BMW 320i Problems

BMW's 3-series models are all rear-wheel drive, with the exception of the X-drive all-wheel-drive model. There are no front-wheel drive BMW 320i models.

BMW's 3-series models are all rear-wheel drive, with the exception of the X-drive all-wheel-drive model.

There are no front-wheel drive BMW 320i models.

BMW's 320i has long been a popular entry-level prestige machine and, with its good looks, build quality, and engineering, it's not hard to see why. European cars often get a reputation for being unreliable when people used to driving basic Japanese cars don't take them for a service or drive them like a farm vehicle. Just like an expensive piece of clothing, or cooking an expensive piece of meat on the BBQ, you need to look after prestige European vehicles more carefully than you do a basic runabout. However, if you do look after them they should be perfectly reliable!

BMW offered two 3 Series wagons in 2007, the 320i and the 323i. The list price for the 320i wagon was $65,800; the 323I wagon was $71,500.

Take it to an independent mechanic who specializes in BMWs or European brands and have them assess the problem for you. The quote from the BMW dealer would suggest that they want to replace the gearbox, but an independent mechanic might be able to repair it at a much-reduced cost, and even if the gearbox does have to be replaced it will be cheaper.

The Mazda6 is very good and great for the price but the Mercedes C-Class wagon is a couple of steps further up the ladder and an excellent car if you have the money.

The PCV valve and the vacuum pump are the most likely causes of the high oil consumption, and although you say they have been done I would strongly suggest you recheck them. The pump in particular is a well-documented cause of oil leaks. I doubt changing oil would fix your problem.

There's no reason you can't fit conventional tyres to your BMW, although BMW people and some industry experts would tell you that you   would affect the handling of the car. The BMW suspension has been tuned to run the run flats, which have a hard sidewall that contributes to the overall springing of the car, so fitting a conventional tyre with softer sidewalls will affect that springing and the handling will be altered to a degree. But lots of people have changed to conventional tyres without any trouble. As far as the run flat sensor goes, the BMW doesn't have one. It uses the ABS brake system to determine when a wheel is running at a different speed to the others, thus indicating a flat.

LIKE you, I prefer rear-wheel-drive cars for the way they drive and feel on the road. I'm also in favour of buying used BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes because you get to drive a better car than you might otherwise be able to afford, but they can be expensive to service and repair. For that reason I am loathe to recommend them. But I also agree that some of the cars coming from Japan look good, and I particularly like the new Lancer. I wouldn't be concerned about front-wheel drive at all, there's nothing wrong with the way they drive, handle, steer or brake.