[HollowmanVIII]

Since swapping my E92, I really miss the car and the toys it had. However my main gripe at the moment is driving a diesel, I just don't find it fun and the sound at idle is awful.

My last car was a 325i with the PE, I miss that rumble on startup and smooth ride. Seeing as my annual mileage is now going to be somewhat less, I have started looking for 330i E92's which seem very rare really.

Would you still consider a pre lci one? My budget is around 11k, seen a 58 plate one with paddles, idrive, heated etc

Just wondering whether I'll hate the CCC idrive after having CIC.

[texasjohn]

Is it an N52 or N53 engine?

If I was going to have a N53 I'd probably seek a car with CIC.

How about an N55 LCI saloon for that price

[HollowmanVIII]

Originally Posted by texasjohn

Is it an N52 or N53 engine?

If I was going to have a N53 I'd probably seek a car with CIC.

How about an N55 LCI saloon for that price

I imagine it's the N53 if it's a late 2008/early 2009 model being a 58 plater.

Is CCC really THAT bad? :d

[texasjohn]

Originally Posted by HollowmanVIII

I imagine it's the N53 if it's a late 2008/early 2009 model being a 58 plater.

Is CCC really THAT bad? :d

It's right on the cusp, IIRC.

As for CCC...Nah, it's not too bad, I had it in my E61 V8 right after a 335i with CIC. It's a bit slower, it's less fancy, but it does the job fine.

But if I was going for a 330i I'd look out for an N52, myself. I don't think I'd spend 11k though, when low mileage 335i are out there for that kind of price!

I've just got a car with NBT. I think I prefer the CIC in some ways...

Edit: Just realised you're talking about coupes. In which case LCI is loads later, but personally I prefer the looks of the earlier E92.

[sleepysnake]

After reading about all of the issues to do with the N53, I would stick with an older and cheaper N52.

[Dormermike]

Not like the n53 is as bad as the n43 though is it!?!

The n53 is a peach when it's running right.

[abeardo83]

from what i've heard, the newer engine can be temperamental. The n52 at i's time was a state of the art engine, and proved very reliable.

The CCC iDrive is crap though. The other half has an X3 with CIC, and my M3's CCC is garbage in comparison.

Personally I prefer the Pre LCI MSport body styling tbh. You can pick up LCI tail lights, and the other LCI interior bts liek the lightswitch and the starter button pretty cheaply to be honest.

[Jeff123]

Go for the LCI and (if you haven't got/driven one) try a 6 cylinder diesel engine - the latter 325's have these. I had one and loved the engine sound.

[imy]

Don't worry about the ccc. You can get android replacement screen for £350 that have Google maps, apps, Bluetooth streaming etc.

[richk84]

Look for the Highline models that came out in 2009. All are very good spec and come with CIC, Heated seats with memory, HiFi upgrade and auto wipers, auto lights, front and rear PDC etc.

I have a 330i and yes it's had it's injectors done but it's a great engine. Most 330i and 335i owners have had some issues. It comes with the territory unfortunately of owning a 3 litre car!

[HollowmanVIII]

The 330i I'm looking at is a 58 plate M-Sport Coupe, only 49k miles but it's £11,490 which I thought seemed a little steep?

[richk84]

Originally Posted by HollowmanVIII

The 330i I'm looking at is a 58 plate M-Sport Coupe, only 49k miles but it's £11,490 which I thought seemed a little steep?

Yes it is. Any certain colours?

[HollowmanVIII]

Originally Posted by richk84

Yes it is. Any certain colours?

I could potentially bargain them down but some dealers never budge. It's sapphire black, I really want black or white ideally

[HollowmanVIII]

http://www.wrenprestige.co.uk/200858...0-miles-11495/

This was the one I was eyeing up.

[angry_feet]

You can pick up a lot of high spec 325i n53s for a good price then get the throttle restriction lifted and some fine tuning done at a rolling road and it we be just the same as the 330i performance pretty much. I done the whole manifold swap with mosselman map to mine and it made a massive difference to performance but I can't image the manifold made that much difference I think it was mainly the remap.

[ed330D]

Nice car but a crazy price. At least £4K to £5K over priced. Walk away and do your research. Search the BMW used car site. 12 months BMW warranty, including European recovery, and should come with full BMW service history - the one you are looking at doesn't.

330i, 2010, £11k
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/2...b-2d22c356ca7e

335i 2012 £10.5k, it's an SE, but 335i se comes with most of the m-sport items (seats, suspension) except for styling.
https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/2...a-2a1544c717e9

Good luck with whatever you decide

[HollowmanVIII]

I'll keep an eye out. Funnily enough the one I linked has had a few hundred shaved off but it still seems vastly overpriced. Shame as it looks a well kept example.

[richk84]

I got my 330i from a BMW dealer and managed to negotiate a 2 year warranty. Something to consider

[HollowmanVIII]

Originally Posted by richk84

I got my 330i from a BMW dealer and managed to negotiate a 2 year warranty. Something to consider

Any regrets going 330i instead of a 335i?

I'm still on the lookout. It'll be a covering around 200 miles a week, the stories (although perhaps exaggerated) around turbos, wastegates, pumps etc on the 335i do put me off somewhat.

[richk84]

Originally Posted by HollowmanVIII

Any regrets going 330i instead of a 335i?

I'm still on the lookout. It'll be a covering around 200 miles a week, the stories (although perhaps exaggerated) around turbos, wastegates, pumps etc on the 335i do put me off somewhat.

No regrets from me, I prefer the NA power delivery and throttle response. I would test drive both if you are unsure. I will definitely be sticking to another NA engine after my 330i

[HollowmanVIII]

Originally Posted by richk84

No regrets from me, I prefer the NA power delivery and throttle response. I would test drive both if you are unsure. I will definitely be sticking to another NA engine after my 330i

You happy overall with the power of the 272bhp?

Did you fit the PE on yours?

[richk84]

Originally Posted by HollowmanVIII

You happy overall with the power of the 272bhp?

Did you fit the PE on yours?

Power is fine. Yea I fitted the PE and the intake. Sounds even better when roof is down