E90Post
 


The Tire Rack
 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > General E90 Sedan / E91 Wagon / E92 Coupe / E93 Cabrio > Need Help Buying a Post-LCI E90 3-Series



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      05-22-2019, 11:28 AM   #1
Lucidus
Registered
2
Rep
4
Posts

Drives: Mercedes E320
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

iTrader: (0)

Need Help Buying a Post-LCI E90 3-Series

So I'm 16 years old, essentially looking for my first car. I've heavily researched the N52 328i, and found it to be relatively reliable, and I think I'll be able to do most maintenance items by myself as I understand cars pretty well. However, the 335i seems to be significantly more powerful, I understand that the twin turbos make it significantly more unreliable, but I saw a post somewhere that said there was a model year, maybe 2011 or something, that uses a single turbo? I think it was an N55 engine for that one, but I just wanted to know if there were any model years of the 335i that were almost as reliable as a 328i. Thank you.
Appreciate 0
      05-22-2019, 11:40 AM   #2
Delta0311
Banned
7476
Rep
10,120
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW 335xi E92 2016 228xi
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: NJ

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucidus View Post
So I'm 16 years old, essentially looking for my first car. I've heavily researched the N52 328i, and found it to be relatively reliable, and I think I'll be able to do most maintenance items by myself as I understand cars pretty well. However, the 335i seems to be significantly more powerful, I understand that the twin turbos make it significantly more unreliable, but I saw a post somewhere that said there was a model year, maybe 2011 or something, that uses a single turbo? I think it was an N55 engine for that one, but I just wanted to know if there were any model years of the 335i that were almost as reliable as a 328i. Thank you.

I had a 07 328 and currently have a 2011 N55 based E92 335 and a 2016 228.

Hands down the 07 328 was bullet proof. If you are on a budget dont buy a 335. Yes it is way faster but more problematic and will cost you way more if you cant DYI.

The N55 is more reliable than the N54 but it wont be more reliable than a N52. More components and more complexity means more possible issues down the road.

If you are on a budget then dont bother with a BMW. Low purchasing price will have you kicking yourself in the ass once the car starts having issues and the costs add up. A high mileage BMW is not a good option unless you know the seller and know that it was maintained to spec.

Last edited by Delta0311; 05-22-2019 at 11:55 AM..
Appreciate 1
      05-22-2019, 11:48 AM   #3
9krpmrx8
Clean is the new cool, keep it that way.
9krpmrx8's Avatar
808
Rep
1,683
Posts

Drives: 11' Alpine White 335i Sedan
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: San Antonio, Texas

iTrader: (0)

I dunno, lots of N52 guys in our group have plenty of issues, mostly the same wear and tear issues as any car of that age.

That said, unless you have a lot of disposable income and the ability and a place to wrench, no 16 year old should be driving and old BMW.

That said, I have a 2011 N55 E90 335i and at 104,000 it has been very reliable and has only left me stranded once due to a busted coolant fitting. But I have been very proactive at replacing the common failure points before they have had a chance to break.

And yes N52's are slow AF.
__________________
Appreciate 2
Delta03117475.50
      05-22-2019, 12:18 PM   #4
hassmaschine
Major General
United_States
3940
Rep
7,216
Posts

Drives: "NBO" 330i
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: earth

iTrader: (0)

You're 16, inexperienced, and an N52 is more than fast enough to get into trouble in a hurry.

All the resident bench racers can argue otherwise, but no 16 year old needs a car with 300-400hp.

It would be cool to get a really nice car but honestly you're probably going to end up crashing it anyway.
Appreciate 6
      05-22-2019, 12:46 PM   #5
Lucidus
Registered
2
Rep
4
Posts

Drives: Mercedes E320
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Delta0311 View Post
I had a 07 328 and currently have a 2011 N55 based E92 335 and a 2016 228.

Hands down the 07 328 was bullet proof. If you are on a budget dont buy a 335. Yes it is way faster but more problematic and will cost you way more if you cant DYI.

The N55 is more reliable than the N54 but it wont be more reliable than a N52. More components and more complexity means more possible issues down the road.

If you are on a budget then dont bother with a BMW. Low purchasing price will have you kicking yourself in the ass once the car starts having issues and the costs add up. A high mileage BMW is not a good option unless you know the seller and know that it was maintained to spec.
My budget is around 8-10k, I've been seeing multiple clean title 328i's with less than 100k miles on them, mostly n52's. What do you think?
Appreciate 0
      05-22-2019, 12:50 PM   #6
Delta0311
Banned
7476
Rep
10,120
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW 335xi E92 2016 228xi
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: NJ

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucidus View Post
My budget is around 8-10k, I've been seeing multiple clean title 328i's with less than 100k miles on them, mostly n52's. What do you think?
Clean title means jack. It just shows the car was not in any bad accidents. It does not tell you how well the car was maintained and if the owner skimmed on maintenance then you will start seeing issues. And i can say that most BMW owners that are not enthusiasts only do the bare maintenance minimum, if that. No way on Gods green earth would I buy a BMW with close to 100k.
Appreciate 1
      05-22-2019, 12:52 PM   #7
gamesfrager
Banned
Canada
197
Rep
709
Posts

Drives: 2011 328i
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Calgary

iTrader: (0)

I have 328i 2011. It's fast, or for me at least, it's fun, and you'd most likely save a bit for upgrades/mods.

And as mentioned earlier, no turbos or hpfp to worry about = simpler and less costly maintenance.
Appreciate 3
Delta03117475.50
e90yyc2424.00
      05-22-2019, 01:05 PM   #8
Lucidus
Registered
2
Rep
4
Posts

Drives: Mercedes E320
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Delta0311 View Post
Clean title means jack. It just shows the car was not in any bad accidents. It does not tell you how well the car was maintained and if the owner skimmed on maintenance then you will start seeing issues. And i can say that most BMW owners that are not enthusiasts only do the bare maintenance minimum, if that. No way on Gods green earth would I buy a BMW with close to 100k.
Are there specific fluids or gaskets that can be used to see if an owner cared for their car?
Appreciate 0
      05-22-2019, 01:15 PM   #9
Delta0311
Banned
7476
Rep
10,120
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW 335xi E92 2016 228xi
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: NJ

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lucidus View Post
Are there specific fluids or gaskets that can be used to see if an owner cared for their car?
Ask for the maintenance and repair history. I have a record of everything i did to my car. You can have a mechanic do a inspection but that will only get you a basic overview.
Appreciate 1
      05-22-2019, 01:23 PM   #10
dakotap80
Private
dakotap80's Avatar
27
Rep
72
Posts

Drives: 2011 E90 335i xDrive
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Montana

iTrader: (0)

For what its worth, I bought my first BMW when I was 18, a 2006 330xi with the N52, I'm now 21 and bought a 2011 335i with the N55 engine (sold the 330 to my dad). The 330 has actually been a bit more problematic and expensive to own than the tuned N55, but then again its 5 years older with 20,000 more miles.

The point I'm trying to make is either model will be decently reliable IF maintained well, but random things will absolutely go wrong regardless and it will be VERY expensive if you don't do the work yourself, figure about $1500-2000 per year on repairs/maintenance if you have a shop do everything.

Having been in a sort of similar situation, I'd suggest starting out with a 328 for sure (I remember wanting to get a 335 right off the bat and being irritated when people suggested that it would be too much power, but it is ABSOLUTELY true, I would have undoubtedly gotten into tons of trouble with an N54/55). Once you get a feel for the platform, the kind of money and/or time it takes to keep an E90 in good shape, and most importantly more driving experience and caution, then there will still be plenty of 335's out there. Also having owned both, I still think the N52 is a great engine with satisfying power, so don't worry about that.

Long story short, from someone who has been in your shoes, a well maintained N52 E90 can be a great choice for a satisfyingly quick and very nice first car IF you plan on maintaining and repairing it yourself. Good luck with the search!
Appreciate 1
      05-22-2019, 01:31 PM   #11
porsche959
Banned
471
Rep
996
Posts

Drives: porsche
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: chicago

iTrader: (0)

I had a g35 when I was teen and it was plenty of power. Took it up to dumb speeds.

15 years later I have a 325i. It was fine at first but after 9 months of ownership I’m craving more power.

Just understand that with more power you’ll want to drive faster, have higher insurance and generally do the same stupid shit just at a higher speeds.

But hey, that’s what being young is all about.

Also, I’ve never know anyone to regret getting the faster/more powerful car. Maybe some regrets around reliability - but never power and speed.

Edit: with your budget id pick up a clean n52. Mine has never left me stranded but I spent easily $3k on preventative stuff: tires, plugs, coils, shocks, fluids, etc all DIY cept the tires.

Last edited by porsche959; 05-22-2019 at 01:37 PM..
Appreciate 1
      05-22-2019, 01:42 PM   #12
macheff03
Second Lieutenant
macheff03's Avatar
United_States
63
Rep
268
Posts

Drives: 2006 BMW 325i
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: South Carolina Coast

iTrader: (0)

Get an n52 car, they're cheap and still plenty nice and fast
__________________
‘06 325i
Appreciate 1
      05-22-2019, 04:29 PM   #13
nighthawk335
Enlisted Member
52
Rep
46
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW E90 335i 6MT
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2011 BMW 335i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by dakotap80 View Post
For what its worth, I bought my first BMW when I was 18, a 2006 330xi with the N52, I'm now 21 and bought a 2011 335i with the N55 engine (sold the 330 to my dad). The 330 has actually been a bit more problematic and expensive to own than the tuned N55, but then again its 5 years older with 20,000 more miles.

The point I'm trying to make is either model will be decently reliable IF maintained well, but random things will absolutely go wrong regardless and it will be VERY expensive if you don't do the work yourself, figure about $1500-2000 per year on repairs/maintenance if you have a shop do everything.

Having been in a sort of similar situation, I'd suggest starting out with a 328 for sure (I remember wanting to get a 335 right off the bat and being irritated when people suggested that it would be too much power, but it is ABSOLUTELY true, I would have undoubtedly gotten into tons of trouble with an N54/55). Once you get a feel for the platform, the kind of money and/or time it takes to keep an E90 in good shape, and most importantly more driving experience and caution, then there will still be plenty of 335's out there. Also having owned both, I still think the N52 is a great engine with satisfying power, so don't worry about that.

Long story short, from someone who has been in your shoes, a well maintained N52 E90 can be a great choice for a satisfyingly quick and very nice first car IF you plan on maintaining and repairing it yourself. Good luck with the search!
I'm in a similar place as you. When I was 18 I got an 06 330i, and it was perfect for the time, and now I'm 20 and have a 11 335i as well. I also have had a fair amount of issues with my N52 for the time I had it, but once the common issues are fixed, or replaced before they're broken, it's fairly reliable.

OP, the 328i would be a great first car if it's well maintained, and keep up with maintenance on it. Plus, you can put the 3 stage intake manifold (from the 330i, and other 30i models) on it, which will give you a nice bump in power if you are feeling the need to. You should save some money for maintenance, as a precaution because it definitely can add up IF things go wrong. Most things aren't too difficult to DIY though.

Good luck with getting a car!
Appreciate 1
      05-22-2019, 04:45 PM   #14
e90yyc
Art Collector
e90yyc's Avatar
2424
Rep
3,450
Posts

Drives: 2007 328xi (GM-delete 6MT)
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

LOL @ Hass.

I second (or third, or fourth...) the idea of getting an N52. Hell, my first car was a 1990 Honda Accord and that shit was dopppeeee.

Niceness is all relative. Don't set the bar too high at 16.

If you like to skip class, get an N54. It'll give you plenty of opportunities to not be wherever you're supposed to at that moment in time
__________________
When I'm dead, just throw me in the trash.
Appreciate 1
      05-23-2019, 05:57 AM   #15
M40i4me
Lieutenant Colonel
M40i4me's Avatar
1009
Rep
1,522
Posts

Drives: 2021 X3 M40i
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: NJ

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2021 X3 M40i  [10.00]
I have a 2011 328 with 173,000 miles on her and its been very reliable. I have had the standard problem areas addressed, Valve cover / gasket, oil filter housing gasket. Still have the original water pump. As others have stated the non turbo straight six has more than enough power to get you into trouble as well as get you out!
__________________
2021 M40i Phytonic Blue / Black Vernasca
2020 X5 xDrive 40i Tanzanite Blue / Coffee Vernasca
2011 328xi. Space Grey - Sold 188,925 great miles
Appreciate 1
      05-23-2019, 06:02 AM   #16
Spitfire007
Captain
Spitfire007's Avatar
189
Rep
682
Posts

Drives: 09 328i Sport 6MT
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Baltimore, MD

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2009 BMW 328i  [0.00]
My 09 328i has a 6-speed, so it's a little quicker than your standard auto 328.

It's been a wonderful and reliable car.
102000 miles and I haven't done anything other than shocks (got Bilsteins) an o2 sensor and plugs and coils, brakes, normal wear and tear stuff.
That's IT. No leaks, no codes, nothing.
I use it for my 90mph commute up and down I-95, and it's getting 25-27mpg.
Got a 3 stage intake manifold and a tune, and this car rips to 60 in under 6 secs, easy, and runs right up past 140mph.

They are not slow, they are reliable. They are great highway cars. You'd be lucky to have this as a first car, and the steering alone will ruin you for every other car.

Disclaimer: I've had many faster more powerful cars and motorcycles...
Appreciate 2
M40i4me1008.50
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:39 AM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST