E92 330i - daily driver
Discussion
With a few work changes underway meaning more mileage I decided to buy something to join the Megane RS265 Cup and A110S to keep annual mileages across them nice and low.
Not having had a BMW on the drive for 6 months I decided to go back and tick off another car from my list.
Man maths said go 320d, everything else said 6 pot petrol - 335i was overkill with the other cars I have, did consider Z4 3.0Si Coupe but 2 x2 seaters did not really make sense.
Whilst budget was fairly flexible I decided an E92 fitted the bill, preferring the shape to newer 3 / 4 series models. Manual was preferable as was non i-Drive (just prefer the cleaner look of the dashboard) and then it was really a case of 325i or 330i and N52 / N53.
330i N52 was (for me) the best option so the search was on, especially as I wanted a car without massive mileage - found the choice was fairly limited but car I have bought popped up and pretty much chose itself.
Full history 2007 330i (one of the last with the N52) and some decent upgrades/
BMW M Performance exhaust, LCI rear lights, M Performance rear spoiler, M140 calipers and semi-floating discs, BBS CH R alloys and Birds Bilstein / Eibach suspension.
Not yet collected but lots of pics supplied and couple of lengthy conversations has me feeling pretty comfortable that there will be no nasty surprises
Not having had a BMW on the drive for 6 months I decided to go back and tick off another car from my list.
Man maths said go 320d, everything else said 6 pot petrol - 335i was overkill with the other cars I have, did consider Z4 3.0Si Coupe but 2 x2 seaters did not really make sense.
Whilst budget was fairly flexible I decided an E92 fitted the bill, preferring the shape to newer 3 / 4 series models. Manual was preferable as was non i-Drive (just prefer the cleaner look of the dashboard) and then it was really a case of 325i or 330i and N52 / N53.
330i N52 was (for me) the best option so the search was on, especially as I wanted a car without massive mileage - found the choice was fairly limited but car I have bought popped up and pretty much chose itself.
Full history 2007 330i (one of the last with the N52) and some decent upgrades/
BMW M Performance exhaust, LCI rear lights, M Performance rear spoiler, M140 calipers and semi-floating discs, BBS CH R alloys and Birds Bilstein / Eibach suspension.
Not yet collected but lots of pics supplied and couple of lengthy conversations has me feeling pretty comfortable that there will be no nasty surprises
Andy665 said:
With a few work changes underway meaning more mileage I decided to buy something to join the Megane RS265 Cup and A110S to keep annual mileages across them nice and low.
Not having had a BMW on the drive for 6 months I decided to go back and tick off another car from my list.
Man maths said go 320d, everything else said 6 pot petrol - 335i was overkill with the other cars I have, did consider Z4 3.0Si Coupe but 2 x2 seaters did not really make sense.
Whilst budget was fairly flexible I decided an E92 fitted the bill, preferring the shape to newer 3 / 4 series models. Manual was preferable as was non i-Drive (just prefer the cleaner look of the dashboard) and then it was really a case of 325i or 330i and N52 / N53.
330i N52 was (for me) the best option so the search was on, especially as I wanted a car without massive mileage - found the choice was fairly limited but car I have bought popped up and pretty much chose itself.
Full history 2007 330i (one of the last with the N52) and some decent upgrades/
BMW M Performance exhaust, LCI rear lights, M Performance rear spoiler, M140 calipers and semi-floating discs, BBS CH R alloys and Birds Bilstein / Eibach suspension.
Not yet collected but lots of pics supplied and couple of lengthy conversations has me feeling pretty comfortable that there will be no nasty surprises
That looks a superb car & fantastic buy Not having had a BMW on the drive for 6 months I decided to go back and tick off another car from my list.
Man maths said go 320d, everything else said 6 pot petrol - 335i was overkill with the other cars I have, did consider Z4 3.0Si Coupe but 2 x2 seaters did not really make sense.
Whilst budget was fairly flexible I decided an E92 fitted the bill, preferring the shape to newer 3 / 4 series models. Manual was preferable as was non i-Drive (just prefer the cleaner look of the dashboard) and then it was really a case of 325i or 330i and N52 / N53.
330i N52 was (for me) the best option so the search was on, especially as I wanted a car without massive mileage - found the choice was fairly limited but car I have bought popped up and pretty much chose itself.
Full history 2007 330i (one of the last with the N52) and some decent upgrades/
BMW M Performance exhaust, LCI rear lights, M Performance rear spoiler, M140 calipers and semi-floating discs, BBS CH R alloys and Birds Bilstein / Eibach suspension.
Not yet collected but lots of pics supplied and couple of lengthy conversations has me feeling pretty comfortable that there will be no nasty surprises
Subscribing to this project
F
ing hell that's lovely- if that was around when I bought my car I would've snapped it right up. Has all the right mods on it- and if they're as rare for the E92 as they are for the 1 Series then getting one with an M-Performance exhaust is a real find. If it doesn't already have them, M3 lower control arms are probably the only thing I'd suggest doing over what it already has.
I ended up going for a 125i as like you, something N52 fit the bill for me but the combos of N52B30, manual, and a decent spec/condition seemed impossible to find in an E9x at the time- the smaller size of the 1er was also more of a pro than a con for me. I do sometimes wonder whether I made the right choice... I love Sparkling Graphite too!
ing hell that's lovely- if that was around when I bought my car I would've snapped it right up. Has all the right mods on it- and if they're as rare for the E92 as they are for the 1 Series then getting one with an M-Performance exhaust is a real find. If it doesn't already have them, M3 lower control arms are probably the only thing I'd suggest doing over what it already has.I ended up going for a 125i as like you, something N52 fit the bill for me but the combos of N52B30, manual, and a decent spec/condition seemed impossible to find in an E9x at the time- the smaller size of the 1er was also more of a pro than a con for me. I do sometimes wonder whether I made the right choice... I love Sparkling Graphite too!
Edited by Sofa on Thursday 7th March 20:56
Sofa said:
Fing hell that's lovely- if that was around when I bought my car I would've snapped it right up. Has all the right mods on it- and if they're as rare for the E92 as they are for the 1 Series then getting one with an M-Performance exhaust is a real find. If it doesn't already have them, M3 lower control arms are probably the only thing I'd suggest doing over what it already has.
I ended up going for a 125i as like you, something N52 fit the bill for me but the combos of N52B30, manual, and a decent spec/condition seemed impossible to find in an E9x at the time- the smaller size of the 1er was also more of a pro than a con for me. I do sometimes wonder whether I made the right choice... I love Sparkling Graphite too!
E9x Performance exhausts are even rarer than on the E8x, which do seem to crop up (I know three people who had / have the exhaust). ing hell that's lovely- if that was around when I bought my car I would've snapped it right up. Has all the right mods on it- and if they're as rare for the E92 as they are for the 1 Series then getting one with an M-Performance exhaust is a real find. If it doesn't already have them, M3 lower control arms are probably the only thing I'd suggest doing over what it already has.I ended up going for a 125i as like you, something N52 fit the bill for me but the combos of N52B30, manual, and a decent spec/condition seemed impossible to find in an E9x at the time- the smaller size of the 1er was also more of a pro than a con for me. I do sometimes wonder whether I made the right choice... I love Sparkling Graphite too!
Edited by Sofa on Thursday 7th March 20:56
Another vote for the M3 LCA’s. Decent spec 25i/30i E9x cars are hard to find. Diesels seem to be better spec’d.
Collected today - as hoped for - for the year and mileage (80K) its extremely clean.
Nice surprise in that it has genuine BMW interior LED light conversion, M Performance gear shift and handbrake lever
Also has braided brake hoses and yes, it also has the M3 lower control arms
Drives absolutely beautifully, no slack or slop anywhere in it although a little surprised at how heavy the steering is when parking, probably a consequence of the M3 LCA's, more than worth the trade off because the steering feel is really good at speed.
Few little things I will do to it but its going to be about enhancing what is already there rather than putting anything right
Nice surprise in that it has genuine BMW interior LED light conversion, M Performance gear shift and handbrake lever
Also has braided brake hoses and yes, it also has the M3 lower control arms
Drives absolutely beautifully, no slack or slop anywhere in it although a little surprised at how heavy the steering is when parking, probably a consequence of the M3 LCA's, more than worth the trade off because the steering feel is really good at speed.
Few little things I will do to it but its going to be about enhancing what is already there rather than putting anything right
Andy665 said:
Drives absolutely beautifully, no slack or slop anywhere in it although a little surprised at how heavy the steering is when parking, probably a consequence of the M3 LCA's, more than worth the trade off because the steering feel is really good at speed.
That's great news! I think the N52 engines had Hydraulic PAS (mine does) which does seem heavier than the EPAS systems fitted to later models but it gives much more feel.
Been giving the car a deep clean, it was far from bad but definitely looking better for an interior clean with carpets shampooed, mats cleaned, new ones on their way and scrubbing and conditioning of leather.
Interior is just waiting for a new set of trim strips finished in carbon, not really a fan of the strips that have been covered in genuine Alcantarta, nice job done, just not my preference - also have the original trim strips as well
Exterior given a touch in to some bonnet stonechips and a machine polish, hopefully get a Diamond Protech ceramic coating on over Easter weekend
Interior is just waiting for a new set of trim strips finished in carbon, not really a fan of the strips that have been covered in genuine Alcantarta, nice job done, just not my preference - also have the original trim strips as well
Exterior given a touch in to some bonnet stonechips and a machine polish, hopefully get a Diamond Protech ceramic coating on over Easter weekend
To be really boring, the black top N52 has slightly different valve stems, plastic valve cover with internal CCV passages, updated waterpump, and different DME. Otherwise it’s the same, so there’s cars it’s HPAS and EPAS.
Coupes have more power though, 272bhp versus 258 on the other E90s.
Nice car though, and 80k is no miles. Mine is on 210k.
Coupes have more power though, 272bhp versus 258 on the other E90s.
Nice car though, and 80k is no miles. Mine is on 210k.
JakeT said:
To be really boring, the black top N52 has slightly different valve stems, plastic valve cover with internal CCV passages, updated waterpump, and different DME. Otherwise it’s the same, so there’s cars it’s HPAS and EPAS.
Coupes have more power though, 272bhp versus 258 on the other E90s.
Nice car though, and 80k is no miles. Mine is on 210k.
Nice bearding. Where's the power difference come from?Coupes have more power though, 272bhp versus 258 on the other E90s.
Nice car though, and 80k is no miles. Mine is on 210k.
Swervin_Mervin said:
JakeT said:
To be really boring, the black top N52 has slightly different valve stems, plastic valve cover with internal CCV passages, updated waterpump, and different DME. Otherwise it’s the same, so there’s cars it’s HPAS and EPAS.
Coupes have more power though, 272bhp versus 258 on the other E90s.
Nice car though, and 80k is no miles. Mine is on 210k.
Nice bearding. Where's the power difference come from?Coupes have more power though, 272bhp versus 258 on the other E90s.
Nice car though, and 80k is no miles. Mine is on 210k.
JakeT said:
To be really boring, the black top N52 has slightly different valve stems, plastic valve cover with internal CCV passages, updated waterpump, and different DME. Otherwise it’s the same, so there’s cars it’s HPAS and EPAS.
Coupes have more power though, 272bhp versus 258 on the other E90s.
Nice car though, and 80k is no miles. Mine is on 210k.
I believe it’s the later and more problematic N53 that has 272bhp. N52s are 258-265 depending on application. Coupes have more power though, 272bhp versus 258 on the other E90s.
Nice car though, and 80k is no miles. Mine is on 210k.
Honestly any N52 is fine, and they all will have the updated waterpump now mostly, so that’s not an issue. The other bits haven’t caused massive reliability gains, they wanted to stop the ticking that these engines do, but black top ones still tick anyway.
There’s three power outputs for ‘30i’ cars. 258, 265, and 272.
258 is E90 330i, and E60 models.
265 is E87 130i, and E85 30si
272 is E92 330i, E70 30si, and E83 30si.
That list isn’t exhaustive but generally the case. Why I know this I don’t know, and it also shows how muddled the same engine can be in these cars. Either way, early or late, 258 or 272hp they’re all great engines.
N53 was all 272, they’re good too, just be wary of injectors.
There’s three power outputs for ‘30i’ cars. 258, 265, and 272.
258 is E90 330i, and E60 models.
265 is E87 130i, and E85 30si
272 is E92 330i, E70 30si, and E83 30si.
That list isn’t exhaustive but generally the case. Why I know this I don’t know, and it also shows how muddled the same engine can be in these cars. Either way, early or late, 258 or 272hp they’re all great engines.
N53 was all 272, they’re good too, just be wary of injectors.
JakeT said:
Honestly any N52 is fine, and they all will have the updated waterpump now mostly, so that’s not an issue. The other bits haven’t caused massive reliability gains, they wanted to stop the ticking that these engines do, but black top ones still tick anyway.
There’s three power outputs for ‘30i’ cars. 258, 265, and 272.
258 is E90 330i, and E60 models.
265 is E87 130i, and E85 30si
272 is E92 330i, E70 30si, and E83 30si.
That list isn’t exhaustive but generally the case. Why I know this I don’t know, and it also shows how muddled the same engine can be in these cars. Either way, early or late, 258 or 272hp they’re all great engines.
N53 was all 272, they’re good too, just be wary of injectors.
I was always under the impression that the E90 had a more restrictive intake design- which I've heard claimed as the reason why the E90 M3 received the front end from the Coupe. Doesn't explain the E60- although the B58 540i has less power than its contemporaries with the same engine- in these cases maybe to try and nudge people into the V8s?There’s three power outputs for ‘30i’ cars. 258, 265, and 272.
258 is E90 330i, and E60 models.
265 is E87 130i, and E85 30si
272 is E92 330i, E70 30si, and E83 30si.
That list isn’t exhaustive but generally the case. Why I know this I don’t know, and it also shows how muddled the same engine can be in these cars. Either way, early or late, 258 or 272hp they’re all great engines.
N53 was all 272, they’re good too, just be wary of injectors.
Sofa said:
I was always under the impression that the E90 had a more restrictive intake design- which I've heard claimed as the reason why the E90 M3 received the front end from the Coupe. Doesn't explain the E60- although the B58 540i has less power than its contemporaries with the same engine- in these cases maybe to try and nudge people into the V8s?
The E90 M3 uses the coupe front end for cost reasons - the number of cars is too small to make it worth designing and manufacturing bumpers/wings/bonnet specifically for the E90 M3 so they simply used the E92 M3 parts. Which is a shame as I think the E90 front end looks more aggressive than the smoothed look of the E92, so a proper E90 M3 front end would have looked great.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff