Discussion
I'm looking to upgrade from my E46 330 to an E90 version - Is there any alarm bells that the collective are aware of on this one?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Looks nice - I bought a very similar one yesterday and loving it so far. I just need to get over some small niggles with the Nav system/ phone set-up.
As stated before the MOT history looks okay. Learn how to use the idrive system to check what needs doing when in the service section (or get the owner to do it for you). Took me ages to check when the dealer I went to, could not find it....
Love the colour too!
Mike
As stated before the MOT history looks okay. Learn how to use the idrive system to check what needs doing when in the service section (or get the owner to do it for you). Took me ages to check when the dealer I went to, could not find it....
Love the colour too!
Mike
Does look good in that colour!
The wheels are style 225M, and while they look fantastic, are prone to cracking, especially on the inside of the rears. Run-flats exacerbate this. Always worth checking, as they're £££ to replace. (Ask me how I know...)
If you're into your music, it might not be too good either - appears to be the basic stereo (the pictures don't show any tweeters in the mirror housings, nor the 2nd speaker in the rear sides). Not the end of the world, and there's an approved Alpine kit you can get should this matter.
But, it's a manual 330 - this counts for a lot! Definitely worth further inspection.
The wheels are style 225M, and while they look fantastic, are prone to cracking, especially on the inside of the rears. Run-flats exacerbate this. Always worth checking, as they're £££ to replace. (Ask me how I know...)
If you're into your music, it might not be too good either - appears to be the basic stereo (the pictures don't show any tweeters in the mirror housings, nor the 2nd speaker in the rear sides). Not the end of the world, and there's an approved Alpine kit you can get should this matter.
But, it's a manual 330 - this counts for a lot! Definitely worth further inspection.
Lovely looking car OP. 
There seems to be a mix-up as to whether it has the N52 or N53 engine though - the former has the CO2 emissions quoted but "only" 265 bhp whereas the later version has lower emissions and 272 bhp (but potential HPFP and injector issues).
Anyway, if you like it just go for it!
There seems to be a mix-up as to whether it has the N52 or N53 engine though - the former has the CO2 emissions quoted but "only" 265 bhp whereas the later version has lower emissions and 272 bhp (but potential HPFP and injector issues).
Anyway, if you like it just go for it!
I agree with Paul, Service History would need to be decent.
Unlike E46 Brake pads, front and rear are specific service items, to be ticked in book and are mentioned on I drive.
Oil would still need to be change every 2 years, even if the miles are not being done; again like E46, so I'd want to see quite a few stamps in service book on a near 10 year old car.
I don't think the E92's feel ancient, they do feel more modern than E46 and yet still have more steering feel than the current generation. However, if you're coming from a 330 E46 you'd get more of an overall upgrade by going to the faster 335i
4 Owners is not terrible, but unless you've had sight of log book maybe run a quick car check, to see when it last changed hands just in case there's a recent owner who has moved it on in a short time and that might suggest an issue.
Did last owner really look after it, if tyres were in a state?
Brake pads would surely be done by now.
Unlike E46 Brake pads, front and rear are specific service items, to be ticked in book and are mentioned on I drive.
Oil would still need to be change every 2 years, even if the miles are not being done; again like E46, so I'd want to see quite a few stamps in service book on a near 10 year old car.
I don't think the E92's feel ancient, they do feel more modern than E46 and yet still have more steering feel than the current generation. However, if you're coming from a 330 E46 you'd get more of an overall upgrade by going to the faster 335i
4 Owners is not terrible, but unless you've had sight of log book maybe run a quick car check, to see when it last changed hands just in case there's a recent owner who has moved it on in a short time and that might suggest an issue.
Did last owner really look after it, if tyres were in a state?
Brake pads would surely be done by now.
I've got a 2009/59 E92 N53 330i manual, bought it in 2014 on 126k miles and it's now on 156k miles. It's been brilliant, it suffers from the cold start issue (lumpy idle from cold engine start for ~3 minutes) but I'm working my way through the injectors (two banks, replacing three at a time with used eBay injectors). The fixed injectors are index 11 (look for -11 after the 048 part number). Brilliant car but if it's an N53 engine in the one you are looking at go in with your eyes open. Judging by the black engine cover I'd say it is an N53, the earlier N52 had a grey plastic engine cover.
I don't want to put you off, I'm happy with mine and would buy it again, but the cold start issue is annoying and very expensive to fix if you want to go for new parts (~£220 per injector from BMW). If you Google the N53 engine you will see horror story after horror story but the issues are resolved with the latest injectors when replaced in banks (1-3, 4-6). There was a recall for coil packs and older models were replaced with newer injector versions but the fixed injectors (index 11) were introduced in ~2014. Mine had the coil pack recall but a mix of index 07, 08 and 09 injectors were not eligible for the recall by BMW. If you're lucky the previous owner will have reported the issue *after* 2014 and received the latest injectors, being a 2007 it would fit the time period for the UK "quality enhancement" for injectors.
The cold start issue hasn't caused any issues for me besides being annoying and slightly worse MPG (~28 MPG round town, ~35 MPG on a run, +2 MPG after replacing cylinders 1-3). The pace of the engine is great (sounds good too when moving, the idle is dieselish due to DI), the car a nice place to be and having to work the NA engine is always a reward. If you want more info feel free to PM me. Brilliant cars and please don't overlook the NA 330i, the manual took me ages to find and the colour of the one you are looking at only adds to the rarity. Good luck!
I don't want to put you off, I'm happy with mine and would buy it again, but the cold start issue is annoying and very expensive to fix if you want to go for new parts (~£220 per injector from BMW). If you Google the N53 engine you will see horror story after horror story but the issues are resolved with the latest injectors when replaced in banks (1-3, 4-6). There was a recall for coil packs and older models were replaced with newer injector versions but the fixed injectors (index 11) were introduced in ~2014. Mine had the coil pack recall but a mix of index 07, 08 and 09 injectors were not eligible for the recall by BMW. If you're lucky the previous owner will have reported the issue *after* 2014 and received the latest injectors, being a 2007 it would fit the time period for the UK "quality enhancement" for injectors.
The cold start issue hasn't caused any issues for me besides being annoying and slightly worse MPG (~28 MPG round town, ~35 MPG on a run, +2 MPG after replacing cylinders 1-3). The pace of the engine is great (sounds good too when moving, the idle is dieselish due to DI), the car a nice place to be and having to work the NA engine is always a reward. If you want more info feel free to PM me. Brilliant cars and please don't overlook the NA 330i, the manual took me ages to find and the colour of the one you are looking at only adds to the rarity. Good luck!
I've got an E92 325i 3.0. N53 engine on a 10 plate.
Currently on 44k. Bought last year on 37k. It's SE spec, but optioned with 18" wheels and sport seats, so is still a nice looking car and a nice place to be.
Mine's got the newer pro-nav with iDrive. I tried an older 06 plate 330i with the older system and didn't like it. I also wanted bluetooth audio, etc so decided to go newer.
So far it's been very reliable. The headlight washers needed replacing by the supplying dealer, common problem apparently. They stuck out once and refused to go back in.
We did a run up to Preston and back at the weekend. 320 mile return trip. Reset the computer before setting off. Weren't hanging around, steady 70-80 all the way and some local journeys while up there. It did 43 mpg
Nice colour that one in the advert BTW. Like that.
Currently on 44k. Bought last year on 37k. It's SE spec, but optioned with 18" wheels and sport seats, so is still a nice looking car and a nice place to be.
Mine's got the newer pro-nav with iDrive. I tried an older 06 plate 330i with the older system and didn't like it. I also wanted bluetooth audio, etc so decided to go newer.
So far it's been very reliable. The headlight washers needed replacing by the supplying dealer, common problem apparently. They stuck out once and refused to go back in.
We did a run up to Preston and back at the weekend. 320 mile return trip. Reset the computer before setting off. Weren't hanging around, steady 70-80 all the way and some local journeys while up there. It did 43 mpg
Nice colour that one in the advert BTW. Like that.
Edited by PTF on Thursday 16th March 13:11
Wow... 43 mpg in an n53! Although I have once hit 38mpg in my n54 on a motorway run. Car was already warm when I filled up and reset the trip though.
I was pleased with an overall average of about 30-32mpg on my euro road trip in the summer. Even through Germany the average never dropped below 30mpg overall and I hit somewhere north of 150mph at one stage.
Back on topic a manual 330i has got to be worth cherishing! Buy it and if it has issues fix em haha!
I was pleased with an overall average of about 30-32mpg on my euro road trip in the summer. Even through Germany the average never dropped below 30mpg overall and I hit somewhere north of 150mph at one stage.
Back on topic a manual 330i has got to be worth cherishing! Buy it and if it has issues fix em haha!
Prinny said:
The wheels are style 225M, and while they look fantastic, are prone to cracking, especially on the inside of the rears. Run-flats exacerbate this. Always worth checking, as they're £££ to replace. (Ask me how I know...)
If you're into your music, it might not be too good either - appears to be the basic stereo (the pictures don't show any tweeters in the mirror housings, nor the 2nd speaker in the rear sides). Not the end of the world, and there's an approved Alpine kit you can get should this matter.
225M wheels? Check! Mine have been repaired many times, waste of time, had to buy two new wheels Bin the run flats and buy proper tyres.If you're into your music, it might not be too good either - appears to be the basic stereo (the pictures don't show any tweeters in the mirror housings, nor the 2nd speaker in the rear sides). Not the end of the world, and there's an approved Alpine kit you can get should this matter.
I have the alpina kit as mine had the basic stereo. It transforms the sound and the subs under the seat are now actually driven rather than just tickled. Can be fitted on your own if you're competent swinging a spanner. I done mine in a couple of hours. (Don't forget to buy the tweeter foam inserts, I forgot this initially and had wind noise)
Some great information here guys, thanks very much!
It gives me a longer list of questions before I drive 111 miles to look at it...
My current 330 has reached the dizzy heights of 170,000 miles as had the previous shape 320...
It gives me a longer list of questions before I drive 111 miles to look at it...
- Do all the N53 engines suffer from the cold starting issue or is it just some?
- How easy is it to check the inside of the wheels for cracking with the car sat on the drive?
My current 330 has reached the dizzy heights of 170,000 miles as had the previous shape 320...
helix402 said:
Genuine BMW injectors are approx £180 each from carparts4less. They can be replaced individually.
I was advised (and my research concurred) that they should be replaced in banks. This is because the good injectors compensate for the bad, massively accelerating wear on them. They more often than not fail shortly after if left. The latest revision is also (supposedly) not compatible with the older versions, so they would all need doing together.
I had one in each bank go, so I had to cough up for all 6 in one hit. Part of the cost comes as not only do they need fitting, but they also need coding which adds additional labour time too.
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