Out with the new and in with the old; my 130i LE
Discussion
Ben Lowden said:
Look forward to hearing about how you get on with the 335i you're seeing. Surely Xenons can be retrofitted?CB 987 said:
That was the compromise when I bought mine, ideally I wanted xenon’s and a panoramic roof. I have seen a few 335i’s that popped up for sale with no idrive/pro nav, I’m guessing they might have been company cars with no options added at all.
Were they standard fit on the coupes? They all see, to have them but they’re super rare on the E90 and E91.CB 987 said:
I believe they were standard on all coupes, they weren’t an expensive option, but I guess people preferred to spend the money elsewhere when ordering. I personally think they should have been standard on 6 cylinder models and then optional on other models.
I’d agree with xenon’s being standard on 6 pots.Whilst the xenon’s on my car are not brilliant they’re better than the halogens on my other half’s 125i.
Mr Tidy said:
BMW spec on their cars of that era were truly weird!
All E9* 3Series had split/fold rear seats, other than the E90.
Thankfully my 330i has them, Bi-Xenons, electric glass sun-roof and power-fold mirrors - but no Nav or heated seats.
I think cruise was an option on 1st-Generation 1 Series - just mad!
I don’t think it got any better with later cars either. Cruise wasn’t standard on the F series 1 either; you had to select the comfort pack to get it.All E9* 3Series had split/fold rear seats, other than the E90.
Thankfully my 330i has them, Bi-Xenons, electric glass sun-roof and power-fold mirrors - but no Nav or heated seats.
I think cruise was an option on 1st-Generation 1 Series - just mad!
The split/fold sears was certainly an odd one.
Ben Lowden said:
As much as it pains me to link to AT and not PH, this looks exceptional https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203304...
I've put my name down on the waiting list if it doesn't go on the weekend Am I right in thinking the LCI 325i engine is essentially a detuned 330i and will map to 330i power?
I like that. Looks lovely, helped by some nice photos. I've put my name down on the waiting list if it doesn't go on the weekend
Am I right in thinking the LCI 325i engine is essentially a detuned 330i and will map to 330i power?mholt1995 said:
How'd it go Sam?
It, er didn’t. When the seller went to take it to be cleaned it wasn’t running quite right to he aborted and took it to a garage, where it ran fine with no codes. I’m waiting for an update from him as to whether it’s been fixed / when it can be seen. Maybe that’s a sign of life with an N54.
d_a_n1979 said:
Bespoke do get some good looking cars through, but always overpriced
I called Bespoke out if interest…The N53 car with a slightly better spec had gone.
The N52 powered car is still available. They do seem to do a lot of prep work that goes some way to justifying the price. This particular car is about to have a new gaskets (valve cover, oil filter housing and oil cooler), new DISA valves, new tyres all round plus refurbed wheels. It should in theory be a pretty well sorted car.
pmorg4 said:
All correct, there are pre-LCI N53. As stated, known N53 problems are with the injectors (expensive and getting difficult to source now), HPFP and NOx sensor. The N53 325i is a 3.0 that can be mapped to similar power to the 330i, aside from the mapping the other difference is that the 330i has a 3-stage inlet manifold with 2 DISA valves to optimise airflow at various RPMs. This can be retrofitted to the N53 325i.
I have a 330i manual touring with the N52, I gave up on my "must have" spec of xenons as there are so few cars to choose from in the first place and of that small selection very few of them have xenons. I bought one with halogens and retrofitted OEM bi-xenons. It's a bit of a pain involving removal of the front bumper and some wiring changes, but nothing too complex. Pro Nav (iDrive) is crap as you would expect, but it's well worth getting as for not much money you can replace the screen with a high-res touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay which transforms it into something very useful and as good as anything in modern cars.
Do the new index 12 injectors fit the N53? They’re supposed to cure all of the previous issues on the N54 albeit at a fairly chunky price.I have a 330i manual touring with the N52, I gave up on my "must have" spec of xenons as there are so few cars to choose from in the first place and of that small selection very few of them have xenons. I bought one with halogens and retrofitted OEM bi-xenons. It's a bit of a pain involving removal of the front bumper and some wiring changes, but nothing too complex. Pro Nav (iDrive) is crap as you would expect, but it's well worth getting as for not much money you can replace the screen with a high-res touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay which transforms it into something very useful and as good as anything in modern cars.
I’m currently torn between the practicality of a touring and the more generous spec of a coupe (xenons, heated electric seats, BMW HiFi etc). My other half is very taken with the grey 330 touring from Bespoke.
IAche said:
Just caught up with your thread. Thanks for gathering all the research for me.
That LMB 330i has my name on it. If I can get my finance sorted. So hands off.
To be fair it looks like it needs a bit of work. Bad paint on rear bumper, wheels are a mess, I cant quite make it out but I think the tyres are cheap. It does lok ripe for a slight drop, CSL wheels, and a performance exhaust.
That LMB 330i has my name on it. If I can get my finance sorted. So hands off.
To be fair it looks like it needs a bit of work. Bad paint on rear bumper, wheels are a mess, I cant quite make it out but I think the tyres are cheap. It does lok ripe for a slight drop, CSL wheels, and a performance exhaust.
Edited by IAche on Friday 1st April 13:22
it’s nice but it’s the not the one I’m after. Lucy wants me to buy the grey 330 from Bespoke because she wants it after me! I don’t think it’ll be a goer though because someone is looking at it tomorrow. That blue one could be really nice with a bit of work / money chucked at it.
I’m still torn between the safe between of a 330 and the slightly more wallet damaging 335.
Ben Lowden said:
Yikes the injectors are expensive – definitely something that requires some more research then and the potential to stick with the N52 if it's deemed to be more reliable. Cheers!
Yeah they’re savagely expensive especially for all six. ML Performance are selling the index 12 jobbies at £272 each. That’s an expensive day out especially once you factor in installation and coding.cerb4.5lee said:
I completely understand what you mean. The TVR was a gamble/risk that didn't pay off for me, and I much prefer the comfort blanket(touchwood) of the 370Z in comparison for sure.
Sometimes risks/gambles can pay off though, and you might find that the 335i looks after you. Plus you've got a lot of experience with the N52 engine already(so I can understand why you may want to stick with what you know), but it would be a nice change to experience the N54 I think.
Please don't blame me if you do go in the direction of the 335i...and it doesn't work out the way that we would want it to though!
If you do go in the direction of the 335i...I will definitely keep my fingers crossed that it goes really well for you.
The extra grunt of the N54 is appealing and while they don’t have the best of reputations they can’t all be wallet destroying time bombs especially given the numbers that were sold. Can they? Sometimes risks/gambles can pay off though, and you might find that the 335i looks after you. Plus you've got a lot of experience with the N52 engine already(so I can understand why you may want to stick with what you know), but it would be a nice change to experience the N54 I think.
Please don't blame me if you do go in the direction of the 335i...and it doesn't work out the way that we would want it to though!
If you do go in the direction of the 335i...I will definitely keep my fingers crossed that it goes really well for you.
Sounds like the car I was supposed to see this week is behaving again so I just need to find a date / time to see it. This one could be put back under a BMW warranty because it has a full BMW SH. It’s not cheap admittedly but it’s less than a set of injectors or a turbo.
I should be getting sone pics / videos of the E91 335i this weekend too.
I’ve written the advert for my car, on I’m a step closer.
MDifficult said:
They put the N54 in the best M car ever, so can't be too bad eh? 
Best of luck with this - I'm super-excited on your behalf. Remember though... CSL reps!
Good point, they don’t seem to be so problematic in the 1M. I wonder if it’s because they’re owned by adults rather than idiots chucking in JB4’s etc?Best of luck with this - I'm super-excited on your behalf. Remember though... CSL reps!
I’m seeing the E92 tomorrow. No fault codes recorded and it was playing ball when the chap drive if for an hour or so this afternoon.
I’ve already been looking at CSL reps!
Done to death I know but they look ace.So, I saw the pre-LCI E92 335i this afternoon and had a good hour so test drive.
It was nice, really nice. I like the E9x car from a size point of view. It’s bigger and more comfortable than my 1 series but doesn’t feel too big on the local country lanes. The ZF6 didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would. I can only assume the extra torque on the 35i compared to the 30i compensates for the relative slowness.
It was certainly a very clean car in the sense that there were minimal marks usage with no wear to the bolsters. Rear seats didn’t look like they’d been used.
I think the decision I need to make is whether I’m brave enough to take on an N54 powered car, be it the one I drove or CB 987’s
It was nice, really nice. I like the E9x car from a size point of view. It’s bigger and more comfortable than my 1 series but doesn’t feel too big on the local country lanes. The ZF6 didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would. I can only assume the extra torque on the 35i compared to the 30i compensates for the relative slowness.
It was certainly a very clean car in the sense that there were minimal marks usage with no wear to the bolsters. Rear seats didn’t look like they’d been used.
I think the decision I need to make is whether I’m brave enough to take on an N54 powered car, be it the one I drove or CB 987’s
survivalist said:
Having owned a 130i and a 335i I can certainly see why you might want to make the move, but I can’t see the arrival of a baby being the reason. For the 0-9 months it was just a case of clipping the seat into the base. When you’re strapping them into the upright seats then space and / or rear doors start to become an issue.
We’re not expecting, my little boy is seven and getting ever bigger. The rear of the 130i is tight, really tight and the boot is dinky. I’m also doing more longer trips with work again and the 3 series is a chunk more civilised than my 130i for longer slogs. The 130i is a hoot to drive though.The question is do I play it safe with another N52 powered car like an E91, or go for a 335i.
Tom4398cc said:
Sam, I’d go 335i. Anything can have its problems (ahem, types the muppet with the M62 V8 L322 Range Rover) so just get the one you like. You’re so tapped in on the forums to all the intel on any issues, and you’ve been wielding spanner’s to good effect, so I think it would be a measured risk.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
All the very best
Tom
Thanks Tom; it’s very tempting. Noticeably punchier than the N52 powered cars, sounds good too.Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
All the very best
Tom
Torn between an E91 and an E92.
survivalist said:
Sorry, clearly misunderstood.
Am surprised that he’s finding the 1 series a tight fit. Mine was six when I last had a 130i and seemed happy enough. 130 boot might be small but the hatch has some benefit. I currently have a e92 M3 and the main issue is access to the boot.
Was yours a theee or a five door? It seems a lot tighter in the back of my three door than my other half’s old five door. Getting the three of us and the dog in my 130i is a bit of a squeeze especially with a few days worth of luggage. I love the car and the size didn’t bother me a year ago but it is now. Perhaps the niggles have been exaggerated because in my mind I was going to swap cars at some point this year.Am surprised that he’s finding the 1 series a tight fit. Mine was six when I last had a 130i and seemed happy enough. 130 boot might be small but the hatch has some benefit. I currently have a e92 M3 and the main issue is access to the boot.
The E92 M3 was what I wanted to move into this year but that’s not going to happen with me putting a semi sensible hat on.
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