E90 320si - a risky used option?
Discussion
Marketed as BTCC homolgation special with the requesite 500 sold in the uk during 2006.
More of a drivers car with emphasis on balance and handling rather than outright pace - looks a bit special.
My concerns are the higher revving non valvetronic hand built engine which seems to have had issues in relation to aluminium cylinder liners cracking.
Some nice low mileage examples available with full histories etc but am a little nervous!
Advice/comments welcome!
More of a drivers car with emphasis on balance and handling rather than outright pace - looks a bit special.
My concerns are the higher revving non valvetronic hand built engine which seems to have had issues in relation to aluminium cylinder liners cracking.
Some nice low mileage examples available with full histories etc but am a little nervous!
Advice/comments welcome!
Quite a bit different to a regular 320i m sport.
Main mechanical differences: Engine lower and set further back to improve balance & handling, engine hand built by BMW Sauber F1 factory with different cylinder liner and coventional valvegear to replace valvetronic system/higher compression etc to create a high revving engine with 23bhp more than the standard 320i unit.
Heart says do it, head says don't and go down 325i/330i route. Appeal of the Si for me is the rarity/feeling of owning something a little bit special. (Will be a 2nd car and annual mileage will be low)
If I do this a warranty will be a must I think.
Main mechanical differences: Engine lower and set further back to improve balance & handling, engine hand built by BMW Sauber F1 factory with different cylinder liner and coventional valvegear to replace valvetronic system/higher compression etc to create a high revving engine with 23bhp more than the standard 320i unit.
Heart says do it, head says don't and go down 325i/330i route. Appeal of the Si for me is the rarity/feeling of owning something a little bit special. (Will be a 2nd car and annual mileage will be low)
If I do this a warranty will be a must I think.
I too am looking at one of these.
I believe the block was cast in the same foundry as the BMW F1 engines at the time. Something of a rarity, smart looking with the wheels and not a diesel.
If you google almost any car you can unearth all sorts of problems because complainers are the only ones to be motivated to complain. Don't mention BMW diesel swirl flaps or turbos.
Why not?
Or sheep or shepherd??
I believe the block was cast in the same foundry as the BMW F1 engines at the time. Something of a rarity, smart looking with the wheels and not a diesel.
If you google almost any car you can unearth all sorts of problems because complainers are the only ones to be motivated to complain. Don't mention BMW diesel swirl flaps or turbos.
Why not?
Or sheep or shepherd??
MikeIndiaZero said:
Quite a bit different to a regular 320i m sport.
Main mechanical differences: Engine lower and set further back to improve balance & handling, engine hand built by BMW Sauber F1 factory with different cylinder liner and coventional valvegear to replace valvetronic system/higher compression etc to create a high revving engine with 23bhp more than the standard 320i unit.
All true but it still felt quite slow, didn't feel much quicker then my humble 10 year old E46 tbh. Looks good under the bonnet though!Main mechanical differences: Engine lower and set further back to improve balance & handling, engine hand built by BMW Sauber F1 factory with different cylinder liner and coventional valvegear to replace valvetronic system/higher compression etc to create a high revving engine with 23bhp more than the standard 320i unit.
I bought one just over a year ago and would highly recommend it. I’ve not had any problems with it at all, I think if you choose a car based on other peoples horror stories you’d never buy any car. Has every other BMW engine ever made been 100% reliable??? I’m sure the cracked cylinder linings don’t affect all 2600 cars made.
Before this car I had an E46 330ci and yes it was quite a bit quicker in a straight line (to be expected) and was a better motorway cruiser, but I much prefer my ‘Si. It feels brilliant through the corners, on a twisty B road the handling is superb, I think it’s mostly down to the whole car weighing less.
The BBS alloys look pretty good too.
Before this car I had an E46 330ci and yes it was quite a bit quicker in a straight line (to be expected) and was a better motorway cruiser, but I much prefer my ‘Si. It feels brilliant through the corners, on a twisty B road the handling is superb, I think it’s mostly down to the whole car weighing less.
The BBS alloys look pretty good too.
I sold a couple of these when I worked at a dealer. They are VERY hard work to sell (as are Alpina D3's) so you need to buy them right. Folks looking to buy an E90 haven't got a clue what a 320iS is, and care even less so aim to pay 320i M Sport money. The special engine doesn't equal a particularly special driving experience and to be frank, a 325i or 330i is a better idea.
They're no faster than a regular 320i, so that means they're perfectly okay - not fast as such but pretty lively although with slightly less torque than the 320i. Decent economy with a regular 35 and up to 40 on a steady run.
All of these N series four pots have coil pack issues but not every example - plenty of them run just fine. These are new enough to have the revised, stronger chain tensioner set up and if they're properly maintained, should do a lot of miles. In many years to come they may have a following.
They're no faster than a regular 320i, so that means they're perfectly okay - not fast as such but pretty lively although with slightly less torque than the 320i. Decent economy with a regular 35 and up to 40 on a steady run.
All of these N series four pots have coil pack issues but not every example - plenty of them run just fine. These are new enough to have the revised, stronger chain tensioner set up and if they're properly maintained, should do a lot of miles. In many years to come they may have a following.
mbrown5 - your Si looks fantastic! Great to hear you are having a good experience with the car too.
I suppose all models will have their weak points - However I have decided the Si is goin to be little highly strung for a 2nd car being driven in the main by a female.... who wouldn't be clued in to strange noises such as rattly timing chains etc. Would make me just toooo nervous.
Maybe sometime again if circumstances change - will add to my wish list!!
Now looking at E90 330i's
I suppose all models will have their weak points - However I have decided the Si is goin to be little highly strung for a 2nd car being driven in the main by a female.... who wouldn't be clued in to strange noises such as rattly timing chains etc. Would make me just toooo nervous.
Maybe sometime again if circumstances change - will add to my wish list!!
Now looking at E90 330i's
mbrown5 said:
I bought one just over a year ago and would highly recommend it. I’ve not had any problems with it at all, I think if you choose a car based on other peoples horror stories you’d never buy any car. Has every other BMW engine ever made been 100% reliable??? I’m sure the cracked cylinder linings don’t affect all 2600 cars made.
Before this car I had an E46 330ci and yes it was quite a bit quicker in a straight line (to be expected) and was a better motorway cruiser, but I much prefer my ‘Si. It feels brilliant through the corners, on a twisty B road the handling is superb, I think it’s mostly down to the whole car weighing less.
The BBS alloys look pretty good too.
Lovely car. Half the appeal of these for me is in them being that bit different. They deserve a followingBefore this car I had an E46 330ci and yes it was quite a bit quicker in a straight line (to be expected) and was a better motorway cruiser, but I much prefer my ‘Si. It feels brilliant through the corners, on a twisty B road the handling is superb, I think it’s mostly down to the whole car weighing less.
The BBS alloys look pretty good too.
MikeIndiaZero said:
Quite a bit different to a regular 320i m sport.
Main mechanical differences: Engine lower and set further back to improve balance & handling, engine hand built by BMW Sauber F1 factory with different cylinder liner and coventional valvegear to replace valvetronic system/higher compression etc to create a high revving engine with 23bhp more than the standard 320i unit.
Heart says do it, head says don't and go down 325i/330i route. Appeal of the Si for me is the rarity/feeling of owning something a little bit special. (Will be a 2nd car and annual mileage will be low)
If I do this a warranty will be a must I think.
Speaking only for the 325, I would say drive them both first.Main mechanical differences: Engine lower and set further back to improve balance & handling, engine hand built by BMW Sauber F1 factory with different cylinder liner and coventional valvegear to replace valvetronic system/higher compression etc to create a high revving engine with 23bhp more than the standard 320i unit.
Heart says do it, head says don't and go down 325i/330i route. Appeal of the Si for me is the rarity/feeling of owning something a little bit special. (Will be a 2nd car and annual mileage will be low)
If I do this a warranty will be a must I think.
If you like to feel like you're driving an engine rather than just steering on its behalf, I think you will prefer the Si. There is no doubt the 3.0 il6 is a nice engine, but its had its wings well and truly clipped in the 325, especially with an auto. In my E92 325, it feels like an expensive chef's knife that has been deliberately bashed on a piece of scaffold, to make it blunt so that it cant hurt (or excite) anyone.
And N53s and N54s have engine issues of their own, so you wont be dodging trouble completely by going for the 2.0l
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