New member - seeking advice

[camcox 0]

Hi Guys,

Just signed up to the forum and looking forward to some good chat.

Keen to hear peoples advice around the below potential purchase:

• 2008 335i M-Sport
• 50,000km
• Fresh import ex Japan
• Will come with 3-Year Autosure warranty and NZ Nav conversion
• $30,000

Cam

[GorGasm 563]

A little on the pricey side.  You could probably get a better deal.

[lord_jagganath 421]

Remember this is a nearly 10 yr old turbo car. with low miles ex Japan. Will need to know where it came from and 2, how smoke filled the interior would be.

[Stevie S 49]

Price seems high. Even with the autosure warranty you will still have the excess for each issue should they arrive

 

Wastegate rattle

Oil Filter housing Gaskets

Abs/dsc Module

Valve cover gasket

Waterpump

these are just common issues

 

the 335i is a great car with lots of potential for more power. But they are not a worry free vehicle.

[allan 295]

Run, spend your 30k wisely on something else.

[camcox 0]

16 minutes ago, allan said:

Run, spend your 30k wisely on something else.

Such as?

[NZ BMW 368]

I think the price is okay given the kms, there are NZ new examples on Trademe with more kms. You will get more service history with all of those.

To put it in perspective I got my X5 ex Japan with about 70,000 on the clock and I am chasing a constant lean running issue so low kms don't always mean trouble free. 

I always anticipate any BMW to be problematic, I've owned two BMWs and two Mercs, the BMWs have always been the more fiddly but more enjoyable to drive. 

Sample of one I know but that's my experience anyway. 

Edited February 27, 2017 by NZ BMW

[DC3 46]

Have you considered a diesel? I've had a couple of the the 3 litre E90's and like them a lot. Here's a good example...

 

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1246931472.htm

[allan 295]

Would not be so forward as to advise one how to spend their money especially 30k. As Nathan has mentioned "BMW's can and are problematic"if you don't mind that then all good and well. Having owned three bms a 5series and 2 3 series all being high maintenance their so called quality,reliability pedigree has to be questioned.

[lord_jagganath 421]

sub 100k km NZ New Models are (just) still available.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1267107388.htm for example. sure it has higher miles, but is also newer.

[benpaul12 62]

16 hours ago, allan said:

their so called quality,reliability pedigree has to be questioned.

Having owned an E39, two E46s and an E87 I was very surprised how reliable they were, they were all jap imports too. Even the E39 - which had 250,000kms when I bought it was fine!

Even though everyone's situations are different and perhaps I had some good luck I find that BMW has an unfair reputation of unreliable.

[GorGasm 563]

NZ New or Jap import doesn't matter much apart from having to convert  the iDrive.  I have had sh*t NZ new cars.  I have also had immaculate ex Japan cars.  My two W211 mercs both had about 60-80km on the clock and were almost in perfect condition.  What amazes me is how Jap cars can be 100% scratch free after 10 years and 60 thousand kms then 10 minutes of driving on NZ roads and they're like the surface of the moon.

For $30k I would stretch and go for a newer 328i.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1269265719.htm

Or if you are set on a 335i then I would look at cars closer to $25k all up.

 

If low mileage is what you are after:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1203261574.htm

or this, plus warranty would be under $25k all up:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/auction-1252959591.htm

 

Edited February 28, 2017 by GorGasm

[Stevie S 49]

I think he is after a wagon. 

[KiwiTT 23]

I did consider a 335i, but was put off by the more potential problems they may have and do have and the extra power would hardly be used in most everyday driving.  I did consider a 323i, but for an extra $3,000 I could get a 330i which I did.

The E90 first generation 330i is probably a better bet.  The Facelift 330i LCI have the Direct Injection motor N53 which is not good for our high sulphur fuels.

 

[GorGasm 563]

I see your point but on a personal level I disagree, I think the 335i is worth it.

Edited February 28, 2017 by GorGasm

[HELLBM 1555]

Have this for sale if interested:

 

Quote

 

 

Edited February 28, 2017 by HELLBM

[camcox 0]

8 minutes ago, HELLBM said:

Have this for sale if interested:

 

 

Thought I should mention that I need a wagon. Seriously limits my options unfortunately. 

 

Cheers

[KwS 2425]

One thing to keep in mind with low KM Jap imports, there is nothing to say it hasnt covered horrific engine hours sitting idling in gridlock traffic and the likes. I had a 70,000km import E36 that felt floppy and sloppy compared to my fully maintained 200,000km NZ New E36.

Id take a higher KM car with full history over a low KM import with little-no history.

[allan 295]

4 hours ago, benpaul12 said:

 

Even though everyone's situations are different and perhaps I had some good luck I find that BMW has an unfair reputation of unreliable.

Sorry have to disagree  with you on that you must have been lucky or some one had already fixed the problems associated with the e39 e46 models, weak cooling system almost any bmw model, suspension bushes, missing pixels, reliance on electronic gadgets etc. Not a very good advert for a  car brand sold as  luxury models with a high asking price.

[Matth5 471]

If that's a wagon and considering the kms... price sounds about right to me. I find with 335is the sedan's are the cheapest.

Most important thing is to have a BMW specialist do a pre-purchase check. 

335is are awesome cars, you just have to understand they take some extra care and can have expensive issues. More so if you tune them.

And honestly the Autosure warranty on these is an absolute steal. Definitely get it.

Edited February 28, 2017 by Matth5

[NZ BMW 368]

20 minutes ago, allan said:

Sorry have to disagree  with you on that you must have been lucky or some one had already fixed the problems associated with the e39 e46 models, weak cooling system almost any bmw model, suspension bushes, missing pixels, reliance on electronic gadgets etc. Not a very good advert for a  car brand sold as  luxury models with a high asking price.

Not to turn this thread into a general whinge, but the cooling system issues BMW seems to be plagued with really annoy me. How long has it taken to get that right?! Maybe not unreliable but certainly not durable. 

[allan 295]

Have to agree Nathan. Just trying to throw light on the many issues BM's have and it seems  they make the same mistake over and over. Bring out a new model it has inherent faults some are fixed more appear these are fixed they almost get it sorted and they then change to the next model and the cycle is repeated. Back on topic check these out hope they help.

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1947676-E92-335i-Common-issues

https://www.google.co.nz/#q=faults+bmw+335i&*