Buyers remorse 

"AM3R shamefully returns " (am3rshamefullyreturns) 01/11/2016 at 22:45 • Filed to: BMW

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*knocks furiously on wood* I have the opposite of that, in fact I want everyone to know about this. I’m gonna do tavarish a quick favor. THE BIGGEST performance bargain on the market for enthusiasts is the E9x 335i. Here’s why:

You can have a manual, auto, or DCT twin turbo (N54) inline six engine. It puts out 300hp and 300 ft lbs. of torque, dyno results show that as closer to wheel HP, not crank. I personally get 30mpg highway cruising at about 70. The transmission in mine (6MT) is great to daily drive, the clutch is a dream but the shifter is a little notchy, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, just not what I expected. I’m just glad to be back in a manual. The throws are short and precise.

I can fit 4 adult sized adults in my coupe, and the trunk is big enough for a Costco run while my golf clubs sit back there collecting dust. The road noise isn’t as low as I expected but that is completely on the terrible run flat tires BMW chose to use. Easy enough to solve. My car is sparsely loaded, just sport package and premium, with the logic 7 sound system. Audio quality is good and the interior is a nice place to be, although I sometimes wish I had i-drive.

The car weighs 3570 pounds, which isn’t bad but I wouldn’t really call it a lightweight. 50/50 weight distribution, hydraulic steering, and the sport suspension really make the car handle superbly. The steering is my favorite part, good feel and the weight is awesome, although many non enthusiasts would be quick to call it too heavy.

Here’s the fun part: the aftermarket for the N54/N55 and E9x chassis is amazing. 400whp is ridiculously easy, requiring 2-3 mods. The community is filled with DIY guides and vendors offering help and advice. Lots of great suspension components to help turn this into a track beast. Most of the M3 front suspension is a direct swap too, if you want a cheap upgrade over stock.

Reliability is what you’re probably wondering. I’ll be honest, it seems grim. A shitty HPFP design, turbos wastegates rattling, and carbon buildup. Scary stuff. The HPFP has been redesigned and the warranty was extended, many cars now have the better part and are no longer prone to failure. The turbos have a really long warranty, in fact my 2009 335i with 62k is still in warranty for the turbos. Carbon buildup is a problem with all direct injected engines. I don’t have a solution, but walnut blasting sure does work wonders.

pjhusa > AM3R shamefully returns 01/11/2016 at 22:47

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once you go iDrive

you can never go back

AM3R shamefully returns > AM3R shamefully returns 01/11/2016 at 22:48

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Wow, I really didn't put any valuable info for the reliability. I'm about to go to bed, but the relaibility isn't THAT bad. If you keep it stock, don't expect any major problems. I'll elaborate with facts and stuff tomorrow.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > AM3R shamefully returns 01/11/2016 at 22:48

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did yours get the indicator delete?

In all seriousness, I really really really want one of these...

AM3R shamefully returns > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 01/11/2016 at 22:53

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Still rocking the amber corners on mine, I got mine in a less common color (got a great deal on it) so no vendors have them in stock matching my paint.

Also, you should totally get one. If you can DIY, you reaaaally should get one. If you can't, still get one. Just have a little bit of money saved just in case.

AM3R shamefully returns > pjhusa 01/11/2016 at 22:55

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My 328i has the old iDrive and I actually like it, I can only imagine how good it is now.

E92M3 > AM3R shamefully returns 01/11/2016 at 22:57

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Really if you know you will never use it for trackdays, it’s all the car you’ll ever need. I’d even say for a daily driver it’s better than the E9X M3. You could track it if you wanted to, but you’ll need to do some mods.

One thing you forgot to mention is the failure prone electric water pump. They seem to fail around 60k miles. It cost almost $2000 to have replaced at the dealer, but you could buy a replacement and DIY for around $450.

Nauraushaun > AM3R shamefully returns 01/11/2016 at 22:58

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I was on a 300ZX cruise once and one member brought his 335i coupe because the Z is a bit stiff for a back injury he had. I was shocked to find out it was twin-turbo and therefore significantly quicker than my NA 300ZX.

He really shut me up he did.

AM3R shamefully returns > E92M3 01/11/2016 at 23:01

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Yeah, the downside of the engine is that it runs really hot, even bone stock. You’ll need to get a bigger intercooler and maybe an oil cooler to help keep things under control. If I was regularly tracking the car, I’d go M3.

I knew I missed something big, if you can DIY these cars really aren't bad at all.

Chasaboo > AM3R shamefully returns 01/11/2016 at 23:15

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All the guys with money at our company got BMWs. Then the problems started. Now there are no BMWs. They all drive Audis. Anecdotal, but it’s true.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > AM3R shamefully returns 01/11/2016 at 23:21

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Someone at my work has recently started parking their white e92 335i near where I park normally and it looks so beautiful. Honestly, at the price these are going for on the used market it’s pretty difficult to make an argument against them as long as the car hasn’t been beat half to death.

With that said though, I’m pretty biased and would probably swing for the M3 since I want to learn to track a car. *sigh* if only I was at the point in my life where I could afford one of these. Seems like the prime time to be a petrolhead right now. :(

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > AM3R shamefully returns 01/11/2016 at 23:38

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“Reliability is what you’re probably wondering. I’ll be honest, it seems grim.”

So it’s like having a really hot girlfriend who shits the bed every time she cums.

But not to worry, washing the bed sheets in bleach after sure does work wonders... LOL

twinturbobmw > AM3R shamefully returns 01/11/2016 at 23:41

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This is why the 335i has always been one of my favorite cars. It has so much performance potential for half the price of an E9X M3, plus the same or more torque than the S65 motor with mods. I think it has the potential to look just as good as an M3 as well. I’d love to own one but the HPFP and turbo problems are pretty scary, although I’ve heard they were improved a bit on the N55 engine.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Chasaboo 01/11/2016 at 23:41

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Just a matter of time before the Audis start having problems. Then they’ll read Consumer Reports and either get something from Lexus, Infinity or Acura... and maaaaybe Cadillac or Lincoln.

AM3R shamefully returns > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 01/11/2016 at 23:47

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You can get a good 335i for under $20k! I’ve been a fan of the M3 since I was a kid, I’ll always love them. The E9x M3 is nearing the bottom of its depreciation curve, try to get in soon if you can! But hey, a 335i isn’t the worst place to “settle” :)

Montalvo > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 01/11/2016 at 23:49

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Do it, I really am loving mine and it also being AWD is another boon for me. I think it strikes the right balance between practicality and performance. Like AM3R mentioned, the warranties are actually really good, I am still covered for everything for the next 3 years.

AM3R shamefully returns > twinturbobmw 01/11/2016 at 23:49

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N55 is a very solid improvement at the cost of of a tiny bit of power. The reliability shouldn't be too huge a concern if you stay at stock power levels. These cars, if modded properly, could clobber an M3 for way less than the price of a decent enough M3.. It's impressive.

Noah - Now with more boost. > AM3R shamefully returns 01/11/2016 at 23:50

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Good luck with that HPFP! I’d love to own an e90 335i at some point.

twinturbobmw > AM3R shamefully returns 01/11/2016 at 23:52

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I just love the thought of a 335i with a JB4 tune and BMW Performance Exhaust. More power and torque than an M3, with the addition of a Dinan LSD and some coils would be the ultimate sleeper/M3 killer.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > AM3R shamefully returns 01/11/2016 at 23:58

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What do you know about walnut blasting? How frequently is it needed/recommended?

Tapas > AM3R shamefully returns 01/12/2016 at 00:10

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I drove a 2008 335i manual convertible in the Bay Area for a day and I loved driving it.

I shifted to higher gears only when I needed to cruise on the highway. Otherwise, I just left it in third and it just sounds amazing :)

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > AM3R shamefully returns 01/12/2016 at 00:18

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Yeah I’ve been slowly eyeing them up. But then an e46 M3 can also be had for under $20k. Decisions, decisions! Like you I’ve been a big fan of the M3 since I was a kid so they hold a special place in my heart. I’ve seen e9X M3s around $30k but I’m kind of hoping they go to $20k. That’s for sure. one could do a lot worse than a 335i.

Textured Soy Protein > AM3R shamefully returns 01/12/2016 at 01:03

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Slight nitpick but the only E92 335 with a DCT is the 335is. The 335i has the 6-speed Steptronic torque converter auto. I test drove one back to back with my 135is which does have a DCT, and its a pretty huge difference. So much so that it’s the main reason I got the 135is.

(All 2011-13 135s have the N55 + DCT. The 135is comes standard with the M exhaust and performance power kit ECU tune. But the 335is has an N54 + PPK + DCT. Go figure.)

Conan > AM3R shamefully returns 01/12/2016 at 02:48

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They’re nice rides. My dad loves his xi, though you sacrifice a fair bit of mpg.

Party-vi > AM3R shamefully returns 01/12/2016 at 07:32

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Give me natural aspiration or give me death.

#330lyfe

AM3R shamefully returns > Party-vi 01/12/2016 at 08:23

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There's no turbo lag, but yeah the last crop of N/A BMW inline six engines really are awesome.

AM3R shamefully returns > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 01/12/2016 at 08:56

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My E92 is at about 63k and I’m not showing any of the symptoms of needing a walnut blast, but I’m planning on having it done at 70k just so I don’t have to worry about it for another 50k+ miles. There are people with almost 100k on their engines never having walnut blasted, with their engines running completely normal.

Walnut blasting is just a way to clean the intake valves. Walnut shells are literally blasted in to get rid of all the carbon build up. I got a few quotes around $500 at local Indy shops to have it done. Here's some good info: REVIEW: Cleaning of intake valves with BMW walnut shell blasting tool http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthr…

AM3R shamefully returns > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC 01/12/2016 at 08:59

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At first I wanted to get an E46 M3 instead of this, I only didn’t because I couldn’t find one I liked (blue, 6MT, coupe, under 75k) anywhere near me. E46 M3 vs. 335i is a tough call, even having the 335i I wouldn’t know which to pick! The E9x’s are really coming down, there's a 2008 vert with 80k on it for $23k near me!

wiffleballtony > AM3R shamefully returns 01/12/2016 at 09:01

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I hope it works out for you. I had a coworker with one that was an absolute nightmare.

AM3R shamefully returns > twinturbobmw 01/12/2016 at 09:02

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That’s funny, the few mods I have planned are a BMW performance exhaust, coilovers, FMIC, and tune. The rest will just be cosmetic stuff. The performance exhaust sounds awesome, and that should add up to plenty of power for the street.

AM3R shamefully returns > Tapas 01/12/2016 at 09:03

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The trick is to pull the fuse in the trunk that controls the exhaust valve, cold starts in mine sound awesome!

AM3R shamefully returns > wiffleballtony 01/12/2016 at 09:05

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Haha, I hope it works out too. I got it a few months off of being a CPO one owner car so I think I got lucky.

Tapas > AM3R shamefully returns 01/12/2016 at 18:57

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Dang I didn’t know that :p It was a rental for a day. I was too scared to put a ding or curb rash the rims.