BMW E92 330i or 335i
Discussion
I know this question has been posted loads but I'd like to ask a few (more) questions. First time posting on here but I've been reading alot of the posts.
I'm looking at getting an E92, either a 330i or a 335i m sport auto and I'm really torn on which one to get. I understand that the 335i is more powerful than the 330i and from my understanding the 330i is more reliable than the 335i.
Basically I'm asking for some advice. I'm looking for the car to be fun to drive and have power, something that will feel fairly quick and make me smile when I drive it, but something that isn't going to require a huge monthly maintenance bill. Of course I don't mind spending money on maintaining the car and services but I don't really what a turbo or two to blow up on me. I'd like a car that is fairly reliable and fairly quick.
I unfortunately haven't done any DIY on cars but I'd definitely give it a go, on things that are half doable.
I'm coming from a Mercedes C220 CDI automatic sport and want something that is going to be and feel a fair bit quicker than that. I'm leaning towards a 330i but I'm wondering if that's going to be enough? But I'm nervous of buying a 335i because of the horror stories I've heard. I also definitely wouldn't be modding the 335i, it's not really my thing. I also plan on keeping the car for a few years as well.
Also, if a car has full service history and seems on good condition does it matter of it has around 100k miles?
I bought my C220 with 100k and that was a pretty solid car.
Any advice at all is greatly appreciated!
START DISCUSSION
I'm looking at getting an E92, either a 330i or a 335i m sport auto and I'm really torn on which one to get. I understand that the 335i is more powerful than the 330i and from my understanding the 330i is more reliable than the 335i.
Basically I'm asking for some advice. I'm looking for the car to be fun to drive and have power, something that will feel fairly quick and make me smile when I drive it, but something that isn't going to require a huge monthly maintenance bill. Of course I don't mind spending money on maintaining the car and services but I don't really what a turbo or two to blow up on me. I'd like a car that is fairly reliable and fairly quick.
I unfortunately haven't done any DIY on cars but I'd definitely give it a go, on things that are half doable.
I'm coming from a Mercedes C220 CDI automatic sport and want something that is going to be and feel a fair bit quicker than that. I'm leaning towards a 330i but I'm wondering if that's going to be enough? But I'm nervous of buying a 335i because of the horror stories I've heard. I also definitely wouldn't be modding the 335i, it's not really my thing. I also plan on keeping the car for a few years as well.
Also, if a car has full service history and seems on good condition does it matter of it has around 100k miles?
I bought my C220 with 100k and that was a pretty solid car.
Any advice at all is greatly appreciated!
START DISCUSSION
The reliability of the 330i depends on which engine it has; the N52 is generally considered to be the more reliable lump than the later N53.
The N53’s main issues are dud injectors with a full set being they best part of £3k fitted from a specialist, the High Pressure Fuel Pump and the NOX sensor. You then have the usual BMW oil leaks from the rocker cover, oil filter housing, oil cooler and sump. The first three are not so bad, but the sump is a bigger job.
The N52’s main Achilles heel is the aforementioned oil leaks. Both engines can suffer from with dud coil failed electronic water pumps. The eccentric shaft sensor on the N52 can doe and is expensive so sort because it’s under the rocker cover. VANOS solenoids are a relatively cheap and easy issue to sort.
The N54 powered 335i offer more power plus massive tuning potential but suffer with high pressure fuel pump issues, rattling turbos and injectors. Plus the oil leaks. Other N54 issues include the boost solenoids and worn cam ledges.
The later N55 powered 335i is generally considered to be more reliable but will still suffer oil leaks (is it even a BMW if it doesn’t leak oil?).
Lots of 335’s get modified; mine is stage one plus running circa 380bhp and is much more lively than stock.
The ZF6 in the older cars needs a service at 60-80k despite BMW saying that’s it’s sealed for life.
My 335inis a great car, I really like it but it does have the ability to frustrate when it’s not running well / s
tting itself and trying to rape my wallet.
Condition / history is way more important than mileage to be honest; my 335i is approaching 98k and my wife’s 330i is now on 162k.
The N53’s main issues are dud injectors with a full set being they best part of £3k fitted from a specialist, the High Pressure Fuel Pump and the NOX sensor. You then have the usual BMW oil leaks from the rocker cover, oil filter housing, oil cooler and sump. The first three are not so bad, but the sump is a bigger job.
The N52’s main Achilles heel is the aforementioned oil leaks. Both engines can suffer from with dud coil failed electronic water pumps. The eccentric shaft sensor on the N52 can doe and is expensive so sort because it’s under the rocker cover. VANOS solenoids are a relatively cheap and easy issue to sort.
The N54 powered 335i offer more power plus massive tuning potential but suffer with high pressure fuel pump issues, rattling turbos and injectors. Plus the oil leaks. Other N54 issues include the boost solenoids and worn cam ledges.
The later N55 powered 335i is generally considered to be more reliable but will still suffer oil leaks (is it even a BMW if it doesn’t leak oil?).
Lots of 335’s get modified; mine is stage one plus running circa 380bhp and is much more lively than stock.
The ZF6 in the older cars needs a service at 60-80k despite BMW saying that’s it’s sealed for life.
My 335inis a great car, I really like it but it does have the ability to frustrate when it’s not running well / s
tting itself and trying to rape my wallet.Condition / history is way more important than mileage to be honest; my 335i is approaching 98k and my wife’s 330i is now on 162k.
I have a 130i with the N52, which I’ve owned for about 14 years. In that time, the engine’s been bullet proof. My concern with that engine in a 3 series is you lose the big engine in a small car feel. Also I don’t think the N/A engines are a good match to auto boxes. I wouldn’t entertain an N53.
In your position I’d look for an N55 engined 335i. They’re solid engines and you’d be unlucky to get any significant problems. They’d also provide the shove of your turbo diesel Merc which a 330i may not provide.l, especially if you’re not used to revving a car out.
In your position I’d look for an N55 engined 335i. They’re solid engines and you’d be unlucky to get any significant problems. They’d also provide the shove of your turbo diesel Merc which a 330i may not provide.l, especially if you’re not used to revving a car out.
Ah yeah sorry, I should of said what engine I'm looking for. I've been looking at 330i around 08/09 which would have the n53 engine in it. I have heard of alot of issues with the injectors and hpfp, if they have been done and the injectors are index 11 or above, am I pretty safe for tens of thousands of miles? Full service and maintenance history is a big one for me.
I'd like a n55 but my budget won't quote stretch to it unfortunately. As I have heard they are a pretty solid engine. Is the 330i pretty powerful? From what I've read it's a pretty quick car (to me anyway) but I'd like to hear from people who have owned them as well as other cars to compare etc.
If I'm looking at one with 80/90k miles, would the main problems be sorted if it has full service and maintenance history?
Sorry for all the questions 😂
Really appreciate your replies!
I'd like a n55 but my budget won't quote stretch to it unfortunately. As I have heard they are a pretty solid engine. Is the 330i pretty powerful? From what I've read it's a pretty quick car (to me anyway) but I'd like to hear from people who have owned them as well as other cars to compare etc.
If I'm looking at one with 80/90k miles, would the main problems be sorted if it has full service and maintenance history?
Sorry for all the questions 😂
Really appreciate your replies!
Yup that's right. N53 ran stratified injection which produced nox hence the trick exhaust system and nox sensor. Incidentally the nox output of the n53 was far below the nox output of even a 20d lump so I'm not sure why they bothered with all that especially.
Edited by bmwmike on Wednesday 2nd August 23:02
I've had an N52 in an e91 manual and in an e86 manual. In the former it felt laboured and not very quick at all, in the latter it was lively enough to be fun. Now I have a manual N55 in an F11 and I prefer it to the e91, albeit I have tuned it because it was too slow before.
In an e92 I'd get the 335i. My friend tuned his with full bolt ons and it'd broadly keep up with my C63 at lower speeds. As standard you'll still enjoy it, the twin turbo setup is far more effortless than the N53.
In an e92 I'd get the 335i. My friend tuned his with full bolt ons and it'd broadly keep up with my C63 at lower speeds. As standard you'll still enjoy it, the twin turbo setup is far more effortless than the N53.
steve_n said:
I've had an N52 in an e91 manual and in an e86 manual. In the former it felt laboured and not very quick at all, in the latter it was lively enough to be fun. Now I have a manual N55 in an F11 and I prefer it to the e91, albeit I have tuned it because it was too slow before.
In an e92 I'd get the 335i. My friend tuned his with full bolt ons and it'd broadly keep up with my C63 at lower speeds. As standard you'll still enjoy it, the twin turbo setup is far more effortless than the N53.
I assume the E91 was not a 330i?In an e92 I'd get the 335i. My friend tuned his with full bolt ons and it'd broadly keep up with my C63 at lower speeds. As standard you'll still enjoy it, the twin turbo setup is far more effortless than the N53.
I had an E90 330i auto and I wasn't blown away by its performance to be honest. However I've had a few much quicker cars though, and the 330i could hit the spot for you in comparison to me.
I know the 335i can be problematic, but that would be the direction I would go in. You get basically the same mpg out of the 335i as you do the 330i, but you get more torque/performance in return though.
I know the 335i can be problematic, but that would be the direction I would go in. You get basically the same mpg out of the 335i as you do the 330i, but you get more torque/performance in return though.
Hi!
Sorry for the late reply it wouldn't let me reply for 24 hours for some reason.
Thank you to everyone for the advice, I'd love a n55 but my budget doesn't quite stretch that far unfortunately. I'm looking at spending around 8k don't mind going a bit more. I think I'm going to get a 330i. There just isn't that many for sale with half decent milage, I'll keep my search up though!
Sorry for the late reply it wouldn't let me reply for 24 hours for some reason.
Thank you to everyone for the advice, I'd love a n55 but my budget doesn't quite stretch that far unfortunately. I'm looking at spending around 8k don't mind going a bit more. I think I'm going to get a 330i. There just isn't that many for sale with half decent milage, I'll keep my search up though!
cerb4.5lee said:
I had an E90 330i auto and I wasn't blown away by its performance to be honest. However I've had a few much quicker cars though, and the 330i could hit the spot for you in comparison to me.
I know the 335i can be problematic, but that would be the direction I would go in. You get basically the same mpg out of the 335i as you do the 330i, but you get more torque/performance in return though.
See that's what I'm thinking, where I'm coming from a Mercedes C220, which isn't quick at all really, I think a 330i will put a smile on my face and be quite a bit more powerful and hopefully I'll be able to tell the difference of power quite a bit.I know the 335i can be problematic, but that would be the direction I would go in. You get basically the same mpg out of the 335i as you do the 330i, but you get more torque/performance in return though.
I'd love a 335i but I think I'm just too paranoid to get one to be honest. I had a look yesterday at some and I can get a couple in my price range but when I look in to it/speak to the people the service history is pretty poor and there's next to no maintenance history. Which is a pretty big red flag
steve_n said:
I've had an N52 in an e91 manual and in an e86 manual. In the former it felt laboured and not very quick at all, in the latter it was lively enough to be fun. Now I have a manual N55 in an F11 and I prefer it to the e91, albeit I have tuned it because it was too slow before.
In an e92 I'd get the 335i. My friend tuned his with full bolt ons and it'd broadly keep up with my C63 at lower speeds. As standard you'll still enjoy it, the twin turbo setup is far more effortless than the N53.
The 330i is faster than it feels, can’t imagine it ever feeling ‘laboured’ though. In an e92 I'd get the 335i. My friend tuned his with full bolt ons and it'd broadly keep up with my C63 at lower speeds. As standard you'll still enjoy it, the twin turbo setup is far more effortless than the N53.
The N52 sounds great, sadly you can’t really hear it in the car
LordHaveMurci said:
The 330i is faster than it feels, can’t imagine it ever feeling ‘laboured’ though.
The N52 sounds great, sadly you can’t really hear it in the car
Same with the 335i. It was fast but was deceptive, as these are quite refined. The N52 sounds great, sadly you can’t really hear it in the car
I enjoyed my time with my 335i, it was a very rare manual one, as well as being an LCI but with the N54. Great car, quite fun to drive and effortless all the way up to 150mph+ (traffic was to much to push it further, Germany before anyone complains). It was comfortable, well specced and I think a great looking BMW.
Absolutely buy a good one, then budget for repairs. It's not just the big things like HPFP and injectors, but general repairs and running costs can add up.
steve_n said:
Why would you assume that? It was a 330i.
Perhaps laboured is a bit harsh but it wasn't effortless, which is how I like my cars. Needed revving and wasn't all that quick when you did. A turbo six suits a 3 or 5 Series better imo.
Because suggesting a 3 litre 6 pot motor putting out 250 odd bhp is laboured in a 3 series seems a bit odd to me. Perhaps laboured is a bit harsh but it wasn't effortless, which is how I like my cars. Needed revving and wasn't all that quick when you did. A turbo six suits a 3 or 5 Series better imo.
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