BMW 330i E91 auto - what to look out for

[stewies_minion]

Folks - can I please enlist a bit of a help on what to look out for when buying one of these?

I'm looking at an 80 thousand mile 55 plate. It's a 330i with the normal auto box. A few toys like electric seats but no iDrive.

So as well as the normal common sense things, is there anything marque or model specific I ought to be looking out for before I part with money? I'm told they have a chain rather than a cam belt so I'm wondering if there are any other "should have been done" service items I need to look out for...?


Thanks in advance

[pattyg]

I'd make sure discs and pads have been done with that mileage - I'd also ensure car came with a decent warranty.

[andyscole]

I currently drive a 330i e91 auto and other than usual condition, service etc check that the windscreen wash works, the earthing strips on the boot aren't broke and the boot pull over cover guides aren't broke. The car you be spot on and a better bet with the early 330i as the engines are a lot more reliable than the di/272ps version..

[stewies_minion]

Cheers for that.

That's 100% exactly why I'm looking for a petrol. With any luck - good simple mechanics.

Do you mind me asking what average mpg you're getting? I'm hoping to get about 32 if I can. Might be a bit optimistic.

I've seen a few posts about the earth points in the boot, so I'll do some research and make sure I get it right as I'm sure even a simple fix could be costly.

[andyscole]

Around town you'll be lucky to better 25, I get 23 but my journey to work is 3 miles so car hasn't warmed up properly. 80 on the motorway will get you early 30's, 70 will get 35+. Basically they're pretty good at constant speeds, but as soon as you start accelerating/braking/accelerating the mpg plummets!

[stewies_minion]

Cheers for that. About what I was hoping for tbh.

As long as I play nicely, that'll return what I need.

I'll be seeing it tomorrow and be having a really good poke around, so as long as it isn't a bag of spanners, I'll be in it soon enough.

[andyscole]

You'll find playing nicely difficult......

You looking at the blue one on at for 11795? As that's very nice with good history and very well priced. There are a couple on at that were up for sale when I purchased mine last September so I think sone bargaining can be had!

[Matt80M]

andyscole said:

Around town you'll be lucky to better 25, I get 23 but my journey to work is 3 miles so car hasn't warmed up properly. 80 on the motorway will get you early 30's, 70 will get 35+. Basically they're pretty good at constant speeds, but as soon as you start accelerating/braking/accelerating the mpg plummets!

I have an E90 330i Auto.

Like Andy said, around town its not the best - especially when cold....in the below zero weather we had, I saw as low as 14.5 MPG on my way to work - which involves a lot of stop-start driving in London.

On a recent trip down to Sussex, I took it easy, and averaged 37MPG. It's one of those cars... my old MINI Cooper S would always seem to do about 27MPG regardless of the weather or how/where I drove it.

[andyscole]

stewies_minion said:

Cheers for that. About what I was hoping for tbh.

As long as I play nicely, that'll return what I need.

I'll be seeing it tomorrow and be having a really good poke around, so as long as it isn't a bag of spanners, I'll be in it soon enough.

Have you got the car?

[stewies_minion]

Yup.

Gets delivered to me nex week. It's having a proper wheel refurb and a dab of paint.

It's a beastie. Like it lots.

Seemed to manage 17mpg on the test drive. Must be a fault of some description....!

Might be a daft question but 95 or 98 Ron fuel..?

Cheers

[Matt80M]

stewies_minion said:

Yup.

Gets delivered to me nex week. It's having a proper wheel refurb and a dab of paint.

It's a beastie. Like it lots.

Seemed to manage 17mpg on the test drive. Must be a fault of some description....!

Might be a daft question but 95 or 98 Ron fuel..?

Cheers

I've tried both, and I can't tell much difference. The BMW dealer I bought mine from said just stick with 95. It's still rapid.

[stewies_minion]

Cool. Thanks for that.

That'll save me a few quid.

I'll get some pics if it up when it's had a good clean and polish.

Pet project #2 will be getting a set of Falkens on it. Those run flats made it feel quite odd.

[andyscole]

Matt80M said:

I've tried both, and I can't tell much difference. The BMW dealer I bought mine from said just stick with 95. It's still rapid.

I tried about 5 tanks of optimax in a row and noticed nothing!

Well done with the purchase, pics next please!

[stewies_minion]

Pics when I get it.

It's off getting a dab of paint on a door and a proper wheel refurb.

Considering a proper detail too as it's been a victim of a few Eastern European hand washes and Tesco car washes. Not horrific, but I'm fussy.

One point that is a concern is the "sealed for life" gearbox.

My current VAG dsg box needs oil after 40k so sealed for life is quite alien for me.

I was wondering if anyone had considered having theirs drained and the oil replaced?

Cheers

[ASR1]

I have an E90 330i

Best car I've owned.

[abarber]

ASR1 said:

I have an E90 330i

Best car I've owned.

Yep, also got an early 2005 one and loving it. Averaging 31mpg, half urban (London). It's a manual.

Front wheels are prone to curbing as the track is quite wide, bonnet catch can sieze up. Nothing really of any concern in 3 years for me.

[andyscole]

stewies_minion said:

Yup.

Gets delivered to me nex week. It's having a proper wheel refurb and a dab of paint.

It's a beastie. Like it lots.

Seemed to manage 17mpg on the test drive. Must be a fault of some description....!

Might be a daft question but 95 or 98 Ron fuel..?

Cheers

Got your car yet?

[stewies_minion]

Nope.

Thankfully I subscribe to "what you've not had you can't miss"

Should be Wesnesday next week.

I'll throw a sponge over it and get some pics up when I do.

[stewies_minion]

Got it.

Like it lots. I'll make it look pretty and get some pics up over the weekend.

Shifts along at a decent pace. It'll never win too much acclaim for its speed, but it's a world apart from a Golf 140 diesel.

Loving the interior. Simple and functional. Lots of buttons to twizzle and press. God bless the aux in socket for an old iPod. I'm endlessly sick of burning CDs.

Not keen on the run flats. I'll be doing some research on getting shot in favour of some Falken 452s.

Only thing that's a struggle is watching the petrol gauge. Coming from YEARS of VAG diesels, it seems to drop toward empty with alarming speed. 70 miles and nearly a 1/4 of a tank gone. But *that* noise is really addictive. You pays your money, you takes your choice. It seems to get 30mpg when playing nicely - that'll do.

[Matt80M]

stewies_minion said:

Got it.

Like it lots. I'll make it look pretty and get some pics up over the weekend.

Shifts along at a decent pace. It'll never win too much acclaim for its speed, but it's a world apart from a Golf 140 diesel.

Loving the interior. Simple and functional. Lots of buttons to twizzle and press. God bless the aux in socket for an old iPod. I'm endlessly sick of burning CDs.

Not keen on the run flats. I'll be doing some research on getting shot in favour of some Falken 452s.

Only thing that's a struggle is watching the petrol gauge. Coming from YEARS of VAG diesels, it seems to drop toward empty with alarming speed. 70 miles and nearly a 1/4 of a tank gone. But *that* noise is really addictive. You pays your money, you takes your choice. It seems to get 30mpg when playing nicely - that'll do.

Awesome - glad you like it.

Pace is over shadowed by the 335i and M3, but they are still bloody quick.

Slip road, in sport, foot flat to the floor. Oooooh yeah!