What used BMW?: 3.0, non-turbo, manual, hydraulic steering
Discussion
I have an itch:
Does N52 = hydraulic steering, and N53 = electric?
E82 130i - Am I right in thinking that all these were N52 engined, non-EfficientDynamics, and hence with hydraulic steering? If so, Parkers (reliable source?) tells me the last ones were made in September 2009 so I'm not too late.
E90 330i - The last N52s were September 2007, are the later ones all electric steering? If so, I'm probably too late for one of these.
E92 330i - Seems all of these were N53s? Therefore all electric steering?
- 130i (E82) or 330i (E90 saloon or E92 coupe)
- Probably M-Sport spec
- Manual gearbox
- Hydraulic steering
- Under ~60k miles
Does N52 = hydraulic steering, and N53 = electric?
E82 130i - Am I right in thinking that all these were N52 engined, non-EfficientDynamics, and hence with hydraulic steering? If so, Parkers (reliable source?) tells me the last ones were made in September 2009 so I'm not too late.
E90 330i - The last N52s were September 2007, are the later ones all electric steering? If so, I'm probably too late for one of these.
E92 330i - Seems all of these were N53s? Therefore all electric steering?
Can't answer all your questions, but I'll try to help.
I believe all 130i's were N52 engined. However, the LCI cars (post 2007) had electromechanical steering, rather than hydraulic (the main reason they're a bit more economical). The earlier cars are considered to have far superior steering.
I think the E9x 3 series cars had a change of engine during the LCI facelift (258 to 272 bhp I think). The latter are far less reliable apparently. Not sure of the steering situation though sorry.
I believe all 130i's were N52 engined. However, the LCI cars (post 2007) had electromechanical steering, rather than hydraulic (the main reason they're a bit more economical). The earlier cars are considered to have far superior steering.
I think the E9x 3 series cars had a change of engine during the LCI facelift (258 to 272 bhp I think). The latter are far less reliable apparently. Not sure of the steering situation though sorry.
Heathwood said:
I think the E9x 3 series cars had a change of engine during the LCI facelift (258 to 272 bhp I think). The latter are far less reliable apparently. Not sure of the steering situation though sorry.
I've been reading up on this quite a bit myself recently, I'm pretty sure the engine change from n52 to n53 was a few months earlier than the facelift, engine change happening in early (march?) 2007.Cheers guys, looks like it's a bit of a mixed up area with it not being easy to tell what's what.
I might have to compromise on the steering, or at least try one of both so I can see what the difference is like. Although not sure if I'd be able to appreciate it on a test drive.
It's a bit sad that this configuration of BMW has no longer been available to buy for many years now. Even ignoring the steering and gearbox, it seems that the E92 coupe is the last 3.0 6 cylinder non-turbo BMW. I thought that's what BMW used to be about.
I might have to compromise on the steering, or at least try one of both so I can see what the difference is like. Although not sure if I'd be able to appreciate it on a test drive.
It's a bit sad that this configuration of BMW has no longer been available to buy for many years now. Even ignoring the steering and gearbox, it seems that the E92 coupe is the last 3.0 6 cylinder non-turbo BMW. I thought that's what BMW used to be about.
E82 130i all had electric steering and N52 (265hp)
E9x facelift coincides with N53 and electric rack
I used to have a pre-LCI E87 130i (N52, hydraulic, 265hp) and currently run a June 07 pre-LCI E91 330i (N52, hydraulic, 258hp)
E82 will be much more fun to drive than E9x with same engine/box, so just live with the fact you have electric steering (or get an E87 130i pre-LCI and have the right engine and steering but 5 doors).
E9x facelift coincides with N53 and electric rack
I used to have a pre-LCI E87 130i (N52, hydraulic, 265hp) and currently run a June 07 pre-LCI E91 330i (N52, hydraulic, 258hp)
E82 will be much more fun to drive than E9x with same engine/box, so just live with the fact you have electric steering (or get an E87 130i pre-LCI and have the right engine and steering but 5 doors).
VerySideways said:
E82 130i all had electric steering and N52 (265hp)
E9x facelift coincides with N53 and electric rack
I used to have a pre-LCI E87 130i (N52, hydraulic, 265hp) and currently run a June 07 pre-LCI E91 330i (N52, hydraulic, 258hp)
E82 will be much more fun to drive than E9x with same engine/box, so just live with the fact you have electric steering (or get an E87 130i pre-LCI and have the right engine and steering but 5 doors).
I think you mean E81 130i not E82....?E9x facelift coincides with N53 and electric rack
I used to have a pre-LCI E87 130i (N52, hydraulic, 265hp) and currently run a June 07 pre-LCI E91 330i (N52, hydraulic, 258hp)
E82 will be much more fun to drive than E9x with same engine/box, so just live with the fact you have electric steering (or get an E87 130i pre-LCI and have the right engine and steering but 5 doors).
E82 is the Coupe and therefore no such thing as a E82 130i.
L555BAT said:
It's a bit sad that this configuration of BMW has no longer been available to buy for many years now. Even ignoring the steering and gearbox, it seems that the E92 coupe is the last 3.0 6 cylinder non-turbo BMW. I thought that's what BMW used to be about.
Much discussed subject.. Times change and manufacturers have to move with the times.
I have a June 2007 E90 330i manual and can highly recommend it.
I've been toying with the idea of getting something dull and boring for the next couple of years, but I just can't bring myself to part with the 330i, knowing it's one of the last N52s and knowing how hard it is to get a manual.
If you can find one, you won't regret it. For me, the interior is of a better quality than the 1 series and my only gripe is that I couldn't find one with xenons and idrive that was also a manual, so prioritised manual over the other two.
I've been toying with the idea of getting something dull and boring for the next couple of years, but I just can't bring myself to part with the 330i, knowing it's one of the last N52s and knowing how hard it is to get a manual.
If you can find one, you won't regret it. For me, the interior is of a better quality than the 1 series and my only gripe is that I couldn't find one with xenons and idrive that was also a manual, so prioritised manual over the other two.
philmots said:
L555BAT said:
It's a bit sad that this configuration of BMW has no longer been available to buy for many years now. Even ignoring the steering and gearbox, it seems that the E92 coupe is the last 3.0 6 cylinder non-turbo BMW. I thought that's what BMW used to be about.
Much discussed subject.. Times change and manufacturers have to move with the times.
Fox- said:
VerySideways said:
E9x facelift coincides with N53 and electric rack
No, it was pre facelift that this happened - it was the time the range gained 'EfficientDynamics' technologies. Late 2007ish.Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff