BMW 3er-Reihe G20/G21/G80/G81 facelift 2 318d, 150 PS, 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive (since 2024)

Research for this car

• Generation guide BMW 3 Series G20/G21 (since 2019): known problems and buying guide

  Several recalls, some with fire risk, plus steering and suspension wear. Prove the recall work by VIN and test the steering before you buy.

• Engine guide BMW B47 2.0 diesel (318d, 320d, 520d): problems, costs and what to check

  A solid diesel with a fire-risk recall, so check the recall work and turbo paperwork first.

• Gearbox guide ZF 8HP 8-speed automatic (BMW Steptronic): problems, costs and what to check

  A solid 8-speed when its fluid is changed on time. Buy with oil records and a clean scan, and avoid one that shudders or has run in limp mode.

Known issues for this car

Before you buy this car

From the generation guide

1. Recall check by VIN. Ask a BMW dealer to check the VIN for open campaigns: the 330e battery (2020 cars), the starter, the 48-volt starter-generator cables, the brake discs and the front belt buckle. Bad result: an open campaign, or no record of the work.
2. Steering knocks. Drive slowly at full lock in both directions, then over a few bumps. Bad result: a knock or creak from the rack or the joints.
3. Suspension (needs a lift). Ask a workshop to lift the car and check the ball joints and bushings for play. Bad result: play in a ball joint or worn bushings.
4. iDrive. Start the car cold and check that the screen comes on within about 20 seconds, Bluetooth pairs and the navigation runs. Bad result: a reboot, a dropout or a frozen screen.

From the engine guide

1. Turbocharger (test drive). Ask where the car was driven. Turbo damage is reported mostly on cars used in low outside temperatures, where moisture in the clean-air pipe can freeze. Ask for turbo invoices. Bad: a turbo job with no paperwork. No scanner needed.
2. Injectors (records). Ask for injector service records on any car above 150,000 km. Bad: no record at that mileage. No scanner needed.
3. DPF (scanner). On any car above 250,000 km, check for DPF cleaning or replacement records. Bad: no records. A scanner shows stored DPF fault codes.
4. EGR valve (records). Ask whether the EGR valve was cleaned or replaced. Bad: a car used mostly in heavy traffic with no record. No scanner needed.

From the gearbox guide

1. Read the gearbox fault memory with a BMW-capable scanner. Bad result: pressure or solenoid codes such as 4F84, 4F87, P189C or P0748, or a past limp mode.
2. Ask for fluid and filter invoices. Bad result: no fluid change by 80,000 to 120,000 km, or a change without an adaptation reset.
3. Drive the car from cold and select Drive and Reverse. Bad result: a hard 1-2 shift, or a delay of 1-3 seconds before the gear engages.
4. Drive 15 minutes in town, then under load. Bad result: jerky 2-3 shifts, flaring, slipping or a burnt smell.
5. Hold a steady light throttle at low speed. Bad result: a shudder or vibration, which points to the torque converter lock-up clutch.
6. Look under the car on a lift. Bad result: oil at the wiring connector on the case, on the plastic pan or on the cooler lines.

Running costs

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

ADAC versions