Long-termer 318d E91 N47
Discussion
MOT passed 150,000 miles, I did have to replace the front 'halo side-light'. Have a quick DIY system for these lights, BMW in their infinite wisdom would want you to buy a new unit, as the bulb is originally soldered in.
But, a simple file of the solder holding the bulb in place, then replace the bulb, and tape it back, £2 job done!
Wife crashed it again, so it now has matching scuffs on the either side of the front bumpers
Apart from its bruises, its still a cracking motor.
But, a simple file of the solder holding the bulb in place, then replace the bulb, and tape it back, £2 job done!
Wife crashed it again, so it now has matching scuffs on the either side of the front bumpers
Apart from its bruises, its still a cracking motor.
3 month update, will pass over to 154,000 miles this week with a jaunt down to Lizard, Cornwall - taking this over the Vectra this time, give that shed a rest!
The roof box has been deployed - air-con has packed up officially now in this (first world issue really), so may get it looked at next oil service see what can be done on the cheap.
Looking at getting my steel wheels sorted also, with fresh winter rubber soon "while they are cheaper" then do the swap come November time, didn't do it last year and there was a few issues when my wife got stuck, so keen this time to try get that done, at least in preparation.
The roof box has been deployed - air-con has packed up officially now in this (first world issue really), so may get it looked at next oil service see what can be done on the cheap.
Looking at getting my steel wheels sorted also, with fresh winter rubber soon "while they are cheaper" then do the swap come November time, didn't do it last year and there was a few issues when my wife got stuck, so keen this time to try get that done, at least in preparation.
Edited by 7 5 7 on Sunday 20th August 16:23
It's serving you well. I be annoyed with the bumper scuffs even on a well used family car though like to keep ours looking as good as possible despite their years and mileage. We've a 10 year old Tdi Tiguan that we've had since nearly new, 175000 on it now, I service it myself every 10k. It doesn't owe us much and isn't worth much anymore but my wife clocks up about 1000 miles a month in it.
My E91 325i came fitted with Bridgestone Blizzak run-flats winters on 16" rims when I bought it in February 2018.
Then in March the Beast from the East arrived and I was amazed at how well they coped with snow.
While we haven't had any in the South East since I still keep swapping to winters every year on my daily - I still remember how hopeless my 1 Series was on summer tyres in 2010!
Then in March the Beast from the East arrived and I was amazed at how well they coped with snow.
While we haven't had any in the South East since I still keep swapping to winters every year on my daily - I still remember how hopeless my 1 Series was on summer tyres in 2010!
It's day and night difference in running a set tbh, so I am happy to carry on especially as the car is a long termer.
The steels and winters will pay for themselves, probably already have tbh.
Ordered X4 Nankang Winters from MyTyres, £190 delivered, happy with that price tbh, can't see them getting any cheaper than that, will chuck them in the boot and get them mounted at the next service around 158k - so they are ready to go in Nov when I will swap them.
Have used Riken, Tomket, Avon and Bridgestones over the years as winters on this, and on previous cars, all been superb in winter weather and proper snow - so I have no doubts over these Nankang's.
The steels and winters will pay for themselves, probably already have tbh.
Ordered X4 Nankang Winters from MyTyres, £190 delivered, happy with that price tbh, can't see them getting any cheaper than that, will chuck them in the boot and get them mounted at the next service around 158k - so they are ready to go in Nov when I will swap them.
Have used Riken, Tomket, Avon and Bridgestones over the years as winters on this, and on previous cars, all been superb in winter weather and proper snow - so I have no doubts over these Nankang's.
Edited by 7 5 7 on Monday 21st August 22:55
I’m a big fan of the E91; my wife’s leggy 330i has wormed its way into my affections in a big way.
Still drives well enough with 165k but I’m working my way through the suspension. It’s annoying how much of the boot needs stripping to access the top mounts. At least there’s room in the car.
I’ve got some rust in the drivers side, rear wheel arch to sort.
Still drives well enough with 165k but I’m working my way through the suspension. It’s annoying how much of the boot needs stripping to access the top mounts. At least there’s room in the car.
I’ve got some rust in the drivers side, rear wheel arch to sort.
Court_S said:
I’m a big fan of the E91; my wife’s leggy 330i has wormed its way into my affections in a big way.
Still drives well enough with 165k but I’m working my way through the suspension. It’s annoying how much of the boot needs stripping to access the top mounts. At least there’s room in the car.
I’ve got some rust in the drivers side, rear wheel arch to sort.
Yeah, they are lovely cars, great proportions tbh, great to drive even this lowly 318d - 330i petrol is perfect almost I think!Still drives well enough with 165k but I’m working my way through the suspension. It’s annoying how much of the boot needs stripping to access the top mounts. At least there’s room in the car.
I’ve got some rust in the drivers side, rear wheel arch to sort.
Oh yes, I know all about the rear top mounts, ripped all mine out last year as I replaced some weeping shocks.
Original ones lasted way into 140k, that's all I have replaced on this car since it was new, everything else is original suspension wise, with no knocks or anything, quite remarkable if you compare it too my shed Vectra C of the same timeline era!!
7 5 7 said:
Yeah, they are lovely cars, great proportions tbh, great to drive even this lowly 318d - 330i petrol is perfect almost I think!
Oh yes, I know all about the rear top mounts, ripped all mine out last year as I replaced some weeping shocks.
Original ones lasted way into 140k, that's all I have replaced on this car since it was new, everything else is original suspension wise, with no knocks or anything, quite remarkable if you compare it too my shed Vectra C of the same timeline era!!
I'm another fan of these cars. I've become really quite attached to my 330i, although it's an E90 because I just couldn't find a decent manual E91 when I was replacing my 325i - well not for sensible money. Oh yes, I know all about the rear top mounts, ripped all mine out last year as I replaced some weeping shocks.
Original ones lasted way into 140k, that's all I have replaced on this car since it was new, everything else is original suspension wise, with no knocks or anything, quite remarkable if you compare it too my shed Vectra C of the same timeline era!!
My E90 needed new rear shocks and top mounts at 117K miles after a few months of clonking about. My Indy reckons the only reason it didn't get advisories for leaking shocks was because all the fluid had already escaped!
7 5 7 said:
Yeah, they are lovely cars, great proportions tbh, great to drive even this lowly 318d - 330i petrol is perfect almost I think!
Oh yes, I know all about the rear top mounts, ripped all mine out last year as I replaced some weeping shocks.
Original ones lasted way into 140k, that's all I have replaced on this car since it was new, everything else is original suspension wise, with no knocks or anything, quite remarkable if you compare it too my shed Vectra C of the same timeline era!!
The E91 is the best looking of this shape 3 series to my eyes. For us I find them a really good size for us and too drive. Oh yes, I know all about the rear top mounts, ripped all mine out last year as I replaced some weeping shocks.
Original ones lasted way into 140k, that's all I have replaced on this car since it was new, everything else is original suspension wise, with no knocks or anything, quite remarkable if you compare it too my shed Vectra C of the same timeline era!!
I’d definitely recommend removing the rear arch liners and cleaning all the crap out. Unfortunately it was a bit late for my wife’s car and I found some rust that needs sorting.
Court_S said:
It’s annoying how much of the boot needs stripping to access the top mounts. At least there’s room in the car.
A trait they carried over from the E46 Touring (and probably the E36 before that).Court_S said:
I’ve got some rust in the drivers side, rear wheel arch to sort.
Also a trait they carried over from the E46 Touring (and definitely the E36 before that).BFleming said:
Court_S said:
It’s annoying how much of the boot needs stripping to access the top mounts. At least there’s room in the car.
A trait they carried over from the E46 Touring (and probably the E36 before that).Court_S said:
I’ve got some rust in the drivers side, rear wheel arch to sort.
Also a trait they carried over from the E46 Touring (and definitely the E36 before that).Lovely snowy weather up near me, winter tyres performed excellent as usual, stopped worrying these days, I will always have at least one car in the household with a set especially on a longer termer, they are a great comfort/safety blanket.
Cars stuck around you? No worries, simply do a u-turn and go the back roads.
Went to collect the Christmas tree, stuck it on the roof - very festive morning.
Cars stuck around you? No worries, simply do a u-turn and go the back roads.
Went to collect the Christmas tree, stuck it on the roof - very festive morning.
Edited by 7 5 7 on Sunday 3rd December 10:56
7 5 7 said:
Lovely snowy weather up near me, winter tyres performed excellent as usual, stopped worrying these days, I will always have at least one car in the household with a set especially on a longer termer, they are a great comfort/safety blanket.
Cars stuck around you? No worries, simply do a u-turn and go the back roads.
Went to collect the Christmas tree, stuck it on the roof - very festive morning.
Great job with the tyres Cars stuck around you? No worries, simply do a u-turn and go the back roads.
Went to collect the Christmas tree, stuck it on the roof - very festive morning.
Edited by 7 5 7 on Sunday 3rd December 10:56
A good pal of mine lives on the tops near Harrogate as he works on the base up there and just got his winters fitted last week; bloody good timing as they've been snowed in for a few days now. He's had no issues getting to base and back!
We've had no snow here but it's been -5ºC most days until mid / late morning and then -7 to -8ºC overnight; the Goodyear all-seasons I've fitted for 'winters' on my F31 have been superb
159,000 miles.
The 3 series is booked in for it's oil service and MOT in a few weeks time.
It's still running it's steel wheels, now naked as the wheel trims were annoying me and I lost one....I think to theft, as they are on so bloody tight to get off!!
Summer alloys will be back on at the weekend, if I get a free slot.
Took the chance today to fix a very smelly, blown PCV breather pipe, that has been causing jumpy/idling issues and hesitation.
It was completely knackered, it came apart as I looked at it, it was so brittle.
All cleaned up, there was alot of blow by, it's running alot better now anyway, £7 fix
The 3 series is booked in for it's oil service and MOT in a few weeks time.
It's still running it's steel wheels, now naked as the wheel trims were annoying me and I lost one....I think to theft, as they are on so bloody tight to get off!!
Summer alloys will be back on at the weekend, if I get a free slot.
Took the chance today to fix a very smelly, blown PCV breather pipe, that has been causing jumpy/idling issues and hesitation.
It was completely knackered, it came apart as I looked at it, it was so brittle.
All cleaned up, there was alot of blow by, it's running alot better now anyway, £7 fix
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