Another silver BMW - 2005 330i Touring

[B'stard Child]

JakeT said:

An enjoyable trip to Belgium was had. Partly for some R&R and Spa activities, and partly to start stocking up on good things for Christmas.

Scores on the doors. Very agreeable economy this trip. The only time I’ve done a comfortable 500+ miles before needing to fill up:

Bravo

[Swervin_Mervin]

That's a good effort! Best I've ever managed was about 34-35mpg!

[MDMA .]

B'stard Child said:

JakeT said:

An enjoyable trip to Belgium was had. Partly for some R&R and Spa activities, and partly to start stocking up on good things for Christmas.

Scores on the doors. Very agreeable economy this trip. The only time I’ve done a comfortable 500+ miles before needing to fill up:

Bravo

New E91 owner here. Does the above only show on the last trip before switching the engine off or can you see what a previous trip did? Just wondering if I could see what mine did after picking it up from Dundee the other week.

[Court_S]

That’s not a bad effort at all; they’re pretty good on fuel when covering distances.

[JakeT]

B'stard Child said:

Bravo

It was unintentional, and surprising more than anything! I take it easy in Belgium, as well… Belgian drivers have their own style.

Swervin_Mervin said:

That's a good effort! Best I've ever managed was about 34-35mpg!

Normally this does similar, too. That said my long term average is 32ish. I live in the boonies, so no short runs and very little urban traffic, too.

MDMA . said:

New E91 owner here. Does the above only show on the last trip before switching the engine off or can you see what a previous trip did? Just wondering if I could see what mine did after picking it up from Dundee the other week.

There’s two. The standard OBC stuff, and this journey one (if the car has iDrive). They both need to be reset manually. Newer cars have them auto-reset every journey, but on these they have to be done yourself.

Court_S said:

That’s not a bad effort at all; they’re pretty good on fuel when covering distances.

Agreed! I’ve never thought the fuel economy all that bad, and after adjustment the BC is bang on. Even a little pessimistic. One stop for fuel was done with 508.3 miles showing on the trip, and it took 59.7 litres. With my maths that works out to around 38.6. Very agreeable, albeit rare. Usually the lure of using it as intended will bring it down a good amount. That said, even long distances at 100-140 I can just about eek 30MPG out of it.

[Swervin_Mervin]

JakeT said:

Swervin_Mervin said:

That's a good effort! Best I've ever managed was about 34-35mpg!

Normally this does similar, too. That said my long term average is 32ish. I live in the boonies, so no short runs and very little urban traffic, too.

Yeeaahhh. My long term average is more like 24-25mpg That's urban driving for you though.

[Court_S]

JakeT said:

Agreed! I’ve never thought the fuel economy all that bad, and after adjustment the BC is bang on. Even a little pessimistic. One stop for fuel was done with 508.3 miles showing on the trip, and it took 59.7 litres. With my maths that works out to around 38.6. Very agreeable, albeit rare. Usually the lure of using it as intended will bring it down a good amount. That said, even long distances at 100-140 I can just about eek 30MPG out of it.

It gets a bit boring trying to get a high mpg but they are capable. Best I’ve had out if my 335i was 37.6 but it was bloody boring.

It’s usually high 20’s, which is fine.

[bolidemichael]

I've just caught up on your summer hols and it was a wonderful trip! I do agree about the autobahnen, hugely frustrating during the day with a massive speed disparity on congested roads and uber aggressive drivers. I've noticed that the speeds maintained in the restricted areas at +20kmh on top of the limits, too.

You and I have both been to Ghent recently; in my case, it was an overnighter at a Uni friend's, so effectively in and out again on this occassion!

[JakeT]

bolidemichael said:

I've just caught up on your summer hols and it was a wonderful trip! I do agree about the autobahnen, hugely frustrating during the day with a massive speed disparity on congested roads and uber aggressive drivers. I've noticed that the speeds maintained in the restricted areas at +20kmh on top of the limits, too.

You and I have both been to Ghent recently; in my case, it was an overnighter at a Uni friend's, so effectively in and out again on this occassion!

From someone that posts such great trip reports, that’s most kind of you to say, thank you.

Agreed. While sometimes one can do some very wild speeds, I usually get the hammer down and then have to slow for traffic or works. As you mention, since I stick to limits then, the diesel golf I just blasted past overtakes again.

Ghent is great. My brother lived there and in the Netherlands for a while, too. We stopped in Ghent on the way back on Monday, too. We had a long lunch and did a little more shopping, too. Being on the right side of Brussels for the Chunnel helps, too.

[bolidemichael]

JakeT said:

bolidemichael said:

I've just caught up on your summer hols and it was a wonderful trip! I do agree about the autobahnen, hugely frustrating during the day with a massive speed disparity on congested roads and uber aggressive drivers. I've noticed that the speeds maintained in the restricted areas at +20kmh on top of the limits, too.

You and I have both been to Ghent recently; in my case, it was an overnighter at a Uni friend's, so effectively in and out again on this occassion!

From someone that posts such great trip reports, that’s most kind of you to say, thank you.

Agreed. While sometimes one can do some very wild speeds, I usually get the hammer down and then have to slow for traffic or works. As you mention, since I stick to limits then, the diesel golf I just blasted past overtakes again.

Ghent is great. My brother lived there and in the Netherlands for a while, too. We stopped in Ghent on the way back on Monday, too. We had a long lunch and did a little more shopping, too. Being on the right side of Brussels for the Chunnel helps, too.

Do you speak German or Liechtensteinoise then? It wouldn't often occur to me to take such an exotic tour through Europe.

[JakeT]

bolidemichael said:

Do you speak German or Liechtensteinoise then? It wouldn't often occur to me to take such an exotic tour through Europe.

I do, German.Not excellently but I can get by. My dad did his degree in German and French, lived in West Germany and speaks both fluently. I’m envious, my grasp of languages is nowhere near that.

I’m usually more comfortable in German speaking countries, because If things go tits up I can just about get my point across where needed.

[bolidemichael]

JakeT said:

bolidemichael said:

Do you speak German or Liechtensteinoise then? It wouldn't often occur to me to take such an exotic tour through Europe.

I do, German.Not excellently but I can get by. My dad did his degree in German and French, lived in West Germany and speaks both fluently. I’m envious, my grasp of languages is nowhere near that.

I’m usually more comfortable in German speaking countries, because If things go tits up I can just about get my point across where needed.

Hence why I gravitate towards French (pigeon) and Spain/Italy (gesticulate)!

[JakeT]

Not an exciting update here. Still tramping on, passing through 194,000 miles this weekend.

Nipped the engine cover off to look at what will need doing soon. Valvetronic motor gasket is leaking.



I’ll get one ordered and fit it. And an oil cap too, as I think that’s leaking slightly. Surprisingly the valve cover isn’t leaking, which is good going for the mileage. I’ll probably leave that alone and just do the valvetronic one, and see how we go. Off to Sweden at the end of the month.

[JakeT]

4 Year Update

Well, I didn't think I'd really own this for so long. But a pandemic, and other things put paid to that. 2020 and 2022 have been the only years since I passed my test where I haven't bought or sold a car.

That said, according to my records, I bought this on the 25th June 2019, with 138,225 miles on the clock. Conveniently, the mileage it currently sits on is... 198,159. A nice 59,934 miles, or 14,983 miles per year. Considering I've been primarily working from home since March 2020, it's not bad going.

In the previous 4 years, it's visited:

• France
• Belgium
• Luxembourg
• The Netherlands
• Germany
• Lichenstein
• Austria
• Switzerland
• Denmark
• Sweden
• All four furthest extremeties of the continuous Great Britain.

I'd like to visit Italy, or Spain and Portuagal, soon. Tentative plans are afoot.

And, what does it take to keep one of these 'fighting fit' over advancing age and miles?

• 6 Oil Changes and Microfilters
• 3 Air Filters
• 1 pair of Rear brake calipers
• 1 set of rear brake pads
• 1 Waterpump (This was preventative, really.)
• 2 Thermosats (One wasn't really needed as the thermostad had died)
• 1 Starter Motor
• 1 AC Compressor
• 1 Belt, and tensioner
• 1 Battery
• 2 Rear suspension arms
• Rear Brake lines
• A couple of gaskets

There's also lots of elective spending, that probably wasn't needed. Lots of while you're in there jobs, and a new Birds B3 kit. So, what was the cost for this?

A total of... £6,945.32. And that excludes tyres and cash bits.

How does it feel after these miles now? Well, it's definitely not brand new. But it's still willing, and will go (on road) Anywhere. It's been ever the faithful companion. Births, Christenings, weddinds, and indeed funerals. It does it all, and has been faultlessly reliable in doing so. I should hope so, with such lavish expenditure on an old car.

I was going to save this write-up for 200k, but this is a nice time to do it. What are the plans for it, currently? Not a lot, really. I need to change the oil soon, which is on order, and resolve an oil leak from (I think) the valvetronic gasket. The rear subframe needs tidying up as it's getting quite grotty, and some paintwork. Otherwise, I'll do what it does best. Drive it some more, and more, and more...

I'll get some pics soon, too. Have one for now. In Belgium, on a nice jolly. (Wearing winter wheels)

[Court_S]

Good update; it’s certainly been well used and done some great euro trips.

I’m growing very found of our E91 very quickly, even though it’s like an oven in this weather with no A/C!

I’ve got a few leaks to look into but it’s coming up to 161k.

[Mr Tidy]

That's good going!

I bought my E90 330i in March 2019 and it's only done about 15K miles since then. But I did a 500+ mile round trip in 2 days last week and it performed brilliantly. Then again it's only done 121K miles.

[d_a_n1979]

That's a cracking update and inside story; great touring

My pals E91 330D and his Dad's F31 330D are both about to cross 200k miles; a lot of trips to Germany & back for the 'job' they do... TBH the E91 seems to have faired better bodywork wise; but as you've said re yours, his rear subframe looks a bit hammered. He's ordered a better condition 2nd hand one and it's coming to me to take to my pal's powdercoating business later this week, then I think he's going to rebuild it, but all OEM (Lemforder etc)

I really wanted an E91 (335i ideally) but when I'd test driven a few 320Ds local to me (which TBH were great cars, very well looked after etc); just too small for me

The F31 is much roomier

[JakeT]

Court_S said:

Good update; it’s certainly been well used and done some great euro trips.

I’m growing very found of our E91 very quickly, even though it’s like an oven in this weather with no A/C!

I’ve got a few leaks to look into but it’s coming up to 161k.

The no AC would get me. These cars are kind of crap with the window down and no sunroof (on mine) for ventilation doesn’t help. You’ll get there though, it’s just a little galling to have to do this work so soon.

Mr Tidy said:

That's good going!

I bought my E90 330i in March 2019 and it's only done about 15K miles since then. But I did a 500+ mile round trip in 2 days last week and it performed brilliantly. Then again it's only done 121K miles.

Good stuff. Easy miles, since they’re a modern day Sierra equivalent. I think my max miles for a day is 550 in one trip. Neither the car, or I minded really.

d_a_n1979 said:

That's a cracking update and inside story; great touring

My pals E91 330D and his Dad's F31 330D are both about to cross 200k miles; a lot of trips to Germany & back for the 'job' they do... TBH the E91 seems to have faired better bodywork wise; but as you've said re yours, his rear subframe looks a bit hammered. He's ordered a better condition 2nd hand one and it's coming to me to take to my pal's powdercoating business later this week, then I think he's going to rebuild it, but all OEM (Lemforder etc)

I really wanted an E91 (335i ideally) but when I'd test driven a few 320Ds local to me (which TBH were great cars, very well looked after etc); just too small for me

The F31 is much roomier

When I bought this I was expecting to do 30k per year, but things changed fortunately. My plan is the same for the rear subframe. I may put M3 subframe bushes in though, as standard E90 ones are quite soft to account for the run flat tyres these cars came with new.

F31 is definitely larger, even though the E90 is becoming a mini 5 series.

[d_a_n1979]

JakeT said:

When I bought this I was expecting to do 30k per year, but things changed fortunately. My plan is the same for the rear subframe. I may put M3 subframe bushes in though, as standard E90 ones are quite soft to account for the run flat tyres these cars came with new.

F31 is definitely larger, even though the E90 is becoming a mini 5 series.

Yeah; least it's eating the miles up pal. Probably does it better than lower miles etc...

My pals sticking with OEM Lemforder as he carries a fair bit of weight in there at times (he's currently having his E39 M5 engine rebuilt in Germany, so he's hauled all sorts across for that whilst my pals body shop is sorting the body etc)

I know he's running the Bilstein B12 kit on it; cheaper to buy/fit that than it was to go for OEM spec; said it's the best upgrade he's done to the car (bar the turbo rebuild and remap etc)

[Court_S]

JakeT said:

When I bought this I was expecting to do 30k per year, but things changed fortunately. My plan is the same for the rear subframe. I may put M3 subframe bushes in though, as standard E90 ones are quite soft to account for the run flat tyres these cars came with new.

F31 is definitely larger, even though the E90 is becoming a mini 5 series.

Our E91 has had a new subframe fitted due to corrosion. The previous owner decided that it was easier just to whack in a new subframe rather than relieve and refurb the old one. They do seem to be a bit of an issue in this era car now.