[tomgwuyn]

I plan on seeing a 330i N52 manual transmission with 125K miles.It is a 2 owner car with the 2nd owner using it since 2010.

It had the waterpump/thermostat replaced and spark plugs changed. After going some research on the 330i here, came to know that the suspension/shocks/struts needs to be checked for wear and engine ticking noise.

Is it advisable to buy this 06 330i considering it is 11 years old. And will there be an issue in getting the parts considering the age of the vehicle and new models coming in?

Is there anything else I need to check?

[VTECaddict]

Parts shouldn't be an issue. Most of the parts are the same ones used until 2013 for the E92 coupe.

The starter is another common failure for these cars, but you can't really tell until it actually craps out. Other big things to check for would be oil leaks from the valve cover, oil filter housing, and oil pan gaskets. That last one you can't really check without a lift and removing the lower engine tray/cover. I'd recommend to pay a reputable indy or dealer for a full PPI.

[dancing__narwhal]

If your budget permits, I would buy a later model 325/328 with sport package and install the 3-stage intake manifold. This effectively gives you the same car as a 330i but you can get one that is newer and lower mileage. The intake manifold is an easy and cheap upgrade with OEM reliability.

These cars were made until 2011 for the sedan and 2013 for the coup, so you can get a much newer car that is still well under $20k.

[F22_Raptor]

Transmission fluid.
Most likely it hasn't been changed yet.

[smass]

I have owned both a 325i and 330i and you will spend 335i money turning a 328 into a 330. You can't just add the intake as you also need software. And then 330 brakes are bigger. And 330i include standard options like xenon lights and logic 7. ''

OP, also check for the common broken bolt in the timing chain cover. Most people incorrectly call it a head bolt. It is behind the oil filter housing just under the intake manifold first runner.

[bsmoov]

I'm surprised no one said DISAs.

There is a large and small DISA valve on each side of the intake manifold that controls air flow. The flaps are made of plastic and tend to break off or be super loose when they fail. Seen lots of people get lucky catching it in their intake manifold preventing catastrophic engine failure...

Run it for codes. It usually tells you if your DISA is bad, mine did and it pointed me to the small DISA (much more of a pain than the large DISA which is on the outside).

[S4NoMore]

I am 1 week into my 2006 330i 6MT sport, 113k miles, and I really love it so far. My F30 328i 6MT sport was totaled and I decided to buy something I could pay for in cash, since 3-pedal sedans are so hard to find with the options I want.

One thing I will say, if you are even slightly DIY inclined, there are write-ups for nearly everything by this point in the car's age. On the F30 I was flying in uncharted territory after the warranty expired. Parts are plentiful, the E90 is a very popular mass-produced volume model.

[hassmaschine]

That's almost the exact same mileage as my car (124,700). I wouldn't shy away from it - especially if it has the sport package and is 6mt. It's a fantastic car out of the box - you would be a fool to settle for a 328i unless LCI is a dealbreaker for you (personally, I'm not really a big fan of the LCI cars - they tend to be watered down and quite a bit plainer).

People blow maintenance on these way out of the water. If the suspension goes bad, it's news to me - mine is super tight. I'm even on the original struts which are still fine. If it's had the water pump done, you're basically home free - maybe the starter, but that's not a given either.

The 2006s have a metal valve cover, where the 2007+ have plastic valve cover (which likes to crack/leak). DISA failures are not very common at all (if it happens, it would be a good time to replace the starter I suppose). I have two 2006 N52s (one is an E91 325xi with a 3 stage swap). Neither have valve cover leaks, OFH leaks, or the "ticking" issue (which is more of an NVH thing, it's not a serious problem). My car is still on the original waterpump & thermostat.

in the last 3 years, my maintenance on the 330i has been a few oil changes, an air filter, 1 coil, and an angel eye bulb. Not exactly breaking the bank. The 325xi did need a new pump when we got it, but otherwise the only other issue was a headlight that burned out last fall. I did have the oil pan gasket replaced, but it was after a minor accident where the subframe had to be dropped anyway - so it made sense to do it while it was all apart - it wasn't a serious issue otherwise.

[tlow98]

Agreed. These cars are tanks. Arguably, the most reliable 3 series ever - in NA form. Their rust prevention is also much better than previous generations, so as long as your 125k mile example hasn't been treated to the rust belt and never washed you've got a lot of life left in it.

Finding a 328i that is optioned the way a 330i is will be very difficult.

Sure, at 125k if you replaced the struts I'm sure there would be an improvement in feel - as with any car - but if it's not bounding down the road uncontrollably, then it's not necessary.

[tomgwuyn]

Thanks all. I will check all the above during my PPI.

[Redguy]

ABS unit? Another common fault. My '07 330i is having that sorted next week.

Repaired, not a new BMW part. They wanted £2700 ($3347) for that!

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by Redguy

ABS unit? Another common fault. My '07 330i is having that sorted next week.

Repaired, not a new BMW part. They wanted £2700 ($3347) for that!

Shipping it out is only like $300 total, correct?

Prolly $500 to have someone else do it?

[hassmaschine]

Haven't had that problem personally. Could it be a later year thing? they stopped making the 330i here in 2006.

[arlovarri]

My 6mt 330i is almost at 140k and looks/drives almost like new on mostly original parts. Like people have pointed out, most of the common repairs are easy to moderate DIY. When looking at the car I would suggest using a good flashlight to search for oil leaks down both sides of the engine and in front where the oil filter is. if you see oil you could use it to bargain down the price. These 06 cars are going for 8k or less now which is a huge bargain for the driving experience you will get.

[Efthreeoh]

Gogglespisano has 352,000 miles on his '06 325xi. I have 322,000 on my '06 325i.

Nuff said.

[tomgwuyn]

Hi all,

Thanks for your feedback/responses. Today I testdrove the mentioned 2006 BMW 330i . Attached the engine sound audio . Please let me know what you think. Did not find any leaks . But planning to take it for PPI to a BMW dealer nearby (Since the closest Indy shop is atleast 150 miles away)

Saw the maintenance history and looks like only the waterpump was replaced and not the thermostat. Is that normal? It was done through a certified technician's shop as told by the owner (an elderly person)

Also during starting the engine and occasionally during coasting in 2nd gear,i hear a clutter sound which vanishes shortly. Buyer asking 8k Flat. What would be the right price? Color is Arctic Metallic and black interior.

[Redguy]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Shipping it out is only like $300 total, correct?

Prolly $500 to have someone else do it?

That's right. Having the whole thing sorted is around £450 ($560).

Not a disaster by any means, but one to bear in mind.

I had no idea that the 330i was discontinued in 2006 in the USA, though!

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by Redguy

That's right. Having the whole thing sorted is around £450 ($560).

Not a disaster by any means, but one to bear in mind.

I had no idea that the 330i was discontinued in 2006 in the USA, though!

'Replaced' by the 335i. The 325i then turned into the 328i and was given something like 30hp/20ft lb. All of them nice machines, some just more gifted than others.

[lab_rat]

Originally Posted by tomgwuyn

Hi all,

Thanks for your feedback/responses. Today I testdrove the mentioned 2006 BMW 330i . Attached the engine sound audio . Please let me know what you think. Did not find any leaks . But planning to take it for PPI to a BMW dealer nearby (Since the closest Indy shop is atleast 150 miles away)

Saw the maintenance history and looks like only the waterpump was replaced and not the thermostat. Is that normal? It was done through a certified technician's shop as told by the owner (an elderly person)

Also during starting the engine and occasionally during coasting in 2nd gear,i hear a clutter sound which vanishes shortly. Buyer asking 8k Flat. What would be the right price? Color is Arctic Metallic and black interior.

Even without seeing it firsthand, it still sounds like a solid buy.

As Effthreeoh, hassmashine, & others have said, the 330i is a great car.

My 330i has been reliable, and at 103,000 miles has only had the original water pump & thermostat changed as preventative maintenance at ~98,000 miles, and original VCG changed at ~100,000 miles because it was starting to leak very slightly. Even the original battery wasn't replaced until December 2016!

I wouldn't hesitate-you are getting a great car at a killer price.

[Mkze90]

Definitely get a PPI done on it. Some things you can see until the car is up on the lift. When I bought my 330i motor mounts needed to be replaced first thing even though it didn't feel like they were bad. just like everyone stated all those are just maintenance repairs that will make your car car go another 100k.

[max_330i]

E90 330i with a manual trans is a robust car. It might need a couple little repairs, but nothing that would outweigh the insanely cheap purchase price (8K is a steal).

I say go for it. You will not be able to wipe the silly grin off your face every time you drive it.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by tomgwuyn

Hi all,

Thanks for your feedback/responses. Today I testdrove the mentioned 2006 BMW 330i . Attached the engine sound audio . Please let me know what you think. Did not find any leaks . But planning to take it for PPI to a BMW dealer nearby (Since the closest Indy shop is atleast 150 miles away)

Saw the maintenance history and looks like only the waterpump was replaced and not the thermostat. Is that normal? It was done through a certified technician's shop as told by the owner (an elderly person)

Also during starting the engine and occasionally during coasting in 2nd gear,i hear a clutter sound which vanishes shortly. Buyer asking 8k Flat. What would be the right price? Color is Arctic Metallic and black interior.

Yes, sometimes people only replace either the water pump or the thermostat. It's not the most fool-proof way, but in reality I believe the thermostat is the more reliable of the two parts, so not a big deal. Most replace both bc it's easy to do while you're in there.

Not a big deal, tho.

Clutter sound is interesting. Could be a trans ready for new fluid or many other little things. You ask about that noise? Actually, may be valve lifters in the engine. A known issue that is merely an annoyance and does no harm. Some fresh oil and frequent trips into higher rpm and it typically goes away.