E9X Are they decent to own and maintain

[cabin]

IMO avoid the turbo unless you want to fix it all the time.

Speaking from experience? No issues with my 09 335i and im at 67k. It has been a great car for me so far. Only expenses have been typical maintenance items.

[Mwishlist]

I love mine. I bought a 2008 328i a several years ago with 32K on the odometer, I have about 78K on it now, and it has been super solid. It's the reason I bought an E30. I wanted the 335i like everyone on the forums it seems, but the HPFP failures, additional cost and the fact that all the ones I looked at had locally been wrecked at one point pushed me towards settling on a 328i.

I bought it with one year left on the warranty and had an indie shop go through it before it ran out. They told me the tensioner pulley goes bad on all these and mine was starting to pull away from the engine a bit. Had the dealer fix it for free along with my front brakes and windshield wipers. Other than that the trunk support struts need replacing $38 and the windshield wiper pump just gave out $28. I did the rear brakes recently and that will set you back about $300 if you use BMW parts, which I did.

The other main weak point on these engines are the water pump/thermostat. They start to fail around 65k - 120k miles and have to be replaced. Not a big job but a PITA and the parts are around $450 I think. But they all go and when they do you have to be careful, if you overheat these engines you are screwed.

Most everyone hates the runflats, although they make the car feel like its on rails because the sidewalls are so stiff AND they let me drive home after putting a freaking 3 inch long bolt through the tire with my 3 year old in the car - in the rain at night. So although I probably won't replace them with runflats, they aren't that bad in reality.

The turbos cars are easy and inexpensive to get big HP gains but the NA 328i is pretty much topped out, unless you drop a big amount of cash for very little gain. I did buy a tune when they were on special which doesn't give you much (read=any) more HP or torque but remaps the throttle so the drive by wire lag is gone and makes the car feel much more responsive.

I look at is as the ultimate compromise car; four door is great for the family, but it's still a small car, feels sporty but it’s not a sports car, handles great but it doesn't jar your teeth out, all the modern conveniences you need without too much crazy tech, feels a little heavy because it is and because it's still a family sedan not a Miata.

If you work on cars yourself, I wouldn't hesitate. If you don't do your own work, the dealer charges like $875 for a brake job so maintenance will be super expensive. You should also go over to the e90post forum and check out the threads on there, tons of good info on the platform.

[Kevinl]

Are all E92's except M3 335i's? I have not seen any 328i coupes

Do 328i Manuals exist have not seen any ?

Any special Issues with the 06' only 330i?

[adjmcloon]

Absolutely LOVED my 2006 330i (e90). Man what a great car

[CW325]

Are all E92's except M3 335i's? I have not seen any 328i coupes

Do 328i Manuals exist have not seen any ?

Any special Issues with the 06' only 330i?

Yes e92 come in 328i and 328xi and yes they come in manual but are pretty tough to find. From what I've noticed the 06 models are a little more problematic then 07+ just because it was the first year of production. Expect to have the waterpump replaced on higher mileage e9x's as they are electric and tend to fail. Non turbo e9x's are pretty reliable but the turbo 335 can get expensive to maintain out of warranty. I would join a forum like e90post and do some research to figure out which model is right for you.

[Wh33lhop]

Are all E92's except M3 335i's? I have not seen any 328i coupes

Do 328i Manuals exist have not seen any ?

Any special Issues with the 06' only 330i?

No, yes, and not that don't exist on the 325/328.

edit: beat me to it

[nando]

Yes e92 come in 328i and 328xi and yes they come in manual but are pretty tough to find. From what I've noticed the 06 models are a little more problematic then 07+ just because it was the first year of production. Expect to have the waterpump replaced on higher mileage e9x's as they are electric and tend to fail. Non turbo e9x's are pretty reliable but the turbo 335 can get expensive to maintain out of warranty. I would join a forum like e90post and do some research to figure out which model is right for you.

that's interesting because the BMW shop here says the 06 seems to have fewer issues than the later ones.

who knows. I'm about to find out. I might have two of them tomorrow.

[turge]

Have fun with parts. :p

[CW325]

that's interesting because the BMW shop here says the 06 seems to have fewer issues than the later ones.

who knows. I'm about to find out. I might have two of them tomorrow.

I'm just going from what I remember reading on forums but I could be wrong. Either way good luck with your new car!

[cavpilot]

I absolutely loved my '06 325i. The branding that year was misleading since they actually had the 3 liter engine in them. Be sure to get one with the sports package and premium package, it really does make a difference.

Lastly, if you can find one with the water pump and thermostat already replaced you'll be better off. The parts are expensive and the job is a total pain in the ass.

[Kevinl]

Well I have been looking

I Don't think I should get a e82 because it is close in size to the e30 although I am drawn to them

I am dissapointed to see that 128 & 328 only have 200lb ft of torque a M52 has more than that WTF

Finding a manual 3 series is proving tough how are the 6 speed Auto's are they responsive when shifted manually

A DCT would be ok as well

I'm leaning toward a 335 but am a little worried about reliability a 06 330i would be a great compromise

[nando]

Barely put 100 miles on it so far but i'm really enjoying the 330i. Comfort access is really cool, and it handles sharply with the sport package without being harsh enough to piss off my wife.

The E30 basically feels like a race car in comparison. I can't wait to clean it up again and drive it but that will take time.

[Kevinl]

Barely put 100 miles on it so far but i'm really enjoying the 330i. Comfort access is really cool, and it handles sharply with the sport package without being harsh enough to piss off my wife.

The E30 basically feels like a race car in comparison. I can't wait to clean it up again and drive it but that will take time.

is yours auto or stick

[nando]

6 speed. we have a zero tolerance policy on slushboxes in my household. :p

[Northern]

I'm glad this thread popped up. I keep stopping to look at the few E82 135/6's around here, usually priced between 20-25k (Atlantic Canada premiums :()

An e90/e92 335 would make more sense (size, price, and selection) but I'm still not a fan of how they look. I love the tourings, but I don't think they came with an N54/N55 (at least in canada, I thought I saw one FS in the states though?) While the E92s look long and derpy, and I have this subconscious dislike of 4-doors/pre-facelift e90 tails.