Advice: E90 330/335

M

M4rizon

New member
Hey everyone. Hope everyone’s well.

Novice here, seeking advice.

I’m looking for an E90 330i, but considering its rarity, is it okay to look for a 335i? I’m not sure about the turbo, and I don’t mind it, but available 335s give me the feeling of being cooked. I hope not to generalise, and I understand it’s down to previous use/service.

But if I stay out of boost mostly, are turbo engines any ‘prolonged’?

It would be a second car, a trip or two a week < 20km, and lightly driven. Not a racer (light foot), and the car would be for keeps. I really love the e90, and if I can’t find a 330i… could a 335i really be an endgame car?

PS: I know of the oil filter housing gasket , valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket and rear main seal possible leaks. Are wastegate issues, turbo seals too big of an issue? What are some of the other issues on e90 330/335i post 150k km?

PS: PS: short trips :( are diesels really that pfft?

PS: PS: PS: does anyone have a 330i M sport? :(

Have a lovely day, everyone. Appreciate any advice!
 
modocrat

modocrat

Well-known member
M4rizon said:
Hey everyone. Hope everyone’s well.

Novice here, seeking advice.

I’m looking for an E90 330i, but considering its rarity, is it okay to look for a 335i? I’m not sure about the turbo, and I don’t mind it, but available 335s give me the feeling of being cooked. I hope not to generalise, and I understand it’s down to previous use/service.

But if I stay out of boost mostly, are turbo engines any ‘prolonged’?

It would be a second car, a trip or two a week < 20km, and lightly driven. Not a racer (light foot), and the car would be for keeps. I really love the e90, and if I can’t find a 330i… could a 335i really be an endgame car?

PS: I know of the oil filter housing gasket , valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket and rear main seal possible leaks. Are wastegate issues, turbo seals too big of an issue? What are some of the other issues on e90 330/335i post 150k km?

PS: PS: short trips :( are diesels really that pfft?

PS: PS: PS: does anyone have a 330i M sport? :(

Have a lovely day, everyone. Appreciate any advice!
Click to expand...
Sounds like you want a weekend cruiser, why not extend your search to an E92/E93..
 
Last edited:
Riaad

Riaad

Events Organiser
M4rizon said:
Hey everyone. Hope everyone’s well.

Novice here, seeking advice.

I’m looking for an E90 330i, but considering its rarity, is it okay to look for a 335i? I’m not sure about the turbo, and I don’t mind it, but available 335s give me the feeling of being cooked. I hope not to generalise, and I understand it’s down to previous use/service.

But if I stay out of boost mostly, are turbo engines any ‘prolonged’?

It would be a second car, a trip or two a week < 20km, and lightly driven. Not a racer (light foot), and the car would be for keeps. I really love the e90, and if I can’t find a 330i… could a 335i really be an endgame car?

PS: I know of the oil filter housing gasket , valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket and rear main seal possible leaks. Are wastegate issues, turbo seals too big of an issue? What are some of the other issues on e90 330/335i post 150k km?

PS: PS: short trips :( are diesels really that pfft?

PS: PS: PS: does anyone have a 330i M sport? :(

Have a lovely day, everyone. Appreciate any advice!
Click to expand...
there are a few e90 330i out and about, but mostly auto. Manual models are rather hard to find.

Considering the age of these, the 330i isnt all that cheaper to maintain than a 335i. If you are based at the coast, 330i makes sense, up in GP..I'd lean towards the 335i (in the e9x generation).

you cant "stay" out of boost...these engine are in boost from as low as 2k rpms.

diesels and short trips isnt a good idea, and they take awhile to warm up...a 330d can take over 10 kms to warm up.

I dont recall any active forum members with an E90 330i msport...
 
Nishcat_M140i

Nishcat_M140i

///Member
E90 330i's are usually hard to find, especially the LCI model. You'll find a few pre lci 330i's, but the ones on sale aren't in the best of shape unfortunately.

The N52 was a bulletproof engine and still is to date quite good. In terms of maintenance, the 330i and 335i won't be too far off in terms of maintenance.

Not too sure what your budget is exactly, but you can pick up a clean E90 335i anywhere between 150-200k. Personally, considering that 330i's are scarce, I'd go for a 335i.

A 2010+ Mpsort with the N55 engine would be my pick. Regardless of which option you go for, you'll need to do preventative maintenance.
 
M

M4rizon

New member
modocrat said:
Sounds like you want a weekend cruiser, why not extend your search to an E92/E93..
Click to expand...
Getting old, the shape! I’d give up an M4CS for a G20 these growing old days.

I’m late twenties, so maybe love the E90 a little too much ugh.

Which shape do you like, like all time?
 
M

M4rizon

New member
Riaad said:
there are a few e90 330i out and about, but mostly auto. Manual models are rather hard to find.

Considering the age of these, the 330i isnt all that cheaper to maintain than a 335i. If you are based at the coast, 330i makes sense, up in GP..I'd lean towards the 335i (in the e9x generation).

you cant "stay" out of boost...these engine are in boost from as low as 2k rpms.

diesels and short trips isnt a good idea, and they take awhile to warm up...a 330d can take over 10 kms to warm up.

I dont recall any active forum members with an E90 330i msport...
Click to expand...
Understood. Okay maybe not boost but exertion. Is the rest of the motor comparable?

GP, a 335i is really tempting.

Thanks sm!
 
M

M4rizon

New member
Nishcat_M140i said:
E90 330i's are usually hard to find, especially the LCI model. You'll find a few pre lci 330i's, but the ones on sale aren't in the best of shape unfortunately.

The N52 was a bulletproof engine and still is to date quite good. In terms of maintenance, the 330i and 335i won't be too far off in terms of maintenance.

Not too sure what your budget is exactly, but you can pick up a clean E90 335i anywhere between 150-200k. Personally, considering that 330i's are scarce, I'd go for a 335i.

A 2010+ Mpsort with the N55 engine would be my pick. Regardless of which option you go for, you'll need to do preventative
Click to expand...
Especially the LCI a boy seeks, but ah. Maybe in another life.

Budget probably that.

It’s the car I want to learn how to turn a wrench on.

What’s the preventative maintenance checklist?
 
KPM3_30

KPM3_30

Moderator
Staff member
Please do a lot more homework, more than enough info on the forum.

N52, N54 and N55 are different engines and drives, requiring differing maintenance schedules.
 
Andre1983

Andre1983

Member
Hoesit
I own an e90 330i Msport LCI. It's a great car to own, I really enjoy this silky smooth N/A /6. I bought it with 104k on and I'm currently sitting on 235k. It's brought me nothing but joy and big fuel bills! I do oil changes every 10k and always try to replace something whilst it is in the shop. It's got new: alternator, starter, aircon pump, water pump, oil pump, oil filter housing, both oil coolers, valve cover, most gaskets and seals, new radiator and expansion tank, all fresh plumbing, and a new battery, the OG BMW battery was replaced in 2019 only. It stays on a trickle charger overnight. Gearbox was serviced when I got it and fresh oil on 200k. On 230k I had bad tyre wear on the left rear and after some contemplation I replaced springs, shocks, control arms upper lower front and rear, shock mounts, and smaller components as well along with a new set of 255's in the rear. (This was expensive) I run a k&n air filter which I clean every oil change. Fresh plugs every 50k. All of this is not cheap but worth it. It has never let me down. I run non runflat tyres with the pump and foam in the boot and carry a space saver with jack(E46) etc as well. The change from runflat to non runflat was good. Softer ride. Get a guy that knows BMW for balancing and alignment. It does not like pottering about town, mine is an auto and I keep it in sport mode but excels on longer journeys in normal drive mode. The kickdown is always there! If you keep to just above the national limit the fuel range is completely acceptable. Most of the service parts and fluids I get from BMW and shop around for OEM or OEM+ parts. Gaskets, valve cover and oil filter housing is also from BMW. Next on my list is the steering rack. I can honestly say if you look after it, it will keep going. Another thing I'm currently looking into is the idrive system. My hard drive has given up and I'm looking into various options to replace the system. I want to keep to the original look and use the current space for a nice update. If anybody has some pointers here I would love to hear from you! Interior wise the steering wheel needed to be restitched and also the side bolster on the driver's seat. Otherwise it is wearing well. I use high quality car cleaning products and clean and maintain it myself. Before every summer and winter I detail and polish the car,it is also ceramic coated- it's black so helps a lot. I've had to replace the foglights due to stone chips but had them ppf'd along with the front of the car. It is an old car but it fits me like a glove. I don't owe money on a car, so I can afford to spend on this one and keep it nice. I'm not bad-mouthing the n54 and n55's and seeing as I don't know anything about tubo's I keep to what I know. I grew up with /6 e12's and e28's and Oupa drove an e3 2500, this is what makes me smile. Cold starting this thing in the morning (decatted) whilst finishing my coffee gives me such joy. You are welcome to ask and if I know I will tell you of my experience. Imo keep on the lookout, there are 330's out there, you will know when the right one comes along!

Sent from my CLK-LX2 using Tapatalk
 
///M Individual

///M Individual

Well-known member
Personally I would stay away from the 335i. Although it would have similar maintenance to the 330i in terms of suspension brakes etc., the turbo motor will require alot more repairs/maintenance than the N/A over time.

Also since you not a racer and drive with a light foot why not consider the 323i or 325i?
 
VinceM

VinceM

Well-known member
Consider 335i if going coupe shape (e92),

Otherwise the 330i e90 in LCi, manual guise with iDrive, xenon lights, sun roof, M sport kit and smash and grab tint, is a solid proposition.

R100k to R130k for the car, plus R70k to R100k work = R170k to R230k range
(shocks including mounts, control arms, stabiliser links, gaskets, mounts, water pump, thermostat,cooling system refresh, gearbox service, new tyres, steering recovering)

Superb value and proposition!
 
NB92325

NB92325

Well-known member
Biased as I am, the 325i is plenty car and even less that can go wrong with the simpler manifold, disa valves etc.

Sent from my SM-S916B using Tapatalk
 
NAS325ci

NAS325ci

Member
I wouldn't advise anyone to get into a N54.. those are money pits regardless of what you pay for them. They require deep pockets and milk you very fast. I had one for 6 to 7 years dailyed the car.. very fast and fun to drive but ya it's a car that will require you to put in money. It is an old car now and you can expect some problems.

Rather save up and get into a M135i M235i 335i 435i F series.. it's a much better car.. I went from a n54 335i e92 to a f32 435i. We had both cars for about two years and I found myself wanting to drive the 435 much more.

Eventually sold the 335i. I have owned the 435i for about 4 years traded it last month and it's been really solid. Just services and tyres and a water pipe and coil packs after I did mhd software.. could've been my luck coz there are some n55 owners that had headaches.. but on a n54 u pretty much guaranteed to have headaches.

If the n55 F series variant is out of your budget maybe try to find a n55 e series might be cheaper.. but if I was you I would stay away from an n54
 
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