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