E91 Straight Six Bearding

E91 Straight Six Bearding

Author
Discussion

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Monday 4th February 2019
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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 smile
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. laugh

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)!

MajorMantra

1,265 posts

111 months

Friday 8th February 2019
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Haven't sorted my battery yet, but you'll all be delighted to hear that my boot lights are working again. If yours stop working, it's fuse no. 61, which also covers the glovebox light.

Now of course I'm wondering why it blew...

ferrisbueller

29,262 posts

226 months

Friday 8th February 2019
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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?

survivalist

5,614 posts

189 months

Friday 8th February 2019
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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 smile
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. laugh

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)!
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.

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.

BornRageFree

79 posts

71 months

Friday 8th February 2019
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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 in

Swervin_Mervin

4,429 posts

237 months

Friday 8th February 2019
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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?
Weird. I had almost exactly the same yesterday albeit not bad enough to knock the clocks out

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

223 months

Friday 8th February 2019
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Yeah battery on its way out.

I had this a couple of times, then ran out of fuel with it saying 36 miles remaining.


Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Friday 8th February 2019
quotequote all
survivalist 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!

I've also got a Z4 Coupe with the 3 litre N52, so couldn't justify looking at 3 Series with an N54. rolleyes

Naldrett

154 posts

146 months

Saturday 9th February 2019
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This looks nice. Perfect spec (IMO), great provenance and low miles. No link to seller.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/335...

cerb4.5lee

30,197 posts

179 months

Saturday 9th February 2019
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^^^^That does look very nice with a good spec/colour combo, if it was a manual it would be my ideal too.

13aines

2,153 posts

148 months

Saturday 9th February 2019
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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 frown

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

phil_cardiff

7,043 posts

207 months

Saturday 9th February 2019
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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 biggrin

History and spec sounds good though.

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Saturday 9th February 2019
quotequote all
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 frown

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
Sorry to hear of your loss!

If you don't have Xenons just pull the fuse or disconnect the headlight washer pump - you don't need headlight washers for Halogens.



ATM

18,099 posts

218 months

Sunday 10th February 2019
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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.
Didn't BMW tune the N54 to feel more like a larger displacement engine?

JakeT

5,406 posts

119 months

Sunday 10th February 2019
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Pretty much. The press claimed it felt like a V8.

ATM

18,099 posts

218 months

Sunday 10th February 2019
quotequote all
JakeT said:
Pretty much. The press claimed it felt like a V8.
I liked mine. Not much lag really. Definitely felt punchy in the mid rev range and tailed off as revs rose.

Edited to add d as mine is long gone now.

Edited by ATM on Monday 11th February 19:46

Mike335i

4,985 posts

101 months

Sunday 10th February 2019
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Agreed, very little turbo lag and feels like a big, gutsy lump rather than an overly boosted engine.


13aines

2,153 posts

148 months

Sunday 10th February 2019
quotequote all
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 frown

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
Sorry to hear of your loss!

If you don't have Xenons just pull the fuse or disconnect the headlight washer pump - you don't need headlight washers for Halogens.
Thanks. Fortunately (/unfortunately) I have xenons.

MajorMantra

1,265 posts

111 months

Sunday 10th February 2019
quotequote all
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.

Edited by MajorMantra on Sunday 10th February 19:47

alpinab3

203 posts

188 months

Sunday 10th February 2019
quotequote all
Exide make BMW batteries now.