Buying Advice: E90 Convertible (325i / 330i / 330d) – What t

[ollie260]

I’m in the market for an E90 convertible — ideally a 325i or 330i, though I’d consider a 330d as well. Probably going to steer clear of the 335i based on what I’ve read about running costs and potential upkeep - happy to be challenged on this.

Budget is around £8k, ideally looking for something with under 80k miles.

Would really appreciate any advice on what to look out for — common failure points, problem areas, or anything specific to these engines and the convertible roof.

Thanks in advance!

[preacherman]

As an N53 330i owner; stay clear of anything N53. When they're running well, they're great but anything being sold these days is likely to have issues with it which can stretch into the £000's to fix. Along with much head scratching and diagnosis (via bimmerprofs blog). Even low milers aren't safe from many of the big issues. They're the basis for the N54 335i's just without turbo's etc. Pre-summer '07 is the N52 - much simpler to maintain and you don't lose much on power or fuel consumption vs the later engine. Plenty of guys here will sing their praises.

[Mr Tidy]

I'm one of those guys preacherman is referring to!

After reading about the issues with the N53 engines when I was looking for a manual petrol 6 cylinder Touring (E91) in 2018 I bought a 2006 325i with the N52. It had done 132K miles with full BMWSH, but didn't perform quite as well as I had hoped it would so a year later I sold it on 139K miles and replaced it with a 2005 Saloon (E90) 330i that I still have.

It performs significantly better and has also had no mechanical issues despite reaching 128K miles.

The only issue is the N52 engines were only fitted to early E9* models so most will have done more than 80K miles. But N52s easily cope with 6 figure mileages and based on the two I've had that wouldn't put me off.

[Kondeeler]

I have had a 2008 325i convertible, with the N53 motor, for just over 4 years. Apart from consumables-tyres, brake pads and discs, it has been faultless.
Good turn of speed, when needed, and has an overall MPG of 33.2.
Got all the toys, including Bluetooth, DAB and the 800W Individual Audio system.
Still get a thrill when I get in.
My advice?
Find one with no more than 2 owners, full service history, less than 7K miles/year and check it out with a decent OBD scanner and you will get a great motor.

[danb79]

ollie260 said:

I’m in the market for an E90 convertible — ideally a 325i or 330i, though I’d consider a 330d as well. Probably going to steer clear of the 335i based on what I’ve read about running costs and potential upkeep - happy to be challenged on this.

Budget is around £8k, ideally looking for something with under 80k miles.

Would really appreciate any advice on what to look out for — common failure points, problem areas, or anything specific to these engines and the convertible roof.

Thanks in advance!

IMO with that budget; have a look to see what Jap import E9x cars are going for

Check Car & Classic, Seymour Pope (there's deffo a joke in that name somewhere ), 4 Star Classics, Autotrader, eBay etc

[twokcc]

Ignore the warnings about the N53 at your own risk.
Also on here there is a video of what happens when the rear drains get blocked up literally tubs of water flood from inside when blockage in rear cill removed.

I decided on a 1 series 125i convertible has the n52 engine (218bhp as its detuned by BMW) with 6 speed auto box. 80K miles 2010 silver with coral leather, sat nav heated seats with lumber adjustment and harmon Kardon. Past last 6 mot's with no advisories
Very similar inside to an e93. looked at a 2series with 8 speed zf box but ts ionly 4 cylinder in 230i. IMO the 6 cylinder N52 far nicer to drive than the 4 pot 2 series and above £10k cheaper. AND its a fabric' roof.. Will have the usual oil leaks and need a water pump at about 80k miles, don't tend to rust and anyone can maintain them
Not many about so may take time to find one

[Lee630i]

As a former N53 owner in a 630i, I can vouch that the engine was a pig. Steer clear. When running, it was smooth, good performance and of course lower road tax. Never again for me.

Drop your budget and have plenty of change for a rag top e46? Solid M54 engine, reliable roof, alot simpler car. 231bhp from the 330i but a lighter car.

Rust is the main issue on these now, easy to identify with crusty arches and jacking points

[Ian Geary]

N53 owner here (5 series).

Although I managed a new record 40mpg on the motorway today, for years it was stuck at 22mpg everywhere.

All 6 injectors needed doing, 4 oxygen sensors and pretty much every gasket. Good coupe for grand there.

No-one is going to sell an N53 after they have done all that. Still, if you buy cheap like I did it just about stacks up.

It is a lovely engine when working.

My key takeaway: the *25i simply doesn't make sense. It's electronically limited and the lack of power makes the fuel cost and insurance stupid, whereas the *30i version is much punchier.

As I couldn't find a 530i manual touring i went with a 525i and spent 3 years regreting it (whilst trying to hammer out rough running and oil leaks)

I then spent £150 on a 3 stage manifold and £200 to get the 530i map put in and it transformed the car. Wish I'd done it on day one.