[HighDesert]

Hello, I'm looking for some general info/opinions regarding a E92 328xi that I am looking at.

I've previously owned 4 Audi's but have always had a soft spot for BMW's. Currently I drive a 2000 S4 2.7T 6 speed manual that has been retuned to 300hp. I'm looking for a replacement car and have been considering either a B6 S4 or E46 M3. I hadn't really considered a e90/92 till I came across a very nice coupe within my price range.

As I mentioned it's a 328xi, 6 speed manual, sport/cold weather/premium packages. 52k miles and 1 owner. I can get it for below blue book trade in. The only problems I've noticed are that the TPMS is going crazy and the tires need replacing soon.

Here's a crappy craigslist photo



With that said I really like the car, but I'm just a bit underwhelmed by the power. The handling and style is great though. This will be a daily driver and must be comfortable making long road trips. Would probably keep the car for about 2 years, than move on to a 135i/335i or B8 S4.

Is it going to be ridiculously expensive to maintain for the next 2 years/30k?

Anything in particular I should look out for?

I've been trying to do as much research as possible and any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Dan in PA]

Honestly, I'd take an e46 M3 over an e92 328xi.

[NFS13]

Originally Posted by Dan in PA

Honestly, I'd take an e46 M3 over an e92 328xi.

Agreed! You pay a few more bucks but get more power and handling than the 2.7T you are giving up. Why down grade unless you have to?

[cotmfk]

Don't do it! You will kick yourself for wasting so much money on an Audi!




j/k... but seriously, if you are coming from a fun car like the 2.7T S4, I would get a 335 or M3. I understand the 335 might not be in your price range yet, so get the M3!

[EYE4SPEED]

S4's have really come down in price. Sold my 05 recently and it was painful.

[NWapex]

I am in a loaner 328i while my 335i gets some work done. The difference in power is very noticeable. If this is important to you at all, I would not purchase the 328xi.

You are looking at a 6MT and the loaner I am driving is an AT, which does make a difference.

Save a little and get the 335xi if you need AWD.

[jeremicium]

The 328xi should be a fun, reliable car, but it is a bit lacking in the power dept. I assume 335 is your of your price range. If I were you I'd choose the E46 M3 hands down.

[rooster3.0]

E46 M3 and This is coming from an Audi lover.

[jopa489]

The biggest drawback to the 328 is the AT (which is very different from the AT unit in the 335). In my opinion, the 328's AT saps too much power and is very indecisive over what gear it should be in. A 328 MT is fun, balanced car. It likely won't cost you a fortune to maintain, but it's certainly not the beast the 335 is. The E46 M3 is awesome, but be prepared for the maintenance costs.

[GnokGnik]

Many people who participate in forums like this one are performance oriented enthusiasts, they will not tell you how great a DD the 328i/xi is and how fun it is w/ 6mt & the direct injection 230hp.

If I were to buy my sole-car in the 20-25k range, I would go with a 328i/328xi since it will be a long-lived and relatively reliable...plus the e92 is gorgeous imo. BMW's famous inline 6 in all its freely revving NA glory.

The E46 M3 will be a risky choice...I owned a used one and it was problem riddled, but it was so much fun when it worked the way I wanted it to. I think it is the best M3 model. If you have another beater/car you can drive, I would go with the M3...or if you are willing to spend a lot of man hours DIYing problems if they arise.

[iwanna335]

Get a 335i....don't know your price range but it is comparable in speed as a chipped S4, but will out handle it all day long. Once you tune the 335 it will walk all over the chipped S4. This coming from a 2001 S4 owner now 2007 335i sedan 6 spd manual....soon to be tuned!!

[HighDesert]

Keep the comments coming.

My budget is $18-23k, so not quite enough to get into a 335i. I'm trying to justify the 328xi as a tradeoff of performance for reliability, but I'm afraid I'll get bored of the car soon after purchase.

B6 S4's and E46 M3's aren't the most reliable cars but they would be more fun. I'm no stranger to turning wrenches (pulled the engine out of my S4 to replace the turbos), though due to some changes in my life I won't have nearly as much time for working on cars.

Originally Posted by iwanna335

Get a 335i....don't know your price range but it is comparable in speed as a chipped S4, but will out handle it all day long. Once you tune the 335 it will walk all over the chipped S4. This coming from a 2001 S4 owner now 2007 335i sedan 6 spd manual....soon to be tuned!!

a 335i outhandles a b5 s4?

[iwanna335]

Originally Posted by my92

a 335i outhandles a b5 s4?

All day.....the S4 had like 60/40 weight distribution. You could feel the front pushing wide with any driving over 5/10. Now on wet/icy conditions it would be a different story.

[NFS13]

Originally Posted by iwanna335

All day.....the S4 had like 60/40 weight distribution. You could feel the front pushing wide with any driving over 5/10. Now on wet/icy conditions it would be a different story.

I don't know about that. The M3 out handles the S4, but the 335i with sport is still a little softer in my opinion.

[GregTheStig]

My E90 328i is a great daily driver and it's pretty fun in the twisties, probably not as much as the 335i or the E46 M3, but still fun. I notice that when I'm alone the power feels like enough to put a stupid grin on your face but all you need is a passenger or two to feel really underpowered. I'd say if you can't find a 335i or maybe even a 330i and performance matters that much to you go with the M3. Also RWD helps BMW's case.

As far as maintenance cost goes, I got mine CPO.... so nothing for me yet other than a $190 tire

[Oulixes]

Originally Posted by HighDesert

Hello, I'm looking for some general info/opinions regarding a E92 328xi that I am looking at.
... it's a 328xi, 6 speed manual, sport/cold weather/premium packages. 52k miles and 1 owner. I can get it for below blue book trade in. The only problems I've noticed are that the TPMS is going crazy and the tires need replacing soon.
...
With that said I really like the car, but I'm just a bit underwhelmed by the power. The handling and style is great though. This will be a daily driver and must be comfortable making long road trips...

Is it going to be ridiculously expensive to maintain for the next 2 years/30k?

Anything in particular I should look out for?

I've been trying to do as much research as possible and any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I own a 330xi, which is pretty close to the 328xi, so I can understand your being underwhelmed by the power generated in the N52 engine. The silver lining of the 330xi is its reliability - there have been no problems with the car since it was purchased in 2006. Other people had posted problems, most unpleasant, but said not to be serious, is the engine tick (see sticky on this forum). The only problem I have had was the failure of the locking, which was traced to an intermittent failure in one of the Comfort Access fobs. Good luck.

[mycoupe]

E46 M All the way!!!

[Digtlartst]

Originally Posted by jopa489

TIn my opinion, the 328's AT saps too much power and is very indecisive over what gear it should be in. A 328 MT is fun, balanced car.

+1

A 328xi MT is a balanced and reliable car, and great in the snow. It won't snap your neck if you like that, but with the MT and that smoooth NA six it's as fun as you want it to be. The E92 is gorgeous, and it should hold its value well for the 2 years you're considering keeping it.

[Alexander]

My E90 328i 6MT sport w/ H&R springs plus mods was an absolute blast. I shed some serious weight in that car and damn was it nice in the mountains! As stated the 328 is going to be much more reliable than the E46M and way more reliable than B5's B6's.

So can you live with being stuck at well under 300hp? If you spent 2k in performance mods you still wouldn't hit 300hp. Now a B6.... call APR and bam for under 1k you are flying.

[jopa489]

I don't think you'll be bored of it in 2 years. With the MT, it'll still do 0-60 right around 6.0s. Are you into modding? If so, you should be aware that mods for the NA engine really don't exist. You could do intake and exhaust for some small gains, but not much else. Plenty of cosmetic stuff for the E92 though.

[Alexander]

Originally Posted by jopa489

I don't think you'll be bored of it in 2 years. With the MT, it'll still do 0-60 right around 6.0s. Are you into modding? If so, you should be aware that mods for the NA engine really don't exist. You could do intake and exhaust for some small gains, but not much else. Plenty of cosmetic stuff for the E92 though.

HP/$ is retarded with the N52, the opposite with the N54.