[BeastMode335i]

First off, I'd like to just say hello to everybody and I look forward to discussing my future BMW thoughts/ideas/questions with you all!

So I just sold my originally owned EBP 2000 Honda Civic SI and I'm shopping around for a 335i and my price range is around $20k <give or take>.. So far on Autotrader.com I've found quite a few that are exactly what I want, which is an 07+ white coupe, 6spd, with red leather, and navigation! Some are a bit out of Florida and upwards into Georgia, the Carolinas and what not, but I'd have no problems going to pick it up if it's exactly what I'm after!

Well the first one I found had a Buyback/Lemon discrepancy on the Carfax and my brain tells me to just stay away and ignore it, but according to one of my friends who works at Mercedes he said that a car could have a Buyback/Lemon listing on the Carfax for something as small as a leaking strut and could be fixed and resold, but would retain that discrepancy on the Carfax. The VIN is WBAWB73579P045913 so if anyone has access to checking that out I would appreciate it!

The second one I found also had a Carfax discrepancy for an Accident but it lists that no structural damage was inflicted upon the vehicle, and all checked out fine and dandy from the repair shop (according to carfax). Anyways The VIN for this one is WBAWB73528P041458.

Now from experience I know this can go both ways, as I was driving my girlfriends car one time and it was raining out and a car barely slid into the rear bumper but enough to where it needed replaced and repainted but the car still drove perfectly fine and once it was fixed you had no idea it ever needed replaced or that the car was in a fender bender. Well I've never bought a car based off a Carfax report but I'm just curious as to how reliable a source it can be?

Anyways, glad to be joining the BMW family and hopefully sometime soon I find my 335i that I'm after..!!

Thanks in advance!

[GetSomeE92]

The Carfax reports are good to see but they will only contain what has been reported. So, while they are a good tool to use they are not the be all, end all to car buying. You can always try to call one of the dealerships in your area and provide them with the VIN and request that they tell you what service has been done on the car. If they tell you, you may gain some information as to why the fist car you listed was involved in a buyback. As for the second car, if the repair shop is listed on the report you could try calling them to see if they have any more information about the repairs they performed on the car.

[Will2525]

If you're unsure just wait. It took me 6 months of looking before I found an 08-10 black e90, msport, ca, non nav. Don't jump into something you may regret later. There are plenty coming and going. You can find them in that range. I payed 20k even for my 08 with 52k miles about 6 months ago.

[335stick]

go with an 08 and up car, 07's had many problems

[BeastMode335i]

Thanks for the great feedback guys..!! And yeah I've been lookin into what exactly the differences are in 07's, 08's, 09's, etc.. And it is quite ironic how some 335i's are like $18-$19k and others are $35-$36k lol, I guess I have a lot of learning to do..! From what I've read, the Buyback that was issued is from California and was for a HPFP which was a bit of an issue on something like 100k BMW's in that time frame..!!

And I'm not in a super rush but I'll be sharing my girlfriends 128i with her until I find a vehicle so I'd like to have something within the next 2-3 months, even if it involves me traveling to get it.. The BMW service manager here in Ft. Myers told me to not look at anything out of warranty, because that's when it starts to take a toll on your pockets lol, best advice I've gotten so far I think..!

Anywho, I appreciate the feedback and would love to hear more from everyone and anyone who is knowledgable in this area..!

Thanks!

[GetSomeE92]

If you want a car with iDrive, I'd recommend going with a 2009+ car as it has the CIC iDrive which is much better and allows for some additional options through coding (DVD in motion).

[Glopez5]

Took me 6 months to find mine, eventually found it on Craigslist fully loaded no accidents 70k miles for 19k 2.5 years ago people said it would never happen and it did. Just have to keep checking. My 07 drives great only issues I've had are maintenance issues, waterpump , valve covet gasket, rotors pads etc.

Just word of advise anything over 70k assume these things within first year:

Water pump
Oil pan gasket
Spark plugs
Valver cover gasket
Transmission pan gasket

Depending if you are good at DIYs that's easily over $3k in maintenance at dealer.

Just something to think about when you budget your car. Not trying to scare you just unfortunate reality.

[954Stealth]

Dont rush in to a choice! There are plenty of 3'ers out there these days so if one doesn't feel right or you have a question about its history or mechanics then move on to another. Carfax is a good place to start but don't rely solely on that. Not everything is reported to Carfax so have it inspected. Also consider an extended warranty if you go with an '07/'08 or anything out of warranty.

As others have stated, there are a few known mechanical issues to have looked at and sorted. Even though you might be getting a good deal to get in to the car you are still paying for parts and maintenance on a $40-75k car. (hence the extended warranty suggestion).

Good luck with your search and welcome!

[BeastMode335i]

Great input guys, thanks a lot..!!

And yes I am trying to note solely rely on the Carfax but I guess I'll just keep it in mind when shopping.. Also, I found out that the buyback discrepancy on the first one I found was in California for the Fuel Pump, and then upon further investigation I found out that the Fuel Pump issue was like a mass pandemic among BMW's from 07-09! Apparently BMW warrantied them until 100k so I suppose if I do purchase one and it has that issue, BMW would service it for me, correct?

And yeah I'm not really tryna rush into something, but I am in need of a car so I'm a bit anxious & I'm online all the time looking for that perfect car lol..!

Thanks for the tip on the 09+ due to the CIC iDrive option as well.. I seen someone did a DIY on their 07 that I believe had a CCC(sp?) and they put it to CIC or something like that, where they had a pre 09 and installed the newer Nav screen and buttons but I was curious as to why, now it makes more sense tho.. And I definitely like the coding thing, I've been reading a lot on that..!

From what I read on here, it sounds like BMW de-codes a lot of stuff before shipping the cars out, than you just find someone with coding experience to flash the codes for you and you're good to go, right..??

I like the DVD in-motion thing, that'd be pretty cool to have! I still have to learn about what other codes there are, but for now I'm just focusing on finding a car first lol..!

Thanks guys!

[e92snail]

Just buy mine. A lot less then 20k lol

[BeastMode335i]

That's a bad ass car, but I'm looking for an 09+ now that I learned about some coding stuff and the CCC nav, and also im looking for lower miles, but nonetheless your car is gorgeous and sucks that you have to sell it, I can tell you put in some work..! GLWS

[BeastMode335i]

Is there a certain VIN of those models effected with the HPFP issue..?? It seems like a large amount were involved in that recall, but I've found several 07 and 08's for a good price with low mileage.. I'd just hate to get a car with issues waiting to happen!! Thanks!

[Glopez5]

Originally Posted by BeastMode335i

Is there a certain VIN of those models effected with the HPFP issue..?? It seems like a large amount were involved in that recall, but I've found several 07 and 08's for a good price with low mileage.. I'd just hate to get a car with issues waiting to happen!! Thanks!

I believe its covered under warranty 10 Years and 120k miles so you should be good.

[BeastMode335i]

Originally Posted by Glopez5

I believe its covered under warranty 10 Years and 120k miles so you should be good.

Regardless of where I purchase the car from..??

Thanks..!

[ArcticRik]

Originally Posted by BeastMode335i

Regardless of where I purchase the car from..??

Thanks..!

Ya doesnt matter where the car is from, the car itself is covered through BMW. Also I have a 2007 335i which has absolutely no issues what so ever, its my daily driver and I just hit 62k miles. So as for the stigma with the 07-08's its all hit or miss...

[Glopez5]

I have an 07 and it's an 06 build zero hpfp issues reported on this car I have 119k miles

[Glopez5]

Been on jb4 since about 60k miles 90% highway though.

[chrono]

Yeah I would wait. And if you ever had any doubts, bail. (Imagine how stupid you feel if you thought there was something seriously wrong and it turns out there was...)

Always make sure:

1) Clean car fax (I believe there are also free ways to validate accident history...)
2) Inspected by indy shop familar with BMWs
3) CPO or aftermarket warranty. I know the value of these things are always debated (especially the aftermarket warranty) but these cars are just expensive to fix. (what is it 5 6 7k for out of warranty turbos?)

[BeastMode335i]

Damnn great feedback guys..!! Thanks a ton..!

I do like the price range of the 07 and 08's I'm not gonna lie lol, and I've seen quite a few but just my luck, most of them have been involved in accidents and such and I'd rather not venture down that route..!!

Hopefully something clean with a clean history comes my way soon.. I like the M3 look, so I been lookin for some with the M Sports kit but those seem pretty rare tho..!

[tc535i]

Many of these cars were lemoned due to HPFP issues, but obviously that's no longer an issue. Could be a chance to buy a mechanically sound car for a great price, but consider resale will be difficult so price accordingly.

[BeastMode335i]

Yeah I noticed that a majority that come from California have that "Buyback/Lemon" issue, and unfortunately Bank of America will not finance me for a car with that type of title.

I have found one that looks clean and meets my requirements but I just noticed something that stands out to me that perhaps one of you could help better recognize.. On the front bumper where it meets the hood near those grills, does it look like a bit of an overbite so to speak? The hood is fully closed but it seems to extend over the bumper by a little bit and I'm not sure if that's supposed to be like that or not..?? It has a clean carfax, but maybe it was in an accident and not reported to carfax..??

Here it is..
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...70992020&Log=0

Thanks..!

[westech8383]

Originally Posted by BeastMode335i

Yeah I noticed that a majority that come from California have that "Buyback/Lemon" issue, and unfortunately Bank of America will not finance me for a car with that type of title.

I have found one that looks clean and meets my requirements but I just noticed something that stands out to me that perhaps one of you could help better recognize.. On the front bumper where it meets the hood near those grills, does it look like a bit of an overbite so to speak? The hood is fully closed but it seems to extend over the bumper by a little bit and I'm not sure if that's supposed to be like that or not..?? It has a clean carfax, but maybe it was in an accident and not reported to carfax..??

Here it is..
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...70992020&Log=0

Thanks..!

I could be real wrong but something looks amiss to me. The whole top edge of the bumper cover/assembly looks shoved back. This is one car I'd want to see up close and personal.

Your car is out there. Be patient. We wanted and found a Touring. Took a few months and a 2300 mile round trip but worth it.

As you search for your car never forget how important the maintenance is. Finding one with remaining warranty only makes the day better.
Good luck!