Potential BMW E90 330i purchase any advice from any owners?

[Bradmax57]

Hi all,

Considering replacing the old E46 I currently have with a slightly newer E90, one i've spotted is a 05 55 plate 330i se, nice looking motor in a similar dark blue to my 320, leather and a few other bits an pieces, its got 55k on it and is going for 7.3k which I dont think is bad. Anyway just after any advice from anyone who knows anything about them or has one such as whats common faults etc etc

 

[Bradmax57]

It has an N52 engine which is fundamentally pretty reliable and doesnt have the problems the newer N53 has. Though to be honest I struggle to see the point, it isnt much of an upgrade really and unless it has Nav the interior is seriously bland even compared to the E46.

no nav but that doesnt really bother me, your right its not a huge upgrade but its an upgrade non the less

 

[Bradmax57]

I really wouldn't bother, if nav doesn't bother you what about the E90 appeals - the best bit about is the cool techy stuff and you don't get that without Nav because Nav gives you iDrive. Remove the cool techy stuff and you are just left with a blander looking car that isn't as nicely made as your E46.

Wait until you can afford to get something thats genuinelly better rather than simply newer.

I could afford to purchase something a lot newer if I was to finance it, however i like to buy my cars outright and after a dificult few years I can afford to spend around 7k in cash, I drove a 320d E90 that my mum had as a courtesy car and i just liked the way it drove, far superior to the E46 I have now. Main problem with my E46 is the rust, every wheel arch is going and tbh ive had it for 3½ years now which is the longest ive ever owned a car (bar one, i think im upto 23 cars now) so just fancy a change, ill probably only keep it till next year anyway

 

[Bradmax57]

What sort of average MPG do you get from the E91? is it the same engine as in the E90?

 

[Bradmax57]

So what are the reliability issues with the newer engines? (just incase I stretch the budget and go newer)

 

[Bradmax57]

Right, has it been rectified by recalls etc or is it likely if I was to buy one that it could suffer the same problem