E91 330i Sport Touring - Good Idea?
Discussion
I've got a Z4 Coupe for entertainment, but also need something vaguely sensible for elderly parent hospital appointments, etc.
So I've had a 325ti Compact for 3 years which had a service, Insp I and an MOT a few weeks ago. In my ownership it's also had a cooling system refresh, another service and one of the PAS pipes replaced. It's currently on 102K miles and drives great, but is going to need front discs, pads, flexi hoses and maybe calipers as well as rear trailing arm bushes in the next year or so.
Which made me think about a change, and I've seen a E91 330i Sport Touring that I like the look of which is also pretty local. The only downside it is has done nearly 130K miles, but it's said to have had new brakes all round (going by it's MOT history it must have as it failed last month with brake issues).
Anyway it's a 55 plate so has the N52 engine, and I know how good that is as my Z4 has the same one - but I also know about the electronic water pump so realise it can have issues!
But a Touring has a certain appeal for when I need to transport a wheelchair or walking frame (or a set of wheels)!
I'd be happy with an E46 330i Touring but they just don't seem to come up - I'm sure an M54 engine is cheaper to maintain, but E46s do have rust problems these days (we found a 54 plate 325i Touring 18 months ago after he became a dad, but it has bubbly arches)!
I'd consider an E46 or E90 Saloon, but none of them seem to have the split/fold rear seat option. Is a Coupe any good for loading a set of wheels in as they all have the split/fold as standard?
The biggest downside with the E91 330i is it will cost more than twice what I might get for my 325ti, so I could just save the money for getting that fixed next year. After all is a 12 year old car going to be a huge improvement over a 15 year old one?
Any input from anyone who has owned any of the alternatives would be much appreciated - thanks!
(The E91 straight 6 bearding thread hasn't helped)!
So I've had a 325ti Compact for 3 years which had a service, Insp I and an MOT a few weeks ago. In my ownership it's also had a cooling system refresh, another service and one of the PAS pipes replaced. It's currently on 102K miles and drives great, but is going to need front discs, pads, flexi hoses and maybe calipers as well as rear trailing arm bushes in the next year or so.
Which made me think about a change, and I've seen a E91 330i Sport Touring that I like the look of which is also pretty local. The only downside it is has done nearly 130K miles, but it's said to have had new brakes all round (going by it's MOT history it must have as it failed last month with brake issues).
Anyway it's a 55 plate so has the N52 engine, and I know how good that is as my Z4 has the same one - but I also know about the electronic water pump so realise it can have issues!
But a Touring has a certain appeal for when I need to transport a wheelchair or walking frame (or a set of wheels)!
I'd be happy with an E46 330i Touring but they just don't seem to come up - I'm sure an M54 engine is cheaper to maintain, but E46s do have rust problems these days (we found a 54 plate 325i Touring 18 months ago after he became a dad, but it has bubbly arches)!
I'd consider an E46 or E90 Saloon, but none of them seem to have the split/fold rear seat option. Is a Coupe any good for loading a set of wheels in as they all have the split/fold as standard?
The biggest downside with the E91 330i is it will cost more than twice what I might get for my 325ti, so I could just save the money for getting that fixed next year. After all is a 12 year old car going to be a huge improvement over a 15 year old one?
Any input from anyone who has owned any of the alternatives would be much appreciated - thanks!
(The E91 straight 6 bearding thread hasn't helped)!
I had a 330i for 10 years and 160k. belter of a car.
wish I could have kept it as a daily. FBMWSH and a recent alternator. pretty much given away at part ex. Only trouble I had was water ingress into the battery tray. apart from that. Peach of car. We used to load up with 2 suitcases, 2 bikes and come back with 3 to 4 cases of wine on Trips to Tuscanny and that was the coupe.
I'd bet the tourer would be easier to live with for your needs.
wish I could have kept it as a daily. FBMWSH and a recent alternator. pretty much given away at part ex. Only trouble I had was water ingress into the battery tray. apart from that. Peach of car. We used to load up with 2 suitcases, 2 bikes and come back with 3 to 4 cases of wine on Trips to Tuscanny and that was the coupe.
I'd bet the tourer would be easier to live with for your needs.
Edited by T1berious on Sunday 10th December 03:18
[quote=Mr Tidy
But a Touring has a certain appeal for when I need to transport a wheelchair or walking frame (or a set of wheels)!
[/quote]
They are not that spacious in boot and even with both seats folded down. less that my dads MK1 Focus Estate. Low roofline over rear doors and gap from seat cushion to B pillar at footwell can make it difficult for elderly access.
May not be a problem depends on our circumstances.
Got a 2009 E91 LCi SE 325d Auto, only do low miles of about 6.5k p.a. only problems was low coolant temperature when purchased, both stats replaced and no other problems since, now on 65k miles so cant comment on running costs once past 100k.
Specifically got the SE for ride improvement-had runflats on it and imo ride worse than my E46 330ci msport. Vastly improved by replacing runflats with normal tyres(both on 18") . Think they are great cars and can see me keeping it for a long time- seem to be generall reliable cars and haven't yet seen with crusty wheel arches
But a Touring has a certain appeal for when I need to transport a wheelchair or walking frame (or a set of wheels)!
[/quote]
They are not that spacious in boot and even with both seats folded down. less that my dads MK1 Focus Estate. Low roofline over rear doors and gap from seat cushion to B pillar at footwell can make it difficult for elderly access.
May not be a problem depends on our circumstances.
Got a 2009 E91 LCi SE 325d Auto, only do low miles of about 6.5k p.a. only problems was low coolant temperature when purchased, both stats replaced and no other problems since, now on 65k miles so cant comment on running costs once past 100k.
Specifically got the SE for ride improvement-had runflats on it and imo ride worse than my E46 330ci msport. Vastly improved by replacing runflats with normal tyres(both on 18") . Think they are great cars and can see me keeping it for a long time- seem to be generall reliable cars and haven't yet seen with crusty wheel arches
I have a e91.
The boot isnt that big. Example I got 4 18" wheels for a friend and had to have the back seats down or I wouldnt get them in as the load area room isnt large at all. Got to my friend for him to take the wheels in his mk5 astra estate. All 4 wheels stood up across the boot with room either side and seats up. His boot is huge compared to mine.
I've had to buy a roof box for camping as for 2 people I have to have the seats down for a weeks camping trip. They look great, great to drive, comfy etc yes boot space - pants
The boot isnt that big. Example I got 4 18" wheels for a friend and had to have the back seats down or I wouldnt get them in as the load area room isnt large at all. Got to my friend for him to take the wheels in his mk5 astra estate. All 4 wheels stood up across the boot with room either side and seats up. His boot is huge compared to mine.
I've had to buy a roof box for camping as for 2 people I have to have the seats down for a weeks camping trip. They look great, great to drive, comfy etc yes boot space - pants
twokcc said:
They are not that spacious in boot and even with both seats folded down. less that my dads MK1 Focus Estate. Low roofline over rear doors and gap from seat cushion to B pillar at footwell can make it difficult for elderly access.
May not be a problem depends on our circumstances.
8<
This ^^^^.May not be a problem depends on our circumstances.
8<
I bought my 2008 E91 LCI when it was 4 years old and had covered under 5K miles from new. When looking around it at the dealer, I noticed the drivers door seal rubber was badly split and perished where it runs down the B pillar. Salesman couldn't (or wouldn't) explain the reason for it but offered to have it replaced upon purchase. This was duly done, and it wasn't until I had got it home and started driving it in earnest, that I realised the possible explanation for its early demise. As the car is so low down, my right arm/elbow always tends to lean on the B pillar for support when trying to heave myself out of the car. It also gets a good scraping when lowering myself into the cockpit too.
Also, I occasionally give lifts to an elderly couple in their 80s, and both struggle considerably when either of them tries to get out of the rear doors. So, if you and your elderly folks value their dignity, I would not be considering this type of car for their needs.
As I am getting on a bit now, I am beginning to realise my days with this otherwise lovely car are definitely numbered and I shall need to look at something higher off the ground if I am not to find myself involuntarily entombed in it one day!
YMMV!
Kev_Mk3 said:
I have a e91.
The boot isnt that big. Example I got 4 18" wheels for a friend and had to have the back seats down or I wouldnt get them in as the load area room isnt large at all. Got to my friend for him to take the wheels in his mk5 astra estate. All 4 wheels stood up across the boot with room either side and seats up. His boot is huge compared to mine.
I know what you mean about the boot not being huge - I bought a set of 4 wheels for my Z4 and the guy I bought them from had them in the boot of his Seat Leon Estate with his rear seats up! The boot isnt that big. Example I got 4 18" wheels for a friend and had to have the back seats down or I wouldnt get them in as the load area room isnt large at all. Got to my friend for him to take the wheels in his mk5 astra estate. All 4 wheels stood up across the boot with room either side and seats up. His boot is huge compared to mine.
I suppose if it means seats down in an E91 it's not really any easier than in my Compact.
Thanks for the replies everyone - maybe it's time for a rethink!
CaptainMorgan said:
Raffels makes a good point, my partner has a E90 and her Nonna struggles to get in and out of it, front or rear. In fact, to be honest I struggle to get my arse in and out most of the time, they're quite low, certainly no easier than my Compact.
My mother is 95, so struggles a bit with any car! But as she is only just over 5 feet tall she can manage the Compact OK (but the Z4 wouldn't be an option). She'd probably find anything high a bigger problem TBH.
I have an E91 - as with the other posters, only way to get a set of wheels in is to fold the seats flat - this gets a bit annoying when you have to take child seats out to do so.
The boot space is fine for a weekend away, but anything more than that you need a roof box. We pretty much have to use ours if going away for a week, as pram takes up most of the boot.
It is also low like others have said. This is great for driving, but not so good for putting kids into child seats. I've got a bad back and this is something I struggle with a bit tbh.
M Sport suspension is terrible for the ride in the back, even after ditching run flats.
I've had mine for over 7 years now, and I love it (335i, so great all round family/fun car and a lot of the issues above can be forgiven) but thinking of replacing next year - I was going to move to an X5 given I'm a bit fed up with the small boot, and back hurting when putting the kids into the child seats - however, having just seen how much the warranty costs per month, I'm having a rethink.
The boot space is fine for a weekend away, but anything more than that you need a roof box. We pretty much have to use ours if going away for a week, as pram takes up most of the boot.
It is also low like others have said. This is great for driving, but not so good for putting kids into child seats. I've got a bad back and this is something I struggle with a bit tbh.
M Sport suspension is terrible for the ride in the back, even after ditching run flats.
I've had mine for over 7 years now, and I love it (335i, so great all round family/fun car and a lot of the issues above can be forgiven) but thinking of replacing next year - I was going to move to an X5 given I'm a bit fed up with the small boot, and back hurting when putting the kids into the child seats - however, having just seen how much the warranty costs per month, I'm having a rethink.
Mr Whippy said:
Latest model Golf estate, or Seat equivalent.
Old people don't like rock hard BMW sport ride, plus rft.
Even a nice smooth car ride can start to feel like hell so if this car is for elderly duty I'd focus on ride/access/size of boot over it being a rwd NA BMW.
To be fair I do about 7,500 miles a year in my Compact, and Mum is probably only in it for a few hundred of those so I figure my preference for RWD takes some priority! Old people don't like rock hard BMW sport ride, plus rft.
Even a nice smooth car ride can start to feel like hell so if this car is for elderly duty I'd focus on ride/access/size of boot over it being a rwd NA BMW.
And my Compact is a Sport, but not on RFTS luckily! Plus she must be used to it as my nephew has an E46 325i Sport Touring and my sister has a Mini Cooper on RFTs - she only gets a break in my niece's Corsa!
But she is a bit of a badge snob, so would probably prefer to live with a firm ride in a BMW than a smooth ride in a Ford!
Get the 330i. I'm not sure it will cost that much more to run in the long run personally 
.
What makes you think the calipers need doing on your E46? Discs/pads and flexis wouldn't put me off and nor would the RTABs ; I'd get the subframe bushes changed for Poly ones (SuperPro or PowerFlex) or for new M3 items from BMW ; it transformed my car on a simialr mileage. Apart from rear handbrake calipers or old BL s
te I've never had a caliper go or stick on me and I've done some big mileages in cars, as in 300k on a few occasions.
.What makes you think the calipers need doing on your E46? Discs/pads and flexis wouldn't put me off and nor would the RTABs ; I'd get the subframe bushes changed for Poly ones (SuperPro or PowerFlex) or for new M3 items from BMW ; it transformed my car on a simialr mileage. Apart from rear handbrake calipers or old BL s
te I've never had a caliper go or stick on me and I've done some big mileages in cars, as in 300k on a few occasions.I've got an e46 330 Touring 6sp and it is a hell of a car. It really would have ticked every box when new, but they are getting on a bit now. My 04 has 150k+ miles and is a bit tired. Usual e46 rear arch rust, oil leaks, etc., but I do like it.
Ideally at some stage I would trade it for an e91 touring, either a 330 or 335, but they aren't that common in a decent spec and I suspect I would get that budget creep - want a sport for the seats, want idrive/nav for the toys, but then the LCI nav is much better, want manual/DCT (don't think they did DCT in saloons/tourings), suddenly your £5k family saloon is over £10k...
I find the best way to think about the touring is like a large old school hatchback rather than a true estate. Probably about the same size boot as my Saab 9000, but not as big as my old classic Saab 900. Bit bigger than my wife's Qashqai.
Ideally at some stage I would trade it for an e91 touring, either a 330 or 335, but they aren't that common in a decent spec and I suspect I would get that budget creep - want a sport for the seats, want idrive/nav for the toys, but then the LCI nav is much better, want manual/DCT (don't think they did DCT in saloons/tourings), suddenly your £5k family saloon is over £10k...
I find the best way to think about the touring is like a large old school hatchback rather than a true estate. Probably about the same size boot as my Saab 9000, but not as big as my old classic Saab 900. Bit bigger than my wife's Qashqai.
Panthro said:
I was originally looking for an E91 330i but went for an E61 530i instead. Much more room in the boot and for rear passengers.
I did the same, the e91 is a good compromise between sporty and practical, if you already have a fun car the e61 gives you comfort, practicality and competence. Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff