E91 Straight Six Bearding

[Swervin_Mervin]

Used are likely just as gunked up tbh. I might get one though and see if I can split it and refurb it, then do the same to the one I haven't yet broken.

If you can get it apart without breaking it it's actually incredibly simple inside. Just needs a good clean

[pmorg4]

bodhi said:

pmorg4 said:

The time has come for my E91 330i to move on. I'll still be active in this thread as I have another car that meets the criteria details to follow, but for now I'd be interested to know your thoughts on where I should pitch my 330i price wise, and also the best venue to sell it. Pistonheads ads being one obvious place, have people had much success there, or eBay, AT, etc?

It's a 2006 N52 330i manual, black leather over black paint (usual BMW I know!), style 313 19" wheels, mechanically sound and bodywork is solid. It has done 204k so pretty leggy which will obviously put a cap on the price but it's been well maintained including a fair bit of preventative maintenance within the last 10k. It's never let me down, always been 100% dependable without so much as a check engine light during my ownership. I'm not optimistic I'll be able to say the same about my new purchase in a few years time but we'll see!

One other thing I'm interested to hear thoughts on is whether I should put it back to standard spec to sell, as I've upgraded the pro nav iDrive to a wireless CarPlay touch screen unit with reversing camera which works brilliantly and really brings the dated infotainment up to modern standards. Would leaving this in place make any meaningful difference to the price/ease of selling, or would I be better off putting the original CCC system back in and selling it totally standard? Unfortunately I can't transfer the CarPlay system to my new car as it's not compatible but I'll definitely be buying an equivalent unit for it.

Your input is appreciated as always

Can't add much to the excellent advice offered so far - the engine and gearbox combo means it will mainly be appealling to enthusiasts, and as an enthusiast I'd be more likely to buy with the Carplay update fitted, as that would be one of the first jobs I'd be looking to do.

I'm more interested in what's replacing it however - from the clues so far I'm guessing late model 335i?

Thanks for all the feedback and advice guys. Having finally had the chance to take some photos (following weeks of either poor weather or other commitments) I have done as suggested and popped it on eBay with a reserve and the CarPlay bits included. I won't post a link for obvious reasons but I'm sure you can find it if you're curious.

Once that's sorted I can focus on the E91 335i which I'm sure will bring a lot more drama than the faultless N52! Another update will follow in due course.

[JakeT]

Swervin_Mervin said:

Used are likely just as gunked up tbh. I might get one though and see if I can split it and refurb it, then do the same to the one I haven't yet broken.

If you can get it apart without breaking it it's actually incredibly simple inside. Just needs a good clean

If you’d like a spare unit I have, happy to help. It did stick a lot, and I couldn’t get it quite bob on. I found a NoS one for a reasonable price after a used one leaked all of my washer fluid out.

[Fulla]

Looking for some collective guidance...
My power steering fluid reservoir has a leak. It appears to be the cap and missing/perished o-ring.
New cap and o-ring on order.
I've cleaned the area up and am checking daily in case it is the reservoir that has leaked, so far so good.

Now the advice bit...I noticed it due to a squeaky belt when stationary. Should I get the car checked out due to fluid on the belt...or do I leave it?
Not sure how easy it is to clean the belt which could be another option...

[pmorg4]

Find/sort the source of the leak and replace the belt. Not worth messing around with these as a failure of the belt can be catastrophic if you're unlucky.

[Fulla]

Looking for some collective guidance...
My power steering fluid reservoir has a leak. It appears to be the cap and missing/perished o-ring.
New cap and o-ring on order.
I've cleaned the area up and am checking daily in case it is the reservoir that has leaked, so far so good.

Now the advice bit...I noticed it due to a squeaky belt when stationary. Should I get the car checked out due to fluid on the belt...or do I leave it?
Not sure how easy it is to clean the belt which could be another option...

[helix402]

Fulla said:

Looking for some collective guidance...
My power steering fluid reservoir has a leak. It appears to be the cap and missing/perished o-ring.
New cap and o-ring on order.
I've cleaned the area up and am checking daily in case it is the reservoir that has leaked, so far so good.

Now the advice bit...I noticed it due to a squeaky belt when stationary. Should I get the car checked out due to fluid on the belt...or do I leave it?
Not sure how easy it is to clean the belt which could be another option...

New genuine BMW cap comes with the seal.

[Fulla]

pmorg4 said:

Find/sort the source of the leak and replace the belt. Not worth messing around with these as a failure of the belt can be catastrophic if you're unlucky.

Thanks, it was what I was thinking...

[Fulla]

helix402 said:

New genuine BMW cap comes with the seal.

That is good to know...I just ordered both from main dealer and they didn't mention that....

[Court_S]

helix402 said:

New genuine BMW cap comes with the seal.

Yup…I found out the hard at ordering both and realising the new cap had the o-ring in it. The bloody o-ring on its own is almost the same price as the cap with the o-ring.

[Court_S]

Fulla said:

That is good to know...I just ordered both from main dealer and they didn't mention that....

They didn’t mention that to be either…

[daver1184]

Lots of miles but looks very presentable.
Might be cheap...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185755447555?hash=item2...

[RTPT]

daver1184 said:

Lots of miles but looks very presentable.
Might be cheap...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185755447555?hash=item2...

Looks like that might be pmorg4's

[Court_S]

RTPT said:

daver1184 said:

Lots of miles but looks very presentable.
Might be cheap...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185755447555?hash=item2...

Looks like that might be pmorg4's

Yes it is. I think it sounds like a really good car. Hope the sale does well for him.

[pmorg4]

It is indeed mine! It does have high miles but I think it wears them well has been utterly dependable in the way that the N52 engine does so well, if I had more space I'd be tempted to keep it for when the inevitable N54 grief arrives unfortunately I don't think the wife would agree with keeping a third "just in case" car so it has to go.

[helix402]

daver1184 said:

Lots of miles but looks very presentable.
Might be cheap...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185755447555?hash=item2...

It’s got my favourite wheels!

[Court_S]

pmorg4 said:

It is indeed mine! It does have high miles but I think it wears them well has been utterly dependable in the way that the N52 engine does so well, if I had more space I'd be tempted to keep it for when the inevitable N54 grief arrives unfortunately I don't think the wife would agree with keeping a third "just in case" car so it has to go.

N54 and grief? Nah, that’s not going to happen!

[pmorg4]

helix402 said:

It’s got my favourite wheels!

It does, although they're not quite as immaculate as yours

[pmorg4]

Court_S said:

N54 and grief? Nah, that’s not going to happen!

I'm hoping and praying this one will be the exception that proves the rule

[JakeT]

pmorg4 said:

It is indeed mine! It does have high miles but I think it wears them well has been utterly dependable in the way that the N52 engine does so well, if I had more space I'd be tempted to keep it for when the inevitable N54 grief arrives unfortunately I don't think the wife would agree with keeping a third "just in case" car so it has to go.

Makes sense! Mine allows a spare car so we don’t get stranded. Plus I don’t complain about her handbag collection.