BMW 325i touring
Discussion
Our trusty E91 passed its MOT again today. With us for 9 years and still appreciated and a low stress ownership experience. Irrationally attached to this car...
Oh, and it needs a smart repair to the C pillar. Carried MTBs on the roof back from Wales, and 2 miles from home one slipped and a pedal scratched the paint.
Oh, and it needs a smart repair to the C pillar. Carried MTBs on the roof back from Wales, and 2 miles from home one slipped and a pedal scratched the paint.
It’s been a while and the E91 is soon to tick over a lowly 90k miles.
It’s had an oil service, brake fluid and rear pads today, a wash, been hoovered of kilos of children’s belongings and had a new accelerator pedal.
Coming home up the A24 from a lovely end of lockdown country walk, a moment of over zealous foot application to the floor mounted pedal saw it mounted to nothing. On the early E9Xs, the pedal is bizarrely mounted on a pin with a ball end, that seems designed to allow movement.
Once the flimsy plastic that connected it to the floor had broken, it was floating around, I made it up a hill only thanks to the tickover revs in second and the application of a police traffic car to our rear, I was very glad they appeared. We pulled into a side road, rejoined the AA and within 45 minutes we had a rudimentary repair that got us home. Thank you, AA. I then replaced the pedal with an updated BMW part. A place called www.bmwpartsonline.co.uk had ordered the pedal before BMW had responded. For £97.50 we would be back on the road.
The updated part is a much improved design. The base of the pedal is jointed with a metal pin through a plastic sleeve and the pin no longer has a ball end and looks generally to be much better thought out. One Allen key bolt holds the pedal mechanism to the floor after it slips onto a clip holding it completely fast. The easiest job I’ve ever done on the car. No need for it to be coded, I let the car idle for a few minutes having read up and it’s operating perfectly.
It’s had an oil service, brake fluid and rear pads today, a wash, been hoovered of kilos of children’s belongings and had a new accelerator pedal.
Coming home up the A24 from a lovely end of lockdown country walk, a moment of over zealous foot application to the floor mounted pedal saw it mounted to nothing. On the early E9Xs, the pedal is bizarrely mounted on a pin with a ball end, that seems designed to allow movement.
Once the flimsy plastic that connected it to the floor had broken, it was floating around, I made it up a hill only thanks to the tickover revs in second and the application of a police traffic car to our rear, I was very glad they appeared. We pulled into a side road, rejoined the AA and within 45 minutes we had a rudimentary repair that got us home. Thank you, AA. I then replaced the pedal with an updated BMW part. A place called www.bmwpartsonline.co.uk had ordered the pedal before BMW had responded. For £97.50 we would be back on the road.
The updated part is a much improved design. The base of the pedal is jointed with a metal pin through a plastic sleeve and the pin no longer has a ball end and looks generally to be much better thought out. One Allen key bolt holds the pedal mechanism to the floor after it slips onto a clip holding it completely fast. The easiest job I’ve ever done on the car. No need for it to be coded, I let the car idle for a few minutes having read up and it’s operating perfectly.
Finally had a rear end knock fixed- it was only the bumper and a tiny mark on the bootlid but the other party’s insurance paid for a really good job at Body and Paint in Beckenham
http://www.thepaintandbodyshop.co.uk/
I knew them from M3Cutters forum- the owner’s son had a full respray done on a Mora metallic E36 M3. The same levels of attention to detail and professionalism looked to be given to current jobs and we were really delighted- they made the whole thing very easy and have done a brilliant job, thoroughly cleaning the whole car to the point we hardly recognised it. The paint looks to be better than BMW managed. Do I need to leave it longer to continue curing before getting some protection on? Now the car is clean I’m interested in it again!
http://www.thepaintandbodyshop.co.uk/
I knew them from M3Cutters forum- the owner’s son had a full respray done on a Mora metallic E36 M3. The same levels of attention to detail and professionalism looked to be given to current jobs and we were really delighted- they made the whole thing very easy and have done a brilliant job, thoroughly cleaning the whole car to the point we hardly recognised it. The paint looks to be better than BMW managed. Do I need to leave it longer to continue curing before getting some protection on? Now the car is clean I’m interested in it again!
I enjoyed your thread.
I really like the E91 and would still like one, I intend to replace my other half’s 116 with a six pot one series on the spring but I’d prefer an E91. Having had a snoop on autotrader, there are two or three petrol 325’s. One looks good but had quite a few advisories on the most recent MOT and seems to have a bit of a persistent oil leak.
I really like the E91 and would still like one, I intend to replace my other half’s 116 with a six pot one series on the spring but I’d prefer an E91. Having had a snoop on autotrader, there are two or three petrol 325’s. One looks good but had quite a few advisories on the most recent MOT and seems to have a bit of a persistent oil leak.
Nice to see you still own this.
I sold my E91 about a year ago, as I was fortunate to be earning slightly more, and got myself an M140i.
But, the E91 was bloody brilliant. In my last year of ownership, it did need two rear shocks, and a crank position sensor, but tbh it gave me a few years trouble free so I was happy with that.
The M140i is a different beast. Obviously much faster (411bhp/576nm after the remap), but tbh I think the E91 was better quality, especially interior, less rattles, and the general feel of plastics.
I sold my E91 about a year ago, as I was fortunate to be earning slightly more, and got myself an M140i.
But, the E91 was bloody brilliant. In my last year of ownership, it did need two rear shocks, and a crank position sensor, but tbh it gave me a few years trouble free so I was happy with that.
The M140i is a different beast. Obviously much faster (411bhp/576nm after the remap), but tbh I think the E91 was better quality, especially interior, less rattles, and the general feel of plastics.
Yes, still happily own this (well, my wife does). We have an E55 when a bit more pace and comfort is required.
I’ve got a backlog of maintenance to do on the E91 though- all preventative so just waiting for warmer weather. I did nip out and change the tired bootlid struts for Meyle though. Even for me they are a 3 minute job. A small flat head screwdriver to flip the little clips off at each end and a simple job to replace them. I did still have to fish around for the loose end while pushing the bootlid up to its maximum as a treat for all my neighbours with their electric bootlids. Wouldn’t change this for any of their cars though!
Next up is likely to be a suspension refresh, possibly a head unit (a BMW one) with the usb input, and a wheel refurb. Oh yes, driving back from my dad’s on Saturday night (83 year old living in his own and needing some IT support) I was forced to drive through Harlow to get onto the M11 and drove over a massive concrete lump across the road. Sure enough, a wrecked tyre (7mm left natch) and possibly a wrecked wheel. So I have that to sort out. The wheels already needed a refurb and now even more so. I doubt it’s worth the hassle to try and chase the council. Other than that I still really like the old bus.
I’ve got a backlog of maintenance to do on the E91 though- all preventative so just waiting for warmer weather. I did nip out and change the tired bootlid struts for Meyle though. Even for me they are a 3 minute job. A small flat head screwdriver to flip the little clips off at each end and a simple job to replace them. I did still have to fish around for the loose end while pushing the bootlid up to its maximum as a treat for all my neighbours with their electric bootlids. Wouldn’t change this for any of their cars though!
Next up is likely to be a suspension refresh, possibly a head unit (a BMW one) with the usb input, and a wheel refurb. Oh yes, driving back from my dad’s on Saturday night (83 year old living in his own and needing some IT support) I was forced to drive through Harlow to get onto the M11 and drove over a massive concrete lump across the road. Sure enough, a wrecked tyre (7mm left natch) and possibly a wrecked wheel. So I have that to sort out. The wheels already needed a refurb and now even more so. I doubt it’s worth the hassle to try and chase the council. Other than that I still really like the old bus.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 15th February 14:22
Was gearing up to fit a USB and Bluetooth enabled BMw headunit, and the plug for the armrest USB socket is slightly twisted in its housing. I’ve tried working it carefully with a knife and with tweezers, but it won’t budge in its (green) housing- does anyone have any suggestions before I buy a new cable?
RelentlessForwardProgress said:
Was gearing up to fit a USB and Bluetooth enabled BMw headunit, and the plug for the armrest USB socket is slightly twisted in its housing. I’ve tried working it carefully with a knife and with tweezers, but it won’t budge in its (green) housing- does anyone have any suggestions before I buy a new cable?
I would just save yourself the hassle and by a new cable. They might have changed the design slightly, and given that they cable is old(ish) I wouldn’t think twice about replacing it. The trusty touring passed its MOT yesterday (two cars in on the same day, and it worked out well!).
To celebrate, I finally fitted the Bluetooth and USB head unit. Without idrive, the headunit fitting is really easy. Use a trim tool to lever out the hvac panel and once two Philips head screws are out, it just slides out. I slid the new one back in, making sure I’d plugged the USB cable in. Our car already has a BMW microphone fitted (it had mulf Bluetooth which packed in years ago).
Fitting the usb to the armrest was a bit more involved. I had to remove the gear knob, the trim around it, and then the entire centre console, clean everything of 16 years of detritus, break a few brittle clips (didn’t strictly “have” to, but there was no way a few wouldn’t break. The console is only held in by 4 10mm bolts, but loads of wires- for the rear passenger hvac, telephone cradle, and a few others.
Got it fitted and it all works, with the exception of the USB port for iphone- it registers as an iPod (remember those), but says it’s the wrong cable. But Bluetooth works, and the ISB worked with a usb hard drive- the music shows up on the headunit by album and is really easy to select (using a button- remember those?!). Not sure if I’ll manage to get the iphone working as I’d hoped- it might be a coding issue?
The M3 219M wheels will be back from a refurb next week, can’t wait really. Straight bright silver rather than ferric grey, felt a bit of an odd loser not specifying black wheels looking at everyone else’s orders.
You get silver rings on the knobs of the newer headunit. Trying not to insert a joke.
Cleaned it, it’s shagged, ordered the “zhp” weighted knob to replace it.
Forgot to pop the two bolt covers back on by the gearstick. And some bits of plastic tab that died.
As usual for PH, some of the pics have rotated, you can probably still make them out though.
To celebrate, I finally fitted the Bluetooth and USB head unit. Without idrive, the headunit fitting is really easy. Use a trim tool to lever out the hvac panel and once two Philips head screws are out, it just slides out. I slid the new one back in, making sure I’d plugged the USB cable in. Our car already has a BMW microphone fitted (it had mulf Bluetooth which packed in years ago).
Fitting the usb to the armrest was a bit more involved. I had to remove the gear knob, the trim around it, and then the entire centre console, clean everything of 16 years of detritus, break a few brittle clips (didn’t strictly “have” to, but there was no way a few wouldn’t break. The console is only held in by 4 10mm bolts, but loads of wires- for the rear passenger hvac, telephone cradle, and a few others.
Got it fitted and it all works, with the exception of the USB port for iphone- it registers as an iPod (remember those), but says it’s the wrong cable. But Bluetooth works, and the ISB worked with a usb hard drive- the music shows up on the headunit by album and is really easy to select (using a button- remember those?!). Not sure if I’ll manage to get the iphone working as I’d hoped- it might be a coding issue?
The M3 219M wheels will be back from a refurb next week, can’t wait really. Straight bright silver rather than ferric grey, felt a bit of an odd loser not specifying black wheels looking at everyone else’s orders.
You get silver rings on the knobs of the newer headunit. Trying not to insert a joke.
Cleaned it, it’s shagged, ordered the “zhp” weighted knob to replace it.
Forgot to pop the two bolt covers back on by the gearstick. And some bits of plastic tab that died.
As usual for PH, some of the pics have rotated, you can probably still make them out though.
I've really enjoyed reading this thread! Nice to see another E9x car getting love foisted upon it. As I write this, my 320d is sitting with my mechanic, having eaten its clutch last week. 
Where did you get the ZHP knob from? My car is an SE too, as I prefer the looks to the M-Sport, but the standard SE knob in mine is worn and tired looking. I bought a cheapie copy of the M-Sport knob off eBay which was lovely right up until I managed to rip it off floating gears due to the distinct lack of clutch! Americans seem to extol the virtues of the ZHP knob and I'm between ordering it or the M-Performance one with the alcantara.
Another question I have is about the throttle pedal, and when it changed. I had no idea they ever changed so this is more nosiness on my part than anything else. The chrome on the radio dials was introduced in 2007 going by my own car. The HVAC controls also gain some chrome around the same time, rather than just being black plastic.
Where did you get the ZHP knob from? My car is an SE too, as I prefer the looks to the M-Sport, but the standard SE knob in mine is worn and tired looking. I bought a cheapie copy of the M-Sport knob off eBay which was lovely right up until I managed to rip it off floating gears due to the distinct lack of clutch! Americans seem to extol the virtues of the ZHP knob and I'm between ordering it or the M-Performance one with the alcantara.
Another question I have is about the throttle pedal, and when it changed. I had no idea they ever changed so this is more nosiness on my part than anything else. The chrome on the radio dials was introduced in 2007 going by my own car. The HVAC controls also gain some chrome around the same time, rather than just being black plastic.
The reason your phone might not work with it is some of the stereos required a 'Y' Cable to function. Like the below:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine-Music-Media...
I'm sure less expensive ones are available now
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine-Music-Media...
I'm sure less expensive ones are available now
JakeT said:
The reason your phone might not work with it is some of the stereos required a 'Y' Cable to function. Like the below:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine-Music-Media...
I'm sure less expensive ones are available now
Thanks- I’d seen those, I’m going to explore the possible coding angle, but probably it’s about the cable itself. A pain as we use Spotify for music. An old iTunes library filled the usb stick for the test- better than nothing!https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine-Music-Media...
I'm sure less expensive ones are available now
New headunit does new things:
Settings for heater once ignition off (I think this is the “rest” feature on our pre lci hvac controls mind you)
Shows phone signal strength (fairly sure our old phone setup didn’t show this)
Gong and pdc volume
Excited to pick up the refurbed 219Ms now, whack on the little Msport badges (didn’t bother for the last 5 years!) and some fresh BMW wheel centres. Might even wash it.
Settings for heater once ignition off (I think this is the “rest” feature on our pre lci hvac controls mind you)
Shows phone signal strength (fairly sure our old phone setup didn’t show this)
Gong and pdc volume
Excited to pick up the refurbed 219Ms now, whack on the little Msport badges (didn’t bother for the last 5 years!) and some fresh BMW wheel centres. Might even wash it.
RelentlessForwardProgress said:
Thanks, Helix, it’s already on order! Makes me wonder if it’s worth doing something about the cdv too?
Yes, the ZHP is so much better than standard. I've got one on my Z4, but skimped on my E91 and went to Aliexpress. 
I've had the CDV removed on a few of my BMWs and I much prefer them without it, and with fresh gearbox fluid.
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