Discussion
Value...I have a friend with a 2006 320 SI ,24k miles with one owner and full history ..I know they are rare cars (one of 500) but I’m not that familiar with rare BMW ‘s..so I thought I’d ask the experts on here..is it a sort after model or just another 320?he wants to sell it soon so wants to know what level to pitch it at...any advice greatly appreciated
From memory the engines were supposed to be a bit needy. And fragile as well. Horror stories about blocks cracking and failures requiring rebuilds. Off set with the fact it’s a bespoke engine and set up correctly supposed to be a fun drive.
Spited by heavy road tax I suspect- £340 for a year? Seems most went for the more obvious charms of a 330 at the time.
Spited by heavy road tax I suspect- £340 for a year? Seems most went for the more obvious charms of a 330 at the time.
They are like a 320i with knobs on so nothing special. The liners crack requiring a rebuild with steel top hat liners but at 24k it'll still be fine. They are sort of interesting as one of the few E90's that won't end up as landfill, but its value pivots entirely on the mileage.
Value - somewhere north of £4-5000 to the right buyer. An auction house such as Matthewsons could be a plan.
Value - somewhere north of £4-5000 to the right buyer. An auction house such as Matthewsons could be a plan.
I ran one for 2yrs. It was great, if not fast. Some one ran it to it, so it was written off and I couldn't find another is similar condition so replaced it with a 330i (N52).
In comparison, the 330i is faster, more relaxed when cruising (higher geared) and more economical Valvetronic/fancy cooing system/higher geared). The 320Si handled better, you really can feel the shorter, lighter engine. They sound pretty good too, especially when passing 4.5k rpm. Aside from a lambda sensor, it was utterly reliable.
WRT the cylinder liners, I suspect pat of the problem is the lack of a temp gauge on the E90 series and that the N45 engine doesn't have the fancy cooling system (elec water pump and thermostat) of the N52), which means they are more prone to thermal shock from hard use when cold. I used to keep below 3k rpm and 50% load until I got a reading on the dash oil level (oil needs to be warm to register a reading). Surprisingly, give what I had read, the 320Si didn't use any oil either, despite being mercilessly thrashed.
I'd stop short of saying they are likely to be a future classic, but probably depreciation proof for in the near future.
In comparison, the 330i is faster, more relaxed when cruising (higher geared) and more economical Valvetronic/fancy cooing system/higher geared). The 320Si handled better, you really can feel the shorter, lighter engine. They sound pretty good too, especially when passing 4.5k rpm. Aside from a lambda sensor, it was utterly reliable.
WRT the cylinder liners, I suspect pat of the problem is the lack of a temp gauge on the E90 series and that the N45 engine doesn't have the fancy cooling system (elec water pump and thermostat) of the N52), which means they are more prone to thermal shock from hard use when cold. I used to keep below 3k rpm and 50% load until I got a reading on the dash oil level (oil needs to be warm to register a reading). Surprisingly, give what I had read, the 320Si didn't use any oil either, despite being mercilessly thrashed.
I'd stop short of saying they are likely to be a future classic, but probably depreciation proof for in the near future.
stevesingo said:
I ran one for 2yrs. It was great, if not fast. Some one ran it to it, so it was written off and I couldn't find another is similar condition so replaced it with a 330i (N52).
In comparison, the 330i is faster, more relaxed when cruising (higher geared) and more economical Valvetronic/fancy cooing system/higher geared). The 320Si handled better, you really can feel the shorter, lighter engine. They sound pretty good too, especially when passing 4.5k rpm. Aside from a lambda sensor, it was utterly reliable.
WRT the cylinder liners, I suspect pat of the problem is the lack of a temp gauge on the E90 series and that the N45 engine doesn't have the fancy cooling system (elec water pump and thermostat) of the N52), which means they are more prone to thermal shock from hard use when cold. I used to keep below 3k rpm and 50% load until I got a reading on the dash oil level (oil needs to be warm to register a reading). Surprisingly, give what I had read, the 320Si didn't use any oil either, despite being mercilessly thrashed.
I'd stop short of saying they are likely to be a future classic, but probably depreciation proof for in the near future.
Yeah I agree I think they have the potential to be sought after one day that’s why it’s so hard to value this car with such low mileage and ownership etc...In comparison, the 330i is faster, more relaxed when cruising (higher geared) and more economical Valvetronic/fancy cooing system/higher geared). The 320Si handled better, you really can feel the shorter, lighter engine. They sound pretty good too, especially when passing 4.5k rpm. Aside from a lambda sensor, it was utterly reliable.
WRT the cylinder liners, I suspect pat of the problem is the lack of a temp gauge on the E90 series and that the N45 engine doesn't have the fancy cooling system (elec water pump and thermostat) of the N52), which means they are more prone to thermal shock from hard use when cold. I used to keep below 3k rpm and 50% load until I got a reading on the dash oil level (oil needs to be warm to register a reading). Surprisingly, give what I had read, the 320Si didn't use any oil either, despite being mercilessly thrashed.
I'd stop short of saying they are likely to be a future classic, but probably depreciation proof for in the near future.
kayc said:
stevesingo said:
I ran one for 2yrs. It was great, if not fast. Some one ran it to it, so it was written off and I couldn't find another is similar condition so replaced it with a 330i (N52).
In comparison, the 330i is faster, more relaxed when cruising (higher geared) and more economical Valvetronic/fancy cooing system/higher geared). The 320Si handled better, you really can feel the shorter, lighter engine. They sound pretty good too, especially when passing 4.5k rpm. Aside from a lambda sensor, it was utterly reliable.
WRT the cylinder liners, I suspect pat of the problem is the lack of a temp gauge on the E90 series and that the N45 engine doesn't have the fancy cooling system (elec water pump and thermostat) of the N52), which means they are more prone to thermal shock from hard use when cold. I used to keep below 3k rpm and 50% load until I got a reading on the dash oil level (oil needs to be warm to register a reading). Surprisingly, give what I had read, the 320Si didn't use any oil either, despite being mercilessly thrashed.
I'd stop short of saying they are likely to be a future classic, but probably depreciation proof for in the near future.
Yeah I agree I think they have the potential to be sought after one day that’s why it’s so hard to value this car with such low mileage and ownership etc...In comparison, the 330i is faster, more relaxed when cruising (higher geared) and more economical Valvetronic/fancy cooing system/higher geared). The 320Si handled better, you really can feel the shorter, lighter engine. They sound pretty good too, especially when passing 4.5k rpm. Aside from a lambda sensor, it was utterly reliable.
WRT the cylinder liners, I suspect pat of the problem is the lack of a temp gauge on the E90 series and that the N45 engine doesn't have the fancy cooling system (elec water pump and thermostat) of the N52), which means they are more prone to thermal shock from hard use when cold. I used to keep below 3k rpm and 50% load until I got a reading on the dash oil level (oil needs to be warm to register a reading). Surprisingly, give what I had read, the 320Si didn't use any oil either, despite being mercilessly thrashed.
I'd stop short of saying they are likely to be a future classic, but probably depreciation proof for in the near future.
Or an auction.
kayc said:
Mr Tidy said:
isleofthorns said:
I had one new... manual...
made a decent noise.
handled well.
fuel consumption was pretty bad - low 20's.
330 a much better proposition
Surely that says it all!made a decent noise.
handled well.
fuel consumption was pretty bad - low 20's.
330 a much better proposition
Why would you?
Rare <> better.
Edited by Deep Thought on Monday 5th April 13:47
Edited by Deep Thought on Monday 5th April 13:47
Court_S said:
I quite like them for the rarity / oddity factor; the wheels are lovely.
They’re not the most reliable things as mentioned though. There is a chap who has a readers car thread on his.
Agreed. I'd always fancied one but those engines are a bit disastrous. You're in to several thousand for a rebuilt when it goes.They’re not the most reliable things as mentioned though. There is a chap who has a readers car thread on his.
330i will sound better, go better, be easier to maintain, less prone to big bills and be cheaper to boot.
Those Motorsport alloys were also fitted to the 130i LE and later 320d Business Edition cars around 2008 / 2009 so not hard to pick up second hand
Deep Thought said:
Agreed. I'd always fancied one but those engines are a bit disastrous. You're in to several thousand for a rebuilt when it goes.
330i will sound better, go better, be easier to maintain, less prone to big bills and be cheaper to boot.
Those Motorsport alloys were also fitted to the 130i LE and later 320d Business Edition cars around 2008 / 2009 so not hard to pick up second hand
I’d love a set of those wheels for the 125i but am too tight to pay the prices they’re fetch on eBay.330i will sound better, go better, be easier to maintain, less prone to big bills and be cheaper to boot.
Those Motorsport alloys were also fitted to the 130i LE and later 320d Business Edition cars around 2008 / 2009 so not hard to pick up second hand
Court_S said:
Deep Thought said:
Agreed. I'd always fancied one but those engines are a bit disastrous. You're in to several thousand for a rebuilt when it goes.
330i will sound better, go better, be easier to maintain, less prone to big bills and be cheaper to boot.
Those Motorsport alloys were also fitted to the 130i LE and later 320d Business Edition cars around 2008 / 2009 so not hard to pick up second hand
I’d love a set of those wheels for the 125i but am too tight to pay the prices they’re fetch on eBay.330i will sound better, go better, be easier to maintain, less prone to big bills and be cheaper to boot.
Those Motorsport alloys were also fitted to the 130i LE and later 320d Business Edition cars around 2008 / 2009 so not hard to pick up second hand
Deep Thought said:
Court_S said:
Deep Thought said:
Agreed. I'd always fancied one but those engines are a bit disastrous. You're in to several thousand for a rebuilt when it goes.
330i will sound better, go better, be easier to maintain, less prone to big bills and be cheaper to boot.
Those Motorsport alloys were also fitted to the 130i LE and later 320d Business Edition cars around 2008 / 2009 so not hard to pick up second hand
I’d love a set of those wheels for the 125i but am too tight to pay the prices they’re fetch on eBay.330i will sound better, go better, be easier to maintain, less prone to big bills and be cheaper to boot.
Those Motorsport alloys were also fitted to the 130i LE and later 320d Business Edition cars around 2008 / 2009 so not hard to pick up second hand
Also bear in mind the E90 ones are different to the 1-series types
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