E91 Straight Six Bearding

[dhutch]

Certainly Mann and Hummel make nice filters, they are OEM for JCB for a lot of their air filters too.

Some cross over with this thread on oil for the M54 engine.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[g3org3y]

Something not 100% with the E91 at the moment and I'm not too sure.

Idle could be smoother IMO, occasionally can feel a bit 'pulsey' if that makes sense. Seems to be worse when the car is hot.

I've also had one or two weird situations when I've nailed the throttle to nip out for a gap and it's as though the power has been totally cut (not because of the traction control I hasten to add). Seems to be especially if doing right hand turns out of a junction (happened on x3 occasions in last number of months, but also 1x for straight across). If at standstill and I give the throttle a stab, the rev rise is almost a 'double pulse' if that makes sense. That is intermittent and typically if the idle is slightly rougher.

Could it be a MAF issue?

The only codes I've got are: 29F5 and 29F4. (catalytic-converter conversion & catalytic-converter conversion 2) No EML. I think these codes have been present since I had the issue with the oxygen sensor (which was changed), and that was causing an EML. I can clear the codes, but then they can come back.

Edited by g3org3y on Monday 8th August 12:34

[stevesuk]

Marvelling at the fact our 325i - which will be 17 years old in a couple of months - still has working air conditioning.

In fact, maybe its working a bit too well. Has anyone else noticed visible vapour coming from the air vents when the the aircon is running and its very hot/humid? I imagine its condensation or ice crystals forming when the ice cold air meets the warm air in the cabin, and nothing to do with the fact we have an outstanding recall for the wiring to be checked somewhere under the dashboard - which I've been waiting for the dealer to get back to me about for months.

Edited by stevesuk on Monday 8th August 12:00

[Swervin_Mervin]

g3org3y said:

I've also had one or two weird situations when I've nailed the throttle to nip out for a gap and it's as though the power has been totally cut (not because of the traction control I hasten to add). Seems to be especially if doing right hand turns out of a junction (happened on x3 occasions in last number of months, but also 1x for straight across).

Check your DME box for water

[g3org3y]

Swervin_Mervin said:

g3org3y said:

I've also had one or two weird situations when I've nailed the throttle to nip out for a gap and it's as though the power has been totally cut (not because of the traction control I hasten to add). Seems to be especially if doing right hand turns out of a junction (happened on x3 occasions in last number of months, but also 1x for straight across).

Check your DME box for water

Will check it out.

[stevesingo]

Some time ago I was thinking of moving on our 2007 E90 330i M Sport.

The wife uses it primarily for short commutes, so I rarely drive it. As I’m working on the south coast, we decided to holiday in Devon. She drove down 363miles from Cumbria yesterday, 39.1mpg! I drove it today. As a result of replacing every wearable component on the suspension inc fitting bilsteins and eibach springs, it is tight as a drum.

It’s staying!

[Court_S]

stevesingo said:

Some time ago I was thinking of moving on our 2007 E90 330i M Sport.

The wife uses it primarily for short commutes, so I rarely drive it. As I’m working on the south coast, we decided to holiday in Devon. She drove down 363miles from Cumbria yesterday, 39.1mpg! I drove it today. As a result of replacing every wearable component on the suspension inc fitting bilsteins and eibach springs, it is tight as a drum.

It’s staying!

Good to hear. Our old E90 330 is one of the cars that I miss the most; I really got under my skin. We never saw that kind of fuel economy though; I think 36 was about the best effort. I thought it looked fan in Le Mans Blue with lemon leather.

[Mr Tidy]

I had an E91 325i for a year and replaced it with a 2005 E90 330i three years ago and keep thinking it's a bit extravagant for a daily supermarket/DIY store/tip-run car - then I drive it again and change my mind!

[Gunk]

I do smile at the love for the E90. In 2008 I replaced my E46 330i touring for a 2005 E91 325i touring and I just didn’t gel with it, I ran it as a daily car for about three years and then bought a new Mk6 GTD. I passed the BMW on to my wife, she ran it for another 4 years and absolutely loved it, I never liked the styling, it felt dull to drive and the 325i petrol is probably one of the most disappointing engines. It just felt heavy and slow.

However I absolutely love my current F31 330d touring, it’s just better in every way, styling, refinement and the quality of the interior, feels a bit like my old E46, just well put together and solid.

[Mr Tidy]

Gunk said:

I passed the BMW on to my wife, she ran it for another 4 years and absolutely loved it, I never liked the styling, it felt dull to drive and the 325i petrol is probably one of the most disappointing engines. It just felt heavy and slow.

That's why I swapped my E91 325i for an E90 330i - it feels so much more lively!

[Court_S]

Gunk said:

I do smile at the love for the E90. In 2008 I replaced my E46 330i touring for a 2005 E91 325i touring and I just didn’t gel with it, I ran it as a daily car for about three years and then bought a new Mk6 GTD. I passed the BMW on to my wife, she ran it for another 4 years and absolutely loved it, I never liked the styling, it felt dull to drive and the 325i petrol is probably one of the most disappointing engines. It just felt heavy and slow.

However I absolutely love my current F31 330d touring, it’s just better in every way, styling, refinement and the quality of the interior, feels a bit like my old E46, just well put together and solid.

I had an E46 before my E90. It felt more solidly built, but it was a royal pain in the arse (both cars were 7 years old with roughly 70k on the clock when I bought them). The E90 was one of the easiest cars I’ve had to live with. They’re not as pretty as the E46, but I generally liked the Bangle era providing it was an M Sport car. The only design of his I hated was the 7 series.

I think the F series cars are worse quality in certain places in my opinion. The one thing that ready bugs me is the M Sport steering wheel; it lost the perforated leather and goes shiny in about 10 seconds. The lower spoke is hollow and fees / sounds super if you tap it. I’ve always struggled with the bonnet shut line in the F series car. My M140i had more rattles / squeaks than the 105k 130i that replaced it.

The tech is obviously better and I think they’re ageing well. They feel massive after the E9x cars too. I remember when I had a an F30 330d as a courtesy p car (a car that changed my opinion on Diesel engines). My E90 330 felt really small after a week in that (and slow too).

[Gunk]

You’re right about the size of the F31, it is a full size up. You notice when parking it in multi storeys, it’s a wide, long car.

[JakeT]

g3org3y said:

Something not 100% with the E91 at the moment and I'm not too sure.

If you have a code reader, checking your fuel trims will give you an idea if it’s a vac leak. Cleaning and swapping the VANOS solenoids can help, too.

stevesuk said:

Marvelling at the fact our 325i - which will be 17 years old in a couple of months - still has working air conditioning.

The AC systems on the E90 are really quite robust (touch wood), I had to do the compressor on mine at 150,000 miles In 2019, but it works excellently. Even in hotter weather than we have been having here. No snow out of the vents, though. Mine is always set to 19° and auto.

stevesingo said:

39.1mpg! I drove it today. As a result of replacing every wearable component on the suspension inc fitting bilsteins and eibach springs, it is tight as a drum.

It’s staying!

I did 41 on a REALLY boring almost constant 50mph journey a few years ago. I was surprised it would go that high. I’m at a similar stage with mine. 185,000 miles now, but determined as ever to take it past 200,000.

[g3org3y]

JakeT said:

g3org3y said:

Something not 100% with the E91 at the moment and I'm not too sure.

If you have a code reader, checking your fuel trims will give you an idea if it’s a vac leak. Cleaning and swapping the VANOS solenoids can help, too.

Does it show those on a Creator C310?

VANOS solenoids (both) were replaced a couple of years back with new genuine BMW items. Worth a look I suppose.

[cerb4.5lee]

Court_S said:

stevesingo said:

Some time ago I was thinking of moving on our 2007 E90 330i M Sport.

The wife uses it primarily for short commutes, so I rarely drive it. As I’m working on the south coast, we decided to holiday in Devon. She drove down 363miles from Cumbria yesterday, 39.1mpg! I drove it today. As a result of replacing every wearable component on the suspension inc fitting bilsteins and eibach springs, it is tight as a drum.

It’s staying!

Good to hear. Our old E90 330 is one of the cars that I miss the most; I really got under my skin. We never saw that kind of fuel economy though; I think 36 was about the best effort. I thought it looked fan in Le Mans Blue with lemon leather.

Same and 36 was about my best effort too. The E90 330i is a lovely thing to cruise in I reckon, and I loved mine for that.

[cerb4.5lee]

Court_S said:

The tech is obviously better and I think they’re ageing well. They feel massive after the E9x cars too. I remember when I had a an F30 330d as a courtesy p car (a car that changed my opinion on Diesel engines). My E90 330 felt really small after a week in that (and slow too).

I had a bit of fun with an F30 330d in the E90 330i once, well I say fun...but I actually got left for dead and I couldn't get anywhere near him!

They are quick cars for sure, I went to around 130 and he was still miles in front. I ended up having a chat with him and I said that I felt like I didn't even have an engine under my bonnet in comparison to his! The 330i was properly left wanting performance wise in that case.

[Court_S]

cerb4.5lee said:

I had a bit of fun with an F30 330d in the E90 330i once, well I say fun...but I actually got left for dead and I couldn't get anywhere near him!

They are quick cars for sure, I went to around 130 and he was still miles in front. I ended up having a chat with him and I said that I felt like I didn't even have an engine under my bonnet in comparison to his! The 330i was properly left wanting performance wise in that case.

Similar BHP plus loads more torque and a much cleverer gearbox made them feel sooooo much quicker. At least the N52 sounded better!

The March of performance basins from the E series to F series cars was huge.

[Swervin_Mervin]

I had a few F30s as courtesy cars over the years and it's a no from me. Build felt noticably worse - interior partiuclarly felt really cheap.

We had an F20 125i with the Sport Auto ZF8, and I'd say the same about that vs our E8x 120d we had before it. The ride wasn't as controlled either - same in the F30, it just felt a bit looser. Hard to describe really.

The 125i was a second quicker to 60 than my E91 330i. As is our current Superb 272. But you know what? I'd still take the E91 any day of the week over any of the above. It's just much, much nicer to drive.

[pmorg4]

cerb4.5lee said:

I had a bit of fun with an F30 330d in the E90 330i once, well I say fun...but I actually got left for dead and I couldn't get anywhere near him!

They are quick cars for sure, I went to around 130 and he was still miles in front. I ended up having a chat with him and I said that I felt like I didn't even have an engine under my bonnet in comparison to his! The 330i was properly left wanting performance wise in that case.

Car and Driver magazine tested the early E90 330i as 5.6 seconds to 60 and 14.3 second 1/4 mile. With (slightly) more power than a standard F30 330d and probably less weight, offset by the F30 probably having a very quick 8-speed auto, there really shouldn't have been much in it either way.

So that leaves two options - either the 330d had been mapped to significantly increase the power, or the driver in the E90 was very unskilled

The 330i is certainly not fast by modern standards and has to be worked hard to get the best from it, but it's not slow either.

[cerb4.5lee]

pmorg4 said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I had a bit of fun with an F30 330d in the E90 330i once, well I say fun...but I actually got left for dead and I couldn't get anywhere near him!

They are quick cars for sure, I went to around 130 and he was still miles in front. I ended up having a chat with him and I said that I felt like I didn't even have an engine under my bonnet in comparison to his! The 330i was properly left wanting performance wise in that case.

Car and Driver magazine tested the early E90 330i as 5.6 seconds to 60 and 14.3 second 1/4 mile. With (slightly) more power than a standard F30 330d and probably less weight, offset by the F30 probably having a very quick 8-speed auto, there really shouldn't have been much in it either way.

So that leaves two options - either the 330d had been mapped to significantly increase the power, or the driver in the E90 was very unskilled

The 330i is certainly not fast by modern standards and has to be worked hard to get the best from it, but it's not slow either.

We were rolling on a dual carriageway and he booted it...and then I booted it and he pulled away easily. It was one of those occasions where I genuinely was aching for more power/performance and the car felt properly slow in comparison. It was still fun though.