[KingJaffeJoffer]

Assuming typical driving, no tracking, <10K miles/yr and satellite radio as the only option, which engine do you think is likely to produce fewer problems? HPFP and twin turbos come to mind for the 335. Anything else for the 335? What about the M? I'm hoping for 10+ years of ownership. Thx.

[BoxerGT2.5]

This thread wasn't what I thought it was going to be.

[MrChessy]

And I was gonna make it rain...sigh..

[kyleb350]

10 years? sheesh. Can a 335 make it that long?

[KingJaffeJoffer]

Originally Posted by BoxerGT2.5

This thread wasn't what I thought it was going to be.

I know... I needed something catchy, though.

[blacknight335]

damn bro, you got me i was expecting to see some girls booty clap lol..

[roadkillrob]

Tough call - turbo engines are less reliable than a normal engine typically, if you do a good job on maintenance do no track days, reliability could be pretty good (with the exception of the HPFP and possibly the wastegates!). M engines on the other hand are very high strung and historically need rebuilt a lot sooner than a normal engine, just north of 100k miles and if they need parts, they cost way more money!

Cars don't have problems based on time as much as based on milage, so both could be fine for 10 years if you only drive 75k miles in 10 years, if your looking at 10 years and 150k miles, then I think you should avoid both!

[jocamryn]

Just because of the m badge there's a 20% premium on the hourly rate.

Tradeoff is that you can look down your nose at all of us lowly 328 /335 (and even older 325/330) owners at the stop light. ...priceless

[Trauma Junkie]

M3 over the long haul...

[M3PGH]

If you are going to keep it a while i would honestly get the 328

[noro]

"issue" is not a specific enough word. I think M engine is going to need more attention and upkeep. So if you don't do any maintenance the 335i is likely to last longer (minus the HPFP problems).

[jopa489]

Turbo engines historically don't last as long as NA engines, or require more significant work up at the higher miles. On the other hand, upkeep on the M will be more expensive than the 335.

It's too close to call. If you're really keeping the car forever and want the most reliable engine, the 328 is probably your best bet.

[Porschefile]

I'd guess the M3 would have less issues. No HPFP issues and no FI.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by Trauma Junkie

M3 over the long haul...

Not for my cousin's E36, cost him 26k in repairs over a 12 year period. That's a 4 cyl. Accord plus a trip to Paris! And we aren't even talking about the price of the car, which was in the high 30's back then.

[KingJaffeJoffer]

Thanks for the responses, all.

[TaTaToothy]

All strippers have issues . . .

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by KingJaffeJoffer

Assuming typical driving, no tracking, <10K miles/yr and satellite radio as the only option, which engine do you think is likely to produce fewer problems? HPFP and twin turbos come to mind for the 335. Anything else for the 335? What about the M? I'm hoping for 10+ years of ownership. Thx.

I would recommend the standard 335 mainly because at 8, 9 10 years or more out, nobody wants an expensive repair/maintenance bill. Indeed the whole point of keeping cars that long is that you will have a good, reliable vehicle that won't be costing you a bundle to own at that point in the car's life.

Some of the other folks here maybe have a sense of whether, after having replaced your HPFP (assuming you ever even need to do so -- fact is that only about 5% of the cars actually encounter the oft cited HPFP problem), the replacement unit will exhibit better durability than the one that was replaced. I have not encountered the HPFP problem on my vehicle. I'm at 26K, going on 27K miles right now on my car, and have observed none of the symptoms suggesting I will have the HPFP in the near future.

I too am willing to keep my car for 10+ years. Indeed, as long as it doesn't break, I don't particularly plan on replacing it. I will likely acquire other cars during the next decade, but I hope not to need to replace my regular driver -- my 335.

If you have yet to buy the car, I'd suggest you consider the diesel or the 328. After all, you've stated no tracking and typical driving, so what's the point of the 335 or M3? If it's just that that's what you want, OK, but if you have a clearly stated goal of 10+ years of use, you should really consider the models most likely to support that goal, which is definitely different from just keeping the car that long largely because it hasn't by that time died.

[RX7guy]

I think the M3 will cost more in the end, the motor and associated parts are much more expensive.

However, which one is more reliable depends on so many factors. Turbos can need replaced at 100k or less, who knows? Or they could last forever, no one really knows.

[ss134]

Buy a 335d-very reliable daily driver, good fuel economy and performance to match the 335i.

[PoorMan]

An M car is basically a factory modified 3 series that you can buy right off the lot. Same as AMG, Audi RS's, STI or Nismo etc. Reliability aside.. The real question would be, over 10+ years, which car would be more fun overall? The factory modified enthusiasts editions or the std plain jane rank and file models?

Seriously no reason why both cars cant last 10 yrs and 100k miles. Especially since bmw has the 120k warranty on the hpfp

LOL It's pretty funny to see some people saying "It'll cost a fortune to repair etc" When at the same time, some are paying up the a** in finance charges on their current car loan or lease.

For cars within the same series ( eg: e46 to e92 )? Dollar for dollar..repairing a car will always be cheaper than buying a new one. Don't think anyone spent $55k+ in repair bills on their E46 yet. Some people seem to want a car with 0 maintenance and repair costs..
No one said it was going to be free.

Originally Posted by Trauma Junkie

M3 over the long haul...

Originally Posted by Porschefile

I'd guess the M3 would have less issues. No HPFP issues and no FI.

+1 An NA car would, for the most part be more reliable in the long run..

Originally Posted by John 070

Not for my cousin's E36, cost him 26k in repairs over a 12 year period. That's a 4 cyl. Accord plus a trip to Paris! And we aren't even talking about the price of the car, which was in the high 30's back then.

So your saying that each and every E36, turned out exactly like your cousins? And dude $26k over a 12 year period isn't a whole lot. My daughter spent more than that on clothes and shoes alone in a little over half that time..

Originally Posted by tony20009

I would recommend the standard 335 mainly because at 8, 9 10 years or more out, nobody wants an expensive repair/maintenance bill. Indeed the whole point of keeping cars that long is that you will have a good, reliable vehicle that won't be costing you a bundle to own at that point in the car's life.

That would depend on the person would it? Some people don't mind paying for something the love. OP's thread aside... Everyone has a different reason to keep a car long term. Look at the 993 community. Thousands of classic car enthusiasts cant be wrong. Imo people who keep cars long term, strictly for money saving purposes, don't usually buy cars like Bmw's. Well.. they shouldn't anyway.