E93 buying advice

[Duke Caboom]

Hi, in looking at low milage (sub 40k) e93. Almost certainly a 330i M Sport, though SE or 325i possiblity for the right car.
I understand different engines.


Struggling a bit with options.
Do they all have dual zone climate?
Did m sports ever have chrome horseshoe along door tops and round windows? Is it easy to retrofit?
I'm not that bothered by actual navigation, is there any other advantage to having the second screen?
Is alacantra an improvement in normal leather.

Thanks

[MarkJS]

I’m pretty sure they all had dual zone climate control. I can’t help with the chrome query as a I had a Coupe (E92), but have a feeling that maybe only the SE spec cars had chrome whereas M Sports tend to have Gloss Black Shadowline trim (but again, I’m not sure on the Convertible). I think Navigation is worth having for the second screen as you can see all of the iDrive menu’s etc but I don’t suppose it would be a dealbreaker if a mint pristine car with everything else you might want came along.

Good luck on finding a good one - they are really good cars and I had many happy miles with mine. Beware of the harsh ride though on poor roads.

[Duke Caboom]

Thanks. I wonder how easy it is to change the shadow line for chrome?

[twokcc]

video here for changing on an e90 looks easy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_I4ESe7oYA

Chrome on SE and black on M Sport. Have an E91 SE which has Nav screen etc as said above I prefer the look with second screen and it does make going between various functions easier

Bought an SE as M sport suspension to hard for me-suspect that would show up more in the convertible (less rigid) but mine has M sport seats(heated) and steering wheel.
Great cars and bodywork lest rust prone that the previous E46

[GTEYE]

Duke Caboom said:

Thanks. I wonder how easy it is to change the shadow line for chrome?

Its not the ease of changing that's the consideration. It's cost.

I once looked at an approved used E93 M Sport where the black shadow line trim had tarnished presumably through harsh cleaning chemicals.

The BMW dealer started to price up the replacement trim pieces and stopped counting when it had hit 4 figures. I walked on....

[twokcc]

Here's one at a breakers yard with chrome trim on .but looks as if nearside may not be salvageable!!!!!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-SERIES-E92-E93-BR...

Can make aprofit if sell black one base on post above

[Duke Caboom]

Thanks for all the replies.

What about alacantra? Better than leather?

[Duke Caboom]

twokcc said:

Here's one at a breakers yard with chrome trim on .but looks as if nearside may not be salvageable!!!!!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-3-SERIES-E92-E93-BR...


Can make aprofit if sell black one base on post above

Yes- I had found lots of people who want to hide the chrome. So swap might be a good idea.