[usmanzubair]

Hey guys

I just need some advice from you BM veterans and long-time owners out there. I want to start by saying that in very basic terms - I am looking for an E90, probably a 330d and maybe some reasons to dissuade me off going for a 325d because the power gain over a 320d seems a little bit... crap.

I want to spend £5,000-6,000 maximum because I am a final year uni student and my plans to save and what I've already saved will give me around that amount give or take. I know I'm not expecting anything under 100,000 miles for that but that leads me to my next question. I also know not to expect anything after a 56 plate.

I still have a few months until I go in for the kill and pick one up so what I want to know is... what am I looking for? What signs in what areas and aspects of the car do I need to take a look at to get the best possible example I can? Aside from the givens like full service history with receipts as well as stamps, good bodywork, recent clutch/turbo change maybe etc.

Are there any niggles related to E90 specifically? Do they have certain issues in certain stages of the production? Anything specific to do with the diesel engine or the condition of any component I can look out for?

[edit: automatic transmission and if I can be so lucky - an M Sport]

Thank you

[pmmcbl]

To start with I would rather spend my money on a very good 320d since you have a low ish budget for a E90. There are some good 330d out there but most won't. Since you are a student are you doing that many miles or would a petrol do the job?
If I had 6k and really wanted a e90 I would either get a 320d if I was doing over 15k per year or a 325i and if budget allowed a 330i.

[usmanzubair]

I do rack up quite a lot of miles, maybe 1,000 a month. also was told to stay away from the 4-pot diesel as its underpowered and the 6-pot is more bulletproof?

so would you advise maybe saving a little more for a 6-pot? the petrols don't return decent enough mpg figures to justify imo. Don't get me wrong I can afford the fuel I need but it might be a struggle in a petrol.

Its a difficult situation I'm in because I'm fixated on an E90 but I want one of the bulletproof engines too. Perhaps I should wait a little longer till the budget allows. What do you think?

[Kali]

I wouldn't say the 2.0d is underpowered. My 2.0d 177bhp stock remaped to 228 is reasonably impressive, still gets good MPG (about 45) and now it has 100k miles on it, bought it when it had 85k and never had any issues with it, other than basic maintenance. I would say the 2.0d would be a better choice with your budget.

[Rich_D]

Agree with the others, a 330d on that budget is scraping the bottom of the barrel, you'll get a better 320d for your budget and with a remap they're certainly not underpowered, but the 4 pot & 6 pot diesels are very different to drive.

If you really want a 330d, then I would save up, another £1,000 spent initially will give you a better car, that will cost you less in the long run.

[usmanzubair]

hmm yeah I've just done some window shopping and the 330d market is looking pretty barren for my budget. a friend has just suggested to me that I should take a look at some E46 Coupes but maybe stay away from the 320d in those because of the swirl flaps, maybe even get the 320Ci or 325Ci. Can pick one up on around 80,000-110,000 with FSH for about £3,500-£4,500. Then I can save up some extra for initial wear-and-tear and maybe a diagnostic and a service right off the bat. thinking a 330d was maybe ambitious really as I haven't even graduated yet lol. oh well - M Sport BMWs are worth being ambitious for... right?!

Back on topic - I don't spend a lot of time pottering around town as my drives (outside high street and gym trips) aren't stop start and are pretty fluid. Also my old 1.6 Civic was the same on fuel as the E46 6-pots on a mixture of urban and motorway journeys so thats a possibility. Opinions and thoughts?

[Digitalize]

2 years ago I bought my 56 plate 320D M Sport E91 for £6k, there was one in the classifieds for less than £4K! Granted mine had 160k (now 190k) but still, I think you'll be able to find a 330D for £6k.

I wouldn't be looking at remapping as you'll be buying a high mileage car as it is and it's just asking for trouble.

The 4 cylinder diesels are no less reliable than the 6 cylinders really, just people think they are because of the pure volume of 320Ds sold.

Check insurance on a 6cyl too, wasn't worth me even trying when I was 19.

[Sensible_]

6pot base model over top spec 4pot all day long.

The 6cyl cars feel completely different. A far more refined driving experience. There is no comparison.

5-6k will get you an E90 Pre-LCI SE or MSPORT no worries. Expect well over 100k though. However the m57 engine, if properly maintained, is bullet proof.

You can always retrofit the top spec toys when you have some more cash.

Honestly, I got a 320d in a similar situation to you. I regretted it almost instantly. Now I've got a 330d and am much happier.

[djgandy]

1000 miles per month isn't a lot. What is your mix of driving? You may be better off with a petrol. The initial cost will be cheaper and you can put the 500-1000 saving away for fuel.

[Aragorn30d]

i'd defo suggest getting the 6 cylinder if you can. Even though the power of the 325 doesnt look that much more a) you can remap it, its physically the same engine as the 330d with only some minor differences, and b) as mentioned above, it drives totally differently to the 4 cylinder, smoother, much wider power band, sounds nicer, just all round a better engine.

Mine was the cheapest one on Autotrader at the time which had the bits i wanted (MSport, Manual, not Silver, Xenons) and it has 145k on it now. No major issues, it needed some TLC, but mostly just general maintenance bits like brakes/tyres, and it needs some front control arms, but then so do most higher mileage cars.

[smuler]

I'd go E46, petrol 325 or 330, manual gearbox is preferable but hard to find.
I had mine to 136k. No significant maintenance until 110k, with breather piper which I think was 200£ so if you can get one around 80k miles in good nick then, fingers crossed, you should be sorted for your college years.

example around your 6k budget.

http://www.odaviscars.com/stockdetai...?StockID=11259

[grimmer]

just brought a 325i 56 plate coupe SE with 88k fsh, £5500

Average 35mpg on a run

[usmanzubair]

I'll be honest - I am leaning toward a late E46 petrol manual. I am not fussy about too much except leather, bodywork and M SPORT TRIM! I think the differences in appearance and the resale value are really things I should be looking at as a student. Petrol engine will be just fine for me, if I can average something like 33mpg between motorways, twisty roads and town traffic.

I don't believe a 55 plate 325i SE E90 is the answer personally, but it is the best E90 I can buy - no doubt. no doubt at all.

Leaning toward a 2004/2005 330Ci. the facelift solved a lot of problems and the 6 pot petrols were of course free of 4 pot problems and diesel problems. not to mention subframe cracks and multiple leaks in and outside the engine. They seem to be hovering around the 100,000 mile mark with full service history and 2-3 owners for around £4,000. One or two have recently had timing chains and clutches too.

I have also been made aware of the rusting skirts on these cars but I'm finding that maybe 2 or 3 out of every 10 facelift E46 coupes had this problem so early in its life

[Dann]

I agree with Smuler.
Get an E46 as you will get a very good one for that money.

[usmanzubair]

I don't know about spending that amount on an E46 though... surely not worth it? I mean £6,000 does buy a lot of E90 as I've just noticed having a poke around. 120,000 miles or so - couple of M Sport 330ds and 330is on there.

so the question really is
£3,500-£4,000 for an E46 and use the rest to get it sorted out
OR
£5,500-£6,000 for an E90

I think my options will be a bit more relaxed a year from now because I finish university this summer so employment permitting... I'll be able to go ahead and buy something for the long-term

[also Dann - your E90 is a stunner]

[usmanzubair]

I was thinking maybe waiting it out and being a little patient would get me something like this

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...Cnew&logcode=p

OR

going with what I'll be able to accumulate while still at uni this year it'll be something like this

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...3-9l&logcode=p