The Ultimate BMW E90 Buyers guide.
It's a lazy Sunday afternoon and you are browsing Trademe / Gumtree or Ebay and Bang a good deal on a E90 330i pops up only $3000. But what is the true cost? You think to yourself why not buy myself a little Money pit to enjoy. The German engineering is calling you with it's beautiful design and complexity. In all seriousness if you can handle the maintenance these cars are a tremendous value for money. But every BMW will require a little bit of love or it will leave you stranded, broken and sad. BMW's need proper servicing and care or they will break. Japanese cars are designed to take abuse and still function everyday. Once you read this guide you will be an expert on the E9X and be able to purchase a properly maintained car that will give you many years of loyal service. There is no reason why any loved E9X couldn’t last for 300,000 kms or more.
The basics of buying any used car:
Go watch videos 1 through 5 of Chris Fix’s buying a used a car it's not worth writing up the basic's here. This blog is for the ones wanting to know exactly what to look for!
“I found a car I want to buy, what do I do next?”
Ask the seller if they have any service records. Then take the car for an independent pre-purchase inspection at a shop that specializes in European cars. This is vital as they can scan the car with a very expensive diagnostic tool and know everything that is wrong with the car. Even expert car buyers can't see everything being with the car for an hour. If an Independent PPI is not available we recommend using a scan tool like Blue Driver (Paid Amazon affiliate link). We personally use this product and find it is the best scan tool for us.
All of the different models:
E90= Sedan
E91= Wagon
E92= Coupe
E93= Convertible
LCI vs Non LCI
LCI = Life Cycle Impulse: The facelift of the E9X starting with the 2009 model year. LCI cars have different taillights, headlights, mirrors, hood, trunk, climate controls, sun visors, navigation system, and a few more bits and bobs. They removed engine insulation, keyhole for the trunk, cooling for the center console, flashlight in the glove box, rear cup holders, rear storage nets and ruined the base stereo. LCI cars hold a few thousand premium over pre-LCI.
Options, engines and models will vary depending on your location of origin for the vehicle.
Pre-LCI Models:
2006 BMW 330i
255HP 3.0l N52 NA inline six cylinder
2006 BMW 325i:
215HP 2.5l N52 NA inline six cylinder
2007-2008 BMW 328i:
231HP 3.0l N52 NA inline six cylinder
2007-2008 BMW 335i:
302HP N54 Twin Turbo inline six cylinder
LCI Models:
2009-2013 BMW 328i:
231HP 3.0l N52 NA inline six cylinder
2009-2010 BMW 335i:
302HP N54 or N55 Twin Turbo inline six cylinder
(*2009-2010 335i cars may have a N54 or N55)
2011-2013 BMW 335i:
302HP N55 Single Turbo inline six cylinder
2011-2013 BMW 335is:
322HP N54 Twin Turbo inline six cylinder
2009-2011 BMW 335d:
282HP M57 Turbo Diesel six cylinder
SULV cars have the N51 which is a modified N52. N51 cars have more emissions BS.
Naturally aspirated (NA) cars are the most reliable of the E9X. BMW have been making NA inline six cylinder engines for forever and it shows. The 335i is a rocket ship and you can very easily make almost 500HP with basic bolt on parts like a wutang war whistle. The 335d is a torque monster but can be nightmare when it comes to saving mother nature. The emissions system has been known to fail and cost a lot of money to repair.
X-Drive or four-wheel drive is available for all models. Only get an X-Drive car only if you need it. X-Drive cars are noticeably harder and more expensive to maintain over RWD cars. Not to mention it is harder to slide...
Pricing for the E9X can range with the 320i can be as low as $1500 for a barely running model to $35k for a very cheap M3
Packages: (This was pulled from the 2009 options list. Different years had slightly different options and packages.)
ZCW Cold Weather Package:
465 Fold down rear seats w/ski bag
494 Heated front seats
502 Retractable headlight washers
ZPP Premium Package:
319 Universal Garage Door Opener
430 Auto-dimming mirrors
431 Auto-dimming rearview mirror
459 Power front seats 488 Lumbar support
4NA Digital compass mirror
639 BMW Assist w/Bluetooth System LC Leather Dakota
ZSP Sport Package
255 Sports leather steering wheel or 2XA Sport steering wheel w/paddles
2S1 17" wheels w/ mixed tires (style 286)
481 Sport seats
704 Sport suspension
760 Shadowline trim
840 Increased top speed limiter
Options:
205 STEPTRONIC automatic trans. 2KU 17" wheels w/all-season tires (style 285)
2XA Sport steering wheel w/paddles
322 Comfort Access system
417 Manual side/rear power shades
459 Power front seats
465 Fold down rear seats w/ski bag
494 Heated front seats
4A3 Light Burl Walnut trim
4B9 Aluminum Trim
508 Park Distance Control
522 Xenon headlights
541 Active Cruise Control
609 Navigation system
639 BMW Assist w/Bluetooth System
653 HD radio 655 Satellite radio w/1 year sub.
677 Logic7 sound system
6FL iPod and USB adapter
Options and packages are very important on any BMW. They can add thousands in value over other cars. It is not like most other car's were you have two choices of interior color and that is about it. Make sure you get the options you want as retrofitting them latter can be a difficult and expensive task. Run each vin through https://www.bmwvin.com/ to see all of the options each car has.
IMO, I would not buy a E9X without Xenon headlights and the convenience package.
Reliability, common problems and maintenance.. What's the real cost?
Finally at last the good stuff
First off the N46B20 featured in the 320i
Our personal opinion this car is a nightmare and should be avoided at all costs.
The common problems are high oil consumption, vibration caused by the VANOS variable valve timing system, leaking valve stem seals, and rattling noises caused by worn timing chain tensioner and guides.
The VANOS solenoid very rarely fail. However, it could leak oil from the electrical connector in some cases, which would require it to be replaced so keep any eye on this.
The circled object is the timing chain tensioner. You can see the plastic guide holding the timing chain in place.
Unfortunately, BMW used a plastic guide rail which was known to fail. This is a significant problem and can affect a few different models of BMW.
Indications that the N46 tensioner or the guide rail is failing may include the following symptoms:
- Engine rattles while idling
- Noisy engine at the front, particularly from a cold start
- Engine misfires or runs poorly
- Metal shavings are found in the oil
- The N46 engine won’t start or fails
- The N46 check engine light is on
- Error codes for camshaft sensors appear when the sensors are OK
BMW N46 Engine Used Plastics In Various Systems
If you have owned a 20 year old BMW you know that usage of plastic parts in the coolant system is an epidemic. BMWs as far back as the E36 Series needed their entire coolant system to be replaced every 100,000 kms or else things would randomly start cracking. The N46 unfortunately is no different, it used plastics in the engine, cooling, and ventilation systems, and they can become brittle with age and eventually crumble.
The oldest N46 engines are almost 20 years old, so replacing all the fittings as a preventative measure is always a good idea.
If you want a reliable car go buy a Toyota product. These are dependable cars, not reliable cars. If you let the car go for maintenance it will total itself out. If you keep up with it you will never join the tow truck club.
N52, N54 and N55 powered cars:
Electric water pump and thermostat:
All E9X cars have an electric water pump that will go out past 100,000 kms. It is common practice to replace this before it leaves you stranded. Cost: $1500 at a shop or DIY for $649 for N52 or $699 for N54/5
N52 Water Pump kit
N54 / N55 Water Pump kit
Starter failure:
The starter, especially on early cars, tends to go out at around 120kms . Cost: $600 to $1300 at a shop or $350 DIY
Belt tensioner:
Sometimes the tensioner will start to bend causing the belt to slip off and grenade everything around it. Cost: (if nothing was damaged): $300 to $600 at a shop, $100 DIY.
Oil filter housing gasket:
The OFHG will start to leak around 120kms. The oil will drip onto the belt and destroy the belt. If this happens you run the risk of causing extensive damage to the engine. Cost: $300 to $600 at a shop, $100 DIY.
Valve cover gasket with eccentric shaft sensor seal:
Every single BMW has a leaky VCG around 80kms. Cost: $600 to $1000 at a shop or $100 DIY
Oil pan gasket:
The oil pan gasket will start to sweat at around 120kms and require replacement before 140kms. Cost: $700 to $1800 at a shop, $100 DIY. This is an absolute pain of a job as you have to drop the subframe of the car to access the oil pan.
N54:
Intake carbon buildup:
Carbon will build up in the intake side of the head. This needs to be walnut
blasted away between 35k and 50k Cost: $350 to $800. $300 DIY the first time then $30 every time after.
Waste gate rattle:
This can be fixed by turning the rear actuator rod 2.5 turns and shimming the front actuator with two, U shaped #8 washers. This fix is temporary in nature which can last 1,000 or 40,000kms or more. other options involve cutting and welding a new wastegate flap. $??? alot.
Coil packs:
The coils will go bad and cause a misfire. Cost: $900 at a shop, $450 DIY.
Bad fuel injectors:
These will also cause a misfire. Cost: $2000 at a shop, $1300 DIY.
N55:
Coil packs:
Coil packs will go bad overtime and cause misfire. Cost: $ 900 at a shop, $450 DIY.
All Models
Adaptive Headlight Control Module. This can fail and cause an annoying dash light that won't go away until replaced. This is caused by the seal degrading and water getting into the unit. Is located on the bottom of the headlight.
Interior handle melting issues. overtime especially with Jap/Singapore imports. Is a cheap fix but a big turn off when looking at a second hand vehicle.
Steering Angle Sensor - A hugely misdiagnosed dash light that comes on when the battery is running low or has been changed. It can take 5 seconds to recalibrate. If this doesn't work you may have to change the Steering Angle Sensor, or it could be the Speed sensor that can cause this light as well.
Brake pad Sensors: This seems like a odd one to check when buying a car but occasionally you will have the people who were too cheap to replace these sensors and will just loop the signal back. It takes a couple seconds to check they haven't been tampered with.
DIY:
Easy:
- Oil Change
- Air filters
- Coolant flush
- Differential and transfer case fluids
- Spark plugs and coil packs
- Drive belt and tensioner
Moderate:
- Valve cover gasket
- Starter motor
- Water pump and thermostat
- OFHG
- Fuel Injectors
- Walnut Blasting
- Automatic transmission fluid and filter
Hard
Learning how to turn a wrench saves a lot of money. But can cost a bit of time. BMW is a great platform to learn on so sometimes when buying a money pit it pays off in the long term.
Maintenance notes:
(Many people have different views on maintenance intervals. These are the intervals I follow with my own car. If your intervals differ from mine that is fine as all cars are driven under different conditions.)
- Oil Change every 5,000 to 10,000 kms or six months
- Coolant every two years
- Brake Fluid every two years
- Transmission, differential and transfer case (X-drive only) fluids every 100,000kms (BMW states these are lifetime fluids)
- Power steering fluid at 100,000kms
- Spark plugs every 80,000kms for N54, 100,000 kms for N55 or 80k-100k miles for any non-turbo ( if they have Platinum or iridium plugs ). Is worth while replacing the Coils as preventative maintenance.
- Drive belt and tensioner every 100,000kms
- O2 sensors as needed
- Shocks, tires, brakes and suspension as needed
- Clutch as needed
BMW states their automatic transmission fluid is a lifetime fluid. This is false, most transmissions will make it to 150k on the original fluid but then anything past that they will start having catastrophic issues. IMO, I would not buy an auto E9X past 125kms that you did not have documented proof that the transmission fluid was changed. If your car is above 60k then change the transmission fluid and filter.
Tires:
BMW equipped these cars with run flat tires from the factory with the claim they can drive up to 50 miles at 50 miles per hour after a puncture. Run flat tires are expensive, they ride hard, are heavy and wear out more quickly then a conventional, all season tire. It is very common for people to swap these out for a conventional tire and throw a spare tire in the trunk. When you are looking at a E9X, make sure the tires have good tread on them, are not dry rotted and check the date range is not older than 10 years.
Look for the The four-digit tyre age code is usually located in a window on the tyre sidewall. The first two digits of the code represent the week of production during the year (from 1 to 52) while the second two digits represent the year of manufacture.
Diagnostics and Coding
Go buy a Windows 7 32bit laptop and install BMW standard Tools and ISTA. These will help diagnose and code your car. I have saved over $1000 with these tools and a D can cable.
Closing Thoughts:
If you want a dependable daily driver I would purchase a N52 (LCI or non LCI) powered car with around 80k to 100k kms. Preferably a car that has had all of the major service items completed already. I bought my 330i car with 80k on the clock that needed a new water pump and a oil filter housing replacement.
Yearly operating cost should be around $2,000 for maintenance and repairs at a trusted, independent mechanic. People who try and DIY everything can push the costs down to bellow $1000 a year. Turbo cars will have slightly higher operating cost. All E9X cars require at least 95 octane so that should be considered at purchase as well.
You should now know what you are in for so is it time to contact that seller and put in an offer. Good Luck.
Sean
NZ Autospares.