Opinions on N42

[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.

[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.