Wifey wants an e91, advice?

[CorvallisBMW]

The wife decided she really wants a wagon, and since she doesn't want to go backwards (currently driving an '09 Impreza) we're considering a '10/'11 E91 328XiT. According to CR, they have excellent reliability in everything except electronics. What's up with the electrons? What should we be on the lookout for?

[mikeedler]

basically everything. worst part is it all needs to be coded after they rob you. The FRM seems to die the most, controlls the lights and central locking. wheel bearings go bad alot, inner tie rods, water pumps, sure i'm missing a bunch more. Actually they aren't that bad of a car.
The F models F30/F20s are starting to show a lot of electrical problems already too.

[Todd Black 88]

Had a 2002 e46 325xit from 2004- aug2012.

Had a 2012 e91 328xit from aug 2012-June 2014.......... Wish I kept the e46.
Lots of little electrical shit went haywire. Comfort access kept deleting itself. Radio shit the bed. Folding mirror motor and power window motor crapped out on the passenger side. And the vinyl drivers seat cover was replaced 3x in 18 months because it kept splitting on the bolster.

No issues with the motor, or the six speed stock, but the car did not like going steep uphill in reverse. You had to slip the clutch or it would stall.(I haz steep driveway)

As a note, it's actually a pretty big car, much bigger feeling then the e46.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

Yea my friend has a e90 and the battery is confusing as hell to do. And it's currently sitting in the garage cause he could smell something electrical burning and actually saw smoke. His is a 07 or something that though.

[word is bond]

My mother had an e46 325it sport pack and stick. Great car. She swapped it for an E91 328xit 6 spd cos she wanted awd.
I miss the E46, personally, but part of that is the sport seats, wheels and steering wheel (she went comfort seats, etc. for E91). Both cars drive very well. I liked the smaller size of the E46 better.
Guess she has been lucky, cos no electrical issues with the E91. Heated seats and steering wheel are really nice. And the car automatically unlocks when you touch the door handle if the key is in your pocket which is neat. I find the cupholders kind of stupid. No major complaints though. Never driven auto version of either car, though...

[2mAn]

A CPO will extend the warranty and it covers mechanicals and electrics. My dad got a E9X 328i Vert and its covered until Dec 2017, which Im sure he will be bored of it by then so I have high hopes for it haha

[DEV0 E30]

Paging nando to thread #335445.

I've heard good things about the E91. The downside is it is a newer BMW, so the electronics are all intermingled together as others have said - if something fails or resets you'll likely have another issue or have to take it to where a newer BMW can be worked on.

Did you take the 09' Impreza to the dealer/shop often or find it an enjoyable experience in owning? I'd expect the E91 would need a few gremlins sorted every once in awhile besides routine maintenance but that's my guess as I do not own one. Buy the best one you can, with CPO, or aftermarket warranty to have less headaches when/if things go sour.

[CorvallisBMW]

Honestly the Impreza had been flawless. In nearly 70k miles not one single thing has ever gone wrong with the car. Ever. But she has her heart set on a wagon. We'll be looking at Outbacks as well, the e91 was my idea :giggle:

[Todd Black 88]

It's a nice driving car, don't get me wrong, but it's just not built like the previous generation of cars. Materials are cheaper.......everywhere.

[Stanley Rockafella]

http://www.edmunds.com/acura/tsx-spo.../2012/?ps=used

put a roundel on it and nobody will be wiser

your welcome

thread/

[nando]

I haven't had mine for very long, but I do have two (E90 330i, E91 325xi, both 6 speeds).

There are definitely some cheap parts on the car, lots of cheesy plastic. I think the "cooling system" issue is overblown. people expect waterpumps to last forever I guess. The only real problem is the pump is around $400. I don't think anyone has tried to rebuild one yet though (the electronics seem to fail).

I've heard of window regulators failing (common BMW problem) but I really haven't heard much else. I wouldn't choose an E46 over an E91 personally - also if you have kids, get the E91. the E46 would be too small, not big enough over an E30 to be worth it. The E91 wagon is just big enough without being a tank like our Subaru wagon was. Plus IMO the regular E46 has not aged well. it looks like a bubble Taurus crossed with an E36.

I had a Subaru too - we also put 70,000 miles on it without issue. However, I still hated that car. working on it sucked, and you couldn't get parts for the damn thing anywhere (seriously, I couldn't even basic get brake parts without a 3 day wait). I also hated driving it, and Subaru motors are terrible (yeah, I said it - glorified tractor motors). it pissed oil everywhere, smelled, and handled like crap. but, I don't think you could kill it, if you don't mind living with it. I laughed when we were selling it and a guy who test drove it said it had lots of torque..

I don't expect the E91 to be as low maintenance but I think it's still worth it. I also think it's far safer, and the Subaru AWD is way overrated (at least on the newer, extremely heavy cars). Both cars are at about 100k miles. Mine is a bit more clean than hers, I think hers was driven a little harder but it's still a solid car.

So far I've put probably 10,000 combined miles on our two cars without any problems. The gas mileage is better than the Subaru too.

I wouldn't buy one without the sport package though. I don't like the comfort seats and the standard steering wheel feels really cheap. I don't know if they make wagons with sport interiors though. Also definitely look for one with comfort access. My wife's doesn't have it and I wish it did.

Yea my friend has a e90 and the battery is confusing as hell to do. And it's currently sitting in the garage cause he could smell something electrical burning and actually saw smoke. His is a 07 or something that though.

huh? all you have to do is register it (basically it tests it to see how much juice it has). it's not that big of a deal, and it's certainly not confusing. it's like 1 click with a laptop, you can even do it with a cell phone app.

actually if you're computer literate they're pretty nice to work on. you can do lots with just a laptop. I've already cracked the DME and am working on my own tune. I couldn't resist. :p

[Ryan Stewart]

Mines been a tank. Only issue so far was the logic 7 system lost its damned mind and started screaming at me. Just required a reboot and its been fine since.

Don't know about the cheap seats and wheel combo. Maybe it was address after the first couple years. Mine are nice and leather was standard.

Mine is a later model 2 wheel drive. Live in Atlanta so KISS

[nando]

oh yeah, I forgot the best part. the N52 is sublime. even the 325i is pretty good, but it's definitely best with the 3 stage intake.

I wouldn't touch a 335i with a 10 foot pole though.

[myinfernalbmw]

http://www.edmunds.com/acura/tsx-spo.../2012/?ps=used

put a roundel on it and nobody will be wiser

your welcome

thread/

I've seen enough late model "A" badged cars that need tranny rebuilds <100k miles to keep me away from them. I wouldn't want one out of warranty at least.

[QUKBMER]

I would tell her to pass bro. Very seriously tell her to pass on it and look for something else.