From Z4MC to 335i

You're right. it is a stupid acronym. For ages i knew that it meant facelift but never knew what it actually stood for.

My advice regarding the pre lci 330i is simply to avoid the N53 engine. There may have been some cross over with the N52n in post lci, i'm not certain. All I know for certain is that if you go for a pre lci model it would have the more reliable N52 or N52n engine.

With the above being the exception I feel the post lci cars are generally better. As I say the suspension is much improved so they do drive a lot better. BMW managed to reduce emissions across most of the cars for cheaper tax. Therefor if you want a 330d then post lci will be better. only get one if you do the miles though, otherwise fuel bills will be pretty nasty and you will definitely get DPF problems. This is about the only problem i've ever read people having with the 330d and it can actually be fixed relatively cheaply while also improving the car by sticking the Ecotune DPF delete pipe in along with their tuning box which also codes the DPF out for you.
 
That's interesting to hear Mowflow. So the 330d needs miles under it otherwise issues occur. Honestly can't say I'll be doing more than 5k miles a year.
 
Post facelift 335i is single turbo too so none of the actuator /rattle issues either. Don't think the single turbo 335i has any massive issues like the twin turbo?
 
Inkey$, I put a £500 deposit down on a private Interlagos ///MR subject to BMW checking it over for a knocking sound I could hear at tickover, turns out they couldn't guarantee it wasn't a problem it also needed F&R discs and pads, I walked away and got £350 back as i quite rightly paid for the inspection, I put it down to experience and a lucky escape, every cloud and all that, subsequently led me to my Red one :thumbsup:
 
Appreciate the feedback gents. It's hyper annoying that the car I want suffers from a pretty horrid affliction. Am prepared to right off the £250 deposit if I have to but would rather not of course.

Not sure what my next course of action is to be honest. Not heard back from the indy after my email last night. Feel a bit deflated by the whole experience so may actually take some time to peruse my options. Even started looking at 159s!
 
Darren Slone said:
159's better taking the dodgy 335 !

Sorry, cheap shot :-) :oops:
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Was waiting for that and should have guessed the culprit. My fault really I guess.
 
Also bear in mind with the 330d that its not major work to remove the DPF / swirl flaps & remap .
At a decent indy should be around £600/£700 .
For that you get a fully freed up engine remapped more to its abilities & with M performance :wink: :thumbsup:
 
inkey$ said:
Darren Slone said:
159's better taking the dodgy 335 !

Sorry, cheap shot :-) :oops:
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Was waiting for that and should have guessed the culprit. My fault really I guess.
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Not your fault Inkey$, im too predictable!!

My friend had one and it looked gorgeous, 2 gearboxes later he moved on, I'm sure you'll find a good 3 series, D3BT is the one :thumbsup:
 
inkey$ said:
That's interesting to hear Mowflow. So the 330d needs miles under it otherwise issues occur. Honestly can't say I'll be doing more than 5k miles a year.
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Ignoring all the usual chat on only seeing cost benefits with a diesel doing X thousand miles a year. Yes, you would probably see DPF issues doing that mileage. Unless most of the journeys that make up that 5k miles are 30miles + at motorway speeds.

The engines in these diesels need to get up to temperature to run well, it takes a surprisingly long time for this to happen. Usually about 10 miles depending on ambient temperature, traffic etc. The DPF soots up if the engine rarely gets properly hot. You need to do a long(ish) drive at a maintained motorway(ish) speed to initiate a regen which burns off the soot. However, prolonged use like this can often lead to an eventual replacement or removal. I don't know the exact price to replace but it's not cheap. As stated though, you can just have it removed and, coded out and a remap done at the same time for some real fun.

I'd say it's certainly worth testing driving one to see what you think as it's one issue with an easy fix.
 
Did you pay the deposit by credit card? If so call the card company and ask their opinion about a charge back if you hear nothing at all.
 
Stuart Truman said:
Did you pay the deposit by credit card? If so call the card company and ask their opinion about a charge back if you hear nothing at all.
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Visa debit unfortunately. Have an Amex but never use it and forget I have it.
 
Mowflow said:
inkey$ said:
That's interesting to hear Mowflow. So the 330d needs miles under it otherwise issues occur. Honestly can't say I'll be doing more than 5k miles a year.
Click to expand...

Ignoring all the usual chat on only seeing cost benefits with a diesel doing X thousand miles a year. Yes, you would probably see DPF issues doing that mileage. Unless most of the journeys that make up that 5k miles are 30miles + at motorway speeds.

The engines in these diesels need to get up to temperature to run well, it takes a surprisingly long time for this to happen. Usually about 10 miles depending on ambient temperature, traffic etc. The DPF soots up if the engine rarely gets properly hot. You need to do a long(ish) drive at a maintained motorway(ish) speed to initiate a regen which burns off the soot. However, prolonged use like this can often lead to an eventual replacement or removal. I don't know the exact price to replace but it's not cheap. As stated though, you can just have it removed and, coded out and a remap done at the same time for some real fun.

I'd say it's certainly worth testing driving one to see what you think as it's one issue with an easy fix.
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This is really interesting. Been looking at some cars online tonight that have had the DPF removed and then remapped. Seems to be a good option.
 
I know the guys at Ecotune. They provide one of the most well made DPF replacement pipes. It's a straight swap out which some people do themselves. Stan also writes his own maps and can supply an easy to fit switchable tuning box that works the same as the superchips bluefin. So even you do decide to get one that still has the DPF the option to swap it out is quite easy.

I've been at their work shop a few times when 330ds have been getting done. It's always funny to see the goofy smile on the owners face when they come back from the first test drive with the new pipe and remap. It really makes a noticeable difference.

Who knows, you may just not like the diesel. It's fast but it's a very lazy drive. Completely different from your ///M or a 335i for that matter.
 
Final update: Indy called me today. Understood my worries and said that they'd pay my deposit back and put the car out to auction. Apparently BMW would touch it as the stamps in the book contained Indy's and an Indy was asking for contribution.

The search to replace the gap in my garage ///Molly has left continues...
 
They've got a few and I said I'd keep an eye out on their website.

That said, I did look on there last night and the car I turned down they said was going to auction is back on the for sale pages. Guess they're going to try and shift it to somebody that doesn't know what they're looking for. Ultimately it wont cause too many problems, but it would annoy the hell out of me.

http://www.autodevotion.co.uk/used-cars/25516/bmw-3-series
 
Now you are not buying the car...mind telling us what you offered them? curious what is "cost efficient"....
 
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