[Delta0311]

Originally Posted by ping65810

Xenons on a 328 aren't all that unusual- I have them on mine and have seen plenty with them. It seems the sport package is missing on most all E90s I see- 328 and 335 alike.

I like minor mods, but there are many of us who buy the car for what it is- not planning to put $10k into mods. I love mine stock, and its a 328Xi.

BY THE WAY- The Xi models don't seem to really have any more issues than RWD, other than a little added maintenance, and prob go through tires quicker. Both RWD and Xi are pretty bulletproof and don't have any issues. If you want to do a lot of mods and treat it like its a Honda Civic, the RWD is easier and has more available.. Same with the 335... but why pay all the money to then change everything and make it ride rough, look like a 17 yr old's Civic, and sound like ass?

There are not that common in NJ. Most of the 328 E90s around here don't have xenons and rarely do they have sports package.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by jamesbmw1

Test drove only the 328i 2006 with Sports Package, loved it! But haven't gotten around to any other model.

That's interesting since there was no 328i in 2006. I always wondered about shenanigans on used cars, a simple badge changes everything.

[Delta0311]

Originally Posted by John 070

That's interesting since there was no 328i in 2006. I always wondered about shenanigans on used cars, a simple badge changes everything.

It was probably a 07.

[3s4u2]

I would choose the 330i with the ZF trans instead of the GM trans. I am a little bias as well because my wife's 325i now has over 218,000 mile on the original engine and trans.

[Delta0311]

Originally Posted by 3s4u2

I would choose the 330i with the ZF trans instead of the GM trans. I am a little bias as well because my wife's 325i now has over 218,000 mile on the original engine and trans.

There is no difference between the two, the specs are exactly the same. Again this is NOT the same ZF tranny that you find in a 335.

[ping65810]

Originally Posted by Delta0311

There are not that common in NJ. Most of the 328 E90s around here don't have xenons and rarely do they have sports package.

In New England, most all E90s are fairly stripped out regardless of 328 or 335, but some are loaded up...Oddly enough, I hardly ever see an E90 with both premium package and sport package. My 328xi is odd, but it did have a $47k sticker, which is a lot for a 328.

[ken1137]

Look for a 330 zhp. They are rare with low mileage but available. Perfect example is:

http://enthusiastauto.com/qsearch/?i...1#.UxSGvV7K5r0

[John 070]

Originally Posted by ping65810

In New England, most all E90s are fairly stripped out regardless of 328 or 335, but some are loaded up...Oddly enough, I hardly ever see an E90 with both premium package and sport package. My 328xi is odd, but it did have a $47k sticker, which is a lot for a 328.

Amazing. My 335i coupe has sport and premium and the list wasn't even 47k.

[ddanj]

Some people keep saying how 'bulletproof' the 328s and 330i are, but fail to mention these have their own common issues such as:

-Valve cover gasket leak (paid $1k to get it replaced)
-Water pump failure ($400 in parts, replaced myself)
-Oil Filter Housing oil leaks (will replace gasket myself soon).

BMW parts and labor are expensive, there's just no way around it. So be prepared for that.

If you want a car will smaller costs in maintenance I recommend sticking to Japanese or American.

If you want NAV, do know that pre-2009, the NAV is just terrible no mater what e9x you get.

Also note some cars don't come with Bluetooth at all.

I highly recommend the sport package - better seats, steering wheel, and suspension.

You can't go wrong with either the 328i or 330i IMO. Pick one with the best package/condition/value.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by ddanj

Some people keep saying how 'bulletproof' the 328s and 330i are, but fail to mention these have their own common issues such as:

-Valve cover gasket leak (paid $1k to get it replaced)
-Water pump failure ($400 in parts, replaced myself)
-Oil Filter Housing oil leaks (will replace gasket myself soon).

BMW parts and labor are expensive, there's just no way around it. So be prepared for that.

If you want a car will smaller costs in maintenance I recommend sticking to Japanese or American.

If you want NAV, do know that pre-2009, the NAV is just terrible no mater what e9x you get.

Also note some cars don't come with Bluetooth at all.

I highly recommend the sport package - better seats, steering wheel, and suspension.

You can't go wrong with either the 328i or 330i IMO. Pick one with the best package/condition/value.

We all know that the N54 exhaust is over $6k in parts at the retail price, but I have never heard of any failures except that diaphragm on the driver side making an noise when it flaps, and it's not replaceable (many just do the golf tee mod).

I do remember a 328 owner stating he had to spend $1,800 on an EVAP issue out of warranty. imho there is a serious myth when people say "buy a 325/28 to avoid that scary 335i." Total misconception. Yes, the original 335i owner probably had to go through some recalls at some point, but that is over/done with/yesterday's news. My 335i was reliable throughout its 36 mo. BMW extended warranty, what a waste listening to these "oh 335's are so scary" comments.

[ping65810]

Originally Posted by John 070

Amazing. My 335i coupe has sport and premium and the list wasn't even 47k.

A 2007 328Xi with 6MT, sport pack, cold weather pack, premium pack, xenons, iDrive with nav, shadow line trim and HiFi system will run the sticker up to $47k :-). I just bought mine last year, and paid $19k for it with 41k miles and perfect in every and didn't mind with the equipment it had... Esp with both sport + premium the seats are awesome and have adjustable lumbar support :-)

[Delta0311]

Originally Posted by ddanj

Some people keep saying how 'bulletproof' the 328s and 330i are, but fail to mention these have their own common issues such as:

-Valve cover gasket leak (paid $1k to get it replaced)
-Water pump failure ($400 in parts, replaced myself)
-Oil Filter Housing oil leaks (will replace gasket myself soon).

BMW parts and labor are expensive, there's just no way around it. So be prepared for that.

If you want a car will smaller costs in maintenance I recommend sticking to Japanese or American.

If you want NAV, do know that pre-2009, the NAV is just terrible no mater what e9x you get.

Also note some cars don't come with Bluetooth at all.

I highly recommend the sport package - better seats, steering wheel, and suspension.

You can't go wrong with either the 328i or 330i IMO. Pick one with the best package/condition/value.

-Valve cover gasket leak (paid $1k to get it replaced)
-Water pump failure ($400 in parts, replaced myself)
-Oil Filter Housing oil leaks (will replace gasket myself soon).

Water pump will fail on all cars at around 100k miles or so. Belt driven pumps are usually replaced at around 80k on all cars, so this is not a shocking issue. What is shocking is when one fails at 30k miles.
The valve covers suck, no doubt about it but a reputable shop can replace it for about $500-$600. I replaced it with a buddy of mine on my old 328 and it took us about 3 hours or so, he is a mechanic though.

[fravel]

I can't believe anyone has paid $1k to fix the $30 valve cover gasket. That's insane.

330i owner here. I haven't spent any significant time in 328i/xi but when I did the biggest thing I noticed was the significantly reduced stopping power. I nearly rear-ended someone because that car took so much longer to stop than my 330i does.

[OrangeInOhio]

Originally Posted by fravel

I can't believe anyone has paid $1k to fix the $30 valve cover gasket. That's insane.

330i owner here. I haven't spent any significant time in 328i/xi but when I did the biggest thing I noticed was the significantly reduced stopping power. I nearly rear-ended someone because that car took so much longer to stop than my 330i does.

Huh... I wonder if the one you drove had issues because mine stops on a dime.

[koches]

330xi owner and no complaints.

[fravel]

Originally Posted by OrangeInOhio

Huh... I wonder if the one you drove had issues because mine stops on a dime.

I think it's because the rotors/calipers on the 330i are quite a bit larger than the 328i. It certainly didn't feel like it took an unsafe distance to stop, just not nearly as quickly as what I was used to.

[GMe90]

Both cars are great. I would definitely pick one with a manual transmission. The NA inline 6 loves to be revved and it works perfectly with the MT.

[jamesbmw1]

Originally Posted by GMe90

Both cars are great. I would definitely pick one with a manual transmission. The NA inline 6 loves to be revved and it works perfectly with the MT.

I've been looking for a MANUAL 328i for nearly 2 months now. And I rarely see am Manual one. I might have seen 2 so far in my 2months of searching.

Can I get any recommendations on where to search for PreOwned BMWs for sale?
I usually am on Autotrader and Cars . com and sometimes craigslist what else is a good link to find a manual BMW ?

[norsairius]

Originally Posted by jamesbmw1

I've been looking for a MANUAL 328i for nearly 2 months now. And I rarely see am Manual one. I might have seen 2 so far in my 2months of searching.

Can I get any recommendations on where to search for PreOwned BMWs for sale?
I usually am on Autotrader and Cars . com and sometimes craigslist what else is a good link to find a manual BMW ?

If you're not opposed to working with a dealer, I'd actually look around your area dealerships. You can also search pre-owned right from BMW's site:
http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/conte...lSearchRD.aspx

I've never driven a 330i, but I have a 2009 328i xDrive and it's been great through the odd winter we've had here. Plenty of snow and more than our fair share of bitter cold. Someone asked about the USB input, my car has it in the center console when you flip the lid open. It's right there along with the cigarette lighter power source guy.

I'd suggest going 328 just because they'll be easier to find with lower miles. As for concerns with the water pump: I did some research and my theory is that cars built starting in late 2008 and after should have the newest version of the water pump. It's not immediately clear what BMW changed between revisions, but the part number did change a few times and as far as I can tell, the last time it changed was around then.

[jamesbmw1]

Originally Posted by norsairius

If you're not opposed to working with a dealer, I'd actually look around your area dealerships. You can also search pre-owned right from BMW's site:
http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/conte...lSearchRD.aspx

I've never driven a 330i, but I have a 2009 328i xDrive and it's been great through the odd winter we've had here. Plenty of snow and more than our fair share of bitter cold. Someone asked about the USB input, my car has it in the center console when you flip the lid open. It's right there along with the cigarette lighter power source guy.

I'd suggest going 328 just because they'll be easier to find with lower miles. As for concerns with the water pump: I did some research and my theory is that cars built starting in late 2008 and after should have the newest version of the water pump. It's not immediately clear what BMW changed between revisions, but the part number did change a few times and as far as I can tell, the last time it changed was around then.

So all the 2009 328i's have the USB? Also, may I ask how much you paid for your 328i and did it have warranty and did you purchase from a BMW dealer? Also how many miles did you have?

[DC_Oldboy]

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

Many 328i are stripper/bare bones models. 330i will come standard with adaptive xenons, power front seats, Logic 7 stereo, and a better sounding OEM exhaust and overall tend to be equipped with more options.

And I could definitely tell the difference between braking power/feel comparing my 330i to a 328i loaner.

+1 ^ Exactly what this man said. If you can find a low mileage 330, I honestly would get that over a 328 even if it's a year or two newer. Unless you find a well equip 328 and don't mind the sluggish 328 power. People just assume there's not much of a difference but there is.

[ping65810]

Regardless of what others think, a 328 is hardly sluggish...230hp is plenty for a 3 series, and these cars are quite fast from the factory. Most people on here want a 335 only, and to them everything else is super slow, but remember, a 328 manual will still do a 5.9 sec 0-60 time, and is never short on power.

Manuals are a lot harder to find, but they are out there. Check out different dealer sites, esp the higher end dealers like Mercedes, Audi, etc. I bought mine from a Porsche dealer locally, where it had been traded in for a 911.

Also, if you go on the BMW USA website, you can do an inventory search nationwide to see what BMW dealers have in stock. My advice is to drive a few, compare options and what YOU want, and buy that. There are people on here who will swear by individual models, and admonish everything else. Buy what car YOU like and want, thats what matters most. For me, I've owned 6 BMW 3 series over the years, along with other vehicles, and love my 328 and couldn't be happier. It also brakes incredibly well too, even if the brakes aren't 330 sized- they are still larger than most cars on the road.