Is a 335is a good first BMW to own?

Guitarkid · 03-08-2020, 11:25 PM

It's one of my dream cars and I stumbled across a 2013 with only 58k miles on it that checks all the boxes of stuff I want. Black, 6 speed, coupe. It's full bolt ons and makes about 400 whp. I've never owned a BMW before but I'd love to at least look at this thing. I have a full bolt on 2015 wrx and a 2007 Saab 9-3 aero and I'd have to sell the wrx to be able to buy the BMW, maybe the Saab as well. Or ask if he would take trades and swap the Subaru for it. I bought the wrx back in October and quite honestly, I'm just not really into it. I tend to prefer euro cars over Japanese. It's a 2+ hour drive away from me and the guy had it listed for $24k around the same time I bought the Subaru. It still hasn't sold so he knocked 10% off and is now asking $21600 for it. Is that a lot? I feel like it is but I'm new to BMW.

I know the stories about the n54 being a nightmare to fix, but is it really truly that bad? The money aspect doesn't bother me, I do own a Saab after all which is certainly not a cheap car to fix. I just don't want to shell out for a car that spends its life at my mechanic instead of on the road. Input is welcome and appreciated. Thanks

porsche959 · 03-08-2020, 11:51 PM

Overpriced imo. You can get an M car for that money.

Good first bmw you have cash to burn.

happyshifts · 03-09-2020, 12:13 AM

Agree that the price is overpriced. Ive seen single turbo 335i's go for that price. I personally don't see a need to go for 335is if you're looking for a 6-speed. You'd be better off paying 10k less and getting a low-mile n54 335i. n54 would be a good first bmw though, to answer your question. It won't spend its life in the shop, dw. These things are a blast to drive and relatively simple to maintain now that the issues are so well-known and DIY's/Diagnosis help is all over this forum.

RealJ22 · 03-09-2020, 01:31 AM

An N54 will never be a "Good" first BMW lol.

Moisture · 03-09-2020, 03:07 AM

The N54 could be a great platform, or it could not be. Honestly, high oil temperatures are the #1 enemy of this engine. If you can somehow keep oil temps low, you're going to save yourself a ton of hassle over the long run.

There are people with N54's who have performed minimal maintenance even at high mileage, and then you get your horror stories. I guess it might depend on whether you got a "friday build" or not, but ultimately the way the first owner treated the thing, especially when the car was still new and wearing in will probably have the biggest effect on longterm reliability.

My only experience with the BMW family involves the N52 engine, and it was a great experience. As for the 335is, as long as you avoid the dual clutch, and if you get a good price on the car, I say go for it.

Blueeyesredpanda · 03-09-2020, 03:14 AM

335i"s" is just a marketing gimmick in North America, 335i with DCT in the euro market is common and not overpriced. Just get a M car or 335is without the S.

TheMidnightNarwhal · 03-09-2020, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche959

Overpriced imo. You can get an M car for that money.

Good first bmw you have cash to burn.

The price is a little bit overpriced yes but what kind of M are you talking about? No M will be able to provide the same whp than the 335is or a 335i for 26k.

TheMidnightNarwhal · 03-09-2020, 06:57 AM

I had a BMW 2004 330ci before but I only had that like 4-5 months so you could say this is truly my real first BMW and I have to say I've been pretty happy no regrets, got my 335is at 55k miles about a year and a half ago. I preferred updated LCI car with the twin turbo N54 and when I saw the 335is was like that I know I had to get that and nothing else personally.

Antetokounmpo · 03-09-2020, 08:00 AM

That car is worth $15k.

porsche959 · 03-09-2020, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

The price is a little bit overpriced yes but what kind of M are you talking about? No M will be able to provide the same whp than the 335is or a 335i for 26k.

You want whp, buy American. You don’t buy an m car for straight line speed.

You buy an m car for ok handling, additional weight versus cheaper base models, last of a generation, “race inspired”, relatively reliable high strung temperamental bitch of an engine, higher insurance prices and the fuckin privilege of sporting a real ///m badge to impress dbags like me.

nsjames · 03-09-2020, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antetokounmpo

That car is worth $15k.

this.

seller is on crack if he thinks it's worth 20K+

https://www.kbb.com/bmw/3-series/201...tion=excellent

I mean, it's KBB so the pricing is inflated, but even KBB says it's worth 16, in excellent condition.

03-08-2020, 11:25 PM	#1
Guitarkid Enlisted Member 4 Rep 32 Posts Drives: Saab 9-3 Aero, BMW 325xi Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Is a 335is a good first BMW to own? It's one of my dream cars and I stumbled across a 2013 with only 58k miles on it that checks all the boxes of stuff I want. Black, 6 speed, coupe. It's full bolt ons and makes about 400 whp. I've never owned a BMW before but I'd love to at least look at this thing. I have a full bolt on 2015 wrx and a 2007 Saab 9-3 aero and I'd have to sell the wrx to be able to buy the BMW, maybe the Saab as well. Or ask if he would take trades and swap the Subaru for it. I bought the wrx back in October and quite honestly, I'm just not really into it. I tend to prefer euro cars over Japanese. It's a 2+ hour drive away from me and the guy had it listed for $24k around the same time I bought the Subaru. It still hasn't sold so he knocked 10% off and is now asking $21600 for it. Is that a lot? I feel like it is but I'm new to BMW. I know the stories about the n54 being a nightmare to fix, but is it really truly that bad? The money aspect doesn't bother me, I do own a Saab after all which is certainly not a cheap car to fix. I just don't want to shell out for a car that spends its life at my mechanic instead of on the road. Input is welcome and appreciated. Thanks __________________ Sometimes you just gotta send it
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03-08-2020, 11:51 PM	#2
porsche959 Banned 471 Rep 996 Posts Drives: porsche Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: chicago iTrader: (0)	Overpriced imo. You can get an M car for that money. Good first bmw you have cash to burn.
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03-09-2020, 12:13 AM	#3
happyshifts New Member 9 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 07 E92 335i Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Northridge iTrader: (0)	Agree that the price is overpriced. Ive seen single turbo 335i's go for that price. I personally don't see a need to go for 335is if you're looking for a 6-speed. You'd be better off paying 10k less and getting a low-mile n54 335i. n54 would be a good first bmw though, to answer your question. It won't spend its life in the shop, dw. These things are a blast to drive and relatively simple to maintain now that the issues are so well-known and DIY's/Diagnosis help is all over this forum.
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03-09-2020, 01:31 AM	#4
RealJ22 Captain 1039 Rep 753 Posts Drives: E92 CT200h Cayman Boxster RC Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: WI / AZ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i [0.00]	An N54 will never be a "Good" first BMW lol. __________________ Long Beach Blue E92 with Carbon Fiber Roof Build Thread
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03-09-2020, 03:07 AM	#5
Moisture Private 27 Rep 87 Posts Drives: 2015 Mazda 6, 2020 Lexus NX300 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	The N54 could be a great platform, or it could not be. Honestly, high oil temperatures are the #1 enemy of this engine. If you can somehow keep oil temps low, you're going to save yourself a ton of hassle over the long run. There are people with N54's who have performed minimal maintenance even at high mileage, and then you get your horror stories. I guess it might depend on whether you got a "friday build" or not, but ultimately the way the first owner treated the thing, especially when the car was still new and wearing in will probably have the biggest effect on longterm reliability. My only experience with the BMW family involves the N52 engine, and it was a great experience. As for the 335is, as long as you avoid the dual clutch, and if you get a good price on the car, I say go for it.
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03-09-2020, 03:14 AM	#6
Blueeyesredpanda Major 401 Rep 1,425 Posts Drives: E90 / F30 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Canada iTrader: (-2)	335i"s" is just a marketing gimmick in North America, 335i with DCT in the euro market is common and not overpriced. Just get a M car or 335is without the S. __________________ 3IM . Okada Plasma Direct . Euro Ram Intake . AA header (Pending) . PE . 2nd Cat Delete . F30 340mm 6 pot . EBC Yellow Stuff . StopTech SS Brake Line . BMW Performance CF Strut Bar. 219M . PSS
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03-09-2020, 06:57 AM	#8
TheMidnightNarwhal Major General 2657 Rep 6,290 Posts Drives: 11' 335is DCT Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Gatineau, Quebec iTrader: (0)	I had a BMW 2004 330ci before but I only had that like 4-5 months so you could say this is truly my real first BMW and I have to say I've been pretty happy no regrets, got my 335is at 55k miles about a year and a half ago. I preferred updated LCI car with the twin turbo N54 and when I saw the 335is was like that I know I had to get that and nothing else personally.
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03-09-2020, 08:00 AM	#9
Antetokounmpo Brigadier General 1552 Rep 3,475 Posts Drives: E90 6MT FBO; '18 F150 Platinum Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: WI iTrader: (3) Garage List 2018 Ford F-150 Pla ... [0.00] 2008 BMW 335xi [0.00]	That car is worth $15k. __________________ 2008 335xi 6MT \| VRSF Catless DP \| VRSF 7" FMIC \| VRSF CP \| TIAL BOV \| DCI \| MHD 2+ BC Racing BR \| Stoptech 600 \| Firehawk Indy 500 255 Square \| Atric Altimax 225 Sq. 2018 F-150 Platinum 701A \| FX4 \| 3.5 EcoBeast
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