E91 330, the accidental impulse buy
Discussion
A phone call from a friend with a fleeting mention of a mutual friend acquiring a new M340d tow car brought this, his old one to my attention.
All I knew it was a 2010 330d tourer, I asked for pics and a price. I got the price before the pics and the history spreadsheet, once I’d received the latter two it was a done deal. Without seeing it. The spec alone sold it. Xenon’s, heated elec seats, NAV, Bluetooth and more importantly no tinted glass.
Only negative. It’s black. I hate the upkeep of black cars. We now have two. Urgh.
On 182k, it’s been well used, the last 70 have been predominantly towing a caterham all over the Uk and Europe to events, but as such it’s been looked after meticulously. Drives just as well as my first E91 that had 30k on it at 2 years old.
It’s far from perfect, understandable given the miles, the original wheels need refurbished, but they do have 4 brand new branded tyres. Arches are starting to bubble, and it’s got some marks here and there. Everything works, it’s had a complete suspension overhaul in 2020, I could t find anything similar for the £3500 it cost.
In order to get it winter ready and up to standard I’ve fitted some 1M/E9x M3 winter wheels and Michelin Alpin tyres, ordered rubber mats, new tailpipes, wheel centre caps and mudflaps, these were a ballache to get as they are now obsolete and e bay specials are not pre LCI which this one requires
Some pics from the seller
After picking it up I gave it a quick going over, ordered the above bits, picked up these wheels locally. I got them and the plate fitted over the weekend.
I took this pic yesterday after giving the whole fleet a clean. No easy task. The R32 had sat for 5 weeks unloved as we resolved leaking flexis with a complete new exhaust. It’s now off the naughty step.
The Transporter is my daily, it’s the 5th one I’ve had, and by far the nicest.
I’ll update this as I go
Thanks for looking
All I knew it was a 2010 330d tourer, I asked for pics and a price. I got the price before the pics and the history spreadsheet, once I’d received the latter two it was a done deal. Without seeing it. The spec alone sold it. Xenon’s, heated elec seats, NAV, Bluetooth and more importantly no tinted glass.
Only negative. It’s black. I hate the upkeep of black cars. We now have two. Urgh.
On 182k, it’s been well used, the last 70 have been predominantly towing a caterham all over the Uk and Europe to events, but as such it’s been looked after meticulously. Drives just as well as my first E91 that had 30k on it at 2 years old.
It’s far from perfect, understandable given the miles, the original wheels need refurbished, but they do have 4 brand new branded tyres. Arches are starting to bubble, and it’s got some marks here and there. Everything works, it’s had a complete suspension overhaul in 2020, I could t find anything similar for the £3500 it cost.
In order to get it winter ready and up to standard I’ve fitted some 1M/E9x M3 winter wheels and Michelin Alpin tyres, ordered rubber mats, new tailpipes, wheel centre caps and mudflaps, these were a ballache to get as they are now obsolete and e bay specials are not pre LCI which this one requires
Some pics from the seller
After picking it up I gave it a quick going over, ordered the above bits, picked up these wheels locally. I got them and the plate fitted over the weekend.
I took this pic yesterday after giving the whole fleet a clean. No easy task. The R32 had sat for 5 weeks unloved as we resolved leaking flexis with a complete new exhaust. It’s now off the naughty step.
The Transporter is my daily, it’s the 5th one I’ve had, and by far the nicest.
I’ll update this as I go
Thanks for looking
Ruskie said:
You are in for some winter pain with three black cars! Great fleet though, all do something different.
The R32 is being laid up in the Garage at the end of the week before the salt starts being spread on the roads. The T5 is dark blue but equally as much of a pain to keep
Very nice and almost identical fleet to us!
Wifes E91 is the 325i and silver though, I have the R32 and a 2007 Caravelle - both in black as well which wasn’t first choice but the best available at the time.
Your driveway is a bit more accommodating though!
Did this replace your C63 for wagon duties?
Wifes E91 is the 325i and silver though, I have the R32 and a 2007 Caravelle - both in black as well which wasn’t first choice but the best available at the time.
Your driveway is a bit more accommodating though!
Did this replace your C63 for wagon duties?
That's an interesting fleet OP - even if keeping them clean will be a challenge! Still your E91 sounds like a bit of a bargain for a car that has been looked after.
Colours are very hard to find on E9* 3 Series. I ended up with a Sparkling Graphite E91 325i then replaced it with an E90 330i - also Sparkling Graphite.
Colours are very hard to find on E9* 3 Series. I ended up with a Sparkling Graphite E91 325i then replaced it with an E90 330i - also Sparkling Graphite.
six port said:
Very nice and almost identical fleet to us!
Wifes E91 is the 325i and silver though, I have the R32 and a 2007 Caravelle - both in black as well which wasn’t first choice but the best available at the time.
Your driveway is a bit more accommodating though!
Did this replace your C63 for wagon duties?
The T5 is the virtual successor to the C63, I sold it to pay for the driveway to be done properly and bought the T5 with the change so to speak. Wifes E91 is the 325i and silver though, I have the R32 and a 2007 Caravelle - both in black as well which wasn’t first choice but the best available at the time.
Your driveway is a bit more accommodating though!
Did this replace your C63 for wagon duties?
It’s a mixed driveway, we have some other VWs kicking about too.
Caravelle, now that’s nice, 130 or 174?
Mr Tidy said:
That's an interesting fleet OP - even if keeping them clean will be a challenge! Still your E91 sounds like a bit of a bargain for a car that has been looked after.
Colours are very hard to find on E9* 3 Series. I ended up with a Sparkling Graphite E91 325i then replaced it with an E90 330i - also Sparkling Graphite.
Thank you, it certainly has most boxes ticked, and as stated earlier only the BMW and Transporter will be used over the coming winter months. Colours are very hard to find on E9* 3 Series. I ended up with a Sparkling Graphite E91 325i then replaced it with an E90 330i - also Sparkling Graphite.
Yes, I agree. This is my fifth E91 in 13 years.
Two black 330d & 335d
Two Silver 330d & 335d
One Graphite 330d
All boring colours.
martin mrt said:
Yes, I agree. This is my fifth E91 in 13 years.
Two black 330d & 335d
Two Silver 330d & 335d
One Graphite 330d
All boring colours.
It seems to have started around 2005! Two black 330d & 335d
Two Silver 330d & 335d
One Graphite 330d
All boring colours.
I had two E46 Compacts, one Mystic Blue and the other was Imola Red.
Thankfully neither of my E9*s had black interiors though!
martin mrt said:
six port said:
Very nice and almost identical fleet to us!
Wifes E91 is the 325i and silver though, I have the R32 and a 2007 Caravelle - both in black as well which wasn’t first choice but the best available at the time.
Your driveway is a bit more accommodating though!
Did this replace your C63 for wagon duties?
The T5 is the virtual successor to the C63, I sold it to pay for the driveway to be done properly and bought the T5 with the change so to speak. Wifes E91 is the 325i and silver though, I have the R32 and a 2007 Caravelle - both in black as well which wasn’t first choice but the best available at the time.
Your driveway is a bit more accommodating though!
Did this replace your C63 for wagon duties?
It’s a mixed driveway, we have some other VWs kicking about too.
Caravelle, now that’s nice, 130 or 174?
Caravelle is a lovely thing, it’s an executive 174 auto, really nice spec.. currently in for leaking manifold - The 2.5 makes me nervous though and I’m tempted to go for a T5.1 Kombi instead.
Your E91 looks a nice spec compared to our SE, black and no tints looks class.
six port said:
martin mrt said:
six port said:
Very nice and almost identical fleet to us!
Wifes E91 is the 325i and silver though, I have the R32 and a 2007 Caravelle - both in black as well which wasn’t first choice but the best available at the time.
Your driveway is a bit more accommodating though!
Did this replace your C63 for wagon duties?
The T5 is the virtual successor to the C63, I sold it to pay for the driveway to be done properly and bought the T5 with the change so to speak. Wifes E91 is the 325i and silver though, I have the R32 and a 2007 Caravelle - both in black as well which wasn’t first choice but the best available at the time.
Your driveway is a bit more accommodating though!
Did this replace your C63 for wagon duties?
It’s a mixed driveway, we have some other VWs kicking about too.
Caravelle, now that’s nice, 130 or 174?
Caravelle is a lovely thing, it’s an executive 174 auto, really nice spec.. currently in for leaking manifold - The 2.5 makes me nervous though and I’m tempted to go for a T5.1 Kombi instead.
Your E91 looks a nice spec compared to our SE, black and no tints looks class.
I’ve had 4 2.5s, albeit all manual, great engine if it’s been looked after properly. Leaking manifold I done on my first one. Very common.
After a 174 a T5.1 will feel gutless, however they do come DSG (which mine is) and it’s a superior set up to the auto in the 2.5s
Thank you, I’m rather pleased that it’s specced as it is, tbh it’s one of the main reasons I purchased it as I liked the spec. Had it been basic, no nav, xenon’s etc I’d not have been so keen
raspy said:
Why not do ceramic protection? Makes keeping it clean easier.
The R32 is ceramic protected, the 330 will get washed and a hydrophobic coating every other wash, I find that sufficient enough to only snow foam and rinse every weekend if the weather isn’t favourable for a full on contact wash. cerb4.5lee said:
That will be a great all round car I reckon, and I do have a real soft spot for a 330d(and E9x's in general).
Yes it will be. I’m loving being back in an E9x car, I think this will be my sixth if I include the flutter I had in 2013 with the E90 M3. They just feel very right to me. Definitely my favourite 3 series derivative.
147lusso said:
£3.5k for that is a steal, even at that mileage. Those wheels look awesome too! I was looking at fitting 350M wheels to my E91 330d, which I hope would look quite similar..
My friend was going to advertise it at 4250 but was willing to take 3500 for a quick sale from me. This saved any advertising, hassle or tyrekickers and I agree it was a good price indeed.
The style 350M wheels are 5 series ones if I’m not mistaken. Very similar design but staggered whereas these are a square set up.
They shouldn’t look too indifferent
Sounds like you know your BMW diesels, so you probably already know this! Just in case - it's important to check that the engine is getting up to temperature in the hidden menu. If not, one or both of the thermostats is knackered and this will prevent DPF regens. A failed glow plug or controller will also prevent regens.
martin mrt said:
six port said:
martin mrt said:
six port said:
Very nice and almost identical fleet to us!
Wifes E91 is the 325i and silver though, I have the R32 and a 2007 Caravelle - both in black as well which wasn’t first choice but the best available at the time.
Your driveway is a bit more accommodating though!
Did this replace your C63 for wagon duties?
The T5 is the virtual successor to the C63, I sold it to pay for the driveway to be done properly and bought the T5 with the change so to speak. Wifes E91 is the 325i and silver though, I have the R32 and a 2007 Caravelle - both in black as well which wasn’t first choice but the best available at the time.
Your driveway is a bit more accommodating though!
Did this replace your C63 for wagon duties?
It’s a mixed driveway, we have some other VWs kicking about too.
Caravelle, now that’s nice, 130 or 174?
Caravelle is a lovely thing, it’s an executive 174 auto, really nice spec.. currently in for leaking manifold - The 2.5 makes me nervous though and I’m tempted to go for a T5.1 Kombi instead.
Your E91 looks a nice spec compared to our SE, black and no tints looks class.
I’ve had 4 2.5s, albeit all manual, great engine if it’s been looked after properly. Leaking manifold I done on my first one. Very common.
After a 174 a T5.1 will feel gutless, however they do come DSG (which mine is) and it’s a superior set up to the auto in the 2.5s
Thank you, I’m rather pleased that it’s specced as it is, tbh it’s one of the main reasons I purchased it as I liked the spec. Had it been basic, no nav, xenon’s etc I’d not have been so keen
The xenons on these E90s make them really nice to drive at night and much more modern looking too - plus angel eyes on a BMW is a classic feature I think!)
Ours is an SE with lighting pack (xenons, puddle lights etc) and rear blinds but no Idrive.
Just been arranging a Pioneer double din to be fitted for apple car play etc.
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