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2019+ BMW 3 AND 4-SERIES FORUMS (G2x Generation) General G20 Sedan / G22 Coupe / G26 Gran Coupe Discussions Will the G20 be reliable long term?

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      05-21-2020, 01:46 PM   #1
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Will the G20 be reliable long term?

Hey guys,

I need some insight and advice about this. I've been driving a 2007 328xi e90 for a while now and I think it's time to get a newer car since it's nearing 250K miles.

But I have some reliability concerns with the F30 or G20 cars. Based on what the mechanics here have told me, they don't trust the electrical power steering and the twin turbo four cylinder engines used nowadays are much more prone to issues.

Can you share your thoughts?
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      05-21-2020, 03:23 PM   #2
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There are some minor problems man, got my M340i last September, now I have these problems

My car was the first production car...

1.left rear view mirror shortage causing all the electronics screw up ( window switches, ACC, trunk won't open etc)

2 driver side door rattles ( cold weather only)

3 sunroof rattles( all the time)

4 check engine light comes up once not a big deal

5 at 8000km battery malfunction, replaced a new battery.

6 Sometimes the ACC won't work, said "not available" on the centre screen.. dealer said it's normal.

Other than that the car rocks. Feels more connected more fun than my B9 S5.
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      05-21-2020, 05:07 PM   #3
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Mine is an early build, May 2019 and no issues other than needing to add quart of oil periodically which is not that big of a deal. Since my first oil service, I have not had to add anymore.
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      05-21-2020, 10:25 PM   #4
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Impressive mileage on the E90, especially given that it was the start of more tech under the hood and more expensive maintenance (electric water pump, no dipstick, etc.). As for long term reliability of the G20, that of course can't be known, however with cars becoming more and more rolling computers, it is expected that these cars will become very expensive to maintain to the 250k mile point of your old E90. I know in another thread a replacement laserlight headlight was $3k (without labor), so maybe an extended warranty is advised after some ownership depending on how much you trust the vehicle.

As for engines, I would stay away from the earlier 4-cylinders (N20 engine code), and go for something post 2016 with a 30i moniker, denoting the new B48 engine being used. Your best guess for long term reliability would be asking the F3X forum, as I know there are users who have 100k miles+ on their 3/4-series, but of course, beware, being that this is a forum so there may be some bias.

Hope that helped
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      05-22-2020, 12:15 AM   #5
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Due to all the advanced electronics in the G20, I wouldn't personally want to own it past my 3 year lease as any issues down the line will most likely cost a grip to fix. Just my opinion.
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      05-22-2020, 12:27 AM   #6
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https://www.jdpower.com/business/pre...dability-study

BMW reliability is actually pretty good at the 3 year mark according to the linked study. My guess is that the G20 will prove to be very reliable too. I think what scares some people (me too) is the potential high dollar value of a single repair.

I personally plan on keeping my m340 for probably 7 years or more.
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      05-22-2020, 12:33 AM   #7
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Thanks a bunch for all your posts =D

I actually do almost everything on my 180K e90 . Sensors, valve cover gaskets, water pump, bumper replacements , etc.

I don't take my car to the shop since I know even with the e90 they'll charge a bunch.

Do you think I can do the same with the G20 2019 to save maintenance and shop money?
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      05-22-2020, 12:34 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jstein55 View Post
Impressive mileage on the E90, especially given that it was the start of more tech under the hood and more expensive maintenance (electric water pump, no dipstick, etc.). As for long term reliability of the G20, that of course can't be known, however with cars becoming more and more rolling computers, it is expected that these cars will become very expensive to maintain to the 250k mile point of your old E90. I know in another thread a replacement laserlight headlight was $3k (without labor), so maybe an extended warranty is advised after some ownership depending on how much you trust the vehicle.

As for engines, I would stay away from the earlier 4-cylinders (N20 engine code), and go for something post 2016 with a 30i moniker, denoting the new B48 engine being used. Your best guess for long term reliability would be asking the F3X forum, as I know there are users who have 100k miles+ on their 3/4-series, but of course, beware, being that this is a forum so there may be some bias.

Hope that helped
I'd think that since they replaced the headlights with LED it shouldn't even be needing a replacement at any time?
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      05-22-2020, 07:06 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by saijin View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by jstein55 View Post
Impressive mileage on the E90, especially given that it was the start of more tech under the hood and more expensive maintenance (electric water pump, no dipstick, etc.). As for long term reliability of the G20, that of course can't be known, however with cars becoming more and more rolling computers, it is expected that these cars will become very expensive to maintain to the 250k mile point of your old E90. I know in another thread a replacement laserlight headlight was $3k (without labor), so maybe an extended warranty is advised after some ownership depending on how much you trust the vehicle.

As for engines, I would stay away from the earlier 4-cylinders (N20 engine code), and go for something post 2016 with a 30i moniker, denoting the new B48 engine being used. Your best guess for long term reliability would be asking the F3X forum, as I know there are users who have 100k miles+ on their 3/4-series, but of course, beware, being that this is a forum so there may be some bias.

Hope that helped
I'd think that since they replaced the headlights with LED it shouldn't even be needing a replacement at any time?
Water had gotten inside, that is why they needed replacing.
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      05-22-2020, 07:56 AM   #10
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Mine was as very early build (11/18). At about 3 months the convenience key system went south so the only way I could start the car was by placing the key fob by the steering column.

It took them about 3 weeks to fix it and required help from Munich.

Since then, it's been perfect at 14k miles so far. It's not getting much use these days however.

I hope it holds together since I really like it and I bought rather than leased.
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      05-22-2020, 12:47 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jstein55 View Post
Water had gotten inside, that is why they needed replacing.
Aren't these things water proof? If so this should be on the manufacturer 100%
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      05-22-2020, 12:49 PM   #12
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Okay so the e90 vs G20 ... would you guys still recommend the G20 ?

I also heard that the steering wheel on the G20 is now tighter unlike the F30 but still not as tight as the e90 hydraulic ?
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      05-22-2020, 12:57 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by saijin View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by jstein55 View Post
Water had gotten inside, that is why they needed replacing.
Aren't these things water proof? If so this should be on the manufacturer 100%
Apparently not if it needs replacing. My point is, the technology is very expensive, and that something like just a headlight (not including labor) outside of the 4/50 warranty, can cost as much as a used Corolla so keeping long-term, it can be expected that maintenance/upkeep is likely more expensive than your E90.
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      05-22-2020, 04:12 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jstein55 View Post
Apparently not if it needs replacing. My point is, the technology is very expensive, and that something like just a headlight (not including labor) outside of the 4/50 warranty, can cost as much as a used Corolla so keeping long-term, it can be expected that maintenance/upkeep is likely more expensive than your E90.
Gotcha, that's a good point which I need to keep in mind.

Any issues with the electronic power steering and the LCD dashboard & Navi screen? I'm just terrified if it fails since it's no longer hydraulic.
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      05-22-2020, 04:14 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by saijin View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by jstein55 View Post
Apparently not if it needs replacing. My point is, the technology is very expensive, and that something like just a headlight (not including labor) outside of the 4/50 warranty, can cost as much as a used Corolla so keeping long-term, it can be expected that maintenance/upkeep is likely more expensive than your E90.
Gotcha, that's a good point which I need to keep in mind.

Any issues with the electronic power steering and the LCD dashboard & Navi screen? I'm just terrified if it fails since it's no longer hydraulic.
I don't have any experience with failures. Electric steering has been used for 10-years now for BMW so I wouldn't doubt the reliability of it, but again, I don't own my cars long term anymore since my E46, so I don't have much information, I highly suggest you look at some of the F3X forum posts as there are some high milage cars there. Just get ready for ZERO steering feel, it is the biggest adjustment in going from an E-Chassis BMW to an F/G-Chassis car.
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      05-22-2020, 06:10 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by saijin View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by jstein55 View Post
Apparently not if it needs replacing. My point is, the technology is very expensive, and that something like just a headlight (not including labor) outside of the 4/50 warranty, can cost as much as a used Corolla so keeping long-term, it can be expected that maintenance/upkeep is likely more expensive than your E90.
Gotcha, that's a good point which I need to keep in mind.

Any issues with the electronic power steering and the LCD dashboard & Navi screen? I'm just terrified if it fails since it's no longer hydraulic.
If your Nav screen or digital dashboard go bad and you are out of warranty, prepare to pay through the roof.
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      05-22-2020, 06:40 PM   #17
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Also keep in mind early adopters are sacrificing experience for a short period exclusivity. Early production anything whether it be a car or technology won't be as well put together compared to the very same thing a couple months later. The first batch or two of production still have minor kinks that need to be worked out and the customer is the guinea pig. They'll fix those few minor issues on the production line as most common issues start trickling in.

BMW's in general aren't very well known(no German auto manufacturer really is) for being 'reliable'. J.D. Power survey's are also a joke. I wouldn't use that as a source for reliability or anything else for that matter. Will BMW fix some of the niggles over the cars lifecycle? Absolutely.
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      05-22-2020, 07:03 PM   #18
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So far in my experience it hasn't been terrible but it also hasn't been amazing. That being said, I might be falling in the camp of "who cares it's a BMW and performs as such". The performance has definitely outweighed any issues I've had...whereas with Lexus and Audi in my past, it was the opposite.
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      05-22-2020, 10:19 PM   #19
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the b58 has been pretty reliable thus far.... and the turbo 4 issues thus far have been the timing chain guide issue on the n20. But the new 3 series has the new B48 / b58. I feel like this car is going to be fairly reliable, bmw has been pretty reliable just in general since the F series generation cars as it is.
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      05-22-2020, 11:25 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Automotive Enthusiast View Post
Also keep in mind early adopters are sacrificing experience for a short period exclusivity. Early production anything whether it be a car or technology won't be as well put together compared to the very same thing a couple months later. The first batch or two of production still have minor kinks that need to be worked out and the customer is the guinea pig. They'll fix those few minor issues on the production line as most common issues start trickling in.

BMW's in general aren't very well known(no German auto manufacturer really is) for being 'reliable'. J.D. Power survey's are also a joke. I wouldn't use that as a source for reliability or anything else for that matter. Will BMW fix some of the niggles over the cars lifecycle? Absolutely.

If I want the 2019 330i, which release date should I look for?
Or should I go for the 2020 330 instead?

I'm looking to buy preowned.
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      05-22-2020, 11:26 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by premier3is View Post
If your Nav screen or digital dashboard go bad and you are out of warranty, prepare to pay through the roof.
There must be an option to buy the parts from a different source and get a NON dealer mechanic to replace them for much less cost.
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      05-23-2020, 02:09 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeremycanada View Post
There are some minor problems man, got my M340i last September, now I have these problems

My car was the first production car...

1.left rear view mirror shortage causing all the electronics screw up ( window switches, ACC, trunk won't open etc)

2 driver side door rattles ( cold weather only)

3 sunroof rattles( all the time)

4 check engine light comes up once not a big deal

5 at 8000km battery malfunction, replaced a new battery.

6 Sometimes the ACC won't work, said "not available" on the centre screen.. dealer said it's normal.

Other than that the car rocks. Feels more connected more fun than my B9 S5.
I stopped getting sunroofs in my cars a long time ago!! they always eventually start to rattles & being in SFL its too damn hot to open the roof! Structurally if you think about it they cut a a big square in the metal for the sun roof but the chassis flexes & will over time weaken/loosen the components
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