E91 Recommendations (3 Series 2004–2013)?

T

Theog

Member
 Kent
Evening all,

I'm in no rush, but just trying to think ahead, so thought I would ask your opinions.

Essentially in the next year or two I will need to get a bigger car for my wife / myself. I'm thinking the E91 will be good as it's not too big, but has enough room for baby stuff etc.

I maybe wrong, but it think the 2007+ cars have newer engines (a bit like the 2006 facelift SI series etc) and they seem to have much better performance to economy ratio.

Full list of stats can be found here - https://www.parkers.co.uk/bmw/3-series/touring-2005/specs/

Just wondering if anyone has any experience about which ones are best / most economical / fast / fun / practical etc.

Thanks

T
 
I keep looking at an E91 as a possible replacement for my E46 325ti Compact - a bit newer and more practical!

I've only been looking for manual straight 6 petrol ones, and it seems the 325i and 330i were launched with the N52 engine that Z4s got with the 2006 facelift in 2.5 and 3.0 litre format. So 218 bhp or 258 bhp, although the 3 litre N52 in my E86 is rated at 265 bhp. :?

When the E91s got a facelift in 2007 IIRC they got the N53 engine which I don't think was ever fitted to a Z4. This was a 3.0 for both models, but with 218 bhp for the 325i and 272 bhp for the 330i.

I've searched in loads of places and it seems the N53 is a direct injection engine and can suffer from issues with injectors, high pressure fuel pump problems and coking up (requiring walnut blasting). It may be a little more economical and sit in a lower tax band but I'm not convinced that makes up for the possible issues.

Diesel-wise the early ones had a revised version of the M47 (318d & 320d) and M57 (330d) engines that were used in the E46 with a bit more power, but potential swirl flap problems that result in the flaps getting ingested. I've heard this problem is fairly easily avoided, which is a good thing as ingesting metal flaps isn't going to do the engine any good! :o

Then there was a facelift and the M47 got replaced by the N47 (318d and 320d) and the M57 by the N57 (325d and 330d).

The N47 is well-known for cam-chain failures which are hugely expensive to fix, not least because the chain is at the back of the engine! Some early ones even need a new crankshaft (I read somewhere that the sprocket for the chain is an integral part of the crank). Anyway it was stories like this that prompted me to sell my 123d with the N47 engine while it still worked! :)

And of course all of the diesels can had dpf problems.

Every time I've floated ideas past my regular BMW Indy he tells me the same thing - go for a petrol 6! Mind you he did admit that is you really must have a diesel the best bet is a 6 cylinder one with the N57 engine, so a 325d or 330d facelift.

Anyway I have noticed that petrol 6s are thin on the ground (I suppose by 2005 most buyers of cars like this had gone to diesel) and when they do crop up they go quickly!

I've yet to own one, so as I said my views have been mostly formed based on what I've read or been told but if you do the same searches you'll no doubt get the same results.

Good luck with your search anyway. :thumbsup:
 
I used to have a 2007 330i M sport which was a good car. I sold it to my brother 2.5 years ago and he still has it. The facelift was in 2008 (58 plate?) when the lights and bonnet were revised, and efficient dynamics (e.g. start/stop) versions appeared with better mpg and lower tax bands. The E9x 3 series platform all started with the later petrol engines that were fitted to facelift E85 (and E86 coupe) Z4s.

The touring is definitely the pick of the 3 series body styles for looks and practicality. I was surprised when I started looking at replacements just how much leg/knee room there is compared to typical front wheel drive hatchbacks (e.g. Mk7 Golf). However there is a penalty in rear seat width compared to FWD alternatives; the rear seat is only a two seater, as the seats are pushed inboard around the rear wheel arches. This is accentuated when you fit child seats so there is never any possibility to squeeze a third child or small adult in the middle.

Best part of the E91 (and earlier/later 3 series touring) is the lift up glass on the tailgate. Very convenient for dropping shopping bags in and out, with no risk of a cascade of stuff like opening the main tailgate!

Chris
 
we've had a few over the last few years. Two 3 series, 2006 and 2012, two 4 series 2014 and 2016 and I have a 5 series, 2013. All have 2l diesel engines and all have been similarly economical. I get 48-50 mpg normal driving and SWMBO gets 44-48, (no comment about my wife digital driving style).

Two of the 3 series and one of the fours have been manual, the other 4 and the 5 are autos. The autos are MUCH better than the manuals. better performance and more economical. the 2006 3 series suffered dreaded DMF failure at 30k.

Of them all the 5 is bar far the best, same economy and performance, only a little bigger externally but much bigger inside and a much improved ride, it also has lots more toys.

So good is the 5 that I've been trying to replace it for 2 years with no success. Just can't find anything worth buying thats better. it'll have to go this summer and I will truly be sorry to see it go.

good luck with your search hope the info is of some help.
 
Thanks everyone, very helpful indeed.

After a little thought, I think I will have to go for a petrol + manual. I love diesel, but I think I would like another petrol before going back.

I love the idea of msport. Much nicer looks (wheels, body etc) but my wife has a tendency to hit the curbs pretty hard, so I like the idea of the bigger profile tires, often seen on the SE models. Also, if it's going to be a family car, I'm not sure if you really want the tough suspension!?

So considering this, which engine do you think I should go for? I think on autotrader I can only really search via horspower and age. If so, which is the most reliable / best engine (age + horsepower)?

Just to flesh it out a bit father, please see the links bellow for the different types of 330i (SE) variants:

• https://www.parkers.co.uk/bmw/3-series/touring-2005/330i-(272bhp)-se-5d/specs/
o September 2005 - September 2007
o 31 mpg
o 254 bhp
o 6.2 secs
o Is this the N52B30O0 Variant?

• https://www.parkers.co.uk/bmw/3-series/touring-2005/330i-(272bhp)-se-5d/specs/
o September 2007 - August 2008
o 38 mpg
o 268 bhp
o 6 secs
o Engine type? N53B30O0?

• https://www.parkers.co.uk/bmw/3-series/touring-2005/330i-se-(08)-5d/specs/
o September 2008 - February 2010
o 37 mpg
o 268 bhp
o 6 secs
o Engine type? N53B30O0?

• https://www.parkers.co.uk/bmw/3-series/touring-2005/335i-se-(08)-5d/specs/
o Never knew they did a 335 version!
o September 2008 - February 2010
o 30 mpg
o 301 bhp
o 5.5 secs
o Engine type?
o Would this be overkill though?

So if the info above is correct. Which is the better engine to go for? N52B30O0, N53B30O0, N54B30O0, N55B30, N54B30T0?


That being said, maybe a straight 6 is overkill. Are the 2L petrol good also? As mentioned before, it's quite hard to find a good 3L petrol these days as the diesels took over then!


FYI, I got some stats from this site - https://ipfs.io/ipfs/QmXoypizjW3WknFiJnKLwHCnL72vedxjQkDDP1mXWo6uco/wiki/BMW_3_Series_(E90).html
 
This may not be the right one (N53 I think) but these are the kind of stat's looks / performance I'm liking at the moment - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201706216642230?transmission=Manual&advertising-location=at_cars&minimum-badge-engine-size=3.0&radius=100&sort=sponsored&model=3%20SERIES&fuel-type=Petrol&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&postcode=me173rq&make=BMW&year-to=2012&year-from=2006&body-type=Estate&maximum-mileage=150000&page=1
 
Theog said:
This may not be the right one (N53 I think) but these are the kind of stat's looks / performance I'm liking at the moment - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified ... 000&page=1
Click to expand...

The one in that link looks very dear for that sort of mileage - there was an earlier private ad on A/T for an M52 engined 330i on here recently with slightly lower mileage for £3,800 but it looks like it has been sold!

And you have to wonder how often you would need to have 268bhp to achieve anything that 254bhp couldn't do!

The 335is are something else, but are in the £500+ annual road tax band!

£200 a year tax is quite expensive for just over 30bhp - but then the 335i being a turbo can be mapped for more!
 
335i would be great, but the N54 has a reputation for expensive turbo issues and the coking up problem caused by direct injection. A later 330i with N53 also has direct injection but no turbo so as far as I can recall from my previous research not such a widespread issue with coking up. Safest bet would be an N52 engined 330i like I had!

Chris
 
Wife had the N52 325i for a few years. Good points:
1) Got rid of run flats for regular tyres, much better ride and handling
2) Very smooth and very quiet, plenty of get up and go when you wanted it, the engine is more tuned for torque than power so it pulls well from 2k up
3) Excellent driving position, ours had the double sunroofs but still plenty headroom for 6'1 me]
4) Economy was mid 30s for my wife's mainly rural driving not bad given the performance on tap

Bad points:
1) Not the biggest loadspace in the world, couldn't really fit our 2 golden retrievers in without dropping the back seat
2) With the seats down, not a flat load space
3) BIGGEST FAULT the battery is in the boot, the main fuse box is behind the glove box. There's a fairly cheap and nasty connector between the cable from the battery into the fuse box. It breaks. No power equals no central locking, even if you take the door apart, you can't open the passenger door, you can't move back the electric seat so 6'1 me can get to the bloody glove box, it's an utter bugger of a job to fix it, the new improved connector is about 20 quid but I'd have paid five times that to not have to do the job in the first place.
4) Ours had the "active" steering, which give massive amounts of lock with minimal arm twirling at low speeds and reduces as speed rises. Wife loved it and I hated it.
5) Did I mention that bloody battery connector :headbang: :headbang:
 
Very interesting indeed. I'm thinking going for the N52 variant then. Not sure if to go for the smaller or larger.

So far my Zed 3L SI (N52) has been solid. Almost making it to 140k now and still runs great, so I would like to think the same would be of other N52 cars.

Everywhere I'm reading they say that BMW are mainly known for their inline 6 engines. So I think it's best to stick with that mentality.
 
rally-chris said:
I’d still recommend the M Sport version though, despite the wheel risk!

1E51128F-5670-47CF-9A35-90B76573E7AB.jpeg

That’s my old one.

Chris
Click to expand...


That looks stunning! Nice mix of respectable yet still mean / sporty if that makes sense.
 
Theog said:
That looks stunning! Nice mix of respectable yet still mean / sporty if that makes sense.
Click to expand...

Certainly does look good!

I'm still waiting for a good E91 330i with the N52 engine, so I hope you don't beat me to one! :lol:

I'd prefer an M-Sport - not for the wheels or suspension, but the M-sport seats! :wink:
 
Mr Tidy said:
Theog said:
That looks stunning! Nice mix of respectable yet still mean / sporty if that makes sense.
Click to expand...

Certainly does look good!

I'm still waiting for a good E91 330i with the N52 engine, so I hope you don't beat me to one! :lol:

I'd prefer an M-Sport - not for the wheels or suspension, but the M-sport seats! :wink:
Click to expand...

Ah yes, I'm a big fan of the m-sport seats too. Really feels much more 'special'.

If I do find a good one I will let you know @Mr Tidy as I'm not looking to buy just yet. I guess in 2 years time. But I like the idea of keeping an eye out really.

How are you searching for them just out of interest? Do you have a saved search on Autotrader with notifications? Anything else? Pistonheads is good, but I think they mainly deal with more expensive ones, when ideally I'm only look to spend ~£5k.
 
un1eash said:
M Sport MV3 wheels are made from chocolate.
Click to expand...

I think you are thinking of the 19" MV4s - eBay is littered with cracked ones. 18" MV3s are as good as any other 18" BMW rims and obviously have less risk of pothole damage if you fit non run flat tyres.

Chris
 
rally-chris said:
un1eash said:
M Sport MV3 wheels are made from chocolate.
Click to expand...

I think you are thinking of the 19" MV4s - eBay is littered with cracked ones. 18" MV3s are as good as any other 18" BMW rims and obviously have less risk of pothole damage if you fit non run flat tyres.

Chris
Click to expand...

Just as many cracked MV3's, I had mine refurbed in ferric grey and the guy that did them was surprised to see mine had never been welded before.
 
Theog said:
How are you searching for them just out of interest? Do you have a saved search on Autotrader with notifications? Anything else? Pistonheads is good, but I think they mainly deal with more expensive ones, when ideally I'm only look to spend ~£5k.
Click to expand...

I'm using an alert on Autotrader, then having a search on other places. My budget is similar to yours - good luck (so long as you don't nick one I want). :thumbsup:
 
Mr Tidy said:
Theog said:
How are you searching for them just out of interest? Do you have a saved search on Autotrader with notifications? Anything else? Pistonheads is good, but I think they mainly deal with more expensive ones, when ideally I'm only look to spend ~£5k.
Click to expand...

I'm using an alert on Autotrader, then having a search on other places. My budget is similar to yours - good luck (so long as you don't nick one I want). :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Hahah don't worry, as I said, it's probably gonna be a year or two before I get one. My wifes car is fine at present. I'm primarily waiting till she stops 'reshaping' her current car before we get a more shiney one.
 
Theog said:
I'm primarily waiting till she stops 'reshaping' her current car before we get a more shiney one.
Click to expand...

Good luck with that! :)
 
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