E91 Engines

[Kyfoon]

Hey all,

I’m looking at possibly purchasing an e91 as my next car.

I’ve been eyeing up pre-LCI 330i as the n52 seems to be deemed the most reliable. However they are very few and far between.

Are the 330d or 335d’s reliable? I think the diesel engines changed at some point throughout the E91 lifecycle, but don’t know if any are considered better than others.

Mileage will probably be around 12k a year, with a daily commute of 20 miles each way (mainly dual carriageway).

Would love any help on the above!

Thank you

[cerb4.5lee]

I've had both a 2006 E90 330i(for 4 years)and 2006 E90 330d(for 6 years) and both cars were faultless and reliable. At the mileage you are doing I would suggest going for the 330i...although I actually thought that the 330d was the better all round car of the two.

The 330d has effortless shove and it is pretty decent on fuel, whereas the 330i needs plenty of revs for its kerbweight to feel quick(its well over 1500kg). The 330i is thirsty in comparison too. Both are great all round cars though and I'd recommend either, they make an excellent motorway cruiser and are lovely to drive.

[DailyHack]

Nothing to add on the E91 with the 6 cylinder engines - I run a 318d E91 2012 plate (107k now on it) and as an all round car it's great, not too big and not too small.

Again reliability hasn't been an issue, I know the E series cars have issues with exhaust flexi pipes, mines had one already around 90k, rattles under acceleration.

Either than that it's the usual diesel things to look out for if you were to go for a 330d.

I would love to swap to a 330, but my mileage hovers around 25k"ish annually so doesn't make sense for me, I can get 65mpg and 900 miles to a tank without even trying

[Mr Tidy]

I had an E46 325ti Compact with the M54 engine for over 3 years, and loved it!

But just over a year ago I swapped it for an 06 plate E91 325i which was so much more refined! (Even if it did need a new water pump) ouch!

Still my leggy E91 325i with full BMW SH will be for sale soon as I got an E90 330i to replace it in March.

Edited by Mr Tidy on Wednesday 10th April 01:43

[ferrisbueller]

330i is the one IMO. However, you'll find many posters, myself included, who have spent considerable time trying to find a N52'd 330i with a manual 'box - usually without success. As time has gone by, this has got harder as I think they've become more recognised and sought after.

An E90 with split/fold (optional) rear seats can carry most stuff you could get in the touring if you can accept that compromise. Not common, but gives you more to aim for.

[rayyan171]

For the daily commute, the diesels are probably better. Easier for the motorway, don't need much revs to overtake etc. Better on fuel too. 12K miles per year is great. 3 series isn't that heavy of a car so doesn't matter which diesel you get, the M57 in the 330d/335d is a rock hard engine. Simple answer is - if you can afford the better 335d, then get it. If it isn't in budget, it is better to get a nice spec 330d instead. I would rather have the nicer engine and a slightly lower spec than vice versa etc.

[Court_S]

The 330 is a great car - I had one for three years and really, really liked it. I had an auto though because all of the ones for sale at the time were auto.

Fuel around town was low 20's but mid 30's on a run / motorway. It was a reliable car in the time that I had it - only unexpected issue was a failure of the VANOS actuators which was about £300 to sort. Everything else was just consumables.

On earlier cars, you need to watch for a leaking fuel tank vent pipe - the pipe runs through a chasis member, rubs and splits as a result. Later cars had a revised part with additional protection to prevent it. The part is cheap but it is a pain to replace - I just lived with it. When the tank was full, there was a slight smell of petrol. In true BMW style, there was no formal recall for this.

[Mr Tidy]

ferrisbueller said:

330i is the one IMO. However, you'll find many posters, myself included, who have spent considerable time trying to find a N52'd 330i with a manual 'box - usually without success. As time has gone by, this has got harder as I think they've become more recognised and sought after.

An E90 with split/fold (optional) rear seats can carry most stuff you could get in the touring if you can accept that compromise. Not common, but gives you more to aim for.

Result - I picked up an E90 330i with the N52 engine a couple of weeks ago to replace my E91 325i (also N52)!

It's a manual with the split-fold rear seats, tilt/slide sunroof, Bi-Xenons, power fold mirrors and a DAB tuner - but that does mean I have an E91 325i to sell now.

[b14]

I would call the N52 reliable, but only relative to other BMW engines. It still has issues - water pump, VANOS solenoids / hook ring seals, valve cover oil seals, starter motor. The only one of these that is really expensive are the hook ring seals though, which aren't too common.

[SouthHamsGaz]

SHMBO bought, with guidance from me , her LCI E91 335d 3 years ago.

Had 88000, now has 146000. Not one single engine related issue. So long as the oil is changed regularly they are know to pass 300K with ease.

BMW recommend every 18k for oil. I do it at roughly half that.