BMW 320i Coupe

What Was the Inspection About?

The ad promised “top condition, no issues”—a sleek 2008 BMW 320i Coupé with 130,000 km. When I joined the buyer on-site, things looked good at first: clean interior, fresh TÜV. But I noticed the engine bay had been steam-cleaned and during the test drive, the idle was a bit rough. A quick ECU scan revealed stored misfire codes on cylinder 3 and a recent memory reset—classic signs of a mild ignition issue. I calmly confronted the seller with the findings, and—suddenly—he remembered the car "might need new spark plugs." We used the data as leverage and negotiated the price down by 800 €, making room for a professional tune-up. Solid win.

My Thoughts on the Car

The E92 320i has aged well—balanced chassis, great steering, and just enough power for spirited driving. But the N43 engine in this one has known weak points: coil packs, Vanos solenoids, and carbon buildup. Thankfully, the issues here were manageable and well-documented. With some preventative care, it’s a car that rewards you every time you take the long way home. For the price we got it at, it was a smart buy with real potential.

Pricing

The inspection cost 90 €, which included travel, test drive, full system diagnostics, and seller negotiation. That small investment paid off immediately—we shaved almost ten times that off the purchase price. A few days later, the new owner sent me a photo: fresh coils installed, no more warning lights, and a very happy face behind the wheel.