[tej98]

Hey everyone - little bit of a loaded question but here goes:

Does anyone else ever consider selling your 335i to move into something else? I know everyone may have different reasons but I wanted to hear some input on mine. So before the 335i I had an E46 323Ci and a R53 Mini. My 335i is almost the perfect spec for me with being an LCI, E90, 6MT, Sport, and Winter package car I really didn't have much to complain about option wise. I've gone through most of the N54 specific issues at this point and have suspension and other typical old BMW odds and ends left at 103k miles.

With the rising values of these (atleast from what I see listed for sale), I have been contemplating replacing my 335i with possibly a 328i/128i 6MT or another old BMW but I just can't bring myself to do that since I know I'll regret it as soon as its done.

Pros that I can see are that the N52 is drop dead reliable when compared to the N54. I won't have rod bearing wear or anything of that nature in the back of my mind when enjoying the car. I also see an easier path to a dual duty track/daily car with the N52 compared to the N54 in terms of operational costs.

Any input is appreciated! All things considered I'll probably end up keeping the 335i but I'd love to hear what everyone else thinks. Maybe I'm overthinking this and should stop worrying about popping a motor and just enjoy the car.

[streetpro]

I don't see a sense in downgrading to N52, sorry... I might consider step-up to 996/997 territory but it comes with a significant price tag and much lower practicality (as even e92 still can carry 4 pax and some luggage)...
or enjoy the V8 5,0 sound/feel in Jag XKR, XKR-S...

[iqraceworks]

I got my car cheap enough that even though it really stinks to work on it all the time (lots of stuff seems to always go wrong), I could never replace it another car that's more fun and/or faster without spending a fortune.

[Dave92N54]

I'm sure I paid a little more than many members here, but was willing for the spec so nope. This is my forever project. Sure, something B58 in the future sounds cool but it's not in any chassis I really like. An F82 would be cool, but i'd still never get rid of the E92. The G82 has been growing in me though… manual… TT I6..

[Jaronbwall]

I've considered selling a few times. I searched for 7 months to find this spec after wrecking another car. Sold my sport bike to paid it off and it's been a fun 6 years ever since. The 335i is amazing in so many ways but selling and looking for something EQUALLY as good never leads to anything cheap. Like streetpro said it's either a Porsche, 90's sports car (prices are stupid), or a older BMW project car with tons of maintenance issues. I'm all about projects but even e30 prices are stupid and the car is slow. I know a few guys from the forums sold and bought GTR's way back in the day... You can't touch one of those for less than $60k. For now I'm happy with the 335i.
If my money wasn't invested in houses I'd buy an e90 M3, or an f80 M3, 6-speed. Those are going up in value everyday.

[Saif2018]

Considered a mk5 r32, but the power deficit is huge and turbocharging or supercharging it costs big bucks,

[Jaronbwall]

I've secretly wanted to motor swap a two door e30 with an N54. I could sell my car and go for it (not seen it done) but it wouldn't be easy or cheap and my mechanical skills are not enough to pull it off without professional help. Estimating about $15k to get it done. Used engine $5k, running/crappy e30 $5k, $5k for everything else. It could be my never ending project I'd call a "sports car"...

[Dave92N54]

Originally Posted by Jaronbwall

I've secretly wanted to motor swap a two door e30 with an N54. I could sell my car and go for it (not seen it done) but it wouldn't be easy or cheap and my mechanical skills are not enough to pull it off without professional help. Estimating about $15k to get it done. Used engine $5k, running/crappy e30 $5k, $5k for everything else. It could be my never ending project I'd call a "sports car"...

This is something i'd love to do as well, just with an E36. I'd be willing to bet you could do it yourself. Garagistic has now written a complete guide with everything you need to N54 swap an E36 or E30

[Jaronbwall]

Originally Posted by Dave92N54

This is something i'd love to do as well, just with an E36. I'd be willing to bet you could do it yourself. Garagistic has now written a complete guide with everything you need to N54 swap an E36 or E30

Wow I had no idea. I see used motors for sale on here all the time from part-out cars. Those SEMA builds are insane. Going down the rabbit hole on this. Thanks man. haha

[Dave92N54]

Originally Posted by Jaronbwall

Wow I had no idea. I see motors for sale on here all the time from part-out cars. Going down the rabbit hole on this. Thanks man. haha

My apologies, it's garagaholic.

https://garageaholic.build/product/t...-chassis-copy/ for anyone interested. I've heard it's a fantastic guide.

[neilvan]

Had a conversation somewhat recently about if the car was onge(written off of whatever it may be) what would I get. For me it has to be tuneable, fun to drive and manual; 4 doors preferable

ATS-V and Genesis G70 Sport are the 2 front runners. the 400Z even though a coupe does look promising

[Dave92N54]

Originally Posted by neilvan

Had a conversation somewhat recently about if the car was onge(written off of whatever it may be) what would I get. For me it has to be tuneable, fun to drive and manual; 4 doors preferable

ATS-V and Genesis G70 Sport are the 2 front runners. the 400Z even though a coupe does look promising

Curious, have you test driven either of the two? I've driven an ATS-V and could not stand it. Belonged to a buddy of mine, after about 2 miles I said I had enough and had him get in the driver again.

[lookalikehuuh]

Originally Posted by tej98

Pros that I can see are that the N52 is drop dead reliable when compared to the N54.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! EHHHHH NO!

I own both N52 and N54, Although the N54 has its own trouble-spots the N52 is no Toyota, that's for sure. I have had many shared failures in both cars like every gasket known to mankind, radiators, water pumps, alternators, vanos solenoids, coils, etc.

There are a few other items that N54s suffer from that N52s dont like HPFP, Injectors, wastegate rattle, etc but N52s also have issues that N54s don't suffer from like DISAs that explode randomly and can grenade engines and are like $350 each for parts alone. There's also some added complexity with valvetronic that N54 doesn't have and complicates common failures like valve cover gaskets.

Let's just say that I own the most powerful of the N52 engines the 2006 330i with "255HP" and I tell you what, every time I walk outside I pick the 335i nearly every time. Only time I pick the 330i is when I know I'm going somewhere with really bad roads (like downtown) where I don't want to risk bending my nice HRE wheels.

[Dave92N54]

Originally Posted by lookalikehuuh

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! EHHHHH NO!

Doesn't it just give you a good chuckle?

Never understood how people can sit here and spout the N52 is "sooooo much more reliable" when the N54 is the same fucking motor, with what, 3 added parts (turbos, hpfp, injectors) and subtracted valvetronic? N52 is not, and will not ever be more reliable. It's just $4000 (give or take) cheaper.

[lookalikehuuh]

Originally Posted by Dave92N54

Doesn't it just give you a good chuckle?

Never understood how people can sit here and spout the N52 is "sooooo much more reliable" when the N54 is the same fucking motor, with what, 3 added parts (turbos, hpfp, injectors) and subtracted valvetronic? N52 is not, and will not ever be more reliable. It's just $4000 (give or take) cheaper.

Let's not also forget the N54 has FORGED crank and rods, N52 has neither of those. So in all reality the N54 is likely a much stronger engine that could outlast N52s if all of us didn't push them to output 2-3x the horsepower any N52 could ever be capable of.

I am in no way an N52 hater in fact I own a 220K mile example of one, I just don't understand where they get this "oh its super reliable" thing because they aren't I have the receipts to prove it!.

[tcphoto]

My previous car was an '01 325Cic TIAg on gray pleather with automatic transmission and my '09 335 BSM on beige MT. Perhaps it was my lust for a ZHP that pushed me or the impending RMS in my E46's future, I have loved the five years of ownership so far. I am the second owner of the E92 compared to eight on the previous car and I saw evidence that it was neglected before me. I don't see a comparable car at the E92's price point and hope that I don't have to find one any time soon. If anything, I'd likely add an old FJ40 or Defender 90 as a work vehicle and keep the BMW.

[neilvan]

Originally Posted by Dave92N54

Curious, have you test driven either of the two? I've driven an ATS-V and could not stand it. Belonged to a buddy of mine, after about 2 miles I said I had enough and had him get in the driver again.

No I haven't (just havent had the opportunity) though Ive driven an older CTSV.

And that's saddening to hear, those 2 are the last 4 door sporty 6spd sedans left. I hope its not that bad

[syntax]

Bmw's are shit. Rather have a supra mk5

[Jaronbwall]

Originally Posted by syntax

Bmw's are shit. Rather have a supra mk5

You can't afford one and neither can I. The prices sky rocketed along with every other cool 90s sports car.

[Dave92N54]

Originally Posted by Jaronbwall

You can't afford one and neither can I. The prices sky rocketed along with every other cool 90s sports car. An mk5 twin turbo with <100k miles, no rust, good condition, with no outrageous mods will cost $50K+

That would be the MKIV. He's making a joke anyway, at least I think.

[whyzee125]

You've got a really nice spec car, I'd keep it and enjoy it. It's gone up in value partially because all the brand new cars are overcomplicated, overpriced, and boring. These won't be around forever.

If you ever miss it, it would be more difficult to replace since in addition to finding another nice spec, you'd have some maintenance to ketchup on.

I think you would miss it if you went to an n52.

[Vivek.]

Yeah definitely don't downgrade to put a few bucks in your pocket. Seems really short sighted IMO