E91 Straight Six Bearding

[Matt_E91]

Thanks for the reply. I don’t have a code reader, what would you recommend?

[JakeT]

There’s one Called the Creator C310 which is good.

There is also an iPhone/android app called Carly which is subscription based and requires an OBD adaptor. also good and does some coding bits, too.

[survivalist]

Mr Tidy said:

Matt_E91 said:

Just picked this up. N52 325i Manual. After driving 220 miles back to London with it, I can confirm that this is a totally different machine to the N46 320i it replaced - it is really night and day. It’s quite amazing how much more refined the straight 6 is over a 4 pot - even the missus commented on the difference.

Was a fun drive back. Love it*

• ask me that in a months time!

I've never had a 4 cylinder petrol BMW, but love the N52 engine - I'm on my 4th car with one.

I have had a couple of N52s. I did like them, but (and this may be sacrilege) I found them almost too smooth. Having also had the N54, S54 and S65 engines, I quite like how grumpy they are when cold and how their character changes depending on where they are in the rev range.

[Mr Tidy]

survivalist said:

I have had a couple of N52s. I did like them, but (and this may be sacrilege) I found them almost too smooth. Having also had the N54, S54 and S65 engines, I quite like how grumpy they are when cold and how their character changes depending on where they are in the rev range.

Not sacrliege at all, but an N52 works really well in something like my 3 Series daily.

My weekend car has an S54.

[duff]

My iDrive screen is doing some odd things recently - it boots up to display the main menu rather than the what I was last on (radio normally). Today it did display radio but the split screen with trip computer was blank and I had to uncheck and then tick the split screen box to get it to work again.

Also, the HVAC control panel has been off sometimes - I’m pretty sure I didn’t switch it off although can’t swear to it. There are some mild fluctuations to the blower output but nothing too noticeable and I think it’s been like this for a while.

Could this be an issue with the battery?

I need to change one of the headlight bulbs which has blown - I’m considering using Halfords fitting service as last time I did a bulb on my wife’s Z4 it was a total pig of a job! Anyone else used Halfords? They don’t sell some of the better branded bulbs but I’ll happily pay £8 not to have to do it myself.

[Mr Tidy]

I don't know for sure, but I got some random electrical issues appearing on both my recent BMWs that had dying batteries.

It would be worth checking the battery voltage with the engine off and then while running.

I had to replace an Angel Eye on my E90 soon after I got it and it really was a PITA, but I went in from the top rather than from below. I don't even want to think how painful a blown bulb on my Z4 might be though!

I'd pay £8 for someone else to do it.

[cerb4.5lee]

survivalist said:

I have had a couple of N52s. I did like them, but (and this may be sacrilege) I found them almost too smooth. Having also had the N54, S54 and S65 engines, I quite like how grumpy they are when cold and how their character changes depending on where they are in the rev range.

I loved how smooth the N52 engine was in my 330i, but now I have the VQ 3.7 V6 engine in my 370Z...I really love how smooth the N52 is! The V6 in the 370 is like a bag of spanners in comparison!

[bodhi]

To be fair the N52 changes in character depending on what it's installed in - in my friends 530i it's wonderfully smooth and quiet, but in my 1 series with the short exhaust with both flaps permanently open it's still smooth but seems much louder and angrier. Even after 7 years I'm still utterly addicted to that bark as it goes past 3.5k rpm and the quiet pops and crackles from the exhaust as you mooch around town.

Obviously the S series engines are a completely different kettle of fish, but as an everyday way of getting about I struggle to fault the old 6. Considering it was designed in 2003 it's not too bad on fuel either.

[naturalaspiration]

In E66 you can barely hear the N52, but in E64 it has a very pleasant throaty sound. In E85 it sounds very roadstery, with deeper low end. Same 3.0L engine, three very different experiences.

[Matt_E91]

JakeT said:

There’s one Called the Creator C310 which is good.

There is also an iPhone/android app called Carly which is subscription based and requires an OBD adaptor. also good and does some coding bits, too.

Thanks have ordered the C310, will let you know how I get on. Exciting times!

[cerb4.5lee]

naturalaspiration said:

In E66 you can barely hear the N52, but in E64 it has a very pleasant throaty sound. In E85 it sounds very roadstery, with deeper low end. Same 3.0L engine, three very different experiences.

I've read this as well before too. The N52 in the E90 330i is very quiet and I always thought that was a bit of a shame for such a lovely engine.

[g3org3y]

naturalaspiration said:

In E66 you can barely hear the N52, but in E64 it has a very pleasant throaty sound. In E85 it sounds very roadstery, with deeper low end. Same 3.0L engine, three very different experiences.

I have the N52 in my 330i, 630i and Z3 3.0Si.

It was louder than expected in the 630i, but does sound excellent. It's a proper silencer on either side affair which gives it a different sound to the 330i (dual pipes on one silencer). IMO, 630i sounds better than the 330i. 330i is loud on cold starts but does quieten down. In the Z4, both of the foam baffles have been removed under the bonnet so the whole experience is much louder.

Edited by g3org3y on Thursday 6th May 10:18

[Matt_E91]

Well Amazon Prime certainty delivered. Ran the C310 and the only code I got was this.

Thinking it must be a slight vacuum leak? Would fu’bar’d spark plugs throw up a code?

[JakeT]

The AUC is non engine, too. That just controls the auto recirc on the HVAC system.

Plugs would throw a code if they were causing a misfire. A vacuum leak may nor unless the DME can’t alter fuelling enough to bring it in line.

[Matt_E91]

Cheers JakeT - will take a look once it’s stops pissing it down. Hopefully a loose jubilee clip.

[duff]

Mr Tidy said:

I don't know for sure, but I got some random electrical issues appearing on both my recent BMWs that had dying batteries.

It would be worth checking the battery voltage with the engine off and then while running.

I had to replace an Angel Eye on my E90 soon after I got it and it really was a PITA, but I went in from the top rather than from below. I don't even want to think how painful a blown bulb on my Z4 might be though!

I'd pay £8 for someone else to do it.

Thanks - will get the battery checked soon, there are no starting issues or warning lights so hopefully got a while to sort that one.

I got Halfords to fit a 150% brighter bulb which they did in about 10 mins. Unlike previous ones I’ve changed for Osram or Philips, this one is noticeably brighter so I may get the other side done now. Just feels wrong paying £60 for a pair of bulbs, it should be an easy and cheap diy job but I don’t have the time or patience to do it myself! I do wish this car had Xenons like my old E46, doesn’t seem like a common option on the E91.

[Mr Tidy]

duff said:

Thanks - will get the battery checked soon, there are no starting issues or warning lights so hopefully got a while to sort that one.

I got Halfords to fit a 150% brighter bulb which they did in about 10 mins. Unlike previous ones I’ve changed for Osram or Philips, this one is noticeably brighter so I may get the other side done now. Just feels wrong paying £60 for a pair of bulbs, it should be an easy and cheap diy job but I don’t have the time or patience to do it myself! I do wish this car had Xenons like my old E46, doesn’t seem like a common option on the E91.

To be fair I think Bi-Xenons were even rarer on E46s!

And while a pair of Bi-Xenon bulbs seem to cost around £60, that doesn't seem too dear to benefit from having candles to some usable night vision!

[skullandbiscuits]

My E91 330d is approaching 160k. What is the general consensus on auto box service if you cannot see in the history that it has been done before?

It has been very well looked after with stacks of history, odd nothing gearbox side.

[Swervin_Mervin]

It's not that odd for there to be no service history for the box as BMW treat them as "sealed for life". The fact that ZF do service kits should tell you all you need to know.

My advice is get one done. It can't do any harm and may do it some good. I had mine done around 80k.

Edited by Swervin_Mervin on Friday 14th May 22:31

[helix402]

Anyone tried the XHP gearbox software? My 335d could do with a better change, it’s getting the latest BMW software and new oil&filter first.