E92 325i Coupe SE - thoughts and experience
Discussion
Evening all,
I'm after a practical, modern, frugal petrol car and the E90 Coupe just fits my criteria. What I really mean is it doesn't really fulfill my criteria but I pretty much fell for one when I was viewing a boring Mercedes estate.
Any thoughts on real world MPG, reliability, power, handling, comfort, must have options, buying tips etc. appreciated.
This is the one I viewed but seems overpriced? Going to have a look at an alternative on Thursday.
Thank you,
Robert.
I'm after a practical, modern, frugal petrol car and the E90 Coupe just fits my criteria. What I really mean is it doesn't really fulfill my criteria but I pretty much fell for one when I was viewing a boring Mercedes estate.
Any thoughts on real world MPG, reliability, power, handling, comfort, must have options, buying tips etc. appreciated.
This is the one I viewed but seems overpriced? Going to have a look at an alternative on Thursday.
Thank you,
Robert.
tomic said:
Phateuk said:
a4cabrio said:
My advice would be to avoid Big Motoring World like the plague, 2 mins on Google will explain all.
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The car had a couple of problems after I collected it which they bent over backwards to sort out, had a full set of Bridgestone runflats fitted at the PDI (a grands worth of tyres)and was loads cheaper than anywhere else. They also gave me the What Car "Clean" trade in price for my old car even though the bodywork was ropey. They do a hard sell on the gardx crap, warranties and finance, but I didn't take any of it.
Dealers like Car Giant and Big Motoring world aren't perfect, but they are aware of consumer protection law and if your car has apparant faults, then they know they have to sort them out - unlike most small independent dealers who just get cars in from the auction, stick them on sale and hope for the best. Then if you're unlucky the dealer might not take your calls when you complain and you end up out of pocket(as I have in the past!).
The smaller site in Canterbury was better. The salesman we spoke to was pushy, but not too bad. However, its the price that puts me off! The 325 coupe listed above is around a grand too much IMO so I won't consider it.
I've calculated my fuel costs based on 20mpg and it's not too bad, but I'm going to consider the 320i as it seems to have the efficient 2.0 engine with 170bhp but appears far more frugal.
Anyone care to share their experience of this engine? I'm concerned it won't have quite enough 'shove' to keep me entertained compared to the older 2.5.
Anyone care to share their experience of this engine? I'm concerned it won't have quite enough 'shove' to keep me entertained compared to the older 2.5.
Matt99man said:
This should not be too hard, I get an indicated 30 mpg from mine. Generally 29 when brim to brimmed. That's on a 25 mile round trip every day to work through the a50 traffic that can be very slow and stop start. I've done 40 on a run many times.
Thanks for the reply Matt. That makes the 325 (2.5) a valid option.I'm going to test drive one or two Thursday, but can you tell me a little about your ownership experience thus far?
Smuler, that video is great! I'm so excited about viewing the car, MUST BE OBJECTIVE, MUST BE OBJECTIVE 
It sounds like a good engine, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it performs tomorrow. Certainly will be faster than my Ka, and not too far away from my recently sold Chimaera.
It will be my first auto as well; always said I'd never get one but I think it will suit the character of the car. That and my left knee is starting to seize up
This is it:
timbob said:
JFReturns said:
That's encouraging. I'm test driving an auto so will expect slightly lower but that's fine.
Test driving a 325 [2.5] tomorrow and will report back! I'm not convinced the 320i is the engine for me...
There are also horror stories about ongoing reliability issues with the 4 cylinder 320i engine all over most of the BMW forums. After doing a lot of research along similar lines to you (but I was after a touring, not a coupe), I ended up settling on looking for a pre-LCI 325i with the 2.5 litre N52 engine.Test driving a 325 [2.5] tomorrow and will report back! I'm not convinced the 320i is the engine for me...
It will be my first auto as well; always said I'd never get one but I think it will suit the character of the car. That and my left knee is starting to seize up
This is it:
Aaaand shes mine
I knew within 30 seconds of the test drive she was the one. Such nice condition - everything felt tight, no rattles, knocks just refined comfortable wafting. A revelation compared to my previous cars, the only one that came close in terms of beautifully judged damping was my Subaru WRX.
The service history is perfect - 9 service stamps (main dealer except the last) with receipts for everything, and overall, the condition is spot on. A few minor paint issues which I may or may not sort, but everything works. I've never known such gadgetry! The car hands you the seatbelt
So far I'm loving the automatic transmission. Stuck in traffic in my Ka was pretty tedious, but a pleasure on the way back. The engine is a peach too; I've often heard it being described as "silky" or "smooth" and I now understand why. Not a huge amount of low down torque as Mutton says, but once above four or five thousand RPM it does fly. Very happy so far!
Thanks for all your help chaps
I knew within 30 seconds of the test drive she was the one. Such nice condition - everything felt tight, no rattles, knocks just refined comfortable wafting. A revelation compared to my previous cars, the only one that came close in terms of beautifully judged damping was my Subaru WRX.
The service history is perfect - 9 service stamps (main dealer except the last) with receipts for everything, and overall, the condition is spot on. A few minor paint issues which I may or may not sort, but everything works. I've never known such gadgetry! The car hands you the seatbelt
So far I'm loving the automatic transmission. Stuck in traffic in my Ka was pretty tedious, but a pleasure on the way back. The engine is a peach too; I've often heard it being described as "silky" or "smooth" and I now understand why. Not a huge amount of low down torque as Mutton says, but once above four or five thousand RPM it does fly. Very happy so far!
Thanks for all your help chaps
Thanks chaps, and thank you Ryan for the informative post - I'll digest it fully but I'm getting used to the box more and more. Sliding into sport mode is useful for overtakes as it sits around 3,500rpm instead of shuffling up.
Still loving it so far - a 'warning' light has binged on but having checked the manual its just the run flat indicator so I'll check the tyres tomorrow.
Still loving it so far - a 'warning' light has binged on but having checked the manual its just the run flat indicator so I'll check the tyres tomorrow.
ezakimak said:
You may need to set the pressures and then re-calibrate the tyre pressure monitor once driving. It works by monitoring the abs wheel sensors and not the pressure in the tires. If the abs sensors suddenly see one of the wheel speed sensors showing a higher speed over a couple of hundred meters then it will set of the alarm.
Ryan.
Done, thanks again for the advice. Still loving the 325, spent 30mins reading the manual learning it. For example, dropping and raising the windows from the remote - how cool is that?! Might be old hat to those who have owned BMWs for ages but this luxury is all new to me Ryan.
Small update - really enjoying the E92. Such a lovely place to be and makes me feel relaxed at the end of a hard day at work.
Averaging 25.5mpg so far. Not too bad, basically means £75 of fuel gives 310 miles or thereabouts. That's with high octane.
Engine is a peach, and manual mode is great for the rare occasions I fancy some involvement and hanging onto the gears. Country lanes aren't really this cars forte but it copes well enough. Cruising on the motorway it excels.
Averaging 25.5mpg so far. Not too bad, basically means £75 of fuel gives 310 miles or thereabouts. That's with high octane.
Engine is a peach, and manual mode is great for the rare occasions I fancy some involvement and hanging onto the gears. Country lanes aren't really this cars forte but it copes well enough. Cruising on the motorway it excels.
Run flats! What is everyone's opinion?
My rears need replacing soon and they will cost close to £500! Ouch. The fronts aren't far behind, and on top of that my current alloys need refurbing.
On the other hand, I can get a brand new set of alloys with decent (non run flat) tyres for £720! Only thing is they aren't staggered at the rear - is this going to cause my any problems? Why did BMW fit wider wheels at the back, to reign in oversteer?
The wheels I like are CSL style, the others looked a bit too after market for my taste. Thoughts?
My rears need replacing soon and they will cost close to £500! Ouch. The fronts aren't far behind, and on top of that my current alloys need refurbing.
On the other hand, I can get a brand new set of alloys with decent (non run flat) tyres for £720! Only thing is they aren't staggered at the rear - is this going to cause my any problems? Why did BMW fit wider wheels at the back, to reign in oversteer?
The wheels I like are CSL style, the others looked a bit too after market for my taste. Thoughts?
Smuler said:
I drove a 335i E92 other day and actually liked the ride (which many hate) on 19ins rims and run flats!
Not sure what rims you have, I assume they are 18s in which case I would buy non run flats and expect to pay about £500 for a set of four. Less if you go for a good mid range brand.
As far as I know staggered, with bigger at back, is about looks. I like your alternative wheels, but I think I would stick with staggered and go for some non run flat tyres and probably save money.
Thanks, good shout. And you're right, they are 18". 255/35/R18 to be precise Not sure what rims you have, I assume they are 18s in which case I would buy non run flats and expect to pay about £500 for a set of four. Less if you go for a good mid range brand.
As far as I know staggered, with bigger at back, is about looks. I like your alternative wheels, but I think I would stick with staggered and go for some non run flat tyres and probably save money.
Just thought I'd update this to say I've gone for the refurb option over aftermarkets. I think OEM is the way to go, though not decided on the OEM tyres yet
Got the wheels done properly - inside refurbed, not just the face, balanced and new centre caps. Here is a cheeky before and after:
Got the wheels done properly - inside refurbed, not just the face, balanced and new centre caps. Here is a cheeky before and after:
Just thought I'd bring this thread to a premature end as I'm selling the BMW tomorrow.
She was a sleek, gorgeous, sonorous cruiser - but once the novelty of the hushed ride, heated seats, xenons and auto everything wore off, it left me a little cold... I liked it, but don't love it. The autobox and my daily commute of winding country roads didn't help. In fact I always said I would never get an auto and on this evidence I should have listened to my own advice! Silly me. What I should have done was get a feisty, light little manual hatchback...
She was a sleek, gorgeous, sonorous cruiser - but once the novelty of the hushed ride, heated seats, xenons and auto everything wore off, it left me a little cold... I liked it, but don't love it. The autobox and my daily commute of winding country roads didn't help. In fact I always said I would never get an auto and on this evidence I should have listened to my own advice! Silly me. What I should have done was get a feisty, light little manual hatchback...
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