ffeng said:
Hi guys,
I'm thinking about switching from my 2006 e60 530d (150k on the clock) to a 2011 e90 330i (84k on the clock).
There is nothing wrong with my 530d, still drives smoothly and am quite happy with it. But it's 10years old, just thinking it might be time to switch.
The 330i I'm eyeing on has idrive, satnav, and still got motorplan until end of Nov (yes it is expiring very soon). Just a couple of questions I have that I need some answers from the fanatics.
1. Fuel consumption, I know 530d would beat 330i in this regard, but would 330i lose by far? I'm currently averaging 8.2L/100km, combined. What sort of average fuel consumption would 330i be?
2. Reliability, 530d has been quite sturdy, would e90 330i be as reliable? Any known problem to look out for?
3. Anything else to be careful with?
Not entirely sure if this is a sensible switch, as I am still enjoying my 530d, but just want to be on the safe side and switch early.
Any comments welcome!
You can see the diesel people on this forum :tiptoe:
OP, I drive an E90 330i manual, although it is a older model 2005. To answer your questions or queries,
1. My fuel consumption is between 10 - 12L / 100km with 12L being a bit of 80% spirit driving, I just hate a polo, if there is something like that. They idiots. If you drive the car with say 20% spirit driving you will get around the 10L/100km and if you hammer this car the whole day, well then you going to fill up sooner then you think, but this car's linear power is awesome, no asma pump crap and not to worry when that puppy is going to pack up. Worry free driving. On the freeway I get around the 7 - 8L/100km. My driving and fuel consumption is based 80% traffic with 20% highway daily
2. The reliability depends mostly on the owner and how he is or had been taking car of the car, if he decided that this car he bought wasnt a family saloon but more a street drag car usage, you get dumb people let me just put it out there. I bought mine with 187000km on the clock and today it is at 220000km on. Still going well. The service you will be looking at around R5000k for a full one, brakes and other suspension parts I do feel will be the same, front ones cost me R1200 and rears R600. I replaced the 2 bushes on the control arms this far, bmw design this stuff like crap and almost all bmw's will end up replacing these. I have to replace a rear shock mount, again a part that worns out over time. Clutch and thrust bearing noise, again as with wear they tend to go, also an all part replacement on all cars.
3. You will need to replace the waterpump and thermostat at some point as these are the parts that goes on this car, notorious for this e90 330i. Also a stupid design but hey this is bmw.
You are going to feel the 3 series being smaller then the 5 series, that is a given and at some stage you will feel it is a downgrade from what you had but the E90 330i is not a bad car. It has linear power so you wouldnt get that instant torque and the pull is going to feel slow. You cant really mod these 330i motor and I have heard of a guy on here you claims his 130i has so much more power, still need to see this but you cant really do the same as on the 530d where with some downpipe and few mods you can boost the power to incredible torque that will rip your back off just stepping to hard on the gas pedal.
Why do you want to do the change if I may ask, look these bmw's can go a lot more kilometers if looked after and it does sound like you are taking care of yours. If it is about just wanting to change because there might come problems later, well lets be honest here. THERE WILL BE on any of the bmw's. So dont change it because you heard something from someone or you scared something might break. Just dont. I drove my E36 to around 460 000km and it was still strong before I traded it. Just keep looking after the car and it will look after you.
It is a different story if you want to change cause you feel like you want to, then well the 330i isnt bad. It doesnt have that instant holy crap now something is happening feeling (torque) but it is more linear and before you know it you will be hurdling down the road faster then you thought.
The only thing that you will be sure of when you do do this trade, and no one can choose for you, is that your turbo worries will be history.Good luck in your choice and note that both these cars are awesome.
raise:
