[jtt328]

I recently purchased a 2011 328i sedan and being a car guy have already started looking at various aftermarket "stuff." This is my first BMW so I have some newbie BMW questions:

1) A '11 328i sedan is the e90 model correct?
2) I've seen 06-08 is listed as pre-face lift. What are the "face lift" differences?
3) With the 09-12 I see LCI listed with models and parts, what does LCI stand for?
4) What maintenance issues can I expect? I've seen the water pump is a common one, anything else?

Any other tips, comments, suggestions are welcome. I don't have pictures yet but they're coming. I will try to get most some in the next day or so.

For the time being, only mods will be cosmetic/aesthetic but a twin turbo set up does appeal to my power hungry appetite!

Thanks!

[Eddien123]

1. Yes E90
2. 06-08 sedan = pre lci. 09-12 sedan = lci. For coupes (e92) you can extend each year by 1. Differences on sedan include:
Front bumper looks different.
Added M-Sport if I'm not mistaken.
Headlights are different.
Hood and hood lines are different.
Mirrors are different (one of the things I don't like about the LCI)
Minor interior changes.
New wheel options.
Tail lights are different.
Removed "Xi" badging and replaced with "xdrive" badge located under side turn signal.
I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot of stuff but for the most part that's the main differences with the sedan.
3. I have no idea what it stands for. all I know is it's a refresh and facelift.
4. Water pump is an issue indeed. I had started problems at around 70k. Also valve cover gaskets are known to go around 90-100k. Other than that nothing really crazy to speak of. N52 engine in the 328i is a very good NA 6 and should last you a while.

Also for the record, I would not recommend a twin turbo for the 328i. It'll cost you way more than if you just buy a 335. If you insist on force induction on this car. Go supercharger or go 335.

Welcome to the forum. People on here are very helpful but most people would've told you to just search all your questions. all of the info I provided and that you're looking can be found on here by searching. You caught me at a good time and I have nothing else to do so I figured why not haha.

[Volasko]

To jump in about point 3, LCI = Life Cycle Impulse

Just means they have revised the model mid life cycle to update the looks. Every model tends to go through a LCI treatment before they replace it with an updated chassis.

[max_330i]

Originally Posted by Eddien123

1. Yes E90
2. 06-09 sedan = pre lci. 10-12 sedan = lci.

very minor detail but technically pre lci spans model years 2006-2008 and lci is 2009+. OP, when shopping for parts, you will always want the LCI component because your car is clearly in the facelifted generation.

[Delta0311]

Post mileage and we can give you info on what maintenance is needed. The E9x 3 series ALREADY comes with turbos, it's called a 335. I believe someone on this forum has a 328 TT but he's in Europe and it is a costly setup.. Another option is to supercharge it, again this is a costly setup.

[Eddien123]

Originally Posted by max_330i

very minor detail but technically pre lci spans model years 2006-2008 and lci is 2009+. OP, when shopping for parts, you will always want the LCI component because your car is clearly in the facelifted generation.

Ahh my mistake thanks for correcting me

[ctuna]

If you want the turbo sell the car and get a 335
Not a lot you can do to a 328 that is cost effective
power wise.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=378

http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=16

water pump , serpentine belt tensioner, vcg and ofg gasket
leaks are the common problems.
biggest noticeable difference in the lci is hood creases.
get rid of the Run Flat Tires.

[Bluewater328iT]

You can fairly easily get 265 hp by putting a 330 intake and tuned chip in. Anything else is small hp for big bucks.

Here is my 330 intake mod:

http://forum.e90fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1095889

If you decide you must have 300 hp+, get a 335 or an M3.

[jtt328]

Car has 58k miles, AT

I don't think tires and rims are stock. I'm not sure of the rims but the tires are Nankang tires. I've never heard of them. Fronts are 235/30/19 and rears are 285/35/19.

I had a NA Camaro SS (kinda stock) with about 350 RWHP so this is quite a bit more luxurious than what I'm accustomed to. Also have a 1967 Pontiac Lemans convertible that takes some money. It's a numbers matching 326 & 2 speed Powerglide.

Will post pictures later.

[AM330i]

Originally Posted by Bluewater328iT

You can fairly easily get 265 hp by putting a 330 intake and tuned chip in. Anything else is small hp for big bucks.

Here is my 330 intake mod:

http://forum.e90fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1095889

If you decide you must have 300 hp+, get a 335 or an M3.

Unless he has the N51 engine which already has a 3 stage intake.

[jtt328]

Originally Posted by AM330i

Unless he has the N51 engine which already has a 3 stage intake.

Where do I look to confirm which engine?

My guess is that it's probably the N52?

Any supporting mods required at the same time?

Thanks!

[Manual Transmission]

Originally Posted by jtt328

Where do I look to confirm which engine?

My guess is that it's probably the N52?

Any supporting mods required at the same time?

Thanks!

You can use one of the many BMW VIN look up sites listed on Google to find this out. The 3 stage intake manifold also needs to be done with a tune. By itself in a 325i it's good for about 8hp, but with a tune to properly take advantage of the additional air it will produce nearly as much power as a stock 330i. There's a bunch of other thread about this subject with more info, but that's the basics.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Volasko

To jump in about point 3, LCI = Life Cycle Impulse

Just means they have revised the model mid life cycle to update the looks. Every model tends to go through a LCI treatment before they replace it with an updated chassis.

In most car manufacturing of high-rate production vehicles, which the 3-series falls into, the various tooling dies that form the sheet metal parts wear over time and get out of tolerance. This is when manufacturers take the opportunity to make minor design changes to freshen up a car's looks, as the manufacturer will be updating the production tooling anyway (to replace it with tools that are in tolerance), so they can at a relative low production cost, update the sheet metal (and some plastic parts) details of the car.

[max_330i]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

In most car manufacturing of high-rate production vehicles, which the 3-series falls into, the various tooling dies that form the sheet metal parts wear over time and get out of tolerance. This is when manufacturers take the opportunity to make minor design changes to freshen up a car's looks, as the manufacturer will be updating the production tooling anyway (to replace it with tools that are in tolerance), so they can at a relative low production cost, update the sheet metal (and some plastic parts) details of the car.

Very informative. Thanks for sharing.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by jtt328

Where do I look to confirm which engine?

My guess is that it's probably the N52?

Any supporting mods required at the same time?

Thanks!

RealOEM.com is your best friend (other than us ) when it comes to understanding the parts requirements for your car. All you do is enter in the last 7 digits of the VIN, and realOEM.com will tell you everything about what parts your car needs. It will also tell you the production date, type code and engine code.

For example:

[jtt328]

Thanks, I'll have to check it out.

[Seattlesquash]

Welcome, and per my signature you can see what I have done which I think really changed the car. Plus recently did new all m3 control arms, FSD's with 27mm front sway bar! Happy modding my friend!

[jtt328]

Finally got around to it. Here are a couple pictures.