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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum
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What should I do? E90 decisions
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07-20-2023, 01:45 PM | #1 |
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Is a 335i really worth keeping? I am this dilemma that I have to part ways with one car. I also have a 330i with 225,000 miles 6 speed manual. Both are awsome cars and I just revived my 335i. Some info on both
330i 225,000 miles flawless mechanically new disa units new starter new valvetronic NGK plugs and delphi coils new coolant resvoir all fluids trans, diff, steering, brakes, oil, clutch changed. Bmw performance shirt shift kit Bilstein B12 Prokit Poweflex bushings New motor mounts New trans mounts New top two 02 sensors Supersprint section secondary cat delete Literally everything you can do to a 330i to make it fun and reliable. 2009 335i 150,000 miles Sucked in hella belts ran like shit when I got it. Oil pressure light Fuel cutting off leaking radiator leaked from vcg,ofhg, and oil pan. No fluids changed in like 70,000 miles except oil and coolant because it got a new waterpump and tstat. replced OFHG, VCG, Oil Pan Gasket and oil cooler gasket and o rings new crank seal! Took out all the BELTS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. Even from the PICK UP TUBE AND CHANGED THE O RING for it. new high pressure fuel pump installed new fuel pressure sensor new oil pressure sensor It already had INDEX 11s and runs strong! hits boost and pulls hard trans maybe needs fluid service but smooth shifting. It gets a ses light sometimes now. the codes seem to connected to somewhat vanos and fuel. Im guessing it was sitting with fuel for 3 months that its messing up the low pressure pump under seat. Vanos solenoids havnt been touched and I have two new genuine units in hand. oh and seat occupancy sensor is messed up so my dash always has this dumb seatbelt light. Out of which two is better to let go from my collection? Its so hard to choose. The 330i has been with me all throughout undergrad and so much memories with it. I have tracked it and autox it countless times. I drive it in 95f weather to the track and beat on it then drive it back home, shower and go back out with it to hang out with friends at night. Super sorted suspension and engine wise. It always gets redlined everyday and I change the oil every 7000 miles. And then this Auto 335i. It’s msport. alpine white. First time I felt a e90 with immense torque. But it needs new shocks, bushings, baseline all the fluids. And who knows if its gonna be reliable down the line. BUT! A part of me loves this car and how fast it is. It looks like my auto 328i but has the lci projectors. The sport seats are immaculate because the previous owner was a skinny fella. Even thought most of the stuff has been repaired, i have a lingering thought that it will be expensive to maintain. Im about to start gradschool also and want to keep both but its not economical. I also have a mint 328i 6 speed manual and a Z4 manual also. Please e90post chime in and help me. |
07-20-2023, 02:01 PM | #3 |
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What complicates it all is the 328i MT you mention in passing. I'd sell that and the 335i, keep the 330i MT (they're special cars IMO) and then get a 328i E91. Do a manual swap on that if you want a project, otherwise drive that as your daily (or both!). You'll still have the Z4, a dialed in 330i, and a wagon. Take your time and find a newer, low mileage and clean E91.
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07-20-2023, 02:06 PM | #4 | |
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07-20-2023, 02:18 PM | #5 |
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Garage List 2006 BMW 330i [8.25]
2009 BMW 328i Touri ... [8.00] 2013 BMW X5 35i [7.80] 2011 BMW 528i [8.70] 2006 Mazda3 [5.50] |
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07-20-2023, 02:20 PM | #6 |
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07-20-2023, 03:31 PM | #7 |
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The 335i will be more expensive to maintain since turbos have not been addressed, but you've already had plenty of experience with naturally aspirated BMWs. My opinion is to sell the 330i, and you will be able to experience forced induction (and it's maintenance costs) while still having 2 NA BMWs (the 328i and Z4)
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07-20-2023, 05:47 PM | #8 | |
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07-20-2023, 06:20 PM | #9 |
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Keep the Z4 and the 330i Unicorn.
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A manual transmission can be set to "comfort", "sport", and "track" modes simply by the technique and speed at which you shift it; it doesn't need "modes", modes are for manumatics that try to behave like a real 3-pedal manual transmission. If you can money-shift it, it's a manual transmission. "Yeah, but NO ONE puts an automatic trans shift knob on a manual transmission."
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07-20-2023, 06:27 PM | #10 |
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07-20-2023, 11:13 PM | #11 |
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You guys saying to sell the 335i, have you ever driven one? I love my 330i 6MT but damn the 335i is something special. My 335i E93 is auto, and if I had to get rid of one car today it would be a really tough decision. Mines completely stock and this torque is insanely addictive. I can't imagine a modified one.
My recommendation is keep the 330i, sell the other three cars, then buy a clean E93 335is with a six speed manual. But if that's not an option, then it depends what you want. Personally I'd keep your 335i and Z4. Fun manual convertible and fun turbo (auto) sedan that can still do well in auto-x or the occasional track day ir you want. |
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07-21-2023, 12:54 AM | #12 |
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Buy a liter class sportbike. Ride it for a few months. It will tech you the 335i is dog slow, which will then make you realize a nice N/A N52 E90 is all you need. You have the Unicorn already. Then sell the bike.
If you are looking at this from a maintenance cost perspective, the N54 is not the right choice, especially an N54 that's been lubing itself with serpentine belt parts. |
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07-21-2023, 01:15 AM | #13 | |
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07-21-2023, 03:07 AM | #14 |
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Sell the 330i, you already have a similar 328i which can be made into 330i with intake manifold swap. Also, sell the z4 and get some frs/brz, maybe you’ll even sell your 328i after that.
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07-21-2023, 06:24 AM | #15 | |
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I have 5 cars, but all of them are different body styles and serve different needs. You have 3 or 4 that are E90s, which makes no sense to me. Did the belt in the N54 have steel in it? I've never cut a belt open to look. If it had steel that got chewed in the cam chain drive then I'd sell that car while the engine is still running. I'd keep the Z4 because the Z4 is a great car and is a roadster. The 330i at 220K has tons of life left in it. The other 3 or 4 E90s, keep the one in the best mechanical shape. When the Bronco was near delivery in mid 2022, I had 4 BMWs if you remember. One had to go. The choice was between the 400,000 mile 325i or the 135,000 mile E46 330i cabrio w/sport package. I kept the E90. The Cabrio was in much better shape mechanically, but I have the Z3, and needed to keep the sedan. The new rear subframe for the E90 sits now in the bed of the pickup awaiting my installation. |
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07-21-2023, 07:26 AM | #16 |
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Keep the 330i
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07-21-2023, 11:20 AM | #17 |
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Ive driven the frs and brz and yes they are good cars but the z4 feels much more reliable than those cars. The M54 engine is right there in the open and easy to work on!
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07-21-2023, 11:22 AM | #18 | |
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My z4 is M54 mated to a 5 speed transmission. It feels awsome. It is mechanically sound and I only put 3000-4000 miles a year on it. Sometimes I use it everyday during the week and sometimes only one certain drives. My E90 330i 6 speed manual feels more track focused tho. ALSO on Zpost i remember YOU talking about how good that chasis is and it is super rigid! |
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07-21-2023, 11:56 AM | #19 |
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Sell the 335. I wouldn't want an N54 that had been running with a clogged pickup tube.
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07-21-2023, 11:59 AM | #20 |
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even if I do a oil analysis on it?
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07-21-2023, 03:24 PM | #21 |
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Obviously that's up to you but I wouldn't feel comfortable with it. Oil analysis can't even predict rod bearing failures on these cars. A lot of members have gotten a great UOA then immediately had a failure. Every part of the engine and turbos was lacking lubrication so even in a very short time a lot of damage could have been done.
It could just as easily be fine, but I wouldn't want to find out. Sounds like you've significantly improved the car from where it was when you bought it. Sell it and enjoy the profits rather than keeping an N54 that was previously very poorly maintained. |
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