BMW 330i E91 Touring

[court]

Synchromesh said:

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?

No no no, don't get me wrong! There's nothing wrong with it, it's just a I drove a manual the week before with the CDV delete and it bally loves being wrung out. 3 pedals makes it brilliant, the auto dulls the experience a bit. That said, I wouldn't change it for anything, except an 8-speed ZF

[cerb4.5lee]

court said:

Synchromesh said:

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?

No no no, don't get me wrong! There's nothing wrong with it, it's just a I drove a manual the week before with the CDV delete and it bally loves being wrung out. 3 pedals makes it brilliant, the auto dulls the experience a bit. That said, I wouldn't change it for anything, except an 8-speed ZF

I have the auto in mine(E90) and agree there isn't anything inherently wrong with it...its just most tend to think a smooth free revving N/A engine should be mated to a three pedal manual and I agree with that.

With the N52 being mated to an Auto though it does make it feel nice and relaxing to drive and that's either a plus or minus depending on the point of view.

[court]

This morning my £10 iPod mini turned up. I flattened it, updated the software in iTunes and stuck a couple of albums on it.



For a CDC emulator system it works very well as it sends song info by cd-text. When I get home I'll fill up the 6gb and that'll do me.

[court]

Tailgate struts arrived too. 2 days from Germany! Fitted them and the difference is night and day. It now stops halfway, then you nudge it up and it goes to the full extent on its own. Before I would have to carry on pushing. Another easy win that makes the car easier to live with.

Stabilus 011499 for future reference.

[Synchromesh]

cerb4.5lee said:

court said:

Synchromesh said:

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?

No no no, don't get me wrong! There's nothing wrong with it, it's just a I drove a manual the week before with the CDV delete and it bally loves being wrung out. 3 pedals makes it brilliant, the auto dulls the experience a bit. That said, I wouldn't change it for anything, except an 8-speed ZF

I have the auto in mine(E90) and agree there isn't anything inherently wrong with it...its just most tend to think a smooth free revving N/A engine should be mated to a three pedal manual and I agree with that.

With the N52 being mated to an Auto though it does make it feel nice and relaxing to drive and that's either a plus or minus depending on the point of view.

Cheers for the responses. All things to think about.

court said:

Also just looking at the pics in the OP again. Was the petrol station shot taken at the Shell on the A322 in Bracknell?

[court]

Synchromesh said:

Also just looking at the pics in the OP again. Was the petrol station shot taken at the Shell on the A322 in Bracknell?

You're good! First garage I came to that had decent fuel - plus I wanted my free Waitrose coffee

Talking of fuel, I've been debating the V-Power issue. It's 10p a litre more than Shell 95 atm - that's £5 a tank. I could get an extra gallon of 95 for that. I'm sure pottering to work I won't see much a difference. What do you think?

[Synchromesh]

court said:

You're good! First garage I came to that had decent fuel - plus I wanted my free Waitrose coffee

Talking of fuel, I've been debating the V-Power issue. It's 10p a litre more than Shell 95 atm - that's £5 a tank. I could get an extra gallon of 95 for that. I'm sure pottering to work I won't see much a difference. What do you think?

Free Waitrose coffee is the one

I'm way to cynical when it comes to super unleaded. Unless the manufacturer requires it or you're in some tuned turbo nutter thing I've never known it to make any difference. There's probably a placebo effect though...

[court]

Synchromesh said:

I'm way to cynical when it comes to super unleaded. Unless the manufacturer requires it or you're in some tuned turbo nutter thing I've never known it to make any difference. There's probably a placebo effect though...

I think you're right, a whole gallon of fuel difference would have to be a whopping placebo!

[court]

A few pics from a quick wash. I'll get it valeted when the weather breaks I think.

[court]

Busy day today. I managed to clear out the garage enough to stick the A2 in there. I found it really odd to actually put a car in a garage.

I've ordered some BMW wiper blades for front and rear. These things always get neglected and people just grab the Halfords specials. The BMW OE ones are worth the few quid extra I think.

I won a rear console panel that comes with 2 12v cig lighter sockets. Quite rare in the beige so decided to get grabby now as I don't know when I'll see another one. Search 'BMW Happy Robot'(!)



My pièce de résistance today was a win of some E91 Blackline tail lights. I CAN'T WAIT for them to arrive, they really help modernise the look of the car.



I've been looking at trim kits over the last few days to replace the Alu look, and have discovered that the LCI Idrive controller is completely compatible with the older CCC system if the car is past 03/2007. £70ish for the controller and the corresponding wood trim will really bring the interior up.

Pictures and guides to follow once all the parts arrive.

Edited by court on Sunday 14th February 22:38

[Mr Tidy]

Hitch78 said:

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?

Caught me on a bad day - I had just picked the Z4C up from having a new electric water pump! £500 just for the OE pump -

But I have done a few miles with it since, and the more I do the more I am starting to forgive it! The N52 engine is just so good, lots of low-down grunt but when you get the revs up it flies!

Glad you are still enjoying your E91.

It's just a thought, but I would be tempted to go for piano black trim rather than wood; I do think the lighter interiors in darker cars work really well. But then my Z4C is Ruby Black with Pearl Grey leather, although it sadly has the naff shiny stainless dash - maybe time to go baying!

Still thinking if I had bought the 330i I saw I could manage with just one car (which may be a better plan in a 1 person household than 2 x Band K RFL)!

And the Tourings look so much better than the Saloons IMHO.

[MagicalTrevor]

Very much thinking of one of these to replace the Volvo. 330i or 335i Touring

Great thread

[court]

Swapped out the air filter today - although not due, for the sake of a few quid it seemed rude not to.



Takes 2 minutes to unscrew 8 bolts and replace.

While getting close to the engine I found a touch of fresh oil pooling in a crevice between the oil cooler and oil filter housing. As the car is 8 years old I can understand gaskets will start degrading.

I've ordered the gaskets (4 & 5 in the diagram below) in from the local BMW dealer - should be here Wednesday. I'm not sure if I am going to attempt it myself, a couple of the bolts look very hard to get to.

Part numbers 11428637820 & 11428637821



This video shows how to replace the gaskets https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUr28WV_blM

I'll have to drain a couple of litres of coolant so I was thinking I may do a coolant flush. BMW state filled for life, but we all know that doesn't mean forever!

We have a very good BMW specialist round the corner http://www.autobasebristol.co.uk I had a chat to John the owner today and he reckons 2 hours to change both gaskets and the flush. I may get him to do it.

In other news I've discovered my front side windows are ever so slightly tinted. The sun was beaming through this afternoon and created a slight brown haze, I investigated and you could only tell there was a film due to the slightly raised Pilkington logos on the windows. The rears have the factory dark sunset glass so I didn't notice as they were lighter (officer). I'll try and take some pictures tomorrow, so don't judge me till then!

Edited by court on Tuesday 16th February 10:29

[court]

Here's my windows.. Just the 2 side front windows, the screen is obv not tinted.





I think I'll leave them, it makes the transition to the rear glass less van like.

Edited by court on Tuesday 17th May 13:00

[court]

Blackline rear light clusters arrived this morning. Easy fit and in my opinion they look great, although the rain has taken something away from the image.





PH Smiley sorted!

[DoubleD]

Nice. I do like an estate. I do think they look better without the 330 badge though.

[cerb4.5lee]

DoubleD said:

Nice. I do like an estate. I do think they look better without the 330 badge though.

I don't because then everyone will think its a diesel and that would never do! Having a N/A petrol engine is something to embrace nowadays in this low emissions/high mpg obsessed world that we live in.

[DoubleD]

cerb4.5lee said:

I don't because then everyone will think its a diesel and that would never do! Having a N/A petrol engine is something to embrace nowadays in this low emissions/high mpg obsessed world that we live in.

I don't worry about what other people think.

[BaronVonVaderham]

Looking to get one of these myself as need something a bit practical. Do we think lower age or lower mileage is the better car to go for, as there seem to be some high milers from 08 but some in the 50k range from 06?

OP I applaud you for re-badging it, it looks all the better for it! Great looking car, enjoying the thread

[carl911rugby]

I agree, wear the 330i badge with pride!! It looks very nice by the way!!
I also own the same car as you! Although it's black with the red leather on a 58 plate! I've had it 4yrs now and am struggling to find a replacement!!