[Mark e90]

Im in the market for a e92 325i or 330i. i am being very picky about the spec that i want and as a result there is not a lot out there to pick from. One of the conditions i had was that it had to be the n52 engine as i have heard it far more reliable than the n53 and gives less headaches.

My dilemma is i have found 2 very very nice examples that tick all the boxes however one is the n53 325i 50k miles ( 18 miles away ) and the other is n52 330i 70k miles (450 miles away) Both same money

So my question is do i do the miles to get the n52 330i, is the n53 really that unreliable ? performance figures are almost the same and and the n53 has the added bonus of slightly better mpg. cars are pretty much identical except the 330i has idrive which i have had in previous bmws and really not the fussed with can take it or leave it .

[3s4u2]

My personal pick would be the 330i with the N52 and that's mainly because I have an 06 E90 325i with the n52 and over 242,000miles on it and it still runs great.

[Jashley73]

My thoughts...

- Any slight nod in fuel economy is going to be a wash, because let's be honest, you're going to drive it like you stole it, at least part of the time anyway, and that's probably going to negate any MPG difference rather quickly.

- I don't know much about the N53 engine, but if there are any rather expensive/likely trouble areas on this particular engine, again the cost of such expensive repairs will wash away any money saved on fuel. (Again, I'm not sure the particular trouble areas between the N52 and N53 engines, just a general consideration...)

- I much prefer having the iDrive system. It makes doing so many things, like the phone system, or the radio, or even many of the vehicle functions much easier, and nicer to do. Being able to see what you're doing on-screen and using the controller, verses a tiny dashboard readout, and the turn signal button for example.

Personally, I'd plan a trip and check out the N52 iDrive car myself, but that's your call...

[stewey]

330! That's the car I wanted but couldn't quite find. 475 miles is a long way though. I would do as much investigation and negotiation as you can before making the trip.

Good luck!

[Mark e90]

i know i think i would regret it if i got the n53 just out of practicality. such a shame though as it is a stunning looking car crimson red which i really like on the e92.

i have called the guy with the 330 and all sounds pretty good he said he had 2 people to view the car today so he is going to let me know if the buy or not then i can get all the info on the car and make a decision.

it is a long way to go however one bonus is i have family in that area so i wouldn't need to travel there and back in one day.

black one is 330i and the red 325i

[techietaichi]

I have an '06 325i and what a workhorse! I've owned it for just shy of 3 years now and out of 135K miles, I've clocked in 81K. I've said it before and I'll say it again, my goal is to take this baby to a million! Anyways OP, go get the N52. Yeah it ain't much for power and is the runt of the litter compared to all of it's siblings, but maintenance, again in comparison to it's siblings, is minimal, the key being that you're aware of and prepared for it. BMW's are finicky bitches, but if you love them, they'll love you back and the N52 deserves more love than it gets. Good luck on your future purchase! **N52**

[hanngmcgon]

I would do as much investigation and negotiation as you can before making the trip.

[YouAreMyWorld]

Originally Posted by techietaichi

I have an '06 325i and what a workhorse! I've owned it for just shy of 3 years now and out of 135K miles, I've clocked in 81K. I've said it before and I'll say it again, my goal is to take this baby to a million! Anyways OP, go get the N52. Yeah it ain't much for power and is the runt of the litter compared to all of it's siblings, but maintenance, again in comparison to it's siblings, is minimal, the key being that you're aware of and prepared for it. BMW's are finicky bitches, but if you love them, they'll love you back and the N52 deserves more love than it gets. Good luck on your future purchase! **N52**

Lmao, djesus christ. Are you driving across the country and back 5 times a year?

How does one do 81k miles in merely three years? Haha, I need to know!

[Mark e90]

ah shit 330i has now sold, the 325i is looking very tempting...... been without a car for almost a week ! but i will wait

[Taskmaster]

I would do a N52 over N53 if you can hold out for one!
I've heard issues with carbon buildup and fuel pump issues, but because we don't get them on our side of the world, I'm not to familiar.

[Jashley73]

That red, those wheels...

[techietaichi]

Originally Posted by YouAreMyWorld

Lmao, djesus christ. Are you driving across the country and back 5 times a year?

How does one do 81k miles in merely three years? Haha, I need to know!

I know right? It totally sucks, but I clock near or slightly over a 100 miles a day, 5 times a week(with a few miles sprinkled in on the weekends). Between my 40 mile commute each day(80 total to and fro), and running errands such as my "Honey do" list, carting the kids off to school, or my own personal shit, it's easy to ramp up the mileage. Believe me dude, I wish I lived right down the street from work, but unfortunately I don't. What a hump! The only thing I look forward to regarding my commute each day, is it's long, pretty straight and hella fun to drive!

[924er]

Dude get the n53 what are u waiting for? Who cares about carbon build up and the fuel pump. It more advanced, powerful and more fuel efficient.

At the end of the day it's gonna be another great reliable inline 6 NA that happens to be rare. Sure carbon build up happens with all DI cars but it's not like an n54. And if u do need to clean it which I highly doubt you'll ever need to.


Ppl swear like the n52 doesn't have its fair share of issues like any other Bmw; water pump, leaky gaskets, misfires, electrical issues, sensors blah blah

Not to mention the weak GM tranny and horrible pedal lag but that's fixable with the powerbox.

N53 bro that's all I gotta say

[Mark e90]

I like the way your thinking. the engine is the only thing holding me back, i absolutely love the rest of the car.

Is carbon build up and fuel pump the only common issues on the n53 ? i dare say when you consider from what iv have seen same year and millage a 325i n53 is usually £1000-1500 cheaper than any of the n52 330i that i have seen and the n52 still has the water pump issue.

I may as well take a run out and see it because i am seriously considering it there is little else out there on the market.

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by 924er

Dude get the n53 what are u waiting for? Who cares about carbon build up and the fuel pump. It more advanced, powerful and more fuel efficient.

At the end of the day it's gonna be another great reliable inline 6 NA that happens to be rare. Sure carbon build up happens with all DI cars but it's not like an n54. And if u do need to clean it which I highly doubt you'll ever need to.


Ppl swear like the n52 doesn't have its fair share of issues like any other Bmw; water pump, leaky gaskets, misfires, electrical issues, sensors blah blah

Not to mention the weak GM tranny and horrible pedal lag but that's fixable with the powerbox.

N53 bro that's all I gotta say

The N53 has all those issues, as well as fuel punp, injector, coilpack issues. As long as thise have been corrected it should be ok, otherwise...

[924er]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

The N53 has all those issues, as well as fuel punp, injector, coilpack issues. As long as thise have been corrected it should be ok, otherwise...

By now it should have been corrected. If not why let a $30 coil stop u from a much better driving experience. Lol

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by 924er

By now it should have been corrected. If not why let a $30 coil stop u from a much better driving experience. Lol

They are all pretty much the same, the N53 does have a bit more torque due to DI and 8hp more than a N52.

[924er]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

They are all pretty much the same, the N53 does have a bit more torque due to DI and 8hp more than a N52.

Really? My n52 had 230hp. The n53 has like 272hp or no

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by 924er

Really? My n52 had 230hp. The n53 has like 272hp or no

330is are 264 or 268 or whatever.