Let me preface by saying I'm not owner, but i do know that you won't get good answers in this section. The fast and furious section might yield the better answers but asking at fb owner groups or bmw Malaysia forum is better.
That said, I've also been looking and researching into the F30 as well (but 328i instead of 320i) and here's some of the issues I've found
- steering rack knocking (can be fixed with repair kit)
- oil sump leaking (if it leaks, need to change)
- head gasket leaking (again if it leaks, need to change)

Iirc these are the main ones. So you'll need some cash set aside. And this is common sense, but don't tie down yourself into a 7 or 9 year loan with a car this old.

Under warranty still Ok, else prepare 45k

This post has been edited by ze2: Nov 29 2019, 08:56 AM

conti uses a lot of plastic parts, after 6years or so, things start to crack and leak, then sensor issues, that sort of nonsense.

so those reviews less than 5years couldnt be trusted because as i said, Germans designed their cars to last for 5years only

Still alot on the road now means still ok no? Compared to same year golf/308 last time flood the roads now nowhere to be seen

my friend just got a 2012 320i a couple of months back,

change all lower arms & control arms, toe arms , change RDS shocks, change brakes, service both engine and transmission filter, new engine, transmission, diff fluid but using premium stuff. and some small petty stuff needed to change he changed, havent even rechip yet.

out of everything i only remember changing transmission filter and fluid which is about 1.6-1.8k including fluid.

basic service la, upwards of 20k spent within weeks, most of it due to the suspension, yours could be half the price. for a conti car, quite cheap to refresh.

This post has been edited by LimauKering: Nov 29 2019, 09:22 AM

Suggest get a pre-reg than a used unit
If u insist

Can't agree more on this.
If you want most peace of mind by owning an F30. Get a 320d.
That's it.

This post has been edited by kembayang: Nov 29 2019, 09:45 AM

Agree.. I see more F30 than A4 and Passat combined

sold mine couple of years ago,not satisfied with the performance
and bough mclaren

maintenance high . if got extra 20-30k cash for spare parts then can go ahead.... or else dont dream .

Endless money pit

bro get 320d instead

The F30 has been around since 2012 though

if u ask question 2 and 4, then this car is not for u

I used to drive F30 320i for some time as company car and I must say I didn't like it because it has this jerks at low speed. Turning on comfort mode also useless . Then I went and see the G20 330i also has this kind of behaviour. The 3 series exterior design has always been nice but the jerk feel I really cannot accept since I so used to the non-sporty gear shift in Japanese cars. But never tried 320d though, is it also the same like the petrol version?

This post has been edited by walkmanphone: Nov 29 2019, 10:36 AM

whatever it is, on top of the usual service, just prepare extra 10k a year

passat actually quite a lot now on the road