BMW 3 Series Touring estate (2005-2012) | owner reviews: MPG, Problems & Reliability

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Great car to drive if you like a keen engine — lots of pulling power through out the range. Started off quiet but at 70,000 miles its as noisy as all the rest. Clutch went at 65,000 which is not what you would expect, as did the water pump. Minor issues with car include faulty bonnet release, poor tyre choice for this car (run flats that last less than 10K ), battery died at 60,000 miles and the auto stop-start was hit and miss. THEN the dreaded timing chain noise which mean't this car could drive for another 1,000 miles or 30,000 miles before it perhaps snaps and then its fit for scrap. BMW deny this problem exists... but be VERY careful buying a BMW with an N47 engine.

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So far it has been great. everything works well.

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No problems except the hassle of replacing run flat tyres

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it's a bit new to tell!

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No problems to report

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Nothing has gone wrong in over three years

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the car is very reliabile, comfortable and great handling

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I have had no major issues, and any small problems have been easily resolved

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Only wear and tear items replaced

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No problems

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Never a single problem - it's truly amazing!

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Simply never let me down! Love it!

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4 years, low mileage, no failures beyond runflat tyres

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Never let me down

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On wet roads if I don't brake for 10 - 15 miles then the brakes do not work until the water has cleared from the disks - scary. Told the garage and they told they'd tell BMW, which I think they did as I got a call from someone then lost the signal and they never rang back.

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One breakdown - coils One fault - front suspension

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great

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Too many small defects. No major issues

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Good bar one electrical issue

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No problems encountered so far.

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My car is an estate model and carries a variety of items very capably although a flet floor load platform would be very much appreciated. The effect of my advanced age is beginning to make me see advantage to a higher seat position as provided by crossover models. The fuel economy of this vehicle (often better then 50mpg at motorway speeds) is particvularly praiseworthy.

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Excellent handling and performing economical car able to take occasional larger loads

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A fantastic work horse

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Having owned my car for 10 months I've grown to love it current mileage is 91,000 and in the 10 months it's had 2 new front tyres new rear brakes crankshaft pulley and belts engine breather changed to vortex type and swirl flaps removed. It came with all manner of optional extras and toys too many to mention. The ride is very firm and handles more like a hot hatch. Performance is more than what you'd expect from a2.0 diesel and with it being an auto in sports mode is very responsive although the mpg is a tad disappointing. The only downside to the car really is the engine noise from outside its a bit more noisy than you would expect but the car is very well soundproofed and none of the engine noise is heard in the cabin. Overall I'm very pleased with the car and would definitely have another one!

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No issues with the during ownership

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serviced according to "Light Indications". It now has 196000 miles "and steel feels "as new".Only one breakdown experienced ,never off road for ever more than 24hours

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Simply wonderful

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Does what is expected

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Very reliable so far. Some minor trim detached, but mechanically solid.

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No issues to date

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all good so far

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Can't fault it!

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No problems

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Best car I have owned so far.

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No rattles or problems.

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No breakdowns or unexpected maintenance required

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Not as good as the previous 330 auto 2003 touring, my current car needed repair 3 times for xenon headlight, central locking, and a problem with the wing mirrors.

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Bmw 320d touring Eats through tyres - and they are runflats so have a hard ride and have to fork out £25 per tyre more for a runflat version. Painful to own when it snows - can't get up even small hills when all around me (in fwd cars) have no trouble. These 2 issues are making me seriously consider ever getting a rwd bmw again, or any other car come to it that has runflats - they are a rip-off.

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Great car, good mix of economy vs power, practical but still dynamic and fun to drive.

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Good car overall, excellent handing & performance. Boot not the best shape. Been let down with 2 engine management problems and need for a wheel bearing to be replaced in the last 6 months which is slightly worrying for a car less than 3 years old!

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320d touring se. Probably the best all-round car in bmw's range, and for the high-mileage family driver possibly the most rational car in the world. Great car, spoiled only by the stupid run-flat tyres, which i've changed to proper ones which improve ride, handling and road noise significantly. Changed down from an e39 530d tourin, and actually prefer this now.

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A great all rounder quality car with good attention to detail in a stylist package (even as an estate) that drives well. Economy is good considering the good performance. If the ride was less firm it would be even better.

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I bought this in 2013. I had nearly always owned diesels previously but saw this smart looking estate. On the forecourt the engine was supremely smooth (for a four cylinder) and seductive. I took it for a test drive and it felt like a snail in comparison to my previous Mondeo diesel. Despite being relatively slow, though, I liked the car, it was comfortable, looked smart and had an ideal driving position for me. I don't do a lot of miles so I thought a petrol would be fine. I bought it but soon missed the Mondeo's power and economy, and wish I'd gone for a turbo diesel. After three months, the car started stuttering at low revs. It got worse and worse and after a week or so it has a "hissy fit" and stuttered, jerks and the engine light flashed. Then it was fine. I took it to be looked at and they couldn't find any faults. Then there was a period of calm until it went into the same cycle again and ended in a hissy fit. Faulty coil packs? Possibly but why didn't it happen all the time? The garage said it looked like they'd been done already. In the end I ended up being able to adapt my driving style to avoid the stuttering. The car also started "wandering" on the road, eventually reaching a point where it seemed dangerous to drive on roads that were less than smooth. Garage findings were inconclusive until we swapped the tyres from front to back and there was an improvement - for a while. Was it the run flat tyres causing this? I'd say so. I think they're okay until they're part worn. I had the car for 22 months. Eventually my wife said after driving it one day "can you please get rid of it?" Yes dear.

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i have had no issues with the reliability at all

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good quality car, no probs

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no problems so far

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A run flat tyre failed dramatically and I had to be "rescued" as there is no spare. Annoying. The car has never failed to get me where I was going, but had a few minor faults fixed under guarantee. Now, outside guarantee, it has develop an annoying rattle somewhere in the dashboard ares and will no doubt need dealer attention.

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Absolutely no problems

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Not one problem since owning the car.

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had no real problems with do service regularly

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Complete workhorse. just done 158,000 miles with little cost above regular servicing. gear box replaced at 42,000 miles under warranty. Sun roof replace x2 under warrenty, otherwise excellent.

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85k with no faults

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Generally very good. No problems. had a warning light issue that was resolved by the main dealer very quickly

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No problems, although it seems to eat tyres. Couple of coughs and splutters when not used for a week.

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Dtc failed

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very good; so far no issues

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Great car. Swapped to the 3-series touring from a 4x4 and its the best thing i ever did. Done 50,000 miles and plan to swap for exactly the same car again. 10/10

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Owned many BMWs over the years, but have experienced nothing but problems with this one and the one before - all to do with coils and injectors! First BMW 2008 3 series 42k - engine had to be replaced - after 8 months of fighting garage and trading standards help - the garage had to give us our money back. Not know there were issues with the 3 series 2007-2009 engines, we purchased another one being a 2009 tourer 71k 2.0 petrol - 4 months down the line to be having same problems again- out of warranty so far its cost over £500 with coils and injectors being replaced - still not running right. BMW say there is an imbalance in the engine and only way to resolve is to replace with a new engine! BMW will not get another penny out of me- the car is being traded in and a new Volkswagen being purchased - a reliable car for once! BMW you are joke and should hold your hands up and resolve the problems with these engines!

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Has never let me down in the first seven monthos of ownership

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no mechanical problems paint problem awaiting warrenty response from BMW

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has not broken down but needed new disc and clutch after 40,000 miles disgraceful

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No major issues - just general wear and tear items (tyres, brake pads, standard servicing etc.)

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Known problem with coil packs and injectors on this year's model let the car down on more that one occassion BMW have a recall on this model however they refuse to call it such and did not contact customers when improved components became available!

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Outstanding quality, best in it's class for styling and performance, considering this performance it is very economical on longer journeys, is a joy to drive and besides fairly high cost of consumables these are not beyond my expectations and the car still holds it's value well.

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Boring motorway muncher. Bmw's are suppose to be exciting and excellently built. This is boring and just does what it says on the tin. get's you from a to b but without any feeling. Boot is tiny for an estate car and poorly shaped, rear leg room is ok. Standard kit is very poor, but business ed pack makes up for it.

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Does most things brilliantly.

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Great car to drive. Very fast, efficient for the power it gives. Practical and good looking. Makes me smile when i drive it.

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Very comfortable and pleasant for drive

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.

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turbo divert valve replaced, otherwise no problems

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I've only had two "problems" with the car since purchasing it. Firstly, the torque converter needed replacing (BMW assured me that this was an isolated case and didn't investigate it further. Secondly, one of the roof rails has corroded. Both of these jobs have been carried out under warranty by BMW.

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Yes Green thumbs up