[andrewc30]

so i did briefly start a thread saying how i'm looking for a E91 wagon.



Very few available on the west coast (Vancouver).
They all have around +150,000km (sorry USA, there's some conversions involved)

'09 328i wagon spor tpkg,
155,000km for $8500cdn
(also have to ship it on a train across the country $1500)

https://ca.cargurus.com/Cars/invento...ting=239351750



Probably needs some exhaust work.
They haven't given me any details or service records except to say the "muffler is loud".
Maybe the water pump/Thermostat are due if not already done. I dont want to buy a lemon, but at the price they're asking i am willing to take care of a few things.

Is it worth investing? What about dropping in a new engine after 250,000?
I like the e90 series and would like to keep the vehicle going "as new" as possible. I'm willing to do a little DIY here and there, standard stuff.

Opinions and advice appreciated.

[tlow98]

I don’t see why you’d put a new engine in it seeing as it’s the most reliable part of the car and they’re known to get 500+ kms

[mecheng77]

The engine and exhaust are very high reliability, the exhaust material is very good ss that doesn't rot.

Be a bit careful with Quebec cars, car accidents in that province don't always show on their record and get shipped to Ontario to sell and they use a lot of salt enough though these cars are excellent at resisting rust.

The car itself is a great model

[andrewc30]

update:
The car requires $5k just to pass a safety inspection.
(Dealership pricing)

Valve cover gasket and oil filter housing leaks

Exhaust leak and aftermarket straight pipe muffler

Tail light electronic assembly,

Thrust rod leaking

stabilizer link.

...darn...

[DrivingPassion]

Did you look into BMWcca.org?
You can post a WANTED ad there if you are a member.

[andrewc30]

Originally Posted by DrivingPassion

Did you look into BMWcca.org?
You can post a WANTED ad there if you are a member.

Between the USD-CDN $ conversion and the hassle of importing, i'll stick with Canadian classifieds, there's still quite a few there.
They're fairly rare and I'm being specific though. (Mostly out of province.)

If this dealer will go lower or cover some repair costs, i'm still considering it.
I like the white-on-brown scheme and it has the sport package.
Mileage is ok.

Plus i know if i do the work on a few of these items, i.e. gaskets/oil leaks i'll know the condition of the vehicle. Next item would be water pump unless it was done recently.

All-in taxes and shipping i'm looking at $15k cdn. Hoping to get them down to closer to 12,500

[ny325]

Look into the SULEV warranty. Some E Series have parts covered for 15 years/150,000 miles. I know the VCG are covered. Good luck OP.

[hassmaschine]

I don't think Canada got SULEV.

150,000km isn't really that many miles. There's nothing magic about the number 100,000...

[andrewc30]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

I don't think Canada got SULEV.

150,000km isn't really that many miles. There's nothing magic about the number 100,000...

except apparently water pumps, valve cover gaskets, oil filter housing gaskets and VANOS issues from my minimal research.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by andrewc30

except apparently water pumps, valve cover gaskets, oil filter housing gaskets and VANOS issues from my minimal research.

All conjecture. There’s a very large range of failure points. For some reason people fixated on stuff - this appears to be one of those things.

[Hoody007]

Originally Posted by andrewc30

update:
The car requires $5k just to pass a safety inspection.
(Dealership pricing)

Valve cover gasket and oil filter housing leaks

Exhaust leak and aftermarket straight pipe muffler

Tail light electronic assembly,

Thrust rod leaking

stabilizer link.

...darn...

Can you DIY? Even at an Indy that's at most 2K worth of work. My suggestion with BMWs, having had several in the family going back to the E31, is to expect that any used BMW of a certain age is going to need at least 2K worth of work to get it up to par.

Also, if you do the oil filter housing, be sure to replace the belts / pullys! Known failure points on these cars.

[andrewc30]

Originally Posted by Hoody007

Can you DIY? Even at an Indy that's at most 2K worth of work. My suggestion with BMWs, having had several in the family going back to the E31, is to expect that any used BMW of a certain age is going to need at least 2K worth of work to get it up to par.

Also, if you do the oil filter housing, be sure to replace the belts / pullys! Known failure points on these cars.

$2K would have been completely acceptable, and tackling a known issue at purchase would give me piece of mind for the immediate future. (plus i'd qualify for 3rd party warranty)

Indy shop may be slightly cheaper, and i'd even put off a few of the non-crucial items for a paycheck or 2. But it does have to pass a road standard safety check, and certainly the oil leaks are a seriously problem, so all-in-all they should be done. But the repair price could climb, too. I wouldnt want it to go over-budget.

I would like to attempt a DIY on a few of the simpler things. There's plenty of used part BMWs in Vancouver too.
I just wouldn't want to get stuck on a project and be unable to fix something. Last time i did my brakes the calliper piston jammed and i had to drive it to the dealer with the rotor rubbing. I'm moderately handy and my friend has a good set-up for working, but im very new to auto-work.

Anyways, i do really like the white-on-brown and the LCI model, with the sport package. 155xxxkm doesn't worry me too much either, but the dealer is being stubborn (they're french ) and all-in price is still pushing
$14-15000 taxes, shipping and repairs.

I offered $6500 but no response. (all-in for $14g)

[andrewc30]

Another Sub-Update.


There is a LOT of info on these forums an elsewhere and i keep getting thrown down the rabbit hole trying to figure out which direction to go on this so forgive me...but I'm debating by watching youtube vids and seeing what looks reasonable for DIYs and local used part prices.

Prob gunna try to pull the trigger on this buy this week.
Local Indy shop has been awesome with responding and advising me, after i said i was trying to keep my budget below the stealership quotes.
I'm still looking at shipping this car "As Is" for just under $10,000 cdn.
And repairing between 3500 (low) -- 5000 (high)

It Needs:

Valve cover leaking oil
Oil filter housing gasket
High mount ("Third"?) tailllight assembly
Stabilizer Link has play
Tension Strut (Thrust rod leaking)
Exhaust/muffler (is straight piped...which i'm interested in, but it might not pass inspection)
Front Thrust Rods
2x Front exhaust Flange gaskets + exhaust leak

I think DIY Gasket replacements, exhaust+muffler system... maybe thrust rods?

Wondering are most of these parts compatible through the E90/91/92/93 series?
Cuz there's lots of pick-apart cars available locally.
Trying to avoid having this car sitting in the driveway for a month but if i can do a few of these over a weekend i'd like to save some $$$

thx

[dakine_surf]

Originally Posted by andrewc30

Another Sub-Update.


There is a LOT of info on these forums an elsewhere and i keep getting thrown down the rabbit hole trying to figure out which direction to go on this so forgive me...but I'm debating by watching youtube vids and seeing what looks reasonable for DIYs and local used part prices.

Prob gunna try to pull the trigger on this buy this week.
Local Indy shop has been awesome with responding and advising me, after i said i was trying to keep my budget below the stealership quotes.
I'm still looking at shipping this car "As Is" for just under $10,000 cdn.
And repairing between 3500 (low) -- 5000 (high)

It Needs:

Valve cover leaking oil
Oil filter housing gasket
High mount ("Third"?) tailllight assembly
Stabilizer Link has play
Tension Strut (Thrust rod leaking)
Exhaust/muffler (is straight piped...which i'm interested in, but it might not pass inspection)
Front Thrust Rods
2x Front exhaust Flange gaskets + exhaust leak

I think DIY Gasket replacements, exhaust+muffler system... maybe thrust rods?

Wondering are most of these parts compatible through the E90/91/92/93 series?
Cuz there's lots of pick-apart cars available locally.
Trying to avoid having this car sitting in the driveway for a month but if i can do a few of these over a weekend i'd like to save some $$$

thx

Honestly I would avoid a dealership for a car this old... on the private market this is a 4-7k car with its problems plus no fees or any of that extra stuff stealerships tack on.

I spent about 9 months actually looking for my wagon but in reality I had been causally looking for the better part of a year and a half.

With your all in budget I feel like you can find a better car but it takes patience.

[andrewc30]

Originally Posted by dakine_surf

Honestly I would avoid a dealership for a car this old... on the private market this is a 4-7k car with its problems plus no fees or any of that extra stuff stealerships tack on.

I spent about 9 months actually looking for my wagon but in reality I had been causally looking for the better part of a year and a half.

With your all in budget I feel like you can find a better car but it takes patience.

They're down to 7000$

Pending repair cost, total could be closer to 11-13,000 with some diy
I'm not sure if they charge doc fee. I've been looking around and factoring in 1500 avg for shipping this seems pretty average priced. I can pick one up basically the same car (except 2010 black interior and 140...km) privately in Calgary for $14000 total but the guy has no inspection or records and I literally have to fly there and drive home 14 hours in a day.

So 14g drive-away black interior. No records but guy seems nice and it's his wife's car apparently (lady driven)
Or about 12-14g for the white on brown, also shipped, inspected and repaired (which kinda gives me piece of mind)

Im without a car at the moment and Its kinda hard with my on call work schedule.

[andrewc30]

Went with the Calgary deal.
Flew out in the evening, and bought it in a back alley. Grabbed 120L worth of Jerry Cans to bring some cheap Alberta fuel with me.

Battled pouring rain as long as i could in the Rockies... Slept 2 hours in a parking lot and drove it home 1000km the next day.
Hit the 200km/h club (havent done that since the Autobahn), didn't even feel like 100. Car is solid.
Disappointed with the paddle shifter format and the lack of bluetooth audio. (anyone have any tips for an iPhone 8)
And i needed $800 for brakes to pass inspection.

Time to do some black-out mods, grill, emblems, re-format and install better paddles.
Maybe eventually an M-sport bumper.
Otherwise happy with the full package, its even got the stock wheels i actually like! I'd still prefer the saddle brown interior though and i saw a really inspiring leather dyeing thread . (lots of effort required though)

[mecheng77]

I drove from Calgary to Vancouver, it was amazing. Did Banff and Jasper which are amazing and the interior of BC is beautiful as well. Congrats on car, I like the rims. I use AUX jack for audio, better sound quality, especially if you have the Logic 7 system which sounds amazing.

[hassmaschine]

I've done Calgary to Vancouver in 13 hours of straight driving.. in a truck. was not fun.

nice E91!

[andrewc30]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

I use AUX jack for audio, better sound quality, especially if you have the Logic 7 system which sounds amazing.

I'm using an AUX cord but it sounds like crap and i have to physically pick up and touch my phone to change songs which is illegal and its a hassle.
Would love to use the integrated steering wheel controls