Considering a BMW 330i 2006 to 2010 models
Discussion
As thread title suggests I am considering a BMW 330i 4d, I've seen a m sport from 06 and a se model from 2010.
Anything I should know? The 2010 one seems to have a better mpg rating.
They are both for sale at same money, but the 2010 has done 110000, compared to 80000 in the older car.
Anything I should know? The 2010 one seems to have a better mpg rating.
They are both for sale at same money, but the 2010 has done 110000, compared to 80000 in the older car.
Different engine in the later car. N53 as opposed to N52
Don't know enough about these engines, but lots of threads on here.
I'd only consider older one cos M Sport seats / suspension I find so much better. But check that the SE didn't have these added, similarly (too unlikely) check that the M Sport didn't have the suspension deleted.
If either car has I Drive / Nav , the newer one , being a facelift, will have a much better system .
Don't know enough about these engines, but lots of threads on here.
I'd only consider older one cos M Sport seats / suspension I find so much better. But check that the SE didn't have these added, similarly (too unlikely) check that the M Sport didn't have the suspension deleted.
If either car has I Drive / Nav , the newer one , being a facelift, will have a much better system .
E90post will have some good info
N53 engine is great when it's running well (I have one in an f10) however eyes wide open and all that... They have a few weak spots. Namely the high pressure injectors which are 200 quid a pop. The lean burn shows up weakness on the ignition side so coilpacks are largely consumables. The high pressure fuel pump is also known to fail but I've not seen any reports of that recently so perhaps less likely these days.
Both n53 and n52 use electric coolant pump which is 400 quid and at the mileage you quote wouldn't be a surprise.
As said I have the n53 in an f10 auto and it suits the car very well. 8 gears makes up for lack of torque off the line.
Oh another thing the n53 is 3.0 displacement in all forms (325 330 etc) yet the n52 is 2.5 or 3.0.
Edit how bad is this website on mobile.
N53 engine is great when it's running well (I have one in an f10) however eyes wide open and all that... They have a few weak spots. Namely the high pressure injectors which are 200 quid a pop. The lean burn shows up weakness on the ignition side so coilpacks are largely consumables. The high pressure fuel pump is also known to fail but I've not seen any reports of that recently so perhaps less likely these days.
Both n53 and n52 use electric coolant pump which is 400 quid and at the mileage you quote wouldn't be a surprise.
As said I have the n53 in an f10 auto and it suits the car very well. 8 gears makes up for lack of torque off the line.
Oh another thing the n53 is 3.0 displacement in all forms (325 330 etc) yet the n52 is 2.5 or 3.0.
Edit how bad is this website on mobile.
Edited by bmwmike on Saturday 4th March 13:12
I have a 2006 4dr(E90) 330i(N52) M Sport and I think it's a cracking all rounder, the engine is really smooth and free revving and it sounds nice at high revs(if a little muted).
The ride is a little harsh with the runflats but it's seats and driving position are lovely, had it four years this year and keep wanting a change but I struggle to know what to replace it with without spending a fair bit more.
I do like the idea of the later N53 engine for its extra performance and increased economy, and that engine does seem to offer the best of both worlds.
The ride is a little harsh with the runflats but it's seats and driving position are lovely, had it four years this year and keep wanting a change but I struggle to know what to replace it with without spending a fair bit more.
I do like the idea of the later N53 engine for its extra performance and increased economy, and that engine does seem to offer the best of both worlds.
Perhaps a 330d would be a better idea again - loads of go and 40 mpg. N53's are okay but when they go wrong..............
The ability to swallow £1000+ in one sitting is impressive - two injectors, a NoX sensor and a coil pack or two, all at once. A super low mileage N52 is probably a better idea.
The ability to swallow £1000+ in one sitting is impressive - two injectors, a NoX sensor and a coil pack or two, all at once. A super low mileage N52 is probably a better idea.
iSore said:
Perhaps a 330d would be a better idea again - loads of go and 40 mpg.
A super low mileage N52 is probably a better idea.
Agree with both points and I rated my 330d as a cracking all rounder as well, and arguably more accomplished than the 330i. A super low mileage N52 is probably a better idea.
I went the low mileage N52 route too.
I only do short journeys, so a 330d would concern me.
It sounds like I'm better going for the older models of 330i than the more efficient newe engine version.
I've been into my insurance company today and apparently the underwriter for my policy won't cover me on a 265bhp 3 litre v6. So I would need to cancel my policy and start a fresh one. I am half way through the year on this policy, don't really want to set my no claims back by 6 months for no reason.
I'm currently 27 with 4 years of driving and 4 years no claims behind me. In September I will be 5 for 5, probably best looking at these bigger engines then.
In the meantime if i really want to get rid of the Audi a3 (I'm constantly worried it's gonna throw a huge bill or kill it's engine, due to a k own weakness in the timing chain tensioner, which is a 850 quid preventative bill) then I could always sell the Audi and test the BMW waters with a 320i?
What are the 4 cylinder 2 litres like? I know they are naturally aspirated so don't have the same power or torque as my TFSI audi, but as long as I buy a car that I can sell for roughly what I paid for it 6 months down line I would be happy.
Truth is I'm probably better off holding tight until September. Fingers crossed.
It sounds like I'm better going for the older models of 330i than the more efficient newe engine version.
I've been into my insurance company today and apparently the underwriter for my policy won't cover me on a 265bhp 3 litre v6. So I would need to cancel my policy and start a fresh one. I am half way through the year on this policy, don't really want to set my no claims back by 6 months for no reason.
I'm currently 27 with 4 years of driving and 4 years no claims behind me. In September I will be 5 for 5, probably best looking at these bigger engines then.
In the meantime if i really want to get rid of the Audi a3 (I'm constantly worried it's gonna throw a huge bill or kill it's engine, due to a k own weakness in the timing chain tensioner, which is a 850 quid preventative bill) then I could always sell the Audi and test the BMW waters with a 320i?
What are the 4 cylinder 2 litres like? I know they are naturally aspirated so don't have the same power or torque as my TFSI audi, but as long as I buy a car that I can sell for roughly what I paid for it 6 months down line I would be happy.
Truth is I'm probably better off holding tight until September. Fingers crossed.
I will hold tight until after summer, then get what I can for my Audi and find myself a nice v6 beamer.
My ex father in law had a 12 plate 7 series from new with a 3 litre diesel, that pulled very well for a big barge, it was a pure piece of luxury tho, different beast to a 3 series.
Petrol for me i think.
My ex father in law had a 12 plate 7 series from new with a 3 litre diesel, that pulled very well for a big barge, it was a pure piece of luxury tho, different beast to a 3 series.
Petrol for me i think.
They are good cars but an older leggy car will hemorrhage money, our 11 year old E91 325i touring has cost almost £2000 in bills this year, suspension bushes, coil packs, and a steering rack plus a couple of tyres and a major service. Check for worn out keys (the re-chargeable battery goes flat and is soldered in) broken Bluetooth MULF module and worn out mis-matched tyres,
These cars cost Porsche 996 money to maintain properly so it's common for previous owners to cut corners, plus you can re-set all the service reminders yourself from the drivers seat so you want to see proper documented service history.
These cars cost Porsche 996 money to maintain properly so it's common for previous owners to cut corners, plus you can re-set all the service reminders yourself from the drivers seat so you want to see proper documented service history.
I have a Z4 Coupe with the 3-litre N52 engine and a non-standard exhaust - sounds fantastic!
But my previous Z4C suffered the dreaded electric water pump failure at 9 years old and 60K miles.
OEM part cost £500 + thermostat + fitting + labour and refill of anti-freeze.
Still it wasn't an N53 so no injector or HPFP issues, so could have been worse!
FWIW my local indy specialist told me to stick to 6 cylinder petrols if I didn't want to see him too often! (Might be why he runs a 51 plate 530i himself)!
But my previous Z4C suffered the dreaded electric water pump failure at 9 years old and 60K miles.
OEM part cost £500 + thermostat + fitting + labour and refill of anti-freeze.
Still it wasn't an N53 so no injector or HPFP issues, so could have been worse!
FWIW my local indy specialist told me to stick to 6 cylinder petrols if I didn't want to see him too often! (Might be why he runs a 51 plate 530i himself)!
OK BMW makes a inline 6 engine, I'm not up on types of engines, thanks for correcting me.
You guys are right cheery sods lol, here's me wanting a simple big petrol engine to have some trouble free motoring in a comfortable good looking car (330i), and now I'm thinking of big repair bills. Lol that's why I want to get rid of my inferior Audi TFSI engine.
The Audi to run long term probably is going to need the timing chain tensioner doing at nearly a grand, and a clutch which I know is a consumable at nearly another grand. That's nearly 2k on a car currently worth 4k, and it feels slow at 160bhp.
Any other car suggestions? I was wanting a Scooby, but the interiors put me right off.
I don't mind maintaing a nice car.
You guys are right cheery sods lol, here's me wanting a simple big petrol engine to have some trouble free motoring in a comfortable good looking car (330i), and now I'm thinking of big repair bills. Lol that's why I want to get rid of my inferior Audi TFSI engine.
The Audi to run long term probably is going to need the timing chain tensioner doing at nearly a grand, and a clutch which I know is a consumable at nearly another grand. That's nearly 2k on a car currently worth 4k, and it feels slow at 160bhp.
Any other car suggestions? I was wanting a Scooby, but the interiors put me right off.
I don't mind maintaing a nice car.
Amy engine can be problematic at higher mileage, so don't worry about these things too much! Always worth looking into warranties too, especially if under 60k miles.
I think the best way to avoid issues with the BMW engines is to do regular oil changes, around annual or 10k miles. If previous owner has skimped on this and gone the full 20k intervals, I would expect a higher risk.
Clutch on these should be fine as they are pretty durable, but depends on prior use.
N52 should be less problematic than n53 and injectors can be a costly problem on the n53 (and n54 for that matter)
I think the best way to avoid issues with the BMW engines is to do regular oil changes, around annual or 10k miles. If previous owner has skimped on this and gone the full 20k intervals, I would expect a higher risk.
Clutch on these should be fine as they are pretty durable, but depends on prior use.
N52 should be less problematic than n53 and injectors can be a costly problem on the n53 (and n54 for that matter)
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