E90 / E91 3 series petrol engines - what's best?
Discussion
Looking to buy a petrol estate car for towing a race car and trailer. Lots of options but sticking with BMW would be good (the M3 will sadly need to go). Budget upto £7k, so E90/E91 or even 5 series E60
I don't know the models well yet, in terms or reliability what are the best petrol engines to go for?
There is a 61 plate 320 for sale near me, might go and view
I don't know the models well yet, in terms or reliability what are the best petrol engines to go for?
There is a 61 plate 320 for sale near me, might go and view
Yes, when I was talking to my BMW Indy about changing my E46 325ti he recommended 6 cylinders and preferably petrol.
I only looked at the ones with the N52 engine after reading about the issues the later N53 engines seemed to suffer from.
But there never seem to be many E91s for sale, and the only 330is I found were nearly twice the price of a 325i! So I got a 325i and overall I'm pleased with it - but if I was going to tow very often I'd keep looking for a 330i!
I only looked at the ones with the N52 engine after reading about the issues the later N53 engines seemed to suffer from.
But there never seem to be many E91s for sale, and the only 330is I found were nearly twice the price of a 325i! So I got a 325i and overall I'm pleased with it - but if I was going to tow very often I'd keep looking for a 330i!
What about looking for a good condition E39 or earlier E61 530i touring; it'll have the M54 straight 6 3.0 engine, very well built and ultra reliable; just make sure thew E39s had the cooling system maintained and both have had the rocker gaskets/oil filter housing gaskets changed etc (or budget that in)
If it's going to be a workhorse, IMO, spending around half the budget on a good nick car and then you've reserves for maintenance would be a good thing
If it's going to be a workhorse, IMO, spending around half the budget on a good nick car and then you've reserves for maintenance would be a good thing
There are other issues to consider with the E90/1/2 - the ABS pump is very expensive to replace when it goes on the 6cylinders, but they can usually be refurbished by someone like ECU testing for a few hundred quid, if you can cope with the car being off the road for a week.
Also the ABS reluctor rings seem to be a common failure.
I had these on my 80k mile E92 325i n52, but other than that it was reliable......
Also the ABS reluctor rings seem to be a common failure.
I had these on my 80k mile E92 325i n52, but other than that it was reliable......
Port injection N52 engines are the top pick, sadly very rare as they were quickly replaced by the direct injection N53. But I understand if the petrol injectors on an N53 or N43 have been replaced with the latest revision one should be ok (provided the cylinder compression is still ok). I am not an expert on direct injection petrols though as they are not LPG-able which for me is a must have requirement. Also heard that chain tensioners on them are fragile but that should be an easy fix.
Then again for towing I would not discard a diesel. Unless you are regularly climbing steep hills, even a (chip-tuned) 320d should do fine with the cost per mile being just above the half of that of the 6 cylinder petrol. Driven on the motorway, DPF should be ok. Just make sure the cam chain is in good nick, and add Ceratec for a good measure.
Any thread recommending 6 cylinders wins in my book! Not fixed on a particular model but normally buy cars roughly 10 years old, hence my original selection. Happy to go older / newer.
Thinking diesel as I'm fairly central in London and do very low annual mileage. There seems to be a constant threat of diesels being banned...
Thinking diesel as I'm fairly central in London and do very low annual mileage. There seems to be a constant threat of diesels being banned...
None are Toyota levels of reliable, but the 6 pots are ok. Lovely when they are working and leagues ahead of the 4pots, but costly to fix.
I have had to replace 6 injectors, water pump (went today), rocker cover gasket and it needed a walnut blast as well as the usual maintenance. Mine is one of the last N54s so arguably should have been one of the better ones... I refuse to add up how much it has cost me over the 2 1/2 years I have had it.
I have had to replace 6 injectors, water pump (went today), rocker cover gasket and it needed a walnut blast as well as the usual maintenance. Mine is one of the last N54s so arguably should have been one of the better ones... I refuse to add up how much it has cost me over the 2 1/2 years I have had it.
N54 engined 3 series cars aren't as huge of a problem as everyone thinks. Massive coverage of those who have issues with them has blown up its reliability. Water pumps go in just about most BMW's, I don't see people avoiding getting any BMW's because of that.
Acquaintance of mine has a 335i, had sat on the drive for two years. Complete fluid replacement, filter replacement and fresh set of tyres and it has already been used for 2k miles in 2 weeks no problem.
335i engined 3 series cars generally have a high spec, standard 335i coupe models came with sports suspension, dual exhausts, electric seats with memory, leather and even the professional Hi-Fi system.
£6-8k will get you a pre-LCI, around £10k gets an LCI coupe/saloon. Touring 335i's are rare to find however, as are LCI 335i saloons.
Did I mention they are very fun to drive? Or that they sound great?
On the other hand, the 330i is still a great car too. Needs to be wound up more but still no doubt is quite good fun.
Acquaintance of mine has a 335i, had sat on the drive for two years. Complete fluid replacement, filter replacement and fresh set of tyres and it has already been used for 2k miles in 2 weeks no problem.
335i engined 3 series cars generally have a high spec, standard 335i coupe models came with sports suspension, dual exhausts, electric seats with memory, leather and even the professional Hi-Fi system.
£6-8k will get you a pre-LCI, around £10k gets an LCI coupe/saloon. Touring 335i's are rare to find however, as are LCI 335i saloons.
Did I mention they are very fun to drive? Or that they sound great?
On the other hand, the 330i is still a great car too. Needs to be wound up more but still no doubt is quite good fun.
Edited by rayyan171 on Wednesday 6th February 21:54
rayyan171 said:
N54 engined 3 series cars aren't as huge of a problem as everyone thinks. Massive coverage of those who have issues with them has blown up its reliability. Water pumps go in just about most BMW's, I don't see people avoiding getting any BMW's because of that.
Acquaintance of mine has a 335i, had sat on the drive for two years. Complete fluid replacement, filter replacement and fresh set of tyres and it has already been used for 2k miles in 2 weeks no problem.
335i engined 3 series cars generally have a high spec, standard 335i coupe models came with sports suspension, dual exhausts, electric seats with memory, leather and even the professional Hi-Fi system.
£6-8k will get you a pre-LCI, around £10k gets an LCI coupe/saloon. Touring 335i's are rare to find however, as are LCI 335i saloons.
Did I mention they are very fun to drive? Or that they sound great?
On the other hand, the 330i is still a great car too. Needs to be wound up more but still no doubt is quite good fun.
Spec varies wildly as everything was an option, regardless of engine choice. Coupe spec is a little better than saloon, but still miserly as standard. I looked at an SE before I got mine and it had the business stereo and not much else.Acquaintance of mine has a 335i, had sat on the drive for two years. Complete fluid replacement, filter replacement and fresh set of tyres and it has already been used for 2k miles in 2 weeks no problem.
335i engined 3 series cars generally have a high spec, standard 335i coupe models came with sports suspension, dual exhausts, electric seats with memory, leather and even the professional Hi-Fi system.
£6-8k will get you a pre-LCI, around £10k gets an LCI coupe/saloon. Touring 335i's are rare to find however, as are LCI 335i saloons.
Did I mention they are very fun to drive? Or that they sound great?
On the other hand, the 330i is still a great car too. Needs to be wound up more but still no doubt is quite good fun.
Edited by rayyan171 on Wednesday 6th February 21:54
I agree the reliability isn't as terrible as the internet makes out, but when they do go wrong they cost a fair wack. I should know, I kept all the receipts.
Mike335i said:
rayyan171 said:
N54 engined 3 series cars aren't as huge of a problem as everyone thinks. Massive coverage of those who have issues with them has blown up its reliability. Water pumps go in just about most BMW's, I don't see people avoiding getting any BMW's because of that.
Acquaintance of mine has a 335i, had sat on the drive for two years. Complete fluid replacement, filter replacement and fresh set of tyres and it has already been used for 2k miles in 2 weeks no problem.
335i engined 3 series cars generally have a high spec, standard 335i coupe models came with sports suspension, dual exhausts, electric seats with memory, leather and even the professional Hi-Fi system.
£6-8k will get you a pre-LCI, around £10k gets an LCI coupe/saloon. Touring 335i's are rare to find however, as are LCI 335i saloons.
Did I mention they are very fun to drive? Or that they sound great?
On the other hand, the 330i is still a great car too. Needs to be wound up more but still no doubt is quite good fun.
Spec varies wildly as everything was an option, regardless of engine choice. Coupe spec is a little better than saloon, but still miserly as standard. I looked at an SE before I got mine and it had the business stereo and not much else.Acquaintance of mine has a 335i, had sat on the drive for two years. Complete fluid replacement, filter replacement and fresh set of tyres and it has already been used for 2k miles in 2 weeks no problem.
335i engined 3 series cars generally have a high spec, standard 335i coupe models came with sports suspension, dual exhausts, electric seats with memory, leather and even the professional Hi-Fi system.
£6-8k will get you a pre-LCI, around £10k gets an LCI coupe/saloon. Touring 335i's are rare to find however, as are LCI 335i saloons.
Did I mention they are very fun to drive? Or that they sound great?
On the other hand, the 330i is still a great car too. Needs to be wound up more but still no doubt is quite good fun.
Edited by rayyan171 on Wednesday 6th February 21:54
I agree the reliability isn't as terrible as the internet makes out, but when they do go wrong they cost a fair wack. I should know, I kept all the receipts.
adbett said:
Any thread recommending 6 cylinders wins in my book! Not fixed on a particular model but normally buy cars roughly 10 years old, hence my original selection. Happy to go older / newer.
Thinking diesel as I'm fairly central in London and do very low annual mileage. There seems to be a constant threat of diesels being banned...
Definitely go for 6 cylinders, but I think you are "thinking petrol" not "thinking diesel" - most, if not all, E9* diesels will cost you £12.50 every day you have to go into the ULEZ after April, but the petrols won't! Thinking diesel as I'm fairly central in London and do very low annual mileage. There seems to be a constant threat of diesels being banned...
Mr Tidy said:
Definitely go for 6 cylinders, but I think you are "thinking petrol" not "thinking diesel" - most, if not all, E9* diesels will cost you £12.50 every day you have to go into the ULEZ after April, but the petrols won't!
Exactly! I don't drive daily but as the ULEZ applies 24/7 it would still hit me at weekends etc. I can check which diesel engines are Euro 6 compliant as that should give a few more options although still leaning towards petrolAnd fully expecting some bills and maintenance - it'll be a 10 year old car - but if I can buy the right car/engine to start with it should reduce the risk! Running a E46 M3 at the moment although it's been super reliable so far....
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