[Redguy]

Browsing through Auto Trader yesterday, I spied upon a nice '57 plate, black, 335i auto with all the kit.

Coming from my 330i, I've always been tempted by these - especially with a higher spec than mine. My 330 is the same age, a '57. Mine's done 67k, the 335 had 76k.

It was with a pretty big garage - they have around 170 cars in stock. Don't know them, but know they've been around for a long while.

Spoke to the sales guy yesterday, he seemed pretty good. Promised a FSH, the works.

Went along today to see it. Took a while to find it, as it was indoors, behind about 5 other cars. Today's sales guy was on his own, so clearly a test drive wasn't going to happen. The guy himself was a mess - hadn't even brushed his hair. He looked like he'd just come from an all-nighter! He really wasn't even with it.

Their building had a leaky roof. The 335's driver's window was down, and the inside of the car was soaked! Rest of the car looked okay-ish (bad scratch on the roof), but it just felt a bit wrong.

Spoke to the salesman - it's had 6 owners (last just under 6 months), but the FSH was disaster - about 3 BMW stamps in the book, a couple from an indy. He told me he'd contacted BMW and there should be a few more, and that he could get that sorted! I couldn't work out why with 6 owners, hardly any had bothered to get the service book stamped. Even worse, there was a single receipt or evidence of any work in 10 years.

He looked at my (tbh, immaculate) 330, quick web search, and offered me 4k. 335 was priced at 8,495. Spent more time telling me how little profit they make. I did make mention of the fact that if my 330 was only 4k, and given the price of their 335, they'd be making a lot more that he was telling me!

Needless to say, I walked. Just bad vibes all round - the car (oil cap was like a jar of mayo had been spilt - and the oil was not feeling - or looking - as it should).

A shame, as it could have been different. I was just shocked at the car, the garage, the salesman....I for one would never go back.

Luckily enough, I'm not in any rush to change. Just if something cool comes up....which clearly isn't that one!

[imy]

Some good ones do turn up on the classified pages on here or on the fb group page 3fivers

[Chappers 71]

Unfortunately some people buy cars like this & don't keep on top of them, things go wrong & they get chopped in & someone else gets the problem maybe spends a bit & then decides it's to expensive to run & the cycle starts again.
Have noticed on here that people will pop up having just got a 335 then they post about a issue or two then you never here from them again.
All of these cars will need money spending on them at some point no matter how well they've been looked after, unfortunately.

[Jeff123]

At least you have had a lesson in what NOT to look for in a car. Rough people = rough cars.

[Dann]

As chappers said.
People like the idea of having a 335i but when a big bill or issue comes they can't afford or be bothered to sort it properly so just get rid.

Takes a fair bit of commitment to keep a 335i in top shape

[RajB]

As above really, with most people not wanting to put their hands in their pockets when required. It's easy buying a car but not easy maintaining it.

[Adam1990]

With a car like a 335i I would be looking and waiting for a decent forum or a private sale because that way you get to meet the last owner so you can usually get a good idea of how well its been maintained.

When I was looking for a 330i/335i e91 for the last 7 months i saw many at garages with 5 plus owners with patchy history and just seamed like a time bomb, so I happy I held out for the right car.

[Redguy]

Spot on guys.

Luckily I'm in no rush to change mine, more of an 'if anything comes up' type situation.

There's a good few dogs out there.......

[djgandy]

The cheaper they get (as a whole) the worse maintained they are.

E46 M3 is a great example of this. These days mostly run by people who stretch to afford the purchase price but can't afford any of the maintenance. Loads of real dogs out there.

[Sukh Singh]

Had a similar experience last month looking at a 330d vert....promised fsh mint etc etc

got there car had linglong tyres cracked alloys that had been welded, shabby re-spray down one side most likely from a accident as roof was leaking on that side and to top it all off 5 owners but all the services were from a local mot center!

didn't even bother with a test drive!

[Redguy]

Originally Posted by Sukh Singh

Had a similar experience last month looking at a 330d vert....promised fsh mint etc etc

got there car had linglong tyres cracked alloys that had been welded, shabby re-spray down one side most likely from a accident as roof was leaking on that side and to top it all off 5 owners but all the services were from a local mot center!

didn't even bother with a test drive!

Sounds like a very wise move indeed!