10K for a BMW Touring - what are the best options?
Discussion
Hello all,
Owing to some very happy news, all being well, the wife and I will be having a g3org3y junior arriving end of Sept.
At the moment we have an E36 328i Touring (mine) and a VW Polo (hers). The E36 is to be retired come MoT time. I got a stone chip last week that has progressed to a massive crack. This in addition to various other niggles and notable rust (it's done 212k tbf) means I don't fancy spending any more money on it. MoT is July.
Wife's Polo is 2001. Only 70k but bog standard (no a/c, winding windows, no CL). MoT passed today.
We'll need at least one Estate/Touring in the family as for distance journeys we'll need to take the dog as well. If the wife has the Touring, I can have something nicer (M flavoured maybe) as a daily. She's been insistent that the Touring should be something I'd like to drive, as for long journeys I'll be doing the driving.
Criteria
- Wife will be using it daily for work (is a GP, so will need to do home vistis).
- Budget is 10k approx but can be more for the right car.
- Petrol.
- Not interested in diesel. Wife's daily work journey too short, 8 miles each way. I suspect that would cause issues with the DPF. Also I heard the N47 is a problem unit.
- Ideally N/A.
My feeling was something 325i or 330i flavoured. Wasn't so keen on the 335i because of potential turbo bother.
Looking online, it seems between the E91 Touring and the F31 Touring (budget pending). However, the choice is 90% diesel (320d) and most petrol options are miserable and slow 318i/320i 4 cyl things.
Having read threads on here, it seems the N53 6 cylinder models in the later E90s gets a bad press so it's preferable to stick to the older N52 (approx 2005 iirc).
I note on the newer F31, the 328i is a 4 cyl turbo. I understand the diesels in F31 are more reliable than those in the E91, but the short commute thing is still an issue. Petrols on the whole appear to be rare.
What do you guys reckon?
If you had 10k to spend on a BMW Touring, what would you recommend (esp if the daily use would be relatively short journeys)?
Should I be considering an E61 5 Series?
She's not especially keen on X things, and I assume the engine issues would still be an issue.
Would love to hear your opinions and any advice. TIA and wishing all the best for a restful bank holiday weekend.
Owing to some very happy news, all being well, the wife and I will be having a g3org3y junior arriving end of Sept.
At the moment we have an E36 328i Touring (mine) and a VW Polo (hers). The E36 is to be retired come MoT time. I got a stone chip last week that has progressed to a massive crack. This in addition to various other niggles and notable rust (it's done 212k tbf) means I don't fancy spending any more money on it. MoT is July.
Wife's Polo is 2001. Only 70k but bog standard (no a/c, winding windows, no CL). MoT passed today.
We'll need at least one Estate/Touring in the family as for distance journeys we'll need to take the dog as well. If the wife has the Touring, I can have something nicer (M flavoured maybe) as a daily. She's been insistent that the Touring should be something I'd like to drive, as for long journeys I'll be doing the driving.
Criteria
- Wife will be using it daily for work (is a GP, so will need to do home vistis).
- Budget is 10k approx but can be more for the right car.
- Petrol.
- Not interested in diesel. Wife's daily work journey too short, 8 miles each way. I suspect that would cause issues with the DPF. Also I heard the N47 is a problem unit.
- Ideally N/A.
My feeling was something 325i or 330i flavoured. Wasn't so keen on the 335i because of potential turbo bother.
Looking online, it seems between the E91 Touring and the F31 Touring (budget pending). However, the choice is 90% diesel (320d) and most petrol options are miserable and slow 318i/320i 4 cyl things.
Having read threads on here, it seems the N53 6 cylinder models in the later E90s gets a bad press so it's preferable to stick to the older N52 (approx 2005 iirc).
I note on the newer F31, the 328i is a 4 cyl turbo. I understand the diesels in F31 are more reliable than those in the E91, but the short commute thing is still an issue. Petrols on the whole appear to be rare.
What do you guys reckon?
If you had 10k to spend on a BMW Touring, what would you recommend (esp if the daily use would be relatively short journeys)?
Should I be considering an E61 5 Series?
She's not especially keen on X things, and I assume the engine issues would still be an issue.
Would love to hear your opinions and any advice. TIA and wishing all the best for a restful bank holiday weekend.
I'd probably lean towards an E91 330i if you can find a good one. It's worth having a look at insurance quotes to aid with your decision making. I was getting quoted more to insure a 335d than it cost to insure an M4 recently, my view somewhat naturally was that if I'm paying that much insurance I don't want a diesel !
Turbo bother is irrelevant if comparing the 335i with the 330i, it all simply boils down to how much power you want. You will more or less have the same maintenance issues that the 330i faces in the 335i, the only real difference is the turbochargers, and they don't go pop all the time like the internet suggests. They are both perfectly fine for what they are, but ultimately they are BMW's that are getting on, so that is something to be wary of when getting any of these. I would go for a E90 with a straight 6 over a newer 320i/328i any day, the newer 4 pot is perfectly adequate but is no straight 6 and real world MPG will be marginal because your wife does such short mileage anyway. This is why we went for the V6 supercharged in our A6 and not the 2.0TFSI, as we do such short miles in the A6 it doesn't matter.
Well congratulations OP. 
I had a similar problem last year when I was looking for a replacement for my E46 325ti, except my budget was about a third of yours.
I specifically didn't want an N53 engine, and ended up with a manual E91 325iSE that had done 132K miles, but you'd never have known it. It even had full BMW SH. Anyway after 5 months I had the dreaded electric water pump failure - which is the only frequently reported issue with the N52 engine (but I believe the N53 has an electric pump too). Anyway the pumps cost over £200 (or £500+ if you buy the same part from BMW). No other issues after that, but I have to be honest to get it to perform you really had to rev it, and it still didn't feel as quick as my E46 325ti.
What I did notice was that 330i Tourings were nearly twice the price of 325is, but I've since found out why!
I had left my alert on AutoTrader running, and earlier this year there was an advert for an E90 330iSE with the rare split/fold rear seat option, so I convinced myself that would work (like you do).
I've had it 2 months now and love it - it just goes so much better!
Anyway with your budget I'd also vote for an N52 engine E91 330i. A 335i might be tempting, but I think you might struggle to find a Touring within budget, and the early ones are in the £500+ a year road tax bracket - which IMHO seems a high price to pay for only about another 45 bhp.
Happy hunting.
I had a similar problem last year when I was looking for a replacement for my E46 325ti, except my budget was about a third of yours.
I specifically didn't want an N53 engine, and ended up with a manual E91 325iSE that had done 132K miles, but you'd never have known it. It even had full BMW SH. Anyway after 5 months I had the dreaded electric water pump failure - which is the only frequently reported issue with the N52 engine (but I believe the N53 has an electric pump too). Anyway the pumps cost over £200 (or £500+ if you buy the same part from BMW). No other issues after that, but I have to be honest to get it to perform you really had to rev it, and it still didn't feel as quick as my E46 325ti.
What I did notice was that 330i Tourings were nearly twice the price of 325is, but I've since found out why!
I had left my alert on AutoTrader running, and earlier this year there was an advert for an E90 330iSE with the rare split/fold rear seat option, so I convinced myself that would work (like you do).
I've had it 2 months now and love it - it just goes so much better!
Anyway with your budget I'd also vote for an N52 engine E91 330i. A 335i might be tempting, but I think you might struggle to find a Touring within budget, and the early ones are in the £500+ a year road tax bracket - which IMHO seems a high price to pay for only about another 45 bhp.
Happy hunting.
E91: absolutely avoid the 320i, they're s
te. A late 325i or 330i is nice, auto is very desirable.
The F31 is just a nicer package. The 320i in these is a 184 bhp turbo four, light years ahead of the old N43 crap in the E91. Not fast but quite pokey and decent on fuel. Generally reliable as well, unlike the older car. However, I would look out for a 328i Touring with the 8 speed auto. Ten grand will get one with a decent spec. M Sport rides quite harshly but the Sport is better. Leather is essential with nippers, pro nav is well worth having.
I drive an E61 525d Touring. They're horrible old tanks, don't be tempted. It drives like a coach, rides like a bullock dray and has a boot no bigger overall than the E46 3 Series Touring. The F11 is much nicer but it still feels like a big old bus.
te. A late 325i or 330i is nice, auto is very desirable. The F31 is just a nicer package. The 320i in these is a 184 bhp turbo four, light years ahead of the old N43 crap in the E91. Not fast but quite pokey and decent on fuel. Generally reliable as well, unlike the older car. However, I would look out for a 328i Touring with the 8 speed auto. Ten grand will get one with a decent spec. M Sport rides quite harshly but the Sport is better. Leather is essential with nippers, pro nav is well worth having.
I drive an E61 525d Touring. They're horrible old tanks, don't be tempted. It drives like a coach, rides like a bullock dray and has a boot no bigger overall than the E46 3 Series Touring. The F11 is much nicer but it still feels like a big old bus.
The E91 330 is a cracking car if you can find a good one; I ended up with an E90 because the E91’s in budget were dogs. The N52 is a great engine; not fast compared to modern cars but is quick enough and sounds lovely. The auto is dim witted compared to modern boxes but its pleasant enough. A manual would suit the revy nature of the engine but most seem to be autos.
The F series cars a good bit bigger than the E cars with more modern tech but the four cylinder engines leave me cold.
The F series cars a good bit bigger than the E cars with more modern tech but the four cylinder engines leave me cold.
This thread is relevant to my interests; I have a leggy e46 330 Touring but it seems impossible to find a direct replacement (e91 Sport Touring 330/335 manual). I've even considered spending part of the purchase price sorting my e46 but at the end of the day it's still a 15 year old BMW. Just not sure it's worth spending £8k on a car 3 or 4 years newer with 50k fewer miles...
Court_S said:
The E91 330 is a cracking car if you can find a good one; I ended up with an E90 because the E91’s in budget were dogs. The N52 is a great engine; not fast compared to modern cars but is quick enough and sounds lovely. The auto is dim witted compared to modern boxes but its pleasant enough. A manual would suit the revy nature of the engine but most seem to be autos.
Agree completely. cerb4.5lee said:
Court_S said:
The E91 330 is a cracking car if you can find a good one; I ended up with an E90 because the E91’s in budget were dogs. The N52 is a great engine; not fast compared to modern cars but is quick enough and sounds lovely. The auto is dim witted compared to modern boxes but its pleasant enough. A manual would suit the revy nature of the engine but most seem to be autos.
Agree completely. I bought a manual E91 325iSE, but it felt a bit sluggish after my E46 325ti unless you revved the nuts off it!
So earlier this year I replaced it with a manual E90 330iSE, and it's worlds better to drive! I justified it by finding one with the split/fold rear seats.
330i Tourings just seem so expensive, and they sell so quickly - which has to tell you something!
I was thinking along the same lines as you when I bought my E61 530i (2006 - N52). I've had an E90 335i as well before it so made a reasonable comparison.
The N52 isn't a particularly reliable engine. It's unlikely to stop on you but it will do things like the water pump failing, valve cover / oil filter housing gaskets failing, starter motors expiring, VANOS solenoids clogging / failing and ultimately the seals on the camshafts needing to be done, non-return valves getting clogged and various other smaller things like DISA valves etc. Obviously none of this is E61-specific.
In terms of the rest of the car, the E61 isn't too bad reliability-wise. Gearboxes can eventually fail but that's not very common, and the electrics can flood if you've got a panoramic roof. The self-leveling air suspension can fail but that's actually a fairly easy DIY and parts not that bad. I'd consider it over an E91 if you can find a good one.
The N52 isn't a particularly reliable engine. It's unlikely to stop on you but it will do things like the water pump failing, valve cover / oil filter housing gaskets failing, starter motors expiring, VANOS solenoids clogging / failing and ultimately the seals on the camshafts needing to be done, non-return valves getting clogged and various other smaller things like DISA valves etc. Obviously none of this is E61-specific.
In terms of the rest of the car, the E61 isn't too bad reliability-wise. Gearboxes can eventually fail but that's not very common, and the electrics can flood if you've got a panoramic roof. The self-leveling air suspension can fail but that's actually a fairly easy DIY and parts not that bad. I'd consider it over an E91 if you can find a good one.
g3org3y said:
If you had 10k to spend on a BMW Touring, what would you recommend (esp if the daily use would be relatively short journeys)?
I've got an e91 325i - the later N53 so gives me rather ridiculous mpg on long journeys - 38 cruising at 80 for 600 miles this weekend. My old N57 330d auto did 42mpg for comparison, with the N52 330i at 31, N54 335i at 29 and S65 24 ... yes, ive had a lot of e9*'s
Personally, having owned all of the correct engined (i.e. petrol 6/8 cylinder variants) of the e90, for your requirements, id be trying to find an N52 330i Touring, something like this would do: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Edited by Sir_Dave on Monday 3rd June 11:54
You're going through exactly what I did 3 months ago. New baby, needed an estate and decided it had to be a n52 330i manual. It's mainly for the wife as i commute on the train, but she insisted it had to be something I'd enjoy too, hence the decision.
I got lucky and within a week of looking an absolute gem came up for sale and I snapped it up. I couldn't be happier and we've just completed a 1700 mile trip to the south of France and back. Didn't burn a drop of oil, but only averaged 31mpg which seems normal and it munched up the miles and hauled us there and back in reliable comfort.
It's no performance car, but it has a very characterful engine and is quite a hoot to drive.
If you want to source a very tidy one get in touch with Jack at www.bespokesportscars.co.uk They will source you one and make sure it's tip top before they hand it over to you. By far the most impressive car buying experience I've ever had and it was like buying a new car and very reasonably priced, and no... I have nothing to do with them, I'm just a happy customer.
I got lucky and within a week of looking an absolute gem came up for sale and I snapped it up. I couldn't be happier and we've just completed a 1700 mile trip to the south of France and back. Didn't burn a drop of oil, but only averaged 31mpg which seems normal and it munched up the miles and hauled us there and back in reliable comfort.
It's no performance car, but it has a very characterful engine and is quite a hoot to drive.
If you want to source a very tidy one get in touch with Jack at www.bespokesportscars.co.uk They will source you one and make sure it's tip top before they hand it over to you. By far the most impressive car buying experience I've ever had and it was like buying a new car and very reasonably priced, and no... I have nothing to do with them, I'm just a happy customer.
Thank you for all your replies everyone.
Decided to go for an E91 in 330i flavour with the N52 engine in the end from a fellow PHer. Hopefully should last us a good number of years.
Decided to go for an E91 in 330i flavour with the N52 engine in the end from a fellow PHer. Hopefully should last us a good number of years.
Sir_Dave said:
I've got an e91 325i - the later N53 so gives me rather ridiculous mpg on long journeys - 38 cruising at 80 for 600 miles this weekend.
My old N57 330d auto did 42mpg for comparison, with the N52 330i at 31, N54 335i at 29 and D65 24 ... yes, ive had a lot of e9*'s
Personally, having owned all of the correct engined (i.e. petrol 6/8 cylinder variants) of the e90, for your requirements, id be trying to find an N52 330i Touring, something like this would do: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I went to view this earlier in the week. Bit of a trek from North Essex to Slough. Didn't go for it for a variety of reasons. If anyone wants to know why, please PM me.My old N57 330d auto did 42mpg for comparison, with the N52 330i at 31, N54 335i at 29 and D65 24 ... yes, ive had a lot of e9*'s
Personally, having owned all of the correct engined (i.e. petrol 6/8 cylinder variants) of the e90, for your requirements, id be trying to find an N52 330i Touring, something like this would do: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Court_S said:
The E91 330 is a cracking car if you can find a good one; I ended up with an E90 because the E91’s in budget were dogs. The N52 is a great engine; not fast compared to modern cars but is quick enough and sounds lovely. The auto is dim witted compared to modern boxes but its pleasant enough. A manual would suit the revy nature of the engine but most seem to be autos.
The F series cars a good bit bigger than the E cars with more modern tech but the four cylinder engines leave me cold.
Yes, ours in an auto. Seemed plenty quick to me on the drive home. It's been a long time since I've driven an auto. It's actually quite nice to waft. The F series cars a good bit bigger than the E cars with more modern tech but the four cylinder engines leave me cold.
ChrisDT said:
On a side note - How bad is the 328? I know of someone looking for a 328 Touring project.
I've promised it to my father for the time being. Apparently he has a 'plan'. If anything changes, will let you know.Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff