BMW 325i Touring (e91)
Discussion
Planning to keep this one a while and make some changes so thought id bore people here.
2007, n52 2.5 manual. I wanted a 6cyl petrol manual e91 and just that basic requirement limits you somewhat as there isnt much around. This one was local ish with 82k and a good service history
The 2.5 has a high final drive which really robs it of torque at the wheels, so il be changing that sooner rather than later, not made my mind up on how silly i want to go yet as I will still need it for long motorway trips.
Its an SE, a previous owner has removed the grey seats and cards for black sport leather. The result is a funky two tone interior but I am getting used to it.
Ive had to replace the front discs and pads, front thrust / control arms and rear calipers just to get it right before I start anything.
Photos from the 1st viewing in august
2007, n52 2.5 manual. I wanted a 6cyl petrol manual e91 and just that basic requirement limits you somewhat as there isnt much around. This one was local ish with 82k and a good service history
The 2.5 has a high final drive which really robs it of torque at the wheels, so il be changing that sooner rather than later, not made my mind up on how silly i want to go yet as I will still need it for long motorway trips.
Its an SE, a previous owner has removed the grey seats and cards for black sport leather. The result is a funky two tone interior but I am getting used to it.
Ive had to replace the front discs and pads, front thrust / control arms and rear calipers just to get it right before I start anything.
Photos from the 1st viewing in august
Edited by 6cylGolf on Tuesday 6th October 18:47
I’ve got a 325i auto and it’s a great car. Bought it because I needed an estate for a building project but have ended up keeping it 4 years, the longest I’ve ever had a car.
Mine is the SE as well - means it is very comfortable but I do think the sports look better. I think it’s great that yours has the sport seats, looks like a better interior.
Mine has done 135k and has thrown up a few issues recently (aircon, rear wiper has packed in, central locking now doesn’t work unless you are right next to the car pressing the button) but going to try to keep it even longer.
Enjoy yours.
Mine is the SE as well - means it is very comfortable but I do think the sports look better. I think it’s great that yours has the sport seats, looks like a better interior.
Mine has done 135k and has thrown up a few issues recently (aircon, rear wiper has packed in, central locking now doesn’t work unless you are right next to the car pressing the button) but going to try to keep it even longer.
Enjoy yours.
Good to hear youve kept yours a while. I really like the shape, ive had a 320d e91 before but just got bored of the clackity clack.
I do like the m sport with the 6cyl engines but i dont like the fact its just a trim option for any engine.
Anyway an SE is what I’ve got and I think it would look a bit tragic if i upgraded it with m sport bits. (im ok with the seats, i do have a seat fetish)
It going to make things difficult though.
First up was looking for an alternative to the comedy gearknob.
I settled on a bmw performance knob and gaiter
I do like the m sport with the 6cyl engines but i dont like the fact its just a trim option for any engine.
Anyway an SE is what I’ve got and I think it would look a bit tragic if i upgraded it with m sport bits. (im ok with the seats, i do have a seat fetish)
It going to make things difficult though.
First up was looking for an alternative to the comedy gearknob.
I settled on a bmw performance knob and gaiter
Lovely car OP. 
I bought an 06 plate E91 325iSE in March 2018 to replace my E46 325ti Compact and like you say found it ridiculously high-geared, especially after my Compact as that was only a 5 speed! To get any decent acceleration on motorways I found myself constantly dropping down to 4th.
I hated the OE gear-knob too so replaced it with a cheapy one from Aliexpress but it looked much better.
Mine didn't have the M-Sport seats sadly, but it did have the lovely Lemon leather and they were heated too.
Mine had done 132K when I got it with full BMW SH. The only issues I had were with poor FM reception away from built-up places (aerial amplifier I think) and the dreaded death of the electric water pump at 135K.
Maybe it was the high gearing, but I just couldn't get used to the performance, so after a year and 7K miles I replaced it with a 55 plate E90 330i SE - because like you I struggled to find any E91 330is and those I did find were nearly twice the price!
But they are great cars, and thankfully don't seem to have rust issues - unlike E46s!
I bought an 06 plate E91 325iSE in March 2018 to replace my E46 325ti Compact and like you say found it ridiculously high-geared, especially after my Compact as that was only a 5 speed! To get any decent acceleration on motorways I found myself constantly dropping down to 4th.
I hated the OE gear-knob too so replaced it with a cheapy one from Aliexpress but it looked much better.
Mine didn't have the M-Sport seats sadly, but it did have the lovely Lemon leather and they were heated too.
Mine had done 132K when I got it with full BMW SH. The only issues I had were with poor FM reception away from built-up places (aerial amplifier I think) and the dreaded death of the electric water pump at 135K.
Maybe it was the high gearing, but I just couldn't get used to the performance, so after a year and 7K miles I replaced it with a 55 plate E90 330i SE - because like you I struggled to find any E91 330is and those I did find were nearly twice the price!
But they are great cars, and thankfully don't seem to have rust issues - unlike E46s!
hi mate think our paths crossed on the bmw sub forum. You mentioned the lack of torque and I dismissed it at the time but you were right.
The figures didnt stack up and I did some research and the 325i had a stupid high final drive. Lots of options to swap out the rear diff from 1 & 3 series, as I already have the axle click that requires locktite in the spline shaft i may as well change it out while im there
think the manual came with a 3.21 the auto is a 3.73
The figures didnt stack up and I did some research and the 325i had a stupid high final drive. Lots of options to swap out the rear diff from 1 & 3 series, as I already have the axle click that requires locktite in the spline shaft i may as well change it out while im there
think the manual came with a 3.21 the auto is a 3.73
6cylGolf said:
New wheels. Im quite happy with the way it looks now so i can get on with the mechanicals.
Those wheels look much better. My E90 had the horrible Style 158 wheels, so I swapped them for some 5 spoke ones off an E89 Z4 earlier this year!
A diff. swap sounds like a great idea - good luck with the mechanicals.
Mr Tidy said:
Those wheels look much better.
My E90 had the horrible Style 158 wheels, so I swapped them for some 5 spoke ones off an E89 Z4 earlier this year!
A diff. swap sounds like a great idea - good luck with the mechanicals.
I dont mind the 158’s really. But yea always amazed how much a set of wheels can change the look of a carMy E90 had the horrible Style 158 wheels, so I swapped them for some 5 spoke ones off an E89 Z4 earlier this year!
A diff. swap sounds like a great idea - good luck with the mechanicals.
Looks well OP. I’m a big fan of the E91 but they were like rocking horse poo when I was looking a while back. Those that were available were totally dogs (admittedly I limited myself by only wanting a 325/330 M Sport).
The two tone interior actually works pretty well and lifts it a wee bit. The all black ones are rather somber.
The two tone interior actually works pretty well and lifts it a wee bit. The all black ones are rather somber.
First test, fully laden,200miles across motorways, a & b roads. Faultless on the motorway, a lot of gear changing on hilly b roads tho, quite often caught out with no torque. Maybe is just my driving style after a few years with diesels doing the big work?
29mpg average with a lot of gear and a bike on the roof.
29mpg average with a lot of gear and a bike on the roof.
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