330i 2006 - good choice?
Discussion
Having changed jobs and a much smaller commute than before it is time for me to bin off the shed Jag I've been dailying and finally buy something a lot more fun!
I've always been a bit VAG or Renaultsport so think it is time to finally get a BMW and I think for my budget of around 4k the 330i is ticking all the boxes for me. I need the 4 door rather than coupe for practically, is there anything else I should be looking at or anybody with any experience running one who can give their opinion?
Cheers, Stu
I've always been a bit VAG or Renaultsport so think it is time to finally get a BMW and I think for my budget of around 4k the 330i is ticking all the boxes for me. I need the 4 door rather than coupe for practically, is there anything else I should be looking at or anybody with any experience running one who can give their opinion?
Cheers, Stu
Yeah I had a 330i before I got my 335i, it was a great car, there will always be issues with older cars and the most common one I have had to deal with on every BM I've had is rocker cover gasket and oil breather hose may need a clean, all these cars were plus 80k though, but I'm sure you will get all sorts of responses saying one thing or another but it doesn't mean you will get every 'common' issue, its luck of the draw I suppose.
I'm finding for the first time ever with any car I've had that I must be getting every n54 common fault going on my 335, water pump, turbos, walnut blasting etc.. but its at that mileage where everything is going wrong for the first time (85k) so I suppose what I saying is check receipts to see what has been done then just enjoy your new car
I'm finding for the first time ever with any car I've had that I must be getting every n54 common fault going on my 335, water pump, turbos, walnut blasting etc.. but its at that mileage where everything is going wrong for the first time (85k) so I suppose what I saying is check receipts to see what has been done then just enjoy your new car
Hi
A 2006 MY will be the N52 engine, so more tax and less mpg than the 2007 onwards N53. However, it is more reliable with less to go wrong. Check N53 injector issues.
I have owned a 2007 coupe for three years. It is quick, refined and for me so far reliable. I have a niggle that the injectors need looking at though.....😟
I would not describe it as 'fun', as it is too damned competent. ( I come from various mid engined sports cars and various Mini Cooper S). The auto box maybe detracts from the experience, a long with the lack of noise, but I have grown to love it......
Mike
A 2006 MY will be the N52 engine, so more tax and less mpg than the 2007 onwards N53. However, it is more reliable with less to go wrong. Check N53 injector issues.
I have owned a 2007 coupe for three years. It is quick, refined and for me so far reliable. I have a niggle that the injectors need looking at though.....😟
I would not describe it as 'fun', as it is too damned competent. ( I come from various mid engined sports cars and various Mini Cooper S). The auto box maybe detracts from the experience, a long with the lack of noise, but I have grown to love it......
Mike
mike9009 said:
Hi
A 2006 MY will be the N52 engine, so more tax and less mpg than the 2007 onwards N53. However, it is more reliable with less to go wrong. Check N53 injector issues.
I have owned a 2007 coupe for three years. It is quick, refined and for me so far reliable. I have a niggle that the injectors need looking at though.....??
I would not describe it as 'fun', as it is too damned competent. ( I come from various mid engined sports cars and various Mini Cooper S). The auto box maybe detracts from the experience, a long with the lack of noise, but I have grown to love it......
Mike
Yeah I agree with that, N53 direct injection then I assume? I needed walnut blasting on my N54 (research that) but like mike said lower tax less maintenance (hopefully) Injectors will probably need looking at and as I found out they aren't cheap and a pain, you cant just pop them in, they need to be coded so then restricted as to who could do the work. so n52 not as quick, but possibly less hassle A 2006 MY will be the N52 engine, so more tax and less mpg than the 2007 onwards N53. However, it is more reliable with less to go wrong. Check N53 injector issues.
I have owned a 2007 coupe for three years. It is quick, refined and for me so far reliable. I have a niggle that the injectors need looking at though.....??
I would not describe it as 'fun', as it is too damned competent. ( I come from various mid engined sports cars and various Mini Cooper S). The auto box maybe detracts from the experience, a long with the lack of noise, but I have grown to love it......
Mike
I bought a 55 plate 330iSE on 110K miles back in April and am really pleased with it.
As someone said it's no sports car, but it handles tidily enough and mine (a manual) certainly gets going when I let the revs climb a bit.
Luckily the previous owner had an oil service and the cam-cover gasket replaced a couple of months before I bought it!
The only other common issue I can think of is that the electric water pump always dies at some stage, and you really don't want to drive it with a dead pump so it's rather inconvenient. And a new Pierburg (same brand as OE) costs around £250 - just don't buy it from BMW as they charge about double that.
As someone said it's no sports car, but it handles tidily enough and mine (a manual) certainly gets going when I let the revs climb a bit.
Luckily the previous owner had an oil service and the cam-cover gasket replaced a couple of months before I bought it!
The only other common issue I can think of is that the electric water pump always dies at some stage, and you really don't want to drive it with a dead pump so it's rather inconvenient. And a new Pierburg (same brand as OE) costs around £250 - just don't buy it from BMW as they charge about double that.
There’s a whole thread on here, worth looking up.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
My OH has had hers for nearly a year & still loves it, hers is an auto which I’m not a fan of but suits her well.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
My OH has had hers for nearly a year & still loves it, hers is an auto which I’m not a fan of but suits her well.
Edited by LordHaveMurci on Wednesday 4th December 22:03
Mr Tidy said:
I bought a 55 plate 330iSE on 110K miles back in April and am really pleased with it.
As someone said it's no sports car, but it handles tidily enough and mine (a manual) certainly gets going when I let the revs climb a bit.
Luckily the previous owner had an oil service and the cam-cover gasket replaced a couple of months before I bought it!
The only other common issue I can think of is that the electric water pump always dies at some stage, and you really don't want to drive it with a dead pump so it's rather inconvenient. And a new Pierburg (same brand as OE) costs around £250 - just don't buy it from BMW as they charge about double that.
I was going to say that, it seems most variants of straight six BM's develop more power higher end, but there are things that can be done to improve low end response. Ive had 325's, 328's 330's and M'3s and noticed this and yeas I just spent 500 quid on my water pump inc labour :-( and that was local garage rate (n54 pump though)As someone said it's no sports car, but it handles tidily enough and mine (a manual) certainly gets going when I let the revs climb a bit.
Luckily the previous owner had an oil service and the cam-cover gasket replaced a couple of months before I bought it!
The only other common issue I can think of is that the electric water pump always dies at some stage, and you really don't want to drive it with a dead pump so it's rather inconvenient. And a new Pierburg (same brand as OE) costs around £250 - just don't buy it from BMW as they charge about double that.
mike9009 said:
I would not describe it as 'fun', as it is too damned competent. ( I come from various mid engined sports cars and various Mini Cooper S). The auto box maybe detracts from the experience, a long with the lack of noise, but I have grown to love it......
This mirrors exactly my thoughts of the 2006 330i auto I had for 4 years. Lavo84 said:
I'm going to test drive one at the weekend and see how i get on. The one I'm trying is the N52 engine with an auto box on 120k, a few C Class have been catching my eye but they're all C180s in my range so I don't think they would be close engine wise...
You will love the N52 engine for sure. It is silky smooth and free revving and it has a specialness about it. 
I ran a 2006 330i for three years (2013 - 16). I bought the car with 64k on in and sold it with about 95k.
It was a great car, I loved it in Le Mans blue with Dakota lemon leather. Mine was an auto. It was brisk enough but not that fast composed to modern stuff and the auto box was a bit dim witted (I thought it was fine until I drove a later car with the ZF8).
Fuel economy was c.23mpg around town and mid-30’s on a run.
It was pretty bloody reliable; I had a problem with the VANOS actuators early on which was about £300 to sort. The fuel tank vent pipe split too (common in earlier cars) but I never go round to sorting that. They can also suffer from sticky door handles which mine had dealt with by the previous owner. Other than that it was just consumables and a few cosmetic bits.
Looking at the MOT history, it’s sailed through the MOT’s since we sold it too.
It was a great car, I loved it in Le Mans blue with Dakota lemon leather. Mine was an auto. It was brisk enough but not that fast composed to modern stuff and the auto box was a bit dim witted (I thought it was fine until I drove a later car with the ZF8).
Fuel economy was c.23mpg around town and mid-30’s on a run.
It was pretty bloody reliable; I had a problem with the VANOS actuators early on which was about £300 to sort. The fuel tank vent pipe split too (common in earlier cars) but I never go round to sorting that. They can also suffer from sticky door handles which mine had dealt with by the previous owner. Other than that it was just consumables and a few cosmetic bits.
Looking at the MOT history, it’s sailed through the MOT’s since we sold it too.
Oh well, I'll admit to an addiction to cars with the N52 and a manual gearbox!
1st was an E86 Z4 Coupe in Ruby Black with Pearl Grey leather.
Which got replaced by an E86 in Montego Blue with Pearl Grey leather.
Then last year I got an E91 325i in Sparkling Graphite with heated Lemon leather as a daily.
Which I replaced this year with an E90 330i in Sparkling Graphite with Beige leather and Poplar wood trim - no heated seats, but it has the electric sunroof!
1st was an E86 Z4 Coupe in Ruby Black with Pearl Grey leather.
Which got replaced by an E86 in Montego Blue with Pearl Grey leather.
Then last year I got an E91 325i in Sparkling Graphite with heated Lemon leather as a daily.
Which I replaced this year with an E90 330i in Sparkling Graphite with Beige leather and Poplar wood trim - no heated seats, but it has the electric sunroof!
Lavo84 said:
Great looking car, I have seen a few with the lemon leather I absolutely love it!
You could always check mine out then! https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...It's not just got lemon leather, manual box and N52 but all the right bits have been attended to with receipts adding up to thousands in the last three years.
Plus, with the modifications it handles like an M3...
Depends what you look for but I wouldn't discount the 330D. My mum has a 2006 one in SE spec - about 120k miles and it has been perfect.
I quite like driving it too - low down torque means it quite likes spinning it's wheels at every single opportunity...slow speed oversteer becomes its natural cornering style
I quite like driving it too - low down torque means it quite likes spinning it's wheels at every single opportunity...slow speed oversteer becomes its natural cornering style
SidewaysSi said:
Depends what you look for but I wouldn't discount the 330D. My mum has a 2006 one in SE spec - about 120k miles and it has been perfect.
I quite like driving it too - low down torque means it quite likes spinning it's wheels at every single opportunity...slow speed oversteer becomes its natural cornering style
Also agree with this and I've had both. I had the 330d for 6 years and the 330i for 4 years, and as an overall package I give the edge to the 330d. Both great all round cars though for sure. I quite like driving it too - low down torque means it quite likes spinning it's wheels at every single opportunity...slow speed oversteer becomes its natural cornering style
cerb4.5lee said:
SidewaysSi said:
Depends what you look for but I wouldn't discount the 330D. My mum has a 2006 one in SE spec - about 120k miles and it has been perfect.
I quite like driving it too - low down torque means it quite likes spinning it's wheels at every single opportunity...slow speed oversteer becomes its natural cornering style
Also agree with this and I've had both. I had the 330d for 6 years and the 330i for 4 years, and as an overall package I give the edge to the 330d. Both great all round cars though for sure. I quite like driving it too - low down torque means it quite likes spinning it's wheels at every single opportunity...slow speed oversteer becomes its natural cornering style
rassi said:
cerb4.5lee said:
SidewaysSi said:
Depends what you look for but I wouldn't discount the 330D. My mum has a 2006 one in SE spec - about 120k miles and it has been perfect.
I quite like driving it too - low down torque means it quite likes spinning it's wheels at every single opportunity...slow speed oversteer becomes its natural cornering style
Also agree with this and I've had both. I had the 330d for 6 years and the 330i for 4 years, and as an overall package I give the edge to the 330d. Both great all round cars though for sure. I quite like driving it too - low down torque means it quite likes spinning it's wheels at every single opportunity...slow speed oversteer becomes its natural cornering style
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