E91 Straight Six Bearding

E91 Straight Six Bearding

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RECr

431 posts

50 months

Tuesday 9th February 2021
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The cars from that dealer are always well prepared and they do seem to have well specced examples. But it's definitely reflected in the price and they should proof read their adverts ( that grey 330i has a bit in its description saying "the 335i has stunning had its injectors done under recall").

Edited by RECr on Tuesday 9th February 22:18

survivalist

5,614 posts

189 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
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RECr said:
The cars from that dealer are always well prepared and they do seem to have well specced examples. But it's definitely reflected in the price and they should proof read their adverts ( that grey 330i has a bit in its description saying "the 335i has stunning had its injectors done under recall").

Edited by RECr on Tuesday 9th February 22:18
Having been to look at a few, the alloys are repainted and a half decent detail has been done. However, if you’re buying a soon to be 15 year old car there’s other stuff I’d place higher on the list. Water pump been replaced? Condition of suspension, especially bushes etc etc

I’ve had a few E90s and in my experience the big bills come between 55-75k miles. It’s the reason I’m still paying £60 a month for a warranty on a 15 year old car. Gear Selector stopped working properly (only went into D or P, no sport or neutral) - £2000 job from BMW. In the last 3 years it’s also had fuel pump (low and high pressure), water pump, rear springs (snapped), rear dampers (leaking), front springs (snapped), rear wiper motor, rocker cover gasket and some other stuff.

Not trying to put anyone off, but I also had a 110k mile 130i where all these jobs had been done. Nothing required in 18 months because the previous owner had done it all. At this age if always buy on condition and evidence of the work completed. Ideally a private / forum sale.

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
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survivalist said:
Having been to look at a few, the alloys are repainted and a half decent detail has been done. However, if you’re buying a soon to be 15 year old car there’s other stuff I’d place higher on the list. Water pump been replaced? Condition of suspension, especially bushes etc etc

I’ve had a few E90s and in my experience the big bills come between 55-75k miles. It’s the reason I’m still paying £60 a month for a warranty on a 15 year old car. Gear Selector stopped working properly (only went into D or P, no sport or neutral) - £2000 job from BMW. In the last 3 years it’s also had fuel pump (low and high pressure), water pump, rear springs (snapped), rear dampers (leaking), front springs (snapped), rear wiper motor, rocker cover gasket and some other stuff.

Not trying to put anyone off, but I also had a 110k mile 130i where all these jobs had been done. Nothing required in 18 months because the previous owner had done it all. At this age if always buy on condition and evidence of the work completed. Ideally a private / forum sale.
Some good advice there - the water pump died on my first E86 at 60K miles. But then my E91 325i needed a new water pump at 135K, although that may have been it's 2nd?

No gearbox issues on any of my four N52 engined cars, but that's probably because they have all been manual!

And as they have all been N52s no fuel pump issues, which is why I have stuck to N52s because they don't suffer injector issues or coked-up inlet manifolds either.

Luckily my current 330i (on 114K now) had an oil service and a new cam-chain cover gasket a month before I bought it.

T0M

707 posts

176 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
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Thanks for the feedback

pmorg4

712 posts

115 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
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paulguitar said:
The seller also has a different car with an identical description:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-BMW-330I-M-SPORT-A...

Although it's reassuring that:

INTERIOR LOOKS LIKE IT LEFT THE FACTORY.


I HATE it when they leave the interior in the factory.
laugh

croissant

1,262 posts

137 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
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I bought my 330i e91 from Bespoke BMW a couple of years back and it was the best car buying experience I've ever had.

The cars might be priced on the high side, but they prepare them immaculately, service and inspect them throughout, offer comprehensive warranties and when I collected the car they put a lot of effort into the presentation and handover.

I have never recommend a car dealer before, but these guys were awesome and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them again,

Fulla

450 posts

214 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
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Thought I'd post a quick update on my insurance woes. I have had a result but won't jinx it until I have the cash in my account.
I will share the experience with all so that others do not have to go through the hassle I have, hint - get insurance with an agreed valuation!

ferrisbueller

29,260 posts

226 months

Wednesday 10th February 2021
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Fulla said:
Thought I'd post a quick update on my insurance woes. I have had a result but won't jinx it until I have the cash in my account.
I will share the experience with all so that others do not have to go through the hassle I have, hint - get insurance with an agreed valuation!
Ah, st. Trade values on these are not representative. I was offered £900 for mine not so long ago.

paul n

247 posts

168 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
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Just picked up a manual LCI 330i e91 (black with red interior) and loving it 👍👌 it might just be the favourite daily driver I have owned! 😀 has 2 x 130i’s before and also a m135i. Enjoying the extra comfort, refinement And space of the 3 series. Only disappointment if the slightly muted exhaust and they seem to have stopped producing the m performance exhaust for the 330i now so any advice on alternatives much appreciated. There is a place that does a muffler delete for £180 ish which looks ok but worried that would be too loud/ would drone. 😬

Cheers Paul

Fulla

450 posts

214 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
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Update on my insurance claim - They paid out in full. They say the independent valuation was what enabled them to increase the amount. They said their department that deals with the FSO review the case...with the proof I provided and references to statements on the FSO website I'd say they knew they would loose so they paid out.
The car is with copart salvage currently with a bid of £2,150, very odd as I told them once they agree the payout I'd like to discuss options to buy back. Be interested to see what it sells for and if the new buyer gets intouch as I have stacks of history for it.

ferrisbueller

29,260 posts

226 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
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You could still buy it back?

bmwmike

6,918 posts

107 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
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Fulla said:
Update on my insurance claim - They paid out in full. They say the independent valuation was what enabled them to increase the amount. They said their department that deals with the FSO review the case...with the proof I provided and references to statements on the FSO website I'd say they knew they would loose so they paid out.
The car is with copart salvage currently with a bid of £2,150, very odd as I told them once they agree the payout I'd like to discuss options to buy back. Be interested to see what it sells for and if the new buyer gets intouch as I have stacks of history for it.
Well done, nice to hear a good outcome. So you got the full amount you had originally insured the car for, is that correct? If so, good, and also good to know and independent valuation will support it.

What did the independent valuation cost, out of interest?

Fulla

450 posts

214 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
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bmwmike said:
Well done, nice to hear a good outcome. So you got the full amount you had originally insured the car for, is that correct? If so, good, and also good to know and independent valuation will support it.

What did the independent valuation cost, out of interest?
I got the full amount that I had paid for the car 17 days before the accident. Below is the company I used, I have known them for over 10 years as they provide valuations on 911's I have. The cost for the valuation is £40.
https://bmwvaluations.com/

Makes me wonder how many people suck it up and don't fight for what is right.

Fulla

450 posts

214 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
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ferrisbueller said:
You could still buy it back?
I could buy it in the copart auction. But I need a car and will be collecting a new one next weekend.
My knowledge of BMW specialists is very limited and I don't want the hassle of getting it repaired. I wasn't emotionally attached to the car as had owned it for such a short time.
Hopefully whoever does get it will get in touch for the history files I have, those I will keep just in case. Seems a shame for the car to be put on the road again without the history it has.

Seek

1,169 posts

199 months

Saturday 13th February 2021
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It might be helpful if you put the VRM in this thread so that it pops up if the new owner googles it.
PH is typically pretty high up in search results

g3org3y

20,606 posts

190 months

Sunday 14th February 2021
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330i (N52) more tappety first thing in the morning over the last week. Perhaps to do with the cold (has been easily -2 and below during the day, colder at night) and very gentle driving with the snow/ice about. Took the car for a decent (1+hr) drive up and down the A12 yesterday (primarily to get my son to nap) so with luck should be a bit better this week.

JakeT

5,406 posts

119 months

Sunday 14th February 2021
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Pre pandemic, when I'd be working in London, mine would definitely be more tappety too, George. Then a run of my normal commute (90 miles of high speed stuff) it would be fine. I also notice coming up to oil change time it can be a bit louder too.

croissant

1,262 posts

137 months

Sunday 14th February 2021
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Mine did this through lack of use. If you search N52 ticking fix there’s lots of information on how to get rid of it. In short, the car just needs an Italian tune up.

After a good thrashing mine was much quieter and has been since

MajorMantra

1,265 posts

111 months

Monday 15th February 2021
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Mine (2006 2.5l N52) is tappy too on and off and it's something I've just learned to accept as part of N52 ownership. Last oil change I did a Liquimoly engine flush and added Liquimoly hydraulic lifter additive after the change. It seemed to help initially but went back to normal quite quickly.

Things that provoke tapping: short journeys, long periods sitting, cold weather (?). You can 'bleed' the lifters without driving, by holding the engine at 3k RPM for a few minutes, but there's not much point tbh.

There's no question that some N52s are much more prone to it than others, I think there might have been a running change to the head to address this? (I forget.) It doesn't do any harm, regardless.

g3org3y

20,606 posts

190 months

Monday 15th February 2021
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It was better this morning (as had used the car for 2x 1hr long trips over the weekend).

MajorMantra said:
Mine (2006 2.5l N52) is tappy too on and off and it's something I've just learned to accept as part of N52 ownership.
Yep, seems to be the case.

The 330 (~140k miles) seems to suffer, though the Z4 (~86k miles) and the 630 (~88k miles) generally ok/quiet.