[villieb]

ey up guys and girls...

I've seen a 12 plate 335i e91 (N55 engine) and can't make up my mind whether to put a deposit down on it or not. I've not seen alot of these appear with proffessional navigation, front/rear pdc etc...

Car has had 1 owner from new - 97k miles full bmw service history with the last one done at an indy...

MOT report: flat spots on both front tyres and slight movement in front track control bushes.

I've not seen the car and have been waiting for photos. However, i know these cars don't appear too often. I almost put a deposit on it this morning, but i can't make up my bloody mind!

I'm coming from a 320d e91 so really looking forward to a 335 BUT I have this worry about buying a money pit (it's happened to me before with a Corrado)

How much at an indy would it cost to sort out the 'slight movement in front track control bushes'?

I'm not going to be able to see the car in the flesh until next weekend but I fear if i wait till then it'll be sold!

What would you do?

[UltimateDream]

I would personally go for a low mileage one and put it on BMW warranty, so that I know I am covered! I too am looking for a 335i Estate.

[imy]

Check the history. Turbo, injectors, HPFP, Waterpump etc are going to be the tickets where the more crossed off the better. If some of these have been done then that's a few less things to worry about.

Sure you can wait for a low mile one, but how many low mile e91 335i's are there?

[BMW Steve]

Mine Has 45k 2010 335i, Very Low I Thought. Pleanty About, You Just Need To Do Some Hunting Around.

[Needbmwpartzz]

Originally Posted by mrmlee

I would personally go for a low mileage one and put it on BMW warranty, so that I know I am covered! I too am looking for a 335i Estate.

This

[edowen]

assume it is this one?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...code=p&adPos=4

I personally think you can do better. What ever you do dont deposit a car till you have seen it. You dont give yourself any option to negotiate.

I'd still with lower mileage myself.

How about this?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...code=p&adPos=1

[Dann]

N55 is way more reliable than the n54.
100k shouldn't be an issue but if want warranty and that will cost a bomb on a 100k car.

The one linked above looks okay apart from being a pre-lci (imo look hideous)

[Iverson]

I have owned 3 x 335i in the past and I would NOT say they are money pits at all, it depends on your previous owner(s) how the car has been treated and maintained but if its a clean example then the mileage wont matter and you shouldnt have much to worry about just enjoy it you would need to see it and drive to get the feeling on how its been cared for and what type of life its had so far, also if purchasing from a trader you should have some warranty and also have the flexibility to get back your deposit if paying blindly and on the day you are not satisfied.

[pmmcbl]

This typical. When I was selling my car I didn't get many people interested, now it's gone there are loads!

On paper I wouldn't touch it since you should be able to get a car with lower mileage for not much more or the same
Money. I guess you should be able to get anything from £1000-£2000 off the asking price. The dealer won't get many people after that car at that price.

Go and have a look and drive. But doesn't appear to have many options. The about when you decide to sell it, by then will be over 100k and more people won't even look, just because it's gone over the 100 mark.

For £10k I would consider it.

[smuler]

I agree with the last 3 responders, at a lower price if proven well cared for and the 1 owner almost full dealer history could be a sign of that, then it's a possible.

It's a dealer near me, don't know of them but if it's a local car chances are the BMW dealer is Sytner Cardiff who have looked after my 335i superbly.

If so , if you look at it, get it down there for a check or PPI.

[Russbmw]

Originally Posted by imy

Check the history. Turbo, injectors, HPFP, Waterpump etc are going to be the tickets where the more crossed off the better. If some of these have been done then that's a few less things to worry about.

Sure you can wait for a low mile one, but how many low mile e91 335i's are there?

If it's an N55, you can not worry about pretty much everything quoted above, except perhaps the waterpump, as BMW can't seem to make a robust cooling system if their business depended on it.

Quite frankly, if the comment about the "slight play" was from the MOT station, I'd take that with a large pinch of salt anyway - some places feel they have to write something in the advisories box regardless.

Personally, if the condition of the car meets your expectations and standards, I think a 1 owner from new car with full BMWSH is always a better option than a multiple owner, slightly lower mileage one.

[surrey 335i]

I would say that car is terrific value and with a full history the mileage is not an issue, gets you late plate car at low price - if you put a deposit on it make sure its refundable on your first viewing of the car once its available to view. IF they have not taken the photos yet you can be sure they have not given the car a thorough inspection and they wont know exactly what prep it needs.

[villieb]

Yeah that's the car edowen, and i do want an lci....

still waiting for the photos to turn up.

Thanks for the advise guys (and girls)

if i do go down and check it out, any noises etc... to look out for?

[daedos]

The car has been for sale for a month and still no pictures. Go in with your eyes wide open.

[villieb]

anyone gonna be around on Sunday to view the car with me??

[imy]

Where is it?

[villieb]

http://www.timhaywardcarsales.co.uk

Cardiff...

[MattOz]

Originally Posted by villieb

http://www.timhaywardcarsales.co.uk

Cardiff...

I might well be in Cardiff on Saturday morning, so could take a look if you want me too? Still not confirmed though, so my trip might not happen!

[smuler]

I live near Cardiff, but as someone else said, the lack of photos makes me suspicious and isn't it worth getting reg/VIN to do some checks before you travel?

[villieb]

Got the vin/reg... all checks out ok....

Reg is Wn12uxv

[villieb]

I've convinced the wife to a weekend away, an overnight stay and a little test drive

[smuler]

Originally Posted by villieb

I've convinced the wife to a weekend away, an overnight stay and a little test drive

That's very nice, but what about the car??



Seriously, good luck, but a couple of things sprang to my mind:-

I looked at MOT history and would want to see proof that what caused the oil leak was dealt with. I know it's clear at the more recent MOT, but MOT tests could miss something.

I also think the dealer, particularly at the price he's selling, should have dealt with the advisories from the latest MOT. He must have dealt with the tyres, surely?

The registration suggests car originated in the South West, so maybe it's not had the BMW servicing at Sytner Cardiff, but consider a PPI there or at least get them to read the smart key.

https://totalcarcheck.co.uk/FreeCheck?vdm=Wn12uxv