[90c4]

Looking at 2 cars and I'm strongly leaning toward one but would love some feedback.

2009 Montego blue 335i xdrive $19,500 from private party
2008 Monaco blue 335xi $18,500 from non-BMW dealer

Both are sedans with manual transmissions, sport package and cold weather packages and 65k miles.

2008 has idrive/nav with bluetooth. Also has lumbar adjustments.

2009 lacks idrive/nav, lumbar adjustments, but has integrated remote control, comfort package (keyless entry and start), and most importantly recently had the turbos replaced and I think injectors under CPO (which it's still under for 4 months). New tires. It's also still under the maintenance plan and has records from 20K miles or so.

I think the 2009 is the better deal. Thoughts? My profile says 2009, but I'm coming from a 2008 which I need to replace ASAP.

[kevinbahnz]

2009,

[MR CROWN]

Go with 2009. Not sure how mechanically inclined you are but if youre not it wouldnt hurt to go get it inspected just in case.

[335m]

I prefer non-idrive, I think after a few years it makes a car look very outdated.

I would take the 2009 if I were in your situation, unless the non-BMW dealership offers to lower the price if you consider an extended warranty and finance through them (most will match the quote you currently have if large dealer)

[Johnny Boost]

2009

[e90Cam]

I'd go with 09, the 09 just looks so much better than the 08

[335m]

Originally Posted by e90Cam

I'd go with 09, the 09 just looks so much better than the 08

Only in e90, he forgot to mention if it was a coupe or sedan.

[90c4]

Originally Posted by 335m

Only in e90, he forgot to mention if it was a coupe or sedan.

They're both sedans. I'll update the original post. The 09 also has nicer wheels and new tires. Thanks for the feedback guys.

[JeM9]

2009, it's an LCI and xDrive

[ThatRWD]

Wait for a better car, and better price. You won't be able to beat the exorcist out of the N54 in 4 months, you'll need a third party warranty.

Prices/choices are both pretty meh. Older i-drive is next to useless, but with the screen off it does make the car look modern. Keyless entry? meh.

[90c4]

There aren't a lot to choose from - on cars.com throughout the entire country there are just 26 335 sedeans with AWD and manual. The fact that CPO is ending isn't a huge concern - at least it tells me that everything was done properly by a dealer. I had a deposit on this one http://www.metrowestmotorcars.com/ve...rough-ma.shtml for $2K less, but it failed the pre purchase inspection. Someone had cut open the subframe and welded it back together to get to the catalytic converter or something and there was evidence of a lot of other shoddy repairs. I've been looking constantly since car was totaled 3 weeks ago and there just isn't much out there now, unless I'd take an automatic transmission.

[ThatRWD]

Why AWD? Winter tires should be able to pull you through nicely. Plenty of horror stores of dealers breaking things or not knowing how to fix something or not even seeing problems. If you or capable drivers are driving the car...winter has been my favorite season to drive my 335i.

Look in the F/S section.

[90c4]

Originally Posted by ThatRWD

Why AWD? Winter tires should be able to pull you through nicely.

Just a preference. I feel like I have a lot more control in New England winters with AWD. If I could skip awd, manual, or sedan I'd have no problem finding what I'm looking for, and for several grand less.

[hockeyplayer]

Don't make a rushed decision, especially without getting a pre-purchase inspection!

[90c4]

I've been looking for 3 weeks. Not too rushed but my rental coverage is ending on Monday and it's my only car. I've seen a number so far and these are the two contenders.

[brewnami]

As much as I like iDrive, I would go with the LCI sedan... 2009 gets my vote.

[thecooltype]

I was about to say 2009 is a no brainer but I should have known it wouldn't be so easy. Honestly I would skip both. BMW without the idrive is silly. Sorry but I don't know why ppl buy these cars in 2014 without that feature. Yeah the remote start is invaluable if you live in cold weather places but I would pass. I would skip the 2008 because it is pre lci and that's it.

[MORTON]

I got my 08' 335i 6spd with 68k clean carfax one owner for 16.5 this year from non-bmw dealership. got it looked at before I bought it, checked out and the rest is history, love the car. lci/pre-lci means nothing to me IMO I had the option of the 09 and the 08 and chose the pre-lci because they wanted way to much for the 09 and I just didn't see the difference besides the aftermarket wheels (which were dumb looking).. both had the same miles on them and both were 6spd's too.. side by side, aside from the headlights and taillights (which even that to me was barely noticeable) there was literally no difference..

[thecooltype]

To add to what I said earlier, if the picking is truly slim and I had to choose then yeah 2009 is a no brainer

[hockeyplayer]

Originally Posted by thecooltype

I was about to say 2009 is a no brainer but I should have known it wouldn't be so easy. Honestly I would skip both. BMW without the idrive is silly. Sorry but I don't know why ppl buy these cars in 2014 without that feature. Yeah the remote start is invaluable if you live in cold weather places but I would pass. I would skip the 2008 because it is pre lci and that's it.

I'll answer that...it's because they don't want an expensive repair bill when iDrive breaks!

[oneup335]

09

[kingyang3]

"buy the 08 - and couple months down the road youre gonna want to do a LCI conversion".

get the 09. lol.