E91 touring: 325i or 330d?
Discussion
Hi all,
Potentially selling my M135i to free up some cash so am after a 6 pot e91 touring as I've always loved them. Duties will be mainly long journeys, between 10 and 200 miles, carrying bikes road trips etc.
A 330i is obviously the dream, but you can get a lot more 325i for you money and loads of manuals about. I've also always loved the shove of a 330d and don't mind the sound, but would you buy a near 20 year old diesel these days?
Opinions would be great. Thanks.
Potentially selling my M135i to free up some cash so am after a 6 pot e91 touring as I've always loved them. Duties will be mainly long journeys, between 10 and 200 miles, carrying bikes road trips etc.
A 330i is obviously the dream, but you can get a lot more 325i for you money and loads of manuals about. I've also always loved the shove of a 330d and don't mind the sound, but would you buy a near 20 year old diesel these days?
Opinions would be great. Thanks.
My business deals with BMW’s and I have quite a bit of experience with the E9x’s.
There are different points to note if you’re talking about pre or post LCI cars but as a general overview, the 325i and 330d are very different.
Both are fairly bulletproof lumps if maintained well, when you mention having a nearly 20 year old diesel being an issue, it’s not, a friend of mine has an E90 330d with 290k on the clock and it runs perfect(and as he changes the oil regularly, it likely will for many years to come), he even recently drove it down to the Nurburgring where it spent the day on track before driving it back with no issues.
If you are mainly using the car for longer drives, I’d usually recommend the 330d, it’s got oodles of torque, great mpg and remaps very well for increasing both. With the 325i, you really need to utilise the whole rev range to truly enjoy the benefits of it, obviously it lacks the power of the 330d, but if you’re using it on B roads and making the most of the whole rev range, it’s a fantastic sounding engine which combined with the linear power band that creates a more controllable and responsive throttle, it’ll make you smile.
There are different points to note if you’re talking about pre or post LCI cars but as a general overview, the 325i and 330d are very different.
Both are fairly bulletproof lumps if maintained well, when you mention having a nearly 20 year old diesel being an issue, it’s not, a friend of mine has an E90 330d with 290k on the clock and it runs perfect(and as he changes the oil regularly, it likely will for many years to come), he even recently drove it down to the Nurburgring where it spent the day on track before driving it back with no issues.
If you are mainly using the car for longer drives, I’d usually recommend the 330d, it’s got oodles of torque, great mpg and remaps very well for increasing both. With the 325i, you really need to utilise the whole rev range to truly enjoy the benefits of it, obviously it lacks the power of the 330d, but if you’re using it on B roads and making the most of the whole rev range, it’s a fantastic sounding engine which combined with the linear power band that creates a more controllable and responsive throttle, it’ll make you smile.
It’s a tough one, I’d say the petrol version but I’m biased (my wife’s manual E91 330i is a great car).
If fuel economy is less of a concern, I’d be tempted by the petrol but I’d want an earlier N52 engine to avoid the pitfalls of the later N53. Ours will see mid to high 30’s on a decent run and is sitting on 27 in day to day driving.
The diesel will feel punchier because of the torque, which you might miss coming from an M135i. But it has its drawbacks if you frequent certain cities these days with their clean air zones etc.
If fuel economy is less of a concern, I’d be tempted by the petrol but I’d want an earlier N52 engine to avoid the pitfalls of the later N53. Ours will see mid to high 30’s on a decent run and is sitting on 27 in day to day driving.
The diesel will feel punchier because of the torque, which you might miss coming from an M135i. But it has its drawbacks if you frequent certain cities these days with their clean air zones etc.
I have a 325i but in an E92 shape. A 330i was the original plan but all the ones with the N52 engine were ropey so I decided on a clean 325i instead.
It’s a great all round daily. More than enough power for everyday driving and the 6cyl engine is very refined and smooth. It will probably feel slow coming from an M135i but you can definitely have fun with it due to the characteristics of the NA 6cyl engine.
The 330d will feel much more lively low down as the 325i doesn’t have huge amounts of torque. It needs to be revved to get the most out of it.
Fuel economy is probably similar to your M135i. Low 20s around town and mid to high 30s if taking it easy on the motorway.
It’s a great all round daily. More than enough power for everyday driving and the 6cyl engine is very refined and smooth. It will probably feel slow coming from an M135i but you can definitely have fun with it due to the characteristics of the NA 6cyl engine.
The 330d will feel much more lively low down as the 325i doesn’t have huge amounts of torque. It needs to be revved to get the most out of it.
Fuel economy is probably similar to your M135i. Low 20s around town and mid to high 30s if taking it easy on the motorway.
Edited by DKIE92 on Sunday 18th February 12:02
Court_S said:
It’s a tough one, I’d say the petrol version but I’m biased (my wife’s manual E91 330i is a great car).
If fuel economy is less of a concern, I’d be tempted by the petrol but I’d want an earlier N52 engine to avoid the pitfalls of the later N53. Ours will see mid to high 30’s on a decent run and is sitting on 27 in day to day driving.
The diesel will feel punchier because of the torque, which you might miss coming from an M135i. But it has its drawbacks if you frequent certain cities these days with their clean air zones etc.
That looks lovely! Always been a fan of the Style 216 wheels.If fuel economy is less of a concern, I’d be tempted by the petrol but I’d want an earlier N52 engine to avoid the pitfalls of the later N53. Ours will see mid to high 30’s on a decent run and is sitting on 27 in day to day driving.
The diesel will feel punchier because of the torque, which you might miss coming from an M135i. But it has its drawbacks if you frequent certain cities these days with their clean air zones etc.
Granted the N52 doesn’t really have the injector and hpfp issues of the N53, but I wouldn’t let those issues put you off, there’s loads of horror stories about people paying eye watering amounts of money for new injectors, but I’ve had a couple of E92’s that suffered injector failure and just sourced a 2nd hand set of index 11’s from a breaker for a fraction of the price. Both engines have their pros and cons.
It does also depend on the OP’s spec requirement, if they are wanting iDrive, then I’d suggest the later models as the earlier CCC system is quite dated when compared with the later CIC system.
We've had a pre LCI E91 330d for 8 years now. It took me a long time to find the "right" car back then, will probably be even slimmer pickings now I'd have thought.
Ours has been a cracking purchase, done quite a few 2 to 3k mile holidays down to south west France in it with no bother fully loaded with 2 kids and associated clobber:
As mentioned, decent amount of torque - 375 lb/ft makes it effortless.
It's been serviced by a local independent every 8k miles/15 to 18 months, only things we've had other than normal maintenance:
• Battery and starter motor both failed on the same weekend, on about 90k miles from memory;
• Two sets of rear shocks and top mounts;
• It had a bush fail on the passenger rear, I can;t recall which one - it drove fine but killed a pair of rear tyres in 3,000 miles;
• Had the gearbox serviced at 95k miles;
• On our 3rd set of rims due to pot hole damage;
• Both thermostats changed at around 112k;
• It's due an alternator, it's been making an odd slight droning noise for the last 15k miles so i'm expecting it to fail at some point. It gets lubricated when serviced with some heat resistant grease, but it starts again after a thousand miles or so. Not loud or annoying enough to sort yet.
My gut feeling is the mechanicals on ours will outlast the body! Mate of mine put 300k on one, so with maintenance they're pretty solid.
Things to watch out for:
• Tailgate hinges are a complex set up due to the split load window, they are known to seize then sheer off - absolute ball ache to change, so ensure they've been well lubricated;
• The wiring to the tailgate becomes brittle over time and can have connection problems - again, a pain to sort;
• Heater blowers can "squeak", not too much of a job though to drop the motor out and re-lubricate;
• Rust, they aren't as bad as the older ones but they still rust. Ours is 16 years old now and has just started on the drivers wing, will get it sorted this summer;
• Stories about inlet swirl flaps falling off and causing damage. Some blank them off, that does drop the torque though unless remapped. I've left ours alone, touch wood no issues (just done 123,500 miles)
• The MV3 wheels are like chocolate;
• The halogen headlamps are beyond terrible, it's the one thing I hate about ours and retro fitting Xenons isn't really an option without decent amount of £££.
• The headlamp washers can stick up, I've changed ours twice and had them apart no end of times. I've taken the fuse out now as they aren't required on halogens.
• If it needs thermostats ONLY use gen BMW, our local independent garage won't fit anything but genuine due to other brands failing after less than 2 years.
Take some of the MPG readings with a pinch of salt, especially on short runs. I've got an F31 335d now so my other half uses the E91 for a 7 mile round trip commute and taking kids out and about. It averages around 26mpg on that, as they're short runs. Show it longer runs, dual carriage ways and motorways and it'll do 40mpg no bother. It always did over 38mpg on our France trips fully loaded with the roof box on.
I was about to change it in January this year as it's not the ideal car for what she uses but it owes us nowt, is cheap to maintain and insure, but still looks ok and goes well for a 16 year old car - its been a good un' otherwise i'd have changed it way before now. We fitted a detatchable tow bar as we have a small trailer for camping and also a bike rack we used to use on it.
Couple of pictures of ours from a few weeks ago when I was about to advertise it:
Ours has been a cracking purchase, done quite a few 2 to 3k mile holidays down to south west France in it with no bother fully loaded with 2 kids and associated clobber:
As mentioned, decent amount of torque - 375 lb/ft makes it effortless.
It's been serviced by a local independent every 8k miles/15 to 18 months, only things we've had other than normal maintenance:
• Battery and starter motor both failed on the same weekend, on about 90k miles from memory;
• Two sets of rear shocks and top mounts;
• It had a bush fail on the passenger rear, I can;t recall which one - it drove fine but killed a pair of rear tyres in 3,000 miles;
• Had the gearbox serviced at 95k miles;
• On our 3rd set of rims due to pot hole damage;
• Both thermostats changed at around 112k;
• It's due an alternator, it's been making an odd slight droning noise for the last 15k miles so i'm expecting it to fail at some point. It gets lubricated when serviced with some heat resistant grease, but it starts again after a thousand miles or so. Not loud or annoying enough to sort yet.
My gut feeling is the mechanicals on ours will outlast the body! Mate of mine put 300k on one, so with maintenance they're pretty solid.
Things to watch out for:
• Tailgate hinges are a complex set up due to the split load window, they are known to seize then sheer off - absolute ball ache to change, so ensure they've been well lubricated;
• The wiring to the tailgate becomes brittle over time and can have connection problems - again, a pain to sort;
• Heater blowers can "squeak", not too much of a job though to drop the motor out and re-lubricate;
• Rust, they aren't as bad as the older ones but they still rust. Ours is 16 years old now and has just started on the drivers wing, will get it sorted this summer;
• Stories about inlet swirl flaps falling off and causing damage. Some blank them off, that does drop the torque though unless remapped. I've left ours alone, touch wood no issues (just done 123,500 miles)
• The MV3 wheels are like chocolate;
• The halogen headlamps are beyond terrible, it's the one thing I hate about ours and retro fitting Xenons isn't really an option without decent amount of £££.
• The headlamp washers can stick up, I've changed ours twice and had them apart no end of times. I've taken the fuse out now as they aren't required on halogens.
• If it needs thermostats ONLY use gen BMW, our local independent garage won't fit anything but genuine due to other brands failing after less than 2 years.
Take some of the MPG readings with a pinch of salt, especially on short runs. I've got an F31 335d now so my other half uses the E91 for a 7 mile round trip commute and taking kids out and about. It averages around 26mpg on that, as they're short runs. Show it longer runs, dual carriage ways and motorways and it'll do 40mpg no bother. It always did over 38mpg on our France trips fully loaded with the roof box on.
I was about to change it in January this year as it's not the ideal car for what she uses but it owes us nowt, is cheap to maintain and insure, but still looks ok and goes well for a 16 year old car - its been a good un' otherwise i'd have changed it way before now. We fitted a detatchable tow bar as we have a small trailer for camping and also a bike rack we used to use on it.
Couple of pictures of ours from a few weeks ago when I was about to advertise it:
Edited by sortedcossie on Sunday 18th February 12:35
sortedcossie said:
We've had a pre LCI E91 330d for 8 years now. It took me a long time to find the "right" car back then, will probably be even slimmer pickings now I'd have thought.
Ours has been a cracking purchase, done quite a few 2 to 3k mile holidays down to south west France in it with no bother fully loaded with 2 kids and associated clobber:
As mentioned, decent amount of torque - 375 lb/ft makes it effortless.
It's been serviced by a local independent every 8k miles/15 to 18 months, only things we've had other than normal maintenance:
• Battery and starter motor both failed on the same weekend, on about 90k miles from memory;
• Two sets of rear shocks and top mounts;
• It had a bush fail on the passenger rear, I can;t recall which one - it drove fine but killed a pair of rear tyres in 3,000 miles;
• Had the gearbox serviced at 95k miles;
• On our 3rd set of rims due to pot hole damage;
• Both thermostats changed at around 112k;
• It's due an alternator, it's been making an odd slight droning noise for the last 15k miles so i'm expecting it to fail at some point. It gets lubricated when serviced with some heat resistant grease, but it starts again after a thousand miles or so. Not loud or annoying enough to sort yet.
My gut feeling is the mechanicals on ours will outlast the body! Mate of mine put 300k on one, so with maintenance they're pretty solid.
Things to watch out for:
• Tailgate hinges are a complex set up due to the split load window, they are known to seize then sheer off - absolute ball ache to change, so ensure they've been well lubricated;
• The wiring to the tailgate becomes brittle over time and can have connection problems - again, a pain to sort;
• Heater blowers can "squeak", not too much of a job though to drop the motor out and re-lubricate;
• Rust, they aren't as bad as the older ones but they still rust. Ours is 16 years old now and has just started on the drivers wing, will get it sorted this summer;
• Stories about inlet swirl flaps falling off and causing damage. Some blank them off, that does drop the torque though unless remapped. I've left ours alone, touch wood no issues (just done 123,500 miles)
• The MV3 wheels are like chocolate;
• The halogen headlamps are beyond terrible, it's the one thing I hate about ours and retro fitting Xenons isn't really an option without decent amount of £££.
• The headlamp washers can stick up, I've changed ours twice and had them apart no end of times. I've taken the fuse out now as they aren't required on halogens.
• If it needs thermostats ONLY use gen BMW, our local independent garage won't fit anything but genuine due to other brands failing after less than 2 years.
Take some of the MPG readings with a pinch of salt, especially on short runs. I've got an F31 335d now so my other half uses the E91 for a 7 mile round trip commute and taking kids out and about. It averages around 26mpg on that, as they're short runs. Show it longer runs, dual carriage ways and motorways and it'll do 40mpg no bother. It always did over 38mpg on our France trips fully loaded with the roof box on.
I was about to change it in January this year as it's not the ideal car for what she uses but it owes us nowt, is cheap to maintain and insure, but still looks ok and goes well for a 16 year old car - its been a good un' otherwise i'd have changed it way before now. We fitted a detatchable tow bar as we have a small trailer for camping and also a bike rack we used to use on it.
Couple of pictures of ours from a few weeks ago when I was about to advertise it:
Thanks for all the tips! Looks very nice and pretty much bang on what I'd get. I'm keen to get one with Nav so I can get apple car play fitted etc. I do a lot of long journeys and being able to plug phone in is a game changerOurs has been a cracking purchase, done quite a few 2 to 3k mile holidays down to south west France in it with no bother fully loaded with 2 kids and associated clobber:
As mentioned, decent amount of torque - 375 lb/ft makes it effortless.
It's been serviced by a local independent every 8k miles/15 to 18 months, only things we've had other than normal maintenance:
• Battery and starter motor both failed on the same weekend, on about 90k miles from memory;
• Two sets of rear shocks and top mounts;
• It had a bush fail on the passenger rear, I can;t recall which one - it drove fine but killed a pair of rear tyres in 3,000 miles;
• Had the gearbox serviced at 95k miles;
• On our 3rd set of rims due to pot hole damage;
• Both thermostats changed at around 112k;
• It's due an alternator, it's been making an odd slight droning noise for the last 15k miles so i'm expecting it to fail at some point. It gets lubricated when serviced with some heat resistant grease, but it starts again after a thousand miles or so. Not loud or annoying enough to sort yet.
My gut feeling is the mechanicals on ours will outlast the body! Mate of mine put 300k on one, so with maintenance they're pretty solid.
Things to watch out for:
• Tailgate hinges are a complex set up due to the split load window, they are known to seize then sheer off - absolute ball ache to change, so ensure they've been well lubricated;
• The wiring to the tailgate becomes brittle over time and can have connection problems - again, a pain to sort;
• Heater blowers can "squeak", not too much of a job though to drop the motor out and re-lubricate;
• Rust, they aren't as bad as the older ones but they still rust. Ours is 16 years old now and has just started on the drivers wing, will get it sorted this summer;
• Stories about inlet swirl flaps falling off and causing damage. Some blank them off, that does drop the torque though unless remapped. I've left ours alone, touch wood no issues (just done 123,500 miles)
• The MV3 wheels are like chocolate;
• The halogen headlamps are beyond terrible, it's the one thing I hate about ours and retro fitting Xenons isn't really an option without decent amount of £££.
• The headlamp washers can stick up, I've changed ours twice and had them apart no end of times. I've taken the fuse out now as they aren't required on halogens.
• If it needs thermostats ONLY use gen BMW, our local independent garage won't fit anything but genuine due to other brands failing after less than 2 years.
Take some of the MPG readings with a pinch of salt, especially on short runs. I've got an F31 335d now so my other half uses the E91 for a 7 mile round trip commute and taking kids out and about. It averages around 26mpg on that, as they're short runs. Show it longer runs, dual carriage ways and motorways and it'll do 40mpg no bother. It always did over 38mpg on our France trips fully loaded with the roof box on.
I was about to change it in January this year as it's not the ideal car for what she uses but it owes us nowt, is cheap to maintain and insure, but still looks ok and goes well for a 16 year old car - its been a good un' otherwise i'd have changed it way before now. We fitted a detatchable tow bar as we have a small trailer for camping and also a bike rack we used to use on it.
Couple of pictures of ours from a few weeks ago when I was about to advertise it:
Edited by sortedcossie on Sunday 18th February 12:35
sortedcossie said:
We've had a pre LCI E91 330d for 8 years now. It took me a long time to find the "right" car back then, will probably be even slimmer pickings now I'd have thought.
Ours has been a cracking purchase, done quite a few 2 to 3k mile holidays down to south west France in it with no bother fully loaded with 2 kids and associated clobber:
As mentioned, decent amount of torque - 375 lb/ft makes it effortless.
It's been serviced by a local independent every 8k miles/15 to 18 months, only things we've had other than normal maintenance:
• Battery and starter motor both failed on the same weekend, on about 90k miles from memory;
• Two sets of rear shocks and top mounts;
• It had a bush fail on the passenger rear, I can;t recall which one - it drove fine but killed a pair of rear tyres in 3,000 miles;
• Had the gearbox serviced at 95k miles;
• On our 3rd set of rims due to pot hole damage;
• Both thermostats changed at around 112k;
• It's due an alternator, it's been making an odd slight droning noise for the last 15k miles so i'm expecting it to fail at some point. It gets lubricated when serviced with some heat resistant grease, but it starts again after a thousand miles or so. Not loud or annoying enough to sort yet.
My gut feeling is the mechanicals on ours will outlast the body! Mate of mine put 300k on one, so with maintenance they're pretty solid.
Things to watch out for:
• Tailgate hinges are a complex set up due to the split load window, they are known to seize then sheer off - absolute ball ache to change, so ensure they've been well lubricated;
• The wiring to the tailgate becomes brittle over time and can have connection problems - again, a pain to sort;
• Heater blowers can "squeak", not too much of a job though to drop the motor out and re-lubricate;
• Rust, they aren't as bad as the older ones but they still rust. Ours is 16 years old now and has just started on the drivers wing, will get it sorted this summer;
• Stories about inlet swirl flaps falling off and causing damage. Some blank them off, that does drop the torque though unless remapped. I've left ours alone, touch wood no issues (just done 123,500 miles)
• The MV3 wheels are like chocolate;
• The halogen headlamps are beyond terrible, it's the one thing I hate about ours and retro fitting Xenons isn't really an option without decent amount of £££.
• The headlamp washers can stick up, I've changed ours twice and had them apart no end of times. I've taken the fuse out now as they aren't required on halogens.
• If it needs thermostats ONLY use gen BMW, our local independent garage won't fit anything but genuine due to other brands failing after less than 2 years.
Take some of the MPG readings with a pinch of salt, especially on short runs. I've got an F31 335d now so my other half uses the E91 for a 7 mile round trip commute and taking kids out and about. It averages around 26mpg on that, as they're short runs. Show it longer runs, dual carriage ways and motorways and it'll do 40mpg no bother. It always did over 38mpg on our France trips fully loaded with the roof box on.
I was about to change it in January this year as it's not the ideal car for what she uses but it owes us nowt, is cheap to maintain and insure, but still looks ok and goes well for a 16 year old car - its been a good un' otherwise i'd have changed it way before now. We fitted a detatchable tow bar as we have a small trailer for camping and also a bike rack we used to use on it.
Rust is certainly becoming an issue on the E9x platform; sub frames get very crusty and rust through. I removed the rear arch liners on my wife’s E91 and when I started cleaning off the surface rust on the drivers rear arch, I found a nice hole which will get sorted this summer. I’ve brushed back any surface rust and treated it with POR15 rust converter and paint.Ours has been a cracking purchase, done quite a few 2 to 3k mile holidays down to south west France in it with no bother fully loaded with 2 kids and associated clobber:
As mentioned, decent amount of torque - 375 lb/ft makes it effortless.
It's been serviced by a local independent every 8k miles/15 to 18 months, only things we've had other than normal maintenance:
• Battery and starter motor both failed on the same weekend, on about 90k miles from memory;
• Two sets of rear shocks and top mounts;
• It had a bush fail on the passenger rear, I can;t recall which one - it drove fine but killed a pair of rear tyres in 3,000 miles;
• Had the gearbox serviced at 95k miles;
• On our 3rd set of rims due to pot hole damage;
• Both thermostats changed at around 112k;
• It's due an alternator, it's been making an odd slight droning noise for the last 15k miles so i'm expecting it to fail at some point. It gets lubricated when serviced with some heat resistant grease, but it starts again after a thousand miles or so. Not loud or annoying enough to sort yet.
My gut feeling is the mechanicals on ours will outlast the body! Mate of mine put 300k on one, so with maintenance they're pretty solid.
Things to watch out for:
• Tailgate hinges are a complex set up due to the split load window, they are known to seize then sheer off - absolute ball ache to change, so ensure they've been well lubricated;
• The wiring to the tailgate becomes brittle over time and can have connection problems - again, a pain to sort;
• Heater blowers can "squeak", not too much of a job though to drop the motor out and re-lubricate;
• Rust, they aren't as bad as the older ones but they still rust. Ours is 16 years old now and has just started on the drivers wing, will get it sorted this summer;
• Stories about inlet swirl flaps falling off and causing damage. Some blank them off, that does drop the torque though unless remapped. I've left ours alone, touch wood no issues (just done 123,500 miles)
• The MV3 wheels are like chocolate;
• The halogen headlamps are beyond terrible, it's the one thing I hate about ours and retro fitting Xenons isn't really an option without decent amount of £££.
• The headlamp washers can stick up, I've changed ours twice and had them apart no end of times. I've taken the fuse out now as they aren't required on halogens.
• If it needs thermostats ONLY use gen BMW, our local independent garage won't fit anything but genuine due to other brands failing after less than 2 years.
Take some of the MPG readings with a pinch of salt, especially on short runs. I've got an F31 335d now so my other half uses the E91 for a 7 mile round trip commute and taking kids out and about. It averages around 26mpg on that, as they're short runs. Show it longer runs, dual carriage ways and motorways and it'll do 40mpg no bother. It always did over 38mpg on our France trips fully loaded with the roof box on.
I was about to change it in January this year as it's not the ideal car for what she uses but it owes us nowt, is cheap to maintain and insure, but still looks ok and goes well for a 16 year old car - its been a good un' otherwise i'd have changed it way before now. We fitted a detatchable tow bar as we have a small trailer for camping and also a bike rack we used to use on it.
Edited by sortedcossie on Sunday 18th February 12:35
Rear boot lids go crusty as well around the rear window: I need to remove the trims and treat the crust on the boot lid.
I like the MV3 alloys, the design suits the E9x platform. I’ve heard they’re made of cheese but had no issue with the set on my old E90. To be honest, most of the wheels re made of cheese - the 225M from my 335i were rubbish too.
S366 said:
That looks lovely! Always been a fan of the Style 216 wheels.
Granted the N52 doesn’t really have the injector and hpfp issues of the N53, but I wouldn’t let those issues put you off, there’s loads of horror stories about people paying eye watering amounts of money for new injectors, but I’ve had a couple of E92’s that suffered injector failure and just sourced a 2nd hand set of index 11’s from a breaker for a fraction of the price. Both engines have their pros and cons.
It does also depend on the OP’s spec requirement, if they are wanting iDrive, then I’d suggest the later models as the earlier CCC system is quite dated when compared with the later CIC system.
Thanks; they’re one of my favourite wheels for this era BMW.Granted the N52 doesn’t really have the injector and hpfp issues of the N53, but I wouldn’t let those issues put you off, there’s loads of horror stories about people paying eye watering amounts of money for new injectors, but I’ve had a couple of E92’s that suffered injector failure and just sourced a 2nd hand set of index 11’s from a breaker for a fraction of the price. Both engines have their pros and cons.
It does also depend on the OP’s spec requirement, if they are wanting iDrive, then I’d suggest the later models as the earlier CCC system is quite dated when compared with the later CIC system.
The injectors are bloody expensive if you buy new, especially with the official recommendation being do swap all six. I sorted the leaky injector on my N54 with a good used one. There’s also the fun of the NOX sensor too.
The CCC is very dated, but it’s easy to pop in an Andream screen so you never really need to touch it, the big plus side to that is CarPlay and Android Auto.
I've had both a 2006 E90 330d and a 2006 E90 330i. The N52 is a lovely engine in the 325i/330i for sure, but I'd personally go for a 330d though. The 330d is the better all round car for me, and it feels quicker for more of the time. Plus it was better on fuel for my usage too.
BMWs are generally quite heavy cars I reckon, so the extra torque of the 330d helps to hide the weight a bit I think.
BMWs are generally quite heavy cars I reckon, so the extra torque of the 330d helps to hide the weight a bit I think.
cerb4.5lee said:
I've had both a 2006 E90 330d and a 2006 E90 330i. The N52 is a lovely engine in the 325i/330i for sure, but I'd personally go for a 330d though. The 330d is the better all round car for me, and it feels quicker for more of the time. Plus it was better on fuel for my usage too.
BMWs are generally quite heavy cars I reckon, so the extra torque of the 330d helps to hide the weight a bit I think.
That’s because you’re scared of revs Lee BMWs are generally quite heavy cars I reckon, so the extra torque of the 330d helps to hide the weight a bit I think.
On a more serious note, the 30d with the ZF6 is probably an easier to live with combo than the N52 and ZF6.
Court_S said:
That’s because you’re scared of revs Lee
On a more serious note, the 30d with the ZF6 is probably an easier to live with combo than the N52 and ZF6.
I think the 26mpg scared me off more Sam with the 330i! On a more serious note, the 30d with the ZF6 is probably an easier to live with combo than the N52 and ZF6.
The M4 is doing 29mpg in comparison, and I can live with that because it offers really strong performance in fairness.
You're right regarding the the ZF6 for definite, and that box suits a more torquey engine I think.
cerb4.5lee said:
Court_S said:
That’s because you’re scared of revs Lee
On a more serious note, the 30d with the ZF6 is probably an easier to live with combo than the N52 and ZF6.
I think the 26mpg scared me off more Sam with the 330i! On a more serious note, the 30d with the ZF6 is probably an easier to live with combo than the N52 and ZF6.
The M4 is doing 29mpg in comparison, and I can live with that because it offers really strong performance in fairness.
You're right regarding the the ZF6 for definite, and that box suits a more torquey engine I think.
When I was looking for an E91 in 2018 I wanted a manual petrol with the N52 engine, but 330is were twice the price of 325is so I bought one of those with full BMSH and 132K miles.
The engine performed really well but it did feel a bit sluggish, a lack of torque and very high gearing meant accelerating from 60mph
really meant changing down to 4th to get it moving - although in the year I had it I got an average of 33.8mpg!
But I tried again the next year and made a different compromise by getting a manual 330i with the split/fold rear seat option and I still have it. A useful amount of extra urge is a huge improvement, although I'm sure a 330d would be even more impressive - I just don't do enough miles to justify a diesel or keep a dpf healthy. FWIW it is averaging about 33mpg too.
For the use the OP describes I'd probably go for a 330d, unless he might need to enter cities with ULEZs.
cerb4.5lee said:
I think the 26mpg scared me off more Sam with the 330i!
The M4 is doing 29mpg in comparison, and I can live with that because it offers really strong performance in fairness.
You're right regarding the the ZF6 for definite, and that box suits a more torquey engine I think.
Yeah with the auto the fuel economy isn’t great; I think my E90 used to average 22/3 on short trips and mid 30’s on a run. The manual we have now is a bit better currently just under 28 in day to day stuff. The M4 is doing 29mpg in comparison, and I can live with that because it offers really strong performance in fairness.
You're right regarding the the ZF6 for definite, and that box suits a more torquey engine I think.
29 from your M4 is remarkable to be honest putting a lot of less powerful cars to shame.
I went straight from a 2007 n52 325i e91 manual to a 2007 330d e91 manual.
The 325i sounded nice. That's its. It was inferior in every other way.
Just with the wife, two dogs, some bikes and luggage it was a pain on A road's and motorway hills, changing gears just to keep a steady speed, makes me sad just thinking about it..
The gear / diff ratio's are awful, torque lacking and mpg alarming.
Id go for a 330i or 335i over the the 330d, but, the m57 is miles more fun, pokey and livable than the strangled 2.5 n52.
I don't even like diesel cars.
I now have an n54 e91.
The 325i sounded nice. That's its. It was inferior in every other way.
Just with the wife, two dogs, some bikes and luggage it was a pain on A road's and motorway hills, changing gears just to keep a steady speed, makes me sad just thinking about it..
The gear / diff ratio's are awful, torque lacking and mpg alarming.
Id go for a 330i or 335i over the the 330d, but, the m57 is miles more fun, pokey and livable than the strangled 2.5 n52.
I don't even like diesel cars.
I now have an n54 e91.
willmagrath said:
Duties will be mainly long journeys, between 10 and 200 miles, carrying bikes road trips etc.
.
That’s exactly the use my previous 2011 E91 330D got and current F31 320D gets, with a lot of time motorway cruising: now I’m an old git that’s mostly at just over 70 (on the car). No top boxes etc..
I got a very consistent 42 mpg on the E91 and am getting 48.5 now.
DKIE92 said:
I have a 325i but in an E92 shape. A 330i was the original plan but all the ones with the N52 engine were ropey so I decided on a clean 325i instead.
It’s a great all round daily. More than enough power for everyday driving and the 6cyl engine is very refined and smooth. It will probably feel slow coming from an M135i but you can definitely have fun with it due to the characteristics of the NA 6cyl engine.
The 330d will feel much more lively low down as the 325i doesn’t have huge amounts of torque. It needs to be revved to get the most out of it.
Fuel economy is probably similar to your M135i. Low 20s around town and mid to high 30s if taking it easy on the motorway.
Same here. Heard a 330i is much more lively. Definitely the one to go for but wouldn't discount a decent 325i.It’s a great all round daily. More than enough power for everyday driving and the 6cyl engine is very refined and smooth. It will probably feel slow coming from an M135i but you can definitely have fun with it due to the characteristics of the NA 6cyl engine.
The 330d will feel much more lively low down as the 325i doesn’t have huge amounts of torque. It needs to be revved to get the most out of it.
Fuel economy is probably similar to your M135i. Low 20s around town and mid to high 30s if taking it easy on the motorway.
Edited by DKIE92 on Sunday 18th February 12:02
If you're doing a fair few miles and alot of motorway stuff, a 330d will be better. I did consider one myself briefly but my mileage is very low, so didn't make sense. If it is petrol, I'd personally stick with the N52 over the N53. These were introduced on late 57 plate cars onwards.
culpz said:
Same here. Heard a 330i is much more lively. Definitely the one to go for but wouldn't discount a decent 325i.
If you're doing a fair few miles and alot of motorway stuff, a 330d will be better. I did consider one myself briefly but my mileage is very low, so didn't make sense. If it is petrol, I'd personally stick with the N52 over the N53. These were introduced on late 57 plate cars onwards.
The difference between a 125i and 130i was pretty pronounced. I’d imagine it’s been more noticeable in a 3 series given the extra weight etc. If you're doing a fair few miles and alot of motorway stuff, a 330d will be better. I did consider one myself briefly but my mileage is very low, so didn't make sense. If it is petrol, I'd personally stick with the N52 over the N53. These were introduced on late 57 plate cars onwards.
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