e90 330i

[digginz 3]

Hey all,

 

New member here...  Long time lurker, first time poster.
I've always been a JDM person at heart, but loved the Euros and their build quality.

Recently a e90 330i popped up on Trade Me http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1219168976

I went to check out the car yesterday, everything seems to be in pretty good order except for the adaptive lights have stopped working.
I've heard that it can cost up to a couple grand to have this fixed and would affect a WOF if not addressed.

This is the cheapest 330i I've seen, is this too good to be true?  Would the low price be right for headlight work to be done?

Apologies if this is the wrong section, but there seems to be more traffic coming through here than the Trade Me part.

 

Any info would be awesome!

[qube 3570]

Welcome to the forum.

I have to say, there are a lot of new posts from new members asking about E90's in general nowadays. 

They have certainly come down in price and are an attractive model for those getting into the BMW/European car experience.

 

few notes regarding the car above:

- price is quite fair for what it is

- what it is, is a poverty spec nothing special e90 sedan with no options. it is a base model, not msport so doesnt have the nicer bodykit, m suspension or steering wheel, factory wheels, etc.

- the good thing is it is relatively love kms for a 2005 model (first year of production) and does not have iDrive (which can be a negative for those who want the screen but otherwise its less to go wrong)

- seems like decent service history but it is a Jap import not NZ new which is a minus (reflects in the price and doesnt necessarily mean its bad)

- keep in mind that these cars do and will need maintenance around the 100k kms mark, things like water pump, cooling system components such as thermostat, possibly radiator, hoses, drive belt, ac belt, tensioners, pulleys, power steering reservoir, power steering lines, maybe brake pads and rotors, suspension componants etc etc.

 

At the end of the day, if you have a budget of say 10k or there abouts, this could be a really nice car for you to buy, and slowly spend some money on. What you will get is a nice reliable european vehicle with great 3L NA power, nice (but soft-ish) suspension/ride unless you decide to upgrade springs/shocks/wheels and it still has the nice leather seats!

But dont think that you will get away without spending a bit on maintenance stuff, the car will treat you as well as you treat it! and they like to be pampered. You wont be able to abuse it and neglect on this service work otherwise your car will give up on you and you will be crying in a ditch somewhere.

 

Final note: if you have a bigger budget, it sometimes pays to spend a bit more to get one that ticks more options such as msport (completely different car to a non msport base model such as this) and you can also find ones that are possibly NZ new and have a sunroof etc because afterall, you dont want to 'settle' for something because it seems cheap at first. It may cost you more in the long run than forking out a bit more initially and end up with a nice/better spec'd example.

 

 

(I should really start a NZ specific E90 buying guide, seems like I am repeating myself too many times lately..)

 

 

 

 

 

[Matth5 471]

Contact some BMW Specialists to see what it would likely cost. Maybe send it for a pre-purchase check and ask for them to quote on that at the same time.

Expect more issues to come up shortly after purchase, budget for it. There's always something.

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2957]

There is a difference between auto-dipping headlights and fully adaptive. From the spec of the car (no options) and the pictures it doesn't look like it has adaptives.

Provided you can still dip the full beams through the indicator stalk then it won't be a WoF issue.

As above, send it to a BMW specialist for a full pre-purchase inspection so you know what you are getting into.

[digginz 3]

Awesome, thanks for the feedback.  I have the seller taking it in for a Pre-Inspection tomorrow.

Another note:  It's a Singapore Import, I've heard from people that these can be an issue due to the humidity.  But it has been in the country since 2008, so I would imagine that anything that could have gone wrong would have done so already?

Yep, I've done my research and am aware of the maintenance costs that come with it.  I'm very meticulous with my cars, so regular servicing will be carried out.
I see where you're coming from with the higher spec'd models, fortunately for me I do have a weekend car for those "spirited" drives.

This will be more of the daily/cruiser  :-)

Is it also worth getting a mechanical warranty?

Edited December 22, 2016 by digginz

[Matth5 471]

Mechanical warranty is worth it. Autosure has lost thousands on my 335i haha.

330i's are pretty good though, but I'd still lean towards getting the warranty for peace of mind. 

Edited December 22, 2016 by Matth5

[KwS 2425]

FYI, check the VIN options. Its well specced. Sports suspension, Sports seats, active steering, light package, Monaco blue although fake leather (sensatec).

If its been looked after and an inspection clears it, i think its a good buy.

[qube 3570]

Mechanical insurance is rubbish imo.

 

It forces u to get trans fluid changed, regular oil changes at reputable service centres only and this alone costs about $1.5k over 3 years. Add that to the cost of the warranty $2k thats $3.5k either in your pocket (less oil changes) so approx $3k to spend on maintenance. With a $500 excess and 1 componant per claim, you lose out unless you have some major issues with engine or trans but a ppi should give you a heads up on this. 

Mechanical warranty is a no in my books for this kind of car. A 335i with twin turbos? Diff story.

[Gaz 1061]

The only mechanical insurance company I know of that makes you have a trans service is Janseens. The likes of Autosure are very good and require an oil change once a year or every 12-15km. Even through the dealer it is only about $300 and if they note anything wrong, can be repaired with Autosure approval. Your excess is policy dependent so can have a $200 excess if you like. Some companies allow multiple oil leaks to be repaired under the one excess too. 

Research and reading the fine print are key. 

[digginz 3]

Update:

 

Just got the car back from PPI, no real major issues.  

Notes:  

Needs 2 new front tires.  
There is a little residue of coolant on the under tray next to the plastic clips,
A very tiny bit residue of oil from the transmission sump plug, its covered with dust so doesn't seem fresh.  Mechanic said not even worth mentioning but still needs to included as a note.

Also it being an ex-Singapore there could be an issue trying to find a replacement electrics computer, as most of the parts carried here are either NZ or Japanese based.

Does anyone have any experience with the electrics side for ex-Singapore?

 

Other than the above everything else is cosmedic for the cars age, e.g. Headliner and a couple dents here and there.

Based on the report and checking the VIN (thanks KsW) I think the car is pretty well spec'd for the price, will be picking it up this arvo!  :-)

I plan on taking it in the new year for a full service, although I'd do the Oil Change myself.

[Olaf 3317]

Welcome, Calvin.  Looks like a reasonable buy.  Suggest you use a BMW specialist such Page European or Auto38 (if you're in Wellington City), there are others in the Hutt.  

Approaching 100k kms, a cooling system service, and a trans service will be wise investments.  

Enjoy!  Oh, and take a look at the Meetings section, we do get together in Wellington from time to time.  Come along and meet some other Bimmersport enthusiasts. 

 

EDIT: If I had my time again, I'd have bought mech insurance for my e46.  A trans rebuild would have been paid for on excess, and even with the cost of the insurance, I'd still be ahead.

 

Edited December 25, 2016 by Olaf

[digginz 3]

Awesome thanks. I plan on taking to Page Euro for a good service, I've just done a oil change on my own.  

 

I was talking to a mate of mine who was a service tech for bmw for 10 years, he said if the warranty doesn't include maintenance it isn't worth it. As long as service is up to date and is looked after, the 330i are pretty good engine/trans wise.

[Olaf 3317]

getting a good look over by your chosen specialist will make a difference.  As a number of wise blokes have said to me, It may be low-mileage though high hours!  Looking forward to seeing yours, I do like Monaco Blue.

I've pretty much given up on an e90 now, my son has grown 3cm in the last 2 months.  there just won't be enough space in the back of an e90 for him within a few months.  Disappointing from a purely selfish perspective, I really like the e90 330i power plant.

[eliongater 718]

10 hours ago, Olaf said:

getting a good look over by your chosen specialist will make a difference.  As a number of wise blokes have said to me, It may be low-mileage though high hours!  Looking forward to seeing yours, I do like Monaco Blue.

I've pretty much given up on an e90 now, my son has grown 3cm in the last 2 months.  there just won't be enough space in the back of an e90 for him within a few months.  Disappointing from a purely selfish perspective, I really like the e90 330i power plant.

He should fit in an e60 though, same power plant

[Olaf 3317]

yeah I'm seriously considering an e60 oil burner.  Just got to find one with reasonable mileage that hasn't been knocked around.  535D would be really cool, don't come up as often.  Don't think I *really* need the wagon - they seem a lot more spendy, too.

Edited December 27, 2016 by Olaf

[KiwiTT 23]

I have been told that oil burners need a lot of regular long distance runs, else their systems start to 'gum up' or whatever else and if you only do lots of short commutes, a petrol is a better bet.

Friends of mine have traded there brand new diesels in on petrol cars because of that.

 

Edited December 28, 2016 by KiwiTT

[Olaf 3317]

aye.  I'm doing 35kms (~40 mins) each way for work, and there's been around 5k of long trips this year.  I think this will work okay to avoid any DPF issues.  

 

Edited December 29, 2016 by Olaf

[digginz 3]

I've taken the car to Page European in Wellington.  It's getting a Trans Fluid Change and Filter replacement, there is a small leak near the radiator so just needs the plastic connector replaced.

I've asked about the Water Pump and they seem to think it should be ok.  

Should I be replacing the water pump regardless as a preventative measure?  Or will it be ok until it needs replacing?

[Olaf 3317]

I tend to listen to what these guys have to say, in the same way I'd put my trust in Glenn from Botany Motor Works.  They know their onions.