E91 330i (N52) - my first BMW!!!
Discussion
New to the forum so hello all 
Recently I made the decision to switch from a rather boring Audi A4 2.0 TFSI Avant, over to a BMW E91.
After trawling through your very helpful forums I ruled out the slightly later E91 facelift models with the N53 engine and focused my attention on a search for N52 325i or 330i.
At my budget all I was finding in the south of the country were 325’s with 100k+ on the clock, until I widened my search parameters to nationwide and stumbled across this up in Leeds which suffice to say, after a 4 hour train journey and 4 hour drive home, is now parked on my driveway.
56 plate E91 330i M Sport (auto) - 60k on the clock, MOT’d the day before collection.
Service history is near enough perfect - 10 stamps in the book, with an oil change every 10k or less. It is going to PMW (independent BMW specialist in Chelmsford) tomorrow for oil change, plugs and brake fluid.
Apart from a few minor nicks and scratches on the paintwork she is in beautiful condition for a 13 year old motor.
I look forward to giving her the attention she deserves. Will likely remove the coloured bars on the grill and the M badge.
Looking to find the build sheet for the car but the websites I've found on earlier threads don't appear to be live anymore - does anyone have a recent link?
Presume this an engine to fuel with V Power or Tesco Momentum 99?
https://flic.kr/p/2eda7vi
https://flic.kr/p/2eda7LD
Recently I made the decision to switch from a rather boring Audi A4 2.0 TFSI Avant, over to a BMW E91.
After trawling through your very helpful forums I ruled out the slightly later E91 facelift models with the N53 engine and focused my attention on a search for N52 325i or 330i.
At my budget all I was finding in the south of the country were 325’s with 100k+ on the clock, until I widened my search parameters to nationwide and stumbled across this up in Leeds which suffice to say, after a 4 hour train journey and 4 hour drive home, is now parked on my driveway.
56 plate E91 330i M Sport (auto) - 60k on the clock, MOT’d the day before collection.
Service history is near enough perfect - 10 stamps in the book, with an oil change every 10k or less. It is going to PMW (independent BMW specialist in Chelmsford) tomorrow for oil change, plugs and brake fluid.
Apart from a few minor nicks and scratches on the paintwork she is in beautiful condition for a 13 year old motor.
I look forward to giving her the attention she deserves. Will likely remove the coloured bars on the grill and the M badge.
Looking to find the build sheet for the car but the websites I've found on earlier threads don't appear to be live anymore - does anyone have a recent link?
Presume this an engine to fuel with V Power or Tesco Momentum 99?
https://flic.kr/p/2eda7vi
https://flic.kr/p/2eda7LD
Edited by pedarby on Monday 14th January 16:36
ker! 
cerb4.5lee said:
I never used premium fuel in my E90 330i but I can't see why not if you want to. These do make a very nice cruiser with the auto gearbox for sure. Enjoy the new motor. 
, every powerful car I have owned that should have better grade fuel ie, e46 m3, audi s4 v8, 330i and now a 335i seemed to improve greatly on performance and responsiveness after almost draining the tank of the standard 95 ron that previous owners have used then I fill the tank with 99 momentum and there is a noticeable difference and for the extra 4 quid it cost to fill up with momentum, I use it every time, but I do live 2 mins away from a Tesco, so I'm lucky I suppose. I cant quote any figures regarding extra mpg from it but I have seen motoring programmes that suggest that more powerful cars do benefit from greater mpg and more power from better grade fuel
Andy70 said:
cerb4.5lee said:
I never used premium fuel in my E90 330i but I can't see why not if you want to. These do make a very nice cruiser with the auto gearbox for sure. Enjoy the new motor.
, every powerful car I have owned that should have better grade fuel ie, e46 m3, audi s4 v8, 330i and now a 335i seemed to improve greatly on performance and responsiveness after almost draining the tank of the standard 95 ron that previous owners have used then I fill the tank with 99 momentum and there is a noticeable difference and for the extra 4 quid it cost to fill up with momentum, I use it every time, but I do live 2 mins away from a Tesco, so I'm lucky I suppose. I cant quote any figures regarding extra mpg from it but I have seen motoring programmes that suggest that more powerful cars do benefit from greater mpg and more power from better grade fuel
gizlaroc said:
The 330i drops around 20hp on 95 ron and is down around 10% MPG too, so absolutely no reason not to use 98 or 99ron.
Tesco Momentum worked as well as Shell Nitro for me, and was as cheap as Shell 95 anyway.
I thought as much but didn't want to say too much, all I know is, I noticed a big difference, as far as I know, correct me if I'm wrong, but the performance figures quoted in the handbook for more powerful BM's and my old audi were based on using 98ron so there for power and efficiency would be lost on lesser grade fuels? I couldn't bring myself to use the fancy shell stuff, in Bristol its extortionate but 99 Tesco is the same price if not less than any standard 97ron so its a no brainer for meTesco Momentum worked as well as Shell Nitro for me, and was as cheap as Shell 95 anyway.
Andy70 said:
every powerful car I have owned that should have better grade fuel ie, e46 m3, audi s4 v8, 330i and now a 335i seemed to improve greatly on performance and responsiveness after almost draining the tank of the standard 95 ron that previous owners have used then I fill the tank with 99 momentum and there is a noticeable difference and for the extra 4 quid it cost to fill up with momentum, I use it every time, but I do live 2 mins away from a Tesco, so I'm lucky I suppose. I cant quote any figures regarding extra mpg from it but I have seen motoring programmes that suggest that more powerful cars do benefit from greater mpg and more power from better grade fuel
I was convinced that it made a massive difference, but still to this day I don't know whether it really did or whether it is just in my head!
pedarby said:
New to the forum so hello all
Recently I made the decision to switch from a rather boring Audi A4 2.0 TFSI Avant, over to a BMW E91.
After trawling through your very helpful forums I ruled out the slightly later E91 facelift models with the N53 engine and focused my attention on a search for N52 325i or 330i.
At my budget all I was finding in the south of the country were 325’s with 100k+ on the clock, until I widened my search parameters to nationwide and stumbled across this up in Leeds which suffice to say, after a 4 hour train journey and 4 hour drive home, is now parked on my driveway.
56 plate E91 330i M Sport (auto) - 60k on the clock, MOT’d the day before collection.
Service history is near enough perfect - 10 stamps in the book, with an oil change every 10k or less. It is going to PMW (independent BMW specialist in Chelmsford) tomorrow for oil change, plugs and brake fluid.
Apart from a few minor nicks and scratches on the paintwork she is in beautiful condition for a 13 year old motor.
I look forward to giving her the attention she deserves. Will likely remove the coloured bars on the grill and the M badge.
Looking to find the build sheet for the car but the websites I've found on earlier threads don't appear to be live anymore - does anyone have a recent link?
Presume this an engine to fuel with V Power or Tesco Momentum 99?
https://flic.kr/p/2eda7vi
https://flic.kr/p/2eda7LD
Welcome. Recently I made the decision to switch from a rather boring Audi A4 2.0 TFSI Avant, over to a BMW E91.
After trawling through your very helpful forums I ruled out the slightly later E91 facelift models with the N53 engine and focused my attention on a search for N52 325i or 330i.
At my budget all I was finding in the south of the country were 325’s with 100k+ on the clock, until I widened my search parameters to nationwide and stumbled across this up in Leeds which suffice to say, after a 4 hour train journey and 4 hour drive home, is now parked on my driveway.
56 plate E91 330i M Sport (auto) - 60k on the clock, MOT’d the day before collection.
Service history is near enough perfect - 10 stamps in the book, with an oil change every 10k or less. It is going to PMW (independent BMW specialist in Chelmsford) tomorrow for oil change, plugs and brake fluid.
Apart from a few minor nicks and scratches on the paintwork she is in beautiful condition for a 13 year old motor.
I look forward to giving her the attention she deserves. Will likely remove the coloured bars on the grill and the M badge.
Looking to find the build sheet for the car but the websites I've found on earlier threads don't appear to be live anymore - does anyone have a recent link?
Presume this an engine to fuel with V Power or Tesco Momentum 99?
https://flic.kr/p/2eda7vi
https://flic.kr/p/2eda7LD
Edited by pedarby on Monday 14th January 16:36
I had an E46 325ti Compact as my practical car about a year ago, but decided to be more practical and look for a petrol 6 cylinder E91 - but definitely not one with the N53 engine! And it had to be a manual.
Tourings seem to be few and far between, and much as I wanted a 330i they all seemed to be twice the price of 325is.
So in February 2018 I bought a 325iSE with 132K miles, but full BMW service history.
I am liking it, despite getting recovered by the RAC in September 2018 due to a dead electric water pump.
It doesn't feel as quick as I had hoped, but then if I'm in a hurry I've got a Z4 Coupe with a 3 litre N52!
The N52 engine is set up to be able to run on 95 RON fuel, but mine usually get Tesco Momentum as it's only a few pence more than standard fuel per litre - whereas Shell typically seem to charge a premium of 12p+ per litre!
There used to be loads of web-sites for finding OEM spec - but none of them seems to work any more.
Gratuitous photo:-
Thanks guys
Just heard back from PMW. The service has gone fine without any drama's and only a few bits that need attention over the coming months, all relating to various leaking seals, presumably just due to age.
- Transmission unit seals, minor leak of transmission fluid, replacement £535
- Engine rocker cover seals leaking, replacement £374
- Solenoid, camshaft and cooler gasket seals £281
Overall, for a thirteen year old car they sounded happy with the condition of the engine and the car in general, so if those are the only items that need attention I suppose it could have been a whole lot worse!!
In terms of fuel, I have always used standard fuel in previous cars but after reading nine pages of debate regard SVP vs T99 on a previous thread I think I have been convinced of the benefits of the premium fuels. I have a Tesco very near by so can easily keep her topped up with T99.
Just heard back from PMW. The service has gone fine without any drama's and only a few bits that need attention over the coming months, all relating to various leaking seals, presumably just due to age.
- Transmission unit seals, minor leak of transmission fluid, replacement £535
- Engine rocker cover seals leaking, replacement £374
- Solenoid, camshaft and cooler gasket seals £281
Overall, for a thirteen year old car they sounded happy with the condition of the engine and the car in general, so if those are the only items that need attention I suppose it could have been a whole lot worse!!
In terms of fuel, I have always used standard fuel in previous cars but after reading nine pages of debate regard SVP vs T99 on a previous thread I think I have been convinced of the benefits of the premium fuels. I have a Tesco very near by so can easily keep her topped up with T99.
cerb4.5lee said:
I remember when I had my Nissan 200sx(modified) and I always put 98 in it. The problem was that at the time I had to drive 9 miles to get it! I would've loved to be as close as you are to a petrol station that does it for sure. Back when I had the 200 not many petrol stations did the premium stuff(around my way anyway).
I was convinced that it made a massive difference, but still to this day I don't know whether it really did or whether it is just in my head!
It depends whether the car has a knock sensor or not. I was convinced that it made a massive difference, but still to this day I don't know whether it really did or whether it is just in my head!
BMWs have had them on their cars for years, my old 28i was where you noticed the most difference.
A knock sensor will tell if there is knock from lower octane fuel and retard the timing, hence you lose power and thus MPG as you need to give it more welly.
Problem is, it often takes 2-3 tanks to see the difference when moving up, but only takes a quarter tank to notice the difference when going back down again.
The 28i purred on 98ron and sounded a bit tappety on 95ron too.
cerb4.5lee said:
I always used it in my Cerbera and E92 M3 without fail, but rightly or wrongly I never saw my 330i as a powerful car. I didn't think it was very quick, so whatever petrol I put in it wouldn't have made any difference to me.
No I agree its not comparatively a quick car but its no slouch but I think its one of those cars that the factory quoted figures is based on 98ron, so therefore the difference is noticed when decent fuel is applied, I noticed a difference and that was coming from an v8 s4. Believe it or not the only powerful car I never noticed a difference was in my old Chimaera years ago, but I guess that wasn't mapped to run on anything fancy, but I still used it never the less. (those were the days when I had money, damn kids and family lol)I'm having the transmission seals, solenoid seals, camshaft and oil filter housing and cooler seals replaced (all identified as leaking) whilst it's with PMW.
First DIY job that I'll be doing is a retrofit of the bluetooth unit as this wasn't spec'd on my car. I'm a complete novice but seems a good place to start!!
First DIY job that I'll be doing is a retrofit of the bluetooth unit as this wasn't spec'd on my car. I'm a complete novice but seems a good place to start!!
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