[Sabao767]

I'm looking into buying a 2013 328I X drive. I've owned an E90 before, not familiar with the F30s. What should I be looking for before buying a used one?

Thanks for the help

[helix247]

Originally Posted by Sabao767

I'm looking into buying a 2013 328I X drive. I've owned an E90 before, not familiar with the F30s. What should I be looking for before buying a used one?

Thanks for the help

By no means an expert here. I think it would be valuable to find out if the maintenance has been done regularly, either with reciepts or though dealer if owner took it to one. Gaskets, like valve cover may be possible to observe for leaks.

[PhizzurpF]

Wouldn't consider an n20/26 prior to 2015 as it could have the dreaded timing belt. Shouldn't be too much of a price difference to have some peace of mind. 2016 or late 2015 is LCI and I'd recommend looking at this as well. I have pre lci and I get upset looking at my ugly headlights every day

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by Sabao767

I'm looking into buying a 2013 328I X drive. I've owned an E90 before, not familiar with the F30s. What should I be looking for before buying a used one?

Thanks for the help

What is your budget? As mentioned above, I would try and go for a post 03/15 built N20/N26 if you are set on the 4 banger regarding the TC issues. Or you can look for a 2012 and on 335i and not worry about any TC crap.

[jared21927]

Features. get one with all the features you want. Navigation, PDC, Parking Assist, 8in screen, m-sport, sport, wheels etc. I would aim for one with everything you want already installed. Not to say you couldn't add things, but it's a way easier if everything is already in the car that you want.....some things can't just be coded in.

[Wgosma]

a reputable independent BMW/Euro shop to do a pre-purchase inspection once you locate a car you feel is the one that fits your needs.

[deviantspeed]

Originally Posted by PhizzurpF

Wouldn't consider an n20/26 prior to 2015 as it could have the dreaded timing belt. Shouldn't be too much of a price difference to have some peace of mind. 2016 or late 2015 is LCI and I'd recommend looking at this as well. I have pre lci and I get upset looking at my ugly headlights every day

I thought all N20's had a timing chain.

[M Smurf]

Open up your search to include RWD and pre-sale inspection would be my suggestion.

From my reasearch on this forum, the TC issue is overblown.

[psyki]

More than anything, get an inspection done once you get serious about buying, can't emphasize this enough.

Prior to that, make sure you're solid in the features you want so you don't end up with buyers remorse because you didn't get m-sport, nav, PDC, HK speakers or whatever. Retrofits will always cost more than buying the car with the features you want already installed.

[M Smurf]

Originally Posted by psyki

More than anything, get an inspection done once you get serious about buying, can't emphasize this enough.

Prior to that, make sure you're solid in the features you want so you don't end up with buyers remorse because you didn't get m-sport, nav, PDC, HK speakers or whatever. Retrofits will always cost more than buying the car with the features you want already installed.

Along this line, I would insist on the LIGHTING package. The xenons should be the base and even then, they are just good enough. Can't imagine what the halogens would look like.

From what I've seen/read, this is the one option where even the expensive retrofit comes up way short. Most everything else, such as audio, can be relatively straightforward to add later.