E91 Straight Six Bearding

[AceKid]

BornRageFree said:

Right guys, lets delve into the realm of fantasy! I've been looking to upsize for the last month or so (COVID has epic timing!), as wonderful as this platform is, it isn't big enough for our needs as a family anymore.
So, to the big question. what is it worth? It's an individual spec 325i Msport (N53) auto, pre facelift, 96000 miles, CCC iDrive, auto dim rear view and wing mirrors, power/auto fold mirrors, LED door lights, puddle lights, dark blue leather inside with custom light accent stitching, xenon headlights and no damage to speak of. The autobox was serviced when I bought it at 84k, and works like a dream. Wheels could do with a refurb as the rims are a little scuffed in places, but it has good rubber all round, Dunlop SportMaxx on the rear and Uniroyal Rainsports on the front. Interior is in generally good condition apart from the steering wheel being a little worn around the buttons (soft plastic has worn out in places) and the leather being a little cracked at the 12 position. It'll go with a fresh service/MOT. Pictures to follow:



I realise it's a daft time to try this game, but it's perfect timing for me to sell it on otherwise - MOT runs out at the end of April, so does the insurance, 12 month service is due (I don't go in for longlife servicing - it tends to shorten engine lifespans, not lengthen them).
Another note is the car will have a NOXEM emulator fitted before selling, so NOx sensor problems won't exist and the car will run properly!

Thats nice! Looks exactly the sort of thing im after.....but not looking till July time really.....got a few bits to do on the forester before that goes first

[BornRageFree]

AceKid said:

Thats nice! Looks exactly the sort of thing im after.....but not looking till July time really.....got a few bits to do on the forester before that goes first

Goddammit it's up on the 'trader now, 4500ono: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[gizlaroc]

I think location makes as big a difference as price.

Many still only bother looking at cars that are fairly local.

[echofoxtrot]

JakeT said:

Just to keep this ticking along in these strange times we live in, I did the 'combox' retrofit yesterday...

Can you give some more detail on this? I’ve got low mileage 08 n53 330 and honestly the iDrive is the only part of the car that’s really showing its age. It’s got a business (sad face) ccc unit in there at the moment, pro cic with all the Bluetooth/album art gubbins would be the dream.

[JakeT]

echofoxtrot said:

Can you give some more detail on this? I’ve got low mileage 08 n53 330 and honestly the iDrive is the only part of the car that’s really showing its age. It’s got a business (sad face) ccc unit in there at the moment, pro cic with all the Bluetooth/album art gubbins would be the dream.

To do that, you'd need to firstly replace your 'M-ASK' unit with a CIC unit. You need the screen, head unit and a few cables for it I believe. If your car has bluetooth (Or BMW assist I believe) and has a box under the boot, for the combox in addition to this you'll need a new connector because the pinout is different, and a USB cable and plug in the armrest. This 'stuff' also needs coding, so it all works in the car properly. You can do it yourself, or have someone do it for you. There's plenty of people out there that do really good work on these cars, but you'll have to pay for their expertise and time. I didn't actually retrofit the CIC system to my car, it was done before I had it. There is plenty of info out there on the retrofit though, and having business nav means you've got a good starting point.

I think it's really worth it to do the retrofit if I am honest. Adds a lot more features, a more up to date UI, and makes the car feel a lot more modern. My 2005 3er now feels like it's 10 years newer.

[legendracer]

I'm planning to do a complete service (scheduled and preventive), for BMW E92 330i AT-2008 June model, N53B70. It has done 43800 miles.

Please help me with the exact part number and recommended fluids with buying source.
After reading I have selected following fluids for the work, correct me if needed.

Engine oil- Castrol edge M 5 w 30 LL04- 5 Ltr

Brake fluid- BMW Brake Fluid Dot4 LV- 1 Ltr

Coolant- BMW coolant G48 blue colour- 5 Ltr

Differential oil- Castrol syntrax LL 75W-90- 1 Ltr

AT ZF oil- ZF Lifeguard 6 Auto Trans Fluid- 5 Ltr

Steering is electric, the space for hydraulic reservoir is empty.

I don't know the exact part numbers, please help.

Spark plugs
Engine oil filter
Air filter
Cabin AC filter
Fuel filter
ZF AT kit (Mechatronics sleeve -24 Torx screws -Trans Pan kit/gasket, o-ring, drain plug)

This car had all its scheduled services at BMW ASC. I'm in 2 minds, whether to go to ASC or Indy (BM specialists hitchin). The price is almost same. But ASC charges more for differential and AT ZF fluid change.
Any other good BMW Indy near Milton Keynes who charge less than ASC?

Hope to finish off these works before MOT in June end

[13aines]

I am in need of a new trolley jack lads. My little portable one with detachable handle won't go under the sill of the e92 - but I got around that by investing in some caravan levelling ramps which I drive onto first.

Despite this, I still find the little jack hard work and a little sketchy at times, especially on anything less than perfect asphalt where it's little wheels struggle to roll - not good. It doesn't lift as much as i'd like, so then i'm into using little blocks on the small pad and even still struggle to find somewhere suitable to get an axle stand & have reasonable space underneath to work

I am looking to make life easier with a low profile jack which I can get under the sill jacking points & pump up higher and faster - not too much of an issue. Something around 30 kg which I could take form my shed to my car, unlike a 40 kg + "shop" jack.

Here's the tricky part - I would like to be able to get on the front centre jacking point with this if possible so I can place the axle stands on the sill points - where i'd normally be stuck jacking from. What jacks are you guys using?

If I can't get under the front centre point I can manage by driving up my levelling ramps still, but it sure would be nice to faff less...

So far my short list is:

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/tj2-5lp-low-profil...

https://www.sealey.co.uk/product/5637173234/trolle...

But i'm not sure either would get under the front...

[helix402]

I have two of these:

https://www.sealey.co.uk/category/5637151853/racin...

Afraid I can’t remember if I’ve got the 1.5 or 2.5 tonne ones. Can’t be bothered to walk into the garage and check!

[13aines]

helix402 said:

I have two of these:

https://www.sealey.co.uk/category/5637151853/racin...

Afraid I can’t remember if I’ve got the 1.5 or 2.5 tonne ones. Can’t be bothered to walk into the garage and check!

Can you go straight under the front and reach the central jacking point with more than 0.000000001 degrees of movement available on the jack handle?

[bmwmike]

legendracer said:

I'm planning to do a complete service (scheduled and preventive), for BMW E92 330i AT-2008 June model, N53B70. It has done 43800 miles.

Please help me with the exact part number and recommended fluids with buying source.
After reading I have selected following fluids for the work, correct me if needed.

Engine oil- Castrol edge M 5 w 30 LL04- 5 Ltr

Brake fluid- BMW Brake Fluid Dot4 LV- 1 Ltr

Coolant- BMW coolant G48 blue colour- 5 Ltr

Differential oil- Castrol syntrax LL 75W-90- 1 Ltr

AT ZF oil- ZF Lifeguard 6 Auto Trans Fluid- 5 Ltr

Steering is electric, the space for hydraulic reservoir is empty.

I don't know the exact part numbers, please help.

Spark plugs
Engine oil filter
Air filter
Cabin AC filter
Fuel filter
ZF AT kit (Mechatronics sleeve -24 Torx screws -Trans Pan kit/gasket, o-ring, drain plug)

This car had all its scheduled services at BMW ASC. I'm in 2 minds, whether to go to ASC or Indy (BM specialists hitchin). The price is almost same. But ASC charges more for differential and AT ZF fluid change.
Any other good BMW Indy near Milton Keynes who charge less than ASC?

Hope to finish off these works before MOT in June end

Plugs - NGK ZKBR7A-HTU only for n53.

[helix402]

13aines said:

Can you go straight under the front and reach the central jacking point with more than 0.000000001 degrees of movement available on the jack handle?

Sorry, afraid I can’t remember, I don’t own an E90/1, just work on other people’s. I know it doesn’t help but with two jacks you can jack on the sill to lift higher if needed then access the front centre pad with your second jack.

[13aines]

helix402 said:

Sorry, afraid I can’t remember, I don’t own an E90/1, just work on other people’s. I know it doesn’t help but with two jacks you can jack on the sill to lift higher if needed then access the front centre pad with your second jack.

Thanks - i'm probably looking for too much from a sub £200 jack that isn't so hefty I can actually pick it up and take it out to my car in the car park and it's not the end of the world if I have to roll up my levelling ramps to get my new jack in far enough to use the front centre jacking point so I can place stands under the sill points.

[JakeT]

legendracer, I'd get the MANN filters for what you need on your car. They have a lookup on their site. The filters I replace on mine are MANN.

The jack I have is this.

It works as well as the pro grade stuff I've used in garages. It goes under the sill jacking points on my 330i dead fine, and makes light work of even stuff like an X5 I've used it with. It makes all the difference, and feels rock solid. With a little lifting under one of the sills from a scissor jack it goes under the front central point dead fine. Most of the 'sketchy' stuff I've had working on cars has been from the crap small jacks. This hasn't ever given cause for concern. Only downside is it's heavy. Goes with the territory though.

[gpfanuk]

Just spotted this, might be of interest to someone after a manual? Nothing to do with me BTW...


https://m.facebook.com/groups/1266234490083638?vie...

If this doesn't work its on the e91 club on Facebook

Edited by gpfanuk on Tuesday 5th May 19:24

[Swervin_Mervin]

Washed mine for the first time since winter yesterday. Applied some Megs hybrid ceramic liquid wax I bought last year afyer I'd been over it with my DA - but haven't had chance to use yet. Thankfully the Collinite 915 I'd waxed it with last year was still beading very nicely anyway.

[phil_cardiff]

gpfanuk said:

Just spotted this, might be of interest to someone after a manual? Nothing to do with me BTW...


https://m.facebook.com/groups/1266234490083638?vie...

Link doesn't work for me unfortunately.

[JakeT]

The dark wheels, trim, and lights look nice Mervin. I've given mine a 'proper' clean even going so far as to get the clay bar, polish and hard wax on it. Even cleaned the wheels properly doing the backs of the spokes and barrels while they were off the car.

[stevesuk]

Gave ours a clean at the weekend - and finally got round to changing the microfilter and air filter.

The last person to remove the microfilter housing (I suspect when I had the valve cover gasket changed last year) had managed to lose one of the screws, and break two of the fixing lugs

Air filter was absolutely filthy - black, covered in cobwebs and dead insects. The airbox had an inch or more of crap in the bottom of it (sycamore seeds, leaves etc.). This makes me think that perhaps its the original filter - or at least hasn't been changed for a long, long time. Definitely a worthwhile job, and fairly easy.

In better news, I had a problem I posted about a few months back, where I'd been getting what looked like some oily residue in the coolant header tank. This problem seems to have fixed itself I suspect a small amount of oil got in to the coolant due to a worn oil cooler gasket (since replaced), and its taken a while to work its way out of the system - although it would probably benefit from a coolant flush/change at some point?

All in all - its running quite well at the moment for a 15 year old car. I suspect its worth buttons on the used market - so we'll just continue to enjoy it for what it is.

[JakeT]

Good news, Steve.

I don't remember if it is on the E90, but on the older stuff like the E46, and E39 the service schedule called for a microfilter every oil service. Which is how I do mine on the E90 now. They're not mega money and the blower is always running. Some filters are 'darker' in colour though due to the activated carbon in them. Sounds like yours was well past due though.

I think there was talk of a lad on here that had the same on an LCI model, changed those and it was sorted good and proper. It's always nice when what's thought to be a terminal issue turns out to be nothing really.

I'd reckon prices for stuff like this will remain firm given current goings on. Not that anyone can really sell or buy, but the market for older cheaper cars tends to be the least affected by economic troubles. Either way, mine's not being sold any time soon.

[stevesuk]

JakeT said:

I don't remember if it is on the E90, but on the older stuff like the E46, and E39 the service schedule called for a microfilter every oil service. Which is how I do mine on the E90 now. They're not mega money and the blower is always running. Some filters are 'darker' in colour though due to the activated carbon in them. Sounds like yours was well past due though.

I've done the cabin microfilter a few times before (computer tells you when to change it) - it was the engine air filter I've never touched. I think the engine air filter is meant to be changed every other oil service - but I have nothing in any of my bills/receipts to suggest its been done since I owned the car (10 years now). So I suspect it was last changed at least a decade ago (or more likely - never). Next time I get it out on the dual carriageway, I'll find out whether it's improved performance ... it did look very clogged