Buying an E90 or E92, any tips?

Ardent_Z

So, It looks like I'll be buying the wife an E90, E92, or E93 (335)

Anyone know of any pitfalls to look out for? I've already heard about the fuel pump issue, but I'm looking at 2011 or newer with the N55, so I should be avoiding that issue.

And... I'm encouraging her to get the E92. I like it better.

UNKNOWN_370

Try the BMW forums.

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Zbrah

Message sgtgoldy.

fuct

yea... once you get past 80k miles, sell it!

Chuck33079

Do not, under any circumstance own the car one second or one mile past the moment the warranty expires. Pull over on the side of the road if you have to.

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Ardent_Z

Lol, ok... why is that?

Chuck33079

Because they're unreliable pieces of ****?

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/Angelo350Z/

I was about to purchase a 335 from a dealership in Germany that catered to US Military back in 2008. I'm talking about options and interior/exterior combinations not available in the US for under $40K starting. I was very close to pulling the trigger, but changed my mind at the last minute. More than a handful of friends owned a 335 at that time, and their cars were mostly at the dealership . From oil cooler issues (or lack of) to electronic gremlins, their cars were just unreliable. I just bought an '08 350Z instead and couldn't be happier. I think if you buy a newer model, you should be fine. They are very pretty .

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DEpointfive0

Yeah, don't buy one.
I'm not trolling, they're pieces of shít past 50k miles. You've been warned

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the_student

My friend bought a used E92 which had 3 previous owners. Its running like a champ. Bought it with 60k on it and now it has about 90k. No problems. I would get one. There are great independent shops that can help you out that are way cheaper than dealer service. Out of all the cars bmw makes the M3 seems to have the best reliability...if you get the manual! DCT has problems.

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Cmike2780

Older BMW's are great if you find a well taken cared of example. The problem is, people who own them beat on them pretty bad. You've got the people who drive the hell out of them that are driving aficionados and the people who lease them and change the oil once every two years. All used cars are a gamble. Just be prepared to spend more than usual for repairs that pop up.

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Ipl 370gt

The 335i's have had some issues... Not the extent that some of ridiculous prior postings. If you're buying used, look for one owner, maintenance records and try for a CPO (BMW certified pre-owned). N54 had more issues than the N55. Common are fuel pumps, waste gates and injectors. A CPO will cover all of those parts. I haven't heard of any double clutch trans issues. BMW transmissions are far superior to Nissan's. Do some research

If you have the extra coin... Pick up an E90 or E92 M3 with the gas guzzler s65 engine. Consumer reports rated it the second most reliable sports car last year. However... The wife's car will then out-perform your car in ever category, including sitting in the garage. The DCT in the M3 is insanely fast and can easily be tuned for even better performance.

Good luck OP!

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dP3NGU1N

Is part of the issue with the reliability of BMWs their service? They promise free oil changes while under warranty but they only do it every 15k miles? That just sounds like you're asking for trouble.

Has anyone serviced their oil in a reasonable amount of time (5000 or so with synth) had issues?

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Mitco39

We own a 2012 335XI Coupe with the M package and its been a fine car. Surprisingly quick for ~4000lbs.

The thing with the BMW is if you get one from the dealer you get full service and warranty up to 2018 (on this 12 we have). So there are no added costs outside of fuel. Its a perfect winter car (and I would imagine the 2wd version would be very much the same).

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kazman

I traded my 2007 325i for the Z.
I was the second owner, it was a 6 speed. All I have to say is THOROUGHLY examine everything! It was at 120,000 miles when I traded it in. It had lots of problems, and the whole time I owned it it was maintained regularly. The linkages in the gears were always haven problems, the nav system was crap, both cup holders BROKE, the rear seats dont fold down unless the original owner paid extra for that option( so dont buy big items at the store and expect to fold the seats down into the trunk), 1/20 times starting the car the whole center console would go in this powercycle trip and would never fully turn on and it would take 20 mins to reboot after turning off the car, if you sneeze the wrong way it threw a code, the door trimmings will pop off easily if you live in a cold place and you go to open the door after freezing rain, the nav screen if scratched or cracked CANT be directly replaced... the whole unit has to be replaced, the little wheel that you use to flip through the menus on dash screen is very sluggish / laggy, my 370z gets better gas mileage, if you have the wood trim it has a plastic face so that scratches and cracks very easily...

I could go on and on... maybe I just bought a lemon, but damn that was one sour lemon. It was on the verge of a complete electrical malfunction.

The only good thing I have to say... it was the smoothest riding car Ive ever been in. Leaps and bounds above any other car! The suspension was amazing.

Just realllly inspect the car from head to toe and i HIGHLY recommend having a bmw mechanic look at it before hand.