It's no M3

[iacabu]

Following on from my last Readers' Cars thread... https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&......here's the replacement.



It's an e93 330d. OK, so it's a bit boring after an M3, but a good car in it's own right.

As mentioned in my Car Buying thread, an automatic diesel convertible perhaps isn't many people's idea of a fun car, but it ticks a lot of boxes and I'm enjoying it so far, treating it for what it is.

It's an N57 model, so has 245bhp and 384lb/ft. Plus it's only a remap away from significantly more, although plenty sufficient for now. There's the typical diesel clatter getting up to speed, but once cruising it's very quiet and a nice place to be.

It was pretty filthy so has now had a good clean and the Bluewater Metallic paint has come up really well. There's no apparent issues, at least nothing for concern. I do have a small list of jobs that may or may not get done:

Wheel spacers
Wheel refurb
Headlight lense replacement
Side indicator lense replacement
Remap
Service
LED LCI rear lights

I've certainly got lucky with the summer, but I do plan on taking advantage of having the roof down right in to winter.

Edited by iacabu on Monday 20th July 13:26

[cerb4.5lee]

That looks in a lovely condition, and I really like the wheels too. I test drove one years back and I really liked it.

Enjoy it.

[sam.rog]

The n57 is a great engine once going.
Plenty of torque for effortless cruising and overtaking. Much better all rounder than the 335d.

Depending on age/milage swap out the harmonic balancer. The rubber perishes and splits. The aux belt then gets ingested into the crank seal scrapping the engine.

[Mr Tidy]

It may not be an M3, but it looks good and will be much cheaper to run!

And people are always telling us there is nothing quicker than a remapped 330d.

I have a strange attachment to my E90 330i that I've had for over 7 years, which is longer than any other car I have owned.

[iacabu]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm a month into ownership and feeling torn over the car. It's great, does everything I need it to. But...it's soulless. And I knew it would be having owned a mapped 535d previously. The two things I disliked about that car are the two things I dislike about this car, the engine and gearbox. I just figured it was the best compromise at the time of buying, plus the family wanted to try a convertible.

So it leaves me driving around in a nice car, with plenty of power, and the roof comes off as a bonus (I much prefer driving it with the roof down) but constantly thinking about what I could replace it with. I want fun and character that it's missing so badly. Having said that, there are times where it's nice to drive a lazy car.

Maybe I'll stick it out for a while, or maybe it will go up for sale so I can regret the next purchase wishing I had a car as nice as this.

[shalmaneser]

I think the 330i version of this would scratch that itch. Lovely motor.

[theicemario]

Beautiful example. Refreshing to see an E9X that hasn’t been tampered with.

[Deerfoot]

iacabu said:

I'm a month into ownership and feeling torn over the car. It's great, does everything I need it to. But...it's soulless.

This pretty much sums up my thoughts on my F31. I've had it since last December and it's just so bland.

I've already started plotting it's replacement, we're presently in Austria where to be fair it handled the trip down well, but when we're back it'll be getting a service and sold...

Worthy but dull..

Edited by Deerfoot on Wednesday 19th August 18:00

[danb79]

Have you thought about getting the xHP remap on the box?

This is something I'll be doing to my E63 635d in the very near future

[iacabu]

shalmaneser said:

I think the 330i version of this would scratch that itch. Lovely motor.

Possibly...I deliberately decided against the petrol due to it being the N53 in the the convertible, rather than N52. In hindsight I shouldn't have been so bothered about that.

theicemario said:

Beautiful example. Refreshing to see an E9X that hasn t been tampered with.

Yeah I agree, although spacers would be great

Deerfoot said:

This pretty much sums up my thoughts on my F31. I've had it since last December and it's just so bland.

I've already started plotting it's replacement, we're presently in Austria where to be fair it handled the trip down well, but when we're back it'll be getting a service and sold...

Worthy but dull..

Edited by Deerfoot on Wednesday 19th August 18:00

Mine isn't going to last much longer than a month or two now. Only keeping longer to use it for a couple of days out, but I've already written the for sale advert

danb79 said:

Have you thought about getting the xHP remap on the box?

This is something I'll be doing to my E63 635d in the very near future

I had considered before buying it, along with an engine remap, but I think it'll still have the same downfalls. The engine noise and character is more the problem than the lazy box.

[shalmaneser]

iacabu said:

shalmaneser said:

I think the 330i version of this would scratch that itch. Lovely motor.

Possibly...I deliberately decided against the petrol due to it being the N53 in the the convertible, rather than N52. In hindsight I shouldn't have been so bothered about that.

Ah I guess the convertible came out later than the coupe etc? That's a shame, the potential for 1k's worth of replacement injectors would be a pain.

[8IKERDAVE]

That's lovely. My brother has just bought exactly the same car in a Dark Blue and is completely in love with it. I've not been in it yet but he's convinced his has been remapped due to how quick it feels.

[iacabu]

I've done 3000 miles in the couple of months I've owned it but have decided to list it for sale. Has been excellent for the multiple trips to Scotland but I only see it as a tool, and not a car I'm really enthused about.

Big question is what comes next. For years I've wanted an X5 4.8is, but doesn't make sense when we're trying to save up at the moment for a house move. Same with any other interesting v8 barge I've been looking at.

The sensible decision for something a little entertaining at my budget is a hot hatch, my top two being the mk2 Focus ST and the mk7 Fiesta ST. The Fiesta I think is the objectively better car for the money, but noise plays a big part in a car for me and the Focus wins that one.
I also keep coming back to a 130i, or 125i

Edited by iacabu on Monday 28th September 07:23

[shalmaneser]

125i coupe with the N52 is a super cool car.

[p1stonhead]

I got the same last summer OP but the 330i. I think you should try one. I’m still loving mine.

[Bogsye]

Looks lovely OP. Great to see one in such good condition. Personally I thought these looked superb when launched and it has stood the test of time extremely well.
It’s a design that looks right from every angle.
Enjoy!

[TwoStrokeNut]

Nice example.

Did they do any convertibles with the N55 engine? That sound and the torque could be a nice combination given the hefty weight.

[bmwmike]

shalmaneser said:

Ah I guess the convertible came out later than the coupe etc? That's a shame, the potential for 1k's worth of replacement injectors would be a pain.

1k? In 2015 maybe - but now they're north of £600 each last time i checked.

[p1stonhead]

bmwmike said:

shalmaneser said:

Ah I guess the convertible came out later than the coupe etc? That's a shame, the potential for 1k's worth of replacement injectors would be a pain.

1k? In 2015 maybe - but now they're north of £600 each last time i checked.

They are indeed. I have an n53 in mine.

If they ever go it’ll write the car off easily.

[Mr Tidy]

iacabu said:

I've done 3000 miles in the couple of months I've owned it but have decided to list it for sale. Has been excellent for the multiple trips to Scotland but I only see it as a tool, and not a car I'm really enthused about.

Big question is what comes next. For years I've wanted an X5 4.8is, but doesn't make sense when we're trying to save up at the moment for a house move. Same with any other interesting v8 barge I've been looking at.

The sensible decision for something a little entertaining at my budget is a hot hatch, my top two being the mk2 Focus ST and the mk7 Fiesta ST. The Fiesta I think is the objectively better car for the money, but noise plays a big part in a car for me and the Focus wins that one.
I also keep coming back to a 130i, or 125i

Edited by iacabu on Monday 28th September 07:23

I'm biased as I have a manual 330i with the N52 engine, so I'd go 130i or 125i with a remap to 130i power!