[goCJgoCJgo]

What's up E90 owners!

My names CJ and I own a 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR. I've had the car for a couple months now and fell in love with it. However, I've been losing interest in it ever since I found an oil leak at the timing chain cover. Also when shifting gears, there is a notchy feeling kinda like the transmission is grinding and sometimes it won’t even go into gear. I only have 30k miles on it and shouldn't be having this much problems. It may be an easy fix but if I’m having this much problems now, who knows what might happen down the line???

So that is why I am considering on trading it in for an E90. I don’t know much about BMWs so that is why I signed up to this forum. Oh and the reason why I want an E90 is because I just cosigned for my GF's 2007 BMW 328i. I drove it a few times and it seems like a pretty solid car. And in my opinion is the nicest model I’ve seen on a BMW. It is not as fast as my evo but I’m willing to trade it all for some luxury. I might go for the 335i but I've heard it’s not as reliable. Maybe a 335d? Or if I can get a good deal… maybe a M3? I still haven't made up my mind and was hoping that you guys could possibly pursued me into getting one or pursued me to keep my evo.

Thanks!

Here is a picture of my evo and gf's 328i:

[goCJgoCJgo]

Originally Posted by DZhengHellaFlush

Hey im kinda intrested in your evo. Ive been looking for a evo or sti. Post some pics and tell me about your evo

Here are some pics:








Mods:
ETS V2 Catback Exhaust
ETS Cold Air Intake
GiroDisc Stage 3 Brake Kit
BFGoodRich T/A KDW Tires

[ihc95]

Welcome to the forums! The E9Xs are great cars. Very solid, safe, and practical. They are good on gas for the most part as well. My recommendation to you would be to get a 335i. It really is the perfect combination of everything that makes a great daily driver. Also if you are into modding, there is a huge tuning scene with 335s and 400whp is easily obtainable. M3s are a completely different beast. They are definitely more "raw" than regular E9Xs. Their fuel economy is also pretty bad because of that big V8. But if you have the means, go for it. They're phenomenal drivers cars. Let us know if you have anymore questions.

[mump]

I just switched from an Evo X to my BMW in July. I had an Evo VIII that I bought in 2003 and it was rock solid -kept it until 2010. Picked up a 2008 Evo X GSR in 2009 and had issues with it - clutch, clutch master cylinder, etc.

Meanwhile, my wife bought a brand new 2007 328i. It now has over 85k miles on it. Just replaced the brakes. Not a single problem with it at all.

This summer I was done dealing with my X. Switched it out for a 2011 335is E93. With a Cobb AP, I don't miss that evo at all. Best part about it, no worries whatsoever about if the car will make it somewhere or not.

[madick1]

I was pretty happy with my Evo X but the trunk whas to little, on the track the car rules

[KwlAznKid]

congrats!

[kdiggz]

I had an Evo X. It was a piece of junk. Fun on the track, terrible everywhere else. Terrible daily driver, terrible build quality. I too had the oil leak near the timing cover. Mitsu service was horrible. I brought it there for them to fix it and they were like uhh durr we don't know exactly where the leak is coming from so you have to pay us $800 for us to remove your differential just so we can check. I quickly traded it in on a 335. The 335 actually feels faster because it has a lot more power down low where as the Evo was a turd until about 4000 rpms. Much more useable power to drive around town and it's a nice and relaxed car and not an annoying rice rocket. If you think you will miss the steering feel and handling from the Evo too much then get an M3. But for a nice daily driver that can also be tuned to make a lot of power, go for a 335 with a warranty.

[CAPSGOD]

If you are selling your car for reliability reasons you probably want something dependable. Try 335d or M3 manual.

[VMRWheels]

It's funny how so many E90posters have Evo's.

[goCJgoCJgo]

Originally Posted by ihc95

Welcome to the forums! The E9Xs are great cars. Very solid, safe, and practical. They are good on gas for the most part as well. My recommendation to you would be to get a 335i. It really is the perfect combination of everything that makes a great daily driver. Also if you are into modding, there is a huge tuning scene with 335s and 400whp is easily obtainable. M3s are a completely different beast. They are definitely more "raw" than regular E9Xs. Their fuel economy is also pretty bad because of that big V8. But if you have the means, go for it. They're phenomenal drivers cars. Let us know if you have anymore questions.

Originally Posted by mump

I just switched from an Evo X to my BMW in July. I had an Evo VIII that I bought in 2003 and it was rock solid -kept it until 2010. Picked up a 2008 Evo X GSR in 2009 and had issues with it - clutch, clutch master cylinder, etc.

Meanwhile, my wife bought a brand new 2007 328i. It now has over 85k miles on it. Just replaced the brakes. Not a single problem with it at all.

This summer I was done dealing with my X. Switched it out for a 2011 335is E93. With a Cobb AP, I don't miss that evo at all. Best part about it, no worries whatsoever about if the car will make it somewhere or not.

ETS is pretty big with evo's. I've seen there dyno sheet for a 335i that made over 400whp. I may look into that more. what common problems are there for the 335i? And what is the best year to get?

Originally Posted by madick1

I was pretty happy with my Evo X but the boot whas to little, on the track the car rules

does boot=trunk?

Originally Posted by KwlAznKid

congrats!

For what? haha

Originally Posted by kdiggz

I had an Evo X. It was a piece of junk. Fun on the track, terrible everywhere else. Terrible daily driver, terrible build quality. I too had the oil leak near the timing cover. Mitsu service was horrible. I brought it there for them to fix it and they were like uhh durr we don't know exactly where the leak is coming from so you have to pay us $800 for us to remove your differential just so we can check. I quickly traded it in on a 335. The 335 actually feels faster because it has a lot more power down low where as the Evo was a turd until about 4000 rpms. Much more useable power to drive around town and it's a nice and relaxed car and not an annoying rice rocket. If you think you will miss the steering feel and handling from the Evo too much then get an M3. But for a nice daily driver that can also be tuned to make a lot of power, go for a 335 with a warranty.

Yeah i seen the TSB for the timing chain cover and mitsu fix for it was to slap a whole bunch of sealant on it and call it a day. pretty cheap if you ask me.

Originally Posted by CAPSGOD

If you are selling your car for reliability reasons you probably want something dependable. Try 335d or M3 manual.

Haven't heard much about the 335d... But i do know the diesel cars last longer and get better mpg.

Originally Posted by VMRWheels

It's funny how so many E90posters have Evo's.

Ive seen a few on my evo forums of evo guys switching to bimmers

[335iaz]

^ 335d = no manual .. so if that is something you are after... get the 335i ... I sometimes wished I would have gotten a 335d .. the mpg would have been nice!

[StevenY.]

@goCJgoCJgo, main problems with 335i are really the high pressure fuel pump which is now under warranty for 10yrs/120,000 miles and the turbos which are also now under warranty for 8yrs/82,000 miles so not much to worry about. I guess the only other thing would be the water pump.

[goCJgoCJgo]

Originally Posted by 335iaz

^ 335d = no manual .. so if that is something you are after... get the 335i ... I sometimes wished I would have gotten a 335d .. the mpg would have been nice!

I dont mind manual or auto but mpg i do mind haha

Originally Posted by StevenY.

@goCJgoCJgo, main problems with 335i are really the high pressure fuel pump which is now under warranty for 10yrs/120,000 miles and the turbos which are also now under warranty for 8yrs/82,000 miles so not much to worry about. I guess the only other thing would be the water pump.

Is the water pump under factory warranty as well?

[StevenY.]

Originally Posted by goCJgoCJgo

Is the water pump under factory warranty as well?

I don't think so.

[orionredwing]

Welcome to e90post! The EVO is a great car, but I wouldn't say the 335i is trouble free, or more reliable in comparison. If problems like an 'oil leak at the timing chain cover' really bums you out, then maybe a 335i isn't the best choice.

I'll skip on listing the 'more common' reliability issues of the 335i, as it's not my intent to scare you away. Rather, I just wanted to be realistic, since it sounds like you're an 'enthusiast' as well (mod your car, love to drive, etc).

Based on your first post, I would recommend going with a 328i or M3 instead. But coming from an EVO, I think you'll be disappointed with the 328i in the long run, so my recommendation is the M3

Good luck and let us know how you decide!

P.S. Despite the reliability issues on my 335i, I went out and purchased a used 08 135i 2 weeks ago. So if you can be realistic, have the right expectations, and budget for maintenance and repairs accordingly, I'm 100% certain you won't regret switching to the 335i

[goCJgoCJgo]

Originally Posted by orionredwing

Welcome to e90post! The EVO is a great car, but I wouldn't say the 335i is trouble free, or more reliable in comparison. If problems like an 'oil leak at the timing chain cover' really bums you out, then maybe a 335i isn't the best choice.

I'll skip on listing the 'more common' reliability issues of the 335i, as it's not my intent to scare you away. Rather, I just wanted to be realistic, since it sounds like you're an 'enthusiast' as well (mod your car, love to drive, etc).

Based on your first post, I would recommend going with a 328i or M3 instead. But coming from an EVO, I think you'll be disappointed with the 328i in the long run, so my recommendation is the M3

Good luck and let us know how you decide!

P.S. Despite the reliability issues on my 335i, I went out and purchased a used 08 135i 2 weeks ago. So if you can be realistic, have the right expectations, and budget for maintenance and repairs accordingly, I'm 100% certain you won't regret switching to the 335i

How do you like the 135i? Is it pretty roomy? I had a 2007 Nissan 350z and traded it for this Evo because I wanted something bigger.

[mump]

oh the biggest benefit from switch to my 335is from the evo x:
when i filled up the evo, I averaged about 180-200 miles until I had to return to the pump. with the bmw, right around 375-400.

[madick1]

I had no trouble with mine at all but as a daily driver my car was quite noisy with HKS:-) And the mpg is also insane for a 4cyl engine in my opinion.

[ihc95]

I'm not going to go and say one model year is better than another. Don't buy into the "the 07s were the fastest but the 09s are the most reliable" type posts around here. They're all the same. But my recommendation to you would be to get a 335i with the N54 engine. The model years were 2007-10 unless you're getting a 335is, which is still being sold today. The N54 has more tuning potential and, since its older, its problems are more known than those of the N55. I wouldn't worry too much about reliability. The fuel pump issues were fixed from a recall a couple years ago. The most common problem for these engines are misfires which can easily fixed.

Edit: some 07s and the 2008+ have oil coolers but the stock ones suck. Many people upgrade/retrofit oil coolers. But I wouldn't worry about them unless you track the car or beat on it continuously. I don't have one and have never needed it.

[KwlAznKid]

Originally Posted by goCJgoCJgo

For what? haha

woops! i thought the silver one was yours, i suck at reading LOL. but make the switch! so i can say congrats !

[pifane]

Here's my story about the choice you need to make.

I owned a Lancer Ralliart 2009 before April 2011. Buyed almost new, gently used. What a funny car it is. Not a EVO, indeed. But almost the same car. Some people call it a baby evo and some other said it's a super-GTS lancer.

Well, it's a mix of the two.


Same engine, single scroll turbo, 237hp , 253pd/ft , AWD system from EVO 9, no bilstein or aluminium suspension component. Nice looking, only dual-clutch transmission, no manual 5. But, it get a central differential, who is a good thing for snow lover and rally stage, left foot braking and other funny thing. What about the Recaro seats ? Awesome for hard driving.

Evo got 291 horsepower, new AWD system and other cool features.


But what are you exactly looking for? What can you get better or worse about the functionality of a car?

In my case, I choose to sell the Mitsubishi. Why ? Rust found everywhere. Same engine as many Hyundai, paint quality is...not what I was expecting for. Mechanical dependability is terrible. The dual-clutch transmission need new oil every 16k miles. MPG is like a space shuttle. Average : 13 mpg . And it was the Ralliart, the detuned version. Not talking about the EVO on hard driving.

But overall, that's my owner opinion.

I considere BMW for many things. Driving emotion, well built,inline 6 engine solid as rock, nice transmission, 50/50 weight distribution, nice MPG.

Well, of course, many owners will cry about maintenence. New one, often. These cars need a LOT of love and attention. But everything is well built and easy to do. Parts are almost not expensive compared to other luxury brand. And 3 series non-m is not what I call luxury. It's a common sedan I drive everyday. Nothing more. 25k$ car you can buy with 2-3 years of use.

And of course, a BIG BIG community of enthusiast who love their car and giving time to help people !


So, you are looking for a turbo?

335 xdrive is a nice option, if we compare both EVO and bimmer. No center diff, but for city driving or somes track day, ur gonna love it. Easy to mod, big power. Take a little attention about HPFP with the 335 and 135I. Two of my friend experienced problems about that.


But, with almost 425hp on the 335xi of my cousin with new FMIC, the car is a blast to drive !! A little bit softer than EVO, but still more funny

Have you considered the 1 M bmw? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_1_S...#1M_Coup.C3.A9

[Olagüe]

welcome to the forum!