330d or 325d E90
Discussion
Good morning,
After browsing these forums for years i took the punt and joined!
This topic has been covered before but I could not find a definitive answer.
I'm looking to get a manual 3 series, ideally a 330d i'm open to a 325d as I've been told they have the same engine, turbo, fueling system and with a simple remap you get to a 330D power or beyond.
Is this true? As i'm after a facelift car with a reasonable spec, Xenons, heated leather etc If the above is true it will give me more choice to find the right car.
Thank you!!
After browsing these forums for years i took the punt and joined!
This topic has been covered before but I could not find a definitive answer.
I'm looking to get a manual 3 series, ideally a 330d i'm open to a 325d as I've been told they have the same engine, turbo, fueling system and with a simple remap you get to a 330D power or beyond.
Is this true? As i'm after a facelift car with a reasonable spec, Xenons, heated leather etc If the above is true it will give me more choice to find the right car.
Thank you!!
Iirc, the x25 became a 3.0 engine after 2006/07 odd? And the turbo and inlet were different. It can be remapped to the same power as an x30d but the x30d can be remapped beyond that.
My understanding was there is no real gain in economy either.. I'd happily take either though tbh.
Perhaps it was the injectors that were different not turbo.
My understanding was there is no real gain in economy either.. I'd happily take either though tbh.
Perhaps it was the injectors that were different not turbo.
Edited by tejr on Friday 11th September 07:46
It depends on the car.
Some facelift E90 325d models have the older M57 engine which is more reliable (No timing chain worries) but uses a little more fuel. I think they used that engine up until Feb 2010. Post that it because a detuned version of the N57 in the 330d.
From the facelift onwards the 330d received the N57. Good scope for power, but timing chains can give issues.
I'd have an early facelift 325d. Best of both worlds.
Some facelift E90 325d models have the older M57 engine which is more reliable (No timing chain worries) but uses a little more fuel. I think they used that engine up until Feb 2010. Post that it because a detuned version of the N57 in the 330d.
From the facelift onwards the 330d received the N57. Good scope for power, but timing chains can give issues.
I'd have an early facelift 325d. Best of both worlds.
Got a August 2009 325d LCI SE auro,
Specifically bought the SE to avoid the M-sport suspension- car was originally owned by BMW had had a good spec inc Nav, Xenons heated seat and high beam asist(wow).and upgraded alloys
Bought in April 2014 and been a great car- and relatively cheap to run. Averaging 38mpg (measured) includes towing a caravan an lots of short journeys so respectable figure. Now on 70k- both thermostats changed to get engine up to temperature shortly after I bought it and new set pads from and back(still on original discs) plus all tyres changed to Goodyear Eagle F1 non runflats. Gearbox oil change must expensive item but only other items corroded battery cable(well like a fish tank) and 2 rear door struts
Took the BMW warranty out when purchased in case of timing chain didn't know that it was an M57 engine(197bhp) with £250 excess. Never needed to use.
Bought a set of heated M-sport seats on ebay so now got best both worlds with SE suspension
Have looked at replacing with newer model of same car (before I knew about M57 engine) - they'n have gone up in price by £1-2k since pandemic and insurance for me for a 330d was about 25% more expensive. Decided to keep it would highly recommend the 325d LCI
.
Specifically bought the SE to avoid the M-sport suspension- car was originally owned by BMW had had a good spec inc Nav, Xenons heated seat and high beam asist(wow).and upgraded alloys
Bought in April 2014 and been a great car- and relatively cheap to run. Averaging 38mpg (measured) includes towing a caravan an lots of short journeys so respectable figure. Now on 70k- both thermostats changed to get engine up to temperature shortly after I bought it and new set pads from and back(still on original discs) plus all tyres changed to Goodyear Eagle F1 non runflats. Gearbox oil change must expensive item but only other items corroded battery cable(well like a fish tank) and 2 rear door struts
Took the BMW warranty out when purchased in case of timing chain didn't know that it was an M57 engine(197bhp) with £250 excess. Never needed to use.
Bought a set of heated M-sport seats on ebay so now got best both worlds with SE suspension
Have looked at replacing with newer model of same car (before I knew about M57 engine) - they'n have gone up in price by £1-2k since pandemic and insurance for me for a 330d was about 25% more expensive. Decided to keep it would highly recommend the 325d LCI
.
Edited by twokcc on Friday 11th September 10:39
I had the twin-turbo 2 litre turbo-diesel in my 123d and it was a great engine.
I owned it for over 6 years, but was starting to read horror stories about cam-chains failing as "JakeT" has referred to so at 81K miles I sold it! Partly due to that, but also because I wasn't doing enough mileage to justify a diesel and I fancied a change anyway! So now I've got an E90 330i.
If I was buying a diesel 3 Series I'd always go for a 6 cylinder model, although I can see that an Alpina has a certain appeal!
Good luck whatever you buy.
I owned it for over 6 years, but was starting to read horror stories about cam-chains failing as "JakeT" has referred to so at 81K miles I sold it! Partly due to that, but also because I wasn't doing enough mileage to justify a diesel and I fancied a change anyway! So now I've got an E90 330i.
If I was buying a diesel 3 Series I'd always go for a 6 cylinder model, although I can see that an Alpina has a certain appeal!
Good luck whatever you buy.
I think it's a fundamental question of budget when buying a BMW. Those that deem themselves enlightened will say "get that silky smooth 6 cylinder engine" repeatedly, like a well-versed forum mantra. They have a point of course, the M57 and N57 engines are the most un-diesellike Diesels out there, but neither without design issues (M57's issues are mostly related to the thermostats, N57's are better except for the seldom-seen-but-often-publicised timing chain issues)!
However, when I was shopping for my used F11, I could buy a 520d for £x, or a 530d for £x+3000. So with a fixed budget, I could buy a nice 520d, or a leggy 530d. There was no way I could justify that difference for a used car, and I'm glad I didn't try. I ended up with a 525d with the 2.0 twin turbo N47 engine, which was positioned effectively at the 520d price. And it's been a great experience. I think the longest I have ever owned a car previously was 2 years & 9 months (Pug 309 GTI); the F11 will remain for the foreseeable future.
On the E90 though, I found mine cramped as a family car, which is what prompted me to replace it in the first place. Make sure it fits your agenda.
A D3 is a nice car; not as special as some Alpinas, but more special than most regular E90s. The auto gearboxed ones are 6 speed and not as efficient as the newer 8 speed units found in the F30. Manual gearboxes are the GS6 45DZ, and are prone to certain gears failing (reverse usually, but not exclusively).
However, when I was shopping for my used F11, I could buy a 520d for £x, or a 530d for £x+3000. So with a fixed budget, I could buy a nice 520d, or a leggy 530d. There was no way I could justify that difference for a used car, and I'm glad I didn't try. I ended up with a 525d with the 2.0 twin turbo N47 engine, which was positioned effectively at the 520d price. And it's been a great experience. I think the longest I have ever owned a car previously was 2 years & 9 months (Pug 309 GTI); the F11 will remain for the foreseeable future.
On the E90 though, I found mine cramped as a family car, which is what prompted me to replace it in the first place. Make sure it fits your agenda.
A D3 is a nice car; not as special as some Alpinas, but more special than most regular E90s. The auto gearboxed ones are 6 speed and not as efficient as the newer 8 speed units found in the F30. Manual gearboxes are the GS6 45DZ, and are prone to certain gears failing (reverse usually, but not exclusively).
Edited by BFleming on Thursday 17th September 09:28
I agree with you. The main reason I've not owned a 'modern' (post 2000) 4 cylinder BMW is also owing to reliability. I know that the majority of N47s don't snap their chains, and the majority of N57s don't spin bottom end bearings but I'd rather not deal with that sort of thing. I try to stack the deck in my favour, and a leggy N47 probably isn't doing that. Moreso an early one.
Budget I agree with, as that's the most compelling of reasons to buy a certain vehicle. I've found that (petrolwise) BMW went through a phase where they just could not make a good 4 cylinder engine. A 320i compared to a 325i seems much more unreliable.
Bigger engine cars tend to get better spec too. In the E90 the 6 cylinder cars received a better DSC unit with a hill hold, and other features, an instrument cluster with nicer displays, and usually bigger brakes, rain/light sensor, and some other bits. 4 cylinder cars can be optioned up well, however so that's not the be all end all.
The smoothness and noise is just a nice to have.
Budget I agree with, as that's the most compelling of reasons to buy a certain vehicle. I've found that (petrolwise) BMW went through a phase where they just could not make a good 4 cylinder engine. A 320i compared to a 325i seems much more unreliable.
Bigger engine cars tend to get better spec too. In the E90 the 6 cylinder cars received a better DSC unit with a hill hold, and other features, an instrument cluster with nicer displays, and usually bigger brakes, rain/light sensor, and some other bits. 4 cylinder cars can be optioned up well, however so that's not the be all end all.
The smoothness and noise is just a nice to have.
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