Swapping LCI 320d for pre-LCI 330i?
Discussion
Afternoon all
I have a 58 320d, remapped, LCI e91 touring, but don't need a diesel as do low mileage and don't like the short power band either.
I have my eye on a 330i 06 plate and have been offered a straight swap from a garage.
I haven't driven a 330i yet, but have high hopes that it's going to be a hell of a lot more fun and engaging than my diesel.
Any advice on this? Anything to consider in terms of spec or what I won't be getting on the 06 car that I have on the 58 aside from external cosmetic differences?
Going to test drive on Sunday, so any advice or recommendations/things to watch out for much appreciated!
I have a 58 320d, remapped, LCI e91 touring, but don't need a diesel as do low mileage and don't like the short power band either.
I have my eye on a 330i 06 plate and have been offered a straight swap from a garage.
I haven't driven a 330i yet, but have high hopes that it's going to be a hell of a lot more fun and engaging than my diesel.
Any advice on this? Anything to consider in terms of spec or what I won't be getting on the 06 car that I have on the 58 aside from external cosmetic differences?
Going to test drive on Sunday, so any advice or recommendations/things to watch out for much appreciated!
Diesels are usually more expensive to buy, so would a straight swap for an older petrol car be a good deal? I mean, could you sell your diesel separately and then negotiate on the list price of the 330i?
When I last test drove a pre-LCI car, the Navigation / I drive was a lot more basic than a LCI car I drove, so that might be a factor. Might be worth checking, if you can drag your attention away from the lovely N/A noise of a 330i.
When I last test drove a pre-LCI car, the Navigation / I drive was a lot more basic than a LCI car I drove, so that might be a factor. Might be worth checking, if you can drag your attention away from the lovely N/A noise of a 330i.
Smuler said:
Diesels are usually more expensive to buy, so would a straight swap for an older petrol car be a good deal? I mean, could you sell your diesel separately and then negotiate on the list price of the 330i?
When I last test drove a pre-LCI car, the Navigation / I drive was a lot more basic than a LCI car I drove, so that might be a factor. Might be worth checking, if you can drag your attention away from the lovely N/A noise of a 330i.
Neither cars have i-Drive, so no issues there. I think I could get a grand more if I sold mind privately, and the 330i might be a little pricey for the age (£11k 06 plate), so there is room for a bit of negotiation, but the 330i and 335i do also seem to hold their value well as they're quite rare in Touring guise.When I last test drove a pre-LCI car, the Navigation / I drive was a lot more basic than a LCI car I drove, so that might be a factor. Might be worth checking, if you can drag your attention away from the lovely N/A noise of a 330i.
To give you some idea on price, I paid £10.5k for my E91 330i back in Dec '12 from an independent. It's a 56 plate and was on 57k, and in extremely good condition.
So the price of the 330i does seem a little inflated to me. That said, a BMW dealer had an equivalent one in to mine, albeit with nav, and same age but wanted about £4k more!
It's not the last word in driving dynamicism but it copes perfectly well given that I'm accused by my wife of trying to drive it like I drove my 197! It doesn't mind being hustled on the tighter stuff, lets put it that way but ultimately it's not really what they were made for.
But the engine. It is an absolute peach and is worth the swap for that alone.
So the price of the 330i does seem a little inflated to me. That said, a BMW dealer had an equivalent one in to mine, albeit with nav, and same age but wanted about £4k more!
It's not the last word in driving dynamicism but it copes perfectly well given that I'm accused by my wife of trying to drive it like I drove my 197! It doesn't mind being hustled on the tighter stuff, lets put it that way but ultimately it's not really what they were made for.
But the engine. It is an absolute peach and is worth the swap for that alone.
Hell, yes, tourings are rare!
For specification differences, can you get the VIN plate of the 330i and put the last 7 digits in here, should get details on all it has; then you can do a straight comparison with yours.
http://www.bmwarchive.org/vin/bmw-vin-decoder.html
For specification differences, can you get the VIN plate of the 330i and put the last 7 digits in here, should get details on all it has; then you can do a straight comparison with yours.
http://www.bmwarchive.org/vin/bmw-vin-decoder.html
Swervin_Mervin said:
pattyg said:
I'd save up for an LCI 330i or 335i if I were you. Pre LCI looks dated IMHO.
I'd sooner have the more reliable N52 any day.They may not be tbh. But there's much love for the N52 and that doesn't seem to prevail for the N53.
When I was looking the reliability was a key thing for me so I actively sought out the N52. Local Indy seemed to back up what I'd read about N52 vs N53 and N54.
If the looks bother you it's not a huge amount to tweak the pre-LCI a little.
When I was looking the reliability was a key thing for me so I actively sought out the N52. Local Indy seemed to back up what I'd read about N52 vs N53 and N54.
If the looks bother you it's not a huge amount to tweak the pre-LCI a little.
Swervin_Mervin said:
They may not be tbh. But there's much love for the N52 and that doesn't seem to prevail for the N53.
When I was looking the reliability was a key thing for me so I actively sought out the N52. Local Indy seemed to back up what I'd read about N52 vs N53 and N54.
If the looks bother you it's not a huge amount to tweak the pre-LCI a little.
What sort of tweaks? The main thing that I think ages the car is the rear lights. When I was looking the reliability was a key thing for me so I actively sought out the N52. Local Indy seemed to back up what I'd read about N52 vs N53 and N54.
If the looks bother you it's not a huge amount to tweak the pre-LCI a little.
If you want flappy paddles then you'll have to go LCI I'm afraid. The pre-LCI still has the step-auto which will allow you to flick it across and use it sequentially.
In terms of tweaks. The LCI has a wider front and rear track, so you could always opt for spacers (although I'm led to believe the track increase at the front is purely by them changing the offsets on the wheels?)
Front lights - you can pick up a new set of the LCI's angel eye halogen units for about £300. Rear lights is a different matter as the units are a different shape between pre and post facelift. I went for the darkline lights. £120 or so for OEM units from Germany
In terms of tweaks. The LCI has a wider front and rear track, so you could always opt for spacers (although I'm led to believe the track increase at the front is purely by them changing the offsets on the wheels?)
Front lights - you can pick up a new set of the LCI's angel eye halogen units for about £300. Rear lights is a different matter as the units are a different shape between pre and post facelift. I went for the darkline lights. £120 or so for OEM units from Germany
Edited by Swervin_Mervin on Thursday 14th August 22:28
I stand to be corrected, but don't the six cylinder cars have a number of extra features in DSC that aren't available on the 4 cylinder cars?
I made a note of this list some time ago - (possibly not correct)
- auto-drying brakes
- hill start assistant (on manual cars)
- soft stop
- automatic fade compensation
- brake standby function
Also, the brake discs are much larger
I made a note of this list some time ago - (possibly not correct)
- auto-drying brakes
- hill start assistant (on manual cars)
- soft stop
- automatic fade compensation
- brake standby function
Also, the brake discs are much larger
If its any help, my 330I is on eBay at the minute and I'm after a quick sale (black 2006 one in Halifax). Certainly aren't looking for anywhere near 11k for it!!! I'd be very happy with £8k.
Great cars though and I'm gutted to be selling it but needs must (those needs being in the shape of a new VW T5 camper van).
Re. the auto thing. I wanted flappy paddles but a lot of people told me I'd never use them. Went with that and to be honest, they're right. I've used the stick to shift up and down a few times just to see what it was like, moved it back over and left it in full auto. Such an effortless car to drive and one which covers the miles like nothing else I've ever driven.
Great cars though and I'm gutted to be selling it but needs must (those needs being in the shape of a new VW T5 camper van).
Re. the auto thing. I wanted flappy paddles but a lot of people told me I'd never use them. Went with that and to be honest, they're right. I've used the stick to shift up and down a few times just to see what it was like, moved it back over and left it in full auto. Such an effortless car to drive and one which covers the miles like nothing else I've ever driven.
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