Info on future purchase

[Fredster]

Hi All. I am looking to purchase a E90 330i (facelift) within the next 2 months. I would like to know what to look out for with regards to engine, gearbox (manual and auto) suspension etc. What fuel consumption can I expect while doing my daily drive in peak hour traffic (N1 north :blueCry, also will the manual box be too much on a daily basis? Thanks in advance

 

[Nemo]

I think these cars are pretty much bulletproof bud. Expect fuel consumption to be around 12/13l per 100 in traffic. Maybe a little more or less depending on your driving style.

 

[KPM3_30]

I think you would be better suited to a 330d if you're going to face a lot of traffic. Fuel consumption of the 3.0 engines in traffic is abysmal.

 

[Fredster]

I think you would be better suited to a 330d if you're going to face a lot of traffic. Fuel consumption of the 3.0 engines in traffic is abysmal.

I had a look on the net for a 330d. It is rare to find one with low kms (under 100k) and if you do, they have an eye watering price

 

[Lizzard]

I have one, a 2005 330i and I drive on the N1. I get between 11 and 13L per 100km, but then again I love spirit driving and HATE a GTI, had 3 of those idiots this morning blocking me.

On the freeway or open road I get around 7 to 9L per 100km which is good for me, and then with 3/4 traffic I am sitting currently on 12.2L/100km. But it depends, my foot is a bit heavy when a idiot is not using his right foot.

But you cant go wrong with them. 330d was just too much and those turbos and I have never been a fan of diesel cars, not my thing.

 

[Fredster]

I have one, a 2005 330i and I drive on the N1. I get between 11 and 13L per 100km, but then again I love spirit driving and HATE a GTI, had 3 of those idiots this morning blocking me.

On the freeway or open road I get around 7 to 9L per 100km which is good for me, and then with 3/4 traffic I am sitting currently on 12.2L/100km. But it depends, my foot is a bit heavy when a idiot is not using his right foot.

But you cant go wrong with them. 330d was just too much and those turbos and I have never been a fan of diesel cars, not my thing.

Thanks for the feedback. Do you have the manual or Steptronic?

 

[RAArmstrong]

I drive a manual in traffic daily (William Nicol, Witkoppen, Cedar) in general I dont mind it at all, just sometimes when the traffic is properly gridlocked it gets a little tedious

 

[Lizzard]

Manual, 6 speed, Satnav, sunroof, 18's etc.

 

[KPM3_30]

I drive a manual in traffic daily (William Nicol, Witkoppen, Cedar) in general I dont mind it at all, just sometimes when the traffic is properly gridlocked it gets a little tedious

I hate traffic and my car sits in traffic every morning and most afternoons. My next car will be auto and diesel..

 

[Fredster]

Manual, 6 speed, Satnav, sunroof, 18's etc.

Nice to hear. I am a bit worried about clutch judder especially when sitting gridlocked. I also travel between 14th and Rivonia daily, but I am not too keen n Auto as it feels a bit disconnected :thumbdo:

 

[RAArmstrong]

I drive a manual in traffic daily (William Nicol, Witkoppen, Cedar) in general I dont mind it at all, just sometimes when the traffic is properly gridlocked it gets a little tedious

I hate traffic and my car sits in traffic every morning and most afternoons. My next car will be auto and diesel..

Very rarely do I wish I had an auto tbh.. If the traffic is moving a bit she has the torque to just idle along in second :rollsmile:

 

[KPM3_30]

I drive a manual in traffic daily (William Nicol, Witkoppen, Cedar) in general I dont mind it at all, just sometimes when the traffic is properly gridlocked it gets a little tedious

I hate traffic and my car sits in traffic every morning and most afternoons. My next car will be auto and diesel..

Very rarely do I wish I had an auto tbh.. If the traffic is moving a bit she has the torque to just idle along in second :rollsmile:

The new 8 speed auto's tickle my fancy :rollsmile: Don't get me wrong, I love my manual box but in traffic I worry about the clutch.. With the auto, I don't care and find myself okay with traffic.

 

[Lizzard]

Not joking but I drove a Steptronic E46 330i and moved to this manual E90 330i, they are different cars.

I loved the auto for it makes long drives lovely, just point and shoot and press cruise control, the car does the rest.

But on the drives in traffic and bypass people the manual is the best, you cant shift like that auto (that step shift like a bullet) but hey, at least you are one with the car and is the one deciding which gear and how far in the rev band you want it. If you take long distance, open road, auto is the way I am telling you from experience. But for a quick between cars drive, the manual is the way.

O ya, that STEP had this nasty way of telling you that it just moved from 5th to 2nd at highway speed the moment you drop your foot to bypass the GOLF in front of you. That was something else.

 

[RAArmstrong]

Lol a Manual diesel is awesome on long journeys. I just leave it in 5th and dont touch it... Ever

 

[Fredster]

Lol a Manual diesel is awesome on long journeys. I just leave it in 5th and dont touch it... Ever

I agree, there is nothing that comes close the torque of a diesel.raise:

 

[Lizzard]

Manual, 6 speed, Satnav, sunroof, 18's etc.

Nice to hear. I am a bit worried about clutch judder especially when sitting gridlocked. I also travel between 14th and Rivonia daily, but I am not too keen n Auto as it feels a bit disconnected :thumbdo:

That is a problem, but so it is with every manual. I wouldn't warry too much about that, these clutches can take some hammering.

 

[Fredster]

Manual, 6 speed, Satnav, sunroof, 18's etc.

Nice to hear. I am a bit worried about clutch judder especially when sitting gridlocked. I also travel between 14th and Rivonia daily, but I am not too keen n Auto as it feels a bit disconnected :thumbdo:

That is a problem, but so it is with every manual. I wouldn't warry too much about that, these clutches can take some hammering.

I drove a manual a few days ago. I must say, I don't like the offset pedal placement but got used to it quickly. The gear selection is very close but my word, the power is awesome!!! Clutch was surprisingly light as well

 

[Lizzard]

Manual, 6 speed, Satnav, sunroof, 18's etc.

Nice to hear. I am a bit worried about clutch judder especially when sitting gridlocked. I also travel between 14th and Rivonia daily, but I am not too keen n Auto as it feels a bit disconnected :thumbdo:

That is a problem, but so it is with every manual. I wouldn't warry too much about that, these clutches can take some hammering.

I drove a manual a few days ago. I must say, I don't like the offset pedal placement but got used to it quickly. The gear selection is very close but my word, the power is awesome!!! Clutch was surprisingly light as well

The only thing I do have a problem with, and there is always a thing you don't like is the shift from 1st to 2nd, always feels as if I forgot to clutch and shift, it's hard. But except that I love this thing.

 

[Fredster]

Manual, 6 speed, Satnav, sunroof, 18's etc.

Nice to hear. I am a bit worried about clutch judder especially when sitting gridlocked. I also travel between 14th and Rivonia daily, but I am not too keen n Auto as it feels a bit disconnected :thumbdo:

That is a problem, but so it is with every manual. I wouldn't warry too much about that, these clutches can take some hammering.

I drove a manual a few days ago. I must say, I don't like the offset pedal placement but got used to it quickly. The gear selection is very close but my word, the power is awesome!!! Clutch was surprisingly light as well

The only thing I do have a problem with, and there is always a thing you don't like is the shift from 1st to 2nd, always feels as if I forgot to clutch and shift, it's hard. But except that I love this thing.

I can imagine. I am planning to service and fix the vehicle myself. Are parts like brake pads, disks, fuel/oil filters etc available at Midas, or how does the prices compare to the dealers?

 

[Lizzard]

I use only 2 places

Bemow which is in Pretoria west, and then I compare that to Menlyn BMW stealers, sorry dealers.

I did a service and without the ridiculous fuel filter (almost R2K by itself alone), it cost me from the stealers R2K for the parts, including a R800 oil as you need 7 little 1L pines of oil at a cant believe price.

Brakes, I bought a front set for R800 from bemow.