BMW E91 LIC 325i xDrive manual handling and common issues
Discussion
Hi all,
I’m considering buying a 2010+ BMW E91 325i xDrive manual with around 95,000 miles on the clock and would appreciate some advice from owners or anyone familiar with these cars.
What are they like to drive? I’m particularly interested in the steering feel, ride comfort and handling. I only drove RWD pre-LCI E90 before and that was superb... How does the xDrive version compare with the rear-wheel-drive model? What are the common faults and expensive issues to watch out for at this age and mileage? Are there any particular concerns with the engine, drivetrain or xDrive system?
Also, what maintenance should have been done by now, and what would you check during a viewing and test drive? Any ownership experiences or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Michal
I’m considering buying a 2010+ BMW E91 325i xDrive manual with around 95,000 miles on the clock and would appreciate some advice from owners or anyone familiar with these cars.
What are they like to drive? I’m particularly interested in the steering feel, ride comfort and handling. I only drove RWD pre-LCI E90 before and that was superb... How does the xDrive version compare with the rear-wheel-drive model? What are the common faults and expensive issues to watch out for at this age and mileage? Are there any particular concerns with the engine, drivetrain or xDrive system?
Also, what maintenance should have been done by now, and what would you check during a viewing and test drive? Any ownership experiences or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Michal
MichalPH said:
Thank you! I was underbthe impressionnthat it has a detuned N52B30... That changes a lot and explaines why they are so cheap....
Michal
You might be right re it being an N52. In the UK I think only the N53 was used post 2009. You can check by putting the car details into the realoem website-you’ll get a definitive answer that way. Michal
Yeah, will certainly be N53. You probably want to see all injectors recently replaced with index 11, they're frightfully expensive now/unobtanium. Other main issues are NOX cat/sensor that's solved with a sensor emulator and maybe the HPFP, although not always a problem now. It will have electro-mechanical steering which may or may not be a problem for you depending on use case.
I know xDrive has beefier front suspension to handle the extra weight but unsure how this affects the ride/handling. M-Sport handles pretty well but is pretty crashy as standard. I'm about to upgrade my springs/dampers to deal with the crumbling state of the roads a bit better.
ETA: other common N52/N53 issues you'd see at that mileage - electric water pumps don't seem to last much more than 60k and gaskets not much longer (oil filter and oil cooler housing, valve cover (watch out for cracked cover also), sump), low pressure fuel sensor.
All things to check, not necessarily going to be present.
I know xDrive has beefier front suspension to handle the extra weight but unsure how this affects the ride/handling. M-Sport handles pretty well but is pretty crashy as standard. I'm about to upgrade my springs/dampers to deal with the crumbling state of the roads a bit better.
ETA: other common N52/N53 issues you'd see at that mileage - electric water pumps don't seem to last much more than 60k and gaskets not much longer (oil filter and oil cooler housing, valve cover (watch out for cracked cover also), sump), low pressure fuel sensor.
All things to check, not necessarily going to be present.
Edited by preacherman on Friday 9th October 10:42
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