howdy folks

[Marcel83]

afternoon all,


almost a new BMW owner and looking to join like minded freaks for tips / advice / general k@k praat.

this will be my 1st BMW so im doing some research.

almost ready to take the plunge on a 330i, have a budget of R150 000 and i'll be looking for a white 1 like this with the sports pack, and needs to have NAV as well.

Roof, tailgate spoiler, front bumper, mirrors will be black vinyl coated like in the pic - I know this has been done to death but to me it looks pure class & sporty.

she wont do heavy duty mileage , I do max 1000km per month.

I will probably do software later next year as soon as I get the asthetics of the car sorted to my liking, but nothing riced like pipe/filter like I used to do back in the day with 1.4 golf...lol


QUESTIONS : im looking towards a 2006/2007 model, which is likely to have +- 150 000km, so :
1. what should I look out for when viewing the car
2. what are the general problems on the E90 330i
3. Good aftermarket warranty
4. good place/person to service around Gauteng (east rand)
5. general maintenance cost

thanks fella's

 

[Lizzard]

A 2006-2007 model means a pre-facelift, the vehicle in the picture has or looks like it has 4 lines on the bonnet, led indicators meaning it is a facelift.

Anyway, I drive a 330i preface lift E90, 2005 model, nav, sunroof etc. No motorsport but it still looks the look to me that is.

Regarding what to look for, well on mine I will tell you what happened to mine:

Purchased it middle last year, replaced the following units:
* Steering pump - this always goes on these old cars (meaning the years, not the car itself), its like R4K with a bit of DIY
* Navigation - well I have the old E60 mask unit one which is the arrow navigation, if you do the purchase make sure you have one with a dual view, where map is on the right hand side (CCC navigation units). None of which is upgradable so you will need to retrofit the newest CIC units to access a beter navigation, but don't let this make the decision but it is something you will need to look at.
* Water pump - it is outside the motor and is quite expensive and will be one of the things you will need to replace eventually. Is like R6K at Goldwagen and R9K at bmw stealers sorry: I mean dealers) Also a DIY with these prices

As far as driving the beast (for me that is coming from a 316i E36), she is thirsty so be ok with a R750 fuel bill per 440km in traffic (moderate driving) and 7L/100km on the freeway once in cruise mode. You cant go wrong with this purchase but if your not to bad off maybe look for the 330d as it is a powerhouse and performs almost the same if left standard. You cant really do software upgrade on the 330i as it will have little gain compared to it diesel counterpart where you will make a beast if you DP and software it.

Hope this helps a bit In the decision making of it.

 

[Marcel83]

thanks for the reply Lizzard...noted thx bud!

I noticed the waterpump on most of the international forums so I will definitely keep some change aside for that and buy that as soon as I get the car, rather do that and get it done. ideally i'd like to have a 10k bucket available when buying the car and keep that aside.

also know about the locking system which can be sentimental.

im not really keen on getting anything turbo again, have opel astra coupe and its been killing my bank account with this and that and and and. in my simple mind, turbo means more parts that needs more maintenance that cost more...especially on a BMW.

I contemplated about the D but decided against it, simply for reliability and maintenenance cost issues. (unless I am uninformed about the BMW D range). the less parts it has less can go wrong...lol

 

[Lizzard]

Never had a locking system problem, but hey don't know about that.

Agree 100% with you in regards to the turbo counterpart, it has more that can go wrong and plus it is a diesel, click click from that engine bay will make me climb a wall with only my teeth.

The Diesel can achieve massive improvements in regards to torque and hp due to the turbo, 700NM torque (modified) vs our 320NM torque (stock). Cant go wrong with them but like you say, that turbo is just another headache waiting for you, and to think my friends turbo E90 320D just blew as he took a turn in a 4 way stop street. Like WTF! no warning, nothing.

Oh and I forgot to say I had to replace the slave cylinder this past Saturday but she drives like a kitten now. Tiger when needed and that N/A 6 cylinder engine sound, where is my car .... need to take a drive now.:rollsmile:

 

[Marcel83]

hahahahaha, ja that 330i sounds BOSSSS....puts me into fapping mode.

would a freeflow system sound a bit overwhelming on the 330....
I like a nice rumble, like the Scooby's...but living with it day in and day out can be a bit much

suppose a 320/323/325 will suffice, but I have been on superbikes only for the last 8 yrs, only bought a car last year cause of a new lil pink foot that made her arrival...so I kinda need that "power fix".

700nm sounds like tyre murder to me...AKA ching ching bye bye

 

[Lizzard]

There is a thread here of someone who wants to change his exhaust to make a louder sound as someone stated a polo with a k&n filter has a louder noise. Below is the link to the exhaust

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=69191

Honestly, I have googled the lights out of it, removing the rear box will make a massive improvement in sound, but will drive you up the walls on a daily driver. Like doing 120km/h at 2500rpm constant, hummmmmmmm

Then you can decat it but you have to install cat foolers for that and then it only gives you like barely noticeable improvement and noise, that rear box is our problem as it holds back all the noise. Straight pipe but then the hummm.

Read the link and see how we chat about it. BUT if you do it please post as there is a bunch of us in this boat. But you cant go wrong buying one of them 330i that is. They are awesome cars and I will not trade mine for anything. That sat nav, sunroof and the black, it just does it for me. :blowheart:

 

[moesaley]

if thats the car you looking for PM me. i may be ready to part with mine

 

[Lizzard]

I'll tell you the exact maintenance cost as off 2 months ago:

Service parts (from BMW parts)
* Spark plugs - R264.48 per plug (require 6)
* Oil 5w40 - R90 per liter (require 8, 7.5 goes into car once)
* Filters
Air - R510.90
Cabin - R819.79
Oil - R182.47

Hope this helps in the maintenance costs, but please remember these prices is from the stealers and most probably cheaper at Goldwagen or Midas. :rollsmile: