Buying an E90

[Pazzify]

Morning guys,

Looking to purchase a new car and have always wanted a BMW 3 Series ever since I use to help my old man with his E30.

Looking to spend around 5k-6k and possibly more if the car was worth it. Looking at the market seems there are some good E90's around for that price.

Quite a few are high milage though around 90k+ if the car has been looked after and FSH am I looking at a good buy? Or should I drop to an E46 and get something with less miles? Don't really care about re-sale value just want a nice car that will last me around 4/5 years.

Also anything I should look out for when buying a E90?

Thanks for the help.

[Pazzify]

There does seem to be alot of the 320d around, guessing they have been used as company cars. Only other models for that price range are 318i

[Pazzify]

Thanks for the advice guys, the 330i does look good but struggling to find one between the 5k to 6k Mark. Most of them are the 320d....which I've not heard great things about.

[Pazzify]

stevesuk said:

Edited to add - if you're happy to settle for a 325i, there are a fair few on eBay too. E.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272023135330 - not the highest spec, but a nice clean looking low mileage car? Or if you want an auto, how about http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281830881862? Both well within budget.

Edited by stevesuk on Thursday 22 October 10:52

Some good finds there thanks, maybe you're right just need to shop around and may need to travel a little bit being based down south. Will have a look on eBay as well.

[Pazzify]

cerb4.5lee said:

stevesuk said:

If you're buying a petrol, then I'd recommend going for the 325i or the 330i with the N52 engine. They have a reputation for being fairly bullet proof. We've run an early (2005) E91 325i for nearly 6 years, and no dramas engine wise at all in that time. In fact the only non-service item was a rear wheel bearing. You can coax approaching 40 MPG out of them on a motorway run.

Have had two E46 coupes in the past, and the big issue the E46 struggles with - especially now they're getting on - is rust. I'm not aware of that being an issue on the E90, and for better or worse, it also feels like a more modern car both on the road, and with the interior (the switchgear etc. is from a different generation, and you get stuff like iDrive etc. that isn't found on the E46). So if it was my money, I think I'd go with the E90. The styling can seem a bit bland after the E46 - but if you get one in the right colour and right specification, they still look good.

I haven't tired of ours yet, despite owning it for 6 years this December - it still does everything we need as a family.

Agree with all of this.

Yeah seems a few people do like the 330i and 325i. There a couple 325i near me for 5-6k but have 100k+ miles on the clock. If they have FSH and been looked after should be good cars shouldn't they?

[Pazzify]

Thanks for the help guys, some really good points here. Seems no one like the run flats that for sure!

Will be on the look out for a 325i or 330i and see what I can find, making sure it been looked after. Can understand going for petrol instead as it won't be used for long commutes so will see what comes up

[Pazzify]

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

Any feedback appreciated, is this the kind of car I should be looking at?

[Pazzify]

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

Yes looking at a further distance have seen better cars that provide extra, the one above looks a little better.

[Pazzify]

Exactly, when I was looking at cars to get I was so surprised to see E90's popping up and thought wow some great cars for value there and I have always wanted one.

[Pazzify]

Both cars very nice and agree alloys in the second one are nice. Both cars are about 3 hours drive so think I'm going to have to expand my search criteria! If I want to find a decent one. Didn't realise I could get a 330i for the same price, just may have to travel abit further.

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Smuler said:

Even if you are not little, like Lee, think you need to drive a M Sport and SE to make the right decision. From what I've always read here, really no penalty in fuel consumption or running costs, to give a downside to 330i. You might as well have the faster car and the last and fastest great N/A straight six engine !

Is this one any good, also on Auto Trader?

I think it was the lowest price, lowest miles below 100k 330i M Sport I saw on A/T. Stood out to me as it has , like mine, the piano black trim; really hate the aluminium which is common and do like the saddle leather.

They've also put on the LCI lights on the rear which is must better. Doesn't have the nav/idrive but if it did it would be the older unit and whilst you can still update the maps, not sure if you can update to get a proper 7 digit postcode so maybe always dated.

Link to company's website. If you are having to travel, I see these have other E9X's , including a touring with M sport, so play clever and drive more than one, that way you get chance to compare.

http://www.germancarspecialistltd.co.uk/bmw-330i-m...

Oh wow that is a very good looking car, and a good company to go visit, well worth the drive up there to go see what they have. Good tip think I may try the M sport and Give it a test see what different

[Pazzify]

stevesuk said:

What we've collectively done is to make you increase your budget to £6-7K Although if it gets you the right car, its no doubt worth paying that bit more?

Haha you know I've only just realised that! But as you said if it get me the right car then should be able to stretch it that bit further!

[Pazzify]

http://www.motorsworldcars.co.uk/used-cars/bmw-3-s...

Going to go have a look at this in the week, what do you guys think? Looks good for a 330i which is what I would like just doesn't seem to many being sold

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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.

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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

[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.

[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

[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.