E91 Straight Six Bearding
Discussion
bodhi said:
In which case I'll leave out the 1 Series specific stuff, like bouncy suspension and dashboard rattles 
The N52 really is an absolute peach in the 1 Series however, completely dominates the car, but in a good way, so you get that wonderful big engine small car feel. The engine is on 106k now, still runs as well as when I bought it on 57k, although oil usage has gone up to around 1 litre ever 4000 miles, and fuel consumption is gradually going up too (started averaging around 31, now it's on 27.9), still perfectly smooth and whips round to the redline well.
I nearly bought an early E91 330i in 2014 when I decided my 123d had to go, but ended up buying the BMW I'd always loved the look of - an E86! The N52 really is an absolute peach in the 1 Series however, completely dominates the car, but in a good way, so you get that wonderful big engine small car feel. The engine is on 106k now, still runs as well as when I bought it on 57k, although oil usage has gone up to around 1 litre ever 4000 miles, and fuel consumption is gradually going up too (started averaging around 31, now it's on 27.9), still perfectly smooth and whips round to the redline well.
I have to agree the N52 engine is just great - so smooth, pulls well and loves to chase the red-line. Very economical for the performance - mine is showing 34mpg on the OBC but I don't commute in it as I have an E46 Compact for routine stuff!
But now my nephew has bought an E46 325i Touring I keep wondering if I should have just bought the E91 330i - it was in that metallic purple colour that didn't last long with cream leather interior.
Why are so many 330i E91s so poorly specced? Been looking for a little while and xenons are like hens teeth. Is now just a particularly bad time? As far as I can tell less than 10% for sale over the last couple of months have had xenons and sat nav.
Currently have an E81 130i LE, so have got used to a decent spec and the glorious N52 inline 6.
Currently have an E81 130i LE, so have got used to a decent spec and the glorious N52 inline 6.
HurryUpAndWait said:
Why are so many 330i E91s so poorly specced? Been looking for a little while and xenons are like hens teeth. Is now just a particularly bad time? As far as I can tell less than 10% for sale over the last couple of months have had xenons and sat nav.
Currently have an E81 130i LE, so have got used to a decent spec and the glorious N52 inline 6.
Maybe also expand your search to include 335i as they're mostly well specced. If you don't mind the turbos that is Currently have an E81 130i LE, so have got used to a decent spec and the glorious N52 inline 6.
Mike335i said:
You would be surprised....
It's the German way, everything is an option even on the big engine model.
Yes, but IME buyers of the top-end models are usually more willing to tick boxes on the spec - Mrs Tidy certainly did on her R56 Cooper! And demonstrators are always loaded!It's the German way, everything is an option even on the big engine model.
Does it maybe reflect company car budgets at the time - go for a basic 330i instead of a loaded 325i?
Adding this to this thread for interest!
Come join us in the E91 Straight Six Bearing thread! https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
There's a long thread here about DISA failures on the N52: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=962...
Basically there's 2 butterfly valves in the inlet manifold that change the air flow path according to revs for optimum-ness. When it breaks you'll feel power delivery is a bit different. You should see shadow codes come up - but a CEL won't show.
The larger one seems to be the problem - and this is far easier to get to, in fact you could change it in about 15 minutes yourself - BMW have revised this part to have a metal shaft now - so once changed it should be alright. Mine had a pastic shaft, it broke, then the flap broke and was rattling in my inlet ports! Fortunately the shaft bit was trapped by some oil in the inlet as my CCV gubbins was also not working - lucky really! Thing is the part is about £250 from BMW.
The other smaller valve is "inside" the manifold near the starter motor etc. I've not seen reports on that one dying.
There's a rebuild kit available on the market- where you replace plastic shaft and flap with an alu one - but you've got to split an ultrasonically welded plastic thing apart - I thought I would do this with the inner DISA as preventative maintenance, but ironically ruined it as I couldn't get any adhesive to make the back stick back together - so ended up buying a new DISA for that to replace the perfectly good one that I ruined trying to preventatively maintain it!
I think there's a report of someone lunching their engine like this - but there's lots and lots of failure stories which has been a case of just changing the DISA and all is fine. I'd just keep tabs on it (scan for codes once in a while, keep an eye on how the power is delivered, if it feels it's lacking anywhere, check it out - and you can just unscrew it and have a look easily enough actually) - and probably worth swapping out the part for the latest revision (if you don't already have it) if you're approaching high miles - it's an easy job for the large DISA that is the one that fails.
zippyonline said:
phil_cardiff said:
zippyonline said:
I concur. Although also watch for the DISA valves being swallowed - I fished a broken DISA butterfly out of my inlet ports - close escape. That said, I did change my waterpump @ 186k miles on the clock, and it was the original!
ABS system faults (which can be sent of to specialist re builders these days) iirc limited to the system on the 4 bangers, the 6 cylinder versions have a different more sophisticated system that does stuff like when it's raining keeping the discs clear of water, adding braking to the cruise control and hill start assist (and is the same one as used in the E60 m5) - I was reading some literature on it the other day.
p.s. jumping back a few posts, liking the E34 recently, that's what I'd put the V10 in (although secretly E46 coupe is my favourite shape bimmer actually!)
Interesting. I've not heard of DISA valves. Is there a warning or preventative maintenance that can be done? How cheaply can they be changed? ABS system faults (which can be sent of to specialist re builders these days) iirc limited to the system on the 4 bangers, the 6 cylinder versions have a different more sophisticated system that does stuff like when it's raining keeping the discs clear of water, adding braking to the cruise control and hill start assist (and is the same one as used in the E60 m5) - I was reading some literature on it the other day.
p.s. jumping back a few posts, liking the E34 recently, that's what I'd put the V10 in (although secretly E46 coupe is my favourite shape bimmer actually!)
There's a long thread here about DISA failures on the N52: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=962...
Basically there's 2 butterfly valves in the inlet manifold that change the air flow path according to revs for optimum-ness. When it breaks you'll feel power delivery is a bit different. You should see shadow codes come up - but a CEL won't show.
The larger one seems to be the problem - and this is far easier to get to, in fact you could change it in about 15 minutes yourself - BMW have revised this part to have a metal shaft now - so once changed it should be alright. Mine had a pastic shaft, it broke, then the flap broke and was rattling in my inlet ports! Fortunately the shaft bit was trapped by some oil in the inlet as my CCV gubbins was also not working - lucky really! Thing is the part is about £250 from BMW.
The other smaller valve is "inside" the manifold near the starter motor etc. I've not seen reports on that one dying.
There's a rebuild kit available on the market- where you replace plastic shaft and flap with an alu one - but you've got to split an ultrasonically welded plastic thing apart - I thought I would do this with the inner DISA as preventative maintenance, but ironically ruined it as I couldn't get any adhesive to make the back stick back together - so ended up buying a new DISA for that to replace the perfectly good one that I ruined trying to preventatively maintain it!
I think there's a report of someone lunching their engine like this - but there's lots and lots of failure stories which has been a case of just changing the DISA and all is fine. I'd just keep tabs on it (scan for codes once in a while, keep an eye on how the power is delivered, if it feels it's lacking anywhere, check it out - and you can just unscrew it and have a look easily enough actually) - and probably worth swapping out the part for the latest revision (if you don't already have it) if you're approaching high miles - it's an easy job for the large DISA that is the one that fails.
I do like the Xenons on mine - but must admit, the price for a second hand unit is still quite eye watering should I need to replace one - specially compared to the halogens. But - I like how much illumination I get from them!
I do also find quite handy how there's loads of these vehicles on the road / being broken for spares, which makes my relatively rare N52 powered 330i with manual box (something like 110 on the road last time I checked) a bit easier to run / replace a bumper should I hit a pheasant or something.
My car is specced (some of it has been retrofitted) about the level I'd spec myself had I bought it, I have Xenons, no nav, manual seats and Logic 7. My mate has a pano roof in his - which whilst nice, isn't worth the drainplug issues, weight and cost!
Here's a random photo of mine with the dog in the back - just because.
200 (10-07-2017) by Chris Reeves, on Flickr
I do also find quite handy how there's loads of these vehicles on the road / being broken for spares, which makes my relatively rare N52 powered 330i with manual box (something like 110 on the road last time I checked) a bit easier to run / replace a bumper should I hit a pheasant or something.
My car is specced (some of it has been retrofitted) about the level I'd spec myself had I bought it, I have Xenons, no nav, manual seats and Logic 7. My mate has a pano roof in his - which whilst nice, isn't worth the drainplug issues, weight and cost!
Here's a random photo of mine with the dog in the back - just because.
200 (10-07-2017) by Chris Reeves, on Flickr
Interesting about the DISA, cheers Zippy. I've got me an Elm327 now so at some point I'll actually take the time to take a look at it. I want to monitor the occasional and seemingly random cutting of power when accelerating from a v. low speed/stop which has, on a couple of occasions, left me a little vulnerable!
You want to get hold of INPA software to read the shadow codes (i.e. ones not tirggering a CEL) from a laptop - with a compatible cable (Edibas DCAN - although ELM327 might be alright for just diagnostics). Carly app is the super easy way though.
To check the actual valve though - you can just undo the bolts for the power steering reservoir and move it out of the way, then you can slide the DISA valve out (might have to move a couple of cables out the way). I can post a couple of photos when on my own PC (and if I remember!)
To check the actual valve though - you can just undo the bolts for the power steering reservoir and move it out of the way, then you can slide the DISA valve out (might have to move a couple of cables out the way). I can post a couple of photos when on my own PC (and if I remember!)
This is my 2007 325i M Sport Auto. It's on 92K Miles now with full BMW Service History.
I had a 2008 330i M Sport Coupe previously but had a fair few issues with the N53 engine.
I was looking out for a 330i N52 when I bought this but couldn't find one in decent condition.
Does anyone actually own an E91 330i M Sport Manual with leather and nav (preferably with the N52 engine), or does such a car not exist?![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/rEoAUZdr.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/xgJeUhF0" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/xgJeUhF0.jpg)
I had a 2008 330i M Sport Coupe previously but had a fair few issues with the N53 engine.
I was looking out for a 330i N52 when I bought this but couldn't find one in decent condition.
Does anyone actually own an E91 330i M Sport Manual with leather and nav (preferably with the N52 engine), or does such a car not exist?
tomic said:
This is my 2007 325i M Sport Auto. It's on 92K Miles now with full BMW Service History.
I had a 2008 330i M Sport Coupe previously but had a fair few issues with the N53 engine.
I was looking out for a 330i N52 when I bought this but couldn't find one in decent condition.
Does anyone actually own an E91 330i M Sport Manual with leather and nav (preferably with the N52 engine), or does such a car not exist?
I'm pretty sure someone bought one on the Thread with 150 odd thousand miles as a stop gap car and ran it for a few months without issue. No idea about the nav but presume it had leather.I had a 2008 330i M Sport Coupe previously but had a fair few issues with the N53 engine.
I was looking out for a 330i N52 when I bought this but couldn't find one in decent condition.
Does anyone actually own an E91 330i M Sport Manual with leather and nav (preferably with the N52 engine), or does such a car not exist?
tomic said:
Does anyone actually own an E91 330i M Sport Manual with leather and nav (preferably with the N52 engine), or does such a car not exist?
I'm close - I have the almost all of the above, just don't have the Nav. Leather interior was admittedly retro-fitted by the previous owner - but that's quite an easy thing to do really and looking on eBay interiors are going for about £400 anyway. It also has a coupe of other nice interior trimmings like the m3 (I think) steering wheel, clubsport gear knob + gaiter and m performance handbrake handle/gaiter.However looking at how many left, an E91 330i M Sport Manual is incredibly rare to begin with (i.e. less than an M3 csl sort of numbers), start pairing this down to N52 and specific options, most only be a handful.
I was very very close to maybe sort of err going to look at this -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292095216264
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292095216264
ATM said:
I was very very close to maybe sort of err going to look at this -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292095216264
9.5k?!http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292095216264
f
k that.
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