[2one3E90]

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.

[335i54n]

the one with better maint and history 330i. imo a good running fbo 335i is 10-15k, not including car prices. the fact it had clog the pickup would be a deal breaker for me, would not feel safe fbo it

[StradaRedlands]

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.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

[2one3E90]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

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.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

My 328i manual is actually another e90 lci. Heated seats and stock everything. I baselined all fluids just like my 330i with motul and its under warranty sulev still! Got radiator and valve cover gasket replaced.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by 2one3E90

My 328i manual is actually another e90 lci. Heated seats and stock everything. I baselined all fluids just like my 330i with motul and its under warranty sulev still! Got radiator and valve cover gasket replaced.

I think you may have too many cars :-)

[2one3E90]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

I think you may have too many cars :-)

LOLOLOL thats why one e90s besides the 328i gots to go

[bimmermech123]

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)

[2one3E90]

Originally Posted by bimmermech123

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)

thats what I was thinking. The 328i will now be my daily then. I wonder if its expensice to daily a 335i

[Efthreeoh]

Keep the Z4 and the 330i Unicorn.

[2one3E90]

Originally Posted by efthreeoh

keep the z4 and the 330i unicorn.

aggghhhhhhh

I want to save the 330i as long as I can. Maybe I can give it one if my kids when I have one. I wonder how hard it will be to find a stickshift 330i rwd single hump again.

[lowrydr310]

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.

[Efthreeoh]

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.

[2one3E90]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

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.

Sigh yeah your right. Even teslas are faster off the line than a tuned 335i. At this point gasoline cars are just for fun. I cant sell my z4 and 328i. So its the 330i or 335i. Should I do oil analysis on the 335i?

[fastboatster]

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.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by 2one3E90

Sigh yeah your right. Even teslas are faster off the line than a tuned 335i. At this point gasoline cars are just for fun. I cant sell my z4 and 328i. So its the 330i or 335i. Should I do oil analysis on the 335i?

I'm still trying to understand how many cars you have. I know definitely a E85 Z4 (not sure what trans), a E90 330i MT, and a E90 335i Auto. Then maybe 328i MT and/or 328i Auto?

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.

[lordnikon]

Keep the 330i

[2one3E90]

Originally Posted by fastboatster

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.

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!

[2one3E90]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I'm still trying to understand how many cars you have. I know definitely a E85 Z4 (not sure what trans), a E90 330i MT, and a E90 335i Auto. Then maybe 328i MT and/or 328i Auto?

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.

I remember u regret selling your e30 and it was just as reliable as your e90. I wonder if the stick shift e90s are gonna reach e30 status when there is a sea of electric cars. Then I might just regret selling it because it couldve been a nice cheap to maintain vehicle to teach my kids in or something.
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!

[whyzee125]

Sell the 335. I wouldn't want an N54 that had been running with a clogged pickup tube.

[2one3E90]

even if I do a oil analysis on it?

[whyzee125]

Originally Posted by 2one3E90

even if I do a oil analysis on it?

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.

[fastboatster]

Yeah, actually, just sell both.