[caoimhin1]

Hi all,

Newbie here so this is my first post!!

I'm looking at buying a 06 318i 129hp or 320i 150hp both with 2.0 engine.
Just wondering if there is any difference in engine reliability or are they just the same engine in different states of tune?
For some reason the 320i are making less money - just wondering why.
Thanks in advance

[HollowmanVIII]

Originally Posted by caoimhin1

Hi all,

Newbie here so this is my first post!!

I'm looking at buying a 06 318i 129hp or 320i 150hp both with 2.0 engine.
Just wondering if there is any difference in engine reliability or are they just the same engine in different states of tune?
For some reason the 320i are making less money - just wondering why.
Thanks in advance

Think there's a sticky thread somewhere about the 2.0 engines, could be the n43 though not sure?

I'm sure somebody will be along with more info. All I can say is having drove a 2011 320i, I hope you're not buying the car for performance...

[poggy]

I believe there's very little difference other than a slight state of tune - maybe even only an ECU difference. Its worth noting that 320i is only about 1s faster to 60 and some of that is achieved because it has a different final drive ratio. That then partly reduces fuel economy. An obvious physical difference is that the 320i has plastic cover over the inlet manifold whereas the 318i doesn't.

[The0pportunist]

I had a 318i 2008. It was the 'lean burn' engine.

Not much power but it was reliable, if i could do it again i probably would have went for a straight6 instead!

[caoimhin1]

Thanks for all the replys guys - I'm driving an e46 msport 143hp at the moment and reasonably happy with the poke. I know its poor compared to any of the straight six's but the tax laws here aren't too friendly towards bigger engine cars

[CitizenKane]

Originally Posted by caoimhin1

Thanks for all the replys guys - I'm driving an e46 msport 143hp at the moment and reasonably happy with the poke. I know its poor compared to any of the straight six's but the tax laws here aren't too friendly towards bigger engine cars

I had the same car (318Ci) and found it unbearably slow.

I assume based on your username you’re from Ireland, I am too and I agree motor tax is obscene here. But that’s not going to make any difference to my next choice of car - life is way too short to drive boring cars.

[wrongmark]

Go for a 6 cylinder 325i or above. Wish I had. The 2.0i n43 isn’t that bad but you have to ring its neck. Also sounds like a tin of marbles at idle.

[Dormermike]

The n53 has the same injectors,sounds the same at idle and shares many (but not all, thanksfully) of the same issues.