Daily drives

[Mr Tidy]

What is it?

Not very exciting story, but I currently own 3 cars all made in 2006. One of my neighbours has 4 cars in his household, 3 from 2006 and 1 Merc from 2013 which is quite similar to that one from my non-expert point of view. One day I need to get my two beemers lined up next to his two mercs (we often park close, being two of the very few people in the street with more cars than drives)

It's an E Class Estate that has melted!

I did have two cars made in 2006 until I swapped my 3 Series as my current one was made in 2005. But all 3 of my E86s were registered in December 2006, 22nd, 29th and now 12th. BMW seemed to push Z4 sales in that month as my first one was a pre-reg and my current one was registered by BMW UK. Maybe there was a sales target with a bonus?!

My 330i is an SE and has 17" run-flats, Continental summers and Hankook winters, and definitely rides better than my E86 Sports did on 18" Bridgestone run-flats - but that isn't difficult!

Bear in mind your Z4 wheels will need spacers to fit your 330i. Staggered Z4 18s are 8J ET47 front and 8.5J ET50 rear, whereas E90s have 8J ET34 fronts and 8.5J ET37 rears.

[Fred Smith]

It's an E Class Estate that has melted!

I did have two cars made in 2006 until I swapped my 3 Series as my current one was made in 2005. But all 3 of my E86s were registered in December 2006, 22nd, 29th and now 12th. BMW seemed to push Z4 sales in that month as my first one was a pre-reg and my current one was registered by BMW UK. Maybe there was a sales target with a bonus?!

My 330i is an SE and has 17" run-flats, Continental summers and Hankook winters, and definitely rides better than my E86 Sports did on 18" Bridgestone run-flats - but that isn't difficult!

Bear in mind your Z4 wheels will need spacers to fit your 330i. Staggered Z4 18s are 8J ET47 front and 8.5J ET50 rear, whereas E90s have 8J ET34 fronts and 8.5J ET37 rears.

19" on my E86 is rattly! Bit f**k it, I don't mind, my son doesn't mind, and it's a sports car!

The 330i is obviously much more comfy.... I can't believe I've done ten years in that lancer... but maybe new seats and suspension and it'd be pretty cool.

I have spacers that seem to be in the right ballpark. I might get tyres on the MV2s, try them on the Z4, put them on spacers on the E91 (and/or keep them for the Z4), and sell one or both of the wheels I have. I think I might get the MV3s refurbed and sell the 5 spoke wheels.

So many parts came with the car - brand new parts that were never fitted and originals which he has replaced. It's going to take many evenings to work out what it all is and catalogue the stuff that's boxed! History is somewhat unimpressive! BMW claim it has never once been serviced by them, and it was a CAT C.

[BMWZ4MC]

Not very exciting story, but I currently own 3 cars all made in 2006. One of my neighbours has 4 cars in his household, 3 from 2006...

I did have two cars made in 2006 until I swapped my 3 Series as my current one was made in 2005. But all 3 of my E86s were registered in December 2006, 22nd, 29th and now 12th.

Continuing this fascinating theme, both my Z4M and B7 RS4 were first registered on the same day in November 2006

[jenniferlouise]

Thanks Fred; no, it’s not a melted E class, it’s a CLS (see page 7 of this thread). Which means different ride set up and lot of aluminium panels on an E. The Fiat 500 went (page 10) for a MINI (still have and still love).

[Bmwz4ruby]

My daily is featured in this month’s issue 32 of Classic.Retro.Modern out now!

What is it?

Not very exciting story, but I currently own 3 cars all made in 2006. One of my neighbours has 4 cars in his household, 3 from 2006 and 1 Merc from 2013 which is quite similar to that one from my non-expert point of view. One day I need to get my two beemers lined up next to his two mercs (we often park close, being two of the very few people in the street with more cars than drives)

Not wishing to derail the thread but all 3 of my cars (330d, Z4C and Z4MR) are 2006 models. It is probably interesting topic for another thread.

[Mr Tidy]

Thanks Fred; no, it’s not a melted E class, it’s a CLS (see page 7 of this thread). Which means different ride set up and lot of aluminium panels on an E. The Fiat 500 went (page 10) for a MINI (still have and still love).

OK I may have been slightly unkind with my description, but despite aluminium panels it's still the best part of 2 tonnes.

[jenniferlouise]

OK I may have been slightly unkind with my description, but despite aluminium panels it's still the best part of 2 tonnes.

None taken you’re right… 1900-something kgs. Always fancied a column shift gear-thingy. Muscle memory means I’ve almost downshifted whilst trying to wipe the ‘screen a few times

[Fred Smith]

It looks nice from a distance in any case, and the engine on those are a peach. Enjoy the bringing it to your standard

Having driven it a bit more, it seems like a win win so far.

If I bring it up to standard it could be a very nice car.

If I do nothing then the only real issue is it degrading and the look of the bodywork if you get close. The driving experience is very good due to interior and the way it drives. Quite a few bits of interior trim replaced, new mats, proper valet etc etc - inside it feels and drives a lot lot younger than it is.

Negatives include no service history other than recent local garages and BMW claim that the car has never in it's life been serviced by them.

I would have loved to be more choosey, but so few manual N52 E91s come up, and the price wasn't too bad.

[Mr Tidy]

I would have loved to be more choosey, but so few manual N52 E91s come up, and the price wasn't too bad.

I can relate to that.

When I was looking for a manual E91 with the N52 engine in 2018 there about 10 times as many 325is as 330is, and the 330s were nearly twice the price so I got a 325i. But the performance was a bit underwhelming (maybe having an E86 didn't help?) so in 2019 I tried again, but with no more success.

Then I realised I'd only ever had the seats folded when I wanted to move a set of wheels so when I found my manual E90 330i with the split-fold rear seat option I got that instead as 4 wheels fit fine!

[Fred Smith]

There seem to be quite a lot of coupes and convertibles, but if you want an N52 3 series touring there is very little, and most are automatics. And whilst I think BMW saloons and estates look good in silver, I prefer black or navy or maybe (maybe) something outlandish. Again my colour preference halves an already tiny market.

Ebay right now

Search - BMW 330i - 86 cars

Narrow to Manual - 8 cars

Narrow to Touring - 0 cars

Just need to get shot of my old Lancer, which I simultaneously now hate because it feels so crap, whilst loving the practicality... definitely the best option for the car to take out in the salt earlier tonight! If I had space and car tax was shifted onto fuel I'd keep the Lancer.

[samZ4M]

There seem to be quite a lot of coupes and convertibles, but if you want an N52 3 series touring there is very little, and most are automatics. And whilst I think BMW saloons and estates look good in silver, I prefer black or navy or maybe (maybe) something outlandish. Again my colour preference halves an already tiny market.

Ebay right now

Search - BMW 330i - 86 cars

Narrow to Manual - 8 cars

Narrow to Touring - 0 cars

Just need to get shot of my old Lancer, which I simultaneously now hate because it feels so crap, whilst loving the practicality... definitely the best option for the car to take out in the salt earlier tonight! If I had space and car tax was shifted onto fuel I'd keep the Lancer.

You're going to have to fight me for it! I am looking for the same, E91 325/330 in navy or grey. Seldom come on the market.

[Fred Smith]

You're going to have to fight me for it! I am looking for the same, E91 325/330 in navy or grey. Seldom come on the market.

No need, I found one! See previous page! Black so I didn't steal one from you!

Good luck with the search.

Out of interest, are there any other cars that you would consider instead? Subaru Legacy 3.0R B Spec was the one that came closest to tempting me away from buying a 330i.

[samZ4M]

You're going to have to fight me for it! I am looking for the same, E91 325/330 in navy or grey. Seldom come on the market.

No need, I found one! See previous page! Black so I didn't steal one from you!

Good luck with the search.

Out of interest, are there any other cars that you would consider instead? Subaru Legacy 3.0R B Spec was the one that came closest to tempting me away from buying a 330i.

Ah grand! saves a fight eh.

Bit of a BMW addict, especially that era. I know I don't really like that age/cost of Audi or Merc. Was looking at Ovlov's as a potential.

My neighbour has one of them, so not sure I could do it!

[jenniferlouise]

Not so much mine - it was once - but a Fabia I’ve reacquainted myself with as a car for daughter’s boyfriend. 160k showing and as good to drive now as it was when new. Well, almost.

[BuzzardBiker]

My other car is used by my wife after she sold her 21 year old Polo.

2007 Aygo Black.
Cosmic Black metallic paint - original paint
Alloys
R/c locking
Leather gear knob.
27,800 miles from new
Original number plates, keys and key rings.
Amazing condition.
I’m the 2nd owner from new. Local registered too.

60mpg all day long and drives superbly.

Bought last year from the local dealer (22,163miles) in my village (px’d one of my motorbikes as a straight swap).
Never failed an MOT.
How rare is that for a little city car.
The underside is amazingly clean.

Just had a service for £58 using genuine Toyota parts.

Love driving it too.