E91 Straight Six Bearding

[JakeT]

Hello. Welcome.

I'd get a NoXEM installed right away, restores fuel economy and saves off anymore funny issues happening.

You can remove the engine cover and check for the injector numbers. If they're Index 11, you're laughing.

Finding a 'real expert' on these engines is rare. When my car was located in Swindon the owner took it to Bromspec and was happy with the work they performed. Their prices aren't unreasonable looking at invoices, too.

Personally, I'd fire the parts cannon. New plugs, coils, injectors, and a walnut blast. However that's big money. If your injectors are fine leave them off and do just the plugs and coils.

[MartinFC]

Thanks Jake - funnily enough it's Bromspec who's getting it on Tuesday, so good to hear that - I liked them when I called in to book, so fingers crossed. The previous owner had the plugs and coils done earlier this year, so injectors and Nox are my main concerns atm.

[cerb4.5lee]

A lovely rare car there Martin.

It is in my favourite colour combination too.

Enjoy it.

[bmwmike]

Sir_Dave said:

I tend to find buying genuine parts from Europe better VFM than over here, even when postage is taken into consideration, try these:

https://www.leebmann24.de/
https://www.schmiedmann.com/
https://www.hubauer-shop.de/en/

Typically cheaper than Cotswolds as well

Thank for these! Some great prices.

[CB 987]

MartinFC said:

Thanks Jake - funnily enough it's Bromspec who's getting it on Tuesday, so good to hear that - I liked them when I called in to book, so fingers crossed. The previous owner had the plugs and coils done earlier this year, so injectors and Nox are my main concerns atm.

Jake’s referring to my old car above, Bromspec were always good and honest when I dealt with them, pretty reasonable too. I think most of the staff are ex Wood BMW in Salisbury, a very knowledgeable bunch.

I’ve recently used Autoworks BMW specialists near Swindon for some minor work, they are a decent bunch too, again ex main dealer technicians and master techs.

[Mr Tidy]

MartinFC said:

Thanks Jake - funnily enough it's Bromspec who's getting it on Tuesday, so good to hear that - I liked them when I called in to book, so fingers crossed. The previous owner had the plugs and coils done earlier this year, so injectors and Nox are my main concerns atm.

Before I got my first E9* I'd had two E86 Z4s and because I loved the N52 engine in those when I started looking at E91s I limited my search to cars with the N52, but E91 330is with the N52 didn't seem to exist! So I bought a 325i.

But after a year it just felt a bit lacking, so my compromise last year was to replace it with an E90 330i.

As E91 330i M-Sports are so rare I can see why you went for yours, especially in such a stunning colour combination.

Since I've owned older BMWs I stopped using Sytner Sunningdale for servicing and found TWG Automotive in Camberley run by Will who is ex-Sytner anyway. He has a courtesy car, but if you want it booking in dates tend to be longer!

Then last October Ross opened RBM Hampshire in Hook, Hants after 15 years at Sytner so he has obviously worked on our cars since they were new. He has done an Inspection 2 and replaced the rod bearing shells on my Z4MC as well as the rear shocks on my E90 but I don't think he has a courtesy car yet, although I believe there is a decent cafe just down the road!

A couple of Z4 owners have travelled from as far as Kent and Essex to go to Ross which seems like a pretty good endorsement.

Anyway I've been more than happy with the work both of them have done on my cars, and their prices.

Edited by Mr Tidy on Saturday 26th September 00:18

[MartinFC]

Thanks for the replies and welcome everyone.

@cerb4.5lee
I'm happy with the colour too, not sure I would have chosen the Dakota beige leather new, but do quite like it and it seems to suit the Le mans blue

@CB 987
Thanks for the Bromspec confirmation, I'm guessing yours/Jakes is an N52?

@Mr Tidy
TVM for all the local recommendations, good starting point if I need to look further afield

An interesting bit of info came to light in this afternoon's reading (this is like having to do an N53 uni course - but kind of fun in a nerdy way), it seems these lean burn engines, N53 and N43, have a higher Lambda reading for fast idle, whereas the N52 and other port injection engines will have a reading of around 1.0, these should be around 2.0 - 2.5. So I looked back on the old MOTs and sure enough, the last time it had a proper reading (2.377) was Dec 2013, by Dec 2014 it was 0.997 and has been there abouts since then, so it hasn't been running right for 6+ years, so much for the value of a FBMWSH...

[bmwmike]

MartinFC said:

Thanks for the replies and welcome everyone.

@cerb4.5lee
I'm happy with the colour too, not sure I would have chosen the Dakota beige leather new, but do quite like it and it seems to suit the Le mans blue

@CB 987
Thanks for the Bromspec confirmation, I'm guessing yours/Jakes is an N52?

@Mr Tidy
TVM for all the local recommendations, good starting point if I need to look further afield

An interesting bit of info came to light in this afternoon's reading (this is like having to do an N53 uni course - but kind of fun in a nerdy way), it seems these lean burn engines, N53 and N43, have a higher Lambda reading for fast idle, whereas the N52 and other port injection engines will have a reading of around 1.0, these should be around 2.0 - 2.5. So I looked back on the old MOTs and sure enough, the last time it had a proper reading (2.377) was Dec 2013, by Dec 2014 it was 0.997 and has been there abouts since then, so it hasn't been running right for 6+ years, so much for the value of a FBMWSH...

Ive got prior MOT showing 1.0 too, and thats when i know the engine had been spot on. Its odd because ive also had the situation you refer to as well, whereby a MOT tester sees 2.3 lambda and tries to fail it for emissions. In some cases my f10 has shown up as n52 and had to be manually changed to n53.

[JeffreyLebowski]

Mr Tidy said:

Since I've owned older BMWs I stopped using Sytner Sunningdale for servicing and found TWG Automotive in Camberley run by Will who is ex-Sytner anyway. He has a courtesy car, but if you want it booking in dates tend to be longer!

Edited by Mr Tidy on Saturday 26th September 00:18

I'd also highly recommend Will at TWG, he's looked after my cars for the last 6 or 7 years (E46 330d then e91 330d). He's a genuine BMW enthusiast, does work at a great standard, reasonable rates, and most importantly for me will discuss what is best for the car (ie ignore bmw's long oil change schedules if you're keeping the car long term) and advise what doesn't actually need to be done. One of the few (if not only) garages that I've been to that I genuinely trust to do what's right by me.

[MartinFC]

bmwmike said:

Ive got prior MOT showing 1.0 too, and thats when i know the engine had been spot on. Its odd because ive also had the situation you refer to as well, whereby a MOT tester sees 2.3 lambda and tries to fail it for emissions. In some cases my f10 has shown up as n52 and had to be manually changed to n53.

Hi Mike, where the MOT shows 1.0, does the Min and Max Limits columns show 0.700 to 4.000?

From what I can tell (as a novice), that's what they should be if the test equipment has been set correctly for the N53. If the Lambda Limits show 0.970 to 1.030, it's been incorrectly set. If it's running correctly, it should be in stratified burn mode at idle, so should have a reading of >= 2.0, yours is probably a later engine than mine (2008), so perhaps things had changed, the whole area's a minefield

Thanks for the added recommendation @JeffreyLebowski

Edited by MartinFC on Sunday 27th September 11:51

[JakeT]

MartinFC said:

@CB 987
Thanks for the Bromspec confirmation, I'm guessing yours/Jakes is an N52?
.

Yeah, it's an N52. A good mate as an N53 which I've driven and fixed a lot though. They're similar engines. Where the N52 has valvetronic and PFI the N53 has DI and a normal throttle plate.

[Mr Tidy]

JeffreyLebowski said:

I'd also highly recommend Will at TWG, he's looked after my cars for the last 6 or 7 years (E46 330d then e91 330d). He's a genuine BMW enthusiast, does work at a great standard, reasonable rates, and most importantly for me will discuss what is best for the car (ie ignore bmw's long oil change schedules if you're keeping the car long term) and advise what doesn't actually need to be done. One of the few (if not only) garages that I've been to that I genuinely trust to do what's right by me.

Yes, that's one of the advantages of a good Indy.

They will do jobs like removing the Clutch Delay Valve or changing the oil in the gearbox that BMW claim is sealed for life!

[Ciaran]

Hope this is acceptable but if anyone is looking for a very well looked after E90 330i N52 auto please get in touch. Thanks

[bongotvr]

Ciaran said:

Hope this is acceptable but if anyone is looking for a very well looked after E90 330i N52 auto please get in touch. Thanks

Unfortunately I'm on the look out for a very well looked after E91 330i Manual, 335d Auto, or 330d Auto.Ideal budget £6-8k but could possibly stretch a bit for something spot on.

Actually, what should I be on the look out for in terms of work/maintenance carried out and potential issues?

Edited by bongotvr on Tuesday 29th September 20:31

[JakeT]

bongotvr said:

Unfortunately I'm on the look out for a very well looked after E91 330i Manual, 335d Auto, or 330d Auto.Ideal budget £6-8k but could possibly stretch a bit for something spot on.

Actually, what should I be on the look out for in terms of work/maintenance carried out and potential issues?

E91 specific? Check everything like the windows, A/C and the rear wiper work. Check the bootlid below the tailgate glass for rust. Make sure the rear defroster works, and radio reception isn't carp. If it's on rulflats, the suspension is probably ruined by now. Plus they make the ride awful.


330i (Early) Waterpump, thermostat, and that it's been serviced regularly. The early 330i is about as stout as these engines get. A manual touring is a rare beast though.

330i (Late) Injectors, HPFP, fuel pressure sensors, NoX trap, and all of the above. Less reilable, but better economy and a little more power. Worse sounding.

330d (Early) Waterpump thermostat (two of them), swirl flaps, it's been serviced. The early 330/325d models are also very stout. Standard diesel 'stuff' applies, though. All of them have a DPF. If the thermostats are borked and the engine doesn't come up to temperature the DPF will block. Vacuum leaks. The hoses perish with age, and can leave them with little niggly issues.

330d (Late) timing chain. Standard diesel 'stuff'.

335d. Same as the early 330d. All 335d models use the older engine. Good news for us that buy these cars when they're older. Small turbos are known to fail. These ones are more sensitive to vacuum leaks than the early 330d.

Manual gearboxes are very reliable (standard) as are things like flywheels on the petrol models. Diesels can be harder on the components.

Automatic gearboxes are mostly okay. The ZF 6HP does have an issue with a couple of oil seals causing limp mode in higher gears. Re-mapped diesel models will give the gearbox a harder time.

Don't rule out a nice 325d, too. They go for less money, but still are good cars. You can also get the early engine in a late car on a 58-59 plate. Best looking and most reliable combo.

[Naldrett]

Not an E91, but thought I would share this as looks like a nice example (no link to seller) at a fair price. I believe these early 330i SE's were pre-Sport but had an upgrade package that fitted 18" wheels (love this design), sports suspension and sports seats with lumbar. The electric rear windscreen blind is a fun option too!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-330I-SALOON-1-OWNER...

[twokcc]

JakeT said:

335d. Same as the early 330d. All 335d models use the older engine. Good news for us that buy these cars when they're older. Small turbos are known to fail. These ones are more sensitive to vacuum leaks than the early 330d.

Didn't know that about 335d. Got a August 2009 e91325d lci se auto with older engine(incs sports seats/steering wheel/ nav etc)
Always fancied a 335d but didn't know that it had the more reliable engine will start looking see what's in the market

[TheGreatSoprendo]

The logo is flaking off my boot badge, so I've bought a replacement. Tried to praise the old badge off but instead of popping out, both prongs snapped off

I've tried pulling the remnants off the prongs with pliers but they're pretty tight and the plastic just disintegrates. Any bright ideas about how to get the prongs out?

[MajorMantra]

Drill them out? (Carefully!)

[helix402]

Centre punch them in. Or very small drill, make hole. Put screw in. Pull screw out.