Opinions on N42

[Murdoch]

Looking to pickup a touring for the lady - and not really familiar with the N42 (looking specifically at late model E46s)
Had an M43 for a while which I found quite slow but otherwise OK - what's the verdict on this one?

[Big H]

Looking to pickup a touring for the lady - and not really familiar with the N42 (looking specifically at late model E46s)
Had an M43 for a while which I found quite slow but otherwise OK - what's the verdict on this one?

Junk - hold out for a 6 cylinder 325i/330i M Sport touring - may be more expensive up front but you'll be thankful down the line.....

[dergside]

10 years ago they didn't have a great rep - valvetronic and oil leaks were two of the common issues, and I think they were troublesome in the timing chain department too. iirc. I can't imagine that a further 10 years will have made them a whole lot better.

[318 iS Cosmos]

10 years ago they didn't have a great rep - valvetronic and oil leaks were two of the common issues, and I think they were troublesome in the timing chain department too. iirc. I can't imagine that a further 10 years will have made them a whole lot better.

Probably on par with the later bmw models.

My dad has owned his one since 2008 and in that time, outside of the normal service items, he replaced the timing chain, the CCV and a couple of cam shaft sensors (both actually failed and we thought it was the crankshaft sensor). Other than that it's been pretty bullet proof and zero oil leaks.

[Murdoch]

I guess that's a no then
I'll keep a look out for 330d or 330i then in that case, have an e39 525d in storage with 500kkm on it and never had an engine issue .. everything else around the engine though.. that's a different story

[dergside]

Probably on par with the later bmw models.

I wouldn't argue that point with you. I'd go so far as to say that I don't think BMW have built a properly bullet-proof engine since the M50.

[CitizenKane]

I’ve owned two 318Ci’s, albeit both with the N46. I don’t know how different that is from the N42, but they’ve been by far the two most unreliable cars I’ve ever had. In fairness I think they were both maintained poorly (or not at all) by previous owners, but still.

[Murdoch]

Just seems like the N designated engines are disasters... I've enough trouble with the S62, don't need any more