[sotann]

So Im looking to get my first car at 17 and was wondering which 328i seems to be the better choice. Im also wondering what specs I should look for, as in year, mileage, trim, etc. Also which engine would be more reliable between the two, so far Ive heard both the N52 and M52 are very reliable, but both have their small flaws. So far Im interested in the 2011 328i e90 and leaning a bit more towards it, just because Ive done a bit more research on it. Please give me your input and suggestions, Thank you!

[Cpet]

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2072246

Check out this thread

[Efthreeoh]

I think the E90 has the better suspension and better interior. I have both an E46 chassis car (E86 Z4) and a 325i E90 (sport package). I also at the same time for a few years had a '05 E46 330i Cabrio (sport package). The Cabrio has chassis flex and is heavy, so it's hard to compare to a hard top E90 and the rolling chunk-of-billet that the Z4 is.

But between the E46 and E90, my pick is the E90.

[autoAER]

E90 for sure. More modern, better daily, best of both worlds of driving experience and comfort. E46 WILL require more work to maintain at this age. Common problems found on the E46 don’t really exist on the E90 at that level.

This is coming from someone who’s owned multiple E46’s and believes they are the superior driving experience!

[StradaRedlands]

I skipped both the E36 & E46 era, so can't comment on an E46 personally, but I'll say the E90 is a great car that has aged well visually, is easy to maintain with common known issues, and a blast to drive. Last of the analog Bimmers and all that.
Hold out for a 330i IMO. Those are more readily available in EU, correct? But any of the N52 cars are good ones. Early ones have a compromised iDrive system that is good to avoid. Either get a newer car (09 and up) with updated CIC, a car without it at all, or plan to upgrade to Android Auto/Apple play device.
Totally biased, but I walk the walk, and say find a 330i with manual transmission and no iDrive, and you have a keeper that you'll be able to drive for another 20 years if you keep up on maintenance. Which brings us to the last part: These cars require a lot of work to keep up. Physically turning bolts, but also the research into figuring out the problem and repairing them. Then there's the whole digital diagnostic side which I have yet to master.
I'm NOT trying to scare you off, and I definitely recommend jumping in and getting one if you feel you can do the work to keep up on it. But if you can't, it'll become a burden and then just a junked car. Get one and enjoy it!

[3PedalJake]

E90. Biggest questions are what are your financials like and how handy are you with a wrench and diagnostic software. If you can afford to appease the bimmer gods with an occasional offering of parts and have someone put them on for you you're doing pretty well for 17, go for it. If you're less financially blessed but mechanically inclined and motivated to DIY it, parts aren't much different from any other car (except that you need more of them), and you should likewise go for it. If your're tight on the funds and not thinking of DIY get a 8th or 9th gen Accord and drive it forever on an occasional oil change.

[autoAER]

^ +100000000000 on strada’s recommendation of a 330i MT (although I may be somewhat biased )

[3PedalJake]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

I skipped both the E36 & E46 era, so can't comment on an E46 personally, but I'll say the E90 is a great car that has aged well visually, is easy to maintain with common known issues, and a blast to drive. Last of the analog Bimmers and all that.
Hold out for a 330i IMO. Those are more readily available in EU, correct? But any of the N52 cars are good ones. Early ones have a compromised iDrive system that is good to avoid. Either get a newer car (09 and up) with updated CIC, a car without it at all, or plan to upgrade to Android Auto/Apple play device.
Totally biased, but I walk the walk, and say find a 330i with manual transmission and no iDrive, and you have a keeper that you'll be able to drive for another 20 years if you keep up on maintenance. Which brings us to the last part: These cars require a lot of work to keep up. Physically turning bolts, but also the research into figuring out the problem and repairing them. Then there's the whole digital diagnostic side which I have yet to master.
I'm NOT trying to scare you off, and I definitely recommend jumping in and getting one if you feel you can do the work to keep up on it. But if you can't, it'll become a burden and then just a junked car. Get one and enjoy it!

+1 on the 330i. I think in all the markets that didn't get the turbo the 330i hung around as top dog and got the N53 N/A w/ DI. There's a few members I've seen from S Africa with later MY 330i.

[lordnikon]

N52 > N53

[StradaRedlands]

Yeah, N53 best to be avoided... All the N54 hassle without the benefits.
N54 is overkill for a first car, plus larger maintenance costs.
N55 is more reliable, but in newer cars and going to be more expensive initial outlay. Plus again, get used to driving a slow car fast, then move up to more power. And if if you're getting into DIY car life, keep it simple and know there's a learning curve.
N52 is where it's at, and the 330i with the three stage intake gives you more go when you want it.
IMO opinion avoid the siren call of diesels. While they provide better fuel economy, modern ones have so many finicky environmental controls, the money you save in fuel you spend in maintenance.