Popular compact executive saloon offering BMW driving dynamics at an accessible price point. Pre-2015 models with N20 engine require extra scrutiny due to timing chain guide failures that can destroy the engine. Models from 2016+ use the far more reliable B48 engine. Other concerns include turbocharger failures, oil consumption, valve cover gasket leaks, and water pump failures. The ZF 8-speed automatic is highly reliable. Interior rattles from dashboard and trim are common but mostly cosmetic.
Plastic guides break causing catastrophic engine damage on interference engine · more· less
The notorious weakness of early N20 engines (2012-early 2015). BMW used brittle plastic timing chain guides that deteriorate over time, causing the chain to skip or snap. Because the N20 is an interference engine, when timing is lost, pistons and valves collide with devastating force, resulting in complete engine destruction requiring replacement rather than repair. Warning sign: rattling noise on cold start lasting 1-30 seconds. BMW issued extended warranty to 7 years/70,000 miles in USA and settled class-action lawsuit. The guide was redesigned in January 2015. Preventive replacement costs €1,500-4,000; engine replacement after failure can exceed €8,000. This issue affects 320i, 328i models built before mid-2015. Post-2015 N20 and all B48 engines (2016+) have resolved this issue.
Turbocharger failure€2,500 - €4,000
Turbo seals fail causing oil consumption, smoke, and loss of boost · more· less
Turbocharger failures typically occur between 80,000-150,000 km. Symptoms include whistling or whining noise, excessive exhaust smoke (blue/grey), loss of power, increased oil consumption, and vehicle entering limp mode. Often triggered by inadequate oil changes or running low on oil. OEM turbocharger part costs around €1,100-1,200, with total replacement including labor running €2,500-4,000. If combined with timing chain issues (as engine damage from timing chain can affect turbo oil supply), total repair costs can escalate to €10,000+. Prevention: use high-quality synthetic oil and change every 7,500 km instead of BMW's extended 15,000 km interval.
High oil consumption€50 - €300/year
N20 engine known to consume oil more quickly than expected · more· less
The turbocharged N20 engine is known to consume more oil than typical engines. Many owners report needing to top up oil between service intervals. Contributing factors include valve cover gasket leaks, oil filter housing gasket leaks, worn piston rings, and turbocharger seal wear. F30 models lack a traditional dipstick—oil level is monitored electronically via iDrive. Some owners report consuming 0.5-1.0 liter per 10,000 km. Important: running low on oil accelerates timing chain guide and turbocharger wear. Use BMW Longlife-01 approved synthetic oil, typically 0W-30 or 5W-30. Budget €50-300/year for top-ups depending on engine condition.
Water pump and thermostat failure€600 - €1,400
Electronic water pump fails typically between 70,000-100,000 km · more· less
BMW introduced electronically controlled water pumps and thermostats in mid-2000s for better temperature regulation, but these components have shorter lifespan than traditional mechanical designs. Common failure point between 70,000-100,000 km. Symptoms include coolant warning light, engine overheating, or poor cabin heating. The pump and thermostat are integrated into one housing unit costing around €300-400 for parts. Labor is approximately 3-4 hours due to accessibility in engine bay. Ignoring warning signs can cause head gasket failure and cylinder head warping, leading to repairs exceeding €3,000. Total replacement cost at independent shop: €600-900; at BMW dealer: €1,000-1,400.
Valve cover and oil filter housing gasket leaks€450 - €1,200
Common oil leaks from valve cover and oil filter housing gaskets · more· less
Oil leaks from valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket are extremely common on N20 engines. BMW oil filter housing gaskets are known to leak across many generations (E36, E46, F30). Symptoms include oil smell in cabin, visible oil on engine components, low oil warnings, and oil spots under car. Valve cover gasket replacement: €450-940. Oil filter housing gasket replacement: €300-500. Often both need replacing simultaneously, especially on cars over 80,000 km. These are considered dangerous leaks as oil can drip onto hot exhaust components. If car is old enough to have valve cover leak, there will likely be leaks elsewhere on engine. Request complete leak inspection to repair multiple leaks in one service visit.
Ignition coil failures€250 - €700
Coils fail due to heat and wear, causing misfires and rough running · more· less
Ignition coils are an extremely common failure part on BMWs. Symptoms include engine misfires, rough idling, reduced power, and check engine light with misfire codes. Typical lifespan: 60,000-100,000 km, though some fail as early as 40,000 km. The F30 uses coil-on-plug system (individual coil per cylinder). Single coil replacement: €130-210 at independent shop; €300+ at dealer. BMW recommends inspecting/replacing coils every 100,000 km. If one coil fails, others of similar age will likely fail soon. Many owners replace all 4 coils preventively. Set of 4 OEM coils plus labor: €250-400 independent; €600-700 dealer. Faulty spark plugs or wires can cause premature coil failure. First malfunctions can appear as early as 80,000 km, and if not replaced immediately, the engine control unit may fail.
Steering rack failure (early models)€450 - €3,500
Electric power steering rack failures, mostly on early production cars · more· less
Electric power steering (EPS) rack issues primarily affect early F30 models (2012-2014). Common faults include electrical failure of motor control unit and mechanical failures causing excessive noise when turning. Symptoms: "Power steering assist malfunction" warning message, intermittent steering assist that cuts out while driving, knocking noise from steering rack. BMW developed repair kit (part #32106891974) costing around €40-50 that addresses the chronic issue. However, many cases require full rack replacement. Budget repair: €450-600 for repair kit installation. Full replacement: €2,000-3,500 depending on whether sport or non-sport steering (different part numbers). The rack requires programming after installation.
Interior trim rattles and creaks€0 - €400
Widespread interior noise issues from dashboard, center console, door panels · more· less
The F30 interior uses harder, cheaper plastics than the E90 predecessor, resulting in widespread rattles and creaks. Common problem areas: dashboard air vents, A-pillar trim, steering column shroud, center console around HVAC controls, door handles, door trim rubbing on seals, rear seat latches, and B-pillar door lock pins. Owners report F30s develop more rattles than 150,000+ mile E46s. The issue is largely cosmetic but annoying. BMW dealers address rattles by installing felt material between trim pieces and retightening screws. DIY fixes using plastic scraper, foam tape, and silicone spray can resolve many issues. Professional rattle elimination service: €200-400. Most rattles reappear over time due to fundamental plastic quality and design. Nearly all F30s over 5 years old will have some interior noise.
Trunk-mounted tail light falling out€150 - €400
Inner trunk tail lights become loose and fall out due to broken plastic clips · more· less
Issue unique to F30 where trunk lid's tail light assembly becomes loose and starts to fall out. Cause: broken plastic mounting clips. BMW issued Service Information Bulletin SI B 63 05 12 in October 2012 titled "Tail Lamp is loose in the trunk lid." This was a known issue covered under warranty for affected vehicles. BMW updated the tail light design with reinforced parts on the previously weak plastic mounting points. If purchasing used car, check that tail lights are firmly mounted. Replacement tail light with updated mounting: €150-250. Some dealers replaced these under goodwill even out of warranty due to design defect. Related issue: tail light condensation causing water to drip inside light assembly and short out circuits. Dealers test lights and replace if too severe (€300-400).
Pre-2015 models carry significant risk
The BMW 320i F30 is split into two very different ownership experiences. Pre-mid-2015 cars with N20 engine face serious timing chain guide failure risk that can destroy the engine without warning—budget €1,500-4,000 for preventive replacement or face potential €8,000+ engine replacement. 2016+ models with B48 engine are significantly more reliable with resolved timing chain issues. All model years share common issues: turbo failures, oil consumption, gasket leaks, and water pump failures. The ZF 8-speed automatic is highly reliable. Choose 2016+ facelift models if budget allows.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history Complete BMW dealer or specialist records essential. Verify oil changes at proper intervals (7,500-10,000 km).
Tires Check tread depth, age (date codes), uneven wear patterns. Run-flat tires are common.
Cold start test CRITICAL: Must start engine completely cold. Listen carefully for timing chain rattle in first 30 seconds.
Body condition Check for accident damage, paint mismatch. Paint is susceptible to chipping but rust is rare.
Test drive Minimum 20 minutes including varied speeds and highway driving to warm up all systems.
Specific for this vehicle
Cold start timing chain rattle (pre-2015 N20 CRITICAL) Start engine completely cold. Listen for rattling noise lasting 1-30 seconds. Any rattle indicates timing chain guide wear requiring immediate replacement. This is the single most important check on pre-2015 320i models.
Check production date and engine type VIN plate or door jamb shows build date. Pre-mid-2015 = N20 engine (high risk). 2016+ = B48 engine (much better). Facelift models (LCI) from 2015 have updated headlights and taillights.
Verify timing chain replacement if pre-2015 If car has N20 engine, ask if timing chain, guides, and tensioners have been replaced. Request receipts. If not replaced and over 60,000 km, budget €1,500-4,000 for this work or walk away.
Check all oil levels and look for leaks F30 has no dipstick—check electronic oil level via iDrive. Inspect valve cover, oil filter housing, and underneath engine for oil seepage. Oil leaks are very common and expensive to fix.
Turbocharger operation During test drive, listen for whistling/whining from turbo. Check for excessive exhaust smoke (blue/grey). Ensure strong acceleration with no hesitation or limp mode activation.
Check coolant level and condition Low coolant or brown/milky appearance indicates water pump, thermostat, or head gasket issues. Check expansion tank for cracks.
Scan for fault codes Use BMW-specific diagnostic tool to check for stored fault codes, especially VANOS-related codes (131501 points to timing chain issues) and misfire codes (ignition coil problems).
Check for interior rattles Drive over rough roads and bumps. Nearly all F30s have some rattles—assess if acceptable. Major rattles can be fixed but will likely return.
Inspect trunk tail lights Check that inner trunk-mounted tail lights are firmly attached and not loose. Push on them to verify clips are intact.
ZF 8-speed transmission operation (automatic) Transmission should shift smoothly when warm. Slight harshness when cold (especially 1st to 2nd) is normal. No clunking or hesitation when warm.
Steering rack check Listen for knocking or grinding when turning wheel. Check for "Power steering malfunction" warning. Early models (2012-2014) more prone to failures.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
N20/N26 timing chain extended warranty (2012-2015, USA)7 years/70,000 miles coverage
Stop/start function issues (335i, 2011-2012)DME software update
Takata airbag inflator recallCheck VIN on BMW website
Contact BMW dealer with VIN to verify all recalls and TSBs completed. For pre-2015 320i/328i in USA, timing chain extended warranty is crucial—verify if car is eligible and if any repairs were done under this program. European market may have different recall/warranty programs.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (2 years)Expired on all F30 models
N20/N26 timing chain warranty (USA only)7 years/70,000 miles if eligible
ZF transmission (some markets)Check for 5 year/150,000 km coverage
All F30 320i models (2012-2019) are outside original factory warranty. In USA, BMW issued extended limited warranty for timing chain on 2012-2015 N20/N26 engines to 7 years/70,000 miles—verify eligibility with dealer using VIN. European warranty programs may differ. Extended warranty from independent providers strongly recommended for pre-2015 N20 models due to catastrophic timing chain failure risk.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.