E90 335i

[MattTheHat325]

Noted. We'll certainly give it a thorough poking. It has obviously had a relatively little amount of use in fairness, it will certainly get some exercise with me on the v5.

Thanks again lads this is why I love the zone, I never go anywhere else!

[tom325ise]

I read through the PDF of the warranty terms sent to me from BMW-warranty.co.uk and for what it's worth (until something goes tits up!) it sounds fairly reasonable. The relatively low mileage of the car and it meticulous service history would be on my side, I would like to think that stuff like fuel pump failure shouldn't be considered wear and tear after less than 70,000 miles? I'd certainly argue the case with them at least!

Good point about the tax, does anyone know anything about the impending changes to the vehicle licensing system? Will be interesting to see what impact (if any) a monthly tax system would have on the gas guzzling sector?

My e30 more than makes up for that £475 over the course of 12 months! Fuel, rubber components, hoses, breathers, sensors, welding wire.......... it's never ending! It will be a relief for it to return to 'toy' status

Yes, if you're using the E30 as a daily, then £475 for road tax probably won't sound like a lot!

One other point - if it's got runflat tyres you will want to get rid of them at some point as they wreck the ride and cost £1K to replace (the e92 has staggered 18" wheels, not sure if the e90 does). Ideally, it would have a space saver wheel which costs about £250 rather than a can of foam, otherwise you'll be left immobile in the event of serious sidewall damage.

[bss325i]

One other point - if it's got runflat tyres you will want to get rid of them at some point as they wreck the ride and cost £1K to replace (the e92 has staggered 18" wheels, not sure if the e90 does). Ideally, it would have a space saver wheel which costs about £250 rather than a can of foam, otherwise you'll be left immobile in the event of serious sidewall damage.

That was me on christmas eve! Only thing is my E46 never had run flats and only the tyre foam!

First ever puncture in 17 years of driving though!

The E90 also has a staggered set up, same sizes as an E46 non M3 with 18's. 225/40/18 and 255/35/18 so non run flats are a reasonable price. No space for a space saver though.

To be fair, 18" run flats dont ride that bad, its the 19's that are horrid on M sport suspension.

[MattTheHat325]

Right, I've been to see it. Bit gutted really, I've walked away for now.

There was a bit of a clacky tick from cold, similar to what my m52 does. I wasn't sure if this was normal but it soon calmed down once it got a bit of heat through it, settled to the usual creamy quiet tick.

Then the test drive.....smashed the toe down and it felt like a 318. Immediately flagged up with EML and 'engine power no longer, drive moderately' etc. so he had me take it round to the spanner he uses. He plugged it in and wiped the fault, he wouldn't tell me what the fault was, but 'it should be fine now'

Took it out again and the power was definately back, but it obviously happened for a reason. Then came the wastegate rattle. Consistently on over run a very tinny metallic noise and quite loud. After he told me it was the rear exhaust flaps rattling and resonating back through the system and his 130i does the same I thought it was time to hang my head in disappointment and begin my 3 hour journey home

[pacerpete]

Right, just been to see my man. Unfortunately they can't offer me any kind of warranty on a used car unless it's a continuation of warranty extension. But he did say BMW might be able to, this is the thing with individual dealers having their own ways I guess.

We pulled up the black saloon on the system and as you all know, we could see it's life story. He did a hpi on it for me aswell which showed nothing untoward, not stolen, crashed, no outstanding finance etc etc, nicely specced and obviously well looked after, it was last in the network for servicing 18 months ago at just under 40k so until I speak to the seller I can only assume/hope it's had at least one more service between then and now at an Indy.

One thing we found was that it had a personal plate from new, which was then changed to it's existing 56 plate in 2007. Could this be the reason it's not being recognised by the BMW warranty website?

I obviously can't determine whether it's spot on or not without going to see for myself, but it is a rare car at almost half the money I was considering paying should one have popped up in the AUC network.

Hmmmm

It is a minefield buying a turd like this . Buying a BMW AUC gives some sort of peace of mind, albeit at a cost but it is NOT a guarantee in any shape nor form that the car is a good one, just an expensive one.
If you want a weapon and no aggro, why not a new M135 ? There are some amazing lease deals around at the moment. Obviously you will not have anything in three years but the value of a then ten year old 100K + 335 FOUR DOOR is hardly going to make you rich. And in the mean time, you need to keep it running and that will NOT be cheap

[bss325i]

Turbos were f ucked then!

Good shout from Pete on the M135i

[zd3bx]

M135i sounds good, but it's not exactly £10k?

And leasing is not everyone's cup of tea - my way of thinking is, if you can't afford to buy it, then don't lease/rent it out...

Of course, houses and super cars are an exception

Might be worth checking that grey one out? It is higher mileage and doesn't have an iDrive/Sat-nav, but it's only a 1 owner and has full BMW service history?

And if not, then you might want to start considering coupes...Any specific reasons you want a 4-door? Space, kids, looks?

[MattTheHat325]

Yeah I see your point pacer, I'm not keen on 1's though. There are a few nice coupes about, it is a looks reason for me, not that I think the saloon is better looking! It's just more understated. I had considered looking at the grey one. I prefer the colour over black to be honest and my trip today has sure taught me that mileage means F A!

I more than likely would 'settle' for a coupe if it was the right price and spec. This is a really head hurting decision for me as the only things I am genuinely happy while driving are old and shite! A 330 could be an option but even the 335 is boringly fast if you know what I mean.

[tom325ise]

Sorry to hear the 335i had problems.

I drove all of the large engined E92's before I bought my 330i. The 335i has effortless power, whereas the 330i really needs to be worked to make it go fast which I preferred. I guess it's a matter of taste, but I would recommend you try a few.

If you get a 330i with the N53 engine, then it's had a number of recalls which you need to make sure have been carried out otherwise you'll have problems with coils and injectors. There are a couple of software updates too.

[zd3bx]

I think you need to figure exactly what you want before searching for anything

[MattTheHat325]

A good manual 335 m saloon would do me perfectly. Anything modern at all bores me a bit to be honest but I have a 60 mile return commute and my old fashioned taste isn't realistically working, but I would enjoy the point to point pace of the 335 and I do like them to look at.

The coupe is the prettiest 2 door since the e30 IMO so it's not like I don't like it! It's just the image thing I guess, they do come across to me as being a bit posey, which I'm not! But I'd be more than satisfied with it as a car I'm sure. I can also be a bit fussier with a 2 door as there seems to be a lot more manuals around than in the saloon.

[pacerpete]

Get a shooting break, that is what all the proper peeps drive

[bss325i]

Get a shooting break, that is what all the proper peeps drive

Good luck trying to find a manual!

[Blitz]

Theres one here buts its shit spec, lots of miles and is from a dubious seller.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2010-BMW-3-SE ... 4179053a62

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-335-3-0-T ... 1c33eebf53

[bss325i]

Theres one here buts its shit spec, lots of miles and is from a dubious seller.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2010-BMW-3-SE ... 4179053a62

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-335-3-0-T ... 1c33eebf53

Both of them don't xenons, instant no go for me.

[tom325ise]

pacerpete is exactly right when he says that buying a car like this is a minefield. I'd say you can narrow it down a bit by chosing where you buy it from though

In the past 6 years I've bought 3 prestige cars of about the price your looking for - a 4 year old Audi TT, a 4 year old X Type Jag Diesel Estate, and a 4.5 year old E92 330i.

The TT was bought from Car Giant and the E92 was bought from Big Motoring World (who have a terrible reputation on the Internet). I bought the Jag from an independent dealer.

All 3 cars had expensive problems, but Car Giant and Big Motoring World really stepped up and fixed the problems. Also, the E92 had clearly gone through a PDI as they'd fitted 4 brand new Bridgestone runflats before I picked it up, which is a grands worth of tyres. Neither car has cost me a penny in repairs above normal servicing.

With the Independent dealer, the only way of contacting them was to speak to the owner on his mobile, and he stopped taking my calls after a while and I was left well out of pocket.

I'm not saying the service from the larger dealers was perfect - there's no loan car if your car is in overnight for instance, but they're probably closely monitored by trading standards, and if they sell a car with an apparant fault, they know they have to fix it - they're also loads cheaper than BMW AUC's

Unless, an independent dealer was within a couple of miles of my house or had a fantastic reputation, I really would avoid buying a car from one like the plague. The margins are really low these days, and a lot of them just get cars in from the auctions, put them up for sale with no inspection, and hope that you won't complain if something goes wrong.

[pacerpete]

I have NEVER known anyone to get a pup from Car Giant or the Great Trade Centre as they were known and whatever they were called before that . And I am going back to the 80s and a LOT of cars ! Generally all one owner ex lease stuff NOT auction lotteries like most independant dealers stock. Prices are usually fair and the cars are usually honest and not tonced up to hide their years of abuse / neglect. I have done a few PPIs over the years for people who have bought cars there and the mechanical prep is usually pretty good and any issues that I found within reason were generally addressed and the sale completed.

The biggest problem you have Matt is how few of these cars were sold new. By the time the E90 etc was launched the diesel steamroller was roaring . I would love to know the brake down of sales but I would safely bet that 85% + of recent 3 series are diesel

[tom325ise]

The TT I bought from Car Giant was an absolute bargain. It was being sold on the cheap as it was due a cambelt. It turned out that PHH leasing hadn't got the service book stamped and it had been done 3000 miles earlier at an Audi Dealer!

I took it into Audi for a service 1500 miles later - they said it needed a cv boot/joint, a breather hose deep in the engine which was 2 hours labour to change, and the battery was sha66ed which was causing a few odd errors. Car Giant changed the lot without quibble and I never had another problem.

[Simon13]

Matt, its all about the wagons. Big petrol engines and manual gearboxes. They're all the car you'll ever need. Luckily BMW made them in many flavours sometimes you need to shop alpina

335i manual touring?! hell yeah, saloon no! The only saloon allowed is an e34 bi turbo because they never made a touring version. Patience to find the right weapon, they are out there!

Pete influenced me somewhat in my earlier years but like most old gits hes right

[bss325i]

The only saloon allowed is an e34 bi turbo because they never made a touring version. Patience to find the right weapon, they are out there!

E39 M5?

[Simon13]

maybe another boo boo by bmw considering the amount of 540 tourings they sold

[MattTheHat325]

I do like the shooters, but I've already got an e36 station wagon! That will be sold soon to get a bit of coin back in the kitty. I don't really need/want another estate as I've got a nice little pick up truck coming for strenuous duties

I just wish that grey one in cardiff had lower miles, I doubt it will take anything away from the car itself but by the time I've finished with it it'll have been to Jupiter and back! There is always the notion of running it into the ground I guess, I don't care how many miles are on my car, but that would be worth very little after 200k I would have thought?

Tempted though at 8k....

[MattTheHat325]

I don't know if any of you guys have any experience with lmc where I looked at that black one? Or the garage they use, Prestige something or other in Purfleet? To be honest I would still be into that one if I KNEW it had had new turbos etc etc, but I must admit there was just something about the whole shenanigan that made me feel wary, shame as the poor little e90 would probably be fine once it was sorted

[tom325ise]

I don't know if any of you guys have any experience with lmc where I looked at that black one? Or the garage they use, Prestige something or other in Purfleet? To be honest I would still be into that one if I KNEW it had had new turbos etc etc, but I must admit there was just something about the whole shenanigan that made me feel wary, shame as the poor little e90 would probably be fine once it was sorted

I've never heard anything about lmc or Prestige, but as I mentioned above, I'd really hold out until you can get one from somewhere you're guaranteed some recourse.

You don't need to pay for a warranty for a dealer to fix problems with your car for the first 6 months after you've bought it under the Sale Of Goods Act (although an AUC warranty is probably worth it in the long term), but this guy is 3 hours from your house and could really make it awkward for you if you get a problem - or he might refuse to talk to you, then you'd have to take legal action which is an expensive ballache.

If he insists you get the car back to him every time it develops a fault it'll cost you a load of time and money.

I know 335i manual saloons are rare, but I'd just leave it and move on to the next one.

[bss325i]

I don't know if any of you guys have any experience with lmc where I looked at that black one? Or the garage they use, Prestige something or other in Purfleet? To be honest I would still be into that one if I KNEW it had had new turbos etc etc, but I must admit there was just something about the whole shenanigan that made me feel wary, shame as the poor little e90 would probably be fine once it was sorted

I've never heard anything about lmc or Prestige, but as I mentioned above, I'd really hold out until you can get one from somewhere you're guaranteed some recourse.

You don't need to pay for a warranty for a dealer to fix problems with your car for the first 6 months after you've bought it under the Sale Of Goods Act (although an AUC warranty is probably worth it in the long term), but this guy is 3 hours from your house, and could really make it awkward for you if you get a problem - or he might refuse to talk to you, then you'd have to take legal action which is an expensive ballache.

If he insists you get the car back to him every time it develops a fault it'll cost you a load of time and money.

I know 335i manual saloons are rare, but I'd just leave it and move on to the next one.

+1!

[pacerpete]

+2!

They know all about the issues with that turd and were undoubtably clearing the codes while you were enroute hoping that it might behave until they had your money. Then it was a problem for you and the warranty company to fight over

[MattTheHat325]

The black one is a no no for sure, I'm almost glad it played up if I'm honest because instinct told me something wasn't quite cricket with that car. I'm gonna pop down to cardiff (45 mins) on Saturday morning to have a peek at the grey one. It has come down in price

It's a one owner, full dealer history with Trainers of Swansea, I'm going to give them a call and see if they can fill me in on whether it's had any warranty work etc, what has and hasn't been replaced. I'll let my eyes and hands complete the story on Saturday. I'm keen as mustard for one of these motors but I'm so wary of technology I'll walk away from a second one if I get so much as a gut instinct!

I feel like a typewriter enthusiast shopping for an iMac

[tom325ise]

Did you manage to get over to Cardiff to see it?

[MattTheHat325]

I did indeed! I was disappointed again initially as the first thing I saw was sanding marks under the paint on the bonnet myself and my pal inspected the whole car very thoroughly, and concluded that the bonnet and bumper had been painted and it had a new n/s headlight fitted at some point. The slam/front panel however had not been touched, nor had the front chassis legs, top wing bolts or any other structural areas in and around the engine bay.

The interior was in better condition than the black one's, no idrive unfortunately but everything worked, air con was ICE cold. Started perfectly, went through its warm up cycle and I left it to run for some time. Nothing untoward, no smoke, noises, NO WASTEGATE RATTLE!

Took it for a 10-15 minute test drive and tried my hardest to get it in limp mode but it drove perfectly! Pulled strongly from the very bottom of the rev range in every gear, was quiet, smooth and chassis wise I didn't hear a whisper. It has a full BMW history at Swansea BMW up to 2,000 miles ago. All in all it was a good car, which is priced fairly in my opinion. Having 125,000 miles under its belt realistically means that the previous owner has already taken the biggest depreciation hit, at £7900 I think it was a lot for the money. However, me being me I went away to have a couple of sleeps on it, but I am fully intending to call the guy in the week and drop a deposit on it. Providing he still has it I'm hoping to pick it up next weekend

[bss325i]

What do you think of them now you've driven a couple?

[MattTheHat325]

I think it's a phenomenal engine, the readily available torque absolutely anywhere and everywhere is a pleasure! On the test drive I was climbing a reasonable incline at 40 mph, any other vehicle I've driven would have been labouring in 5th, I was in 6th and it still felt as keen as it did in 2nd!

Lovely car

[tom325ise]

Excellent! Did you put the deposit down or are you going to look at a few more?

[MattTheHat325]

Yeah I put a deposit on it! At that price it was a no brainer for me, I could pay 3 grand more for a low mileage one but by the time I've put millions of miles on it I'd have lost that extra that I paid anyway. For what I use my car for its ideal. Should be picking it up this weekend if all goes well!

[Blitz]

Have you got a link?

[MattTheHat325]

http://www.mylesbrowning.com.razsor.aut ... 2200639334