Have another teen who will be driving soon. Wants something fun, will contribute to the cost and maintenance. I lean towards (used) German cars for new drivers because I believe their handling and braking are generally superior and they tend to reinforce proper driving techniques. Plus the Germans were doing crash and rollover testing before the government required it because that is how they do things. Am seeing a couple of BMW diesels in our price range. Sub 100k miles with maintenance records. Prices seem good perhaps people are scared of the diesels in the US. Anyone have experience? As much as I know BMWs pretty well I have not owned one of their diesels. Last diesel I drove regularly was a W123. He loves those too but hard finding one that is not either a rolling project or too nice and expensive for a new driver. TIA.
2017 or so BMW 328d - anyone have experience?
- Thread starter RBT
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For a teen driver, I would probably stay away from a diesel. A mistake at the fuel pump can get expensive, plus the drive cycle of a teenage probably wouldn't be ideal for the diesel after-treatment system.
I appreciate your point about drive cycle but he is not an idiot - he has been helping me maintain cars and equipment since he was about 8. He is not going to put the wrong fuel in the tank.
I strongly recommend that the car you're interested in gets a pre-purchase inspection performed by an indie shop that specializes in bimmers. Try www.bimrs.org to find a shop near you. Also, go the the BMW CCA website to find out which chapter of the club is in your area. Contact a couple of the chapter's officers to find out what shops they recommend.
Get to know www.realoem.com.
Get to know FCP Euro.
The installation of aftermarket cooling system parts is strictly verboten.
I've owned and wrenched on bimmers since 1974!
Get to know www.realoem.com.
Get to know FCP Euro.
The installation of aftermarket cooling system parts is strictly verboten.
I've owned and wrenched on bimmers since 1974!
My only experience with a 328d is a customer of mine who we service and repair. It is a 2013 so a bit older than what you are considering but I can tell you I think that is a superb driving vehicle! It is very torquey and quick and gets good gas mileage and the owner refuses to ever sell it. They have a new EV Porsche and a Cayanne that we also service and the BMW is their favorite. It has been reliable and at the 121k mile mark still runs new. We have over the years replaced a wheel bearing, alternator and a leaking oil level sensor. You do need to maintain them well and they will last.
Two absolute truths!!!
You have me beaten. I started on BMWs in 1988.
Well, the N47 (engine code) was well known for having timing chain problems like the gasser sibling N20. The problem should've been addressed by 2015 per BMW SIB. EGR cooler (recalled) was another issue and there's probably an extended warranty but I would double check. Otherwise the car is build like any other 3 series of this vintage. Oil leaks will likely need to be addressed. X-drive maintenance or lack thereof. Door lock mechanism can be temperamental.
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I have a 2016 535d with 108k miles. Expensive repairs so far have been replacing a cracked driver side headlight assembly and a cracked oil filter housing that puked coolant everywhere. Around $4k for those 2 repairs at indy BMW shop. EGR cooler on my car has an extended warranty from BMW, and was replaced once before I bought the car. This car's N57 engine, which is 100% stock, has more power than I could have responsibly handled as a teen.
It would be the four not the six, agree 100 percent.
If you like diesel, check out the Chevy Cruze diesel, which was even available with a manual transmission (I don't think BMW offered manual and diesel together in 2017). If you're really lucky, you can find a Cruze diesel hatchback with the 6-speed manual 
Otherwise, a Honda Fit would be a better choice. The Fit has a good reputation for being nice to drive.
Otherwise, a Honda Fit would be a better choice. The Fit has a good reputation for being nice to drive.
Those car are not in consideration.If you like diesel, check out the Chevy Cruze diesel, which was even available with a manual transmission (I don't think BMW offered manual and diesel together in 2017). If you're really lucky, you can find a Cruze diesel hatchback with the 6-speed manual
Otherwise, a Honda Fit would be a better choice. The Fit has a good reputation for being nice to drive.
There is a reason you don’t see many Cruzes anymore, and even less diesel variants. A promising car with some significant flaws that caused most of them to assume a new life as a soda can prematurely. Typical GM in the sense that the engineers can deliver a first rate product but the bean counters manage to kill it. I saw it first hand 25 years ago when I was doing a lot of work for them.
I am not a car snob in any sense but a Fit is not a suitable choice for a new driver. It is not heavy enough and will not hold up in a crash, God forbid. Maybe fine if you just putter around in the city the way the Europeans do with the smaller cars. But not at higher speeds and not with the prevalence of SUVs on the road.
One Japanese car he did mention was an Impreza hatchback. I am ok with that as an option as Subarus have good driving dynamics - they are balanced with the AWD and they are substantial cars. My wife has had a couple of the wagons and they are a heavier build than the Hondas and Toyotas.
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Are you in a smog testing location?
The emissions systems on these are not really long-term viable.
My X5 35d had to get a new particulate filter around 120k miles. It was $4,000 just for the part! Fortunately the previous owner had that done just before I bought it, along with one of the two EGR coolers and the thermostat. It wouldn't pass smog without it. Now the SCR catalyst is going out. (Fortunately I do not live in a smog testing area.) At high mileage you will want to consider a delete but you can only do that in non-smog testing locations.
A buddy of mine who owns a shop that specializes in diesels says he thinks that around 90 percent of all diesel trucks on the road have emissions deletes. (We're talking about post-2007 emissions with SCR and particulate filters and urea injection)
The emissions systems on these are not really long-term viable.
My X5 35d had to get a new particulate filter around 120k miles. It was $4,000 just for the part! Fortunately the previous owner had that done just before I bought it, along with one of the two EGR coolers and the thermostat. It wouldn't pass smog without it. Now the SCR catalyst is going out. (Fortunately I do not live in a smog testing area.) At high mileage you will want to consider a delete but you can only do that in non-smog testing locations.
A buddy of mine who owns a shop that specializes in diesels says he thinks that around 90 percent of all diesel trucks on the road have emissions deletes. (We're talking about post-2007 emissions with SCR and particulate filters and urea injection)
I don't know about the 328d, but my 2013 X5 diesel has loads of torque. Repairs of any BMW will be expensive, especially of done at the dealer.
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I know a couple of guys with 328d's, fun little cars with mind-blowing fuel economy. They're happy with them and the only grumbling I heard was about a NOx sensor which was covered under an extended warranty. 2016 and up are pretty solid from my understanding.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
Get him 330 with B48.
If it is not timing chain, it will be SCR/DPF issue. The fuel savings will be insignificant. B48 in 330 can easily hit 40mpg. But emissions system stuff on diesels are serious PITA. It is especially hard to diagnose when sensors die, is it sensor, SCR mixer, DEF valve etc. Don’t get me wrong, I love diesels, I had BMW X5 35D (E70) and several of their diesels in Europe, but B generation of gasoline engines is so efficient, that it doesn’t make sense.
If it is not timing chain, it will be SCR/DPF issue. The fuel savings will be insignificant. B48 in 330 can easily hit 40mpg. But emissions system stuff on diesels are serious PITA. It is especially hard to diagnose when sensors die, is it sensor, SCR mixer, DEF valve etc. Don’t get me wrong, I love diesels, I had BMW X5 35D (E70) and several of their diesels in Europe, but B generation of gasoline engines is so efficient, that it doesn’t make sense.
Edy is right, and I've had an N47 equipped X3. It's a blast to drive (tuned) and remarkably efficient, but the pesky exhaust aftertreatment components will give you headaches. The older the model year, the more likely you'll have niggling issues. If you're set on a 328d, find a late 2018 with low, low miles. If you don't need X-drive, then avoid it as it's just one more variable that can cause problems.
As stated, the DEF system can be problematic: the tank heater and/or the heater line can fail, leading to CEL and limp home mode. Basically anything emissions related that isn't fixed ASAP will lead to limp home mode due to failure to run DPF regenerations.
The EGR valve can get sticky over time, so it helps to remove it and clean it up (3 hex bolts, easy remove/replace). The fuel filter is a PITA to service, as it's underneath the driver's side of the car and you need to remove plastic panels to get at it. It should be replaced every 40k miles or so, and same with the engine air filter. I will say the engine air filter is a breeze to replace, as is most other maintenance such as oil changes and the like. Parts can be found cheaply as they're plentiful and the servicing itself is a good experience for someone learning to wrench on cars.
If it runs great and is taken care of, it really has no direct competition in terms of driving dynamics, efficiency, comfort, and safety (IMO).
As stated, the DEF system can be problematic: the tank heater and/or the heater line can fail, leading to CEL and limp home mode. Basically anything emissions related that isn't fixed ASAP will lead to limp home mode due to failure to run DPF regenerations.
The EGR valve can get sticky over time, so it helps to remove it and clean it up (3 hex bolts, easy remove/replace). The fuel filter is a PITA to service, as it's underneath the driver's side of the car and you need to remove plastic panels to get at it. It should be replaced every 40k miles or so, and same with the engine air filter. I will say the engine air filter is a breeze to replace, as is most other maintenance such as oil changes and the like. Parts can be found cheaply as they're plentiful and the servicing itself is a good experience for someone learning to wrench on cars.
If it runs great and is taken care of, it really has no direct competition in terms of driving dynamics, efficiency, comfort, and safety (IMO).
CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
Daughter is driving 2008 328i with the N52 gas that she's had since new. It is a blast to drive and she's had since 20 YO. For diesels though, there are the swirl flap sticking and EGR gumming up the works cel codes coming up from time to time. It's routine maintenance unfortunately. Get a swirl flap and EGR software delete if you can. Most places won't do it for cars now though because the EPA cracked down on them.
Use a BMW or Mercedes approved low saps oil or you will get a clogged Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) clog. Very expensive replacement. These aren't American pickup trucks and don't have big can DPFs. Rotella ain't your Bro here.
Use a BMW or Mercedes approved low saps oil or you will get a clogged Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) clog. Very expensive replacement. These aren't American pickup trucks and don't have big can DPFs. Rotella ain't your Bro here.
JHZR2
Staff member
I was thinking Cruze diesel as well. As cool as a bmw diesel may be, the modern diesels are nothing like putting a kid in a w123. My ML320 has huge torque. Not that a responsible kid couldn’t respect it. It’s more when they lapse in judgement.If you like diesel, check out the Chevy Cruze diesel, which was even available with a manual transmission (I don't think BMW offered manual and diesel together in 2017). If you're really lucky, you can find a Cruze diesel hatchback with the 6-speed manual
Otherwise, a Honda Fit would be a better choice. The Fit has a good reputation for being nice to drive.
I suspect the gasser ones are lower cost to work on, and less liability of emissions stuff.
Still would be an interesting option. Everyone I know who has had them loves them.
