E91 Straight Six Bearding

[MajorMantra]

Regret to report that after more than 7 years and 52k miles I'm not longer a member of E91 club. Farewell old friend.

After years of swearing I'd never have another diesel, or an auto gearbox, I've replaced my manual N52 car with a dirty 5 cylinder diesel auto. Go figure...



Safe to say it's a little comfier than the BMW, and very much not a driver's car.

Thanks to all in this thread who've helped with sage advice over the years. I might still dip in now and again...

[illmonkey]

Feck sake, I was going to call that one and get it but when I went for the number it’d gone. Knew it wouldn’t hang about, but I was too busy.

Pls tell me it was a dog or something!

[MajorMantra]

illmonkey said:

Feck sake, I was going to call that one and get it but when I went for the number it’d gone. Knew it wouldn’t hang about, but I was too busy.

Pls tell me it was a dog or something!

Ha! It was running well but had its fair share of age-related wear and tear, I think the photos flattered it tbh.

[illmonkey]

MajorMantra said:

illmonkey said:

Feck sake, I was going to call that one and get it but when I went for the number it’d gone. Knew it wouldn’t hang about, but I was too busy.

Pls tell me it was a dog or something!

Ha! It was running well but had its fair share of age-related wear and tear, I think the photos flattered it tbh.

I’ve had ad alerts for over a year, waiting for a manual petrol non-silver or black. You’d priced it decent too. I want a bit of a ropey one as it’ll be my do everything car, but still want a decent motor.

The offside doors are a different shade, so it’d had some paint work, that and the shadow codes made me ‘see what happens’. Had I known a PH’er was selling, I’d probably have jumped quicker. Oh well…

[helix403]

Why the change from the E91? Enjoy the Volvo’s turning circle!

[JakeT]

I really like the XC70, to be fair. I’d have a T6 or 3.2 model happily, though they’re expensive for what they are.

Good luck with it, but as Helix says the turning circle is dismal!

[MajorMantra]

helix403 said:

Why the change from the E91? Enjoy the Volvo’s turning circle!

I'm about to move to a house where the access is a deeply rutted track that's not very M-Sport friendly.

Also, the extra boot space is a very welcome change with a baby and a dog. Especially as I've been carting round a space saver on the BMW which makes the usable boot space frustratingly small.

The Volvo's turning circle is bad! The ride quality is roughly 10 times better though and my dodgy back appreciates the heated seats. I'm getting old.

[JakeT]

New recall seems to be out, I’d imagine all owners getting a letter soon.



I was told about this a few weeks ago, from my inside contact at BMW GB. Now lots of dealers were swapping steering wheels and different production dates got different wheels, it seems the sensible option to do. I think some E46/39 owners that swapped steering wheels got caught out when the recalls came out first time.

[christhreadgill]

Took it for its MOT (finally).

Shredded its serpentine on the drive (600m from my parent’s driveway…) down.



Labour of love, and all that?!

[Dannbodge]

JakeT said:

New recall seems to be out, I’d imagine all owners getting a letter soon.



I was told about this a few weeks ago, from my inside contact at BMW GB. Now lots of dealers were swapping steering wheels and different production dates got different wheels, it seems the sensible option to do. I think some E46/39 owners that swapped steering wheels got caught out when the recalls came out first time.

I got that letter about 2 months ago
Still haven't had it done

[Dannbodge]

Not E9x but I've written the for sale advert for my E46 330i.

Looking at switching to an E61 525i/30i

[RiccardoG]

Bumped into a 325i saloon for sale that seems to be in amazing condition. 2005, manual, 53k miles. Feel its priced realistically at under £6k but not an expert.

https://www.edward-hall.co.uk/2005-bmw-325i

I like the spec as its SE with sport seats. We have "standard" seats on our 325i and they're not great (but never painful even on long trips, just don't "hold" that well in the corners).

I'm also into Mercs and found it while browing this guys stock, he seems to always have superbly presented cars. Never met him though as not in the market, just enjoy browsing!

[Mr Tidy]

That 325i does look lovely, even if it isn't an E91!

The M-Sport seats are much better although like you my 330i is an SE so has the standard ones, and I don't find them uncomfortable either.

It looks pricey to me, but you'd struggle to find another with that sort of mileage after 19 years.

[ferrisbueller]

RiccardoG said:

Bumped into a 325i saloon for sale that seems to be in amazing condition. 2005, manual, 53k miles. Feel its priced realistically at under £6k but not an expert.

https://www.edward-hall.co.uk/2005-bmw-325i

I like the spec as its SE with sport seats. We have "standard" seats on our 325i and they're not great (but never painful even on long trips, just don't "hold" that well in the corners).

I'm also into Mercs and found it while browing this guys stock, he seems to always have superbly presented cars. Never met him though as not in the market, just enjoy browsing!

Wouldn't be my first choice of colour (inside or out) or engine, but for the provenance and mileage that seems well priced to me.

[E-numbers]

Dear straight six beards,
I’ve posted in here over the years with my E91 325i and later with my E91 B3S Biturbo. I post with a new identity now, how mysterious.

The 325i has been with me for 15 years and just ticked over 100k. It’s had some ups and downs but been brilliant. However… it is sounding very very tappety now. I recorded the sound and will post a link… any immediate ideas on this- it’s rattly and does not subside as it warms, or with revs.

Thanks as ever for any suggestions. I’d like to keep it alive for another 15 years.

ETA- here’s the audio https://youtube.com/shorts/oCWTOtDF0zI?si=JuG5o0DS...

Edited by E-numbers on Thursday 21st November 18:04

[E92_325]

E-numbers said:

Dear straight six beards,
I’ve posted in here over the years with my E91 325i and later with my E91 B3S Biturbo. I post with a new identity now, how mysterious.

The 325i has been with me for 15 years and just ticked over 100k. It’s had some ups and downs but been brilliant. However… it is sounding very very tappety now. I recorded the sound and will post a link… any immediate ideas on this- it’s rattly and does not subside as it warms, or with revs.

Thanks as ever for any suggestions. I’d like to keep it alive for another 15 years.

ETA- here’s the audio https://youtube.com/shorts/oCWTOtDF0zI?si=JuG5o0DS...

Edited by E-numbers on Thursday 21st November 18:04

Sounds like the common N52 lifter tick. It’s supposedly harmless. It gets worse when its cold outside and if you do a lot of short journeys. Mine has started doing it now that it’s colder, although it does go away once the car is up to temp.

Have you been doing mostly short trips? When was the oil last changed?

There is a procedure to bleed the lifters which should reduce the sound if that is the issue here. You simply hold the revs at 3k for a couple of minutes. There’s videos on YouTube if you want further info.

Edited by E92_325 on Thursday 21st November 21:12

[MajorMantra]

Seconded, that doesn't sound like anything to worry about. Mine always did it some of the time and was worse in really cold weather like we're having now. Some oils may reduce it slightly, but I never identified a really clear correlation. I seemed to get good results with the cheap Mannol stuff though.

[E-numbers]

Thank you gents. I don’t drive it often at all now and my ex wife is using it for short journeys- will try an oil change, not due, but may help. It’s a fab car. Except the headlights. But even my lci xenons aren’t very impressive!

[easy_]

Did the sump gasket on my 330d, what an awful job. not something I ever intend on doing again.
Water pump and new intake manifold up next and I should have a leak free m57.

[danb79]

E-numbers said:

Thank you gents. I don’t drive it often at all now and my ex wife is using it for short journeys- will try an oil change, not due, but may help. It’s a fab car. Except the headlights. But even my lci xenons aren’t very impressive!

My E81 130i had a bit of lifter tick. A full oil and filter change with 5W40 and Liqui Moly Ceratec and it's very quiet now; even in the very cold weather we've just had

Worth a shot