E9x 6 cylinder Diesels info

[SlowStig]

Afternoon all,

I have had an E90 330d Manual in the past and I am considering getting another after my monthly mileage is creeping up and wondered if anyone has some advice regarding the sub-£10k cars and where I should be concentrating my efforts...

I haven't driven one with the auto box so not sure how quick/slow the box is, and is it worth getting an older 335d compared to a newer(lci) 325d/330d? At this sort of price range, is higher mileage cars worth considering? Is there any inherent issues with these cars, I am hoping to get an estate and have seen they have a dual opening boot, can there be any issues with the glass hatch part?

What service intervals are involved with the autos? I know the engines are 20k but my old manual was supposedly not needing an oil change until 80k miles.

I haven't discounted a manual, but my old one had a heavy clutch and was difficult to get between 1st and 2nd gears smoothly which was somewhat irritating!

[SlowStig]

Cheers for all the help so far guys, I am concerned a little bit about the CCC vs CiC computers, as the latter is much better but I can only seem to find either cars without any nav system or the earlier version. Can it be upgraded at all to the latter or fitting fresh by fitting systems from a later car?

I am leaning towards an older 335d as the later 325/330d are quite hard to come by with anything other than seats and a steering wheel!

Also, I have seen some cars have paddles like the newer F shape cars and others have silver ones which seem to sit near the thumb rests on the wheel, does this mean different gearboxes or is the same box, different paddles(presumably also changeable)?

[SlowStig]

Can the thumb paddles be changed to the other type? I would suspect they would get in the way from the photos I have seen and they look a bit out of place!

Regarding the auto boxes, its 6 speed pretty much for all cars unless I find a super late built one or a 335i? I doubt a 335i would do 35-40mpg so that's out the question anyway

[SlowStig]

cerb4.5lee - I remember you helping when I was looking at my old 330d!

I think ideally the spec needs to be LCi and N57 engine, however much the 335d is a temptation, getting one as a tourer in budget will be not possible unless I am prepared to compromise on spec and age/mileage.
I am very interested to hear about the auto boxes though, as its an older model, I can't nip to a local dealer to try one out so the first time I try one will be test driving a new car. When described as "dim witted", can they be mapped to speed up changes or response times? I know people can code and activate features on the cars so presumably they can do something with the gearboxes?

So ideally, I need to find a car with the right age, engine and bodystyle(and colour), the rest of my "wants" can be added at a later date for additional cost if I have a burning desire for them.

I presume the x3/x5 are pretty much the same as a 3/5 series in regards to what to look for, just incase one of those appears in budget and spec?

[SlowStig]

PTF said:

p1stonhead said:

CIC is so far ahead of CCC in my opinion its not even funny.

I would actually have a Non-IDrive car instead of CCC. Its just so damn old looking/feeling

FWIW my 2009 325d LCI gets 40mpg seemingly no matter what I do.

I believe the 335d usually gets people early to mid 30mpg's.

Edited by p1stonhead on Wednesday 22 November 09:16

Definitely. CCC is a negative. CIC is a positive.

When looking for my 130i i specifically ruled out any that came with nav.

I haven't heard a single good thing about the CCC system other than it being functional. I did think that any car I found, I would budget for upgrading to the CiC system or if the car doesn't have any iDrive at all, fully installing it into the car.

MPG of the 335d is interesting though, I was hoping they could do 40mpg+ without too much grannying or sitting at 60mph on motorways etc?

[SlowStig]

JakeT said:

The CDV was introduced to help prevent Dual mass flywheels being ruined if the clutch is dropped suddenly. Removing it is a simple job, but requires the car in the air and the ability to bleed the clutch.

Would that make the clutch lighter to press and easier to use in traffic...?

[SlowStig]

MJ85 said:

I bought a low mileage, very high spec M57 330D E91 M-Sport manual, earlier this year.

It has needed an aux tensioner and an alternator.

Other than that, it really feels fantastic and is doing a great job of getting me around the country. The clutch is relatively heavy though, but you know this already.

For me, reliability was key, hence M57 and manual were a winning combo.

Good luck with your search.

Thank you! Its becoming tiresome already and I got suggested a curveball of an X3 or X5 with the same engine, but I am guessing the XDrive saps a lot of the mpg?

[SlowStig]

The car is basically needing to be a swiss army knife of cars, fairly quick, economical and space for a dog(not got one yet but am planning on it), which is why I am trying to find the best one which shouldn't be breaking every 5 minutes! My other issue is that tourings seem to hold a premium over the saloons and coupes. Is it worth looking at another manual and doing the CDV "trick" to make the clutch lighter and easier to use?

[SlowStig]

I have had a look at a few in budget but running costs are a little bit higher than ideally I want.

Just going to have to keep looking, could take a while!

[SlowStig]

MJ85 said:

Also, I feel they are better made than the F30 generation (had one as a company car). They look good, too. Shameless picture of my own:

I have to admit that I would love a black touring, however I may have to settle for a saloon or coupe in a different colour!

With the E9x having hydraulic steering, is there any problems with these or the steering racks leaking etc?