Discussion
I am thinking the same with my e36, particularly now the grit is down and so I won't use it much over winter. Have almost decided to get a FRV as a family hack as well which means we will have 5 cars and I am the only driver. Which is a bit daft.
I have spend quite a bit on mine so I will either sell or keep and spend even more in the new year on yet more trick parts...Decisions, decisions.
I have spend quite a bit on mine so I will either sell or keep and spend even more in the new year on yet more trick parts...Decisions, decisions.
Had a call tonight for a potential viewing. Over the last few weeks I have been taking it out for a spin now and again. It's still hilarious and I really miss the overall package, not to mention the noise. The new 3 series is 'ok' but it doesn't feel anywhere near as tight and when the speed picks up the damping on the 130 is in a different league. Also, I am no drift king but the traction in the 3 series with its 'soppy diff' is a bit crap and nowhere near as much fun. I wont mention the difference in braking power.....
The 130 has been safely housed in the workshop, regularly run up and the battery charged. Today I just couldn't walk on by and decided I'd take it for a spin. A few things struck me. The seating position was all wrong, the 3 series, despite being a rep mobile lets you get really low. I adjusted things which made it feel better and off we went. The first roundabout was covered in diesel, the rear just broke loose but the proper diff felt so different and it gathered up so easily. The power delivery still makes me smile, totally linear and, the noise. A 320d is no match. After 5 mins I was totally into it again. The brakes are just bonkers and the damping, it's still great.Tomorrow I have to drive 700 miles and I'd rather do it in the diesel, but i'm going to make a point of filling the 130 up and taking it out at the weekends. One thing I noticed on the way home was that in slippery conditions the lesser powered 320d breaks traction far easier (diesel surge) and without warning, it's so inferior in that respect.
Cliff notes: sounds awesome, makes me smile, like a hot hatch should.
Cliff notes: sounds awesome, makes me smile, like a hot hatch should.
Great thread. I’ve got a couple of weeks off work at the moment and have finally had a chance to read a number of readers cars threads.
I had a N52 E90 3 Series in the past and always has an eye on the Birds upgrades, but always thought I would change cars too soon to make the outlay worth it. Ended up keeping it for 130k miles in the end and on the basis of this thread I wish I’d bitten the bullet as soon as I bought the car. Interestingly, the engine was still rock solid at 130k, the gearbox and suspension less so.
I’ve had a number if other BMWs since and none of them have quite hit the spot in the same way the N52 engine does. The N54 and N55 have bags more torque, but once you’ve got over the improved acceleration they seem a bit on/off in their power delivery IMHO.
I’m currently in need of a car with 4/5 seats and am seriously considering hunting down a 330i and making some, if not all, of the changes you’ve done to this car. Only challenge is that ideally I’d be looking for a 330i Touring with a manual box and xenon lights and they seem to be as rare as hens teeth these days.
BTW - I noticed you were looking to sell it a couple months ago but still seem to have it. Is that because of a change of heart? Or because it’s a bit of a unique proposition and therefore hard to find the right buyer? Asking mainly because it’s at the back of my mind that if I did throw 4-5K at a 10 year old 3 series I’d need to know I was keeping it for a while.
I had a N52 E90 3 Series in the past and always has an eye on the Birds upgrades, but always thought I would change cars too soon to make the outlay worth it. Ended up keeping it for 130k miles in the end and on the basis of this thread I wish I’d bitten the bullet as soon as I bought the car. Interestingly, the engine was still rock solid at 130k, the gearbox and suspension less so.
I’ve had a number if other BMWs since and none of them have quite hit the spot in the same way the N52 engine does. The N54 and N55 have bags more torque, but once you’ve got over the improved acceleration they seem a bit on/off in their power delivery IMHO.
I’m currently in need of a car with 4/5 seats and am seriously considering hunting down a 330i and making some, if not all, of the changes you’ve done to this car. Only challenge is that ideally I’d be looking for a 330i Touring with a manual box and xenon lights and they seem to be as rare as hens teeth these days.
BTW - I noticed you were looking to sell it a couple months ago but still seem to have it. Is that because of a change of heart? Or because it’s a bit of a unique proposition and therefore hard to find the right buyer? Asking mainly because it’s at the back of my mind that if I did throw 4-5K at a 10 year old 3 series I’d need to know I was keeping it for a while.
Edited by survivalist on Tuesday 6th February 18:10
Thanks.
It’ll go to someone for sure. It’s at the sort of money where you can go much faster for less, you have to want an inline 6 and a more basic (interesting) drive IMO. It’ll outbrake anything this side of a very serious car and really does feel tight, the 100K miles have worn well and every time I drive it the little pig makes me smile. Not to get all ‘Frank’ but it does genuinely have a soul, it’s the last of its type and all the better for it. I’m tempted to mothball it and fit ITB’s if nobody comes along soon
It’ll go to someone for sure. It’s at the sort of money where you can go much faster for less, you have to want an inline 6 and a more basic (interesting) drive IMO. It’ll outbrake anything this side of a very serious car and really does feel tight, the 100K miles have worn well and every time I drive it the little pig makes me smile. Not to get all ‘Frank’ but it does genuinely have a soul, it’s the last of its type and all the better for it. I’m tempted to mothball it and fit ITB’s if nobody comes along soon
Yonex, dont think you’ve said where it’s for sale at?
Really tempted to go back to a 130i after my 911 and do all the things i wanted to do to my original one but never did - it’s such an awesome unique car and as per poster above having driven an m135i a lot it’s a completely different beast.
Really tempted to go back to a 130i after my 911 and do all the things i wanted to do to my original one but never did - it’s such an awesome unique car and as per poster above having driven an m135i a lot it’s a completely different beast.
I liked the 135i but the one I borrowed was an auto. It felt quick but wasn’t half as much fun, more effective at everything though. I think I’d get bored with the 35/40 unless it was a manual? Having said that a Birds 140 wouldn’t be out the question, but even then you’d be travelling at much higher speeds to have the same fun. That’s why I ditched the M3 in the first place.
Result OP! 
I almost got one last year, but I was a bit too slow
So having missed out, a couple of months ago I managed to find a 55 plate 330i with the rare split/fold rear seats, power-fold mirrors, tilt-slide sunroof and a DAB tuner - it'll do for now, but I still see me owning a 130i some time!
But there is just something special about a 3 litre N52 engine! At the moment I've got numbers 2 and 3.
I almost got one last year, but I was a bit too slow
So having missed out, a couple of months ago I managed to find a 55 plate 330i with the rare split/fold rear seats, power-fold mirrors, tilt-slide sunroof and a DAB tuner - it'll do for now, but I still see me owning a 130i some time!
But there is just something special about a 3 litre N52 engine! At the moment I've got numbers 2 and 3.
Amazing cars. Here’s mine.
Always considering new cars (as I’m sure we all do!) but find it hard to find something as good without spending 3-4 times as much as this is worth.
Yonex - tell me more about this Evolve map?
Always considering new cars (as I’m sure we all do!) but find it hard to find something as good without spending 3-4 times as much as this is worth.
Yonex - tell me more about this Evolve map?
Edited by WhisperingWasp on Sunday 19th May 00:21
Edited by WhisperingWasp on Sunday 19th May 00:22
WRT TBs, The TB on a N52 only serves to generate vacuum for the brake servo. Engine throttling is provided by the Valvetronic variable valve lft, so adding TBs would wouldn't necessarily improve things. Any lag you perceive (I personally don't think there is much to speak of) is likely to have been engineered in to the software.
There is a guy on E90post forums (there was until he was banned for selling his stuff without paying the hosters) called CobraMarty who supplies modified cam followers which give more valve lift. A custom map is required, but that should be possible if you are prepared to pay.
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14...
https://www.bimmermilvs.com/
The N52 really benefits from headers, but RHD options are limited.
edited to add links
There is a guy on E90post forums (there was until he was banned for selling his stuff without paying the hosters) called CobraMarty who supplies modified cam followers which give more valve lift. A custom map is required, but that should be possible if you are prepared to pay.
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14...
https://www.bimmermilvs.com/
The N52 really benefits from headers, but RHD options are limited.
edited to add links
Edited by stevesingo on Sunday 19th May 10:55
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