Hunting my first 'proper' car - BMW E91 LCI M Sport, Touring
Discussion
Hello All,
Go easy on me, this is my first ever post on a forum...
I'm looking for a E9X Series BMW for my first 'proper' car - I've had a couple of brand new sporty Civics in the past and I'm bored of that type of car. Naturally, a 23 year old virtual realty producer with no commitments would seek out a coupe or convertible right? wrong... I think the Touring / Wagon looks aggressive in M Sport trim and thus I've got about £5k(ish) to spend on a petrol version... So far, I'm on the hunt for an all black M Sport, LCI with the biggest engine one can afford!
I'm in the process of poking around the forums to brush up on any 'horror stories', but if you come across this post and you've any suggestions, hints, or tips when it comes to buying, ownership, or anything else - please let me know!
Interested in peoples' opinions on whether one should get a pre-LCI with a bigger engine, or smaller engine LCI - which would you have...
Thanks,
Stelios.
Go easy on me, this is my first ever post on a forum...
I'm looking for a E9X Series BMW for my first 'proper' car - I've had a couple of brand new sporty Civics in the past and I'm bored of that type of car. Naturally, a 23 year old virtual realty producer with no commitments would seek out a coupe or convertible right? wrong... I think the Touring / Wagon looks aggressive in M Sport trim and thus I've got about £5k(ish) to spend on a petrol version... So far, I'm on the hunt for an all black M Sport, LCI with the biggest engine one can afford!
I'm in the process of poking around the forums to brush up on any 'horror stories', but if you come across this post and you've any suggestions, hints, or tips when it comes to buying, ownership, or anything else - please let me know!
Interested in peoples' opinions on whether one should get a pre-LCI with a bigger engine, or smaller engine LCI - which would you have...
Thanks,
Stelios.
Edited by SteliosTheo on Monday 26th February 21:32
Fox- said:
£5k isn't going to buy an LCI E91 that isn't a shed.
Spend the £7k and spend £0 on modifications instead.
I've seen a few early (09) cars with 120,000(ish) miles on the classifieds for around £5,500 - £6,000.Spend the £7k and spend £0 on modifications instead.
Alternatively - I'm considering an 07/08 pre-LCI if I can't find an LCI
Totally agree with Fox, spend budget on initial purchase ; 40% of price on mods for a E90 series is crazy. Mod over time and one such mod , if you go pre LCI, could simply be the rear lights. 
CIC iDrive is better but even that is dated now and not so good (for Nav purposes) unless you have firmware and updated maps to give a proper postcode search.
Get the lowest mileage / best condition , full service history car you can or you’ll need another budget for repairs.
Would always say go 330 but if budget is tight 325 is an option.
I’d say go manual as that’s a better fit to a N/a engine and more fun. And if we’re back to modding : rid the car of run flats and get some Michelin Pilots Sport 4 tyres.
CIC iDrive is better but even that is dated now and not so good (for Nav purposes) unless you have firmware and updated maps to give a proper postcode search.
Get the lowest mileage / best condition , full service history car you can or you’ll need another budget for repairs.
Would always say go 330 but if budget is tight 325 is an option.
I’d say go manual as that’s a better fit to a N/a engine and more fun. And if we’re back to modding : rid the car of run flats and get some Michelin Pilots Sport 4 tyres.
Smuler said:
Totally agree with Fox, spend budget on initial purchase ; 40% of price on mods for a E90 series is crazy. Mod over time and one such mod , if you go pre LCI, could simply be the rear lights.
CIC iDrive is better but even that is dated now and not so good (for Nav purposes) unless you have firmware and updated maps to give a proper postcode search.
Get the lowest mileage / best condition , full service history car you can or you’ll need another budget for repairs.
Would always say go 330 but if budget is tight 325 is an option.
I’d say go manual as that’s a better fit to a N/a engine and more fun. And if we’re back to modding : rid the car of run flats and get some Michelin Pilots Sport 4 tyres.
Thanks for the info!CIC iDrive is better but even that is dated now and not so good (for Nav purposes) unless you have firmware and updated maps to give a proper postcode search.
Get the lowest mileage / best condition , full service history car you can or you’ll need another budget for repairs.
Would always say go 330 but if budget is tight 325 is an option.
I’d say go manual as that’s a better fit to a N/a engine and more fun. And if we’re back to modding : rid the car of run flats and get some Michelin Pilots Sport 4 tyres.
I'm looking at a 57 (08) 330i with 126,000 miles at the moment - great spec, though it's a pre-LCI but it's within budget.
Interested in peoples' opinions on pre-LCI with a bigger engine, or smaller engine LCI - which would you have...
SteliosTheo said:
Thanks for the info!
I'm looking at a 57 (08) 330i with 126,000 miles at the moment - great spec, though it's a pre-LCI but it's within budget.
Interested in peoples' opinions on pre-LCI with a bigger engine, or smaller engine LCI - which would you have...
M Sport or SE? I'm looking at a 57 (08) 330i with 126,000 miles at the moment - great spec, though it's a pre-LCI but it's within budget.
Interested in peoples' opinions on pre-LCI with a bigger engine, or smaller engine LCI - which would you have...
This is another factor as M Sport has the sports seats and suspension which in my opinion (and I’m not alone on here as this topic is often discussed) are much better than what is on. SE ; though sometimes the SE has these options added at factory or a later owner’s refreshed the suspension at least.
Feel free to post advert/s as that might gain useful opinions on the specific cars you’re looking at from those in the know.
I mentioned rear lights , you can retrofit the CIC iDrive though I don’t know if that’s cost effective unless you’re keeping car a long time.
Smuler said:
M Sport or SE?
This is another factor as M Sport has the sports seats and suspension which in my opinion (and I’m not alone on here as this topic is often discussed) are much better than what is on. SE ; though sometimes the SE has these options added at factory or a later owner’s refreshed the suspension at least.
Feel free to post advert/s as that might gain useful opinions on the specific cars you’re looking at from those in the know.
I mentioned rear lights , you can retrofit the CIC iDrive though I don’t know if that’s cost effective unless you’re keeping car a long time.
M Sport all the way! It's a must as I absolutely love the look of the M sport kit and stance. This is another factor as M Sport has the sports seats and suspension which in my opinion (and I’m not alone on here as this topic is often discussed) are much better than what is on. SE ; though sometimes the SE has these options added at factory or a later owner’s refreshed the suspension at least.
Feel free to post advert/s as that might gain useful opinions on the specific cars you’re looking at from those in the know.
I mentioned rear lights , you can retrofit the CIC iDrive though I don’t know if that’s cost effective unless you’re keeping car a long time.
I'll post a link to a couple of the adverts I've been looking at once I'm back on a computer (a little later) but in short, I've really taken fancy to a 127,000 mile Silver 57 (08) automatic 330i M sport which I'm confident I can negotiate down to £5,000.
Do you think 127,000 miles is too much? I've been doing around 6000-8000 miles a year so I won't be adding much to the clock im the couple of years I'll own it.
Not to fussed about the CIC vs CCC iDrive to be honest - I'll mount my mobile somewhere for nav and general entertainment.
Thanks!
OP will find any LCI E91 in his budget is going to be leggy - and what has the LCI got that the earlier ones didn't have in terms of functionality? Just updated styling AFAIK.
But all LCI's will have EPAS, and for 325is and 330is the N53 engine with it's HPFP, Injector and coil-pack issues!
I wanted an E91 to replace my 325ti E46 for a bit more practicality, and bought an 06 plate 325i SE last week. It has the N52 engine and hydraulic PAS - on 16s with winter tyres it drives really well, especially in this weather!
But all LCI's will have EPAS, and for 325is and 330is the N53 engine with it's HPFP, Injector and coil-pack issues!
I wanted an E91 to replace my 325ti E46 for a bit more practicality, and bought an 06 plate 325i SE last week. It has the N52 engine and hydraulic PAS - on 16s with winter tyres it drives really well, especially in this weather!
SteliosTheo said:
M Sport all the way! It's a must as I absolutely love the look of the M sport kit and stance.
I'll post a link to a couple of the adverts I've been looking at once I'm back on a computer (a little later) but in short, I've really taken fancy to a 127,000 mile Silver 57 (08) automatic 330i M sport which I'm confident I can negotiate down to £5,000.
Do you think 127,000 miles is too much? I've been doing around 6000-8000 miles a year so I won't be adding much to the clock im the couple of years I'll own it.
Not to fussed about the CIC vs CCC iDrive to be honest - I'll mount my mobile somewhere for nav and general entertainment.
Thanks!
Is it YC57 DZY? I'll post a link to a couple of the adverts I've been looking at once I'm back on a computer (a little later) but in short, I've really taken fancy to a 127,000 mile Silver 57 (08) automatic 330i M sport which I'm confident I can negotiate down to £5,000.
Do you think 127,000 miles is too much? I've been doing around 6000-8000 miles a year so I won't be adding much to the clock im the couple of years I'll own it.
Not to fussed about the CIC vs CCC iDrive to be honest - I'll mount my mobile somewhere for nav and general entertainment.
Thanks!
If so the ad says 126k miles, but MOT a year ago was a little higher and the ad says 08 but my check, says it's registered in 2007
https://totalcarcheck.co.uk/FreeCheck?regno=yc57dz...
Ignore me if I've guessed wrong, but otherwise unless local well worth checking all this is sound before wasting time traveling to drive.
MOT history is overall good, though there's an issue raised about ABS last time, so would need surety it's sorted.
Smuler said:
Is it YC57 DZY?
If so the ad says 126k miles, but MOT a year ago was a little higher and the ad says 08 but my check, says it's registered in 2007
https://totalcarcheck.co.uk/FreeCheck?regno=yc57dz...
Ignore me if I've guessed wrong, but otherwise unless local well worth checking all this is sound before wasting time traveling to drive.
MOT history is overall good, though there's an issue raised about ABS last time, so would need surety it's sorted.
That's the one! wow - thanks so much for the info! If so the ad says 126k miles, but MOT a year ago was a little higher and the ad says 08 but my check, says it's registered in 2007
https://totalcarcheck.co.uk/FreeCheck?regno=yc57dz...
Ignore me if I've guessed wrong, but otherwise unless local well worth checking all this is sound before wasting time traveling to drive.
MOT history is overall good, though there's an issue raised about ABS last time, so would need surety it's sorted.
Interested in your thoughts on DA59 WGM which is on AutoTrader for £5,895 which far exceeds my budget but appears cheap for the spec (in my opinion).
I've been trying to gauge the market on the E91s but it's proving near impossible given how many variables there are (mileage, year, model, LCI, engine, fuel, gearbox, etc.).
SteliosTheo said:
Smuler said:
Is it YC57 DZY?
If so the ad says 126k miles, but MOT a year ago was a little higher and the ad says 08 but my check, says it's registered in 2007
https://totalcarcheck.co.uk/FreeCheck?regno=yc57dz...
Ignore me if I've guessed wrong, but otherwise unless local well worth checking all this is sound before wasting time traveling to drive.
MOT history is overall good, though there's an issue raised about ABS last time, so would need surety it's sorted.
That's the one! wow - thanks so much for the info! If so the ad says 126k miles, but MOT a year ago was a little higher and the ad says 08 but my check, says it's registered in 2007
https://totalcarcheck.co.uk/FreeCheck?regno=yc57dz...
Ignore me if I've guessed wrong, but otherwise unless local well worth checking all this is sound before wasting time traveling to drive.
MOT history is overall good, though there's an issue raised about ABS last time, so would need surety it's sorted.
Interested in your thoughts on DA59 WGM which is on AutoTrader for £5,895 which far exceeds my budget but appears cheap for the spec (in my opinion).
I've been trying to gauge the market on the E91s but it's proving near impossible given how many variables there are (mileage, year, model, LCI, engine, fuel, gearbox, etc.).
I've never driven one, but I've heard only bad things about them.
And that's a common view here, as in a recent thread a father was looking for a E90 for his son and the steer was away from the 320s. He got a 330i in the end and was very happy.
I've just been on the dog and bone enquiring about insurance for a 330i and to my surprise it's absolutely ridiculous!
I'm 23 with 5 years of experience, I've no no-claims per say as I've always been the 'second' driver but I've never made a claim so my current insurer can supply proof that I've not made a claim in 5 years, and I live in NW3 - Insurance for the 320i is a 'reasonable' £1,800 but for the 330i it's a 'ridiculous' £2,300!
I'm 23 with 5 years of experience, I've no no-claims per say as I've always been the 'second' driver but I've never made a claim so my current insurer can supply proof that I've not made a claim in 5 years, and I live in NW3 - Insurance for the 320i is a 'reasonable' £1,800 but for the 330i it's a 'ridiculous' £2,300!
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