E90 325/330i

[Bavs108]

Hey guys

So I'm shopping around for a new car. I'm looking at a 2006/07 325/330i with around 100k on the clock. It must have a sportpack, sunroof, and preferably the 18' m sport rim and preferably manual. Any other extras would be advantageous. My budget is around R150-160k max. My question is, am I being a bit too optimistic expecting to find one with those specs within my budget? What are the book and retail values on these? I've been searching through autotrader and gumtree for the past 2 weeks and can't seem to find any that catches my eye. I have responded to a few ads and still awaiting responses. As per my 1st thread on the E46 330i which I backed out on, this will be my 1st car purchase.

What should I be expecting in terms of maintenance on these cars out of motorplan?

 

[NavZ]

All I can say is be patient... Expect a lot more E90's on the Gum in the next few months...

 

[hanopp]

I was in the same situation. I bought 2006 Bmw 330iM. Very hard to find. I got mine in Joburg last Wednesday. 81000km with FSH. Retail R179000 trade R168 000. I wont ever buy a sport pack again, you can barely drive drive to your nearest shopping center without scratching the front bumper / get stuck on speed bumps (haha) looks impressive but not meant for South African roads

 

[Bavs108]

Yeah I know, it's just gets a bit frustrating following up on a lead and it's not what you expected, but I'm hanging in there:=):

Hanopp, I've seen a few 2007 models going for between R160-175k. The sportpack does look impressive:inlove:, but apart from that I get a sense that it'll make the car easier to sell at a later stage and may hold more value than an exclusive pack.

 

[Loom]

but apart from that I get a sense that it'll make the car easier to sell at a later stage and may hold more value than an exclusive pack.

Which suits me because I prefer the exclusive pack - stuff like Xenons and PDC appeal more to me than a bodykit and a harder ride.

Good luck finding the right one for you!

 

[abmi0000]

The handling on a sportpack vs standard is like night/day.

It isn't just about looks even though they looks far more amazing IMO.

 

[Loom]

Yeah, I oversimplified. I prefer a more comfortable ride with the extra goodies that an exclusive pack offers but it boils down to personal preference. From what I've read the pre-LCI M sport built up a bit of a reputation for a harsh ride. It does look nice and I like it's seats, though.

 

[LPM320]

The handling on a sportpack vs standard is like night/day.
It isn't just about looks even though they looks far more amazing IMO.

Having driven both hard, I wouldnt say its a night/day difference. Agreed, the sport pack has the more responsive, stiffer suspension with quite a bit less body roll, ultimately both cars have the same basic suspension design, and therefore share the same handling characteristics, although the sport pack's would be quite enhanced.You would need to be experienced to take an exclusive to the limits a sport pack would seemingly achieve more easily, but it is possible with the right driver. Its a trade off between sporty and comfortable. Thats my opinion. Each to his own I suppose.

 

[hanopp]

Yes sports pack is better!! and looks better, my wife INSTRUCTED me to buy std 330i since she was the one destroying the previous sports pack bumpers!!

 

[Bavs108]

I really don't mind the stiffer suspension. What do you guys think of this?

http://johannesburg.gumtree.co.za/c...w-330i-M-Sport-A-T-S-R-NAV-W0QQAdIdZ374193746

I've requested the guy to send me some more pictures as well as the vin number, although I think it's way overpriced. Thinking of starting with an offer of around R155k if everything checks out. Fair offer?

 

[Philip Foglar]

Mine is an Exclusive, so normal suspension and it is plenty firm enough for my liking and most important, our roads! If I was living and driving on a smooth race track, then Sportpack suspension is a no brainer. Within the first month or so of joining this forum I remember reading a thread where a member was complaining that his E90 323i Sportpack with 17" M Sport wheels was riding so hard that it was able to kick a water bottle out of the cup-holder as the car went over a normal bridge expansion joint! :nonono:

Maybe it's not this bad in reality and since I have not driven an E90 with Sportpack (yet), can only speak from experience with my Exclusive and from what I have heard - most people complain about the hard ride on Exclusives, let alone Sportpacks. This is where I think the new F30 is a very different car by comparison to the E90 - even the Sport suspension version has a smoother overall ride than my car which has the normal suspension with over 60k km!

My advise, take a look at as many cars as possible, and decide on what suits your needs best, not just because of the spec level and toys etc...

 

[Karthik]

Buy a sportpack and just change the tyres to non runflats and you will see a huge difference ? But on the other hand , E90 with an exclusive pack is already very firm and steady . They definitely a big jump from the E46 . You will only notice the difference on a bumpy road with the E90 whereas that sportspack suspension throws every jump up your spine but you will get used to it

 

[Bavs108]

Thanks for the advise guys:=): To be honest it's mainly the styling of the exclusive pack that doesn't appeal to me. I will expand my search a bit. Unfortunately being from EL I'm unable to test drive these cars unless one pops up for sale which I have not seen in months.

 

[abmi0000]

The RFTs are the culprits. My wife owned a 323i sport pack whilst I had a 330i Exclusive. The hardness was similar until I threw the the RFTs off my car.

Fitted a Koni suspension with very low profile 19" tyres and it was still pleasant to drive with exceptional handling :rollsmile:

 

[Philip Foglar]

Yep, I reckon if I had a Sportpack, the RFT's would simply have to go! :thumbs:

 

[brukutu]

Hey guys

So I'm shopping around for a new car. I'm looking at a 2006/07 325/330i with around 100k on the clock. It must have a sportpack, sunroof, and preferably the 18' m sport rim and preferably manual. Any other extras would be advantageous. My budget is around R150-160k max. My question is, am I being a bit too optimistic expecting to find one with those specs within my budget? What are the book and retail values on these? I've been searching through autotrader and gumtree for the past 2 weeks and can't seem to find any that catches my eye. I have responded to a few ads and still awaiting responses. As per my 1st thread on the E46 330i which I backed out on, this will be my 1st car purchase.

What should I be expecting in terms of maintenance on these cars out of motorplan?

I picked up a 320D with 107k on the clock, idrive sportpack for R145k, about R5k to spend on it...
so it is possible.

 

[KarshS]

I really don't mind the stiffer suspension. What do you guys think of this?

http://johannesburg.gumtree.co.za/c...w-330i-M-Sport-A-T-S-R-NAV-W0QQAdIdZ374193746

I've requested the guy to send me some more pictures as well as the vin number, although I think it's way overpriced. Thinking of starting with an offer of around R155k if everything checks out. Fair offer?

I went to see it....its very dirty....i dint even bother.....interior is crap.....and has bumps and scratchs on the outside

 

[Bavs108]

I really don't mind the stiffer suspension. What do you guys think of this?

http://johannesburg.gumtree.co.za/c...w-330i-M-Sport-A-T-S-R-NAV-W0QQAdIdZ374193746

I've requested the guy to send me some more pictures as well as the vin number, although I think it's way overpriced. Thinking of starting with an offer of around R155k if everything checks out. Fair offer?

I went to see it....its very dirty....i dint even bother.....interior is crap.....and has bumps and scratchs on the outside

Damn another dead end:nonono: Thanks for the heads up.

When changing runflats to normal tyres is it just a straight swap or is there anything else that needs to be done?

With regard to problems/maintenance what should I expect on the E90s? I've not read of many common issues or problems that occur on the E90's.

 

[abmi0000]

I really don't mind the stiffer suspension. What do you guys think of this?

http://johannesburg.gumtree.co.za/c...w-330i-M-Sport-A-T-S-R-NAV-W0QQAdIdZ374193746

I've requested the guy to send me some more pictures as well as the vin number, although I think it's way overpriced. Thinking of starting with an offer of around R155k if everything checks out. Fair offer?

I went to see it....its very dirty....i dint even bother.....interior is crap.....and has bumps and scratchs on the outside

Damn another dead end:nonono: Thanks for the heads up.

When changing runflats to normal tyres is it just a straight swap or is there anything else that needs to be done?

With regard to problems/maintenance what should I expect on the E90s? I've not read of many common issues or problems that occur on the E90's.

Straight swop. Just push the pressure up slightly as the walls are naturally softer.

 

[Bavs108]

Hey guys. Quick update. Just been disappointed again today:nonono: Found a really clean 2007 330i (N52N motor) over the weekend from a private seller only to find a bunch of comments from bmw today. Wish these sellers would disclose this type of information in the first place as informed potential buyers will eventually find out about it... It's a waste of time for both buyer and seller!!!:yuck: The other thing I found strange was the fact that I called about 4 bmw dealers including customer service who did not want to give me the CIA report and comments checks without the owners permission and registration documents even though I have the vin... I eventually managed to get the comments from an SMG dealership in Durban.

The search continues... I guess I rather be disappointed now than sorry later:flyfun: