[chazzz]

I am considering to buy an used 2006 325i with NA52 engine for my teenager son. Which parts in 325i break often?

Any issues with N52 engine? I like N52 engine because it's a fuel injected engine, (not direct injected). I don't have to deal with carbon build-up in intake ports.

What about A/C system? Does it leak? That's my #1 concern.

I was the former owner of 2007 335i, I sold it because of stupid A/C leak (can't afford 20 hour labor to fix it). I didn't want that happen to my son's 325i. The A/C leak only happens in some E9x, correct? Some E9xs are lucky, no A/C issues, some aren't??

thanks

[delmarco]

When buying a 2006 325i you should really be looking for a 2005 330i or 2008/2009 328i.

Same price range but better cars over all.

[John 070]

da** didn't know an a/c leak was common and costs $3k to fix?

[chazzz]

Originally Posted by delmarco

When buying a 2006 325i you should really be looking for a 2005 330i or 2008/2009 328i.

Same price range but better cars over all.

Right, but I don't want my teenager son to have a high performance 330i/328i. he had a 2004 325i which is totaled in a recent accident by a drunken driver.

That is why I am looking for a 2006 325i with fuel injected N52 engine. It is similar performance as M54 engine.

[delmarco]

Originally Posted by chazzz

Right, but I don't want my teenager son to have a high performance 330i/328i. he had a 2004 325i which is totaled in a recent accident by a drunken driver.

That is why I am looking for a 2006 325i with fuel injected N52 engine. It is similar performance as M54 engine.

Go a year or two higher. First year of new generation cars tend to give worries.
2007 and 2008 will eb great years for a 325i and you won't spend much more for the same mileage and condition.

[CTinline-six]

A 325i vs. 328i is what, 15 horsepower? If he can't properly handle a 15hp increase (which may even be negated by the slow GM auto transmission), then he shouldn't be driving a BMW.

For the record, the e90 is heavier than the e46, so a few more HP might not even be all that noticeable.

A/C leaks I wouldn't say are common, but they do happen to cars of ALL makes occasionally.

Common problems with the N52 cars are:
-water pump and thermostat
-valve cover gasket
-oil filter housing gasket
-starter (around 100k)
-belt tensioner (more of a maintenance item)
-control arms (around 100k, easy to do with hand tools)

I would say the E90 breaks much less than the earlier E46, but can be a bit more expensive to fix when it does.

[IISevv]

Originally Posted by delmarco

Go a year or two higher. First year of new generation cars tend to give worries.
2007 and 2008 will eb great years for a 325i and you won't spend much more for the same mileage and condition.

The 325i was only made in 2006. After that it was replaced by the 328i. But you're right, avoid the 06 325i

[ctuna]

325 and 328 in an e90 is the same motor the difference is the motor electronics.(In the US) The 325 had the ELV lock problem otherwise basically the
same thing. None of the NA cars has direct cylinder injection and that is why they don't suffer from carbon build up on the valves.

[IISevv]

Originally Posted by ctuna

325 and 328 in an e90 is the same motor the difference is the motor(In the US)
electronics. The 325 had the ELV lock problem otherwise basically the
same thing. None of the NA a cars has direct cylinder injection and that
is why they don't suffer from carbon build up on the valves.

Some 328's had the SULEV N51 motor with the 3 stage intake manifold from the 330i and lower compression

[IISevv]

Originally Posted by chazzz

I am considering to buy an used 2006 325i with NA52 engine for my teenager son. Which parts in 325i break often?

Any issues with N52 engine? I like N52 engine because it's a fuel injected engine, (not direct injected). I don't have to deal with carbon build-up in intake ports.

What about A/C system? Does it leak? That's my #1 concern.

I was the former owner of 2007 335i, I sold it because of stupid A/C leak (can't afford 20 hour labor to fix it). I didn't want that happen to my son's 325i. The A/C leak only happens in some E9x, correct? Some E9xs are lucky, no A/C issues, some aren't??

thanks

Overall any of the E90 N/A cars are pretty reliable. I'd avoid a 325i as it was the first year and tends to have more electrical issues. There's only a 15 hp difference between that and the 328i of 07+. Valve covers, thermostat and water pump are the most common mechanical issues but not all cars are affected. Lower control arm bushings are a very common wear item but very easy to DIY. The search bar is easy to use, this question has been asked hundreds of times.

[srmast1]

Originally Posted by chazzz

Right, but I don't want my teenager son to have a high performance 330i/328i. he had a 2004 325i which is totaled in a recent accident by a drunken driver.

That is why I am looking for a 2006 325i with fuel injected N52 engine. It is similar performance as M54 engine.

Maybe I understand the 330 falling into your high performance category (it really doesn't at all however) but a 328 is NOT high performance. It's a nice introductory BMW with luxury features for sure, but not a high performance vehicle unless you are comparing it to straight up grocery getters like civics or corolas and roughly straight line performance like 6 cyl camry or accord. It's actually a pretty tame, smooth, comfy car that isn't too easy to mod, and not too terribly quick. I'm sure your son would be happy with a 328. It looks nice and drives well.

[drunkenup]

Evaporator failure in the e9x is fairly common across all years it seems. Might be tied to which supplier, possibly valeo. Most people here probably have leaking units and can't tell.

06 issues- snapping head bolts, steering lock failure, more complicated ccv/pcv (vs integrated valve cover in later years). Also, I have noticed that 06 cars don't come with folding rear seats (or very few were specced)

In my experience, though, 06's are easier to find well optioned. The abundance of poverty spec 328's steered me to a 2006 330i.

[bhenault]

I personally own a 325XI and i've never had any large issues after having it for about 20,000 miles, not to mention its high mileage at about 165,000 right now

[Captain comic]

Do yourself and your sun a favor and buy him a Civic and save yourself headaches and money in repairs

[srmast1]

Originally Posted by Captain comic

Do yourself and your sun a favor and buy him a Civic and save yourself headaches and money in repairs

Probably the best advice thus far.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by delmarco

Go a year or two higher. First year of new generation cars tend to give worries.
2007 and 2008 will eb great years for a 325i and you won't spend much more for the same mileage and condition.

This is completely BS. I have a '06 325i. Bought new, special ordered it. Took delivery at 3 miles on the odometer. It now has 330,000 miles on it (2nd highest here - another 325i). I drive the piss out of the thing. I've detailed my ownership in a few threads you can review.

Get one with the sport package and manual transmission. Car and Driver clocked it 0 - 60 at 6.1 seconds, so its not super slow as people make it out to be. The N52 E90 are tough as rocks and reliable to boot. By the time you get one now, 11 years past release, probably all the N52 issues have been resolved (waterpump, t-stat). The car you find might have some common gasket leaks at the oil pan, valve cover, and oil filter housing, unless the previous owner fixed them. The N52 may have coils go, my first one went at 287,000 miles. And they don't require a huge amount of maintenance. Clutch was still good at 293,000 miles when I replaced it because the dual-mass flywheel went bad. The 325i does not have DISA valves, the 330i does, which on other BMW 6's can be problematic.

My AC compressor broke at 82,500 miles, but it probably was related to dirt in the system after the AC system was broken down and left open for days to repair front end damage by a deer hit at 22,000 miles. Since repaired at 82,500 miles I've not touched it since.

The body is well built. I've not had to fix anything electrical in the interior. The radio face fades when it gets hot. It disappears with polarized sunglasses (design flaw).

If you can find a 330i, the power is a bit better, and the car will have slightly more content, but either are great cars. The ' 07 forward 328i has the N52 with the plastic valve cover, which can crack and leak. The '06 N52 325i/330i has a magnesium valve cover, which eventually leaks at the gasket, but mine at 300,000 was not leaking much.

If you find a decent one, get it.

[smass]

AC issues are not very common on the E90. Below is a list of major work completed on our 12 year old 06 325i (6/15 build date). We are at 110k miles now. I bought it for my 16 year old daughter.

Replace solenoids in ZF transmission - repair abrupt downshift into 1st gear
Water pump and thermostat
Starter
Valve cover gasket and repair broken bolts
Oil pan gasket
Oil filter housing gasket
Repair 2 broken bolts in timing chain cover
Belt and tensioner
Radio LEDs - replaced with radio from 2011

[Bob Shiftright]

Originally Posted by Captain comic

Do yourself and your sun a favor and buy him a Civic and save yourself headaches and money in repairs

The Toyota Corolla is the most popular automobile model in the History of Mankind.

There are reasons for that.

(Toyota reached the milestone of 40 million Corollas sold in July 2013.)

Of course a BMW will require more attention and cost more to maintain than a Corolla, but you know that.

So 325i/328i.

BMW probably has most of the kinks worked out of the turbo 6 by now, but it didn't 10 years ago. So I'd scratch the 335i.

The 20 hour/$3000 AC evaporator repair sounds like a BMW dealer time and price repair.

If you're looking at 8-12 year old cars, condition is probably much more important than the model year.

Maybe ask a trusted local indy BMW shop to keep their eyes open if one of their customers with a good car is looking to sell it.

[lab_rat]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

This is completely BS. I have a '06 325i. Bought new, special ordered it. Took delivery at 3 miles on the odometer. It now has 330,000 miles on it (2nd highest here - another 325i). I drive the piss out of the thing. I've detailed my ownership in a few threads you can review.

***snip***

If you find a decent one, get it.

Everything Effthreeoh details in his response is a no nonsense, first-hand account of *longterm* 325i ownership.

In my opinion, many responses posted to the OP's question in this thread seem to be based on hearsay...or are just plain inaccurate at best.

Based on my experience as an E90 330i owner, I have found it to be a reliable and fun car. I have had ZERO issues. All the car has ever had is normal & preventative maintenance.

With the average prices I've encountered, I believe an *extremely* good E90 325i (w/extensive records & well maintained) can be had for ~$7000-$8500... depending on miles & options, of course.

Good luck on the car search with your son!

[123Britt]

Only one year (2006) but really good car.

[Efthreeoh]

You got me curious. Here's what Auto Trader came up with. Not sure if it is near you. It's in Cali.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...odelCode1=325I

[PhaseP]

Originally Posted by IISevv

Overall any of the E90 N/A cars are pretty reliable. I'd avoid a 325i as it was the first year and tends to have more electrical issues.

This is incorrect, it is actually the other way around. An example: 06 US E90 (325/330) didn't have the recall on battery plus connection as later years. Later years suffer from this if not fixed under recall.

Another example my 325 didn't receive airbag recall, checked on recall site by vin, it wasn't included, probably because it had earlier older tech airbags that are good.