[CitizenKane]

Hello,

I'm (still) looking at getting back into an e92. My ideal car would be a 2008-2009 manual 335i M Sport in BSM. Autotrader throws up some interesting numbers:

According to it, there are currently 13 manual e92 335i's for sale in the UK. Of those, 9 are M Sport and of those, 3 are in BSM. Two of them are 2007 plates and the other is an 2011 plate. For the price of the 2007 ones I could get a facelift e46 M3 and for the price of the 2011 one I could get a pre-facelift e92 M3.

Speaking of M3s, there are currently for sale 67 manual e92s and 61 manual e46s (although significantly less are facelift), i.e. a lot more than there are manual e92 335i's.

So, why are they so rare?

[MattOz]

For some reason, buyers bought the 335i with a slush box. Does nothing for the car in my experience. All 3 of my 335i's have been manual. Does take time to find one, especially facelift E90/91.

[jhandy2]

i had the same when i was looking., tet drove a few autos but just couldn't live with myself buying an auto. hung it out and found a decent manual.

as for rare its probably because people dont sell the manuals

[djgandy]

The answer is simple.


Not many were sold.


The people with the money to buy a brand new powerful car generally prefer the comfort of auto's. The manual in the 335i is fine for a weekend drive but I found mine tiring on the daily commute, especially in stop start traffic.

The ZF6 was decent and with the DCT option on the 335i, I can see why people ditched MT for automatic. With the ZF8 in the lineup now the people buying manuals are likely to suffer a big hit in depreciation.

Despite people going on about how great MT is, and how they'd never buy an auto, when there are MT's up for sale they sit around for donkeys and sellers struggle to shift them (I've been there).

[harvs43]

Originally Posted by CitizenKane

Hello,

I'm (still) looking at getting back into an e92. My ideal car would be a 2008-2009 manual 335i M Sport in BSM. Autotrader throws up some interesting numbers:

According to it, there are currently 13 manual e92 335i's for sale in the UK. Of those, 9 are M Sport and of those, 3 are in BSM. Two of them are 2007 plates and the other is an 2011 plate. For the price of the 2007 ones I could get a facelift e46 M3 and for the price of the 2011 one I could get a pre-facelift e92 M3.

Speaking of M3s, there are currently for sale 67 manual e92s and 61 manual e46s (although significantly less are facelift), i.e. a lot more than there are manual e92 335i's.

So, why are they so rare?

I have a manual e93 that is about to go up for sale if you are interested???

[The0pportunist]

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1483182

No affiliation to seller but this is v.nice.

[CitizenKane]

Originally Posted by MattOz

For some reason, buyers bought the 335i with a slush box. Does nothing for the car in my experience. All 3 of my 335i's have been manual. Does take time to find one, especially facelift E90/91.

Well I know facelift E90s and E91s are like hens teeth, but thankfully I much prefer the e92! Still I'm still surprised at how rare they are.

[CitizenKane]

Originally Posted by djgandy

The answer is simple.


Not many were sold.


The people with the money to buy a brand new powerful car generally prefer the comfort of auto's. The manual in the 335i is fine for a weekend drive but I found mine tiring on the daily commute, especially in stop start traffic.

The ZF6 was decent and with the DCT option on the 335i, I can see why people ditched MT for automatic. With the ZF8 in the lineup now the people buying manuals are likely to suffer a big hit in depreciation.

Despite people going on about how great MT is, and how they'd never buy an auto, when there are MT's up for sale they sit around for donkeys and sellers struggle to shift them (I've been there).

Fair points. I hated the automatic transmission in my old e92, but then again it was a 320d so I'm sure the experience is totally different with 335i. Still, I'm very reluctant to get back into an auto.

[CitizenKane]

Originally Posted by harvs43

I have a manual e93 that is about to go up for sale if you are interested???

Not really a fan of the 'verts tbh!

[CitizenKane]

Originally Posted by The0pportunist

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1483182

No affiliation to seller but this is v.nice.

Pics aren't working for me in that thread.

Based on the spec though there's too many mods for me - when I buy a car I want it to be bone stock or as close as possible!

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by CitizenKane

Fair points. I hated the automatic transmission in my old e92, but then again it was a 320d so I'm sure the experience is totally different with 335i. Still, I'm very reluctant to get back into an auto.

I felt the same until I bought my auto 335i, I enjoy using the paddles and if you want something to do with your left hand you can change gear 'manually'. I had my gearbox re mapped, no way I'd go back to a manual constantly changing gear and having to use a clutch whilst sitting in traffic is so tiring.

[MattOz]

Originally Posted by CitizenKane

Well I know facelift E90s and E91s are like hens teeth, but thankfully I much prefer the e92! Still I'm still surprised at how rare they are.

Certainly more E92's about. Cheeky pic of mine.

[CitizenKane]

Originally Posted by MattOz

Certainly more E92's about. Cheeky pic of mine.

Sexy af. Is that LCI? I'm a bit ignorant when it comes to the 4-doors!

[CitizenKane]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

I felt the same until I bought my auto 335i, I enjoy using the paddles and if you want something to do with your left hand you can change gear 'manually'. I had my gearbox re mapped, no way I'd go back to a manual constantly changing gear and having to use a clutch whilst sitting in traffic is so tiring.

Yeah I do get that, and that's the reason I went for the auto with 320d, but I just got bored with it very quickly. Again though I'm sure that was as much to do with the engine as the transmission!

[Chappers 71]

Originally Posted by CitizenKane

Yeah I do get that, and that's the reason I went for the auto with 320d, but I just got bored with it very quickly. Again though I'm sure that was as much to do with the engine as the transmission!

Yes, I would think a auto 320d wouldn't be the most entertaining of drives

[e28bmw]

I was looking for a manual 335i e92 for a long time and in the end compromised on an auto as the one I bought was everything I was looking for minus the manual. Now I have one I don't really have any regrets over it and once I was used to it a gearbox flash has improved it again giving true manual on the upshift when in M mode (It'll redline and require you to change up without auto shifting). I'd recommend test driving an auto and possibly open up the options on available cars from there if you get on with it.

[CitizenKane]

Originally Posted by Chappers 71

Yes, I would think a auto 320d wouldn't be the most entertaining of drives

You're telling me

[anielsen71]

Get and auto and put xHP in the box.
Changes the car completely.

[E60525d]

Originally Posted by MattOz

Certainly more E92's about. Cheeky pic of mine.

Sold the M3?

[MattOz]

Originally Posted by CitizenKane

Sexy af. Is that LCI? I'm a bit ignorant when it comes to the 4-doors!

Thanks. Yes it's an LCI. Rear lights give it away.

Originally Posted by E60525d

Sold the M3?

I have indeed. Bloody loved it, but circumstances changed. Still, the 335i isn't too shabby.

[CitizenKane]

Originally Posted by MattOz

Thanks. Yes it's an LCI. Rear lights give it away.

Nice. While I prefer the e92, the e90 can look awesome. I remember seeing (probably on the US section of this forum) some pics of one with a CSL-style boot lid and thinking it looked amazing from the rear!

[texasjohn]

I've just put a manual 335i LCI up in the classifieds but it's an E90. High spec and rare colour, but four door.

You could jazz it up with some 18s/19s and black grilles, if that's your thing.

Bone stock, low miles and great provenance.