E90/E92 Buying Guide

A problem a few owners came across was having their cars stolen due to key cloning. This was something that was quite common with cars like the Focus RS because of the keyless entry feature. There was a software fix issued for this from BMW so this should have been fixed on the majority of cars. Some of the engines use camchains, which many people think never need changing. However you would be wise to go for a car which has had this done, as when they stretch and eventually go, you'll receive a hefty bill. Regular oil changes can prolong a camchains life. Runflat tyres can be pricey as well as uncomfortable, some owners prefer to go for a different tyre for comfort and to avoid the premium. Many owners have complained that the sound system is not that good, some cars were fitted with tweeters as an extra and these tend to be a lot better when it comes to sound quality. The M3 has a service specified at 1000 miles, it is essential that it has had this service on time or else it can cause damage in the future. Another issue with the V8 is the lack of an oil dipstick, it relies on an electronic system which works through the iDrive. This can often give erratic results. You can normally get a good idea of how the car has been driven by looking through the iDrive settings, if all the settings are set to the most extreme then you know the car has been owned by a keen driver. A big weak point on the M3 is the brakes, the fronts use a single-piston floating caliper arrangement which is absolutely fine for normal town driving but doesn't work well when the car is pushed. Most owners recommend a pad upgrade as a bare minimum, with upgraded hoses and fluid to really make it stop better. Turbos failing is a common problem across a few engines, the 320d and the 335i in particular. The 335i turbos and engine can be very delicate when it comes to being tuned. Swirl flaps tend to fail on the 335i. On most cars the water pump, tensioner and belts shouldve been replaced by 80k miles. With the control bushings replaced every 40-45k miles. If the car has xenons, check the adaptive functionality. There should be an error light on the dash if there is a problem, it will look like a yellow headlight beam with a double sided arrow. the best way to test this is to put the headlights on against a wall while the car is level, the lights should only turn right when you turn the wheel right, they will not go past centre when turning left to prevent blinding oncoming traffic. Another thing to look out for is worn interiors, E90 interiors across all the models do not seem to wear quite as well as previous BMW models.