Info on future purchase

[Fredster]

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.

Ouch, but not much more than any other vehicle. Does it use Synthetic oil, and why not buy 2 x 5L?

 

[KPM3_30]

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.

Ouch, but not much more than any other vehicle. Does it use Synthetic oil, and why not buy 2 x 5L?

I agree, 5l x 2 means that there is enough for 1 service + top up's, you'll only need to buy one 5l for the second service as well. works out far cheaper.

 

[Lizzard]

you must only use synthetic oil and only 5w40 (bmw supplied me with this). I think the 10w40 or 20w50 is cheaper but not recommended (those you buy at midas or so)

These cars don't really use oil, so don't go cheap on this (meaning go for something like 10w40). I topped mine up like last year June and it has barely dropped.

---

Another thing that might BUG you like me is that this car E90 330i doesn't have a dipstick, physically that is and also no heat gauge.

Dipstick is being read from the dash by selecting it in the menu and heat gauge, well put your hand against the bonnet and feel it (can't tell you how to do that except going into the OBD menu's each and every time)

 

[Fredster]

Back to what to look out for. Anything specific? I know that the waterpump needs replacing around 120k (prevention rather than cure) and coil packs can be troublesome

 

[KPM3_30]

Philip Foglar on the forum has an e90 330i, have a read through his threads.

http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/search.php?action=results&sid=f4f0d38429a9404d4741b0b959097194

 

[Lizzard]

Power steering pump also a problem on them. Had 2 x 330i bmw's and replaced both of them. They like R9K from stealer and about R3K from www.g-drive.co.za (if I said g-drive then It would sound stupid, lol).

Drive shaft, but that is easy to tell, if you car has like a knocking sound the moment you come to stop, like the hallo from a non invited family member. then replace the guilbo and that on the shaft.

The normal bmw issue, on my 3rd bmw now, the wishbones, if you drive and it feels like the car is swinging on the road then replace these pappies. Had to replace them on the previous 2 but planning to replace it on this one.

 

[RC335i]

Lizzard is spot on...

The 330i is quite a "care free" machine.
I personally would suggest a 330d but I hear you on the pricing and KM aspect, that would swing me to the 330i as well.
If you don't mind the excercize on the left leg and go for the 330i then don't think twice about it. Get the 6 speed mt... :coolShake: