[rickyjones1209]

Hi Guys

Firstly let me introduce myself since this is my first post, with hopefully many more to come in future! My name is Ricky and over the past 2 years I've been driving a 2002 Renault Laguna diesel that has just turned over 170k miles on the clock! Not very interesting or fun! I've had this car since selling my Leon Cupra R to fund a deposit for a house purchase and being a bit of a petrol head I've been extremely keen to get a decent motor asap!!

Anyway the time has come and I've decided to buy a 335i and I am very excited! I'll be buying over the next couple of months and my budget will be between 17k-18k. Looking at the market I'm hoping to get a 2008 or newer (may have to consider 2007 cars) with 40k miles or so, in black with black leather, auto steptronic with all the extras, satnav, bt, usb etc.

My question initially would be what do I need to be looking for when buying a 335i used? Is there anything in particular I need to look for? Options that I need to know about? Signs of engine wear, gearbox issues or turbo problems etc?

This motor will be, excluding my house, the most expensive thing I will have ever bought and so I want to get it right. My understanding of 335i's from reading about them is that they are a top motor and if you look for a well maintained regularly serviced example I should be okay.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you

Ricky

[creepy coupe]

Any self-respecting dealer will let you see the cars claim history. Which is BMW speak for warranty work carried out. Replacement fuel pump, injectors, coil packs, steering columns are among the most common.
Full BMW service history on a 40k car is a must. Try the DCT gearbox as it’s simply brilliant in the 335i.

If it has Nav, as for a free map upgrade.

[edowen]

For me, it needs to have BMW warranty either remaining, or come from BMW (but dont assume an AUC car has been prepared properly - there will be stuff you have to get them to sort!)

[edowen]

PS. Saloon or Coupe?

[rickyjones1209]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

Any self-respecting dealer will let you see the cars claim history. Which is BMW speak for warranty work carried out. Replacement fuel pump, injectors, coil packs, steering columns are among the most common.
Full BMW service history on a 40k car is a must. Try the DCT gearbox as it’s simply brilliant in the 335i.

If it has Nav, as for a free map upgrade.

I'd love a DCT car but I just don't think I could get one on my budget. Am I right in thinking that they were available from 2009 cars?

I haven't managed to drive a 335i at all yet so it would be interesting to try them both and see if I can justify the difference to get a DCT. The local dealer only had a manual in and I got my heart set on auto with paddles.

If I were to buy private I'm sure I'd pay less than through a dealer so without asking and looking at receipts is there anyway of knowing if any of the above issues you mentioned have been sorted or ways of knowing if an issue is around the corner? Signs of worn or faulty fuel pumps or coil packs etc? Problems starting, missfires maybe?

I guess I'd prefer to buy from BMW but ulitmately I want the most car for as little as possible as we all do!

Thank you for the quick response!

[rickyjones1209]

Originally Posted by edowen

PS. Saloon or Coupe?

Will be going for a coupe.

[BIGTIME]

I have the dct and it's awesome. I would only go for a DCT or manual if I was in your situation.

[creepy coupe]

I had an October 58 DCT. One of the first build date I think.

You might find a nice dealer who would tell you the car history. Might be worth going in the dealership, rather than phoning.

[rickyjones1209]

Originally Posted by BIGTIME

I have the dct and it's awesome. I would only go for a DCT or manual if I was in your situation.

I'll most definately try both before I commit to buy. I guess I would be looking at 22k or so for a DCT? Haven't really looked at it too much coz ideally didn't want to spend that much. Having said that I was considering an e92 m3 at one point but cant justify £450 a month just to own it!

Is DCT miles better? Having looked at videos of steptronic it seems fairly smooth anyway.

[creepy coupe]

I've had a 135i manual and as said a 335i DCT. Both are great. I think the manual suited the 135i better as a little pocket rocket. The DCT is just more involving over the auto box. Faster gear changes, blips on the down shift. You get paddles, auto and sequential options with the DCT.

MPG is very slightly better also. Try both though. I think your £4k difference it's a bit high.

[dxb335d]

DCT is the bowlacks no doubt, but from what Ive heard the L/C is shit for launching and without it you can't even do a brake boost launch... that would put me off.

[rickyjones1209]

Ok so the feedback so far is try and get a DCT and look for a regularly serviced and well maintained car.

Again though is there anything else I need to look at when buying a 335i? Is there anything specific to look at or general stuff that I'd check when buying any car?

Also are there any options that are rare, different Satnav options maybe. I hear of communications packs and light/sight packs etc. It may not apply to 335i and If so thats fine I just picture myself buying a car with one option and realising that there was another option that would have been better

Thanks guys I cannot tell you how eager I am to get a new car! The 'laguna power' as we sarcastically call her sat outside has been a trusty work horse but its time to step up to something nice with some power again!

[creepy coupe]

225 wheels can suffer from cracking. The later idrive control is muuuuch better. But with an 09 car you should see the later type anyway.

All coupe have bi-xenons and leather.Many prefer M Sport over SE. But that's personal

[dxb335d]

Essential options IMHO

Pro Nav
leather-heated + lumbar support
Bluetooth
Tints
folding mirrors
rear blind
19"
sliding armrest
TV
adaptive headlights
comfort access
Can't remember anymore as its been two years since I had my nearly Fully loaded one.

[rickyjones1209]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

225 wheels can suffer from cracking. The later idrive control is muuuuch better. But with an 09 car you should see the later type anyway.

All coupe have bi-xenons and leather.Many prefer M Sport over SE. But that's personal

This is what I'm looking for!

I think I'll be going for M Sport, mostly because it sounds better! Are there many difference? I know the bumpers are different, headlining maybe, and the suspension am I right?

So what's with the wheels? That is a little concerning. Where do they crack? Is it still safe to drive on them? I guess they would be expensive to replace?

I wouldn't have even known to look at iDrive. How do I know if its an upgraded version? Whats the difference between old and new?


Thanks again this is great info.

[dxb335d]

suspension and seats are exactly the same with 335i SE coupes. Yes Msports have dark headlining... an option on SE. Otherwise its just plastic thats different.

SE 19" are not as problematical in the cracking department.

[rickyjones1209]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Essential options IMHO

Pro Nav
leather-heated + lumbar support
Bluetooth
Tints
folding mirrors
rear blind
19"
sliding armrest
TV
adaptive headlights
comfort access
Can't remember anymore as its been two years since I had my nearly Fully loaded one.

All sounds like good stuff!

Is ProNav an added option over normal sat nad or is the SatNav just SatNav? Is TV not automatically included in a satnav car? And does it play DVDs?

Adaptive headlights is pointing the direction of the corner I guess?

What does Comfort access give you?

Sorry to be a pain!! From looking at cars over the past month I know I want an auto, defo satnav, usb or ipod connection, bluetooth, heated adjustable seats. Its difficult to know what comes as standard. I'd love TV and adaptive headlights so will look for this if its an optional extra but I dont think would be a deal breaker if I was offered a good deal.

[davyk31]

Wheel cracking on the M Sports is a pretty big issue. Do a search on here. Likewise there are some fairly frequent reports of engine issues on the 335i, generally it seems to be that if you get a good 335i it is a great car but if you get a bad un it can be major grief.

[rickyjones1209]

Originally Posted by davyk31

Wheel cracking on the M Sports is a pretty big issue. Do a search on here. Likewise there are some fairly frequent reports of engine issues on the 335i, generally it seems to be that if you get a good 335i it is a great car but if you get a bad un it can be major grief.

Well it was the 225 wheels that i liked the look of most. I guess i'll try and aim away from pot holes!

Oh dear I don't fancy having engine issues. I can imagine work on a 335i can be costly if something big goes. Hence why I was asking if there is any tell tales signs of something being wrong. Still, I can't think of another car that I fancy over a 335i and believe me I have considered every possible option over the last 2 years!

I guess whatever car it is, if its nice and german, it costs money to both buy but also run and maintain.

[dxb335d]

get one with a decent BMW warranty.

[creepy coupe]

M Sport coupe get ambient lighting along the inside of the front doors and rear cards (not sure if SE's do)

Dark headlining

Front and rear valances

M detailing

As for the nav, the later versions get a bigger higher res screen and have hard drives to store music and Nav maps. The later controller has short cut buttons around the main idrive control knob.

[rickyjones1209]

Originally Posted by creepy coupe

M Sport coupe get ambient lighting along the inside of the front doors and rear cards (not sure if SE's do)

Dark headlining

Front and rear valances

M detailing

As for the nav, the later versions get a bigger higher res screen and have hard drives to store music and Nav maps. The later controller has short cut buttons around the main idrive control knob.

Ok super I'll be looking for for larger satnav screen and the iDrive shortcut buttons. This is the kind of stuff I wouldnt have known to look for so thanks for your help.

I'll be keeping an eye on the local BMW dealers stock to see if they have any auto's come in so i can have a drive and I'll keep everyone informed