A good family car, but watch the turbo! (BMW 320d)

Member Name: commanderbond

Product:	BMW 320d
Date:	23/07/08 (1399 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fairly well made, good handling, reliable

Disadvantages: Not as reliable or well built as you might believe, turbo failure

I've owned a 2001 320d Touring, the 136 Bhp model, for 2 years now, its been a reliable car, excellent for cruising in on long journeys.
Do be aware however that there are issues with the BMW 2 litre Turbo diesel engine, it seems to have a habit of turbo failure, which is expensive to fix. Also on the later 150bhp models, inlet manifold flaps can break off and enter the engine cylinders causing much expensive damage. BMW you need to recognise this and help affected owners!!
However if you maintain the car well, it is sugegsted to do 6 monthly synthetic oil changes, the turbo should stay healthy and provide many years service.
My car has done 75000 miles, there are a few issues: the clutch is getting juddery, the glass tailgate has an electric catch which opens by itself, there are a couple of small rust patches.
On the whole though a good family car, reliable and better and more classy than a new Mondeo or Octavia for example.

Summary: Look after it well and it will last many years.

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