[JP330i]

Hi All

Had a mishap in my 330i the other day. into the start of a guard rail at 50mph

I didn't want to let this car go, i was wondering what you people thought about me rebuilding it? I am aware I need a entire front end but I am thinking as long as there is no damage to the engine, and the chassis is all okay (its one of those barriers that will move backwards if anything hits it to soften blow) itll be a relatively easy fix? is new dash airbag a dash out job as well? I would assume so but just wanted confirmation.

This has 205k miles and is a 55 (late 2005) plate so it has lived a good life but I simply just don't want to see it go.

One thing that gives me confidence is that they were able to drive it onto the trailer, i did make sure they didnt leave it running for any longer than it absolutely had to

Sorry for the essay! I'm just really in 2 minds at the moment - only just had the wheels refurbed as well, and its a good spec M sport with idrive

TIA!

James

[oVeRdOsE.]

is it a rare trim and sentimental value? if not... let it go.

Those cars had open front frame rail, once you remove the front clip and rad support, it's easy to measure the rails alignment, if they are straight, it's not hard to rebuilt.

From the picture it does not look that bad, but you never know.
After you need to find air bag, probably battery terminal, etc.

fortunately, those car are old and widely available, so shouldn't be expensive on a DIY if you dont need frame work. LCI front clip upgrade !

[JP330i]

Originally Posted by oVeRdOsE.

is it a rare trim and sentimental value? if not... let it go.

Those cars had open front frame rail, once you remove the front clip and rad support, it's easy to measure the rails alignment, if they are straight, it's not hard to rebuilt.

From the picture it does not look that bad, but you never know.
After you need to find air bag, probably battery terminal, etc.

fortunately, those car are old and widely available, so shouldn't be expensive on a DIY if you dont need frame work. LCI front clip upgrade !

The spec isnt particularly rare, I dont think - m sport extended leather idrive xenon lights electric seats (i dont know what of this is standard) on sapphire black and mv3s

More so the sentimental value for me

[Efthreeoh]

Trash.

[lookalikehuuh]

I don't think there is such a thing as an "M sport" in 2006, its likely just a "sport" model. I recall purchasing the sportiest model of my 06 330i and its just a "sport" model. Back in 2006 330i were mostly loaded option cars on the dealer lots from what I recall. You do appear to have "MSport" wheels from an LCI model year but sportiest wheels on 2006s were the 162 Model, so maybe thats why you are associating it as an "Msport" model

So I think your car is not as rare as you think it is. The cost to repair that damage is going to be more than the cost to pick up a lower mileage example on the used market. Some of the things you mentioned can just be carried over to the new car like the freshly refinished wheels.

[JP330i]

Originally Posted by lookalikehuuh

I don't think there is such a thing as an "M sport" in 2006, its likely just a "sport" model. I recall purchasing the sportiest model of my 06 330i and its just a "sport" model. Back in 2006 330i were mostly loaded option cars on the dealer lots from what I recall. You do appear to have "MSport" wheels from an LCI model year but sportiest wheels on 2006s were the 162 Model, so maybe thats why you are associating it as an "Msport" model

So I think your car is not as rare as you think it is. The cost to repair that damage is going to be more than the cost to pick up a lower mileage example on the used market. Some of the things you mentioned can just be carried over to the new car like the freshly refinished wheels.

It is definitely a m sport spec, I am UK based so the options we got may be different

[lookalikehuuh]

Originally Posted by JP330i

It is definitely a m sport spec, I am UK based so the options we got may be different

ah ok, I didn't realize they had different options in UK, what exactly makes it an Msport? Have the VIN so we can see what the Msport option code is?

[StradaRedlands]

If you can source used panels with the correct paint, bolting everything back together is pretty easy. But you need hood/bonnet, fenders/wings, bumper cover, all the pieces in front behind that, radiator, fan, possibly steering rack, probably lights, maybe control arms, maybe subframe, airbags, belt tensioners, battery cutoff. And that's presuming your frame spars are not biame ent up and damaged. So if the frame isn't bent, you can source the pieces, don't need to paint them, and can do all your own work, then yes it is worth doing as it's a 330i which is the best E90 and in a rare spec. But is it an auto or manual? If auto, that throws the calculations off, and probably not worth doing. But if manual then do everything you can to keep it on the road!

[BMW Guy]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

If you can source used panels with the correct paint, bolting everything back together is pretty easy. But you need hood/bonnet, fenders/wings, bumper cover, all the pieces in front behind that, radiator, fan, possibly steering rack, probably lights, maybe control arms, maybe subframe, airbags, belt tensioners, battery cutoff. And that's presuming your frame spars are not biame ent up and damaged. So if the frame isn't bent, you can source the pieces, don't need to paint them, and can do all your own work, then yes it is worth doing as it's a 330i which is the best E90 and in a rare spec. But is it an auto or manual? If auto, that throws the calculations off, and probably not worth doing. But if manual then do everything you can to keep it on the road!

330i is the best E90? My E90 335i says differently

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by BMW Guy

330i is the best E90? My E90 335i says differently

You should donate it to the OP so he can rebuild his 330i.

[BMW Guy]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

You should donate it to the OP so he can rebuild his 330i.

My 335i? Nah, the OP might crash it and then he would be rebuilding two cars lol.