Looking at 3 series BMW convertables

MikeyH · Post by **MikeyH** » Mon Apr 22, 2024 6:36 pm

Hi all, I've started looking at the 3 series BMW 2.0 SE convertibles to replace our daily runabout Ford Focus CC. It would be a 2010/2012 year and my concern is the engine. Is this the same one that is in the E89 that has the timing chain problems? Thank you all in advance. Mike

Pondrew · Post by **Pondrew** » Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:04 pm

No it will be the N43 engine. N20 in the E89.
Up until 2013 the 3 series vert was an E93. They started fitting the N20 in the F33 (next gen 3 series vert which became a 4 series

) from 2013 until 2017. Then changed to the B48. The E93 325i has the N52 six pot which is he same as in the E85 2.5i.

If you can, I would go for an early F33 (2013 on). They are much more modern cars internally and externally.

MikeyH · Post by **MikeyH** » Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:40 pm

Thank you Pondrew, I thought that when they updated the 3 series they left the vert looking as it was. I’ll start looking for the 2013 ones and see what is out there. Of course from preference I would rather have the 4 series but I don’t like spending money on cars.

Mike.

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:46 pm

According to Wiki the 4 cylinder E9*s only had the N46 52 engine until 2007, then they got the N43.

The early 325i and 330i only had the N52 until 2007, then they got the N53 that seems to suffer from injector and fuel pump issues. Which is why my E90 330i is an early one with the N52!

Pondrew · Post by **Pondrew** » Mon Apr 22, 2024 11:15 pm

Mr Tidy wrote: ↑Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:46 pm According to Wiki the 4 cylinder E9*s only had the N46 52 engine until 2007, then they got the N43.

The early 325i and 330i only had the N52 until 2007, then they got the N53 that seems to suffer from injector and fuel pump issues. Which is why my E90 330i is an early one with the N52!

Indeed, with Ze Germans designating their numbers differently from the mid 2000s does get a bit confusing. Long gone are the days when you could tell a German car's engine size by the numbers on the back.

A 330 was a six pot 3 litre. Now it is a 4 cylinder 2 litre with a slightly fruity map.

And then BMW decided to call their 3 series coupes and verts (and hatches) a 4 series.

MikeyH · Post by **MikeyH** » Mon Apr 22, 2024 11:18 pm

Thank you Mr Tidy and Pondrew, this is getting very complicated.

Pondrew · Post by **Pondrew** » Mon Apr 22, 2024 11:32 pm

Just remember Mikey, 3 series verts (and 4 series) have hardtops which are even more complex than the E89, as they had an extra panel to fold.

Go for a C class Merc. They have soft tops and their engines generally are not as fragile.

Or an Audrey A5 vert. Better interiors and use the VAG 2.0l which has been used in everything for donkeys' years.

MikeyH · Post by **MikeyH** » Mon Apr 22, 2024 11:59 pm

My wife wants a hard top convertible as 3 quarter vis is better but yes I had wondered about the reliability of the roof.

M1k3yC · Post by **M1k3yC** » Tue Apr 23, 2024 1:43 pm

My dad had an E93 M3 and I'm pretty sure it was back with BMW more than once for maintenance on the folding hard top.

B21 · Post by **B21** » Tue Apr 23, 2024 4:52 pm

Be aware the E90 versions that used the N53 had the same injector and HPFP issues as the N54 in the E89 35i..same parts..

Also the folding top is almost an identical version of the E89 roof with the same issues.

MikeyH · Post by **MikeyH** » Wed Apr 24, 2024 2:03 pm

Oh god, think I had better convince the wife to have an Audi.

At least I can now blame you lot.

sars · Post by **sars** » Wed Apr 24, 2024 4:49 pm

I wouldn't hesitate in getting a 4 series convertible, all convertible roofs have some issues given the complexity of mechanism and sensors etcetera. Also I believe the e93 and f33 roof panels are identical, so much of the issues were ironed out with the f33. Also the 4 series has the roof raising mechanism to get into the luggage space with the top down and that was very useful, worth the extra price alone

The only issue that I had was water entering the HK amplifier causing it to short out, taking most of the speakers with it.

MikeyH · Post by **MikeyH** » Wed Apr 24, 2024 11:05 pm

Thank you sars, not in a hurry, just as well as not a lot in this area at the moment.

Quite like the Mercedes e class convertible but seems a bit large compared to the BMW.

Pondrew · Post by **Pondrew** » Thu Apr 25, 2024 12:10 am

sars wrote: ↑Wed Apr 24, 2024 4:49 pm The only issue that I had was water entering the HK amplifier causing it to short out, taking most of the speakers with it.

So nothing major then?

4 series verts (and coupes) have a drainage issue, cos the cill drains are shite and get blocked easily. They then fill the rear wings with rainwater and it overflows into the boot and finds the lowest point. Guess where the amp is? Mine had a stupid DVB tuner which was sat under the HK amp, so two expensive bits to short out.
Luckily I caught mine before it overflowed into the boot. Still got about 2 gallons out of both rear wings.

MikeyH · Post by **MikeyH** » Thu Apr 25, 2024 9:19 am

That sounds like a lot of trouble to me, think I’ll avoid BMW.

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