[DreamerJoe]

hey guys, I'm not quite an owner yet, but will be very soon. I'm currently looking to buy (have for a while now) and have a few options, figured I would get some input from current owners/pros of the N54 platform. So I'm currently looking at 2 cars, 1st is a 2007 with 120k miles, but the owner has already replaced the HPFP, waterpump/thermostat, index injectors, spark plugs, OEM for OEM turbos, and most of the seals and carbon cleaning. 2nd guy has a 2010 with 60k miles. Now in my mind, newer with less miles is always better, what do you think? btw, both cars are selling for the same price. I don't want to jump the gun, but after saving $$ for so long and being this close, I want to pull the trigger already.

[M3DIA]

Originally Posted by DreamerJoe

hey guys, I'm not quite an owner yet, but will be very soon. I'm currently looking to buy (have for a while now) and have a few options, figured I would get some input from current owners/pros of the N54 platform. So I'm currently looking at 2 cars, 1st is a 2007 with 120k miles, but the owner has already replaced the HPFP, waterpump/thermostat, index injectors, spark plugs, OEM for OEM turbos, and most of the seals and carbon cleaning. 2nd guy has a 2010 with 60k miles. Now in my mind, newer with less miles is always better, what do you think? btw, both cars are selling for the same price. I don't want to jump the gun, but after saving $$ for so long and being this close, I want to pull the trigger already.

Personally would go for the one with lower miles, feel like the one with higher miles will have issues (other than the parts he already replaced). Got my 07 335i with 55k and haven't had a single problem (yet).

[Gamb1t]

Originally Posted by DreamerJoe

.... after saving $$ for so long and being this close, I want to pull the trigger already.

Cost of acquiring a used n54 is one thing. It's another when it comes to the cost of keeping it running healthily unless you can work on the car yourself.

[axe127]

Does the 2010 have any maintenance records? At least you know the ‘07 was well maintained. Have a PPI done either way.

Are they identical options-wise?

[DreamerJoe]

Originally Posted by RisingSun335

Personally would go for the one with lower miles, feel like the one with higher miles will have issues (other than the parts he already replaced). Got my 07 335i with 55k and haven't had a single problem (yet).

yea, thats my mindset, half the miles AND 3 years newer.

Originally Posted by Gamb1t

Cost of acquiring a used n54 is one thing. It's another when it comes to the cost of keeping it running healthily unless you can work on the car yourself.

true, most preventative maintenance won't be a problem for me. only stuff I shy away from is usually the internals of a motor. I owned an 86' mustang 5.0 that I had to do ALOT of work on, and I know its a different animal, but a Haynes manual and an uncle thats a mechanic who owns a shop go a long way. thanks for the heads up though, I did consider the upkeep cost but the car is too beautiful to pass up. plus, I was originally looking at getting an Evo X, but after seeing the $$$ difference (and the interior difference) decided to go 335i, the money saved there alone can go in the fix it piggy bank.

Originally Posted by axe127

Does the 2010 have any maintenance records? At least you know the ‘07 was well maintained. Have a PPI done either way.

Are they identical options-wise?

the 2010 says it has all maintenance records from dealership, and both are manual and have navi (although I would prefer non so I could put my android auto unit in). besides that, the 2010 is the M sport, and the 2007 is not, but has a few carbon fiber touches (lip/diffuser) and rims from another BMW that are a bit larger all around.

Thanks for the fast response guys!

[AandSC]

I would buy the 2010 given all the information above.

[tisdrew]

If both do not have updated (index 12) injectors, that's a significant cost of something you'd likely have to replace down the line. The labor isn't too hard but the parts were north of $900 last I checked. Given that the 2010 didn't tell you yet what was done, I'd personally go with the 2007 all else being equal.

[M3DIA]

Originally Posted by DreamerJoe

yea, thats my mindset, half the miles AND 3 years newer.

true, most preventative maintenance won't be a problem for me. only stuff I shy away from is usually the internals of a motor. I owned an 86' mustang 5.0 that I had to do ALOT of work on, and I know its a different animal, but a Haynes manual and an uncle thats a mechanic who owns a shop go a long way. thanks for the heads up though, I did consider the upkeep cost but the car is too beautiful to pass up. plus, I was originally looking at getting an Evo X, but after seeing the $$$ difference (and the interior difference) decided to go 335i, the money saved there alone can go in the fix it piggy bank.

the 2010 says it has all maintenance records from dealership, and both are manual and have navi (although I would prefer non so I could put my android auto unit in). besides that, the 2010 is the M sport, and the 2007 is not, but has a few carbon fiber touches (lip/diffuser) and rims from another BMW that are a bit larger all around.

Thanks for the fast response guys!

m sport is a must, does the 2010 have sport pkg as well? (oil cooler)

[srey]

I would buy the 2010. If I didn't do all my own wrenching I would buy the 2007 and set aside the difference for maintenance items like suspension refresh, possible clutch, etc. It's a big plus on the 2007 that it has (assuming Index 12) new injectors and turbos. Those are big-ticket items. That said, the LCI cars look better. I have a 2007 that runs great and looks good, but I wish I had an LCI model.

[b92]

I would go for the 2010, seems like a great deal