2016 BMW 1 Series 3.0L Petrol · B22 SAJ

The 2979cc petrol engine is the thirstiest in the 1 Series range, realistically returning around 28-34 mpg in mixed driving and closer to 25 mpg in town. Fuel costs will therefore be notably higher than for the diesel variants; budget around £2,200-£2,800 per year for fuel at current prices if covering 8,000-10,000 miles. Road tax falls in a higher band for this displacement, so check the current VED before committing, and note that vehicles registered before April 2017 with this engine size will be on a higher rate than smaller petrol equivalents.

Insurance group for the 3.0-litre M135i or equivalent is high, typically group 30-37, so expect premiums of £800-£1,400 depending on your profile. Servicing at a BMW dealer is expensive, but a quality independent specialist can halve the cost. Typical annual maintenance including an oil service, brake fluid change every two years, and consumables should be budgeted at £400-£700, with major items such as tyres and brake discs adding more every couple of years. Overall estimated annual running cost is in the region of £2,800-£3,500 once fuel, tax, insurance, and maintenance are combined.

Although this specific car has a clean MOT record, the model-wide data flags suspension arms and tyres as the most common failure points, so a physical inspection of the front and rear suspension should be prioritised. Pay particular attention to the rear trailing arm bushes, which are a known weak point on the F20 generation 1 Series, and check for uneven tyre wear that may indicate alignment or geometry issues. Lift the car if possible and look for any weeping from the rear differential seal, as this is common on the more powerful rear-wheel-drive variants.

For the 3.0-litre N55 engine itself, listen on cold start for any rattle from the timing chain area, which is a known issue if oil changes have been infrequent. Check the oil filler cap for milky residue and the dipstick for any signs of contamination. Inspect the intercooler pipework and boost hoses for splits, as the turbocharged variants see boost-related wear. Finally, examine the condition of the alloy wheels, brake discs, and pads, and verify that the infotainment and all electrical systems function correctly, as these can be expensive to repair on BMWs of this era.