E91 Straight Six Bearding
Discussion
stevesuk said:
Yeah, I kind of feel that 2005/06 is perhaps the sweet spot for running these things in to old age without it costing the earth in maintenance. Far better rust resilience than the E46, but without most of the extra worries the newer models bring. Although we did spend a fair bit on ours last year chasing a few oil leaks and replacing the dreaded water pump. Having read about all the potential problems with later BMWs, I think that when it does die, we might replace it with something like a Honda
That's pretty much exactly how I think of my 06 plate one. My 52 plate E46 was just starting to get crusty, which is why I changed. Oh yes, and I had a new water pump last year as well.
I definitely wouldn't replace it with anything newer - N53 and onwards engines sound like they can be a bit of a money pit! I'd probably just look for another N52 (I think I need to own a 130i at some point)!
Strange happening with mine this week. Put the fob in and hit start as usual. Brief crank then everything stopped before then firing up. A bong and the clock reset and I have the yellow warning light telling me to set the time. Everything OK on the check control and car runs fine. Battery dying/low?
Mr Tidy said:
stevesuk said:
Yeah, I kind of feel that 2005/06 is perhaps the sweet spot for running these things in to old age without it costing the earth in maintenance. Far better rust resilience than the E46, but without most of the extra worries the newer models bring. Although we did spend a fair bit on ours last year chasing a few oil leaks and replacing the dreaded water pump. Having read about all the potential problems with later BMWs, I think that when it does die, we might replace it with something like a Honda
That's pretty much exactly how I think of my 06 plate one. My 52 plate E46 was just starting to get crusty, which is why I changed. Oh yes, and I had a new water pump last year as well.
I definitely wouldn't replace it with anything newer - N53 and onwards engines sound like they can be a bit of a money pit! I'd probably just look for another N52 (I think I need to own a 130i at some point)!
The N53 seems like a big risk for minimal power and economy gains.
The N54 on the other hand has even more issues than the N53 - add in failing wastegages for good measure, but as a massive fan of naturally aspirated engines the N54 has charmed me -great noise when pushing it and seems to combine low end torque with decent rev band.
ferrisbueller said:
Strange happening with mine this week. Put the fob in and hit start as usual. Brief crank then everything stopped before then firing up. A bong and the clock reset and I have the yellow warning light telling me to set the time. Everything OK on the check control and car runs fine. Battery dying/low?
Sounds like the battery dying to me, I had similar issues when mine started going, eventually had battery charge warning lights and gave inferrisbueller said:
Strange happening with mine this week. Put the fob in and hit start as usual. Brief crank then everything stopped before then firing up. A bong and the clock reset and I have the yellow warning light telling me to set the time. Everything OK on the check control and car runs fine. Battery dying/low?
Weird. I had almost exactly the same yesterday albeit not bad enough to knock the clocks outsurvivalist said:
Unfortunately there is no perfect solution. If you’re looking at naturally aspirated then the N52 is the way to go. Downside is that the iDrive stuff will be slow and rubbish and the facelift looks nice on the saloon and estate (to my eyes the differences on the coupe and convertible are less noticeable).
The N53 seems like a big risk for minimal power and economy gains.
That was my thinking too! And I don't have iDrive so that's no problem! The N53 seems like a big risk for minimal power and economy gains.
I've also got a Z4 Coupe with the 3 litre N52, so couldn't justify looking at 3 Series with an N54.
This looks nice. Perfect spec (IMO), great provenance and low miles. No link to seller.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/335...
https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/335...
I still have my (2007) 335i screenwash leak, but have now also lost the drivers side headlight washer jet cover and half of the jet assembly with it
I think it’s time for me to try to source the washer bottle pump and filler tube seals, buy two new headlight washer jets, paint up a headlight jet cover, and a bag of wheel arch liner fixings and pull out the wheel arch liner, and washer bottle, and remove the bumper.
Hopefully with the seals and jets in hand, whatever the source of the leak is will be cured on the spot, and I can replace the broken jet and missing cover.
Is anything else likely to be a leak culprit? E.g. should I buy any more bits in advance? Where could I buy the pump/bottle seals alone?
I think I’ll fit some whiter halo rings while I’m there too.
I think it’s time for me to try to source the washer bottle pump and filler tube seals, buy two new headlight washer jets, paint up a headlight jet cover, and a bag of wheel arch liner fixings and pull out the wheel arch liner, and washer bottle, and remove the bumper.
Hopefully with the seals and jets in hand, whatever the source of the leak is will be cured on the spot, and I can replace the broken jet and missing cover.
Is anything else likely to be a leak culprit? E.g. should I buy any more bits in advance? Where could I buy the pump/bottle seals alone?
I think I’ll fit some whiter halo rings while I’m there too.
Edited by 13aines on Saturday 9th February 12:22
Naldrett said:
This looks nice. Perfect spec (IMO), great provenance and low miles. No link to seller.
https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/335...
One sensible doctor owner...who just happened to stick a 'ring sticker on the back because he liked the shape https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/335...
History and spec sounds good though.
13aines said:
I still have my (2007) 335i screenwash leak, but have now also lost the drivers side headlight washer jet cover and half of the jet assembly with it
I think it’s time for me to try to source the washer bottle pump and filler tube seals, buy two new headlight washer jets, paint up a headlight jet cover, and a bag of wheel arch liner fixings and pull out the wheel arch liner, and washer bottle, and remove the bumper.
Hopefully with the seals and jets in hand, whatever the source of the leak is will be cured on the spot, and I can replace the broken jet and missing cover.
Is anything else likely to be a leak culprit? E.g. should I buy any more bits in advance? Where could I buy the pump/bottle seals alone?
I think I’ll fit some whiter halo rings while I’m there too.
Sorry to hear of your loss! I think it’s time for me to try to source the washer bottle pump and filler tube seals, buy two new headlight washer jets, paint up a headlight jet cover, and a bag of wheel arch liner fixings and pull out the wheel arch liner, and washer bottle, and remove the bumper.
Hopefully with the seals and jets in hand, whatever the source of the leak is will be cured on the spot, and I can replace the broken jet and missing cover.
Is anything else likely to be a leak culprit? E.g. should I buy any more bits in advance? Where could I buy the pump/bottle seals alone?
I think I’ll fit some whiter halo rings while I’m there too.
Edited by 13aines on Saturday 9th February 12:22
If you don't have Xenons just pull the fuse or disconnect the headlight washer pump - you don't need headlight washers for Halogens.
survivalist said:
The N54 on the other hand has even more issues than the N53 - add in failing wastegages for good measure, but as a massive fan of naturally aspirated engines the N54 has charmed me -great noise when pushing it and seems to combine low end torque with decent rev band.
Mr Tidy said:
13aines said:
I still have my (2007) 335i screenwash leak, but have now also lost the drivers side headlight washer jet cover and half of the jet assembly with it
I think it’s time for me to try to source the washer bottle pump and filler tube seals, buy two new headlight washer jets, paint up a headlight jet cover, and a bag of wheel arch liner fixings and pull out the wheel arch liner, and washer bottle, and remove the bumper.
Hopefully with the seals and jets in hand, whatever the source of the leak is will be cured on the spot, and I can replace the broken jet and missing cover.
Is anything else likely to be a leak culprit? E.g. should I buy any more bits in advance? Where could I buy the pump/bottle seals alone?
I think I’ll fit some whiter halo rings while I’m there too.
Sorry to hear of your loss! I think it’s time for me to try to source the washer bottle pump and filler tube seals, buy two new headlight washer jets, paint up a headlight jet cover, and a bag of wheel arch liner fixings and pull out the wheel arch liner, and washer bottle, and remove the bumper.
Hopefully with the seals and jets in hand, whatever the source of the leak is will be cured on the spot, and I can replace the broken jet and missing cover.
Is anything else likely to be a leak culprit? E.g. should I buy any more bits in advance? Where could I buy the pump/bottle seals alone?
I think I’ll fit some whiter halo rings while I’m there too.
Edited by 13aines on Saturday 9th February 12:22
If you don't have Xenons just pull the fuse or disconnect the headlight washer pump - you don't need headlight washers for Halogens.
Battery update. I've inspected it and it looks like I'm IBS-free, hurrah! I have what I hope is a decent quality aftermarket battery on the way (Exide Premium).
Incidentally, this is a genuine BMW battery. Could it conceivably be original? If so, it's survived 13 years.
Incidentally, this is a genuine BMW battery. Could it conceivably be original? If so, it's survived 13 years.
Edited by MajorMantra on Sunday 10th February 19:47
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