330i e91 advice needed
Discussion
Hi all
Started another thread as have switched to looking at e91 3 series now after initially thinking i wanted a 5 series.
To cut a long story short i bought a cheap Mondeo estate as a work/ hack car to compliment a new fun/ weekend car. Great car but the front wheel drive/ handling/ nasty deasil 4 pot cracked me and i just sold it today after 9 weeks (a new record for me i think!) looking to go back to BMW (had 2 x 130i's and 1 x M135i)
I was initially looking at 330d e91's but a really nice 330i came up which i am really tempted by as i do love petrol and this is also a manual which i think i will prefer (never had a auto but have only ever driven crap hire car auto's!) The owner has looked after it really well and has addressed all the main N53 engine issues other than the HPFP which is original but working fine (how much do these cost if they go?)
I would be pulling the trigger on it ASAP but it is some what lacking in some spec for the money he wants for it, mainly lack of heated seats, Xenon's and Bluetooth. Just wondering how easy these are to retrofit? (any experience much appreciated)
Any experience of the N53 engine in terms of reliability, MPG etc much appreciated. I drove it and it felt lovely and smooth but didn't' sound as good as my old N52 engines but then it is in a 3 series body so more insulation.
also approximate cost of a clutch (and dual mass flywheel?) if anybody knows? it's done 117k so probably need some in the next 30k or so i imagine.
I suppose final question would be should i go for the petrol or look at 330d's in more detail. As i say more a petrol guy but then i have only ever owned boring 4 pot deasil. assuming in terms of resale value the 330i will hold it's value well as very rare but might be waiting a while for a buyer!
many thanks
Cheers Paul
Started another thread as have switched to looking at e91 3 series now after initially thinking i wanted a 5 series.
To cut a long story short i bought a cheap Mondeo estate as a work/ hack car to compliment a new fun/ weekend car. Great car but the front wheel drive/ handling/ nasty deasil 4 pot cracked me and i just sold it today after 9 weeks (a new record for me i think!) looking to go back to BMW (had 2 x 130i's and 1 x M135i)
I was initially looking at 330d e91's but a really nice 330i came up which i am really tempted by as i do love petrol and this is also a manual which i think i will prefer (never had a auto but have only ever driven crap hire car auto's!) The owner has looked after it really well and has addressed all the main N53 engine issues other than the HPFP which is original but working fine (how much do these cost if they go?)
I would be pulling the trigger on it ASAP but it is some what lacking in some spec for the money he wants for it, mainly lack of heated seats, Xenon's and Bluetooth. Just wondering how easy these are to retrofit? (any experience much appreciated)
Any experience of the N53 engine in terms of reliability, MPG etc much appreciated. I drove it and it felt lovely and smooth but didn't' sound as good as my old N52 engines but then it is in a 3 series body so more insulation.
also approximate cost of a clutch (and dual mass flywheel?) if anybody knows? it's done 117k so probably need some in the next 30k or so i imagine.
I suppose final question would be should i go for the petrol or look at 330d's in more detail. As i say more a petrol guy but then i have only ever owned boring 4 pot deasil. assuming in terms of resale value the 330i will hold it's value well as very rare but might be waiting a while for a buyer!
many thanks
Cheers Paul
I would at least consider driving a 330d with the automatic. They are an excellent all rounder (not driven a 330i though I should declare)
How many miles per annum are you going to be doing, or as important what will the journeys be like? If you are going to be doing regular long journeys then at least consider the 330d unless you are going to regularly be going into ULEZ.
Heated seats I do like (we have and I would recommend)
pre-LCi 330s will have only bluetooth phone, but not music on the iDrive. Music is via aux-in.
Xenons would be good. The halogen lights on our 330d are pathetic I concede. You can get better bulbs.
M-sport seats are also very comfy we have found.
An alternative view to all the above could be that a manual, e91 330i is rare and you might as well buy it if it is a good deal, because it should be very easy to sell on.
How many miles per annum are you going to be doing, or as important what will the journeys be like? If you are going to be doing regular long journeys then at least consider the 330d unless you are going to regularly be going into ULEZ.
Heated seats I do like (we have and I would recommend)
pre-LCi 330s will have only bluetooth phone, but not music on the iDrive. Music is via aux-in.
Xenons would be good. The halogen lights on our 330d are pathetic I concede. You can get better bulbs.
M-sport seats are also very comfy we have found.
An alternative view to all the above could be that a manual, e91 330i is rare and you might as well buy it if it is a good deal, because it should be very easy to sell on.
Not sure how easy xenons are , but other options are fairly common retrofits.
I hated the six speed auto on that generation with 335i , I tested.
Manual suits a n/a car.
But diesels aren’t so bad with auto.
I’d look for a diesel ( or manual petrol) in the spec I wanted as those 3 items are essential to me.
I hated the six speed auto on that generation with 335i , I tested.
Manual suits a n/a car.
But diesels aren’t so bad with auto.
I’d look for a diesel ( or manual petrol) in the spec I wanted as those 3 items are essential to me.
Bluetooth is a pretty easy retrofit especially if you fit a double din head unit. I fitted one to my other half’s old 116 and it made it feel way more modern plus it gained DAB and CarPlay.
From what I can gather, on a 1 series the xenon retrofit is pretty easy albeit the part prices are on the up. I’d imagine that a 3 series will be familiar.
From what I can gather, on a 1 series the xenon retrofit is pretty easy albeit the part prices are on the up. I’d imagine that a 3 series will be familiar.
I’ve had my 2009 E91 330i lci for coming up for 2 years now having previously owned a 130i and a couple of 330d’s. All of the 3’s had the auto box.
The 330i (now at 102k miles) had a oil cooler gasket leak when I got it which is, I believe, a common problem and was fixed for about £130 and it needed a new battery about 6 months ago (it still had the original so not bad going). Other than that it’s been 100% reliable for the 10k miles I’ve done in it. By now many of the expensive problems (such as injectors) are likely to be sorted which makes it a reliable engine imho.
My thoughts on the 330i / 330d conundrum are that if fuel isn’t a major issue then go with the 330i; it’s a lovely engine and makes the car. The 330d is also a great car and can be extremely rapid if remapped but loses out because you don’t get the enjoyment of occasionally revving it out to the 7k red line....
The auto box is an excellent marriage with the 330d but in the 330i I find normal mode a bid slow to react and sports mode can be a little aggressive if you’re just wanting to pootle though I’m being a little picky tbh. I suspect this could be easily remedied with a remap of the auto software if it were important to you. The petrol car, whilst not having as much low down grunt as the diesel still pulls very well in pretty much any gear and shouldn’t disappoint.
Ultimately both cars a really good; you should consider both and try auto and manual if you can.
I’ve found both cars to be very reliable (barring occasional inexpensive stuff like thermostats packing up on the 330d) and have never been let down or presented with a bill of more than a couple of hundred pound for repairs (though you must use indy’s and avoid main dealers to achieve this).
The 330i (now at 102k miles) had a oil cooler gasket leak when I got it which is, I believe, a common problem and was fixed for about £130 and it needed a new battery about 6 months ago (it still had the original so not bad going). Other than that it’s been 100% reliable for the 10k miles I’ve done in it. By now many of the expensive problems (such as injectors) are likely to be sorted which makes it a reliable engine imho.
My thoughts on the 330i / 330d conundrum are that if fuel isn’t a major issue then go with the 330i; it’s a lovely engine and makes the car. The 330d is also a great car and can be extremely rapid if remapped but loses out because you don’t get the enjoyment of occasionally revving it out to the 7k red line....
The auto box is an excellent marriage with the 330d but in the 330i I find normal mode a bid slow to react and sports mode can be a little aggressive if you’re just wanting to pootle though I’m being a little picky tbh. I suspect this could be easily remedied with a remap of the auto software if it were important to you. The petrol car, whilst not having as much low down grunt as the diesel still pulls very well in pretty much any gear and shouldn’t disappoint.
Ultimately both cars a really good; you should consider both and try auto and manual if you can.
I’ve found both cars to be very reliable (barring occasional inexpensive stuff like thermostats packing up on the 330d) and have never been let down or presented with a bill of more than a couple of hundred pound for repairs (though you must use indy’s and avoid main dealers to achieve this).
I had an E91 325i SE and now have an E90 330i SE both with the N52 engine, so I could avoid the N53 issues I've read about!
Both were great cars, but the 325i just felt a bit sluggish - maybe not helped by the high gearing, anyway that's why I swapped for my 330i!
My 325i had the electric water pump die on 135K miles, so I got a bill for around £500 from my Indy after the RAC towed me there.
But an N53 will never sound as good because it's a Direct Injection engine (which is why it has issues with coking-up).
Both were great cars, but the 325i just felt a bit sluggish - maybe not helped by the high gearing, anyway that's why I swapped for my 330i!
My 325i had the electric water pump die on 135K miles, so I got a bill for around £500 from my Indy after the RAC towed me there.
But an N53 will never sound as good because it's a Direct Injection engine (which is why it has issues with coking-up).
Edited by Mr Tidy on Wednesday 3rd February 00:30
Edited by Mr Tidy on Wednesday 3rd February 00:33
I’ve had the n53 in an e92 and took it from 110k to 150k trouble free. They’re good engines once the main issues are addressed. It went well and was pretty economical.
I currently have a n52 330i e91 which is also great, but it’s certainly thirstier and although it’s nippy, it’s not as punchy as the n53.
If the car is nice and sensibly priced it would be worth compromising the extras you mentioned
I currently have a n52 330i e91 which is also great, but it’s certainly thirstier and although it’s nippy, it’s not as punchy as the n53.
If the car is nice and sensibly priced it would be worth compromising the extras you mentioned
Mr Tidy said:
I had an E91 325i SE and now have an E90 330i SE both with the N52 engine, so I could avoid the N53 issues I've read about!
Both were great cars, but the 325i just felt a bit sluggish - maybe not helped by the high gearing, anyway that's why I swapped for my 330i!
My 325i had the electric water pump die on 135K miles, so I got a bill for around £500 from my Indy after the RAC towed me there.
But an N53 will never sound as good because it's a Direct Injection engine (which is why it has issues with coking-up).
The N53 sounds more clattery at tick over, but only from outside the car. Inside you can barely hear it. Once on the move you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference, they both sound lovely.Both were great cars, but the 325i just felt a bit sluggish - maybe not helped by the high gearing, anyway that's why I swapped for my 330i!
My 325i had the electric water pump die on 135K miles, so I got a bill for around £500 from my Indy after the RAC towed me there.
But an N53 will never sound as good because it's a Direct Injection engine (which is why it has issues with coking-up).
Edited by Mr Tidy on Wednesday 3rd February 00:30
Edited by Mr Tidy on Wednesday 3rd February 00:33
paul n said:
Any experience of the N53 engine in terms of reliability, MPG etc much appreciated.
N53 only average reliability at best for a German car. My N53 325i auto costs on average £1,000 a year in maintenance to keep it on
the road, averaged over 100K miles and nine years. That's using independents
and local back street places, not BMW main dealer.
For MPG, I am getting 31 mpg global average. Pre-covid, it was getting a lot
of Continental use, including cruising at 120 mph. 37 mpg seems possible
if you drive like a pensioner on the motorway, but 25 mpg also possible around town.
I found the E39 to be a better car.
Hi all
Thanks for all the advice
I bought it!
it really is lovely, engine is just so smooth, as people say, a bit noisy at idle from the outside but fine inside. I don't think the exhaust sounds as good as my N52 but i did have the Y pipe mod on my 130i. don't know if there is a similar thing that can be done to the 330i for better exhaust noise?!
the ride and handling are superb! i think mainly as the owner seems to have replaced half the car! Probably the most cherished car i have ever bought. I added up the receipts from his 3 and abit years he has had it and they come to 7k! A lot of preventative maintence and all the N53 issues sorted apart from the HPFP but i am hoping that has been done in a previous recall but not documented.
looking forward to getting to know the car
Cheers Paul
Thanks for all the advice
I bought it!
it really is lovely, engine is just so smooth, as people say, a bit noisy at idle from the outside but fine inside. I don't think the exhaust sounds as good as my N52 but i did have the Y pipe mod on my 130i. don't know if there is a similar thing that can be done to the 330i for better exhaust noise?!
the ride and handling are superb! i think mainly as the owner seems to have replaced half the car! Probably the most cherished car i have ever bought. I added up the receipts from his 3 and abit years he has had it and they come to 7k! A lot of preventative maintence and all the N53 issues sorted apart from the HPFP but i am hoping that has been done in a previous recall but not documented.
looking forward to getting to know the car
Cheers Paul
Excellent, I hope it serves you well. When I purchased my e92 I rang BMW Sytner who we are able to confirm the recall work it had done. They confirmed all injectors had been replaced plus a few other bits.
I just remembered also that you can disable the exhaust flap to give it a bit more depth in tone, It made it a bit droney on the motorway so reverted it back, but it does make a difference
I just remembered also that you can disable the exhaust flap to give it a bit more depth in tone, It made it a bit droney on the motorway so reverted it back, but it does make a difference
Had my n53 from 33k to 71k and its been great, apart from a set of injectors at 40k!!! Index 11 injectors are what should be fitted (google how to check).
Something worth mentioning about the noise of the n53 at tickover, mine always sounded broken even at 33k when i had it. Turns out the CCV was not seating correctly and this made a thumping noise at idle along with the piezo clatter. I can't believe how much nicer it sounds now since i fitted a vanos-bmw ccv diaphragm and shortened the spring.
Oh and coking up not really an issue as much as on the n54, my 71k n53 inlets are pretty clear.
Congrats OP hope it treats you well, but if you have any teething issues e90post has a lot of good n53 expertise too.
Something worth mentioning about the noise of the n53 at tickover, mine always sounded broken even at 33k when i had it. Turns out the CCV was not seating correctly and this made a thumping noise at idle along with the piezo clatter. I can't believe how much nicer it sounds now since i fitted a vanos-bmw ccv diaphragm and shortened the spring.
Oh and coking up not really an issue as much as on the n54, my 71k n53 inlets are pretty clear.
Congrats OP hope it treats you well, but if you have any teething issues e90post has a lot of good n53 expertise too.
Edited by bmwmike on Wednesday 3rd February 14:29
You need a BMW performance back box - I fitted one to my old E91 330i (N52) and it was awesome. I actually found a used backbox from a 325 so it didn't have the butterfly valve on it that a 330i should have as standard, so it provided a tasty noise on idle without being sounding like an unsociable tw*t.
Pretty rubbish pic but you get the jist!
Really love the colour combo of black and red leather! 😀
Took it for a proper drive today for a work journey, 40 miles of motorway and 15 miles of nice twisty fast/ slowing A road.Wow I am super impressed! The N53 is a peach. For me it feels better than the n52 engines I have had. So so smooth and Loads of torque. Ride and handling are fantastic for an estate car. Way better ride than the 1 series I have had even my M135i on birds suspension. As a package it is great and I also think I Might even prefer it to my M135i for the type of car it is! although 130bhp down on power the power matches the car and it is more than enough to overtake and make swift process. M135i almost had too much power and was going to lead me to losing my licence! Love it!
Think I have my perfect 2 car garage now!
This is the fun car 😀👍
Really love the colour combo of black and red leather! 😀
Took it for a proper drive today for a work journey, 40 miles of motorway and 15 miles of nice twisty fast/ slowing A road.Wow I am super impressed! The N53 is a peach. For me it feels better than the n52 engines I have had. So so smooth and Loads of torque. Ride and handling are fantastic for an estate car. Way better ride than the 1 series I have had even my M135i on birds suspension. As a package it is great and I also think I Might even prefer it to my M135i for the type of car it is! although 130bhp down on power the power matches the car and it is more than enough to overtake and make swift process. M135i almost had too much power and was going to lead me to losing my licence! Love it!
Think I have my perfect 2 car garage now!
This is the fun car 😀👍
Yeah this would be ideal but not cheap!
Was hoping there was a way to modify the existing exhaust cheaply like a resonator delete or gutting the back box etc. Will keep an eye out for a second hand m performance back box 👍
chrisch77 said:
You need a BMW performance back box - I fitted one to my old E91 330i (N52) and it was awesome. I actually found a used backbox from a 325 so it didn't have the butterfly valve on it that a 330i should have as standard, so it provided a tasty noise on idle without being sounding like an unsociable tw*t.
Cheers that’s not bad eh! Assuming that was just clutch and not DMF as well?
JakeT said:
Congratulations. The E91 330i is a great car. I've got an N52 powered manual.
FWIW My car had a gen BMW clutch kit fitted in 2015, and it cost the owner at the time ~£650. Mine was a London car for a long time early in its life though.
FWIW My car had a gen BMW clutch kit fitted in 2015, and it cost the owner at the time ~£650. Mine was a London car for a long time early in its life though.
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