i sport / premium ... Now this 09' 328i.

It did end up having moonroof and Xeions, plus premium. Great suggestions to check.

Super happy with the car as a daily, and appreciate you taking the time to help me out!

Now, you can help me pick suspension and wheels

Cheers!

Vossen CV3s? I looooooove these wheels. Expensive, but I'll be buying them.

[Digtlartst]

6MT + leather is all you really need (although 6MT + x-drive is my minimum).

Whatever you like -- ENJOY!

[ken1137]

This thread went to shit ! OP...a list of the TSBs is attached, keep in mind they are not recalls but TSB's. I believe they still had the damn lifter/tappet issue with the '09's so listen to the engine after a short drive. The problem is really the dealers, most deny-deny-deny even with the TSB for the lifters/tappets. My lock actuators died on my 328 which is another TSB. It is a pretty solid car though but I recommend a PPI and walk away if the seller will not allow you to take the car for one. GL !

2008 BMW 328i Sedan TSB list.pdf

[prestonf30]

love the sports seats

[werd]

Sport seats FTW. Vinyl or leather aside, a much better proposition for long term comfort.

[Scubadiver]

I am not sure if this the right place to post. But, almost everyplace I went to on the net wanted you to pony up for the TSB info.

I found this on Edmunds.

http://www.edmunds.com/car-maintenan...12345&type=tsb




Hope this helps.

[gunsekun]

This is 3 month old... OP bought a car and prob has a baby by now