Buying new BMW 3 Series - any advice?

I am thinking of buying a new BMW 3 Series diesel automatic, but I am a bit concerned about the long term reliability. I would ideally like to keep it for five years and would run up 100,000 miles in that time. Reliability index didn't rate the previous model very highly and I know a few people who had the timing chain issue. I know you can't look into the future but do you have any thoughts?

Asked on 5 January 2015 by Funkyboy1

Answered by Honest John
3 Series N47 timing chain issues were partly the quality of the chains and partly the daft BMW oil change regime that could leave them in the same oil for 2 - 3 years. The timing chain issue has now been fixed and you can make sure by changing the oil and filter every 10,000 miles whatever the dealer tells you. So do not buy the service package. This is the most economical 2.0 litre diesel engine you can buy.
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