E90 3-series - 3 liltre engine size confusion!! HELP!!
Discussion
Right - I need some help. I'm looking for a 3 litre (petrol) E90 coupe or cab but am getting confused by the number of 3 litre engine variations there are! Msport ideally.
So for a 2007 model, there's a 325i, 330i, 335i. All are 3 litres! I know the 335 is a twin turbo and is the daddy, and my preference. However, which of the other two 3 litres is better and more recent?
Can any current/ former owners let me know how they compare with the 335i?? Also, how does all of this intereact with N52 / N53 - what's the significance of this designation?
Many thanks!!
So for a 2007 model, there's a 325i, 330i, 335i. All are 3 litres! I know the 335 is a twin turbo and is the daddy, and my preference. However, which of the other two 3 litres is better and more recent?
Can any current/ former owners let me know how they compare with the 335i?? Also, how does all of this intereact with N52 / N53 - what's the significance of this designation?
Many thanks!!
Edited by wax lyrical on Thursday 16th August 12:52
Thanks for the input. Very useful.
I take it that the 330i on balance would be a better buy than the 335i from the standpoint of reliability? I have heard that the 335i has some fundamental weaknesses and is a bit fragile?
My initial idea was to buy a 335i and chip it at some point - but that's just asking for trouble I think!
I take it that the 330i on balance would be a better buy than the 335i from the standpoint of reliability? I have heard that the 335i has some fundamental weaknesses and is a bit fragile?
My initial idea was to buy a 335i and chip it at some point - but that's just asking for trouble I think!
Fox- said:
In terms of 'age and betterness' the 325i and 330i at each given point are the same basic engine with minor differences. In the pre 57 plate cars they are both N52B30 engines. In the post 57 plate cars (There is some crossover) they are both N53B30 engines. They therefore deliver the same fuel efficiency and have the same running costs, the only real difference is that the 330i is more powerful.
The 335i is actually the older of the engines. It is based on the original M54 introduced in 2000 (Though heavily reworked) whereas the N52 and then N53 engines were all-new and technically more advanced.
The 325i is therefore fundamentally pointless unless you can find one at a really great price.
Between 330i and 335i there actually isnt much in it in terms of outright performance. The 330i is 272bhp, the 335i 306bhp and there is only half a second in it to 60. Drive both cars flat out and they'll feel similar, though the 335i edges it.
The beauty of the 335i is in its flexibility. You need the 330i in the right gear to make swift progress whereas the 335i just ****'s off into the distance seemingly whatever gear you are in. It has such a flexible powerband.
I picked the 335i though truthfully only becuase it was the first good one in the spec I wanted to come up. I'd have been equally happy with a 330i. Note the N53 330i is considerably more economical than both the N52 version and the 335i. It is also less reliable than the N52 on account of its direct injection system.
The 335i is actually the older of the engines. It is based on the original M54 introduced in 2000 (Though heavily reworked) whereas the N52 and then N53 engines were all-new and technically more advanced.
The 325i is therefore fundamentally pointless unless you can find one at a really great price.
Between 330i and 335i there actually isnt much in it in terms of outright performance. The 330i is 272bhp, the 335i 306bhp and there is only half a second in it to 60. Drive both cars flat out and they'll feel similar, though the 335i edges it.
The beauty of the 335i is in its flexibility. You need the 330i in the right gear to make swift progress whereas the 335i just ****'s off into the distance seemingly whatever gear you are in. It has such a flexible powerband.
I picked the 335i though truthfully only becuase it was the first good one in the spec I wanted to come up. I'd have been equally happy with a 330i. Note the N53 330i is considerably more economical than both the N52 version and the 335i. It is also less reliable than the N52 on account of its direct injection system.
Fox- said:
Only the older N52 330i is likely to offer marked reliability improvements over a 335i or a 330i. If its between an N53 330i and a 335i then reliability is fairly irrelevent. But then the older more reliable one isnt as economical.
Buy a Comprehensive BMW warranty for 40ish quid a month and reliability is somebody elses problem.
I agree - a warranty would be essential. I suppose for this I would need to find a car that already has a BMW warranty in place that I could extend, or a car with full BMW service history that I could put a warranty on?Buy a Comprehensive BMW warranty for 40ish quid a month and reliability is somebody elses problem.
What if the car has >60k miles though - as a lot of the used market seems to have?
Thanks in advance!
E30M3SE said:
Doesn't need to have an existing warranty on it (although there is a lapsed warranty premium if the warranty is allowed to lapse), just needs FSH. If you buy one with more than 60K miles on it then warranty cost increases and certain suspension items are no longer covered even under the comprehensive warranty.
But I assume this does need to be full BMW service history? Otherwise it would be too much risk for them warrantying the car.E30M3SE said:
Not necessarily, if a cars had a couple done outside the network it will still be warrantiable, you just need to be able to show the car was serviced to the correct spec using genuine BMW parts and recommeded oils/fluids.
Once the cars covered by the BMWIW then it has to be serviced by a dealer.
For the full lowdown give them a call on 02086669204, they're very helpfull.
Many thanks. Much appreciated!Once the cars covered by the BMWIW then it has to be serviced by a dealer.
For the full lowdown give them a call on 02086669204, they're very helpfull.
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