Hi guys. Not a regular poster, but I visit the forum almost every day. The 1st and last time I posted, I ended up owning a G01 LCI 20d, which I enjoy so much. I’m back again looking for a daily driver. On my radar, I have the F20 or F30 LCI 120/320i, mainly because the diesel versions are hard to find or have high mileage over 180k+ and budget around R250k-R300k. What's confusing me is why the F20 120i LCI is getting so much bad PR. Isn’t the B48 supposed to be a better engine than the N20 that it replaced, and isn't the same B48 used in the F30 and G20? If that’s the case, what makes the F20 a "bad" car?
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Read the WELCOME ALL BMWFANATICS post.
B48 confusion 😵💫
- Thread starter Lebseven
- Start date
I have come across some posts on other platforms where people are looking for advice on buying f20 120i and almost all the replies are get a 120d and 120i is bad
G01 20d is a daily for my wife, I need something for myself. My budget (R250k)limits me to f20/f30.
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MLorgat
Active member
Are you talking about the BMW Fanatics group on Facebook?
yes 🤣Are you talking about the BMW Fanatics group on Facebook?
TurboLlew
Honorary ///Member
High on the diesel fumes LMFAO.
Just try to read past the exaggeration about how torque is the most important thing and highly exaggerated mileage claims. I have been hearing from the time I was a kid how the 30d is BMWs 'signature engine' and 30ds make more power than M5s or even somehow sound better and they are perpetual motion machines. Literally from E39 to now. It's like a religion.
People love saying the thing they have is God's chosen thing for one reason or another. There is nothing wrong with diesel - they are great - but they are not what these guys say they are (or think they are) LOL.
Diesel died in the UK after subsidies fell away. In SA loyalty persists because of reliability into high mileage. ALOT of these posts on reliability also need to be taken with a pinch of salt (x35 posts as well) since they often fail to note that they have owned the car from basically new (or at least while still on plan). The cars you're going to find later on and the experience you will have will 100% NOT be what these guys have had.
With pricing being what it is, in a market where the guys have bought basically only on price/economy, I think another nail will be going in now. The whatsapp groups already have posts like this:
You can only pretend your car is 5l/100km better than reality (or 100% what BMW claims) for so long before reality sets in. I do think prices will eventually 'normalise' but the sensitivity to price is high enough that the split into EV for cost or petrol for experience makes sense.
EV subsidies are also already falling away, even in china. While a similar thing that has happened with diesel might happen once again when the rug pull on tax and charging infra costs happens (lets not kid ourselves here), it has much more of a use case for those that use it and charge for free at home. If you want an appliance an EV is the way. You'll notice the same arguments for diesel are happening for EVs (torque surge feeling especially) so conversion to the next religion is probably due LOL.
Anyway, the N20 is definitely one to run away from but the B48 is in keeper territory. If you can find a good LCI in your price range do it.
Sabretooth tiger
///Member
They should change that group to Diesel fanatics, anything else is bad.Are you talking about the BMW Fanatics group on Facebook?
Some of the comments on that group has me either in stitches or going like "wow please don't have kids"
My next car will have a B48 again. I owned a tuned B48 and it is still running flawlessly, the new owner is very happy.
PsyCLown
Well-known member
I believe around 2016 is when the B48 was put into the 120i and the B48 is certainly a step in the right direction when compared to the previous N13/N16/N20 engines.
They are not without their issues, LSPI can happen on the B48 although I have not seem or heard about this as much with the B48 as I have with the B58 (might be due to the fact that I am part of B58 groups and not B48 groups). Good quality oil and ensure your injectors are still fresh and good can help reduce potential ring land issues.
Cooling system issues are also common, the coolant pipes and connectors get brittle over time and start to leak.
They are not without their issues, LSPI can happen on the B48 although I have not seem or heard about this as much with the B48 as I have with the B58 (might be due to the fact that I am part of B58 groups and not B48 groups). Good quality oil and ensure your injectors are still fresh and good can help reduce potential ring land issues.
Cooling system issues are also common, the coolant pipes and connectors get brittle over time and start to leak.
AshG108
///Member
@Nishcat_M140i - Come give your novel please
I guess like other bmw models, it's all about regular servicing and preventative maintenance.
From what I’ve seen, there are still many well-looked after stock F30s,might be easier to get one than a f20. They are traded in for family SUVs.
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If i was in your shoes i would def rather go for a 320i.
A Clean Lci looks really good.
Hold out for a well specced one.
My wifes younger cousin just got a 2017 320i M-sport specced to the T. I didn't even know the F30 came with a full digital cluster as an option. Very nice paired with Harman Kardon.
Then do a stage 2 on it in which case most just break the 200wkw and 400nm mark and you have an awesome sedan.
I just had a look in your price range and there are probably only 3 that i would consider looking at, so def take your time and find the rite one
which mod was done?
Maybe also with a consideration?
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individj
Well-known member
downpipe exhaust and software. She's going to do an intake soon.
Sabretooth tiger
///Member
Agreed, get the Msport Shadow edition if you can, I had one with the 6WB cluster and loads of extras. Mine also made around those power figures with a stage2 and downpipe. Just make sure as with all ZF boxes that the box was serviced.
Sabretooth tiger
///Member
The stock intake is pretty good, do what I did and get a bmc drop in filter
individj
Well-known member
I think she wanted it for sounds to be honest. But I'll mention it. I mentioned a foam filter to her in the past.
