Just picked up a 2006 330i M Sport Touring Auto :)
Discussion
Black, cream leather, wood effect, decent bodywork, 91k miles and a good history.
We've been running a 2005 E91 330d SE Touring manual for the last 4 years and 35k miles (now knocking on 170k miles), and she's been a great car. Comfy, fast (very with the remap), practical and frugal.
But with some probable big bills inbound for a dodgy turbo, DPF and what looks like an alternator problem (plus a few other bits and pieces), we figured she'd probably had a good innings and it was time to change.
With a budget of of up to £6k, we looked at Mk5 GTIs, 1 series, Focus STs, even a Clio 182 Cup in a vain attempt to find something practical yet interesting but in that budget nothing seemed to fit our need as well as the 330d did....except a 330i
Very pleased so far even after only 60 miles or so. Yes she's not as frugal (think we're going to use about 40% more fuel given the sort of driving we do) and not as stupidly grunty as the 330d, but in return you get a lovely refined silky smooth straight 6 with no lag but plenty of power, a great yet not intrusive noise, and a noticeably lighter nose. Oh, and she's ULEZ compliant for trips into London. Christ I must be getting old!
Never ceases to amaze me how much great car you can get for relatively little money. No need to get the latest/greatest/fastest, in fact I LOVE the fact that it has no i-drive or turbos. Feels like good, honest motoring - or as much of that as you can have in the modern world if it's got to be an everyday do everything car.
So nice to be back in a BMW petrol straight 6 though
- somehow if it isn't a petrol straight 6, in my head it's not a "real" BMW. Last petrol straight 6 BMW I got to partake of was my dad's E30 320i back in 2001 when I was only 19. Loved that car, especially that it was so "over cylindered" for its capacity by modern standards. Great memories from it, made more poignant by the fact that I lost him soon afterwards 
So this 330i feels like a bit of nostalgia too (although with twice the ponies!) even though it's only our backup family car.
Anyway, here's hoping for another 4+ years of good motoring, she's got big shoes to fill
We've been running a 2005 E91 330d SE Touring manual for the last 4 years and 35k miles (now knocking on 170k miles), and she's been a great car. Comfy, fast (very with the remap), practical and frugal.
But with some probable big bills inbound for a dodgy turbo, DPF and what looks like an alternator problem (plus a few other bits and pieces), we figured she'd probably had a good innings and it was time to change.
With a budget of of up to £6k, we looked at Mk5 GTIs, 1 series, Focus STs, even a Clio 182 Cup in a vain attempt to find something practical yet interesting but in that budget nothing seemed to fit our need as well as the 330d did....except a 330i
Very pleased so far even after only 60 miles or so. Yes she's not as frugal (think we're going to use about 40% more fuel given the sort of driving we do) and not as stupidly grunty as the 330d, but in return you get a lovely refined silky smooth straight 6 with no lag but plenty of power, a great yet not intrusive noise, and a noticeably lighter nose. Oh, and she's ULEZ compliant for trips into London. Christ I must be getting old!
Never ceases to amaze me how much great car you can get for relatively little money. No need to get the latest/greatest/fastest, in fact I LOVE the fact that it has no i-drive or turbos. Feels like good, honest motoring - or as much of that as you can have in the modern world if it's got to be an everyday do everything car.
So nice to be back in a BMW petrol straight 6 though
- somehow if it isn't a petrol straight 6, in my head it's not a "real" BMW. Last petrol straight 6 BMW I got to partake of was my dad's E30 320i back in 2001 when I was only 19. Loved that car, especially that it was so "over cylindered" for its capacity by modern standards. Great memories from it, made more poignant by the fact that I lost him soon afterwards So this 330i feels like a bit of nostalgia too (although with twice the ponies!) even though it's only our backup family car.Anyway, here's hoping for another 4+ years of good motoring, she's got big shoes to fill
I used to have an 02 325i Touring, it was a cracking vehicle and I only changed it as we could no longer get breakdown cover for trips to the continent each year. The car had been in our family from 6 months old and had been religiously maintained, only big jobs in 5 years we had it were the ABS control had to be replaced and we went to the expense of changing the timing chains as it developed an odd bottom end rattle when warm (luckily my dad has an independent garage so only paid parts at cost on that, otherwise it wasn't economical to repair). My step mum now has it, still going strong and still drives great.
We did change to an 08 330d M Touring, that took me 4 months to find one that was sub 75k miles and that more importantly drove nicely - had that 3 years now and have no plans to change it.
Like you I like the simplicity of that era of 3 series tourings whether petrol or diesel.
We did change to an 08 330d M Touring, that took me 4 months to find one that was sub 75k miles and that more importantly drove nicely - had that 3 years now and have no plans to change it.
Like you I like the simplicity of that era of 3 series tourings whether petrol or diesel.
Mario149 said:
Never ceases to amaze me how much great car you can get for relatively little money. No need to get the latest/greatest/fastest, in fact I LOVE the fact that it has no i-drive or turbos. Feels like good, honest motoring - or as much of that as you can have in the modern world if it's got to be an everyday do everything car.
I echo these thoughts - I have a 2007 130i with the same N52 engine, and although it is far behind the later models in terms of performance and efficiency, it has that sense of pureness and simplicity the newer cars don't have. We also have a 2015 M135i in the family and I have been offered it as a replacement in a year 's time. It's loaded with tech and is much more powerful and torquey than my car, but I'm not sure I can bring myself to sell the 130i knowing that cars like this are unlikely to ever be made again.Like the OP, I think a BMW which is closest to the brand's 'driver's car' principles is one with a straight-six soundtrack, and it seems that is slowly getting lost with every new model that appears.
Get some pics up btw
chriscoates said:
Get some pics up btw
As you wish Nothing fancy as it's in daily use so already dirty...New car next to old car
New one already dirty!
Interior seems particularly tidy which is nice. Wood effect and cream leather def growing on me.
I do prefer the M Sport steering wheel to the regular one we had on the 330d. I do not however prefer the 19.7mpg from pottering round our local area where there's not even any traffic
Nasty (and peeling paint/tarnished) ///M badge removed, was causing my OCD to twitch badly. Half tempted to de-badge it completely, or source a 316i badge to keep away unwanted attention - yes I am unusually precious about my "new" 14 yr old daily beast
Also did my first DIY job on the car today.
Pretty much every car manufacturer apart from BMW: "To replace a headlight bulb, replace the headlight bulb"
BMW: "To replace a headlight bulb, struggle for a bit, then give up and remove the entire air filter assembly to get access, and don't forget to disconnect the MAF while you're at it..."
Yes I know there is "access" from the wheel arch in theory. Yes I did do one on my 330d headlight without having to remove anything. Yes that was for HIDs rather than xenons which have a smaller cover at the back!
Basically, unless you have hands smaller than my 4 yr old or specialist tools for the job, that airbox is coming out.
I want to whinge more, but I am reliably informed that mk3 Clio manuals tell you to go to the dealer to get it done
Pretty much every car manufacturer apart from BMW: "To replace a headlight bulb, replace the headlight bulb"
BMW: "To replace a headlight bulb, struggle for a bit, then give up and remove the entire air filter assembly to get access, and don't forget to disconnect the MAF while you're at it..."
Yes I know there is "access" from the wheel arch in theory. Yes I did do one on my 330d headlight without having to remove anything. Yes that was for HIDs rather than xenons which have a smaller cover at the back!
Basically, unless you have hands smaller than my 4 yr old or specialist tools for the job, that airbox is coming out.
I want to whinge more, but I am reliably informed that mk3 Clio manuals tell you to go to the dealer to get it done
g3org3y said:
Congrats, looks great. 
Agree the auto really stunts the economy. Our E91 330iA is notably more thirsty than our manual E46 330Ci (M54) or Z4 3.0Si (N52).
Thanks Agree the auto really stunts the economy. Our E91 330iA is notably more thirsty than our manual E46 330Ci (M54) or Z4 3.0Si (N52).
Yeah, I've noticed that with autos as well. But with this car I find it bizarre: given its large capacity, you can potter around keeping revs under 2k any make everyday relaxed progress and not annoy anyone, but economy is still, erm, "average" I'm not sure how I could drive a manual version of this any more frugally than I drive this auto!It's early days yet though. Over the next week it will do a few 60 mile return trips at DC NSL so I'll only get a true idea of what we're getting (compared to before) after that.
Edit for speeeelung
Edited by Mario149 on Tuesday 15th October 21:15
Like the lemon leather and the wood. Goes well together.
Yours also has hi-Fi sound as I can see the extra speakers in the A-pillar and the rear doors. Is this any good?
We have peasant sound in our e91 330d, or whatever sound comes as std with professional nav. Always thought it sounds Ok myself. Plenty of bass. Wondering if hi-Fi is noticeably better?
Agree about the M-Sport wheel. Feels just right doesn't it. The M-Sport seats are also very good. Hard ride about town on run flats less good!
Hope you enjoy your new car, mpg aside!
Yours also has hi-Fi sound as I can see the extra speakers in the A-pillar and the rear doors. Is this any good?
We have peasant sound in our e91 330d, or whatever sound comes as std with professional nav. Always thought it sounds Ok myself. Plenty of bass. Wondering if hi-Fi is noticeably better?
Agree about the M-Sport wheel. Feels just right doesn't it. The M-Sport seats are also very good. Hard ride about town on run flats less good!
Hope you enjoy your new car, mpg aside!
Your car looks great.
I really like the Lemon leather - my E91 325i also had that.
Sadly my replacement E90 330i has "beige" and wood, although it is a manual!
But I can really share your pain removing the air-box to replace a bulb - my 330i needed a new "angel-eye" on the nearside when I bought it. If I had realised how painful the job was going to be I'd have chipped the seller down a bit more.
I really like the Lemon leather - my E91 325i also had that.
Sadly my replacement E90 330i has "beige" and wood, although it is a manual!
But I can really share your pain removing the air-box to replace a bulb - my 330i needed a new "angel-eye" on the nearside when I bought it. If I had realised how painful the job was going to be I'd have chipped the seller down a bit more.
That is a very nice colour combination.
I've been on a similar journey to you and I used to have a 2006 E90 330d(for 6 years) and then a few years later I had a 2006 E90 330i(for 4 years). They are great cars and yours being the E91 you can actually carry stuff in them unlike the saloon!
I had to change the headlight bulb 3 times on the 330d(standard lights) and it was a pig of a job each time, but as you mention you don't have to remove anything but it is just really fiddly.
Enjoy the silky smooth N52 engine.
I've been on a similar journey to you and I used to have a 2006 E90 330d(for 6 years) and then a few years later I had a 2006 E90 330i(for 4 years). They are great cars and yours being the E91 you can actually carry stuff in them unlike the saloon!
I had to change the headlight bulb 3 times on the 330d(standard lights) and it was a pig of a job each time, but as you mention you don't have to remove anything but it is just really fiddly.
Enjoy the silky smooth N52 engine.
SlowV6 said:
Like the lemon leather and the wood. Goes well together.
Yours also has hi-Fi sound as I can see the extra speakers in the A-pillar and the rear doors. Is this any good?
We have peasant sound in our e91 330d, or whatever sound comes as std with professional nav. Always thought it sounds Ok myself. Plenty of bass. Wondering if hi-Fi is noticeably better?
Agree about the M-Sport wheel. Feels just right doesn't it. The M-Sport seats are also very good. Hard ride about town on run flats less good!
Hope you enjoy your new car, mpg aside!
Ref the hi-fi, I honestly couldn't tell you, sorry! I'm a bit of a heathen and hardly ever listen to anything in the car - and when I do it's only radio and normally to drown out crying children Yours also has hi-Fi sound as I can see the extra speakers in the A-pillar and the rear doors. Is this any good?
We have peasant sound in our e91 330d, or whatever sound comes as std with professional nav. Always thought it sounds Ok myself. Plenty of bass. Wondering if hi-Fi is noticeably better?
Agree about the M-Sport wheel. Feels just right doesn't it. The M-Sport seats are also very good. Hard ride about town on run flats less good!
Hope you enjoy your new car, mpg aside!
Yeah, run flats are annoying me already. Feels like there's an awful lot of tramlining which actually annoys me more than the bumpiness!
Mr Tidy said:
Your car looks great.
Thank you kindly!Mr Tidy said:
I really like the Lemon leather - my E91 325i also had that.
Sadly my replacement E90 330i has "beige" and wood, although it is a manual!
But I can really share your pain removing the air-box to replace a bulb - my 330i needed a new "angel-eye" on the nearside when I bought it. If I had realised how painful the job was going to be I'd have chipped the seller down a bit more.
The only good thing to come out of replacing that bulb (except for more light obvs!) is the fact that I felt a genuine sense of manly achievement at being able to do it - I didn't even look at a YT video for it! Sadly my replacement E90 330i has "beige" and wood, although it is a manual!
But I can really share your pain removing the air-box to replace a bulb - my 330i needed a new "angel-eye" on the nearside when I bought it. If I had realised how painful the job was going to be I'd have chipped the seller down a bit more.
Hopefully you had a similar silver lining!cerb4.5lee said:
That is a very nice colour combination.
Thank you!cerb4.5lee said:
I've been on a similar journey to you and I used to have a 2006 E90 330d(for 6 years) and then a few years later I had a 2006 E90 330i(for 4 years). They are great cars and yours being the E91 you can actually carry stuff in them unlike the saloon!
I had to change the headlight bulb 3 times on the 330d(standard lights) and it was a pig of a job each time, but as you mention you don't have to remove anything but it is just really fiddly.
Enjoy the silky smooth N52 engine.
They are wonderful - nothing wrong with the 330d and the grunt was a hoot even though I have faster toys. But the general improvement in driving ambience and feel you get with the petrol 6 is lovely. I drove a 325i and engine felt good too, but for the sake of like 1mpg extra 330i is a no-brainer if you can find one. Add estate to the mix and it's awesome. I had to change the headlight bulb 3 times on the 330d(standard lights) and it was a pig of a job each time, but as you mention you don't have to remove anything but it is just really fiddly.
Enjoy the silky smooth N52 engine.
Small local dealer I bought it off said that he can't get enough E91s with 6 cylinder engines. When he can find them, they go within days, virtually walk off the "forecourt" by themselves. Said he had 400 views in 4 days on AT on the one I bought
Nice car OP - I'm a sucker for an E9x.
The touring is still a great looking car.
I had an E90 330 for three years (Le Mans blue with Lemon yellow...my favourite colour combo). It was a great car - economy around town was s.23mpg and 36mpg achievable on along run with cruise control. Mine was really reliable (and appears to still be having done some MOT history stalking). I escaped the electric fuel pump failure but did have an issue with the VANOS actuators and the fuel tank vent pipe split.
I wanted a touring but all of the ones I looked at were dogs, so I found a good saloon.
They're not particularly fast by modern standards, but the N52 makes a great noise. I added the M Performance carbon air intake which made a lovely rasp near the redline.
Enjoy.
The touring is still a great looking car.
I had an E90 330 for three years (Le Mans blue with Lemon yellow...my favourite colour combo). It was a great car - economy around town was s.23mpg and 36mpg achievable on along run with cruise control. Mine was really reliable (and appears to still be having done some MOT history stalking). I escaped the electric fuel pump failure but did have an issue with the VANOS actuators and the fuel tank vent pipe split.
I wanted a touring but all of the ones I looked at were dogs, so I found a good saloon.
They're not particularly fast by modern standards, but the N52 makes a great noise. I added the M Performance carbon air intake which made a lovely rasp near the redline.
Enjoy.
Mario149 said:
The only good thing to come out of replacing that bulb (except for more light obvs!) is the fact that I felt a genuine sense of manly achievement at being able to do it - I didn't even look at a YT video for it! Hopefully you had a similar silver lining!
Yes, I got that same sense of achievement without looking at YT - even if I did spend time on it spread over 3 days! Hopefully you had a similar silver lining!But I got to enjoy the manliness of it for a bit longer after I gashed my finger - ouch!
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