E91 Straight Six Bearding

[d_a_n1979]

Naldrett said:

daver1184 said:

Unicorn car for someone.
Odd that it's going up for auction..

https://www.bidspotter.co.uk/en-gb/auction-catalog...

So what do we think of the value of this in current market? Agreed spec and colour combo are great, pre-LCI but the tuning crew prefer the N54 as more easily modified than the later N55, mileage low - but unclear history and now 15 years old so likely to need a fair bit spending on it in times to come even if a good’un.

Think the guide is a bit low - £7-8k?

Depends who's seen it, who's watching it and who really wants it!

I think a 'lucky' range would be £5-£6k - realistically I think you're probably right with about £7-£8k

But it's the market its in and how well it's being 'found' as it's not on the usual suspects (AT, PH, eBay, FB etc)

[RECr]

to3m said:

I can only assume you are taking the piss, because it sounds fking awful - my N53 330i sounds pretty much the same when it's running right. The clattery diesel idle is the sound of it running properly, something that's easily detectable from the extra 10% mpg.

It's the first car I've had that only sounds good when it's broken.

I have the same car, hearing a 4 cylinder diesel idling gives me some perspective

[Court_S]

to3m said:

I can only assume you are taking the piss, because it sounds fking awful - my N53 330i sounds pretty much the same when it's running right. The clattery diesel idle is the sound of it running properly, something that's easily detectable from the extra 10% mpg.

It's the first car I've had that only sounds good when it's broken.

My N54 sounds pretty much the same. They didn’t sound great on idle, sounds alright n the move though. My other half’s 125i with an N52 sounds way smoother even with s bit of lifter tick.

The joys of direct injection petrol cars.

[Court_S]

d_a_n1979 said:

Naldrett said:

daver1184 said:

Unicorn car for someone.
Odd that it's going up for auction..

https://www.bidspotter.co.uk/en-gb/auction-catalog...

So what do we think of the value of this in current market? Agreed spec and colour combo are great, pre-LCI but the tuning crew prefer the N54 as more easily modified than the later N55, mileage low - but unclear history and now 15 years old so likely to need a fair bit spending on it in times to come even if a good’un.

Think the guide is a bit low - £7-8k?

Depends who's seen it, who's watching it and who really wants it!

I think a 'lucky' range would be £5-£6k - realistically I think you're probably right with about £7-£8k

But it's the market its in and how well it's being 'found' as it's not on the usual suspects (AT, PH, eBay, FB etc)

Quite hard to gauge what it’s worth without knowing the service history.

A high spec, petrol touring is a bit of a unicorn especially with a manual. An LCI touring with just over 100k that I was looking at sold for £10k but no denied.

I’d want to know the history of stuff like turbos, HPFP and injectors which are the three biggies on these.

[bmwmike]

RECr said:

to3m said:

I can only assume you are taking the piss, because it sounds fking awful - my N53 330i sounds pretty much the same when it's running right. The clattery diesel idle is the sound of it running properly, something that's easily detectable from the extra 10% mpg.

It's the first car I've had that only sounds good when it's broken.

I have the same car, hearing a 4 cylinder diesel idling gives me some perspective

I know right. Everyone says n53 n54 sound like a diesel but if they are sat running next to a diesel esp 20d they are practically silent.

[cerb4.5lee]

Court_S said:

to3m said:

I can only assume you are taking the piss, because it sounds fking awful - my N53 330i sounds pretty much the same when it's running right. The clattery diesel idle is the sound of it running properly, something that's easily detectable from the extra 10% mpg.

It's the first car I've had that only sounds good when it's broken.

My N54 sounds pretty much the same. They didn’t sound great on idle, sounds alright n the move though. My other half’s 125i with an N52 sounds way smoother even with s bit of lifter tick.

The joys of direct injection petrol cars.

My S55 sounds broken as well when it is idling, and it makes a right racket. I'm used to diesels though...so I'm just presuming that it is normal. I hope it's normal anyway!

[Court_S]

bmwmike said:

RECr said:

to3m said:

I can only assume you are taking the piss, because it sounds fking awful - my N53 330i sounds pretty much the same when it's running right. The clattery diesel idle is the sound of it running properly, something that's easily detectable from the extra 10% mpg.

It's the first car I've had that only sounds good when it's broken.

I have the same car, hearing a 4 cylinder diesel idling gives me some perspective

I know right. Everyone says n53 n54 sound like a diesel but if they are sat running next to a diesel esp 20d they are practically silent.

They’re not as smooth sounding as the older petrols, but they’re not as bad as a dag-dag. Even the 3.0 diesels are obviously diesels on tick over.

[Court_S]

cerb4.5lee said:

Court_S said:

to3m said:

I can only assume you are taking the piss, because it sounds fking awful - my N53 330i sounds pretty much the same when it's running right. The clattery diesel idle is the sound of it running properly, something that's easily detectable from the extra 10% mpg.

It's the first car I've had that only sounds good when it's broken.

My N54 sounds pretty much the same. They didn’t sound great on idle, sounds alright n the move though. My other half’s 125i with an N52 sounds way smoother even with s bit of lifter tick.

The joys of direct injection petrol cars.

My S55 sounds broken as well when it is idling, and it makes a right racket. I'm used to diesels though...so I'm just presuming that it is normal. I hope it's normal anyway!

I remember my uncles M3; when cold it sounded like a skeleton having a wk in a biscuit tin. It was very rattley.

[cerb4.5lee]

Court_S said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Court_S said:

to3m said:

I can only assume you are taking the piss, because it sounds fking awful - my N53 330i sounds pretty much the same when it's running right. The clattery diesel idle is the sound of it running properly, something that's easily detectable from the extra 10% mpg.

It's the first car I've had that only sounds good when it's broken.

My N54 sounds pretty much the same. They didn’t sound great on idle, sounds alright n the move though. My other half’s 125i with an N52 sounds way smoother even with s bit of lifter tick.

The joys of direct injection petrol cars.

My S55 sounds broken as well when it is idling, and it makes a right racket. I'm used to diesels though...so I'm just presuming that it is normal. I hope it's normal anyway!

I remember my uncles M3; when cold it sounded like a skeleton having a wk in a biscuit tin. It was very rattley.

I'm old school...so if I've been out for a spirited run in it I will sit on the drive to let the turbos cool down(even though I know that you don't have to do that nowadays). It always makes a load of odd noises and it isn't particularly smooth sounding either, but from what I read it is completely normal though(hopefully!).

[pmorg4]

What a fantastic spec, I don't think I've seen another with as many options. It makes a nice change from the usually poverty spec with halogen headlights.

Personally the LCI/pre LCI differences aren't really that meaningful. The only part that is notably improved is the rear end, the pre LCI tail lights are hideous. I think the front end of the pre LCI looks better (less blobby and fussy), and enough said about the dumbo ears used as mirrors on the LCI!

If I was on the lookout for a 335 then surely that would have to go to the top of the list, depending on service history etc. You're unlikely to find another so well specced, and it's not a big job to fit the LCI tailgate and lights to freshen up the rear end.

[cerb4.5lee]

pmorg4 said:

What a fantastic spec, I don't think I've seen another with as many options. It makes a nice change from the usually poverty spec with halogen headlights.

I was properly impressed with the spec too. I kept looking for all the things I like spec wise, and that one just seemed to have them all! I've always enjoyed seeing really highly specced cars even though I haven't actually ever owned one myself though.

All my E9x's were a bit on the low side spec wise to be fair(no Xenons/nav etc). Heated seats and folding mirrors are about the only must have options that I go for generally. I do like an upgraded stereo though, and I had/have HK in the MINI/M4 and I had the top of the range stereo in the Z4M too.

[d_a_n1979]

Court_S said:

d_a_n1979 said:

Naldrett said:

daver1184 said:

Unicorn car for someone.
Odd that it's going up for auction..

https://www.bidspotter.co.uk/en-gb/auction-catalog...

So what do we think of the value of this in current market? Agreed spec and colour combo are great, pre-LCI but the tuning crew prefer the N54 as more easily modified than the later N55, mileage low - but unclear history and now 15 years old so likely to need a fair bit spending on it in times to come even if a good’un.

Think the guide is a bit low - £7-8k?

Depends who's seen it, who's watching it and who really wants it!

I think a 'lucky' range would be £5-£6k - realistically I think you're probably right with about £7-£8k

But it's the market its in and how well it's being 'found' as it's not on the usual suspects (AT, PH, eBay, FB etc)

Quite hard to gauge what it’s worth without knowing the service history.

A high spec, petrol touring is a bit of a unicorn especially with a manual. An LCI touring with just over 100k that I was looking at sold for £10k but no denied.

I’d want to know the history of stuff like turbos, HPFP and injectors which are the three biggies on these.

Exactly what I said in my initial post...

Without knowing that; I'd not want to go over £5k and have the rest for essential maintenance as soon as you've got the car

[Naldrett]

A little more info on the auction site now, including a note of wastegate rattle on cold start which sounds a bit ominous: https://www.easyliveauction.com/catalogue/lot/e324...

Can't help but think the auction house aren't doing their best to sell the car in terms of sharing history, any engine codes etc. unless there is something to hide. Or looking at the rest of the catalogue, probably just not the kind of stock that they usually offer?

Would definitely need a £3-4k fighting fund ready to get it up to scratch most likely, including a few hundred quid's worth of bodywork by the sounds of it. Then it might be a £9-10k car given its spec and rarity.

On the topic of rear lights, the OEM option 'blacklines' are a big improvement without the faff of fitting the LCI version tailgate etc.
https://www.hubauer-shop.de/en/retrofit-kit-rear-l...

[pmorg4]

Agree with all that - the N54 can quickly eat up several thousand pounds if it needs turbos and injectors, let alone water pumps and other routine maintenance.

Blacklines are a nice easy option that work well on darker cars, although for the price of them at £300 or so it can actually be cheaper doing The LCI conversation if you can do your own labour.

[Swervin_Mervin]

I'm not biased at all, honest, but blacklines on a pre-lci in most colours trumps the LCI rear for me

[pmorg4]

That does look lovely

[JakeT]

Swervin_Mervin said:

I'm not biased at all, honest, but blacklines on a pre-lci in most colours trumps the LCI rear for me

Even in boring silver they go well.



I’d take a punt on that 335i. I can do most of the bits on it though, which minimises most of the risk.

[Court_S]

Swervin_Mervin said:

I'm not biased at all, honest, but blacklines on a pre-lci in most colours trumps the LCI rear for me

I like that a lot….Le Mans blue is a great colour.

[Mr Tidy]

I love Le Mans Blue, but some people like Sparkling Graphite which is what I ended up finding in 325i format.



A bit underwhelmed with it I gave it another try a year later and got Sparkling Graphite again, but in E90 330i flavour with Xenons and a tilt/slide roof. Much more responsive.

But they are hard to find in a big car park!





That guide price looks good for a manual 335i but I still wouldn't choose Sparkling Graphite, especially with a black interior.

While a manual 335i Touring with so many options looks cheap at that guide price, new injectors and/or new HPFP could soon have money pit potential!

[Court_S]

Mr Tidy said:

I love Le Mans Blue, but some people like Sparkling Graphite which is what I ended up finding in 325i format.



A bit underwhelmed with it I gave it another try a year later and got Sparkling Graphite again, but in E90 330i flavour with Xenons and a tilt/slide roof. Much more responsive.

But they are hard to find in a big car park!





That guide price looks good for a manual 335i but I still wouldn't choose Sparkling Graphite, especially with a black interior.

While a manual 335i Touring with so many options looks cheap at that guide price, new injectors and/or new HPFP could soon have money pit potential!

I like sparkling graphite too….but am a bit biased!



For a grey, it’s a pretty interesting colour that changes when the sun hits it. Mine has black leather but I’m very tempted to source a red interior in the new year.

I think injectors would be my biggest worry; index 12 jobbies are sodding expensive and difficult to get hold of (I want mine to let go before April 23, whilst it’s under BMW warranty).