E92 BMW 325i/330i
Discussion
Hi all,
Looking to sell my current car, and get something cheaper, RWD and with more cylinders. I'm pretty much set on an E92 3 series, originally looking at a 335i, but turbo issues have put me off. So I'm after a 330i. However, these seem to be ridiculously rare. Now I have seen people upgrading their 325is to the 330i using the three stage intake manifold and a map for around 1k, but I've also seen people say that this will not work. I think the 325i will be a bit slow coming from a golf R. I've done a lot of searching, but people seem to contradict each other in every thread. So the questions I have - Is the n52b25 as tuneable as the n53b30 (or even tuneable at all, being n/a?) I suspect it won't be, but wanted to make sure. Is it worth spending extra for the N53 over an N52? I know the N52 is supposed to be bulletproof but thirsty, with the N53 being the opposite.
Thank you
Looking to sell my current car, and get something cheaper, RWD and with more cylinders. I'm pretty much set on an E92 3 series, originally looking at a 335i, but turbo issues have put me off. So I'm after a 330i. However, these seem to be ridiculously rare. Now I have seen people upgrading their 325is to the 330i using the three stage intake manifold and a map for around 1k, but I've also seen people say that this will not work. I think the 325i will be a bit slow coming from a golf R. I've done a lot of searching, but people seem to contradict each other in every thread. So the questions I have - Is the n52b25 as tuneable as the n53b30 (or even tuneable at all, being n/a?) I suspect it won't be, but wanted to make sure. Is it worth spending extra for the N53 over an N52? I know the N52 is supposed to be bulletproof but thirsty, with the N53 being the opposite.
Thank you
I think tuning the N52 is possible but not really beyond the N53 without significant sums of money.
I have an N53 E92 and think the engine suits the car well. It took me some time to find the right specification. It also took some time to get used to the NA power delivery compared to a turbo charged engine. But I am now used to the car and rate it - I was a little underwhelmed to begin with.
I cannot be much more help than that - other than giving you a bump up the forum
Mike
I have an N53 E92 and think the engine suits the car well. It took me some time to find the right specification. It also took some time to get used to the NA power delivery compared to a turbo charged engine. But I am now used to the car and rate it - I was a little underwhelmed to begin with.
I cannot be much more help than that - other than giving you a bump up the forum
Mike
I wanted to replace my E46 325ti Compact earlier this year, and while I wondered about a 130i with the 3 litre N52 as it's supposed to be my practical car I decided on an E91.
I've got a Z4 Coupe for the impractical stuff, so knew how good the 3 litre N52 is!
Anyway while wondering about 130is I had read about 125is, which only came as a Coupe, and while they had the 3 litre N52 for some reason they only had 218 bhp instead of the 265 bhp that the 130i had. From what I read on here it was just a question of a remap to get close to the 265 bhp.
Still once I started searching for an E91 I hardly found any manual petrol 6s with the N52, and the few 330is I saw were more than 50% dearer than 325is! As I had the Z4 I compromised and got a 325i, but I don't think you can get 330i power out of them as the N52 engine in an E9* 325i is only a 2.5 litre.
It doesn't feel any quicker that my 325ti, but that may be partly because it is so much more refined and it's also got very high gearing. At 3,000 rpm in 6th it's doing 85 mph, which seems too high for an engine with a 7,000 rpm red line that doesn't make peak torque until 2,750 rpm.
I didn't want an N53 engine after the stories I had read about issues with High Pressure Fuel Pumps, Injectors and coking up that needed walnut blasting. But the N53 engine in a 325i is a 3 litre the same as the 330i, it just makes 218 bhp instead of 272 bhp so maybe that can be modified to round up the missing horses - but as I didn't want an N53 I never looked into that.
I hope that makes some sense! You could always try a 325i, but from what you have said I think you might want to look for a 330i.
Good luck anyway.
I've got a Z4 Coupe for the impractical stuff, so knew how good the 3 litre N52 is!
Anyway while wondering about 130is I had read about 125is, which only came as a Coupe, and while they had the 3 litre N52 for some reason they only had 218 bhp instead of the 265 bhp that the 130i had. From what I read on here it was just a question of a remap to get close to the 265 bhp.
Still once I started searching for an E91 I hardly found any manual petrol 6s with the N52, and the few 330is I saw were more than 50% dearer than 325is! As I had the Z4 I compromised and got a 325i, but I don't think you can get 330i power out of them as the N52 engine in an E9* 325i is only a 2.5 litre.
It doesn't feel any quicker that my 325ti, but that may be partly because it is so much more refined and it's also got very high gearing. At 3,000 rpm in 6th it's doing 85 mph, which seems too high for an engine with a 7,000 rpm red line that doesn't make peak torque until 2,750 rpm.
I didn't want an N53 engine after the stories I had read about issues with High Pressure Fuel Pumps, Injectors and coking up that needed walnut blasting. But the N53 engine in a 325i is a 3 litre the same as the 330i, it just makes 218 bhp instead of 272 bhp so maybe that can be modified to round up the missing horses - but as I didn't want an N53 I never looked into that.
I hope that makes some sense! You could always try a 325i, but from what you have said I think you might want to look for a 330i.
Good luck anyway.
gsl67 said:
Hi all,
Looking to sell my current car, and get something cheaper, RWD and with more cylinders. I'm pretty much set on an E92 3 series, originally looking at a 335i, but turbo issues have put me off. So I'm after a 330i. However, these seem to be ridiculously rare. Now I have seen people upgrading their 325is to the 330i using the three stage intake manifold and a map for around 1k, but I've also seen people say that this will not work. I think the 325i will be a bit slow coming from a golf R. I've done a lot of searching, but people seem to contradict each other in every thread. So the questions I have - Is the n52b25 as tuneable as the n53b30 (or even tuneable at all, being n/a?) I suspect it won't be, but wanted to make sure. Is it worth spending extra for the N53 over an N52? I know the N52 is supposed to be bulletproof but thirsty, with the N53 being the opposite.
Thank you
I ran an E92 325i N53 for a while. It was nice but the lower powered 3.0 unit just lacked a bit of grunt coming off a 325d i had just before. Also the noise just didn't do anything for me. I got bored and scared about the potential HPFP and injector worries so sold it once the warranty expired.Looking to sell my current car, and get something cheaper, RWD and with more cylinders. I'm pretty much set on an E92 3 series, originally looking at a 335i, but turbo issues have put me off. So I'm after a 330i. However, these seem to be ridiculously rare. Now I have seen people upgrading their 325is to the 330i using the three stage intake manifold and a map for around 1k, but I've also seen people say that this will not work. I think the 325i will be a bit slow coming from a golf R. I've done a lot of searching, but people seem to contradict each other in every thread. So the questions I have - Is the n52b25 as tuneable as the n53b30 (or even tuneable at all, being n/a?) I suspect it won't be, but wanted to make sure. Is it worth spending extra for the N53 over an N52? I know the N52 is supposed to be bulletproof but thirsty, with the N53 being the opposite.
Thank you
Now my 130i on the other hand is a completely different animal. Lovely noise, more grunt and loads of character.
The 325i would average 35 mpg with late 30s or possibly 40 on a run.
The 130i averaged 32mpg with 35-37 on a run.
So roughly 7-8% difference but worth it for the noise.
I'm now on a 325d again because my commute is so long. The 130i is in the garage while i decide what to do with it. It's in the classifieds but not rushing to sell it because of THAT ENGINE!!!
Edited by PTF on Thursday 13th December 09:00
I had mine N53 330i for a year now and one main thing to look out for is the injectors. All 6 of them and they cost around £180 each.
Ideally the car should have all 6 injectors with Index 11 which are the latest ones.
Then it's the NOX sensor which is around £400.
Best thing to do is to ask a seller/dealer to make sure the car is cold so you can be the one starting it up. If you notice a lumpy idling, vibration or in extreme cases - EML on, don't buy it until the car is fully repaired. The idle should go up to around 1100RPM and then gradually drop down to around 600.
Once everything is sorted you can't really fault the N/A 3 litre straight six engine. Economy wise, I'm averaging 22mpg but that's mostly town driving. On the run it's around 38-42mpg.
Ideally the car should have all 6 injectors with Index 11 which are the latest ones.
Then it's the NOX sensor which is around £400.
Best thing to do is to ask a seller/dealer to make sure the car is cold so you can be the one starting it up. If you notice a lumpy idling, vibration or in extreme cases - EML on, don't buy it until the car is fully repaired. The idle should go up to around 1100RPM and then gradually drop down to around 600.
Once everything is sorted you can't really fault the N/A 3 litre straight six engine. Economy wise, I'm averaging 22mpg but that's mostly town driving. On the run it's around 38-42mpg.
Thanks to everyone for giving their thoughts. I drove a 325i today, loved everything about it, bar the power. Very impressed with the rear seat space, I regularly carry 6 foot + people in the back, so sadly the 1 series coupe isn't really an option. The 130i hatch could be, but they seem so rare. Hopefully a 330i in n52 form pops up, or failing that, an n53 325i that can be mapped up to 330i power.
Sounds good. I really enjoyed my 330i E90 N52 manual.
As said above, the gears are really long though and so it does take some winding out, especially if you are used anything turbo'd. I would go for one in preference to an N53 if you can.
A lovely noise and a excellent engine. Enjoy!
As said above, the gears are really long though and so it does take some winding out, especially if you are used anything turbo'd. I would go for one in preference to an N53 if you can.
A lovely noise and a excellent engine. Enjoy!
It's worth keeping an eye on BabyBMW for 130i's as they have quite a following, less than 1,000 in the country tho iirc so it can be tricky to find one that suits, worth keeping an eye out for though. I massively prefer the E8x range now, far more like my old E36 to drive - I've only driven an E92 335d, but it felt a bit more remote than the 1'er. Still awesome cars however.
Space in the back on a 1'er is also much better than you'd think. I'm 6 foot 1 and fit in there fine, and have done from Stoke to Bruges in the back of a 120d 3 Door Hatch without too many comfort issues. It's just access that can be challenging, but they are quite comfortable when you are in there.
Whatever you go for of that generation, I'd definitely go for a manual - I found the old ZF6 box to be a fairly nasty device, and added 5 -6 MPG to the consumption.
Space in the back on a 1'er is also much better than you'd think. I'm 6 foot 1 and fit in there fine, and have done from Stoke to Bruges in the back of a 120d 3 Door Hatch without too many comfort issues. It's just access that can be challenging, but they are quite comfortable when you are in there.
Whatever you go for of that generation, I'd definitely go for a manual - I found the old ZF6 box to be a fairly nasty device, and added 5 -6 MPG to the consumption.
gsl67 said:
Thanks to everyone for giving their thoughts. I drove a 325i today, loved everything about it, bar the power. Very impressed with the rear seat space, I regularly carry 6 foot + people in the back, so sadly the 1 series coupe isn't really an option. The 130i hatch could be, but they seem so rare. Hopefully a 330i in n52 form pops up, or failing that, an n53 325i that can be mapped up to 330i power.
Yes, the 325i doesn't seem to feel as quick as you'd expect given it's power output. 
If you have rear passengers the other issue with the 125i Coupe is it only has 2 seats in the rear - the 130i hatch has 3.
Based on what "mahoone" described above I'd keep looking for an N52 330i - the N52 doesn't suffer from those issues. That's why I didn't even consider anything with an N53 engine - it's cheaper to pay a bit more road tax each year than replace injectors!
Can only comment on my experience but recently picked up an N52 equipped e92 330i auto and absolutely love it, mpg and two recent flat tyres aside. I'm hoping to raise the mpg figures soon but looking at around 22 average atm.
The 3.0 N52 is a superb engine and I think mates to the auto box well.
The 3.0 N52 is a superb engine and I think mates to the auto box well.
I was in the same boat as you regarding the 335i
I settled for a 2011 330i and I think it’s a brilliant car got plenty of toys and gadgets and is plenty quick enough for my needs
The n53 does sound pretty broken on idle but once you progress through the Rev range the sound soon becomes very nice!!! And for the size of the engine it gets very good mpg on a longer trip
Have you considered getting a approved used??
There’s plenty of them pop up on there website with low miles, you pay a premium of course but the year warranty and other benefits out way it in my opinion
I had a issue with the nox sensor and injectors 1 and 3, bmw replaced all 6 injectors along with the sensor
I also find the auto box really good!!! It’s no dct however it’s a lot quicker to change than a manual and a lot easier in traffic!!!
Going from a 2016 focus st into a 2011 bmw I was concerned the bmw would feel old and dated especially on the inside, I’m so glad I made the change now tho, despite the age the bmw feels like a quality made car!!! Especially with the larger I drive screen!!
I settled for a 2011 330i and I think it’s a brilliant car got plenty of toys and gadgets and is plenty quick enough for my needs
The n53 does sound pretty broken on idle but once you progress through the Rev range the sound soon becomes very nice!!! And for the size of the engine it gets very good mpg on a longer trip
Have you considered getting a approved used??
There’s plenty of them pop up on there website with low miles, you pay a premium of course but the year warranty and other benefits out way it in my opinion
I had a issue with the nox sensor and injectors 1 and 3, bmw replaced all 6 injectors along with the sensor
I also find the auto box really good!!! It’s no dct however it’s a lot quicker to change than a manual and a lot easier in traffic!!!
Going from a 2016 focus st into a 2011 bmw I was concerned the bmw would feel old and dated especially on the inside, I’m so glad I made the change now tho, despite the age the bmw feels like a quality made car!!! Especially with the larger I drive screen!!
I again had exactly the same issue. Hunted and hunted for a 330i e91, but they're very hard to find and you're looking at an extra 3 or 4 grand on top compared to a 325i. I ended up with a decently priced n53 325i with low mileage (82k) and an excellent history. It does need the NOx sensor doing (mpg averages in the 20s, mostly town driving) and low end torque is more or less non-existent. Especially coming from a 3.0 V6 TDI A5, which kicked me in the back of the head at 2200rpm! But wind it up to higher revs and it does really go, plus the sound....
squareflops said:
It seems the NOXEM is N53 specific from the site?
Sounds a good product and good feedback but no application for the N52?
Correct. N52 has old fashioned/traditional port injection. N53 has direct injection and produces higher NOx. Thankfully the n53 also has a NOx catalyst, but the BMW original sensor fails. NOxEM addresses that. Doesn't apply to n52 because port injection produces less NOX nasties.Sounds a good product and good feedback but no application for the N52?
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff