E91 Straight Six Bearding

[helix402]

Yes, sports and non sport seats are a straight swap. Re heating and electric seats, that’s not a straight swop, wiring etc will need adding.

[Matt_N]

PTF said:

Missed out on an E91 325i 2.5 at the weekend. SE spec, but with upgraded 18" wheels. It also seemed to have sports seats specified. 55 plate with 120k. And it was a manual gearbox! All for £3.5k

Tried to get in contact with the dealer repeatedly but they weren't answering. And now it's disappeared off autotrader.

An N52 E91 is a really hard thing to come across in that price range!

I'm considering the same thing - an early E91 N52, currently got an E46 330i manual and want to get something a bit newer but also an estate.

Seen a nice 325i T SE, manual but with sports seats, power wise it's only 10bhp down (228 v 218) but the torque is a fair wallop less (221 v 184), the performance figures aren't too dis-similar (6.6 v 7.2) but I'm guessing the mid-range and flexibility is a bit less in the 325i?

[zippyonline]

IIRC, but I might be getting different markets muddled up here, you can get the N52 325i up to 330i levels through a remap and installing the 3 stage intake manifold (i.e. with the DISA valves - but keep an eye on them!).

I have a leggy N52 in a 330i, the torque curve is very smooth. I've not driven a 325i to compare it to though. Manual N52 E91s are fairly rare it seems (last time I looked, in M Sport guise, there's less about than M3 CSLs), although not quite as rare as a manual N55 E91 335i!

[phil_cardiff]

Matt_N said:

PTF said:

Missed out on an E91 325i 2.5 at the weekend. SE spec, but with upgraded 18" wheels. It also seemed to have sports seats specified. 55 plate with 120k. And it was a manual gearbox! All for £3.5k

Tried to get in contact with the dealer repeatedly but they weren't answering. And now it's disappeared off autotrader.

An N52 E91 is a really hard thing to come across in that price range!

I'm considering the same thing - an early E91 N52, currently got an E46 330i manual and want to get something a bit newer but also an estate.

Seen a nice 325i T SE, manual but with sports seats, power wise it's only 10bhp down (228 v 218) but the torque is a fair wallop less (221 v 184), the performance figures aren't too dis-similar (6.6 v 7.2) but I'm guessing the mid-range and flexibility is a bit less in the 325i?

I had an 06 325i E91. It needed to be revved and was easy meat for bigger diesels on the motorway. Luckily revving the engine wasn't a chore when you wanted to make progress.

But if you wanted easy slugs of torque then it's not the engine for you.

[cerb4.5lee]

phil_cardiff said:

I had an 06 325i E91. It needed to be revved and was easy meat for bigger diesels on the motorway. Luckily revving the engine wasn't a chore when you wanted to make progress.

But if you wanted easy slugs of torque then it's not the engine for you.

My E90 330i came as a bit of a shock(it felt gutless unless you revved it out to it's redline) after having had a E90 330d, you make a great point with that for sure.

[zippyonline]

Having come from a little 1.6 98 bhp petrol mazda 323f, and my other car being an RX-8, I find the 330i quite torquey. I guess it's just compared to what you're used to

[phil_cardiff]

zippyonline said:

Having come from a little 1.6 98 bhp petrol mazda 323f, and my other car being an RX-8, I find the 330i quite torquey. I guess it's just compared to what you're used to

True. I was coming from 250bhp and 250ft/lbs in a Saab 9-5 aero so I definitely was used to a beefy mid-range.

[Matt_N]

Tbh I only drive to work 2 days a week and rarely use the car on the weekend, I don't really stretch its legs that often so a slight reduction in performance isn't too much of an issue.

Sounds like it enjoys being revved out though which in a sense is nice for when you do get to press on a bit.

I'm keen to go and take a look anyway, will report back.

[cerb4.5lee]

phil_cardiff said:

zippyonline said:

Having come from a little 1.6 98 bhp petrol mazda 323f, and my other car being an RX-8, I find the 330i quite torquey. I guess it's just compared to what you're used to

True. I was coming from 250bhp and 250ft/lbs in a Saab 9-5 aero so I definitely was used to a beefy mid-range.

Agree also and the 369ft/lbs I was used to in the 330d was nice, the 221ft/lbs in the 330i made it feel very much wanting in that respect, the 330i needs thrashing to deliver it's performance whereas the 330d has it on tap.

Although I class myself a petrol head I do think that the E90 330d makes the E90 330i pretty much redundant, and I never thought I would ever say that about a petrol engine.

[cerb4.5lee]

Matt_N said:

Sounds like it enjoys being revved out though which in a sense is nice for when you do get to press on a bit.

On clear back roads it is an enjoyable engine to open up, and then you can really enjoy the revs for sure.

[ferrisbueller]

cerb4.5lee said:

phil_cardiff said:

zippyonline said:

Having come from a little 1.6 98 bhp petrol mazda 323f, and my other car being an RX-8, I find the 330i quite torquey. I guess it's just compared to what you're used to

True. I was coming from 250bhp and 250ft/lbs in a Saab 9-5 aero so I definitely was used to a beefy mid-range.

Agree also and the 369ft/lbs I was used to in the 330d was nice, the 221ft/lbs in the 330i made it feel very much wanting in that respect, the 330i needs thrashing to deliver it's performance whereas the 330d has it on tap.

Although I class myself a petrol head I do think that the E90 330d makes the E90 330i pretty much redundant, and I never thought I would ever say that about a petrol engine.

Until it starts failing components.

Or you like petrol NA engines.

[cerb4.5lee]

ferrisbueller said:

cerb4.5lee said:

phil_cardiff said:

zippyonline said:

Having come from a little 1.6 98 bhp petrol mazda 323f, and my other car being an RX-8, I find the 330i quite torquey. I guess it's just compared to what you're used to

True. I was coming from 250bhp and 250ft/lbs in a Saab 9-5 aero so I definitely was used to a beefy mid-range.

Agree also and the 369ft/lbs I was used to in the 330d was nice, the 221ft/lbs in the 330i made it feel very much wanting in that respect, the 330i needs thrashing to deliver it's performance whereas the 330d has it on tap.

Although I class myself a petrol head I do think that the E90 330d makes the E90 330i pretty much redundant, and I never thought I would ever say that about a petrol engine.

Until it starts failing components.

Or you like petrol NA engines.

Fair point although the 330d was faultless over the 6 years/150k miles I had it, I like some petrol N/A engines and loved both my TVR/X5 N/A V8's, but I wasn't as keen on the N/A engines in my Z4M/E92 M3/E90 330i because those three don't offer up much torque, and need plenty of revs for their performance.

[ferrisbueller]

cerb4.5lee said:

ferrisbueller said:

cerb4.5lee said:

phil_cardiff said:

zippyonline said:

Having come from a little 1.6 98 bhp petrol mazda 323f, and my other car being an RX-8, I find the 330i quite torquey. I guess it's just compared to what you're used to

True. I was coming from 250bhp and 250ft/lbs in a Saab 9-5 aero so I definitely was used to a beefy mid-range.

Agree also and the 369ft/lbs I was used to in the 330d was nice, the 221ft/lbs in the 330i made it feel very much wanting in that respect, the 330i needs thrashing to deliver it's performance whereas the 330d has it on tap.

Although I class myself a petrol head I do think that the E90 330d makes the E90 330i pretty much redundant, and I never thought I would ever say that about a petrol engine.

Until it starts failing components.

Or you like petrol NA engines.

Fair point although the 330d was faultless over the 6 years/150k miles I had it, I like some petrol N/A engines and loved both my TVR/X5 N/A V8's, but I wasn't as keen on the N/A engines in my Z4M/E92 M3/E90 330i because those three don't offer up much torque, and need plenty of revs for their performance.

Each to their own. Personally I'm not keen on an engine that is all done at 5k. That's when most good engines are just getting going. I've got a >400 lb.ft petrol NA and you still need to rev it to get its best.

[cerb4.5lee]

ferrisbueller said:

cerb4.5lee said:

ferrisbueller said:

cerb4.5lee said:

phil_cardiff said:

zippyonline said:

Having come from a little 1.6 98 bhp petrol mazda 323f, and my other car being an RX-8, I find the 330i quite torquey. I guess it's just compared to what you're used to

True. I was coming from 250bhp and 250ft/lbs in a Saab 9-5 aero so I definitely was used to a beefy mid-range.

Agree also and the 369ft/lbs I was used to in the 330d was nice, the 221ft/lbs in the 330i made it feel very much wanting in that respect, the 330i needs thrashing to deliver it's performance whereas the 330d has it on tap.

Although I class myself a petrol head I do think that the E90 330d makes the E90 330i pretty much redundant, and I never thought I would ever say that about a petrol engine.

Until it starts failing components.

Or you like petrol NA engines.

Fair point although the 330d was faultless over the 6 years/150k miles I had it, I like some petrol N/A engines and loved both my TVR/X5 N/A V8's, but I wasn't as keen on the N/A engines in my Z4M/E92 M3/E90 330i because those three don't offer up much torque, and need plenty of revs for their performance.

Each to their own. Personally I'm not keen on an engine that is all done at 5k. That's when most good engines are just getting going. I've got a >400 lb.ft petrol NA and you still need to rev it to get its best.

Yes and we do all like different things for sure, I think I'm allergic to high revs!! and I loved my Cerbera 4.5 V8 and 4.8 V8 in my X5...because you could go quickly with very little effort and I seem to enjoy it that way, maybe that's why I appreciate a diesel engine's power delivery as well.

[ATM]

cerb4.5lee said:

ferrisbueller said:

cerb4.5lee said:

ferrisbueller said:

cerb4.5lee said:

phil_cardiff said:

zippyonline said:

Having come from a little 1.6 98 bhp petrol mazda 323f, and my other car being an RX-8, I find the 330i quite torquey. I guess it's just compared to what you're used to

True. I was coming from 250bhp and 250ft/lbs in a Saab 9-5 aero so I definitely was used to a beefy mid-range.

Agree also and the 369ft/lbs I was used to in the 330d was nice, the 221ft/lbs in the 330i made it feel very much wanting in that respect, the 330i needs thrashing to deliver it's performance whereas the 330d has it on tap.

Although I class myself a petrol head I do think that the E90 330d makes the E90 330i pretty much redundant, and I never thought I would ever say that about a petrol engine.

Until it starts failing components.

Or you like petrol NA engines.

Fair point although the 330d was faultless over the 6 years/150k miles I had it, I like some petrol N/A engines and loved both my TVR/X5 N/A V8's, but I wasn't as keen on the N/A engines in my Z4M/E92 M3/E90 330i because those three don't offer up much torque, and need plenty of revs for their performance.

Each to their own. Personally I'm not keen on an engine that is all done at 5k. That's when most good engines are just getting going. I've got a >400 lb.ft petrol NA and you still need to rev it to get its best.

Yes and we do all like different things for sure, I think I'm allergic to high revs!! and I loved my Cerbera 4.5 V8 and 4.8 V8 in my X5...because you could go quickly with very little effort and I seem to enjoy it that way, maybe that's why I appreciate a diesel engine's power delivery as well.

Was it the 4.8is?
They sound awesome.

[cerb4.5lee]

ATM said:

cerb4.5lee said:

ferrisbueller said:

cerb4.5lee said:

ferrisbueller said:

cerb4.5lee said:

phil_cardiff said:

zippyonline said:

Having come from a little 1.6 98 bhp petrol mazda 323f, and my other car being an RX-8, I find the 330i quite torquey. I guess it's just compared to what you're used to

True. I was coming from 250bhp and 250ft/lbs in a Saab 9-5 aero so I definitely was used to a beefy mid-range.

Agree also and the 369ft/lbs I was used to in the 330d was nice, the 221ft/lbs in the 330i made it feel very much wanting in that respect, the 330i needs thrashing to deliver it's performance whereas the 330d has it on tap.

Although I class myself a petrol head I do think that the E90 330d makes the E90 330i pretty much redundant, and I never thought I would ever say that about a petrol engine.

Until it starts failing components.

Or you like petrol NA engines.

Fair point although the 330d was faultless over the 6 years/150k miles I had it, I like some petrol N/A engines and loved both my TVR/X5 N/A V8's, but I wasn't as keen on the N/A engines in my Z4M/E92 M3/E90 330i because those three don't offer up much torque, and need plenty of revs for their performance.

Each to their own. Personally I'm not keen on an engine that is all done at 5k. That's when most good engines are just getting going. I've got a >400 lb.ft petrol NA and you still need to rev it to get its best.

Yes and we do all like different things for sure, I think I'm allergic to high revs!! and I loved my Cerbera 4.5 V8 and 4.8 V8 in my X5...because you could go quickly with very little effort and I seem to enjoy it that way, maybe that's why I appreciate a diesel engine's power delivery as well.

Was it the 4.8is?
They sound awesome.

Yes and I loved it to bits (especially the noise)...just it's hefty thirst was a problem!

[Matt_N]

What's the consensus on the 6cyl diesels?

Seems quite a few manual 325d Tourers around.

[BaronVonVaderham]

cerb4.5lee said:

Although I class myself a petrol head I do think that the E90 330d makes the E90 330i pretty much redundant, and I never thought I would ever say that about a petrol engine.

Yeah but the 330i has that classic and delicious straight 6 bmw sound

[cerb4.5lee]

BaronVonVaderham said:

cerb4.5lee said:

Although I class myself a petrol head I do think that the E90 330d makes the E90 330i pretty much redundant, and I never thought I would ever say that about a petrol engine.

Yeah but the 330i has that classic and delicious straight 6 bmw sound

It's so muted inside the cabin though that you don't really get to enjoy it much, which I feel is a big shame, it's silky smooth though and that's what I liked most about it.

[cerb4.5lee]

Matt_N said:

What's the consensus on the 6cyl diesels?

Seems quite a few manual 325d Tourers around.

I'm in the minority of actually preferring the 330d engine to the 330i engine, and the 330d even sounds more grunty and purposeful from inside the cabin for me when compared to the 330i.