Considering a 330i - Questions

Considering a 330i - Questions

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Discussion

cerb4.5lee

30,189 posts

179 months

Friday 30th September 2016
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Smuler said:
  • Thanks for clarifying Lee, I never knew s/plugs could last than long smile
It does seem a long time buddy I agree, especially compared to the M cars, with you mentioning it I presume they're changed more regularly on the 335i too.

Smuler

2,286 posts

138 months

Friday 30th September 2016
quotequote all
cerb4.5lee said:
Smuler said:
  • Thanks for clarifying Lee, I never knew s/plugs could last than long smile
It does seem a long time buddy I agree, especially compared to the M cars, with you mentioning it I presume they're changed more regularly on the 335i too.
They were definitely changed well before my ownership, at 59k, but also looking at my old E46; it had it's first inspection 2 at 36k miles at 6 years old (owner applied the every 2 years rule as he did less than 6k p/a) so there must be a longevity to the spark plugs in the E90 330i's. if the OP Mad Dave is buying at 56k miles then he'll have to change them soon then? But what will prompt him, because on the I drive there is no specific prompt for spark plugs which is why I thought the vehicle check (the symbol with the car on the ramp) is a "major" service, at least where several things are done?



cerb4.5lee

30,189 posts

179 months

Friday 30th September 2016
quotequote all
Smuler said:
if the OP Mad Dave is buying at 56k miles then he'll have to change them soon then? But what will prompt him, because on the I drive there is no specific prompt for spark plugs which is why I thought the vehicle check (the symbol with the car on the ramp) is a "major" service, at least where several things are done?
I haven't got idrive but there is a prompt in the servicing menu on mine for the spark plugs on the indicator stalk, not sure if that's the same on the idrive equipped cars though.


Smuler

2,286 posts

138 months

Friday 30th September 2016
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cerb4.5lee said:
I haven't got idrive but there is a prompt in the servicing menu on mine for the spark plugs on the indicator stalk, not sure if that's the same on the idrive equipped cars though.
I had the newer I/drive CIC and just looked at the items it had. Don't recall the older i/drive being different. seems complicated, all these variants for anyone buying a used car. Do you think the car, the OP's interested in should have had more stamps in a 10.5 year period?

cerb4.5lee

30,189 posts

179 months

Friday 30th September 2016
quotequote all
Smuler said:
I had the newer I/drive CIC and just looked at the items it had. Don't recall the older i/drive being different. seems complicated, all these variants for anyone buying a used car. Do you think the car, the OP's interested in should have had more stamps in a 10.5 year period?
There does seem a big gap around oil changes to be fair, but in my experience there have been a few times when the dealer has forgot to put it in the service book so maybe it's that.

Harrison-91xcg

291 posts

100 months

Saturday 1st October 2016
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Hi

I have a manual 2005 330i.

Regarding the oil change question the VANOS solenoids are particularly susceptible to becoming "clogged up", even with regular oil changes.

If the car accelerates smoothly, and is not tappety on idle then I wouldn't worry.

Oh and I do c 30 miles a day, average speed 25MPH, average mpg 25MPG. I bought the car because of the linear torque distribution and sound, so I use it as it should be driven every day (i.e. hard).

On the motorway at 60 over 200 miles I have seen over 40 on the computer.

Edited by Harrison-91xcg on Saturday 1st October 12:55

Mad Dave

Original Poster:

7,158 posts

262 months

Saturday 1st October 2016
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Well I went to see the car today. Had a good look round it and immediately noticed a few scuffs on the paint. It's 10 years old so no real surprise. Inside though there were quite a lot of scuffs and marks, the drivers door handle was very worn (all the soft tough material was worn off) and the gear knob was way more worn than I'd expect on a 56k mile car. The alu trims were all full of dents and scrapes where stuff had clearly just been thrown in the car. The sat nav DVD was also missing. Most worrying though was the grinding noise coming from the engine bay. It sounded like a bearing or pulley, like a 'krr Krr Krr' noise. It went away when revved but at idle it was noticeable. It was still there after a lengthy test drive too, though strangely when I started the car again 10 minutes later it was gone! Either way it was worrying.

As for the driving experience, it handled beautifully, sounded glorious and went pretty well. It didn't feel much quicker than my 330D but then I didn't really expect it to.

In the end there were just too many negatives, it's a 10yo car but it just didn't feel like the cherished example I was hoping for and once I lost my confidence in that I started to believe it could have actually gone 6 years without an oil change. As disappointing as it was I ended up driving the 2hr drive home in the same car I left home in.

Thanks for all the advice, I'm still considering a 330i, just not that one!

cerb4.5lee

30,189 posts

179 months

Saturday 1st October 2016
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That's a real shame, hope another one comes along for you that's been cared for.

Wishing you all the best going forward. smile

Smuler

2,286 posts

138 months

Saturday 1st October 2016
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Any reason you are not considering 335i?
That ways you will get a faster car?

Mad Dave

Original Poster:

7,158 posts

262 months

Sunday 2nd October 2016
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I did consider the 335i but was put off by reports of HPFP failures and high running costs. The 330i seemed like the sweet spot of the range.

Smuler

2,286 posts

138 months

Sunday 2nd October 2016
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Fairy nuff, and don't take this as meddling but if it doesn't have to be a saloon as I guess they are ultra rare would you consider the E46 , for me unless you like / need the tech it's a better drivers car more feel / connection with the road.
The E9x series loses some of that, which is why it was only the 335i I would consider as that has M3 level of performance. I understand your concern but I had a N54 335i up to 85k with only injectors going, new owner is nearing 90k no problems still.

Mad Dave

Original Poster:

7,158 posts

262 months

Sunday 2nd October 2016
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It doesn't need to be a saloon, it just needs 4 doors (2 young kids) so an estate would also suffice. A 130i is also a consideration but finding a good one of those hasn't been easy either.

I've driven an E46 320D M Sport and I agree re it being a decent drivers car. If a decent one presented itself I'd consider it.

CB 987

382 posts

146 months

Sunday 2nd October 2016
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I saw this one on the E90 forum, worth keeping an eye on the UK classifieds section. It's low miles at just over 20k, but auto and in my opinion strong money.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130...

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Monday 3rd October 2016
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Smuler said:
Any reason you are not considering 335i?
That ways you will get a faster car?
Just a thought, but maybe RFL would have a bearing? scratchchin

Fox-

13,228 posts

245 months

Monday 3rd October 2016
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Mr Tidy said:
Just a thought, but maybe RFL would have a bearing? scratchchin
Only a very small minority of 335i's are higher RFL - most of the 57 plate onwards tucked in under the CO2 limit.

Mad Dave

Original Poster:

7,158 posts

262 months

Monday 3rd October 2016
quotequote all
CB 987 said:
I saw this one on the E90 forum, worth keeping an eye on the UK classifieds section. It's low miles at just over 20k, but auto and in my opinion strong money.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130...
That's very nice. It's Auto sadly, otherwise I'd be interested. It's a little over priced IMHO but maybe the seller is simply leaving some haggle room

Smuler

2,286 posts

138 months

Monday 3rd October 2016
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330i's in saloons and tourings, particularly with manual, as far as I know, were never that common. I believe they ceased making the saloon and touring 330i in 2010, 2 years before the new model, F30 was introduced.

Given what you said about the Cardiff car's flaws, I guess the main dealer punted it off to auction and that's where TH sales got it from.

You can keep an eye out for any 330i's that are auctioned by creating an account on this site.

http://www.british-car-auctions.co.uk/

j555

121 posts

227 months

Tuesday 4th October 2016
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Mad Dave said:
I did consider the 335i but was put off by reports of HPFP failures and high running costs. The 330i seemed like the sweet spot of the range.
I purchased a 2005 330i SE Touring a couple of months ago. I was swapping from a 2006 320d SE Touring. I fancied a change and also thought the N52 330i was the sweet spot in terms of performance, reliability and running costs. The 320d blew it's turbo at 100k so less complexity on an older car is no bad thing in my book. You do need to rev it to access the power but it's also happy to be driven at lower rpm which helps with mpg.

Very happy with it so far. Just turned 140k today and it's running very well. The 320d had done 120k when I swapped and the natural urge was to get something newer and lower mileage but following my research I decided an older N52 330i would be better than a newer N53. The car has been well maintained and I think it should see 200k without much issue. If you fancy a 330i N52 I would say don't be put off by mileage as long as it's in good condition with extensive history.

I generally get 28-30 mpg on mixed driving including a 15 mile mixed commute. I have seen 37 mpg on a longer mixed run including some traffic jams and stretches of 50 mph motorway.


PTF

4,252 posts

223 months

Thursday 6th October 2016
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Been after a 330i/325i E92 LCI for a while. Sold my 325d E91 LCI the other week.

There aren't many around and it's taken a while to find a decent spec. Ideally i wanted a 330i, but with a manual gearbox they're even rarer! Wasn't fussed on M-sport or SE, but ideally didn't want the standard seats.

My main "want" was pro-nav as i had it in my 325d and loved it. But finding a 3.0 petrol LCI E92 manual with pro-nav left only a handful of examples and all were £13k+

And yesterday on autotrader this little gem popped up at a dealer. 325i 3.0 LCI E92 SE with manual gearbox and pro-nav!

Full spec is:
grey with dark (not chrome) trim on the outside
black dakota leather
sports seats! (heated and partially electric)
pro-nav
light packages (LEDs, etc)
xenons
1 owner
37k
2010 model

I think the dealer had it underpriced at just under £11k as i couldn't find another one with the spec i wanted for close to that money. Really pleased.

Smuler

2,286 posts

138 months

Thursday 6th October 2016
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Assuming pleased cos you bought it, nice one.
I can't stand auto with N/A cars so would rather 325 in those circumstances and sports seats are essential !