[Occidio]

So excited with the possibility that I may be getting a 330i soon. The car looks pretty good and was never driven in winter. I have the PPI today to confirm everything is solid.

Just wondering if there is anything I should be on the lookout for or any personal experiences with this model (good or bad)?

Love the fact it comes with comfort access. Wish it had navi, but with a used car it's hard to pick and choose exactly what you want.

[Volasko]

If you are not a big modder it is a perfect car. If the mod bug gets you and you want to make it go faster you will find your options are pretty limited, go with the 335i instead. I use it as my DD and it has the perfect mix of performance/economy. I have had it for almost a year now and I still do a double take everytime I get out of my car (Mtech & SF-71's help!)

[Express]

lower it

[achien]

unless your budget is really really tight, I would go for the '07 335i. with the new F30 series coming out, the prices of E90 will drop significantly in the next few months.

i test drove the E46 330i back in '06 and was not impressed with the power (i called it incremental engine improvements), but when i test drove the 335i, i was blown away by the turbo.

Originally Posted by Occidio

So excited with the possibility that I may be getting a 330i soon. The car looks pretty good and was never driven in winter. I have the PPI today to confirm everything is solid.

Just wondering if there is anything I should be on the lookout for or any personal experiences with this model (good or bad)?

Love the fact it comes with comfort access. Wish it had navi, but with a used car it's hard to pick and choose exactly what you want.

[Xsalfior]

06 330I Sedans were E90's not E46's.

[i test drove the E46 330i back in '06 and was not impressed with the power (i called it incremental engine improvements), but when i test drove the 335i, i was blown away by the turbo.[/QUOTE]

[Occidio]

I totally understand where most of you are coming from, but I wanted something that was fairly reliable. I have to admit that the issues with the HPFP scared the living heck out of me!

The mechanic that did the PPI said that the mechanics called the 330 the "Maytag" because they would sell from the dealership and never come back other than for oil and basic maintenance. My kind of car lol!

[slenfe]

I drive one as my DD, with current mileage at 137K, car deliver a good performance and fuel economy combination "I get 7L/100Km HWY and combined with city around 9.5 L/100KM. N52 seems to be reliable and so far no issues. Some work that I had to do was changing battery, passenger seat Airbag sensor "covered under CPO".
Issues to watch for which applies to all 18inch wheels bent, credit to pot holes these wheels are much susceptible to these issues. For that I highly recommend a test drive while no one is on the front passenger seat or more pro test or take it to a pro shop. you owe it to yourself to have a mechanic inspecting the car for that you should go with someone with BMW experience, although I never been to his shop I know that Rocco "RMP Motors” races an e90 330i so perhaps it's much worth the investment to have him look at your target car or just get his opinion about this car.
One last thought BMW dealers should be able to provide you with maintenance history on the car
I hope this helps.

[Occidio]

It's great to hear so many people using this vehicle as a DD as that's my intended use too.

Slenfe, you're the second one to tell me about the rims. I've always avoided pot holes but it looks like if I hit one by accident, the wheel won't be so forgiving!

[Express]

i drive the shit out of my car and i love every minute of it.

[slenfe]

Originally Posted by Occidio

It's great to hear so many people using this vehicle as a DD as that's my intended use too.

Slenfe, you're the second one to tell me about the rims. I've always avoided pot holes but it looks like if I hit one by accident, the wheel won't be so forgiving!

I think it's a matter of luck to be frank, when I got mine they were already bent, after many month I had BMW replacing them, that been said this is not BMW issue only rather more the nature of lower profile tires, with 35 or 40 wheels have higher chances to hit the hole hint a risk of bent.

don't let this discourage you as I am sure you can manage by developing an eye for potholes like many of us, nevertheless my point was more to make you aware of the issue while shopping and avoid a car with a existing issues.

If you'd ask me would get the same car again, I'd say absolutely...

[Glim]

Same here, I love my 06 e90 330i, it is the most reliable car I have owned in 25 years. Was it hard to find?

Faults so far: Changed the battery after 5 years and passenger seat sensor replaced under recall.

Good for you for doing your homework, I’m amazed how many people do not know about the e90 330i, the step from the 328i to the 330i is the HP difference between the 330i and the 335i, but if you take a stock 6 year old 335i up against a 330i I bet the 0-60 times would match due to DI intake carbon.

Enter 335i class action lawsuit number two: ‘walnut shell blasting for the intake.’

[Occidio]

I got lucky, it was the first car I checked out but was in immaculate condition. I had the car checked out by Trevor at Advanced Knowledge Automotive and all is good.

Gotta say, Trevor is a solid mechanic and it was nice to know the car was in good hands. I think I found my new mechanic for the car.

[aspiring335]

I loved my E90 330i. The engine feels and sounds so much better than my current E91 328i. Don't worry about not having nav. The pre-2009 nav / i-drive looks extremely dated and clunky now.

Originally Posted by Occidio

I got lucky, it was the first car I checked out but was in immaculate condition. I had the car checked out by Trevor at Advanced Knowledge Automotive and all is good.

Gotta say, Trevor is a solid mechanic and it was nice to know the car was in good hands. I think I found my new mechanic for the car.

[SpmnE9zero]

Originally Posted by Occidio

I totally understand where most of you are coming from, but I wanted something that was fairly reliable. I have to admit that the issues with the HPFP scared the living heck out of me!

The mechanic that did the PPI said that the mechanics called the 330 the "Maytag" because they would sell from the dealership and never come back other than for oil and basic maintenance. My kind of car lol!

The 330 is a fantastic car. If your not huge into performance modifications, this is the car to get!

[pdude]

Originally Posted by slenfe

I think it's a matter of luck to be frank, when I got mine they were already bent, after many month I had BMW replacing them, that been said this is not BMW issue only rather more the nature of lower profile tires, with 35 or 40 wheels have higher chances to hit the hole hint a risk of bent.

don't let this discourage you as I am sure you can manage by developing an eye for potholes like many of us, nevertheless my point was more to make you aware of the issue while shopping and avoid a car with a existing issues.

If you'd ask me would get the same car again, I'd say absolutely...

I recently switched from 255/35 RFTs to 245/40 non-RFT on 162s and the ride is much softer, especially on Detroit roads.

[Express]

Originally Posted by pdude

I recently switched from 255/35 RFTs to 245/40 non-RFT on 162s and the ride is much softer, especially on Detroit roads.

i took the 18's off my car and put on 17 inch 161's. ride is awesome

[EPOS]

I told you this would be a great car to pick up!

[Occidio]

The car is already upgraded by not using run flats, but I need to pick up some winter tires as the car was never winter driven.

This is going to be the first nice car I have ever owned so as long as the electric gremlins don't pop up I'm sure to be very happy with this purchase.

[EPOS]

Well start praying now then. It's bound to happen...LOL

[kol]

330 is a great car - I had one for 4 years, other than a few electrical problems (ie. power doors, lights, etc) I didn't have any major issues.

drives/sounds awesome and would be great for a daily...the only real downside is that preLCI e90s are starting to look dated, even if you put a mtech kit on, it looks "old"

[Occidio]

For sure the model will look old, heck with the F30's releasing today it will look even older but you get what you pay for.

Knowing me, I'm not a big nodded so this should be perfect. The Civic that I am coming from had no mods so I can't see myself doing anything to this car. (If the mod bug does come out, I have my wife to slap me back to reality lol!)

[Glim]

Yes, drive her car for a day, that will bring you back to reality. Or when you are on a trip and get stuck driving a ford taurus...