[Sheepy]

Hi there, I've been browsing your forum recently & thought I would register as I'm looking to buy either a coupe or convertible m sport in the next year should the right one come available at the right price! Hopefully with the guidance from you guys on here with regards to the pro's a pitfalls I can decide which model I definately want but thinking at the moment either a 335i or 330i.
I'm currently on my second BMW, an e36 M3 Evo coupe & have previously owned an e36 328i coupe so dont really want to drop down too much in power but I'm open to suggestions.
Anyway that's enough from me for now so I'll end my post with a hello!

[neil@JuicedUpTuning]

Welcome Sheepy,

335i and a JB4 with Downpipes, FMIC for a 400+ horses car ( i am biased )

Neil

[parapaul]

If you're considering the 335, don't bother with the 330 if you get a 330 you'll only wonder how good the 335 would have been.

[moar]

More importantly, what years?

I don't regret not getting the 335i at all.......nor do I wonder how good it could have been.

[MEGA]

Get a 335.

The 330 is, IMHO, the weakest car in the range. I know this will be contentious of course but.. Bad economy and average performance coupled with the fact the 335i costs very little more to buy up front.

I'd consider a 330d due to the tuneability but not the i.

The stranght 6 is a good engine, and if the 335i didn't exist would definitely be a great choice: But if you're buying then why not get the 335i? The 335i is even more economical in most driving conditions as you don't need to push the car.

If fuel is a concern I'd just get the 330d for similar money to the 335i. (Albeit it more expensive than the 330i). If not: It has to be the 335i

Well, that's my opinion anyway.

[moar]

Lol.

I love it when people like to think they know what they're talking about .

I bet you think the 325i is the best compromise aswell..

[Sheepy]

Yes I definately think the 335i is my top choice & it won't cost any more to run than my present M3, it's just there don't seem to many about so if I found a nice 330i that ticks the boxes I thought it may be worth a look, saying that there isn't that many of them local to me either, all 325's & 320's & I'm finished with travelling the length of the country looking at cars now. I'm in no rush anyway, cheers guys.

[dxb335d]

Get the 335i, don't waste your time with a 330i.

Agree with Dave completely.

Moat the 325i is gutless.

[pjs]

Welcome and Good luck. What is your budget?

[BanziBarn]

Welcome!

I agree with most on here, don't bother with the 330i.

It's between the Lci 330d, 335d or 335i. If you won't entertain diesels then it has to be the twin turbo straight 6 petrol car

If you fancy a curve ball, and want to save some cash but still have tons of performance, consider an LCI 325d...its the same engine as the 330d, just down tuned so will remap to 300bhp!

[phil200tdi]

330i is a cracking engine and selling for peanuts at present. But the 335i is also going alot cheaper than they are worth and with only a tune are a genuine performance car.

With the mods detailed by Neil, we're talking 911 and m5 territory. Mine still gets 32mpg average though. ED is the one to go for to avoid higher tax bracket..

[moar]

If you do go down the twin turbo route, make sure you have a warranty handy.

[Sheepy]

Originally Posted by pjs

Welcome and Good luck. What is your budget?

Well I have 12-13 grand at the moment which will hopefully only increase with time, touch wood! Also added to that is the sale of mine which is worth whatever an enthusiast is willing to pay, can't see me getting much in p/x though. Guessing a 2007 model which I think is the twin turbo model, still learning about the e90 range.

[MEGA]

Originally Posted by moar

Lol.

I love it when people like to think they know what they're talking about .

I bet you think the 325i is the best compromise aswell..

What's getting you riled up? Knowing you bought the wrong car?

Bear in mind my post was toned to try not to cause offence to anyone owning a 330 whilst getting the point across. So your post was totally unnecessary. Let's all just keep calm eh

Moving on, although it's off topic but as you asked... The best compromise car in the range is IMHO the 330d. I alluded to that already And I suppose if diesel is some sort of taboo subject in the household still then I'd struggle to suggest petrol alternative. I'd NOT suggest the 325i due to the HPFP issues (some of which leading to replacement ECU's being needed!!! ) and the 320i is awful. So all I'd say is if you want a petrol, get the 335i and stuff the fuel bill.

[MEGA]

Originally Posted by Sheepy

Well I have 12-13 grand at the moment which will hopefully only increase with time, touch wood! Also added to that is the sale of mine which is worth whatever an enthusiast is willing to pay, can't see me getting much in p/x though. Guessing a 2007 model which I think is the twin turbo model, still learning about the e90 range.

You can easilly get hold of a 335i for this kind of money in the current climate There's been several member owned cars in superb condition floating around for that kind of money.

Even better perhaps.. Assuming 2k for the E36 M3 (I don't know what their worth? ): You could pick up an M sport 335i with decent mileage for around the 15k mark I would have thought.. For example:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3381252.htm (which I'm sure you could get down under 15k)

[Sheepy]

Oh, forgot to say I'm looking for one with manual transmission which narrows down the search, there will be one available at my local dealers shortly but think it has the wood trim & beige leather which I'm not too keen on, worth a look though for the 2 mile drive!

[moar]

Originally Posted by MEGA

What's getting you riled up? Knowing you bought the wrong car?
.

Yeah totally, I think the 330i is perfectly fast enough, seeing as I do 25k-30k a year I don't see any advantage of 2 turbos on the motorway when doing 75 mph.

Plus this car was 4 miles away from me and had everything I wanted spec wise...

I ought to buy a 335i and just leave it in the garage..

For some reason no 335i saloon drivers ever ticked everything in the box, its rather annoying.

[Kerr]

With the 335 models both petrol and diesel, the differences between the m sport and a se is cosmetic. This is only true on 335 models.

Different bumpers, sideskirts, wheels, steering wheel and gearknob.

Many of the SE cars have the m sport chrome window trim and have dark roof lining.

You get the sport suspension and have the same m sport seats.

So if you either have future plans or don't see enough between models you could also consider SE models and save some cash.

Earlier 335i are in the top road tax bracket too.

[dxb335d]

Only on E92 335's Kerr mate!!!

Usually 335's are well spec'd

[moar]

Originally Posted by dxb335d

Only on E92 335's Kerr mate!!!

Usually 335's are well spec'd

Yeah thats what I was under the impression, flagship car of the 3 series, everyone will tick everything and it will be a piece of jaffa to find the spec I wanted.

Jesus I was so wrong.

I came across some 335is with chuffin cloth interior and no nav

[dxb335d]

Yeah I can believe that an have seen it myself. But not often. Most are pretty loaded.

[moar]

Actually I found alot of sellers saying fully loaded when it didn't have comfort lights, or active steering, or active cruise control, or comfort access or, or logic 7 , electric heated seats or anything like that.

It's really annoying to see it saying FULL LOADED RARE !! And then finding out all it has is leather and nav.

I'm a firm beleiver in buying a full spec car