[texasjohn]

Originally Posted by verysideways

You see if i'm looking for a car to put a smile on my face which i won't be driving every day i wouldn't be looking at a diesel (sorry to all the diesel fanboys).

The 330i engine is much more eager and sonorous than the 335i engine (earlier or later) but it's smooth and linear, so whilst it sounds good it doesn't feel particularly fast.
The 335i is fast. Plain and simple. Buckets of torque and it pulls hard, and with a remap pulls even harder.

Go drive both and i think you'll very quickly know if you prefer 7k rpm sweet six noise or the overwhelming torque of two turbos...

There isn't much in the 'sound' between the turbo and NA sixes. I would agree 'much more eager' (comparing the engines in the same platform) and more sonorous but not 'much more sonorous'.

Maybe it's my ears but I thought the N53 sounded pretty good and people often post that it's loads better than the N52. There's a bit in it, but not loads in it!

Although I would say that the N55 sounds a little better than the N54 335i as well.

On the point of eagerness, I wouldn't think there was much, if anything, between a 130i and stock 335i up to 70 or 80 either, and I reckon you'll agree.

In response to the chap above with the LCI 330d, I think you make some good points. The newer '30d is a very rapid car and if I didn't have a fuel card I would have gone for one of those myself over the (automatic only) 335d or 335i.

[texasjohn]

Originally Posted by Mike in Hampshire

*cough* 335 petrol all the way *cough* look on this forum classifieds *cough*..........

Mike.

This

[zltm089]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Do your home work. The N54 ain't the most reliable lump.

plus one.

[Greg330]

Go for the 335i, no brainer....

Its an occasional use car and for the money you have you can get a very good one and have some funds left over for the odd little tweak!

I came from an E46 330 and can't really compare too much with an E92 330 but the difference in performance between the two is massive.

Get a 335i and don't look back!

[E60525d]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Do your home work. The N54 ain't the most reliable lump.

I would of thought the problems with faulty injectors and fuel pumps should have been fixed by recalls with the new updated parts.

[briers]

If you want more options my 335d is for sale

Now I've found a new car I've spent the last 2 days prepping it (putting summer wheels back on and valeted)

It will fall within your budget

[Chrisdc144]

Originally Posted by briers

If you want more options my 335d is for sale

Now I've found a new car I've spent the last 2 days prepping it (putting summer wheels back on and valeted)

It will fall within your budget

cheers mate, replied to your pm

chris

[Chrisdc144]

Thanks for all the info lads. I think I am willing to look for both petrol and diesel variants now. Just need to make a decision and go for a test drive and see what brings the biggest smile to my face.

Chris

[Not a Diesel!!!]

Just got a 330i. Not really had much of a play yet but coming froma turbo I initially mised the low-end.

Very smooth. Dont do many miles and lots of short stuff so the Diesels would never be warmed up.

Down to what you want it for. Miles, Driving style, roads etc.

I got a late LCI from a main dealer and I know a 330d in the same age & spec would have been way over my budget by £4-5k. So I would have been getting a pre-facelift car.

[Dr Dave]

I'd say a 330d would suit you......but then I'm biased!

[surrey 335i]

Originally Posted by markymark34

No question a petrol if your wanting fun and the 335is are mega cheap at the min thanks to te tax and fuel costs. Easy choice!
SE or M sport for a 335i have sports seats and suspension anyway.

this is not true, coupe 335 SE or M both have sports seats and suspension, but saloon E90 335 SE comes with non sports seats and softer suspesnion than Coupe SE with sports suspension, (have owned both).

[Chrisdc144]

Hey all

Thanks for all the info over the last few days. Think I have finally decided on the 335i now and am hoping to test drive a couple tomorrow.

Chris

[Sparky68]

Originally Posted by BanziBarn

I discounted the 335i because when I drove it back to back with the 330d it didn't 'feel' quicker than the diesel and I knew that I'd be driving mainly in urban areas where reving to 7k wasn't important. Plus the 335i was more expensive.

So, my advice would be try the 330d and the 335i and choose the one you like most from those two.

You drove a 335i and it didnt feel any quicker than a 330d? Was it broken?

[Subzero2003]

Originally Posted by Chrisdc144

Hey all

Thanks for all the info over the last few days. Think I have finally decided on the 335i now and am hoping to test drive a couple tomorrow.

Chris

Once you do you WILL want one, and probably WILL buy one. They are fantastic machines. As far as sound is concerned - it goes like this:

N55 > N54 > N52 > N53 > 6 Cylinder diesel > A tractor > A barge > 4 Cylinder diesel*

* said in jest.

[Chrisdc144]

Is there anything specific I should look out for when looking at the 335i's? I have read alot about the HPFP ie long cranks at start up etc. but anything else that I should pay particular attention too. Will be looking at 06 - 57 plates with miles between 30000 to 57000.

Chris

[E60525d]

Originally Posted by Subzero2003

Once you do you WILL want one, and probably WILL buy one. They are fantastic machines. As far as sound is concerned - it goes like this:

N55 > N54 > N52 > N53 > 6 Cylinder diesel > A tractor > A barge > 4 Cylinder diesel*

* said in jest.

Sounds about right to me

[crypticc]

Originally Posted by Subzero2003

Once you do you WILL want one, and probably WILL buy one. They are fantastic machines. As far as sound is concerned - it goes like this:

N55 > N54 > N52 > N53 > 6 Cylinder diesel > A tractor > A barge > 4 Cylinder diesel*

* said in jest.

n54 is actually more tunable than n55 (witness 1m uses the former)

[djgandy]

Originally Posted by crypticc

n54 is actually more tunable than n55 (witness 1m uses the former)

He was talking about sound though.

Originally Posted by Chrisdc144

Is there anything specific I should look out for when looking at the 335i's? I have read alot about the HPFP ie long cranks at start up etc. but anything else that I should pay particular attention too. Will be looking at 06 - 57 plates with miles between 30000 to 57000.

Chris

The HPFP is the biggest issue, however I think it is much more common in the states where they have crappy fuel (lots of ethanol). That said there are far more 335s in the states due to cheaper fuel and taxes.

[BanziBarn]

Originally Posted by Sparky68

You drove a 335i and it didnt feel any quicker than a 330d? Was it broken?

Ha Ha. No, not broken. The 335i would obviously be quicker if you attached timing gear to it but around town the big wallup of the 330d made a bigger impact on me. Also, the more linear the acceleration is, the slower it can feel which was also part of the issue.

I recently did a back to back drive in an RS4 and my 330d and again, around town, the RS4 didn't really feel any different.

All being equal I'd have still gone for the 335i but it was more expensive to buy and run, with worse residuals so I figured I'd take the slower car.

I've run my car head to head at the pod with my mates 335i and there wasn't a huge amount in it so to me, my 330d feels fast, and even against the clock is still fairly quick so that was enough for me.

[C.J]

Since January last year (yes, 13 months), I've been comparing the 330i to 335i.

I test drove a 330i, and liked everything about it. The style, comfort and power. The sound of the straight 6 was lovely, as was the smooth gear box (coming from a 350z, nothing could be worse).

Then I test drove a 335i. As soon as I heard the car on tickover, I knew I wanted it.

The noise, the power, the twin exhaust, and the noise. The noise.

I bought a 335i on Friday.

[surrey 335i]

I think if you've driven a 335 you will most likely want one over a 335d or 330 model, but without taking one out for a good blast most people would be sceptical that its really such a big difference. But it is. And very few people in the UK have driven a 335 as not many people bought new ones due to cost and obsession with having a diesel.

[phil200tdi]

I had a play with an Audi R8 this morning from 70-130--- erm KPH (without meth). I had to short shift to stop myself getting too close...

N54 with £1k of mods is a weapon which nothing short of an M5/6 in the current BMW line up can match.

To answer your question on what to look for, in this order:

1) Wastegate Rattle
2) Rough Idle/misfiring
3) Problem starting

I would (and did) buy a lower tax bracket one if possible iirc 57 plate onwards..