BMW 330i E91 Touring

[court]

I'd been itching to get a 6-cyl BMW for ages, so with the news that we'll be having a new arrival in the family in April I was able to upgrade my wife's Audi A2 for something a little 'safer' and 'practical'(!) She doesn't like big cars so barges were out. We test drove a 130i the week before but was too small. It certainly sold me on the engine though - I had to have that N52 engine!

Searches were setup, and I just had to wait.... I hadn't really searched on eBay due to a few issues in the past with idiots but I'd popped this car into my watch list and didn't take it seriously at the time, not sure why. I get very impatient waiting for rare cars though, so I dropped the seller a line while looking up the VIN.

I got a bit more excited when I read the spec:

Steptronic auto
Active steering
Folding dimming exterior mirrors
Electric seats, driver memory
Electric lumbar
Front heated seats
Front/Rear PDC
Auto lights/wipers
Xenons
Cruise control
Extended light package
Professional Navi CCC
Bluetooth
Hifi speakers
Sun protection glazing
Dealer fit iPod interface in glovebox

I love cars purchased from West London dealers, always great spec!

Upon viewing, the seller was a real BMW enthusiast. 3 on the drive an 1 in the garage! Everything was great about the car, not quite 'mint' bodywork but close enough for an 8 year old car. The N52 had a little lifter noise from cold, but was gone after the test drive. This is apparently pretty common according to the internet and not really a cause for concern.

I agree with some of the internet that the 258hp N52 isn't best matched to the auto, but I really enjoy cruising around kissing the accelerator lightly with my foot to change speed slowly.

We did the deal and I took the car straight away - 90 miles to home to get comfortable with the iDrive. Although slow and only 5 digit postcodes, I was very happy with the operation. Although, did have the CIC in my last 5er company car so maybe that helped. I filled up to the brim round the corner, stuck on the 1st level of heated seats and settled into the drive. 90 miles later at 80-90 all the way I averaged exactly 30.0mpg according to the OBC. I'm VERY happy with that!

These old BMWs really wear their age well don't they? I can't believe this is over 8 years old - it feels every bit as modern to drive as my Golf R lease. That said I don't think I like the mid-2000 M-Sport steering wheel, its far too fat and squishy. I wonder if I can find a replacement?

This car has full BMW service history and a lowish 57,000 miles. This meant I could get the BMW Insured warranty at a reasonable cost. I actually took it out before going to see it - it has a 14 day cooling off period, but the policy doesn't kick in for 30 days so wanted to get it started asap.

The last service was in November 2015 - Oil, filter, microfilter, brake fluid, inspection - 6.75l of oil - ouch!
The front tyres are still run flats, but has brand new non-RFT correct sized Michelin PS3s on the rear. I may get the fronts changed once the weather breaks.

Oddly for an M-Sport, it has beige leather totally at odds with the Sparkling Graphite metallic exterior. I really like it, but I don't think the aluminium inlays suits it. I think I'm going to find a set of walnut inlays and try them out. I'll get some pics.

First jobs -

A full interior clean using Autobrite FAB next week
Clean up the tailpipes, although not a DI car they're pretty grubby. Why don't hand car washes ever clean my tailpipes?
A 330i badge for the rear - ordered.
Dig out my Autodab BM1 from a 318d I had a few years ago.
Blackline tail lights
Walnut inlays



This thread will just be my general ramblings about this car during my tenure, I hope you find it interesting. If you have any questions please let me know.

(I'll also get some better pics up)

Edited by court on Friday 5th February 17:15

[Windyj]

Snap!! well nearly mines a 335i. I also have just purchased it 59,000 miles same colour and interior but mine has the dark walnut. Will post some pictures of the interior so you can compare.

[court]

What a coincidence That looks like a great example, as I'm sure you're aware 335i Tourings are very rare! 58 reg must have been very late for a pre-LCI.

I would love to see some pics of your interior, I just know it'll fit better.

Everyone knows how to check spec on BMWs using the VIN, but when taking out the warranty I stumbled on a way to do that without even contacting the owner...

Just get the reg off the advert then go here https://www.bmw-warranty.co.uk/BMW/Login/Index it will ask you to put the reg number in. Click next and it pulls up the details of the car including the full VIN. Then browse to http://www.bimmer.work or similar and stick the last 7 digits in. Et voilà!

[wombleh]

Very nice, really fancied one of these but they were few and far between when I was buying, especially with a decent spec like this.

[Windyj]

Will try and get some pictures up tomorrow although the weather might stop me! I didn't realise the 335 touring was rare only 23 on how many left!

[Mr Tidy]

18 months ago I nearly bought a lovely 56 plate purple 330i Touring with cream leather - fantastic looking car!

But I went for a Z4 Coupe instead, plus a daily - love both of them (but I wouldn't buy anything else with an N52 Engine again)!!

[court]

I would have loved a Z4 Coupe - they're almost practical with the hatch!

Those RFTs on the front are starting to itch the OCD.. I've got a feeling I'll be down Costco by the end of the week to have some PS3s fitted to match the rear.

The iPod connector looks better than some as it passes track info through the cd-text therefore I picked up a 6gb iPod Mini with a limited battery for £10 last night to go with it. It needs to be a certain type of iPod that can sync/charge off a FireWire port for the car and USB for the iTunes connection as I haven't had a FireWire port in a computer for a long time! That doesn't leave many options - just the 3rd/4th gen classic and both gens of the Mini I believe.

[Hitch78]

Mr Tidy said:

18 months ago I nearly bought a lovely 56 plate purple 330i Touring with cream leather - fantastic looking car!

But I went for a Z4 Coupe instead, plus a daily - love both of them (but I wouldn't buy anything else with an N52 Engine again)!!

Why not?

[Windyj]

court said:

What a coincidence That looks like a great example, as I'm sure you're aware 335i Tourings are very rare! 58 reg must have been very late for a pre-LCI.

I would love to see some pics of your interior, I just know it'll fit better.

Everyone knows how to check spec on BMWs using the VIN, but when taking out the warranty I stumbled on a way to do that without even contacting the owner...

Just get the reg off the advert then go here https://www.bmw-warranty.co.uk/BMW/Login/Index it will ask you to put the reg number in. Click next and it pulls up the details of the car including the full VIN. Then browse to http://www.bimmer.work or similar and stick the last 7 digits in. Et voilà!

Here's a couple of pictures of my interior. Didn't think I would like the wood but it does go well with the cream leather.

Edited by Windyj on Saturday 6th February 15:07

[court]

Thanks for those pics... As you can see the aluminium just doesn't seem to gel with the beige.

I think they've definitely convinced me to get some wood look inlays - they did a few different 'trees' I believe. Ebay searches saved!

[cerb4.5lee]

Lovely engine and a great all round car I reckon, its a lovely spec too, enjoy it.

[Windyj]

court said:

Thanks for those pics... As you can see the aluminium just doesn't seem to gel with the beige.

I think they've definitely convinced me to get some wood look inlays - they did a few different 'trees' I believe. Ebay searches saved!

yep think your right the aluminium looks a bit washed out. It would look good with the piano black inlays or the walnut. I have seen replacement trim for around £200 on ebay i think.

[Windyj]

court said:

Thanks for those pics... As you can see the aluminium just doesn't seem to gel with the beige.

I think they've definitely convinced me to get some wood look inlays - they did a few different 'trees' I believe. Ebay searches saved!

yep think your right the aluminium looks a bit washed out. It would look good with the piano black inlays or the walnut. I have seen replacement trim for around £200 on ebay i think.

[5harp3y]

i used to have a e93 with grey poplar wood trim, looked great against the beige interior.

[anonymous-user]

Only problem is that these black cars look brilliant when clean, for about 3mins, then immediately look grubby. My "sparkling" (or what ever colour it actually is lol) Black 335 is outside with "CLEAN ME" written in dirt on the back at the moment...... ;-)

[court]

Today the snag list starts. First thing first being a Touring, the tailgate electrics are normally goosed. Some of it had already been replaced, but the rear tailgate glass switch is popping the glass when turning on the rear wiper. When the car is moving it's no issue as the doors lock, but its VERY annoying when the car is stationary and you're trying to get stuff out the boot. Have ordered a new genuine one at £35.99 from eBay from a seller in Latvia. Part number 61319200673. There are a couple of guides around about refurbing the switch, but it seems it doesn't fix it 100% and you still get the odd phantom pop. Best get a new one and not have to worry.

Also, after 8 years the hatch struts are getting lazy so ordered some OEM ones from eBay Germany. The ones in situ are made by are made by Stabilus with BMW part no 51247127875 so a quick search on eBay.de found me a set delivered from a motor factors for £29.

I received a 2007 E91 price list from an eBay seller today as I love collecting curios on the car I own. I priced it up at £33830 OTR inc free metallic, £9065 options, Total £42895.

Edited by court on Tuesday 9th February 17:53

[stevesuk]

court said:

Also, after 8 years the hatch struts are getting lazy so ordered some OEM ones from eBay Germany. The ones in situ are made by are made by Stabilus with BMW part no 51247127875 so a quick search on eBay.de found me a set delivered from a motor factors for £29.

Do you mean that the hatch opens so far, and then requires a further "push" to go fully open?

If so, a few years back, our local BMW dealer told me this was by design (e.g. to stop the hatch opening fully in one movement, and crashing in to the low ceiling of a garage/multistory).

I was trying to get them to replace the struts under the approved used car warranty at the time, so they could have been fobbing me off in order to get out of doing the work for free of course Some 5 years later, it hasn't got any worse.

[court]

stevesuk said:

Do you mean that the hatch opens so far, and then requires a further "push" to go fully open?

If so, a few years back, our local BMW dealer told me this was by design (e.g. to stop the hatch opening fully in one movement, and crashing in to the low ceiling of a garage/multistory).

I was trying to get them to replace the struts under the approved used car warranty at the time, so they could have been fobbing me off in order to get out of doing the work for free of course Some 5 years later, it hasn't got any worse.

You know I think you maybe right... I've been 3 years out of my last E91 Touring and as that was a company car I guess I didn't think too much about it. Well, at least I've got some spares!

Today my rear badge arrived. It's a real job to align it correctly, I found a guide on a BMW forum somewhere.




Managed it though, looks good.



Looks like when the wheels were last refurbished the owner didn't replace the M Badges. Couldn't have that could we? £22 for 4 is a bit juicy though and managed to find four genuine ones from eBay for £9.99.



Last but not least today I followed the advice on this thread to replace the pointless snap-in adapter with the cubby. Went to town with some pointy screwdrivers and yanked the crap out of it.

Edited by court on Wednesday 10th February 11:39

[stevesuk]

court said:

You know I think you maybe right... I've been 3 years out of my last E91 Touring and as that was a company car I guess I didn't think too much about it. Well, at least I've got some spares!

I found it odd as well, because it does feel like the tailgate isn't opening properly.

Ours is only a 325i (and an SE, not Sport ... although strangely it has the sport seats fitted - same colour as yours in fact).

It's been a great car - we became it's second owner some 6 years ago, which is pretty much the longest we've held on to the same car. 6 years later, and there's not much I would swap it for, as it still does everything we need, and has proved quite reliable (only out of the ordinary expense in 6 years has been a rear wheel bearing).

Bet the 330i has a useful performance advantage over the 325i

[Synchromesh]

court said:

I agree with some of the internet that the 258hp N52 isn't best matched to the auto...

What's this about then? My 230bhp M54 seems to play nicely with the 5HP box, but I may find myself in an N52 at some point so wondered if auto would be a bad idea then?