BMW ( E90) 325i buying/ownership advice

[Josh93]

Hi all! Ok so the title says pretty much everything that needs to be said, I can tell you a few important details but I'd love to hear anyone's experience or advice with regards to anything e90/BMW related that could help me along the way.

My budget is around 7-9k and I have the huge advantage of not having any specific spec/colour etc in mind other than I would like it to be the 3.0 litre version and be 08/09/10 (which I believe only has the 3 litre unit anyway).

I'd love to hear owning experiences and get an idea of maintinence costs etc (without including insurance, tax and petrol).

One last thing is, if anybody knows any more technical details that may lead me towards a certain year e90 to avoid for example.. basically any details would be greatly appreciated!

[harrisp]

Shame you're not after a 325 e93 as I've got one fore sale.
If it's the 3.0 engine things to be wary of are high pressure fuel pump (mine has had 2 replacements at 61k)
Injectors (mines had 3 replaced)
Coilpacks (mines had all 6 done but they were a recall)
Nox sensor (not sure how common it is but I've heard of a few needing them including mine)
If it's an auto then the mechatronics seal has a tendency to leak and you have to replace the gearbox sump to change. But a fairly easy diy job.

[Josh93]

harrisp said:

Shame you're not after a 325 e93 as I've got one fore sale.
If it's the 3.0 engine things to be wary of are high pressure fuel pump (mine has had 2 replacements at 61k)
Injectors (mines had 3 replaced)
Coilpacks (mines had all 6 done but they were a recall)
Nox sensor (not sure how common it is but I've heard of a few needing them including mine)
If it's an auto then the mechatronics seal has a tendency to leak and you have to replace the gearbox sump to change. But a fairly easy diy job.

Haha almost! I could only go for an e90 or e92 though! May I ask how long you've had the car for and how much it's cost you for those things along with services? I'm trying to get a better overall idea by hearing a few people's experiences.

[harrisp]

Also I'm sure there is a weakness with the abs pump (mines had one of them as well).

[toon10]

I ran an E90 325i for 4 years (the 2.5 version). I don't think there's a lot in it in terms of mpg or servicing costs over the 3 litre engine. I had a coil pack failure which was about £110 to fix and not much else went wrong. I was getting 25mpg average but if you do a lot of motorway miles that creeps up. It wasn't anymore expensive to run or service than my old V6 Mondeo or 2.4 Accord. In fact, it was cheaper than the Mondeo overall as it didn't break as much.

[harrisp]

It's only had 1 service with us owning it and the majority of problems were fixed by the previous owner but the costs I can remember are roughly.

£750 for the fuel pump and fitting
£200 for the gearbox seal,sump and oil (changed myself)
£300 ish for the Nox sensor (previous owner)
£1800 for the fuel pump and injectors (previous owner)

[MrBen1]

I have one, an 09 plate E90 325i SE auto saloon. Owned since early 2012, bought with 60k miles on it, and now on about 121k.

I've had a few of the usual issues:

- Coil pack failure - all replaced under warranty (thankfully went just inside the 3 year new car warranty period)
- Injector failure - unfortunately had to replace all at my cost - circa £1k
- Radiator Fan failure - circa £300

Otherwise just usual servicing, one set of brake pads, and a few sets of tyres. Overall does about 27mpg - that's living inside the M25 so fair bit of in town driving, no doubt others get better.

I like the auto, it is quite lazy in standard mode, but put into sport mode makes it reasonably perky, or use the paddles when really giving it some. That said, if you want to drive it like a sports car, buy the manual. This engine needs to sing to really move, but makes a lovely noise when doing so.

Overall, I really like it and struggling to decide with what to replace it now that you can't buy a six-cylinder petrol 3-series other than the 335/340.

[danp]

I specifically didn't want one of the facelift ones with direct injection due to the problems with injectors and fuel pumps etc...I assume they coke up as well like the 335i?

Will soon be selling my lovely early manual 330i if it's not too old for you. Almost perfect condition inside and out with just under 40k on it. Or you're welcome to have a poke round it and try it (I'm in Hants)

[Josh93]

toon10 said:

I ran an E90 325i for 4 years (the 2.5 version). I don't think there's a lot in it in terms of mpg or servicing costs over the 3 litre engine. I had a coil pack failure which was about £110 to fix and not much else went wrong. I was getting 25mpg average but if you do a lot of motorway miles that creeps up. It wasn't anymore expensive to run or service than my old V6 Mondeo or 2.4 Accord. In fact, it was cheaper than the Mondeo overall as it didn't break as much.

Well that sounds promising haha, to be honest I'm slightly terrrified of potential repair bills flying comfortably into 4 figures so it's always reassuring to hear of relatively problem free ownership.

First though, what kind of driving was it to get 25mpg as an average (that seems pretty decent) and one big thing I was interested in was the 2.5 compared to the 3L on the 325. Is the 2.5. I'm really flexible with all of these details and I'm even considering the more powerful 330.

[Josh93]

harrisp said:

It's only had 1 service with us owning it and the majority of problems were fixed by the previous owner but the costs I can remember are roughly.

£750 for the fuel pump and fitting
£200 for the gearbox seal,sump and oil (changed myself)
£300 ish for the Nox sensor (previous owner)
£1800 for the fuel pump and injectors (previous owner)

Was it a BMW service? If so, which type and how much?

And also are those the repair bills for the cars entire life (expensive ones) as you said you weren't the one to fork out for most of it

[Josh93]

MrBen1 said:

I have one, an 09 plate E90 325i SE auto saloon. Owned since early 2012, bought with 60k miles on it, and now on about 121k.

I've had a few of the usual issues:

- Coil pack failure - all replaced under warranty (thankfully went just inside the 3 year new car warranty period)
- Injector failure - unfortunately had to replace all at my cost - circa £1k
- Radiator Fan failure - circa £300

Otherwise just usual servicing, one set of brake pads, and a few sets of tyres. Overall does about 27mpg - that's living inside the M25 so fair bit of in town driving, no doubt others get better.

I like the auto, it is quite lazy in standard mode, but put into sport mode makes it reasonably perky, or use the paddles when really giving it some. That said, if you want to drive it like a sports car, buy the manual. This engine needs to sing to really move, but makes a lovely noise when doing so.

Overall, I really like it and struggling to decide with what to replace it now that you can't buy a six-cylinder petrol 3-series other than the 335/340.

That doesn't sound too troublesome as I understand the coil packs aren't to expensive anyway, where did you go to get the injectors fixed for 1000?

I personally would always stick to the manual for driving preference and reliability but I could imagine the e90 would be.great to drive as an auto too.

[toon10]

Josh93 said:

Well that sounds promising haha, to be honest I'm slightly terrrified of potential repair bills flying comfortably into 4 figures so it's always reassuring to hear of relatively problem free ownership.

First though, what kind of driving was it to get 25mpg as an average (that seems pretty decent) and one big thing I was interested in was the 2.5 compared to the 3L on the 325. Is the 2.5. I'm really flexible with all of these details and I'm even considering the more powerful 330.

Most of my driving was around town with about 25% on dual carriageways. To be honest, it seemed to return 24 to 26mpg no matter how I drove it or what type of journeys I did excluding a long run. The 2.5 325 and the 3.0 325 (a de-tuned 330) churned out the same power 218bhp I think but the 330 is 258bhp and I don't think it was much different in running costs or mpg. I'd be looking for the 330 to be honest. The only reason I didn't get one was local availability at the time.

[Josh93]

toon10 said:

Most of my driving was around town with about 25% on dual carriageways. To be honest, it seemed to return 24 to 26mpg no matter how I drove it or what type of journeys I did excluding a long run. The 2.5 325 and the 3.0 325 (a de-tuned 330) churned out the same power 218bhp I think but the 330 is 258bhp and I don't think it was much different in running costs or mpg. I'd be looking for the 330 to be honest. The only reason I didn't get one was local availability at the time.

I'm leaning further towards the 330 now because it actually seems the car can be bought for cheaper and the extra power is pretty massive! I'm just not sure is realistically the running costs will massively increase or that the more stressed engine may turn out to be far less reliable.

[cerb4.5lee]

I've had my E90 330i four years this year and the most expensive service has been £280 which included the spark plugs.

The other services have been oil and brake fluid changes which aren't too bad cost wise, the car had brand new tyres/brakes when I purchased it so I've not had to worry about them yet.

Fuel wise it returns 26/27 mpg, I keep mulling over swapping it but it's such a good all round car I'm not sure what I'd swap it for without spending a fair amount more on something else.

[OddCat]

I have a 2010 330i SE Highline. It's a smashing car.

Might even be for sale soon.......

[MrBen1]

Josh93 said:

MrBen1 said:

I have one, an 09 plate E90 325i SE auto saloon. Owned since early 2012, bought with 60k miles on it, and now on about 121k.

I've had a few of the usual issues:

- Coil pack failure - all replaced under warranty (thankfully went just inside the 3 year new car warranty period)
- Injector failure - unfortunately had to replace all at my cost - circa £1k
- Radiator Fan failure - circa £300

Otherwise just usual servicing, one set of brake pads, and a few sets of tyres. Overall does about 27mpg - that's living inside the M25 so fair bit of in town driving, no doubt others get better.

I like the auto, it is quite lazy in standard mode, but put into sport mode makes it reasonably perky, or use the paddles when really giving it some. That said, if you want to drive it like a sports car, buy the manual. This engine needs to sing to really move, but makes a lovely noise when doing so.

Overall, I really like it and struggling to decide with what to replace it now that you can't buy a six-cylinder petrol 3-series other than the 335/340.

That doesn't sound too troublesome as I understand the coil packs aren't to expensive anyway, where did you go to get the injectors fixed for 1000?

I personally would always stick to the manual for driving preference and reliability but I could imagine the e90 would be.great to drive as an auto too.

Injectors were done by an independent, TWG in Camberley. I had to have a full set as mine were the originals and they no longer sell those as they were redesigned, and you can't mix the two types, hence despite only a couple being knackered, they had to replace all of them.

[cerb4.5lee]

OddCat said:

I have a 2010 330i SE Highline. It's a smashing car.

Might even be for sale soon.......

Really like that colour.

[Josh93]

cerb4.5lee said:

I've had my E90 330i four years this year and the most expensive service has been £280 which included the spark plugs.

The other services have been oil and brake fluid changes which aren't too bad cost wise, the car had brand new tyres/brakes when I purchased it so I've not had to worry about them yet.

Fuel wise it returns 26/27 mpg, I keep mulling over swapping it but it's such a good all round car I'm not sure what I'd swap it for without spending a fair amount more on something else.

These are all great things that I'm so happy to hear, especially after owning the car for such a long time. It's also good to see you're still enjoying it!

[Josh93]

OddCat said:

I have a 2010 330i SE Highline. It's a smashing car.

Might even be for sale soon.......

this is almost exactly what I'd be looking for (if I was going to be really fussy) as I think I'd prefer a 3 door SE 09/10. Colour is very unique too!

[OddCat]

Josh93 said:

OddCat said:

I have a 2010 330i SE Highline. It's a smashing car.

Might even be for sale soon.......

this is almost exactly what I'd be looking for (if I was going to be really fussy) as I think I'd prefer a 3 door SE 09/10. Colour is very unique too!

I don't think they do a 3 door ?

Edit: Maybe I misread what you meant ?