Getting to like it -lots
Discussion
It’s been seven or eight weeks since my purchase e92 325i. Still getting my head around certain elements and features but getting to really enjoy the car.
Got rid of the worn run flats which I found were terrible, steering and comfort particularly poor.
Fitted mid range Avon’s all round, absolutely fine for my driving style and great improvement of the car in general.
Car was frozen up particarly windscreen, switch on engine and adjust air blower to screen
Thought five minutes or so should see the ice melt of screen, then I found a dash board button
which I pressed, 40 seconds later my windscreen was perfectly clear! Let me tell you for me coming from cars without such features, that is brilliant!
Looking at operating the cars OBC seems complex, press this x times, hold that x seconds seems a right faff, haven’t used it thus far.
Intermittent wiper does not seem to work, wipers work but can’t adjust wipe speed.
Really abysmal ice system, it has the BMW professional, my previous short lived BMW Harmon Kardon, chalk and cheese. I need to upgrade.
Headlights are fantastic and bright, I think it’s fitted with the adaptive system, but not sure. Next time I am out I will try it and see.
Thus far very pleased with my choice with no regrets as yet.
Got rid of the worn run flats which I found were terrible, steering and comfort particularly poor.
Fitted mid range Avon’s all round, absolutely fine for my driving style and great improvement of the car in general.
Car was frozen up particarly windscreen, switch on engine and adjust air blower to screen
Thought five minutes or so should see the ice melt of screen, then I found a dash board button
which I pressed, 40 seconds later my windscreen was perfectly clear! Let me tell you for me coming from cars without such features, that is brilliant!
Looking at operating the cars OBC seems complex, press this x times, hold that x seconds seems a right faff, haven’t used it thus far.
Intermittent wiper does not seem to work, wipers work but can’t adjust wipe speed.
Really abysmal ice system, it has the BMW professional, my previous short lived BMW Harmon Kardon, chalk and cheese. I need to upgrade.
Headlights are fantastic and bright, I think it’s fitted with the adaptive system, but not sure. Next time I am out I will try it and see.
Thus far very pleased with my choice with no regrets as yet.
Just a couple of observations, which may be of some use (or may not be 
)
Wipers - if they are the same as the ones on my 1 Series Coupe, I believe the options are Off, Auto, Normal, and Fast - don't believe there is a true "intermittent" wipe setting. I think they are expecting you to use Auto instead, but IME auto wipers on this generation of BMW leave a little to be desired - which is a shame, as the E46 I had was set and forget.
Stereo - yes the standard models aren't that great and upgrades are widely available. The below thread is for a 1-Series, but similar options should exist for the 3.
http://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17095
I think the previous owner did a few of these to mine - I didn't see any HiFi upgrades on the original spec, but I appear to have tweeters in the door mirrors and Gold speakers in the door behind the grilles. Whatever he has done, it sounds pretty good now.
)Wipers - if they are the same as the ones on my 1 Series Coupe, I believe the options are Off, Auto, Normal, and Fast - don't believe there is a true "intermittent" wipe setting. I think they are expecting you to use Auto instead, but IME auto wipers on this generation of BMW leave a little to be desired - which is a shame, as the E46 I had was set and forget.
Stereo - yes the standard models aren't that great and upgrades are widely available. The below thread is for a 1-Series, but similar options should exist for the 3.
http://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17095
I think the previous owner did a few of these to mine - I didn't see any HiFi upgrades on the original spec, but I appear to have tweeters in the door mirrors and Gold speakers in the door behind the grilles. Whatever he has done, it sounds pretty good now.
Nice choice of car OP! 
I'm on BMW numbers 4 and 5 at present, and an E92 may be a future option!
If you don't have the rain-sensing wipers the intermittent has 4 speed settings using the "tumbler" in the stalk, but each setting never seems quite right (mind you the rain-sensor ones aren't perfect either)!
The standard stereo isn't brilliant, but for me the cars make up for that - and it can be upgraded fairly easily.
If you are finding the lights great you may well have the optional bi-xenon ones - there is a thumb-wheel to adjust the brightness of the instrument lights, and on cars with standard headlights another thumb-wheel to adjust the headlight beam height. Cars with bi-xenons don't have the 2nd one because bi-xenons self-level.
Enjoy your Coupe!
I'm on BMW numbers 4 and 5 at present, and an E92 may be a future option!
If you don't have the rain-sensing wipers the intermittent has 4 speed settings using the "tumbler" in the stalk, but each setting never seems quite right (mind you the rain-sensor ones aren't perfect either)!
The standard stereo isn't brilliant, but for me the cars make up for that - and it can be upgraded fairly easily.
If you are finding the lights great you may well have the optional bi-xenon ones - there is a thumb-wheel to adjust the brightness of the instrument lights, and on cars with standard headlights another thumb-wheel to adjust the headlight beam height. Cars with bi-xenons don't have the 2nd one because bi-xenons self-level.
Enjoy your Coupe!
Mr Tidy said:
Nice choice of car OP!
I'm on BMW numbers 4 and 5 at present, and an E92 may be a future option!
If you don't have the rain-sensing wipers the intermittent has 4 speed settings using the "tumbler" in the stalk, but each setting never seems quite right (mind you the rain-sensor ones aren't perfect either)!
The standard stereo isn't brilliant, but for me the cars make up for that - and it can be upgraded fairly easily.
If you are finding the lights great you may well have the optional bi-xenon ones - there is a thumb-wheel to adjust the brightness of the instrument lights, and on cars with standard headlights another thumb-wheel to adjust the headlight beam height. Cars with bi-xenons don't have the 2nd one because bi-xenons self-level.
Enjoy your Coupe!
Thanks Mr Tidy, yes the lights are bi-xenon and very good they are. My car is just seven years old with 77600 miles up with fully stamped book. As with all BMW it belies it’s age and runs like an almost new car. Private purchase so no warranty, all seems good so far after about 800 miles into my ownership. I'm on BMW numbers 4 and 5 at present, and an E92 may be a future option!
If you don't have the rain-sensing wipers the intermittent has 4 speed settings using the "tumbler" in the stalk, but each setting never seems quite right (mind you the rain-sensor ones aren't perfect either)!
The standard stereo isn't brilliant, but for me the cars make up for that - and it can be upgraded fairly easily.
If you are finding the lights great you may well have the optional bi-xenon ones - there is a thumb-wheel to adjust the brightness of the instrument lights, and on cars with standard headlights another thumb-wheel to adjust the headlight beam height. Cars with bi-xenons don't have the 2nd one because bi-xenons self-level.
Enjoy your Coupe!
Good BMW indy just down the road, perfect
Mr Tidy said:
If you don't have the rain-sensing wipers the intermittent has 4 speed settings using the "tumbler" in the stalk, but each setting never seems quite right (mind you the rain-sensor ones aren't perfect either)!
Glad it's not just me that thinks that!In light rain I seem to be constantly switching auto on and giving it a manual wipe every now and then. A proper intermittent setting would be useful. I wonder if Carly or similar OBD programmer could do that?
FurtiveFreddy said:
Glad it's not just me that thinks that!
In light rain I seem to be constantly switching auto on and giving it a manual wipe every now and then. A proper intermittent setting would be useful. I wonder if Carly or similar OBD programmer could do that?
Exactly my experience with the rain sensing wipers too! Glad I found this, as I was beginning to wonder if I was missing a trick somewhere.In light rain I seem to be constantly switching auto on and giving it a manual wipe every now and then. A proper intermittent setting would be useful. I wonder if Carly or similar OBD programmer could do that?
Cheers.
Note RFT you might have old tyres or still using a first generation RFT.
Seriously the current breed (3rd or 4th) Feb are really very good and so so different from the first Feb stuff it’s hard to justify not to use them on what we are talking about as run of he mill Cars/not Sports Cars.
Seriously the current breed (3rd or 4th) Feb are really very good and so so different from the first Feb stuff it’s hard to justify not to use them on what we are talking about as run of he mill Cars/not Sports Cars.
RafflesNH said:
Exactly my experience with the rain sensing wipers too! Glad I found this, as I was beginning to wonder if I was missing a trick somewhere.
Cheers.
Yes, I drove to Maidstone today and when I came home between 6 and 8 pm it was grey and damp. Auto wipers on 1st setting were going mad, so the blades were scraping and squealing - turned them off and just used the "flick wipe" - manual everything seems to work better in every way!Cheers.
Welshbeef said:
Note RFT you might have old tyres or still using a first generation RFT.
Seriously the current breed (3rd or 4th) Feb are really very good and so so different from the first Feb stuff it’s hard to justify not to use them on what we are talking about as run of he mill Cars/not Sports Cars.
The rft were down to 3mm all around, fitted the Avon’s and very pleased with my choice. Spare space saver now in boot. Very content, untill I get a puncture I suppose Seriously the current breed (3rd or 4th) Feb are really very good and so so different from the first Feb stuff it’s hard to justify not to use them on what we are talking about as run of he mill Cars/not Sports Cars.
you sound like you're loving yours as much as I love mine. I've had 7 BMW's and my E92 330d is the best so far by quite some margin. I was lucky to find mine with all the right options as well as the idrive already been upgraded to the later cic from the original ccc. Something thats not cheap to do but worth it by all accounts. I've got the original bill of sale with mine which shows all the options fitted and the cost. They came to about 6.5k which made the car cost 36.5k back in 2006. I've got bi-xenons but find them rubbish! I'm sure my E46 xenons were better. The lenses are fairly clear so I'm thinking the bulbs are tired so I'm going to change mine today and hope that sorts it.
nomis36 said:
you sound like you're loving yours as much as I love mine. I've had 7 BMW's and my E92 330d is the best so far by quite some margin. I was lucky to find mine with all the right options as well as the idrive already been upgraded to the later cic from the original ccc. Something thats not cheap to do but worth it by all accounts. I've got the original bill of sale with mine which shows all the options fitted and the cost. They came to about 6.5k which made the car cost 36.5k back in 2006. I've got bi-xenons but find them rubbish! I'm sure my E46 xenons were better. The lenses are fairly clear so I'm thinking the bulbs are tired so I'm going to change mine today and hope that sorts it.
Lucky to find exactly the right specified car, I was looking for months to find my car even then had to make a compromise or two. Your also fortunate to have the original bill of sale, the only paperwork I have is for a new battery fitted last year, but the service book is fully stamped.Surprised you find the lights poor, I can spot a rabbit at four hundred yards with mine, are you sure your bulbs are all working?
My car is due for a service now as it’s reached the two year since last was done. I have no idea what the service requirements will be other than engine oil and filter change, fingers crossed not much more.
A number of posters in here advised that I should go for the 330i and proberly they were right. However it’s finding the car that is the problem and when my 325i came up and a good price it was job done. It’s unlikely that I will sell this car as I am an old codger and it’s likely it will see me out.
I wanted a 330i when I was looking as my E46 was a 330i but I couldn’t find one with the right spec so reluctantly went to look at the d. Glad I did because apart from sound the d is so much better in every other way than the i! If they’d made the 335d in manual form that would be even more amazing so it had to be the 330. I looked at a 335i but the turbo wastegate issues put me off them.
I went the other way, and after some chump killed off my E46 330d by driving into it, I bought an E90 330i. Mixed feelings about it so far. I do highly approve of the saucy, noisy, pound shop F1 car sound it makes when it's driven hard. I love the way the engine spins as consistently as the 330d's - this was always one of the best parts about the car - but much more freely and smoothly. And I very much like the way that it responds quickly to a firm press on the accelerator, which the 330d would only do when almost out of revs.
But it feels rather limp at low RPM, the idle noise is if anything worse than the 330d's, and of course the fuel economy, the bit you actually pay for, is not as good. It's fun to drive it hard, but how often does that happen? I can't go at 4000+rpm everywhere. And even if I do... it's a 4 door saloon. I'm glad I bought it, but I'm not yet sure what I'll think of it in the long run. Feels like maybe the engine is designed for something a bit sportier, that won't make you feel a bit silly driving it at high revs all the time... or maybe I just got old at some point?
Perhaps I should have gone for a 335i instead. But I promised myself I'd keep it for 2 years, whatever I thought, so it's got time to grow on me...
But it feels rather limp at low RPM, the idle noise is if anything worse than the 330d's, and of course the fuel economy, the bit you actually pay for, is not as good. It's fun to drive it hard, but how often does that happen? I can't go at 4000+rpm everywhere. And even if I do... it's a 4 door saloon. I'm glad I bought it, but I'm not yet sure what I'll think of it in the long run. Feels like maybe the engine is designed for something a bit sportier, that won't make you feel a bit silly driving it at high revs all the time... or maybe I just got old at some point?
Perhaps I should have gone for a 335i instead. But I promised myself I'd keep it for 2 years, whatever I thought, so it's got time to grow on me...
I actually wanted a 330i when I was looking like my E46 was. I really like that engine if only for the sound it makes. I once had a 530d so I knew how good the Diesel engine was which made me go take a look at the one I ended up buying. So glad I did now for the performance and fuel economy.
Being new to BMW, although I did own a 523i many years ago, I am still adapting to my 325i
Agree that it feels like nothing to the torque of a derv turbo, but feel from the drivers seat can be deceptive. Of course the drive is an entirely different sensation, not much happening but it is a relentless surge.
For me the smooth progress now outweighs low down pulling power, so smooth and creamy it’s like spreading warm butter on hot toast. Also Contary to some reports I find the manual gearbox very smooth and easy to enjoy.
My only thought is that just maybe I should have held out for the 330i offering just that bit of extra power.
Agree that it feels like nothing to the torque of a derv turbo, but feel from the drivers seat can be deceptive. Of course the drive is an entirely different sensation, not much happening but it is a relentless surge.
For me the smooth progress now outweighs low down pulling power, so smooth and creamy it’s like spreading warm butter on hot toast. Also Contary to some reports I find the manual gearbox very smooth and easy to enjoy.
My only thought is that just maybe I should have held out for the 330i offering just that bit of extra power.
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