E90 LCI 330i or Pre-LCI 330d?
Discussion
I'm currently trying to sell my E46 330cd, which is proving to be harder than I anticipated.
I want an E90,and it has to be below £8k. My recent research has uncovered the 57 plate onwards 330i as a real possibility. I do about 20k a year, and the quoted figures are fairly close to my 204bhp E46.
But then there's the 330d.My budget won't touch an LCI with sub 100k on the clock, so it would be pre facelift. Other than better economy and more receptive to remapping, would there be any merit in going for the diesel?
If I'm honest, while a decent car, the current 330cd just doesn't have any character. And that's with Bilstein suspension, uprated anti roll bars and new bushes etc.
Very interested in people's views.
I want an E90,and it has to be below £8k. My recent research has uncovered the 57 plate onwards 330i as a real possibility. I do about 20k a year, and the quoted figures are fairly close to my 204bhp E46.
But then there's the 330d.My budget won't touch an LCI with sub 100k on the clock, so it would be pre facelift. Other than better economy and more receptive to remapping, would there be any merit in going for the diesel?
If I'm honest, while a decent car, the current 330cd just doesn't have any character. And that's with Bilstein suspension, uprated anti roll bars and new bushes etc.
Very interested in people's views.
Edited by TroubledSoul on Thursday 5th September 08:58
Wait, so did the 272bhp 330i engine come in a pre-LCI form then? A pre-LCI car but with the Efficient Dynamics stuff?
This is getting quite frustrating. The stuff I really want all seems to be just a short stretch out of reach.
Have to keep hoping the stuff I have seen stays available until my current car sells!
Get the petrol.
Also, be careful, 2007 saw the Efficient Dynamics upgrades come to the cars, MY09 (sept 2008 build) saw the LCI (facelift) arrive, two quite different things.
I think the 330i is a gem, the 330d is OK but a bit souless. I prefer the 330i over the 335i, the 335i feels like a diesel to drive, just a slightly nicer sound. Gets pretty boring pretty quickly, doesn't matter what gear you're in you press the throttle and go, the NA 330i has to be worked and is a joy when you get it right.So, should I take it that the E90 isn't as good a drive as the E46? I have read differently to be honest, and I would upgrade as usual to uprated sports shocks like Koni FSD or Bilstein B12 and some Eibach springs. That's a staple of my cars 
It's actually the engine that has little character, rather than the chassis, which is great.
This is getting quite frustrating. The stuff I really want all seems to be just a short stretch out of reach.
Have to keep hoping the stuff I have seen stays available until my current car sells!
gizlaroc said:
TroubledSoul said:
If I'm honest, while a decent car, the current 330cd just doesn't have any character. And that's with Bilstein suspension, uprated anti roll bars and new bushes etc.
If you find the E46 coupe doesn't have any character you may fall asleep in the E90!! Get the petrol.
Also, be careful, 2007 saw the Efficient Dynamics upgrades come to the cars, MY09 (sept 2008 build) saw the LCI (facelift) arrive, two quite different things.
I think the 330i is a gem, the 330d is OK but a bit souless. I prefer the 330i over the 335i, the 335i feels like a diesel to drive, just a slightly nicer sound. Gets pretty boring pretty quickly, doesn't matter what gear you're in you press the throttle and go, the NA 330i has to be worked and is a joy when you get it right.
It's actually the engine that has little character, rather than the chassis, which is great.Edited by TroubledSoul on Friday 6th September 12:06
It's looking a lot like I may have to settle for an SE if I go 330d as there's not much about under £8k. Especially not if I want iDrive etc.
Is iDrive worthwhile? I know everyone says the LCI iDrive is miles better than the pre.
As a result, I will likely upgrade the shocks and probably fit a sport steering wheel. Even if I got an M-Sport, it's going to have 90k on it and need new shocks anyway.
Is iDrive worthwhile? I know everyone says the LCI iDrive is miles better than the pre.
As a result, I will likely upgrade the shocks and probably fit a sport steering wheel. Even if I got an M-Sport, it's going to have 90k on it and need new shocks anyway.
OK, firstly, WTF? Barry an M-Sport?! Are you insane?
Whichever car I buy, it is going to be touching 100k. If it hasn't had replacement shocks in its recent past then it will need them. It will also need new bushes, new track rod ends, new steering rack ends and new top mounts.
Those knocking replacing these items are probably those who sell their cars with "FULL SERVICE HISTORY, NO EXPENSE SPARED" written in the ads, despite the fact that all they have ever spent money on is servicing, brakes and tyres!
If I get an E90 I am going to refresh its suspension. Whether it's an M-Sport or an SE I will still want to use the same type of replacement items, so where is the issue there?
It makes absolutely no financial sense to pay extra for an M-Sport purely on the basis of it coming with some different worn out suspension.
Now, as it is, I would much prefer the M-Sport as I prefer the trim and bodywork, but it's certainly not a deal breaker for me.
Anyway, moving on from that, it seems that I made a mistake regarding the LCI 330i's. The ones I have seen are 57 plate cars, so have the newer engine but are not LCI cars. I didn't realise initially that these two things occurred separately.
Whichever car I buy, it is going to be touching 100k. If it hasn't had replacement shocks in its recent past then it will need them. It will also need new bushes, new track rod ends, new steering rack ends and new top mounts.
Those knocking replacing these items are probably those who sell their cars with "FULL SERVICE HISTORY, NO EXPENSE SPARED" written in the ads, despite the fact that all they have ever spent money on is servicing, brakes and tyres!
If I get an E90 I am going to refresh its suspension. Whether it's an M-Sport or an SE I will still want to use the same type of replacement items, so where is the issue there?
It makes absolutely no financial sense to pay extra for an M-Sport purely on the basis of it coming with some different worn out suspension.
Now, as it is, I would much prefer the M-Sport as I prefer the trim and bodywork, but it's certainly not a deal breaker for me.
Anyway, moving on from that, it seems that I made a mistake regarding the LCI 330i's. The ones I have seen are 57 plate cars, so have the newer engine but are not LCI cars. I didn't realise initially that these two things occurred separately.
Without wanting to appear rude Beefy, you often state things and get torn down about them afterwards. The rev limit on the E90 330d I think it was, springing to mind!
Now I'm not saying that you're wrong, but I would certainly like to see some evidence about this, as I am always willing to have my eyes opened.
Now I'm not saying that you're wrong, but I would certainly like to see some evidence about this, as I am always willing to have my eyes opened.
Welshbeef said:
I bet he will not take your last but of advice instead it will be too expensive for a car....
Actually has the OP bought yet or decided which one he/she is going to search for or is it simply the best one for £7k.
Too expensive for a car? What on earth do you mean, chap?Actually has the OP bought yet or decided which one he/she is going to search for or is it simply the best one for £7k.
I have come to realise that I am not going to get exactly what I want for the money I want to spend at this moment in time, so yes it actually will be the best I can get for the money instead of holding out for a particular spec.
I drove a new 335xd at the weekend and in all honesty the way it drove, the power delivery, the paddleshift gearbox, I just loved it and would like the next best thing; an E92 335d next summer. A good one is way out of budget right now, so I'm buying something else to tide me over.
Tonight I went to have a little look at an E60 535d
It's up for less than £7k, has under 100k on the clock and the black leather interior is immaculate (or looked it through the glass!). It also has nav etc. and front and rear parking sensors and so on. It's an SE, which is a downer, but for the price I'm convinced I'd be hard pressed to find better. And it's being sold by a dealer. I will try to resist the urge to mess with it
jb111s said:
Aternatively you can refresh a pre lci with lci parts if not frightened to do a bit of diy.
Love my 2006 e90 325 but only use it at the weekends and couldn't justify the expense of a new car. Bonnet was stonechipped and bugging me, bit of research and ended up buying lci bonnet, bootlid, bumper and tail lights from ebay, sprayed up at bodyshop, coded rear lights and for just over 1k converted mine to lci and looks like new.
Also got steering wheel retrimmed for not a lot. Removing it and the airbag is not at all difficult.
I've rebuilt cars from piles of parts before, so definitely not afraid of DIY Love my 2006 e90 325 but only use it at the weekends and couldn't justify the expense of a new car. Bonnet was stonechipped and bugging me, bit of research and ended up buying lci bonnet, bootlid, bumper and tail lights from ebay, sprayed up at bodyshop, coded rear lights and for just over 1k converted mine to lci and looks like new.
Also got steering wheel retrimmed for not a lot. Removing it and the airbag is not at all difficult.
I don't know it all, but I've never been afraid to have a go and resort to Google and Forums when I get stuck.
As for the airbag, disconnect the battery and unplug it. There's really no need to worry about it.
It's a pre LCI and will be doing mainly motorway. I'm going to see how I get on with it, get it remapped and enjoy it.
Next summer I will start searching for a nice LCI 335d coupe.
Next nearest M-Sport 535D from an independent dealer that hasn't had a wrap and is under 100k is nearly £2000 more expensive.
Can't see any within £5000 from a big chain like I am buying from. In all honesty I'd prefer the M-Sport for sure, but a local dealer, peace of mind and a nice motor will all do for me.
Next summer I will start searching for a nice LCI 335d coupe.
Next nearest M-Sport 535D from an independent dealer that hasn't had a wrap and is under 100k is nearly £2000 more expensive.
Can't see any within £5000 from a big chain like I am buying from. In all honesty I'd prefer the M-Sport for sure, but a local dealer, peace of mind and a nice motor will all do for me.
While I can see that you're enjoying trying to bust my chops Welshbeef, at least I am actually buying this car and not just pretending 
I do most of my commute on the motorway, on cruise control, so yes I will see improved MPG post remap.
I do most of my commute on the motorway, on cruise control, so yes I will see improved MPG post remap.
Edited by TroubledSoul on Thursday 12th September 07:29
Well things have changed significantly since my last post.
I had a change of heart and decided not to go ahead with the 535d SE. I have ended up jumping from a £7k SE to a £10k M-Sport. And God, it's beautiful.
I have left a small deposit and will go next weekend to see it and make sure everything is as expected. I went to see it yesterday, but it had just arrived in and needs some cosmetic work done. Plus the dealer is going to have it AA inspected and put it through a fresh MOT etc.
Only stumbling block may be the small amount of finance I require, around £4k. I was accepted for the SE but worry somewhat that the two being so close to each other may end in a bad result for this one. Fingers crossed on that.
I'll be over the moon if I get it though. It has the upgraded comfort seats with 20 way adjustability, HUD, iDrive/Nav, front and rear PDC, full M-Sport package, Xenons, 19" Spyder alloys, 55 plate car with 88k and two owners.
Scared of spending so much but very excited at the same time. Only downer was the car was silver and doesn't have privacy glass, but it seems to have everything else so I can live with that.
I had a change of heart and decided not to go ahead with the 535d SE. I have ended up jumping from a £7k SE to a £10k M-Sport. And God, it's beautiful.
I have left a small deposit and will go next weekend to see it and make sure everything is as expected. I went to see it yesterday, but it had just arrived in and needs some cosmetic work done. Plus the dealer is going to have it AA inspected and put it through a fresh MOT etc.
Only stumbling block may be the small amount of finance I require, around £4k. I was accepted for the SE but worry somewhat that the two being so close to each other may end in a bad result for this one. Fingers crossed on that.
I'll be over the moon if I get it though. It has the upgraded comfort seats with 20 way adjustability, HUD, iDrive/Nav, front and rear PDC, full M-Sport package, Xenons, 19" Spyder alloys, 55 plate car with 88k and two owners.
Scared of spending so much but very excited at the same time. Only downer was the car was silver and doesn't have privacy glass, but it seems to have everything else so I can live with that.
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