[GottWhat]

A few weeks ago, I bought a 2008 BMW 335i w/6-speed manual transmission and sport package. The odo is about to hit 100,000 but has a stack of service history including recent repairs of the typical N54 issues in last 30,000 miles like the HPFP, electric water pump, themostat, oil filter housing gasket, valve cover gasket, etc.

I already changed the manual transmission fluid and installed a clutch stop. I love how hit shifts.

One shock and one strut were leaking so going to replace all four with Bilstein B4. Swapped the rear shocks last week.

Noticed a new oil leak last weekend. Cleaned everything up and ran the car on jack stands. Traced it to the rear main. Really slow leak but I cannot stand any leak. Found a local independent shop so I am having them fix the rear main and change the original clutch. I haven't had any issues with the clutch but it does have 100,000 miles and you must remove the trans/clutch anyway to replace the rear main.

They are also giving me a deal on labor to replace the struts, install some second hand downpipes and walnut blasting of the intake valves. Should all be done tomorrow.

I am going to do some lighting work too. I already have the parts to replace the halo bulbs with LED, the kit to have halos turn on as DRL and new foglight housings with 4300K HID kit (match stock Xenon). Hopefully, I can do this Sunday.

Why did I get a used BMW with 100,000 miles?

Long story short, we have two trucks. One is leased (RAM) and the other is owned (Silverado). The Silverado has ultra low miles since I work at home and I plan on keeping it forever. My wife was a stay at home mom since the oldest of our two boys was born in 2007, the youngest just started kindergarten and my wife went back to work which means I have to cart the kids around more. She drops them off at school in the morning but I to pick them up and take them to different things like karate. Will also use it on day trips and stuff. Probably 6,000 miles a year.

Buying a third car was something we've been thinking about doing since my wife went back to work. Wanted something something relatively fun with a back seat and had to be something everyone doesn't already have. Decent fuel economy and a budget of around $10k were also criteria. Thought about getting a Mini Cooper S until I stumbled upon a 2006 BMW 330i w/6-speed for sale down the street from me. Low miles (69,000) but way too many red flags (winter tires only, owned it 2 months, no service history, every panel had some type of blemish, rear quarter was replaced and work looked shoddy, interior smelled musty, cracked windshield, even the low mileage is a red flag, etc) and the guy wanted $8,000 but I wouldn't even consider it for half that. However, I did test drive it and loved it. I have driven a wide range of BMWs but this was the first manual transmission BMW I have driven. I finally understood why everyone loved them.

Then, I started looking for a 335i within my budget and found this:

[dbond]

Congrats and Welcome!
I would not rush to replace the rear main seal. These are known to leak at the pan gasket, and it sure looks like the rear main leak. Triple check it!

[GottWhat]

Originally Posted by dbond

Congrats and Welcome!
I would not rush to replace the rear main seal. These are known to leak at the pan gasket, and it sure looks like the rear main leak. Triple check it!

Thanks!

I checked, double checked and triple checked. Talked to the mechanic tonight and he said it was for sure the rear main. Was confirmed after he pulled the trans.

[GottWhat]

In the next week or two, I will also be ditching the worn runflats and getting a proper four-wheel alignment (weighted).

[princelybug]

Nice pickup. Congrats!

[Rob Daman]

congrats

[unrulyteach]

Wow nice pickup man enjoy it

[GottWhat]

Concerning the rear main, my mechanic said it looked the rear main was almost falling out like it was improperly installed.

Received some bad news though, he said the wastegates are getting bad. He attempted to adjust the rod but they were too rusty. Looks like I will be saving for new turbos...

[unrulyteach]

Originally Posted by GottWhat

Concerning the rear main, my mechanic said it looked the rear main was almost falling out like it was improperly installed.

Received some bad news though, he said the wastegates are getting bad. He attempted to adjust the rod but they were too rusty. Looks like I will be saving for new turbos...

Get warranty asap

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by GottWhat

A few weeks ago, I bought a 2008 BMW 335i w/6-speed manual transmission and sport package. The odo is about to hit 100,000 but has a stack of service history including recent repairs of the typical N54 issues in last 30,000 miles like the HPFP, electric water pump, themostat, oil filter housing gasket, valve cover gasket, etc.

One shock and one strut were leaking so going to replace all four with Bilstein B4. Swapped the rear shocks last week.

Noticed a new oil leak last weekend. Cleaned everything up and ran the car on jack stands. Traced it to the rear main. Really slow leak but I cannot stand any leak. Found a local independent shop so I am having them fix the rear main and change the original clutch. I haven't had any issues with the clutch but it does have 100,000 miles and you must remove the trans/clutch anyway to replace the rear main.

They are also giving me a deal on labor to replace the struts, install some second hand downpipes and walnut blasting of the intake valves. Should all be done tomorrow.

I am going to do some lighting work too. I already have the parts to replace the halo bulbs with LED, the kit to have halos turn on as DRL and new foglight housings with 4300K HID kit (match stock Xenon). Hopefully, I can do this Sunday.

Why did I get a used BMW with 100,000 miles?

Long story short, we have two trucks. One is leased (RAM) and the other is owned (Silverado). The Silverado has ultra low miles since I work at home and I plan on keeping it forever. My wife was a stay at home mom since the oldest of our two boys was born in 2007, the youngest just started kindergarten and my wife went back to work which means I have to cart the kids around more. She drops them off at school in the morning but I to pick them up and take them to different things like karate. Will also use it on day trips and stuff. Probably 6,000 miles a year.

Buying a third car was something we've been thinking about doing since my wife went back to work. Wanted something something relatively fun with a back seat and had to be something everyone doesn't already have. Decent fuel economy and a budget of around $10k were also criteria. Thought about getting a Mini Cooper S until I stumbled upon a 2006 BMW 330i w/6-speed for sale down the street from me. Low miles (69,000) but way too many red flags (winter tires only, owned it 2 months, no service history, every panel had some type of blemish, rear quarter was replaced and work looked shoddy, interior smelled musty, cracked windshield, even the low mileage is a red flag, etc) and the guy wanted $8,000 but I wouldn't even consider it for half that. However, I did test drive it and loved it. I have driven a wide range of BMWs but this was the first manual transmission BMW I have driven. I finally understood why everyone loved them.

Then, I started looking for a 335i within my budget and found this:

Great looking car. If you have the sport package, you will need, at a very minimum, need b4 sport shocks.

Personally, you should look at b6 or b8's.

You will need new strut bearings, bump stops and all surrounding hardware in rear. At 100k all of the surrounding hardware is worn out. Most of the surrounding hardware will run you $200.00 total if you buy lemforder and stay away from the BMW tax. Lemforder is the OEM provider.,

[feuer]

Lovely looking 335i ! I really like it. Sell it to me. Best color I think.

[Mahen_E90]

Congrats! Love the color!

[Miller335]

Montego blue is where it's at with this generation of BMW.

I get compliments on my car all the time from both males and females when I'm out and about in it, really seems to set this bodystyle off.



Here's my ride out in the wonderful columbia river gorge with my buddy with a C5.

[BeastMode335i]

I get compliments on mine all the time too.. Think it's more a car thing than a color thing.. But nice car OP..!

[feuer]

Originally Posted by BeastMode335i

I get compliments on mine all the time too.. Think it's more a car thing than a color thing.. But nice car OP..!

Definitely not the car. Sorry. Black 335i does undetected.

[brocklanders]

This may sound stupid, but get the e46 "zhp" shift knob and a bms clutch stop. they are relatively cheap and they make an already enjoyable car a little more so. Also I second the "hd" strut comment earlier, b6 if your installing yourself and b8 if you have a shop do it, you will pay more coin but I haven't heard a single regret from anyone on the subject myself included.

[GottWhat]

I did the clutch stop already, great mod!

[BeastMode335i]

Originally Posted by feuer

Definitely not the car. Sorry. Black 335i does undetected.

Maybe yours goes undetected lol, but I get compliments on my car all the time.. The blue one reminds me of the blue on my old civic si that was EBP.. But to each his own..

[feuer]

Originally Posted by BeastMode335i

Maybe yours goes undetected lol, but I get compliments on my car all the time.. The blue one reminds me of the blue on my old civic si that was EBP.. But to each his own..

Mine is not black.

[BeastMode335i]

Originally Posted by feuer

Mine is not black.

Touchè..

[Miller335]

Originally Posted by BeastMode335i

Maybe yours goes undetected lol, but I get compliments on my car all the time.. The blue one reminds me of the blue on my old civic si that was EBP.. But to each his own..

Civics don't come in black?

[unrulyteach]

Originally Posted by Miller335

Civics don't come in black?

??? I would imagine every car does