[Yam_440i]

Originally Posted by Smokey33

N54 here coming up on 2 years ownership 3x trips to santa pod on 65k miles running FBO 455bhp and 490lbs/ft torque. Maintainance ive had the cam cover gasket done but that was more preventative, it wasn't leaking, gearbox oil topped up (DCT), 6x plugs and 6x coils a 02 sensor and a ABS sensor. That's it.

If you want performance its not even a comparison. My car has beaten M4's, C63 AMG's, Audi R8's V8 and V10's at santa pod. In gear its rapid. You cant get that from a 330i.

What tune are you running?

[The-Traveler]

I'm biased but I feel that the 330i is a much better used-car proposition than a 335i. If I was buying both new, then of course the 335 is a no brainer. However, my friend and I each bought used e90s with around 160,000km (100K Miles,) and without any warranty. I haven't had a single issue in 2 years, not a single one. Sure now it needs shocks and such, but the engine has been great.

He has had all leaking injectors, numerous check engine lights, needed a walnut blast, and has noisy waste gate or whatever leaks on these.

For what, 50 - 60 hp? Other than when you're screwing around, it's the same experience in 95% of city driving.

[tom_seddon]

Originally Posted by The-Traveler

I'm biased but I feel that the 330i is a much better used-car proposition than a 335i.

What engine does your 330i have?

The N53 commonly suffers from leaking injectors, and (being direct injection) can also require walnut blasting.

[nomiS330d]

Just thought I'd throw this picture up for all you petrol loving diesel haters
Mapped 330d which is faster than the 330i and probably not far off a stock 335i.
Being an M57 lump it's also ultra reliable. It was mapped about 5 years ago, I've owned it for over a year and a half and had no mechanical woes at all
The fuel economy is the icing on the cake

[Dann]

Yeah but when the 335i can do this......

[nomiS330d]

The main difference though is with the diesels you don't have to drive like miss daisy to get decent economy. Yes the petrols can be fairly economical but you have to work at it, any spirited driving sees it drop a lot. Most of my driving is a good mixture of everything. I generally go to work at 2.30am on duel carriageways and back roads then come home through town struggling with daytime traffic. I don't go easy of the throttle and sill average high 30's. I used to have an E46 330i which couldn't get near that and was nowhere near as quick.
Having said all of that I'd swap mine for an E9x M3 in a heartbeat if I had a spare 10k and to hell with the economy haha.

[Dann]

Both of those were at 75/80mph on a decent motorway/A road run.

It's not about driving slowly, it's driving sensibly (although those include a couple of slip road blasts)

[Arch Stanton]

Originally Posted by Dann

Both of those were at 75/80mph on a decent motorway/A road run.

It's not about driving slowly, it's driving sensibly (although those include a couple of slip road blasts)

I had similar in mine recently on a Mway run, all at 70-80, not fancying around on picking up speed when I could and I returned 36.8mpg. I find that stop start town centre driving kills the 335i fuel economy,

I whilst the 330d economy looks impressive, you still wake up the neighbours with the tractor rattle first thing in the morning lol x

[Sir_Dave]

Originally Posted by Arch Stanton

you still wake up the neighbours with the tractor rattle first thing in the morning lol x

Not really any different to wastegate rattle on the 335i

By comparison, my N52 is silent

[Giggss]

So I've decided I want an E92 330i M Sport N52 engine, but since N53 came out in 2007 and e92 started in 2006, it feels impossible to find an M Sport N52.

OR shall I just get an E90 and be done with it, they are usually cheaper as well.

[The-Traveler]

Originally Posted by tom_seddon

What engine does your 330i have?

The N53 commonly suffers from leaking injectors, and (being direct injection) can also require walnut blasting.

N52 is port injection so no issues and what 10hp or so less. Pfft

[Smokey33]

Originally Posted by Yam_335i

What tune are you running?

Custom through MHD

Originally Posted by The-Traveler

N52 is port injection so no issues and what 10hp or so less. Pfft

10hp? Errrrr LOL

[MattOz]

Originally Posted by Smokey33

10hp? Errrrr LOL

That's about right between N52 and N53.

[Sandy335]

Generally I don't like turbo cars (or diesels), but I couldn't part with that much money on a 330i, knowing the 335i exists. I actually set out to buy an E63 M6 I was offered a great deal on, but the performance was too out of reach on the road and I bought my 335i the next day; it felt faster and more agile on the test drive to be honest and 12 months on I still love how playful it is. Sounds better outside than in unfortunately and I know a lot more performance is available, but I like it as it is and want it to last.
If you really are unsure, a good long test drive in each will be needed and make sure it's the right car too, the first 335i I drove was not as impressive as the one I bought, it clearly needed attention.

[Marko131]

Originally Posted by Sandy335

Generally I don't like turbo cars (or diesels), but I couldn't part with that much money on a 330i, knowing the 335i exists. I actually set out to buy an E63 M6 I was offered a great deal on, but the performance was too out of reach on the road and I bought my 335i the next day; it felt faster and more agile on the test drive to be honest and 12 months on I still love how playful it is. Sounds better outside than in unfortunately and I know a lot more performance is available, but I like it as it is and want it to last.
If you really are unsure, a good long test drive in each will be needed and make sure it's the right car too, the first 335i I drove was not as impressive as the one I bought, it clearly needed attention.

I'm in the same dilemma now. I can get 335i for the same price of 325i/330i N53. That's what keeping me from pulling the trigger on 330i (although I know it will be much less hassle to own than N54).

OP, please update what have you decided?

[Giggss]

Originally Posted by Marko131

OP, please update what have you decided?

I've decided to get a n52 330i for now, simply for the reliability and drive, I think i will get 335i but later on in a few years maybe.

[OliSharp]

Originally Posted by Giggss

I've decided to get a n52 330i for now, simply for the reliability and drive, I think i will get 335i but later on in a few years maybe.

To be honest mate, for what it will cost you to change cars, why not just get a 335i now and enjoy it for a few more years?

As much as I love my 330i I kind of wish I'd got a 335i for the mid range torque, twin exhaust, and the noise they make on cold start!

If you can stretch to an LCI car (2010 facelift) then do, the older cars don't have bluetooth audio streaming (just for phone calls).

You mentioned you don't want iDrive: any reason for this? In the early cars it's a bit clunky, but 2009 onwards it's good.

Good call on the heated seats and HiFi stereo.

[Giggss]

Originally Posted by OliSharp

To be honest mate, for what it will cost you to change cars, why not just get a 335i now and enjoy it for a few more years?

As much as I love my 330i I kind of wish I'd got a 335i for the mid range torque, twin exhaust, and the noise they make on cold start!

If you can stretch to an LCI car (2010 facelift) then do, the older cars don't have bluetooth audio streaming (just for phone calls).

You mentioned you don't want iDrive: any reason for this? In the early cars it's a bit clunky, but 2009 onwards it's good.

Good call on the heated seats and HiFi stereo.

Hmm I'm constantly going back and fourth simply because I know of all the common N54 problems, but it is also cheaper for me to insure a 335i compared to 330i for some reason.

As for iDrive I have CIC in my current car and the only time its in use is for parking sensors, otherwise its off, Nav is not as good as google maps, I only listen to 3 radio stations and thats about it.

[Dann]

Originally Posted by Giggss

Hmm I'm constantly going back and fourth simply because I know of all the common N54 problems, but it is also cheaper for me to insure a 335i compared to 330i for some reason.

As for iDrive I have CIC in my current car and the only time its in use is for parking sensors, otherwise its off, Nav is not as good as google maps, I only listen to 3 radio stations and thats about it.

You could buy a 335i that's had all the work done?
Drop me a PM

[Giggss]

Originally Posted by Dann

You could buy a 335i that's had all the work done?
Drop me a PM

Yeah I’ve seen your one for sale even though it’s a very nice example, sadly I’m not in the market just yet which is why I asked this question now, also it would be out of my budget sorry.

[buddyboy]

I picked up a 2006 e92 335i in November,i bought it with 69k on the clock, and good service history. Two new turbos by previous owner with that.

Its only had a few issues since i got it, not really specific to a 335i but include

Rocker cover cracked
Boost solenoid failed
Fuel pressure regulator replaced
1 leaking injector replaced

Ive upgraded the car with better intercooler and intake so far and with a MHD remap and XHP remap on the auto box its quite rapid(360bhp~) meth kit and some more upgrades due soon If you just potter around the city in the car and are keeping things standard the 330i/d is probably more suited to you, if you dont do much work on your own car reapirs costs would be less on the 300i/d. if you want a platform that you can upgrade performance wise as you go get the 335i.

I knew of the issues with these cars before i bought it, if you are handy with a wrench then a lot of the items are a DIY repair:

Injectors
coil packs
spark plugs
solenoids
rocker cover gaskets etc
turbos
brake discs/pads

[Giggss]

I do a lot of DIY and out of all the common problems, turbos would be the most challenging for me and since it is the most expensive I would rather get one with them already done like yours. I'm fairly confident with everything else. Just depends on availability I guess.