E90 330i SE - Commuter Car
Discussion
Hello,
My leased Fiesta Red Edition goes back in April and I'd like to keep my Z4 35is as weekend car so have been looking at what to replace the Fiesta with and rather than take another lease for the same value over 2 years (£4.5k) I've been looking at what I could buy for the same money.
I've found this car which looks to have a good history and looks in great condition, however I'm not that aware of potential issues with the E90 even though I've owned other BMW's in the past (E39, E86 and E89). I think I'm correct in thinking it will have the N52 engine at this age? If so then I probably need to see if the water pump has ever been changed as this is an expensive job.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Any other pitfalls specific to the E90 I should be aware of?
Thanks,
Neil
My leased Fiesta Red Edition goes back in April and I'd like to keep my Z4 35is as weekend car so have been looking at what to replace the Fiesta with and rather than take another lease for the same value over 2 years (£4.5k) I've been looking at what I could buy for the same money.
I've found this car which looks to have a good history and looks in great condition, however I'm not that aware of potential issues with the E90 even though I've owned other BMW's in the past (E39, E86 and E89). I think I'm correct in thinking it will have the N52 engine at this age? If so then I probably need to see if the water pump has ever been changed as this is an expensive job.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
Any other pitfalls specific to the E90 I should be aware of?
Thanks,
Neil
Correct that will an N52. Quite rare to see an E90 on a 54 plate, an RL registration would possibly indicate that it was a BMW UK press or launch car, before they switched to Thorne for PDI etc.
I currently run a manual E91 330i SE, definitely try to check if the water pump has been done, mine went last year at 99k miles and it was around £650, inc a new thermostat to fix. Personally I would try and find a car with sports seats, that one has the standard SE seats. Sports seats were optional on the SE's, the seats are the same as those in M Sport cars. I-drive is nice to have, but it will be the CCC system, this can be upgraded to the later CIC system, fortunately my car had this done already, it's is a big improvement.
This one lacks xenon's and so does mine, I do miss them, especially at this time of year. My other concern would be how much life the auto box has left, this can be the age and mileage where they give up.
On the whole I love mine, they make a great daily driver and thankfully don't rust like E46's!
I currently run a manual E91 330i SE, definitely try to check if the water pump has been done, mine went last year at 99k miles and it was around £650, inc a new thermostat to fix. Personally I would try and find a car with sports seats, that one has the standard SE seats. Sports seats were optional on the SE's, the seats are the same as those in M Sport cars. I-drive is nice to have, but it will be the CCC system, this can be upgraded to the later CIC system, fortunately my car had this done already, it's is a big improvement.
This one lacks xenon's and so does mine, I do miss them, especially at this time of year. My other concern would be how much life the auto box has left, this can be the age and mileage where they give up.
On the whole I love mine, they make a great daily driver and thankfully don't rust like E46's!
Sorry I can't add much to this OP, but then you have had other N52 engined cars before so you know about the electric water pump wallet-emptier!
For a cheap and cheerful daily you could do worse than an E46 Compact - they don't seem to rust like all the other E46s, although the styling is a bit Marmite!
Hope you find something you like!
For a cheap and cheerful daily you could do worse than an E46 Compact - they don't seem to rust like all the other E46s, although the styling is a bit Marmite!
Hope you find something you like!
NeilMick said:
That's a very nicely specced car and I've always loved that style of alloy wheel too. cerb4.5lee said:
NeilMick said:
That's a very nicely specced car and I've always loved that style of alloy wheel too. I would use the Z4 and not bother with the E90.
Why?
a) The Z4 is basically an E90 - so it's interior is comfortable and it's full of the same kit that makes life easier in an E90
b) The Z4 35iS is as near as makes no difference about as fuel efficient as an earlier N52 330i
c) Running 2 cars is a pain that probably isn't worth it unless the cars are very very different
Why?
a) The Z4 is basically an E90 - so it's interior is comfortable and it's full of the same kit that makes life easier in an E90
b) The Z4 35iS is as near as makes no difference about as fuel efficient as an earlier N52 330i
c) Running 2 cars is a pain that probably isn't worth it unless the cars are very very different
Fox- said:
I would use the Z4 and not bother with the E90.
Why?
a) The Z4 is basically an E90 - so it's interior is comfortable and it's full of the same kit that makes life easier in an E90
b) The Z4 35iS is as near as makes no difference about as fuel efficient as an earlier N52 330i
c) Running 2 cars is a pain that probably isn't worth it unless the cars are very very different
I kind of agree with this, and I've a z4 35i (not s) too. But, I run 3 cars total, a v70 shed, the aforementioned z4 and then a 760iL. (I also spend most weeks abroad with my job driving Enterprise's fleet of Focus-type cars, but that's irrelevant!) All 3 I own are very different, and get used for different things:Why?
a) The Z4 is basically an E90 - so it's interior is comfortable and it's full of the same kit that makes life easier in an E90
b) The Z4 35iS is as near as makes no difference about as fuel efficient as an earlier N52 330i
c) Running 2 cars is a pain that probably isn't worth it unless the cars are very very different
V70 - Tip Runs, local pottering about.
Z4 - Sunny days.
760 - Distance. (And everyone wants to sit in the back too!)
All three average 20-22mpg, so it's not about the fuel.
You already budget for two cars, so it's no news to you on the additional costs. Maybe an e91 rather than an e90, for additional practicality? (Admittedly decent petrol estates are rare).
ETA - just looked at the 2nd one linked - those aren't e90 wheels (from a e63 IIRC), and so should have spacers for offsetting correctly - a good negotiation point maybe?
I had an E92 325i SE which I upgraded with Sport Seats - pretty easy to do if you consider whether yours are electric or not before you buy. Facelift seats can fit in prefacelift but some minor wiring changes may be needed.
Reluctor rings can cause abs and traction control probs. Also the abs pumps can fail - very expensive to replace but ecutesting can refurb them for about £240.
Don't discount the 325i - not as fast and similar fuel consumption, but this does mean they are less popular and can be cheaper.
E90forum is your friend - there is a dedicated U.K. section and may have some cars for sale.
Reluctor rings can cause abs and traction control probs. Also the abs pumps can fail - very expensive to replace but ecutesting can refurb them for about £240.
Don't discount the 325i - not as fast and similar fuel consumption, but this does mean they are less popular and can be cheaper.
E90forum is your friend - there is a dedicated U.K. section and may have some cars for sale.
Prinny said:
All 3 I own are very different, and get used for different things:
V70 - Tip Runs, local pottering about.
Z4 - Sunny days.
760 - Distance. (And everyone wants to sit in the back too!)
But the fact they are all obviously very different is important - the Z4 is a 2 seater E90, basically. It's a wonderful car, a giant leap over the E85 and really is every day usable and every day refined.V70 - Tip Runs, local pottering about.
Z4 - Sunny days.
760 - Distance. (And everyone wants to sit in the back too!)
Fox- said:
Prinny said:
All 3 I own are very different, and get used for different things:
V70 - Tip Runs, local pottering about.
Z4 - Sunny days.
760 - Distance. (And everyone wants to sit in the back too!)
But the fact they are all obviously very different is important - the Z4 is a 2 seater E90, basically. It's a wonderful car, a giant leap over the E85 and really is every day usable and every day refined.V70 - Tip Runs, local pottering about.
Z4 - Sunny days.
760 - Distance. (And everyone wants to sit in the back too!)
Overall empasis was meant to be around the E91 suggestion, rather than E90, but reading back, it doesn't really come across that way.
And, style 162's are an original E90 fitment, so I have to retract my edit (I'll leave it in anyway - hate not knowing what got cut out) from the previous post. Credit to Helix402 from the other E9* 330i thread also running.
-probably time for me to step away from the keyboard for the day...Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff