E90 330i LCI Advise

[Bavs108]

Hey Guys. I found a 2007 330i LCI for sale with 99500km on the clock so 500km left on the motorplan. I've got the service history of the car from bmw and there are no comments on the motorplan, however there are a few things on the service history that I'm uneasy about. Is there anything out of the ordinary about the history of this car? I've circled the areas that concern me such as the frequency at which the brake pads and discs were changed which suggests to me that the car may have been driven abnormally hard. Is it normal for them to be changed so frequently? Also what would be the cause of the suspension needing to be tightened?

 

[NavZ]

What is a 2007 330i LCI? :flyfun:
LCI wasn't out in '07, pretty sure it started in '09.
As for your question I don't know much but seems to me like that guy tracks the car or there is something damaging the pads? They should last much longer than that ?

 

[Twinz]

That car was definitely driven hard. The brakes i am not worried about its the constant suspension tightening. You will have to test drive this car and then decide. But a short drive is not going to be enough. Take it for a good drive in stop start traffic and a long drive and some sharp turns etc..

All the best with the decision. :thumbs:

 

[Iceman007]

What is a 2007 330i LCI? :flyfun:
LCI wasn't out in '07, pretty sure it started in '09.
As for your question I don't know much but seems to me like that guy tracks the car or there is something damaging the pads? They should last much longer than that ?

Yip LCI started in 2009 only. From 2008 the suspension on E90's were upgrade and made much better (They say its perfected and no more replacing bushes and arms)

The Suspension is what worries me. check all that Tighten Suspension and wheel allingment. I think this guy got Fedup with the Hassel and sold it. I would think twice

The Decision is yours to make

 

[Bavs108]

Thanks for the advise guys. As for the LCI, it's got the upgraded 200kw N52N motor which came out in mid 2007 as opposed to the 190kw N52 motor which preceded it. Even on the CIA report it lists the model as LCI. I assume the LCI's of 2009 were more cosmetic changes. I think I'll give this one a pass as I'm unable to test drive it and it doesn't have a sunroof:fencelook:

 

[Twinz]

Good call :thumbs:

 

[XMAX]

definitely a good idea to pass.

dont be impatient. the right car will find its way to you...

 

[Bavs108]

Yeah I'm in no rush to buy... Will wait for the right one to find me:thumbs:

 

[herr bmw]

you will know when it is the right one,for me it just stands out from the rest and when i put my hand on it,it just feels right.

be patient,and good luck with the hunt

 

[Bavs108]

Thank you herr:thumbs: yeah I'm trying to be as patient as possible but it does get frustrating at times. On the other hand I don't want to be rushed into making a decision and then end up regretting it later. The other thing I don't understand is how some guys are able to find the car they like and drive off with it on the same or next day. I think for me I need about a week to make a decision. Maybe I'm just extra cautious seeing as it's my 1st purchase:fencelook:

 

[herr bmw]

Thank you herr:thumbs: yeah I'm trying to be as patient as possible but it does get frustrating at times. On the other hand I don't want to be rushed into making a decision and then end up regretting it later. The other thing I don't understand is how some guys are able to find the car they like and drive off with it on the same or next day. I think for me I need about a week to make a decision. Maybe I'm just extra cautious seeing as it's my 1st purchase:fencelook:

it took me a couple of weeks and a couple of autotraders to find mine.

then one day just strolled into club motors fountains and the first car that stood out for me was the one i own.
and trust me there were a lot of cars on the floor,but this one just stood out for some reason,that when i knew it was mine,told the wife and she said do the deal.

she only saw the car 3 days later and even she said it was the one,had the same experience when i found her navara.saw it advertised in a paper,and went and had a look at 7pm,and i knew it was the one,the strange part was that the saleman was still there,he says he had a strange feeling that he must stay late as there was gonning to be someone coming to buy a car.

so hang in there,you will know when it is right:thumbs:

 

[Iceman007]

:thumbs:
:bravo:

 

[Philip Foglar]

That sounds like lots of hard braking and over nasty bumps for that matter! Now these are wear items so not too big a deal, but with this harder than normal driving what else has taken a beating?! So good call to pass on this one! There will be tons of better ones out there! :thumbs:

 

[///Shaun]

Chat to Archie from Bi-Rite Motors in Randburg. He has a E90 330i there by him. You can use my name if you like. its black on black with Sunroof. 011-7928743. All their cars come from BMW as trade ins.

:thumbs:

 

[Raybimmer]

Alot of work done lately ? The top item - performace too low - definately noticed by a spirited driver .:nonono:
Good call to pass on this one !!

 

[prospect]

Clutch Pedal Unpleasant Noises = used and abused :biglol:

 

[Bavs108]

Thanks guys, you just confirmed my initial suspicions about the car:thumbs: I find it amazing how much you can tell about a cars history without even physically seeing it, hence I'm taking my time finding the right one:idea: Unfortunately though, these cars don't come around in a hurry down in EL so I have to resort to sourcing them from the bigger cities, which makes it more tedious to make a decision. I won't fly all the way to another city until I'm absolutely happy that everything is in order..

Thanks Herr, by the way I thought the Bmw was Hers???:roflol: Just kidding, I recall reading your thread explaining the meaning of "Herr":thumbs:

Thanks for the recommendation Shaun, I'll send you a pm to get more details:thumbs:

On a side note, what am I getting into with regard to maintenance on an E90 if I get one out of motorplan?:fencelook:

 

[NavZ]

On a side note, what am I getting into with regard to maintenance on an E90 if I get one out of motorplan?:fencelook:

You're getting into an amazing car :thumbs: (They do not self-destruct after MP)

 

[///Shaun]

On a side note, what am I getting into with regard to maintenance on an E90 if I get one out of motorplan?:fencelook:

You're getting into an amazing car :thumbs: (They do not self-destruct after MP)

Hahahhaha

X 2

 

[Philip Foglar]

Just took another look through this list of things done and reported - this car has had a rough life, that's easy to see! Things like park-brake being adjusted a number of times - hand-brake turns? Basically apart from some minor wear from the shoes lightly brushing against the drum part of the disk will be marginal, and generally this friction material is only used to hold the car when parked, so theoretically shouldn't wear much over the life of the car. But, fair enough, hand-brake adjustment needs to be correct - too soft and your hand-brake is not sufficient, too tight and it binds like what happened to mine at the beginning of the year. Lots of loose interior items - driving fast over rough roads, and as said above, braking hard over the rough stuff too, not a good idea! Clutch slipping, and and and...