Is a E90 still fit for long journeys?

[DRCraig]

Good day fellow fanatics

A few weeks ago me and my wife drove from Cape Town to Lüderitz, Namibia- crossing the Noordoewer border. The one-way trip was more or less 1200km. Drove down with the 320d and it impressed me a lot. The car, at the time, had 173 000km on the odo.

For most of the trip, my cruise control was set to 120km/h and the revs hovered just above 2000rpms. At some point, after filling up and setting off, my fuel range was almost 1400km. This is totally insane. For the entire trip, I had an average fuel consumption of 5.2l/km.

I know it's not a 330d, or a 335i or a M3, but its overtaking abilities is just so effortless- even on steep inclines it makes good use of that 380nm.

I, sometimes, fail to understand why people would rather buy new R400k-R500k hatchbacks or sedans, when there are cars with half the price still offering so much in terms of fuel economy, power, looks ánd how it drives.

Anyway, each to their own, I guess.

320d FTW!

 

[FILV]

They are amazing aren't they.
I absolutely loved driving mine from Johannesburg to Maputo. Would get there with half a tank, and that's with some spirited driving in between.
You should set your cruise control around 130km, or try get the revs to 2200 or 2300 where your peak torque is, will be even more efficient.

Great noise insulation, amazing handling, comfortable, direct steering and steering feel... the E90's really are great.

Get a downpipe and a remap and it will be even more dynamic and fuel efficient. My consumption dropped by 0.2l/100km after my downpipe was fitted.

 

[///M Individual]

That is amazing bud!

Also enjoy my F30 320d on trips from Durban to Free State a few times a year. For me it is the perfect balance of power and economy, especially with the remap and dp.

I agree regarding a brand new entry level hatchback vs an older BMW diesel - some shy away due to the maintenance but I think the initial price saving negates this.

 

[Redshert]

I have to agree, my e90 330d was pure bliss to drive from JHB to and from CPT, did both trips in a day. Didn't skip a beat. Now sitting on 269000km and going strong. I can't imagine myself parting with this car. I bought off a forum member 9 years ago and still in love.

 

[MoeM2]

I have to agree, my e90 330d was pure bliss to drive from JHB to and from CPT, did both trips in a day. Didn't skip a beat. Now sitting on 269000km and going strong. I can't imagine myself parting with this car. I bought off a forum member 9 years ago and still in love.

It’s comments like this that makes me miss my F30 330d - traded it in just over two years ago and what a brilliant car it was. Only had 107 000km on it at the time and got a very low price compared to where they selling today


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[///Herbie]

It’s comments like this that makes me miss my F30 330d - traded it in just over two years ago and what a brilliant car it was. Only had 107 000km on it at the time and got a very low price compared to where they selling today


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For interest sake how much did you get?

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[///Herbie]

Good day fellow fanatics

A few weeks ago me and my wife drove from Cape Town to Lüderitz, Namibia- crossing the Noordoewer border. The one-way trip was more or less 1200km. Drove down with the 320d and it impressed me a lot. The car, at the time, had 173 000km on the odo.

For most of the trip, my cruise control was set to 120km/h and the revs hovered just above 2000rpms. At some point, after filling up and setting off, my fuel range was almost 1400km. This is totally insane. For the entire trip, I had an average fuel consumption of 5.2l/km.

I know it's not a 330d, or a 335i or a M3, but its overtaking abilities is just so effortless- even on steep inclines it makes good use of that 380nm.

I, sometimes, fail to understand why people would rather buy new R400k-R500k hatchbacks or sedans, when there are cars with half the price still offering so much in terms of fuel economy, power, looks ánd how it drives.

Anyway, each to their own, I guess.

320d FTW!

Lovely. Posts like these make me love my E90 20d even more very nice man.
Do you have SW or anything done?

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[DRCraig]

They are amazing aren't they.
I absolutely loved driving mine from Johannesburg to Maputo. Would get there with half a tank, and that's with some spirited driving in between.
You should set your cruise control around 130km, or try get the revs to 2200 or 2300 where your peak torque is, will be even more efficient.

Great noise insulation, amazing handling, comfortable, direct steering and steering feel... the E90's really are great.

Get a downpipe and a remap and it will be even more dynamic and fuel efficient. My consumption dropped by 0.2l/100km after my downpipe was fitted.

The car has a decat without any software. Still contemplating on a remap.

 

[DRCraig]

That is amazing bud!

Also enjoy my F30 320d on trips from Durban to Free State a few times a year. For me it is the perfect balance of power and economy, especially with the remap and dp.

I agree regarding a brand new entry level hatchback vs an older BMW diesel - some shy away due to the maintenance but I think the initial price saving negates this.

I share your sentiment 100%. Services after all, are relatively cheap compared to cars like, surprisingly, Opel, Hyunday and VW! I paid R1200 for an oil service at the dealership, whereas my wife paid almost R2000 for an oil service on her Grand i10. Other expenses like tyres, are very expensive on BMW's.

 

[DRCraig]

It’s comments like this that makes me miss my F30 330d - traded it in just over two years ago and what a brilliant car it was. Only had 107 000km on it at the time and got a very low price compared to where they selling today


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Decent F30 330d's are like hen's teeth. Very hard to find; hence the steep price tag.

 

[DRCraig]

Lovely. Posts like these make me love my E90 20d even more very nice man.
Do you have SW or anything done?

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Don't see myself parting with this one. I only have a decat. Still deciding on the software. A bit concerned about the longevity of the gearbox etc. How much power are you making at the wheels? I had a E82 120d with software and a downpipe that made a good 155kw and 460nm. Under low rpm acceleration, due to high torque, it had a slight shudder. Other than that, the 120d was AMAZING. I don't want that happening to my E90, you see.

 

[realtrevor]

Any well looked after vehicle will always be fit for long Journeys, with diesel engines you get best of both fuel economy and good performance for overtaking.

Pictured here is my 2006 E87 116i manual with 427,000km, I bought it with 40,000km in 2008. I occasionally drive it on long trips to Mpumalanga which is 450km one way without any issues.
Yes it's a donkey it doesn't have the on-demand power for overtaking, but enough for just cruising. Fuel economy is also not great compared to newer small turbo engines, but reliability is probably the best I'll ever experience in a vehicle.

 

[SHABSFS]

cannot fault the e90 320d in any way.
drove my sons 32od to Durban. 630km one way at 140km/h .. 6.1l per 100km

return trip was fully loaded plus a roof box. car performed effortlessly. 7.1l /100km
i have a heavy foot .. lol
if only the potholes and tyres can now match the cars reliability

 

[///Herbie]

Don't see myself parting with this one. I only have a decat. Still deciding on the software. A bit concerned about the longevity of the gearbox etc. How much power are you making at the wheels? I had a E82 120d with software and a downpipe that made a good 155kw and 460nm. Under low rpm acceleration, due to high torque, it had a slight shudder. Other than that, the 120d was AMAZING. I don't want that happening to my E90, you see.

I haven't had the car on the dyno but I would say it definitely makes more than it does in OEM form.
I haven't experienced any form of shudder or issues apart from the turbo whistle becoming more evident after the decat.
I had the swirl flaps removed as well and all in all I'd say SW+decat+swirflap removal +egr delete is the best thing you can do on a 20d.
I understand your concern though as before I did SW I too didn't want to mess around with the car as it is my "family" ride. But so far so good


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[MoeM2]

For interest sake how much did you get?

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R250k to we buy cars - it was for sale at a dealership in Pta north for R330k a week later this is what she looked like - really regret selling it . Was not a forum member at the time.

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[///Herbie]

R250k to we buy cars - it was for sale at a dealership in Pta north for R330k a week later this is what she looked like - really regret selling it . Was not a forum member at the time.

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Wow that is super nice. What a mark up they put on there

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[///M Individual]

Don't see myself parting with this one. I only have a decat. Still deciding on the software. A bit concerned about the longevity of the gearbox etc. How much power are you making at the wheels? I had a E82 120d with software and a downpipe that made a good 155kw and 460nm. Under low rpm acceleration, due to high torque, it had a slight shudder. Other than that, the 120d was AMAZING. I don't want that happening to my E90, you see.

You could ask the tuner for a mild map and switch off the EGR etc. Will help with reliability long term. Have you had your E90 gearbox serviced by ZF?

 

[DRCraig]

Any well looked after vehicle will always be fit for long Journeys, with diesel engines you get best of both fuel economy and good performance for overtaking.

Pictured here is my 2006 E87 116i manual with 427,000km, I bought it with 40,000km in 2008. I occasionally drive it on long trips to Mpumalanga which is 450km one way without any issues.
Yes it's a donkey it doesn't have the on-demand power for overtaking, but enough for just cruising. Fuel economy is also not great compared to newer small turbo engines, but reliability is probably the best I'll ever experience in a vehicle.

View attachment 13827

Astonishing. Well done for keeping her well and healthy.

 

[DRCraig]

I haven't had the car on the dyno but I would say it definitely makes more than it does in OEM form.
I haven't experienced any form of shudder or issues apart from the turbo whistle becoming more evident after the decat.
I had the swirl flaps removed as well and all in all I'd say SW+decat+swirflap removal +egr delete is the best thing you can do on a 20d.
I understand your concern though as before I did SW I too didn't want to mess around with the car as it is my "family" ride. But so far so good


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As of now, the amount of power for me is sufficient- just enough to push you back into your seat. Will update towards end of the year or next year when I take her for a remap. Does you car smoke on hard acceleration?

 

[DRCraig]

R250k to we buy cars - it was for sale at a dealership in Pta north for R330k a week later this is what she looked like - really regret selling it . Was not a forum member at the time.

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Buying a 330d like this for R250K is a giveaway, even today!