e90 Long Term Maintenance

[Webmaster]

I need some wisdom from e90 owners that have loads of miles under the belt.
I have a 2008 320i and I was considering extending the MP (time/distance) once the current one runs out. Quote from BMW is just shy of R20K for 1 year/10000km extension.
I have attached a copy of the up to date MP works list (CIA report?) hoping to show you what had been already done on the car.
In light of the items replaced is 10000km really worth R20K?
I mean, now that the wear and tear items are sorted should I let the MP go? Surely I don't need to spend R20K every year on maintenance.

Any advice is very welcome.

Kindest,
Sasha

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

put the money in a good savings account, and take care of services and possible repairs through a reputable independent service provider.

 

[Webmaster]

put the money in a good savings account, and take care of services and possible repairs through a reputable independent service provider.

Suppose you're right. I could get a recon engine for R20K really.
Anything else you guys can think of that would let go at around 100.000km?

 

[Dippies]

My car has now been out of motorplan for 44k km spend 16 k on it since only service and replaced the clutch and dual mass flywheel. No other issues ever. Car is nou out of motor plan for the last 4 years.

 

[Andy1GP]

I wouldn't extend, however ask them for a time extension only of 1 year. The 10,000km is worth like R14k of that quote. Time is cheap.

Depending how many km's you have left to reach 100k km?

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I see it's 92xxx km. If you not going to exceed 8000km within the year I would consider extending purely for the resale value, else don't be afraid. It's not dark on the other side of motorplan

 

[Webmaster]

Thanks Dippies, must say I feel greatly relieved.
According to CIA the clutch was done 34K ago, maybe I should let the missus drive more, that way I'd get a new clutch in 5K! :biglol:

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I wouldn't extend, however ask them for a time extension only of 1 year. The 10,000km is worth like R14k of that quote. Time is cheap.

Depending how many km's you have left to reach 100k km?

---

I see it's 92xxx km. If you not going to exceed 8000km within the year I would consider extending purely for the resale value, else don't be afraid. It's not dark on the other side of motorplan

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Thanks Andy1GP,

Oddo is currently on 94550km and my MP is valid to 01/08/14 or 105K.
I've had the car for 4.5mo and I've done 10279km. The time extension won't do...
The only resale path for this car is back to BMW for a diesel, but that will have to wait.
With the tech support on this forum, maintenance should be a breeze.

:thumbs:

 

[Andy1GP]

Maintenance on the E90 is simple. No more difficult than the E46 you don't have much to worry about. Enjoy the sheer driving pleasure

 

[phantom]

If you do decide to leave motorplan do yourself a favour and cut out the catalytic.The car will be lighter on fuel,have more power and cut down on the heat being forced back into the motor.

 

[Dippies]

mine also with software and Decat.

 

[Caddy101]

If you do decide to leave motorplan do yourself a favour and cut out the catalytic.The car will be lighter on fuel,have more power and cut down on the heat being forced back into the motor.

Really? Interesting... I did not know this.

Are you sure?

:fencelook:

 

[Webmaster]

+1 mine also with software and Decat.

Yes, but you guys drive forced induction where software returns good gains. I think 'doing up' a N46 is not really value for money for the small % gain. My mind is leaning towards trading in for a BMW worth keeping, like a 320d.
Does anyone on the forum have a tweaked N46 block?

 

[AlexTDI]

If you do decide to leave motorplan do yourself a favour and cut out the catalytic.The car will be lighter on fuel,have more power and cut down on the heat being forced back into the motor.

Don't the E90's have a sensor by the cat?

Wouldn't you need a CAT fooler or software to write out the sensor?

 

[Dippies]

If you do decide to leave motorplan do yourself a favour and cut out the catalytic.The car will be lighter on fuel,have more power and cut down on the heat being forced back into the motor.

Don't the E90's have a sensor by the cat?

Wouldn't you need a CAT fooler or software to write out the sensor?

Yes o2 censor but it gets disabled by the tuner.

 

[Webmaster]

Dippies, lets say I do the intake, exhaust and software on the stock 115KW N46, what can I expect to gain? 5%? 7%?

 

[Dippies]

Best guys to awnser that question is the tuners on the forum, I would post a thread in the advertisers section and let the tuners explain it better to you. :thumbs:

 

[Webmaster]

Best guys to awnser that question is the tuners on the forum, I would post a thread in the advertisers section and let the tuners explain it better to you. :thumbs:

Doing it now. :thumbs:

 

[Andy1GP]

Dippies, lets say I do the intake, exhaust and software on the stock 115KW N46, what can I expect to gain? 5%? 7%?

Those are very realistic gains. Most people expect 20% on an NA which is not possible.

The argument is, spend the same money on a 320d and as apposed to 7% gains you looking at 40% gains. And better economy and resale...

 

[Webmaster]

I've been talking to Rolf about possible upgrades, but ultimately a 320i is not a great starting point. I'm having a hard time letting her go because of the Exclusive spec level - if I do find a 320d with similar/better spec from BMW then I will trade in.
If I end up keeping the 320i then I at least want the output on par with an LCI 320i.
I feel like screaming just a bit now...:yuck:

 

[AlexTDI]

Not so sure you will get a better resale value on a modded car, When I find my 320D I want it to be dead stock!

 

[freakazoid]

I see all of the positive replies are from people who are not driving E90 320s. Nothing yet from 320 owners?

Well let me break the ice. My 320i has been out of MP since December 2010 and now has 154 000km.

My costs are as follows

1. 2011 - R6700
2. 2012 - R12500
3. 2013 - R13000

They include normal servicing and one set of tyres. The repairs were crankshaft sensor, tappet cover gasket x 2, sump gasket, crank case vent valve x2, radiator with pipes, valvetronic, ecentric?? shaft, vacuum pump. I still need to do valve stem seals so add another R5k - R7k. My clutch also has a shudder on it.

Personally I would not advise anyone to buy an E90 320i. Minimum must be 320d. If you can't afford a 320d then buy another brand.