Discussion
Purchased this on Saturday a 9 hour round trip. At least the journey back would highlight any issues with the car. I’m pleased to say that it was completely uneventful. It averaged 53.3mpg which proves its running ok.
Only the one photo as it’s currently 130 miles away on my parents drive.
It’s a 2011 bmw 330d touring.
Currently on 93k miles with a full bmw service history. This will not be continued as I’ll be doing all of the services from now on.
First thing is to service it. It’s been on the bmw long life service plan and last serviced 73k. The oil was black. From now on it will be fresh oil and a filter every 6-8k. Tried the vac pump through the dipstick method on this car and managed to drain 6.5l of oil out which I believe is the correct amount. New filter and a filling of 6.5l castrol 5w30 oil. Car was then run for 5 minutes and the oil level checked using the idrive. Level all good.
Replaced the air filter and hoovered out the airbox. This was full of debris so the filter did its job but its been in for a loooong time.
It also needs rear tyres. Its between goodyar f1 assy 6 or Michelin ps5. Fronts are ok for now but cheap nexen and will be replaced in the next few months.
Next few jobs are tidying the interior. It is extremely dirty. The oyster leather has years of ingrained dirt and is brown in places
. I will order some dodo juice supernatural leather cleaner to tackle it. Then refurbish the bolsters with LTT leathercare. Should come up like new with a bit of elbow grease.
The interior soft touch plastics are starting to get sticky. I have ordered a new passenger door pull, radio surround and an obd cover as its gone missing.
The left hand side skirt is pulling away at the front and back. I need to pull it off to see whats going on. Hopefully the tabs haven’t broken. Ive ordered a side skirt fitting kit in preparation for this.
I have added a bunch of other trim clips into the basket to replace any that I find are missing.
It has an aftermarket alarm (viper) that doesn’t seem to do much as the fob doesn’t work. I’ll look into removing this as it has a super bright blue light that flashes when the car is locked and I don’t want it draining the battery when left for a period of time. Also these alarms seem to cause mare issues than they are worth.
Final item on the list is removal and de carbon the egr, throttle body and inlet manifold.
I might look at remaps in the future but don’t want to cause issues with the egr, dpf and other related components.
Father’s sent this extra pic.
Only the one photo as it’s currently 130 miles away on my parents drive.
It’s a 2011 bmw 330d touring.
Currently on 93k miles with a full bmw service history. This will not be continued as I’ll be doing all of the services from now on.
First thing is to service it. It’s been on the bmw long life service plan and last serviced 73k. The oil was black. From now on it will be fresh oil and a filter every 6-8k. Tried the vac pump through the dipstick method on this car and managed to drain 6.5l of oil out which I believe is the correct amount. New filter and a filling of 6.5l castrol 5w30 oil. Car was then run for 5 minutes and the oil level checked using the idrive. Level all good.
Replaced the air filter and hoovered out the airbox. This was full of debris so the filter did its job but its been in for a loooong time.
It also needs rear tyres. Its between goodyar f1 assy 6 or Michelin ps5. Fronts are ok for now but cheap nexen and will be replaced in the next few months.
Next few jobs are tidying the interior. It is extremely dirty. The oyster leather has years of ingrained dirt and is brown in places
. I will order some dodo juice supernatural leather cleaner to tackle it. Then refurbish the bolsters with LTT leathercare. Should come up like new with a bit of elbow grease. The interior soft touch plastics are starting to get sticky. I have ordered a new passenger door pull, radio surround and an obd cover as its gone missing.
The left hand side skirt is pulling away at the front and back. I need to pull it off to see whats going on. Hopefully the tabs haven’t broken. Ive ordered a side skirt fitting kit in preparation for this.
I have added a bunch of other trim clips into the basket to replace any that I find are missing.
It has an aftermarket alarm (viper) that doesn’t seem to do much as the fob doesn’t work. I’ll look into removing this as it has a super bright blue light that flashes when the car is locked and I don’t want it draining the battery when left for a period of time. Also these alarms seem to cause mare issues than they are worth.
Final item on the list is removal and de carbon the egr, throttle body and inlet manifold.
I might look at remaps in the future but don’t want to cause issues with the egr, dpf and other related components.
Father’s sent this extra pic.
Edited by sam.rog on Monday 1st August 19:32
Just a suggestion but, if you don't plan to keep the car for many years, getting an oil change at a dealer when the OBC says it's required will allow you to advertise the car as "FBMWSH". assuming your not doing mega mileage this may only be every other year / 20k miles but could improve the saleability / price of the car when you come to sell it.
I do this and change the oil in between times as 10k per oil change is about right imho.
As long as the oil is done many people don't see to care about other stuff!
Either way, nice buy. More pics needed!
I do this and change the oil in between times as 10k per oil change is about right imho.
As long as the oil is done many people don't see to care about other stuff!
Either way, nice buy. More pics needed!
Sn1ckers said:
Just a suggestion but, if you don't plan to keep the car for many years, getting an oil change at a dealer when the OBC says it's required will allow you to advertise the car as "FBMWSH". assuming your not doing mega mileage this may only be every other year / 20k miles but could improve the saleability / price of the car when you come to sell it.
I do this and change the oil in between times as 10k per oil change is about right imho.
As long as the oil is done many people don't see to care about other stuff!
Either way, nice buy. More pics needed!
I’d agree with that an it’s the approach I’m taking with my 335i.I do this and change the oil in between times as 10k per oil change is about right imho.
As long as the oil is done many people don't see to care about other stuff!
Either way, nice buy. More pics needed!
Looks grand OP. The E91 is a handsome beast and is my favourite shape of the E8x range.
147lusso said:
Very nice. I'd love an N57 330d, i've currently got an earlier wagon with the M57 and it is brilliant to be honest. Will go on forever!
What's your thoughts on it vs the G2x?
Difficult to compare as I’ve owned the 330e from new and done 34k in it and I've driven the 330d 160 miles. What's your thoughts on it vs the G2x?
Initial impressions are positive. To drive it doesn’t feel that different. You can tell both of them are a bmw.
The 330d on start up sounds like a tractor but when moving it isn’t noticeable. On wot it actually sounds pretty good. Definitely sounds better than the 4 pot in the 330e.
The steering is better on the e90 hands down. Also the brakes feel better in use.
Interior is no competition, g20, but then it’s the latest and greatest from bmw and its very good.
The e91 feels more of a drivers car than the g20. The g20 is brilliant for smashing out the miles in comfort but definitely feels its weight when pushing on.
sam.rog said:
Difficult to compare as I’ve owned the 330e from new and done 34k in it and I've driven the 330d 160 miles.
Initial impressions are positive. To drive it doesn’t feel that different. You can tell both of them are a bmw.
The 330d on start up sounds like a tractor but when moving it isn’t noticeable. On wot it actually sounds pretty good. Definitely sounds better than the 4 pot in the 330e.
The steering is better on the e90 hands down. Also the brakes feel better in use.
Interior is no competition, g20, but then it’s the latest and greatest from bmw and its very good.
The e91 feels more of a drivers car than the g20. The g20 is brilliant for smashing out the miles in comfort but definitely feels its weight when pushing on.
It’s interesting to compare the old EPAS systems to the latest ones. The 1 series nerds get very funny about the EPAS in the race lift 130’s but having owned one it’s nit that bad. It’s much better than the EPAS that was in my M140i which I have before the 130i.Initial impressions are positive. To drive it doesn’t feel that different. You can tell both of them are a bmw.
The 330d on start up sounds like a tractor but when moving it isn’t noticeable. On wot it actually sounds pretty good. Definitely sounds better than the 4 pot in the 330e.
The steering is better on the e90 hands down. Also the brakes feel better in use.
Interior is no competition, g20, but then it’s the latest and greatest from bmw and its very good.
The e91 feels more of a drivers car than the g20. The g20 is brilliant for smashing out the miles in comfort but definitely feels its weight when pushing on.
My 335i has HPAS which is nice enough but I’m not sure it’s the holy grail that sone make it out to be.
Does the 330d have nav? The Andream screens are pretty good and bring the tech up to date giving you a touch screen plus CarPlay / Android Auto.
Yes, the steering debate will no doubt rage on forever!
The EPAS in my 123d was OK, certainly much better than in my Z4, but the HPAS in my early E90 330i is better still.
Strange to read that the G20 isn't as good as the E91 though - I would have expected the later models to have a better set-up!
The EPAS in my 123d was OK, certainly much better than in my Z4, but the HPAS in my early E90 330i is better still.
Strange to read that the G20 isn't as good as the E91 though - I would have expected the later models to have a better set-up!
The EPAS in my E90 330i was a huge disappointment after the ridiculously heavy steering in my E46 330d (and similar in my E46 320d), but having got used to it I think there is a sensible amount of feedback and a reasonable amount of weight. It feels like I can tell roughly what the wheels are doing. I've definitely driven far worse.
I do think it goes a bit too far to the light side, though. The E46 did a much better job of just refusing to be pushed past its limits. I've found it's far to easy to steer quickly and forcefully, and end up demanding more from the car than it can give. I do think it actually does a pretty good job of eventually doing what's requested, and I've ended up feeling able to trust it - but I've never quite got comfortable with that unsettling moment or two of uncertainty as it sorts itself out after I've unintentionally asked it to push itself harder than I intended.
Comparing the two cars, it feels like one extreme to the other
- but I've seen people complain that the later models are lighter yet. So I'd actually be a bit interested to drive a wider selection to see what I think.
I do think it goes a bit too far to the light side, though. The E46 did a much better job of just refusing to be pushed past its limits. I've found it's far to easy to steer quickly and forcefully, and end up demanding more from the car than it can give. I do think it actually does a pretty good job of eventually doing what's requested, and I've ended up feeling able to trust it - but I've never quite got comfortable with that unsettling moment or two of uncertainty as it sorts itself out after I've unintentionally asked it to push itself harder than I intended.
Comparing the two cars, it feels like one extreme to the other
- but I've seen people complain that the later models are lighter yet. So I'd actually be a bit interested to drive a wider selection to see what I think.The g20 steering is lighter than the e90 no doubt. You can increase the weight by putting it in sport mode but it feels artificial. I don’t think its very communicative.
Perhaps it’s the rawness in the e90 (it’s relative) compared to the g20 that makes it feel more like a bmw.
I like the g20 and I think its the best of that group. The build quality is excellent. I like it so much that I’m going to order a 330e touring lci in December as its replacement.
For a diesel the n57 is very good and I can see where the praise comes from. It genuinely sounds good when givi g it some. It’s also smooth when driving.
In comparison to the flat six in my legacy is a bit gruff but the h6 in the legacy is probably the smoothest engine this side of a Rolls Royce.
Perhaps it’s the rawness in the e90 (it’s relative) compared to the g20 that makes it feel more like a bmw.
I like the g20 and I think its the best of that group. The build quality is excellent. I like it so much that I’m going to order a 330e touring lci in December as its replacement.
For a diesel the n57 is very good and I can see where the praise comes from. It genuinely sounds good when givi g it some. It’s also smooth when driving.
In comparison to the flat six in my legacy is a bit gruff but the h6 in the legacy is probably the smoothest engine this side of a Rolls Royce.
Mr Tidy said:
Yes, the steering debate will no doubt rage on forever!
The EPAS in my 123d was OK, certainly much better than in my Z4, but the HPAS in my early E90 330i is better still.
Strange to read that the G20 isn't as good as the E91 though - I would have expected the later models to have a better set-up!
I think there’s a definite difference in the later cars and it’s not for the better. The EPAS in my 130i (and in the 125i) was better than the system in my M140i. It’s far from perfect but there was a bit more feel and it never felt quite as artificial.The EPAS in my 123d was OK, certainly much better than in my Z4, but the HPAS in my early E90 330i is better still.
Strange to read that the G20 isn't as good as the E91 though - I would have expected the later models to have a better set-up!
A couple more photos.
I've got a new passenger door pull to replace the melting and sticky mess thats there now.
New obd cover as it was missing.
New radio surround and blank underneath the radio as this is sticky as well.
New side skirt trim clips as the lest hand side is pulling away at both end. I hope its the clips and not broken tabs on the skirt its self.
New car mats. Apparently they are tailored. I’m not paying the £130 that bmw wants for some so will see if these are ok.
And finally a good clean and repaint of the drivers side bolster.
I've got a new passenger door pull to replace the melting and sticky mess thats there now.
New obd cover as it was missing.
New radio surround and blank underneath the radio as this is sticky as well.
New side skirt trim clips as the lest hand side is pulling away at both end. I hope its the clips and not broken tabs on the skirt its self.
New car mats. Apparently they are tailored. I’m not paying the £130 that bmw wants for some so will see if these are ok.
And finally a good clean and repaint of the drivers side bolster.
Something else to keep an eye on is the oil level.
I've had a few 3.0d BMW's and the accuracy of the sensor for the idrive oil level monitor is not great. In my current F11 530d the oil can be below half on the stick and still show as full on the screen. It's possible the previous owner only ever used the screen which may explain why shortly after I bought the car the big end went resulting in a new engine from BMW!!
I've had a few 3.0d BMW's and the accuracy of the sensor for the idrive oil level monitor is not great. In my current F11 530d the oil can be below half on the stick and still show as full on the screen. It's possible the previous owner only ever used the screen which may explain why shortly after I bought the car the big end went resulting in a new engine from BMW!!
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