[Slowboat]

Afternoon everyone,

First post but hopefully not my last, I am currently trying to find a replacement for my rather uneconomical MINI and keep coming back to the 325d/330d/335d cars(owned a 330d a few years ago and the engine was superb), however after posting on a couple of other forums I thought it was worth asking on here about the cars...

I know the 325d LCi is able to be mapped to 330d mapped levels, so ideally I am after an LCi car, but from my research, the 335d uses the same engine pre-LCi as it does on the LCi cars?
I had the CiC iDrive system in my old 330d, is it easy to;
- Upgrade CCC to CiC
- Install CiC from scratch(I know it needs the dash changing)

Regarding reliability, this is a key point. My 330d was got rid of as it had quite a few issues regarding the gearbox(manual) and I was aiming to get an auto version as long as they are more reliable? I read they are able to deal with a mapped 335d wheras the manuals are not as strong?
Is there any known problem areas regarding the cars, they are going to be getting on a bit now so presumably all recalls are(hopefully) done, but is there any major issues which need to be checked? One forum did mention the N57 engines are having some timing chain problems?
What are the service intervals, are they happy to be left for 20k or do people suggest a yearly/10k interval instead?


Sorry for all the questions, I am sure there will be more!


Oh and if anyone is selling a 325d/330d/335d then let me know, would rather buy from somebody on an OC who has looked after a car than a random from autotrader...

[rasa bmw]

i always do 10k changes on my bmw cars,i still do not believe oil lasts 2 years or 20k miles,ive a manual e90 and is 305 hp with 510ftlbs(697 nm) great drive m57 pre lci though..

[Slowboat]

So the M57 maps to similar levels as the N57? I thought it wouldn't map as high. What sort of economy figures are you getting from the car with the 305bhp map on it?

[ChawenHalo]

OP you are correct about 335d LCI having the old engine.

E90 LCI 330d are good except a few people having cold start issues. Make you try the car from cold. I've not of an N57 break a chain but there could be a few.

The air vents buttons fall off
The paint on the start engine button peals off.

[rasa bmw]

Originally Posted by Slowboat

So the M57 maps to similar levels as the N57? I thought it wouldn't map as high. What sort of economy figures are you getting from the car with the 305bhp map on it?

its mainly a weekend car so not really long journies,but in summer it averages 41-42 mpg mixed driving.longer j7ournies is around 46 mpg,,in winter im averaging around 38-39 mpg mixed and 45 motorway...ive had both thermostats done as was averaging 6-7 mpg down on them figures,,this is brim ti brim testing as my obc under reads by 6-7 mpg