Buying an E90

[Sohlman]

Cars being put forwards are over the OP's budget in msport spec with around 90k.

There are plenty of SE spec cars in budget and he can get one with significantly less mileage at around 60k.

The msport does look better of that there is no doubt, but the SE is not unattractive and a fair few have the ellipsoid alloys which IMO are the best looking wheels for an e90.

Msport has body kit, wheels, suspension kit and seats. Apart from this they are identical.

Negatives are wheel cracking is mainly affected by mspor wheels. The sports suspension and run flats combo is horrible for ride quality. Ironically on the Alpina cars they use SE springs and different dampers. Other negatives are shared namely coil pack failures and injector failures which are not too expensive to remedy if needed.

There have been a lot of comments about the SE seats not holding you in. I agree they are not as good as a sport seats, but they are perfectly comfy, and in mine I did two track days and the suspension and seats where both mightly impressive for a road car. They fundamentally miss the thigh support. For me th biggest annoyance with the my one was rear end bounce over small bumps mid corner which used to make the rear unstable on British B roads. With msport this is magnified even more.

Personally I would not hesitate in having a SE again. You get significantly more car for your money. The car having around 30k less mileage will have less wear and tear to fix and repair over time. For example at 100k mileage you probable need to think about new suspension and ball joints. This is not insignificant in costs.

Bottom line is you won't be disappointed by an SE and if you drive them back to back with an msport you may well prefer it. I certainly did which is why I bought one.

[Pazzify]

Smuler said:

Seemed less good value than the one I pointed out and a lot more miles, what happened to my suggestion? Did it sell?
Not saying s/6s can't do high miles, but why not try get lower mileage one.

I am looking at the car as well just the money side of things. At the moment 6k is really stretching it. However I will see looking at options this week see what I can do then spend the weekend car hunting.

[Pazzify]

Sohlman said:

Cars being put forwards are over the OP's budget in msport spec with around 90k.

There are plenty of SE spec cars in budget and he can get one with significantly less mileage at around 60k.

The msport does look better of that there is no doubt, but the SE is not unattractive and a fair few have the ellipsoid alloys which IMO are the best looking wheels for an e90.

Msport has body kit, wheels, suspension kit and seats. Apart from this they are identical.

Negatives are wheel cracking is mainly affected by mspor wheels. The sports suspension and run flats combo is horrible for ride quality. Ironically on the Alpina cars they use SE springs and different dampers. Other negatives are shared namely coil pack failures and injector failures which are not too expensive to remedy if needed.

There have been a lot of comments about the SE seats not holding you in. I agree they are not as good as a sport seats, but they are perfectly comfy, and in mine I did two track days and the suspension and seats where both mightly impressive for a road car. They fundamentally miss the thigh support. For me th biggest annoyance with the my one was rear end bounce over small bumps mid corner which used to make the rear unstable on British B roads. With msport this is magnified even more.

Personally I would not hesitate in having a SE again. You get significantly more car for your money. The car having around 30k less mileage will have less wear and tear to fix and repair over time. For example at 100k mileage you probable need to think about new suspension and ball joints. This is not insignificant in costs.

Bottom line is you won't be disappointed by an SE and if you drive them back to back with an msport you may well prefer it. I certainly did which is why I bought one.

Thank you for the comment some good tips there. honestly I would love an M sport however would not be disheartened with an SE either would be great!

Just hard to find a 325i or 330i around or under the 6k most of them are just over that amount. Every model below is a 318 or 320 which I'm not too keen on. Don't mind too high mileage as long as it been looked after, which most BMW owners seem to do.

[Smuler]

Then I think the one you suggested is the best in the price bracket. Defo worth a look, although try and haggle the one I suggested to sub 6k. you never know.

However, being a devil's advocate, I have to return to my original recommendation and the lovely E46

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

[Sohlman]

A quick auto trader search. I have no affiliation with any of these.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Well under budget and good spec

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Different colour under budget and good spec running 18" ellipsoid alloys

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Not as high spec but still in under budget

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

If it was my money this is what I would buy. It's over budget, but they would I am sure take a mild haggle getting it close. It has every conceivable extra. Very low mileage and one owner and FBMWSH

Hope this helps

[Pazzify]

Smuler said:

Then I think the one you suggested is the best in the price bracket. Defo worth a look, although try and haggle the one I suggested to sub 6k. you never know.

However, being a devil's advocate, I have to return to my original recommendation and the lovely E46

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Haha you do like that E46....It is very nice, just rather an E90. Will try and look at the one you suggested and the one I suggested at some stage, see if I can haggle them down a little.

[Pazzify]

Sohlman said:

A quick auto trader search. I have no affiliation with any of these.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Well under budget and good spec

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Different colour under budget and good spec running 18" ellipsoid alloys

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Not as high spec but still in under budget

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

If it was my money this is what I would buy. It's over budget, but they would I am sure take a mild haggle getting it close. It has every conceivable extra. Very low mileage and one owner and FBMWSH

Hope this helps

Thank you, it does show I can get an 330i with sub 90k miles. Think i might enquire about this one http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015... looks very tidy. Being a bit picky but I ideally want black leather interior, grey not to bad, but the white is a little to much for me! Everything else is nice though.

Too many cars to choose from, think i just need to go drive some of these suggestions as they are all great

[Smuler]

Check their I/drives or whatever info system they have and see if any of the variables such a break pads, oil change need doing in the foreseeable future.


If they do this can be a bargaining point, to drop price or maybe a reason to avoid a seemingly cheaper car cos, if they don't negotiate, it will cost you more in the near future.

[Pazzify]

Smuler said:

Check their I/drives or whatever info system they have and see if any of the variables such a break pads, oil change need doing in the foreseeable future.


If they do this can be a bargaining point, to drop price or maybe a reason to avoid a seemingly cheaper car cos, if they don't negotiate, it will cost you more in the near future.

Thank you that the advice that is handy, good point to see what been replaced as a tool to bargain a cheaper price as it will need doing at some point. Think it a case at looking at all the part around the engine that will need replacing at some point and if they have been done.

[Smuler]

The last two cars from the chap who posted all the links say they have full BMW Service History. If this is true, and it must mean full BMW main dealer history, then you should be able to find out what's been done.

Call BMW Customer services and they should give you the dates when the car was at the dealership. Then call the dealers to cross reference the dates. I'm not saying they will easily be forthcoming, but it's doable.

Back to my beloved E46, I sold that on 136k with only one significant issue during its life: rocker cover gasket needing replacing. Everything else was minor, wear and tear. So there's nothing to say that a good straight six will be a problem.

[Pazzify]

Right guys, this weekend will be when I buy the car! I have called the German Specialists and the Black 330i has already sold, went to the first viewer which is a shame.

I have a selection of 10 cars below and I am looking to go for a road trip with a friend to view 3 cars over the weekend.

What in your opnion looks like 3 good cars to go look for? Pick 3 numbers

1. http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/bmw/e90-3-series-05-12/bmw-3-series-325i-se/4861425

2. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201510087624315

3. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201504172688604

4. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201510298251122

5. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201509257246454

6. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201510127744150

7. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201511018331679

8. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201509146895252

9. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201510177917437

10. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201510228062611

[nitrodave]

5 or 6 for me. i tried a 325i e92 and it was ok, but then i test drove a 330i and the extra grunt was noticeable certainly worth it.

[cerb4.5lee]

I like 5 and 6 too and also like the spec of 7, I would go 330i, nothing against the 325i as they are both 6 pot 3 litre`s but I think you will appreciate the extra punch of the 330i.

Have you settled on a SE rather than a M sport then?

[Pazzify]

cerb4.5lee said:

I like 5 and 6 too and also like the spec of 7, I would go 330i, nothing against the 325i as they are both 6 pot 3 litre`s but I think you will appreciate the extra punch of the 330i.

Have you settled on a SE rather than a M sport then?

Yes think I will go for the SE. M sport seems to just add to much to the price it seems which is not worth it at this time I feel as there good value with some of these SE cars.

[cerb4.5lee]

Pazzify said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I like 5 and 6 too and also like the spec of 7, I would go 330i, nothing against the 325i as they are both 6 pot 3 litre`s but I think you will appreciate the extra punch of the 330i.

Have you settled on a SE rather than a M sport then?

Yes think I will go for the SE. M sport seems to just add to much to the price it seems which is not worth it at this time I feel as there good value with some of these SE cars.

I do like the SE cars and they ride a million times better than the M sport too, those SE`s with the wheels on number 5 and 6 look gorgeous as well.

I guarantee you will fall in love with the engine and I really rate mine and its a lovely unit.

[CaptainMorgan]

I'd love some style 162s for my M Sport, agree with the previous poster they are the best wheels on the E90. That said, I started looking at SE spec cars but decided by the time I spent all the money on seats/steering wheel/bumpers/wheels I'd be better just getting a M Sport to start with, thats no knocking the other models because they're all tidy cars imo. Mine rides alright, even with the stiff suspension and run flats but I'm coming from a car on coilovers. Also, I know you're plumping for a petrol motor now, but the 320d issues were mainly timing chain related, get a early 163bhp motor and theres no timing chain issues or DPF to worry about.

Anyway, good luck with car hunting, you might have even bought one by now?

[Sohlman]

So by now after a weekend of road trips have you bought a car or does the search continue?

[Pazzify]

Sohlman said:

So by now after a weekend of road trips have you bought a car or does the search continue?

Unfortunately not. Other things popped up, buying and moving into a new house at the same time as buying a new car maybe wasn't the best idea...

Did see a 330i today though but it was a coupe and after seeing it think I'll stick to a saloon. The guy also claimed to have a new water pump etc but no receipts to prove it...hmmm

Ah well next weekend I've already got it all mapped out to see one car after the other so onto next weekend!

I'm sure I'll update when I finally have my E90! Who knows maybe another bargain will pop up!

[Kev Gee]

Hi guys.

New member here.

Im also looking to purchase an E90 and have a budget of around 5k.

Im looking for a 325i also and have found a couple of options. As mentioned i do have to travel to find what im looking for.

One of the options is a 2007 325i msport auto with 110000 miles.

What are the automatics like in this class? Are there any gearbox related issues for e90 autos over 100000 miles?

I generally do around 7-8000 miles per year. What are they like for reliability after 100,000 miles? What are the major things i should be looking for?

I like the msports but consider the other models plain and uninspiring.

What are the SEs generally like compared to msports features wise?

I was looking at E46s before but i seem to be coming across alot of rust!!!

[cerb4.5lee]

Kev Gee said:

What are the automatics like in this class? Are there any gearbox related issues for e90 autos over 100000 miles?

I generally do around 7-8000 miles per year. What are they like for reliability after 100,000 miles? What are the major things i should be looking for?


What are the SEs generally like compared to msports features wise?

The Auto is a popular choice in the 330i and there are more about to purchase but some would argue that a sweet revving N/A engine should be mated to a manual gearbox.

Took an auto E90 330d to over 150k miles and never had an issue with the gearbox but lots of people change the oil in it around 90k miles even though its classed by BMW as sealed for life.

The N52 engine is a pretty solid unit in the 325i/330i so I wouldn't be put off at around 100k miles if the history is present and correct either dealer or recognised indy.

M sports have bigger wheels and sport suspension and different front and rear bumpers and sports seats as standard, spec wise varies as you can add plenty of options whether its SE or M sport and you can spec sports seats in the SE too.

I personally prefer the M Sport in the corners as the suspension is stiffer and there is less roll in the corners but the ride is harsh when mated to the run flat tyres and the SE rides far more compliant.

Just a very rough guide for you.