Looking to get back into a Bimmer!

JvzwetE36325 · 01-13-2019, 11:09 AM

Hey everyone, been outta the car game for a while (Jeepin) but I?m looking to get back into a car again. I?m looking into the E90?s this time around. I?ve had E36?s and E39?s but I?m not sure what to look for or look out for with the E90 so I was hoping you guys might be able to help me out. I?m specifically looking into the 328/330 with a 6speed and no X-drive. Thanks in advance!

**dbworld4k** · 01-13-2019, 01:57 PM

A 6 speed RWD E90 is the last of the driver's BMWs in my opinion. Even moreso with the last N/A inline 6. That combination is quite tough to find though, especially for the facelifted cars.

I absolutely love my 328i. Get a 2009+ for the facelifted version, it has some issues sorted with the motor and looks a decade newer. They're very fun to drive, fuel efficient, and easy to maintain if you're DIY capable. Parts aren't too expensive vs. the turbocharged motors. No suspension woes like E36/E46, even the cooling system is very stout. Gaskets still leak (typical BMW trademark, lol) but they're easy to do on the N52 save for the oil pan one.

The same N52 engine is found in the 2006 330i (255 HP), albeit it's neutered with the manifold to keep the power down to 220 crank HP. The manifold swap is plug and play, with the connectors already in place on the 328. All you need after that is a tune to activate the DISA valves.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/...ationFlag=true

This one would be a great candidate.

TSI · 01-13-2019, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbworld4k

The same N52 engine is found in the 2006 330i (255 HP), albeit it's neutered with the manifold to keep the power down to 220 crank HP. The manifold swap is plug and play, with the connectors already in place on the 328. All you need after that is a tune to activate the DISA valves.

I had no idea about this, thanks!

Love my E91 328 too, even though it's auto

jabela · 01-13-2019, 08:38 PM

A 128i may also interest you with an NA 3L inline 6, if it's not too small for you.

JvzwetE36325 · 01-14-2019, 12:28 AM

Awesome! Thanks for the info. I’ll probly look into the swap some day, didn’t know it was just plug and play. Mark Dsylva still doin tunes? Drove a couple 328’s today. Love the low end torque and the sing of the inline six. Was definitely missing that! Valve cover gaskets seemed to be leaking on both motors.

**dbworld4k** · 01-14-2019, 02:54 PM

If you think it has good low end TQ now, wait til after the 3 stage manifold swap! It's a gain of around 20wtq down low. Makes a very noticeable difference driving around town.

I believe MarkD is still around, though not as active on the boards. There are some alternatives to getting the software enabled for the "330i" flash on a 128/328: yyzcoding@gmail.com has some solutions.