So, been looking for a manual 2003-ish 530i. Found a minty 2006 325xi manual wagon with a little over 100k miles that I should be able to get for a screaming deal.
What's the matter with these things?
So, been looking for a manual 2003-ish 530i. Found a minty 2006 325xi manual wagon with a little over 100k miles that I should be able to get for a screaming deal.
What's the matter with these things?
My parents just sold their E9x wagon. Pretty sure it was just rear-drive, though. Didn't have any problems with the car, but my mom wanted a power liftgate so they went up a generation.
That's an E90 rather than an E46, yes? Assuming it is, they're almost the same size as an E39, so it's probably a good option. AWD will make it heavier and more prone to understeer. The N52 is pretty solid - the only real vices are that the electric water pumps crap out, and that if the accessory belt lets go they tend to get sucked into the engine through the main seal. Handling out of box is decent, and can be easily improved with M3 control arms and rear subframe bushings (either inserts or upgraded parts).
The N52 is an OK engine; powers my '05 530xi wagon just fine. Also almost at 200k with "minimal" maintenance. It's an auto, but again, the trans is decent enough just like the engine.
Tbh, not really a whole lot to say about 'em. The N52 is truly a no-frills kind of engine. Since that one is a 325, you could likely "upgrade" the intake manifold to a three-stage DISA off a 330 or 530 for a little bump in hp/tq, but other than that, that's about it.
Not sure if the E91 also got the tailgate wires routed through the liftgate hinges, but I'd check to see if they are. and subsequently make sure everything electrical works, to include the rear defroster.
Lets see...likely came w/ a sunroof, so I'd also see if the modules in the spare tire well have been moved to a better location or not.
Edit: And if for some reason you want to change it to RWD, but don't wanna go through the hassle of trying to find a RWD E91, you should be able to swap the front subframe from a RWD E90, along w/ the necessary suspension and likely the transmission, as well. RealOEM.com will be your new best friend if it isn't already.
I just can't believe you actually found a manual. I've never seen one for sale near me.
A friend has an e46 AWD wagon with a stick, it's been very reliable for him. I don't know if that translates to the e90 cars. I think they had the same cooling system issues, but as long as you replace parts preemptively that's not that big a deal.
In reply to stuart in mn :
M54 cooling system issues are exponentially more dangerous than N52 cooling issues. Almost anything can fail on the M54, which proceeds to warp the head in nanoseconds, usually ripping one or two head bolts out of the aluminum block. The N52 detects overheating in stages and progressively reduces power, making the whole process less abrupt, and the aluminum/magnesium composite block is far more tolerant than the M54. My indy told me they've had customers drive them miles with the water pump dead without damage.
I vote do it. Ive had my 06 330i for a month now. Makes me smile even on the drive to work!
It seems the dash is lit up like a Christmas tree. Deferred maintenance, anyone?
In reply to 1988RedT2 :
Could be. Or it could just be a bad battery - very high sensitivity to low voltage on these. They're not hard to work on for the most part, so if you're willing to turn the wrenches you can overcome a lot of that fairly easily. It does suggest, however, that a specialist PPI would be advisable.
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