BMW 330i E91 Touring

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cerb4.5lee said:

Yes and I think that would go nicely with the light interior and it does look good.

My friend thinks I think I'll regret it if I don't go full OEM on it... He's right I do love OEM stuff, but the pre-LCI wood is a bit glossy. At least the film is removable if I decide it's not for me.

BaronVonVaderham said:

I've joined the club!

Test drove and put a deposit down on an 06 330i Touring M Sport with 58k miles today, collecting it next weekend

Brilliant news, I don't think you'll be disappointed! Pics soon I hope...

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That looks fabulous, what a great colour!

I need mats myself, are you going to go OEM? Found a few suppliers for OEM parts over the last few weeks after much googling.

BMW direct on eBay about £100 delivered.
Cotswold BMW on eBay £85 delivered
Leebman24.de with forum discount about £86 delivered
bmwforums.info Harry Fairbairn should be about 15% off inc delivery, so about the same I guess.

Also the Harry Fairbairn dealer mats look good quality for £38 http://www.bmwforums.info/harry-fairbairn-bmw/6306...

I need the beige ones so will probably get the cotswold ones. I'm a sucker for OEM.

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Just had my oil filter profile gaskets done at Autobase Bristol. I supplied the 2 gaskets myself with a gallon each of Febi coolant and deionised water.

Price for the labour of a full coolant flush, 2 gaskets changed and a new drop in oil filter?

£100.44. Happy with that - I will certainly be going there again. I can't imagine how long it would have took me, or what state my knuckles would be in if I attempted it!

They also mentioned the accessory belt was slightly offline, they showed me and it looks like it maybe wise to change the tensioner some point in the future.

Edited by court on Monday 29th February 15:02

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The big day arrived that I was to attempt changing my aluminium trim with the 3M film I mentioned up the thread.

I ordered it from a company in Italy called SIR Visual. It's sold by the metre so I got 2 metres of it as the grain goes along the roll not across. Approximately £80 delivered.





Got a hairdryer, hobby knives and went to work. I started with the rear trim... Heat and patience really is the key.

Before

After


After doing the rear it was time to get into the big stuff.




The centre console was 'fun' - the holes for the idrive, gear selector and ashtray were a challenge. I also tried to match the grain on the ashtray to where it should be.




The results speak for themselves though.

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Thanks for the positive comments, after a day or so driving the car I've found it's a much warmer, pleasant place to be. That said, the better half drove it today and didn't even notice a difference!

dbdb said:

How easy is the product to apply? Does it stick to sharp corners/ mould round tight bends easily? The dash parts on the BMW are fairly flat.

Outside corners are easy, you just heat it up and drag it over the corner. It is very easy to work with and you have to do a lot to damage it. The inside corners around the vent holes were the most trouble. Heat heat heat, patience, patience, patience.

There are many guides and videos better than my weak description out there, nearly all of them concerning the 'carbon style' though. Here's an out of focus one... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ke240HZmck

Edited by court on Friday 11th March 22:27

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I purchased a DCAN cable from ebay a few weeks ago, had a little play with the software and then left it till today. It's fair to say after using VCDS for years the BMW software is much less user friendly on the surface! After printing out many guides, doing some dry runs and building up my confidence I can see it works very well..

For those that haven't tried this before, basically what's happening (with sequencies shortened and missed out) is once the sofware has read the car's VIN you know it's talking correctly. You then select the module you want, download a text file from the car from that module, change the option you want then upload the text file back to the car.

Sounds easy right? Well it's not. For a start everything is in German!

I wanted the folding mirrors to fold and open when locking and unlocking the car. This involved talking to the FRM module (NFRM) and changing the following from:

SPIEGEL_KOMFORT_EINKLAPP
nicht_aktiv

to:
SPIEGEL_KOMFORT_EINKLAPP
aktiv

I loaded the text file back to the car and it worked! Locking the car and holding the button for 2.5 secs folds the mirrors. One press on the unlock and the doors unlock and the mirrors unfold.

I wanted more that that though, I wanted to fold the mirrors with the standard short press to lock the car. This meant editing a different text file and chaging HEX values.

I had to change to the CAS module and edit the NETTODAT file at the following point:

B 00300200,0010,2C,02,10,7F,00,00,05,23,05,23,33,19,0F,05,1E,14

00 = instant
05 = 0.5 seconds delay
0A = 1 second delay
0F = 2.5 seconds delay

Once I chnaged it to 00 I saved and uploaded the file and the mirrors now fold instantly.

While I was there I thought I'd have a go at the lights - you maybe aware that pre-LCI E90/1 with Xenons have a very peculiar light setup.

They have dull corona rings which BMW call the parking lights which are the 1st notch on the switch - sidelights I guess we call them, then they have a bi-xenon dipped/main on the outside with a H7 bulb on the inner light that serves as a DRL in low voltage if selected on the OBC and main flash using a higher voltage. Said bulb also comes on with the main beam xenon position.

I wanted the dull parking lights as DRL, this involved changing a few options...

Talked to the NFRM module again and changed the following

TAGFARHLICHT_ECE_0
nicht_aktiv

VERHALTEN_DRL_TFL
drl_tfl_off

to:

TAGFARHLICHT_ECE_0
aktiv

VERHALTEN_DRL_TFL
drl_s

Sent the file back to the module as before and now I have the corona rings on while the lights are in auto mode. Now just debating whether to leave as is or buy some whiter LED units for the rings. They look very effective, but non-OEM gives me wibbles. Horizon LEDs seem very well respected though. http://www.horizonleds.co.uk/oem-led-applications/... should look like this:

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PLuKE said:

This must be a sign..

I started looking at 325/330 Tourers last week, I view one yesterday, Le Mans blue, xenon, heated seats, privacy glass and advanced phone prep. So, looked great sitting there, very clean for 105k, no dents, rust spots or any real chips to the front bonnet/bumper. Went out for a drive, well I got all excited!.

Now coming out of a 06 Leon FR TDi, and into the 330 is something very different, driving position being the first, and the layout and materials. My first auto I drove, and loved it! There effortless driving, and very smooth pull, deceptively quick!

Hopefully get he deal done today, rather excited!

Yours looks much better with the wrapped inlays and the iDrive. What MPG do you get on motorway runs of say 70mph?

Luke

PH does like a good fast estate, theres a few in the Readers Cars section. Sounds like you've got a great car there, I found it very relaxing to drive. Very well damped too, esp if you're coming from a 06 Leon FR - I had a TFSI new in 2006 as a company car and the ride was awful.

I very rarely take it on the motorway, but when I did a couple of 180 mile round trips I managed 30mpg at around 80 mph. I was happy enough with that. It feels like my entire street has diesel engined cars, when I start this one up it never fails to put a smile on my face.

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Boring update today. Had BMW rubber mats in the car and I've never really liked them. Grabbed some second hand genuine mats from ebay that didn't look in too bad condition that had been in my watch list for 3 months.

I decided on used ones as they were £40 rather than £90, and secondly I wouldn't want to put my feet on brand new beige mats. Every mark would annoy me!

I spent an hour cleaning them with a diluted APC, stiff brush, warm water and a couple of microfibre cloths. I think they've come up lovely.

Edited by court on Tuesday 10th May 14:19

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Sp00ks said:

Did you end up changing your tyres. I ask because I am surprised your abs is coping with the mismatch. My e60 was briefly on a mix of RFT and normal tyres, both rears were normal and both front were RFT and my car hated it. ABS light would be constantly on around long bends and braking for me, and under hard acceleration it would really reign it in. Once I ditched the RFTs everything was back to normal and composed.

I also had the same oil puddle as you and DIY'd those 2 gaskets, was a surprisingly easy job and took about half hour. I didn't drain and flush my coolant though. Just topped up the little I lost.

Lovely car though, keep enjoying it!

I haven't changed them yet - annoyingly I had to put 4 new tyres on the lease spec Golf R last month that I was hoping to get away without changing before it went back so that pretty much blew my car budget spend for last month. Interesting to hear about your issues though, I've had none of that. The TPMS works off the ABS too doesn't it? Did you get that warning too?

I would have had a go at the gaskets myself if I hadn't had wanted the coolant changed I think. The fluid in the expansion tank was spotted with oil due to the gaskets so it was worth swapping it out at the same time.

djdest said:

Nice to see more e91 love on here!
Mine is the red 330d that you used my thread for on the armrest tray mod.
I can highly recommend upgrading the CCC to CIC if you're planning on keeping it a while, I'm so glad I got mine done.
More info in my thread and various other E91 related stuff for those who haven't seen it

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I very much enjoy following your thread. I really want to get the CIC done at some point, it really makes a difference. Interesting point about recent pricing on your thread. It's fair to say that the 30d has the edge over the 30i for high mileage users. But imo I don't think the 30i depreciates more at this price point. Yes it has a smaller market, but that small market will only want the 30i and will be prepared to pay for it - if you want strong money it's all about holding firm till that small market wants the car. According to howmanyleft there were around 2000 E91 330d M-Sport tourings sold from 2005-2012 but only 400 330i's. Its the same thing with the 545i/550i - BMW didn't sell many so the few people who want a good one will pay good money for one.

Controversially I have changed back the tail lights to the rainbow of colours standard clusters. It didn't 'pop' like I thought it would with the blacklines.



I've been considering having the wheels refurbed in gunmetal/ferric grey/anthracite/shadow chrome like the picture of the LCI below. The wheels haven't been done long ago though, and 2 are still unmarked so seems a waste of money esp as we never park near any kerbs. Also, not sure the look is right against the grey paintwork. What do people think?



I've also been debating if to cancel the warranty on the car. I'd justified the £44 a month for the top comprehensive cover as I would have paid £500 extra for the car if it had 12 months BMW approved used warranty on it. The specialist down the road told me to save my money as they don't get much more reliable than the N52. The car is easy to work on and parts reasonable. I guess I just like the idea of anything incidental going wrong like the navi or electric window motor it would be covered. Perhaps I'll cancel it after 6 months.

Does anyone know a way I can transform this into a Z4 3.0si manual coupe at will? I love the performance and practicality of the E91. But every now again I'd love to hustle the aforementioned Z4 down some great roads on a Sunday morning. Perhaps when the Golf goes back I may indulge in one. Even though now there's three of us in the family I don't think we need both cars to seat all of us

Edited by court on Thursday 12th May 04:15

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djdest said:

Have you seen the mod for the rear lights to make them look like LCI ones by using red tint film on the reverse light? I think that would suit yours.

I've had a little google and I think you're right, it looks very effective. I've just ordered the Horizon angel eyes LED kit. Looking forward to fitting them once they arrive.

According to realoem they came with FRM2 after 03/2007, I just checked with NCS-Expert to be sure though.

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TartanPaint said:

Lovely car, nice mods. You made me go looking at the classifieds, only to find this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

If I wasn't just window shopping, I'd bite your hand off. Good luck!

Shhh, I don't really want to sell it.... In fact I did last week(!) A guy left me a deposit from 150 miles away by bank transfer, but then took his pregnant wife to see a 320d locally and she couldn't get in and out of it so I gave it him back as he didn't mess me about. Relieved really as I love it.

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BaronVonVaderham said:

Haha excellent! I was going to say something about the price but now I get it

This is it. I've been surprised at the interest actually. I get a call a week, all knowledgeable people who are aware of car and haven't had 1 insulting offer. We've got 3 cars and only me driving 1 so something has to give. If it goes it goes, if it doesn't it's no problem.

I'd use the 330i every day but it seems a waste to not keep using the leased Golf R till it goes back. That said if I early terminate it I'm keeping the BMW forever.

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Did the LED 'angel eyes' today. Got them from Horizon LEDs for approx £40. Followed this guide when I got stuck https://youtu.be/z-_cb_0jjRs

All the videos and methods say to take the wheels off. Pah, no need for that. Just turned each wheel to access all the bolts to remove the arch shrouds. First one took a little while due to me not knowing the method. 2nd one piece of piss.

New unit in situ


First done


Finished


The sun was shining directly on them this morning so the pics aren't brilliant.

Edited by court on Monday 16th May 14:44

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The vinyl wrap of the trim had been itching my perfection gene. I could see the aluminium in a couple of corners on the vent pieces that I just couldn't stop focusing on when driving therefore I succumbed and bought a walnut trim kit from ebay. I'll probably rewrap the imperfect alu trims with what I have left and may reinstall. Or maybe they'll just sit in the garage for the next 3 years....

Edited by court on Tuesday 17th May 21:32

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TartanPaint said:

Shame. The matt finish on the 3M wrap looked fantastic. Very modern. Shiny walnut is so old-man.

Not worth having another go with the acres of leftovers?

Once I get some time and patience I'm going to have another go. It was the vent surrounds that weren't quite right. I'll get some of the 3M adhesive to aid the corner adhesion.

That said, the veneers are so much more pleasant than the pictures do them credit. They really add a dimension of quality.

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I didn't go for the paint as I do not enjoy piano black after previous cars and couldn't really think what other colour to go for that would go with the beige lower, black upper and headlining.

I'm the right side of 40 just, but love wood trim in cars. How weird is that?

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Took the car to the Aston Martin PH SS instead of the company fuelled Golf yesterday. As I was leaving so early I thought it would be fun to try a 'spirited' run through the Cotswolds on the Fosse Way. Wow, it really came alive, sounded awesome right up to 7k/rpm and even the manual mode on the gearbox made sense. It managed the 70 mile journey at an average of 52.5mph. Came back on the M40/42/5 and hooked in with a F31 335i for near enough the entire run with an average of 71.8mph.

Edited by court on Wednesday 25th May 09:17

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Sold in 9 hours from a buyer all the way from Aberdeen!

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/b...

Will really miss it

The leased Golf R is being replaced by a leased Skoda Yeti this week so the E91 didn't need to be family transport. This means I can get something a bit smaller and snortier. I LOVED the N52 engine so I think I'd like a Z4 Coupe 3.0si manual or a 130i 3-door manual.