[HadesM3]

Hi there,

I am about to pull the trigger on a 2010 335i msport with automatic transmission and 82k miles. The water pump was replaced about 5k miles ago.

I need a daily driver to put 15-18k miles annually. Is buying a high mileage 335i a bad idea economically? The purchase price is fair at $13k, but I’m concerned out the running costs. Within 5 years this car would have over 160k miles. Will this car be an expensive car to maintain due to repairs at this higher miles? I’ve read about the turbo failures, HPFP, carbon build up - walnut blasting, leaking filter housings, fuel injectors and HVAC evaporators. Are these prevalent issues? I’m not a DIY, so all work would be done by my Indy except for easy stuff like oil and filter changes.

I am also considering a used current generation IS350, which should be a nicer car, very reliable and from what I’ve read handles comparable to a 3 series.

Thoughts?

[jwalker87]

While I love both of my 335s and put a considerable amount of miles on them (at 115k on the 2008 and 75k on the 2011), I'm not sure they are economical to maintain if you don't DIY the maintenance.

These engines are maintenance-heavy. If you don't do it proactively, then they will leave you stranded somewhere. They are also labor-intensive to work on. While that doesn't mean a whole lot for me, who only pays for parts, it means a whole lot more money for someone who pays for the labor.

Most of the items you mentioned are a matter of WHEN, not IF. Turbos are probably variable, but I replaced mine at 105k proactively due to wastegate rattle. Carbon buildup will need to be cleaned out every 50k or so or you will see issues. The main oil-leaking gaskets (OFHG, valve cover gasket, and oil pan gasket) will all start to leak somewhere around 80-100k and need replacing.

These are wonderful cars and I love them to death, but the maintenance bill will not be low, and you need to keep up with the maintenance or they will bite you. Just my $0.02.

[IllSic_Design]

If you can't DIY then I would def avoid it. I put about 20k on mine a year (at 180k now) and don't really have any issues, but I have also done all of the required maintenance and fixed all the common issues with the n54. If you don't care about the performance/sportiness and just want a good nice reliable DD then go with the Lexus.

[jt335i]

I’m with jwalker87.
As long as you can afford the maintenance costs of an indy mechanic (specializing in BMWs), then you’re in good hands.
You may not know how well the previous owner maintained it so it is a good idea to have your indy mechanic do a good inspection so you will know what may need to be addressed should you decide to buy.

I have a 2010 E92 335i which I bought new and it has 105,600+ miles as of today. Don’t have time to do my own DIY maintenance, but I can afford to have my own indy mechanic who has years of experience working on BMWs. Did a recent 100,000 mile write up on mine which may be useful to you. See link: 100,000 mile Elite Club

As far as the prevalent issues, my ride hasn’t had that many which you will read in my post.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Efthreeoh]

Get a 328i with sport package instead.

[BeaterM3]

Originally Posted by jwalker87

While I love both of my 335s and put a considerable amount of miles on them (at 115k on the 2008 and 75k on the 2011), I'm not sure they are economical to maintain if you don't DIY the maintenance.

These engines are maintenance-heavy. If you don't do it proactively, then they will leave you stranded somewhere. They are also labor-intensive to work on. While that doesn't mean a whole lot for me, who only pays for parts, it means a whole lot more money for someone who pays for the labor.

Most of the items you mentioned are a matter of WHEN, not IF. Turbos are probably variable, but I replaced mine at 105k proactively due to wastegate rattle. Carbon buildup will need to be cleaned out every 50k or so or you will see issues. The main oil-leaking gaskets (OFHG, valve cover gasket, and oil pan gasket) will all start to leak somewhere around 80-100k and need replacing.

These are wonderful cars and I love them to death, but the maintenance bill will not be low, and you need to keep up with the maintenance or they will bite you. Just my $0.02.

The key is to purchase one with an aftermarket extended warranty. I bought my 2011 with 78k miles with a 3 year Continental Gold warranty with turbos and awd covered. So far, the warranty has paid itself off already lol.

[BravoJohny33]

Originally Posted by revengeismine

The key is to purchase one with an aftermarket extended warranty. I bought my 2011 with 78k miles with a 3 year Continental Gold warranty with turbos and awd covered. So far, the warranty has paid itself off already lol.

You can't get a warranty on a 10 year old car that is good anymore.

[Gamb1t]

You're not going to put those miles in if the car spends a good deal of time parked at your indie's lot. A 335i is best bought to be modded. Just buy that lexus if you want to just drive it.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by ZombieM3

Hi there,

I am about to pull the trigger on a 2010 335i msport with automatic transmission and 82k miles. The water pump was replaced about 5k miles ago.

I need a daily driver to put 15-18k miles annually. Is buying a high mileage 335i a bad idea economically? The purchase price is fair at $13k, but I'm concerned out the running costs. Within 5 years this car would have over 160k miles. Will this car be an expensive car to maintain due to repairs at this higher miles? I've read about the turbo failures, HPFP, carbon build up - walnut blasting, leaking filter housings, fuel injectors and HVAC evaporators. Are these prevalent issues? I'm not a DIY, so all work would be done by my Indy except for easy stuff like oil and filter changes.

I am also considering a used current generation IS350, which should be a nicer car, very reliable and from what I've read handles comparable to a 3 series.

Thoughts?

If you can DIY, can afford the $$$ (parts) and have the tools, I don't see why not.

The internals of the N54 and transmission are very stout and will go every bit of 400,000 for a DD. It's the surrounding parts & gaskets that are problematic on the N54.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

If you can DIY, can afford the $$$ (parts) and have the tools, I don't see why not.

The internals of the N54 and transmission are very stout and will go every bit of 400,000 for a DD. It's the surrounding parts & gaskets that are problematic on the N54.

The OP says he'll do oil changes. When surrounding parts break, the car doesn't move, so who cares about the internals. He'll hit 400,000 some time in late 2036.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

The OP says he'll do oil changes. When surrounding parts break, the car doesn't move, so who cares about the internals. He'll hit 400,000 some time in late 2036.

If the OP will only do oil changes, he will either need a backup car for when the 335i is down. During the time it is down with no back up car he will either have to : walk, taxi or ride his bike to work. OR buy a Honda Civic or Accord.

[HadesM3]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

If the OP will only do oil changes, he will either need a backup car for when the 335i is down. During the time it is down with no back up car he will either have to : walk, taxi or ride his bike to work. OR buy a Honda Civic or Accord.

I do have a backup fun weekend car that can be used if the 335 is down for repairs.

However, I prefer not to have a daily that requires frequent and costly repairs. I want a DD that’s fun and lively to drive, but on the road 99% of the time.

[hassmaschine]

Get the Lexus or a 328i then.

[Bimmer_Engineer]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

Get the Lexus or a 328i then.

+1

I’ve had mine since June and it’s been on jackstands for about 30% of that time...

[Pladi]

labor/maintenance intensive is an understatement... These cars just fail something ALL the Fin time. Unreal.

[HadesM3]

Gents,

Is a 328i that significantly cheaper to maintain due to not having the n54?

Some of the comments scare me about the 335i as a dependable daily

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

If the OP will only do oil changes, he will either need a backup car for when the 335i is down. During the time it is down with no back up car he will either have to : walk, taxi or ride his bike to work. OR buy a Honda Civic or Accord.

When people ask me if BMWs are expensive to maintain, I reply, "Yes, because you need to have a 2nd car as back up when the Bimmer is in the shop."

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by ZombieM3

Gents,

Is a 328i that significantly cheaper to maintain due to not having the n54?

Some of the comments scare me about the 335i as a dependable daily

So all I can say about the N52, is over 12 years it's been on a flatbed just once. That was for a failed water pump in 2011, on a 100 deg. July day. I discovered pump failure codes a few months earlier, but didn't know what they meant since I was the first one on E90 to discover them and nobody knew about them. In 2010 jamesUK posted a pictorial DIY on replacing the pump and explained the behavior of the overheating indicators: yellow overheat icon followed immediately by a red overheat icon. So when it happened I knew the engine overheated.

I drive my E90 175 miles round trip a day, now just 4 days a week (the Z4 gets one day a week). Trust me, an N52 is a very reliable DD. You can beat the shit out of one and it just comes back for more

I bought the Z4 to back up the E90 as the E90 aged.

[Fritzer]

If you daily with a considerable amount of miles I would just go with a N52 based car(325i , 328i, 330i). I drive about 30k miles/year with my daily, for reference. Especially if you can't DIY, 335i labour bills would add up quick as daily.

Don't get me wrong, N54 is a great engine. But leave that to the weekend/project car.

[Gamb1t]

Originally Posted by Fritzer

If you daily with a considerable amount of miles I would just go with a N52 based car(325i , 328i, 330i). I drive about 30k miles/year with my daily, for reference. Especially if you can't DIY, 335i labour bills would add up quick as daily.

Don't get me wrong, N54 is a great engine. But leave that to the weekend/project car.

+1.
Then again for a so-called weekend car I can think of other great alternatives and if OP is truly a sucker for pain... buy an FD3S RX-7. At least that car doesn't depreciate (think it's going opposite way) and looks wayyyy sexier and exotic than a 335i. 99% of the public can't even tell a difference b/t a 335i from 328i or whatever e90.

[Fritzer]

Originally Posted by Gamb1t

FD3S RX-7.

Don't get me started on RX-7s bro.... You should check out this guy TommyFYeah if you are into JDM stuff - especially FDs. He has a JDM imported, '94 FD R2 with under 10,000 original miles. I think he spent nearly $10k on a full paint restoration and detail. Thing is freaking pristine!!

[Fritzer]

Originally Posted by Gamb1t

+1.
At least that car doesn't depreciate

Yeah but depreciation is the name of the game for most of us. It's just a given at this point, cheaper for us! I never really think about re-sale tbh.

Originally Posted by Gamb1t

+1.
99% of the public can't even tell a difference b/t a 335i from 328i or whatever e90.

I get what you mean, I generally don't care what normies think anyway. My next project/weekend car is probably going to be an E36, 328is or 318ti shell with something like a S50/4 or a S65(if I can get my hands on one). I don't think I've seen a S65 swap into an E36 but would be a really sweet setup. LTW wing FTW! Also frothing over the vintage M Technic logo on the trim pieces.