330i slightly lumpy idle

[Stevie0]

Morning guys,
I went look at a 59 plate 330i with 50k miles. Everything seemed okay but I noticed a slightly rough/lumpy idle which disappeared after a minute. I didn't think much of it as I heard the N53 was very reliable and assumed it was just a cold start thing. The car drove well and I left a deposit (£200) pending loan coming through. I've done some googling and found out about the injector issues etc on the N53 engines. I'm thinking to go back with a friend who is a mechanic before completing the sale. I've checked the car on the dft.gov website to see whether the injector recall had been carried out. It flags up for a safety recall which needs doing which I'm guessing may be the seatbelt recall I discovered was carried out on this series? What I'd like to know is: Does this sound like the dreaded injector issue? If my friend does identify an issue am I within my rights under SOGA to get my deposit back? Thanks a lot.

[helix402]

Injectors were not a recall item. I’m not aware of any seat belt recall on the E90, the recent recalls are for the battery connection and heater wiring.

N53 injectors are prone to failing.

[E-bmw]

If it is a private sale you are relying on goodwill unless you specified on the receipt for the deposit that it was refundable.

[Stevie0]

Many thanks for your responses. The car is being sold through a dealer. The receipt says non refundable but also that it doesn't affect my statutory rights under the sales of goods actm

Edited by Stevie0 on Sunday 16th December 12:08

[d_a_n1979]

Stevie0 said:

Many thanks for your responses. The car is being sold through a dealer. The receipt says non refundable but also that it doesn't affect my statutory rights under the sales of goods actm

Edited by Stevie0 on Sunday 16th December 12:08

If things aren't right with it, you'll get your deposit back

Personally, like you've said already, I'd want it checked out, but they may ask for an independent inspection too. Just make sure it's not one of their own mechanicing circle spanner monkeys!

[mike9009]

I have a 330i with a slightly lumpy idle from cold - clears after a few minutes.

I have self diagnosed that it probably needs a decoke of the inlets. Walnut blasting seems to be the answer. I am planning to complete this in the new year once I have found someone 'localish' to me.

Mike

[bmwmike]

As an n53 owner (albeit a later version in an f10) I'd only buy an n53 engine car from a bmw dealer so you can get the AUC warranty unless there is documentation showing the common items including injectors have been replaced already. Either that or be 100% certain that you can put a bmw warranty on it.

Sounds like this one needs injectors. They are not lumpy at idle unless something is wrong. Look at the exhaust tips inside it'll probably be sooty.

[CzechRS]

Funny if reg starts bn09. If so it’s already had lots of bits replaced

I bought mine AUC and had lots of issues and ended up rejecting. Injectors, coil packs, hpfp, steering rack and er dab aerial come to mind.

Was still throwing errors on NOX sensor if I recall.