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Looking at 3 series BMW convertables
- MikeyH
- Lifer
- Posts: 4946
- Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2021 10:57 pm
- Location: Devon
Looking at 3 series BMW convertables
Hi all, I've started looking at the 3 series BMW 2.0 SE convertibles to replace our daily runabout Ford Focus CC. It would be a 2010/2012 year and my concern is the engine. Is this the same one that is in the E89 that has the timing chain problems? Thank you all in advance. Mike
Now, Sterling grey Z4 2.2 with cup holders, stubby aerial and sport seats. Roadsters ‘cause they’re great with the roof down.
Ford Anglia, Red Sprite, a few MG midgets, MGB Roadster and yellow Ford Capri, all gone many years now.
Ford Anglia, Red Sprite, a few MG midgets, MGB Roadster and yellow Ford Capri, all gone many years now.
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- Lifer
- Posts: 8665
- Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:20 pm
- Location: Spaldingski
Looking at 3 series BMW convertables
No it will be the N43 engine. N20 in the E89.
Up until 2013 the 3 series vert was an E93. They started fitting the N20 in the F33 (next gen 3 series vert which became a 4 series ) from 2013 until 2017. Then changed to the B48. The E93 325i has the N52 six pot which is he same as in the E85 2.5i.
If you can, I would go for an early F33 (2013 on). They are much more modern cars internally and externally.
Up until 2013 the 3 series vert was an E93. They started fitting the N20 in the F33 (next gen 3 series vert which became a 4 series ) from 2013 until 2017. Then changed to the B48. The E93 325i has the N52 six pot which is he same as in the E85 2.5i.
If you can, I would go for an early F33 (2013 on). They are much more modern cars internally and externally.
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
- MikeyH
- Lifer
- Posts: 4946
- Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2021 10:57 pm
- Location: Devon
Looking at 3 series BMW convertables
Thank you Pondrew, I thought that when they updated the 3 series they left the vert looking as it was. I’ll start looking for the 2013 ones and see what is out there. Of course from preference I would rather have the 4 series but I don’t like spending money on cars. Mike.
Now, Sterling grey Z4 2.2 with cup holders, stubby aerial and sport seats. Roadsters ‘cause they’re great with the roof down.
Ford Anglia, Red Sprite, a few MG midgets, MGB Roadster and yellow Ford Capri, all gone many years now.
Ford Anglia, Red Sprite, a few MG midgets, MGB Roadster and yellow Ford Capri, all gone many years now.
- Mr Tidy
- Legend
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- Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
- Location: North West Surrey
Looking at 3 series BMW convertables
According to Wiki the 4 cylinder E9*s only had the N46 52 engine until 2007, then they got the N43.
The early 325i and 330i only had the N52 until 2007, then they got the N53 that seems to suffer from injector and fuel pump issues. Which is why my E90 330i is an early one with the N52!
The early 325i and 330i only had the N52 until 2007, then they got the N53 that seems to suffer from injector and fuel pump issues. Which is why my E90 330i is an early one with the N52!
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black
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- Lifer
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- Location: Spaldingski
Looking at 3 series BMW convertables
Indeed, with Ze Germans designating their numbers differently from the mid 2000s does get a bit confusing. Long gone are the days when you could tell a German car's engine size by the numbers on the back.Mr Tidy wrote: ↑Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:46 pm According to Wiki the 4 cylinder E9*s only had the N46 52 engine until 2007, then they got the N43.
The early 325i and 330i only had the N52 until 2007, then they got the N53 that seems to suffer from injector and fuel pump issues. Which is why my E90 330i is an early one with the N52!
A 330 was a six pot 3 litre. Now it is a 4 cylinder 2 litre with a slightly fruity map.
And then BMW decided to call their 3 series coupes and verts (and hatches) a 4 series.
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
- MikeyH
- Lifer
- Posts: 4946
- Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2021 10:57 pm
- Location: Devon
Looking at 3 series BMW convertables
Thank you Mr Tidy and Pondrew, this is getting very complicated.
Now, Sterling grey Z4 2.2 with cup holders, stubby aerial and sport seats. Roadsters ‘cause they’re great with the roof down.
Ford Anglia, Red Sprite, a few MG midgets, MGB Roadster and yellow Ford Capri, all gone many years now.
Ford Anglia, Red Sprite, a few MG midgets, MGB Roadster and yellow Ford Capri, all gone many years now.
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Online
- Lifer
- Posts: 8665
- Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:20 pm
- Location: Spaldingski
Looking at 3 series BMW convertables
Just remember Mikey, 3 series verts (and 4 series) have hardtops which are even more complex than the E89, as they had an extra panel to fold.
Go for a C class Merc. They have soft tops and their engines generally are not as fragile.
Or an Audrey A5 vert. Better interiors and use the VAG 2.0l which has been used in everything for donkeys' years.
Go for a C class Merc. They have soft tops and their engines generally are not as fragile.
Or an Audrey A5 vert. Better interiors and use the VAG 2.0l which has been used in everything for donkeys' years.
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
- MikeyH
- Lifer
- Posts: 4946
- Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2021 10:57 pm
- Location: Devon
Looking at 3 series BMW convertables
My wife wants a hard top convertible as 3 quarter vis is better but yes I had wondered about the reliability of the roof.
Now, Sterling grey Z4 2.2 with cup holders, stubby aerial and sport seats. Roadsters ‘cause they’re great with the roof down.
Ford Anglia, Red Sprite, a few MG midgets, MGB Roadster and yellow Ford Capri, all gone many years now.
Ford Anglia, Red Sprite, a few MG midgets, MGB Roadster and yellow Ford Capri, all gone many years now.
- M1k3yC
- Member
- Posts: 636
- Joined: Tue Aug 06, 2019 6:38 pm
- Location: Stafford
Looking at 3 series BMW convertables
My dad had an E93 M3 and I'm pretty sure it was back with BMW more than once for maintenance on the folding hard top.
2022 Hyundai Kona N - greyhound transport
2018 F56 Mini JCW
2016 MX-5 2.0 Sport Recaro
Gone to a good home: 2007 E86 3.0Si Sport
2018 F56 Mini JCW
2016 MX-5 2.0 Sport Recaro
Gone to a good home: 2007 E86 3.0Si Sport
- B21
- Lifer
- Posts: 5582
- Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2021 7:15 pm
- Location: In my Banana Yellow Space Shuttle...somewhere over Southern Caledonia
Looking at 3 series BMW convertables
Be aware the E90 versions that used the N53 had the same injector and HPFP issues as the N54 in the E89 35i..same parts..
Also the folding top is almost an identical version of the E89 roof with the same issues.
Also the folding top is almost an identical version of the E89 roof with the same issues.
We choose to go to on with this endeavour at this time and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard…
A very modified Atacama Yellow 35is
A very modified Atacama Yellow 35is
- MikeyH
- Lifer
- Posts: 4946
- Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2021 10:57 pm
- Location: Devon
Looking at 3 series BMW convertables
Oh god, think I had better convince the wife to have an Audi. At least I can now blame you lot.
Now, Sterling grey Z4 2.2 with cup holders, stubby aerial and sport seats. Roadsters ‘cause they’re great with the roof down.
Ford Anglia, Red Sprite, a few MG midgets, MGB Roadster and yellow Ford Capri, all gone many years now.
Ford Anglia, Red Sprite, a few MG midgets, MGB Roadster and yellow Ford Capri, all gone many years now.
- sars
- Lifer
- Posts: 7048
- Joined: Sun Feb 21, 2010 11:37 am
- Location: East Yorkshire
Looking at 3 series BMW convertables
I wouldn't hesitate in getting a 4 series convertible, all convertible roofs have some issues given the complexity of mechanism and sensors etcetera. Also I believe the e93 and f33 roof panels are identical, so much of the issues were ironed out with the f33. Also the 4 series has the roof raising mechanism to get into the luggage space with the top down and that was very useful, worth the extra price alone
The only issue that I had was water entering the HK amplifier causing it to short out, taking most of the speakers with it.
The only issue that I had was water entering the HK amplifier causing it to short out, taking most of the speakers with it.
Gorgeous SFR Z4 M40i
Gone 2017 Iridium SL400, 2015 435d xDrive Convertible, 2012 E350 CDi Convertible, 2010 DSB Z4 sdrive30i, 2008 Audi A4 Cabriolet, 2006 Phoenix Yellow Z4 2.5Si, 2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible
Gone 2017 Iridium SL400, 2015 435d xDrive Convertible, 2012 E350 CDi Convertible, 2010 DSB Z4 sdrive30i, 2008 Audi A4 Cabriolet, 2006 Phoenix Yellow Z4 2.5Si, 2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible
- MikeyH
- Lifer
- Posts: 4946
- Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2021 10:57 pm
- Location: Devon
Looking at 3 series BMW convertables
Thank you sars, not in a hurry, just as well as not a lot in this area at the moment. Quite like the Mercedes e class convertible but seems a bit large compared to the BMW.
Now, Sterling grey Z4 2.2 with cup holders, stubby aerial and sport seats. Roadsters ‘cause they’re great with the roof down.
Ford Anglia, Red Sprite, a few MG midgets, MGB Roadster and yellow Ford Capri, all gone many years now.
Ford Anglia, Red Sprite, a few MG midgets, MGB Roadster and yellow Ford Capri, all gone many years now.
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Online
- Lifer
- Posts: 8665
- Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:20 pm
- Location: Spaldingski
Looking at 3 series BMW convertables
So nothing major then?
4 series verts (and coupes) have a drainage issue, cos the cill drains are shite and get blocked easily. They then fill the rear wings with rainwater and it overflows into the boot and finds the lowest point. Guess where the amp is? Mine had a stupid DVB tuner which was sat under the HK amp, so two expensive bits to short out.
Luckily I caught mine before it overflowed into the boot. Still got about 2 gallons out of both rear wings.
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!
- MikeyH
- Lifer
- Posts: 4946
- Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2021 10:57 pm
- Location: Devon
Looking at 3 series BMW convertables
That sounds like a lot of trouble to me, think I’ll avoid BMW.
Now, Sterling grey Z4 2.2 with cup holders, stubby aerial and sport seats. Roadsters ‘cause they’re great with the roof down.
Ford Anglia, Red Sprite, a few MG midgets, MGB Roadster and yellow Ford Capri, all gone many years now.
Ford Anglia, Red Sprite, a few MG midgets, MGB Roadster and yellow Ford Capri, all gone many years now.