Planning on an F30. Some guidance please

[IraHayes]

Hey all. I'm a former BMW owner. I had an '87 635CSI for the longest time, but sold it some years back. I'm going to be in the market at the end of the year for a "new" car, and want to get back into a BMW again. I'm thinking on a 328i or possibly 328d, but leaning i at this point. Imagine my surprise when I came to realize that BMW's old naming conventions no longer apply has BMW gone away from naturally aspirated engines. Anyways, here's what I'm wanting help with.

-What was the last year BMW made a naturally aspirated engine in the 3 series? I really miss the straight 6 in my old 6 series.
-What kind of issues, if any, do I need to be aware of/look out for in the F30 328i?
-How is the reliability in the F30 cars? I'm a former mechanic and I have always done my own work on my cars as I have have a garage full of tools, so I'm not super concerned with maintenance. I just don't want to buy something that has the potential to be a money pit.

-Are there any subforums here that discuss the intricacies and maintenance of the F30 engines?
-Also, if I get an F30 328i, I'd like to get the newest engine type, which I'm assuming is the B48? Is this engine available in the 328i, and if so, what year did they start using it, and is there a label or badge under the hood that can help me identify the engine type?

-Anything else you guys can think of would be a huge help as I learn to navigate around the forum.

Thank you.

[floydr]

Hey all. I'm a former BMW owner. I had an '87 635CSI for the longest time, ...

-What was the last year BMW made a naturally aspirated engine in the 3 series? I really miss the straight 6 in my old 6 series.

-Also, if I get an F30 328i, I'd like to get the newest engine type, which I'm assuming is the B48?

BMW hasn't made M30 engines since around '91; all the more recent I6 engines have been M20 - based. The last 3-series with an I6 NA was the E9x series in 2011-2013 (coupes/convertibles lasted until 2013 model year). BMW had already broken displacement-based nomenclature by the time of your Shark - witness the M20 eta engine in the E30 3-series, which was a 2.7L engine but labelled 325. Or the 7-series from that era labelled 740i (turbo M30 3.5L.)

B48 is model years 2015 and later, labelled 330i rather than 328i. You can tell it by noting that the timing chain is in the rear.