335i and other options

[mikeyscott]

Bored of my MK5 R32 that I bought in Dec 2014 and miss the quality of BMW from when I had my 123d M Sport. No I don't want another VW.

Been looking for a 335i saloon and touring. After an arrogant sales conversation about a 335i saloon, I'm a bit WTF about it all. It was a good spec N55 auto LCI edition

So alternatives £16k ish range. S4, S4 avant B8 etc?

[mikeyscott]

kiethton said:

Looked at the S4 and S5 when I got my 335i and preferred the 335i hands down

I'd persevere and find a seller (dealer or private) that isn't a cocksocket tbh

Pretty much what I'm still thinking. Dealer wanted to buy blind as desperate for end of month, err no. Sadly now sold, but the guy was such an idiot I was loosing interest in driving to Essex to view it.

I've asked Birds what they've got on the radar. Sytner have asked my views out a Coupe, but just can't see it being practical, so I was really hoping for a Touring or saloon with folding seats etc.

Birds have said get the R32 sold and then sit and wait...

Fortunately I work from home or walk. When I do travel for work we have a nasty Skoda in the car park. I'd prob get a £500 barge whilst waiting tbh and we've got my Mrs 60 plate Fiesta.

[mikeyscott]

Why is the N55 335i saloon so rare, there are more E90 M3s

[mikeyscott]

MattHall91 said:

Don't try and search for alternatives, doesn't sound like you're struck on them anyway.

This is leggy but it's the new model and wears its miles very well.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Yeah seen that one, sorry after M Sport.

NorthDave said:

mikeyscott said:

I've asked Birds what they've got on the radar. Sytner have asked my views out a Coupe, but just can't see it being practical, so I was really hoping for a Touring or saloon with folding seats etc.

Do your own research etc but I think all the coupes come with folding seats as standard? I used to have one on a 56 plate and found it more practical than the merc saloon I had before (which I realised after buying didnt have folding seats!).

I used to get a road bike etc in it without problem.

I agree, so will be heading to the local Snows/Partridge dealer later this week to look at the E92 Coupe for shape, size etc. Would go today, but full of cold after coming back from Egypt holiday - grr Doubly annoyed as was going wash my R32 and take somewhere for some decent pic to build and advert etc.

[mikeyscott]

E46 isn't on the list, E90/91

No I haven't looked at Mazda.

[mikeyscott]

TheAngryDog said:

mikeyscott said:

No I haven't looked at Mazda.

I wouldn't waste your time.

It was never really on a list. Only Japanese car I'd "think" about is the Lexus.

[mikeyscott]

Mmm 330i haven't really thought about that, but not sure.

Late E90 330i should be a nicer build than R32, but not as much "character"



335i + birds kit?

[mikeyscott]

Blakewater said:

A little over budget but a low mileage, well equipped car at a main dealer and a lower price may be negotiable with some hard nosed dealing. In stock soon.

http://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/3-Series/3.0-335i-M-Spor...

That's the one I tried to put a deposit on, was at £16.4k when first listed. Spec was v good.

[mikeyscott]

burpface said:

Has the OP considered a Jag?
(Biased owner opinion)

The XF SV8 or XFR pack an exciting engine that makes a great noise and really packs a punch. They are generally loaded with toys and are a lovely place to sit.

Bit bigger than a 3 series though.

If I'm totally honest this does keep coming up and making the mind tick, but certainly more barge like. I was tempted to hunt one out to look at, but know little about Jaguar servicing / maintenance and such. Also Mrs will prob say it's too big, she's not great with big cars.

[mikeyscott]

If the right 335i turned up I'd hope it'd be a keeping. Potentially with some DMS and Birds work

[mikeyscott]

jontbone said:

mikeyscott said:

Bored of my MK5 R32 that I bought in Dec 2014 and miss the quality of BMW from when I had my 123d M Sport. No I don't want another VW.

Been looking for a 335i saloon and touring. After an arrogant sales conversation about a 335i saloon, I'm a bit WTF about it all. It was a good spec N55 auto LCI edition

So alternatives £16k ish range. S4, S4 avant B8 etc?

My parents had a mk5 R32 & a 335i coupe at the same time. The R32 was a lovely car without a doubt, but the 335i was easily my favourite (drove them both) the 335i was effortlessly quick, with a linear power delivery and a lovely sound track to go with it.
I'd have bought a 335i Touring myself if I didn't need to do big mileage.

How about one of these!I
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Touring LCI N55 would be the perfect solution in my book I think

[mikeyscott]

Having had a 123d previously I'm off to check out a 130i with LSD etc

Bit different direction

[mikeyscott]

yonex said:

mikeyscott said:

Having had a 123d previously I'm off to check out a 130i with LSD etc

Bit different direction

They're good, very good once you have the Birds kit/LSD.

It has all this, car listed last night, sold early this morning

Bugger lol

07 130i LE for sale at birds

[mikeyscott]

yonex said:

Digitalize said:

Not sure if it's mentioned, but you said folding seats, most E90's don't have folding seats, all E91's do.

The single most stupid decision ever made by BMW.

Totally agree. The 335i I missed due to a ret**d of a dealer had the folding seats.

Yet folding seats standard on the coupe??

[mikeyscott]

yonex said:

I almost bought that one the last time it was at Birds Strong money and it has crashy suspension, annoying mounts.

Mmm might not have been for me then. Says springs too hard...

[mikeyscott]

silentbrown said:

Tuvra said:

OT: Surely there is one obvious "next car" that needs considering after an R32:

£16K might be a stretch, particularly if it needs any work?

I'm biased, but have a look at an S4 B8. Early ones could have a manual box, if you can stomach the VED band.

Already in top VED band

FurtiveFreddy said:

mikeyscott said:

Totally agree. The 335i I missed due to a ret**d of a dealer had the folding seats.

Yet folding seats standard on the coupe??

Folding seats are standard on the Coupe (or at least that's what a dealer told me..)

I've had a 335i for a week or so now and I am not yet regretting buying it over an M3. It's the perfect balance between comfort and speed IMO. I was a bit non-plussed when I first drove it and thought I'd made the wrong choice, but then I found SPORT+ mode

Did you go coupe or saloon. Just not sure if I like the coupe in 3 series shape, saw one at the weekend.

I keep thinking E90 M3 LOL, but doubt it as they're near £23k+

[mikeyscott]

FurtiveFreddy said:

mikeyscott said:

Did you go coupe or saloon. Just not sure if I like the coupe in 3 series shape, saw one at the weekend.

I keep thinking E90 M3 LOL, but doubt it as they're near £23k+

I test drove a coupe and then bought a saloon without even visiting the dealer to see it (too far away).

The saloon had a lot more options on it and although I've had 3-series coupes before, we've had more saloons over the years and the practicality does have a bearing.

As it's the main car for me and my OH, I decided an M3 would be a bit too hardcore for her, so the 335 is a good compromise.

Was that the one at Sytner recently? 11 plate?

[mikeyscott]

FurtiveFreddy said:

mikeyscott said:

Was that the one at Sytner recently? 11 plate?

If you mean the red one, yes.

Nope that's not it

[mikeyscott]

graham22 said:

Digitalize said:

mikeyscott said:

Totally agree. The 335i I missed due to a ret**d of a dealer had the folding seats.

Yet folding seats standard on the coupe??

Yep, it was an optional extra on the E90 for some reason, quite a rare one from what I've seen.

Can be retro fitted as there's no rear bulkhead, there is a guide on one of the E90 websites, considered looking into myself but one of the parts you need is the rear seat back - not sure if a E92 rear seat would fit.

Only saying in case a great E90 comes along.


No comments on the IS-F suggestion made on the first page?

TBH forgot to have a look at the IS-F

cerb4.5lee said:

Digitalize said:

mikeyscott said:

Totally agree. The 335i I missed due to a ret**d of a dealer had the folding seats.

Yet folding seats standard on the coupe??

Yep, it was an optional extra on the E90 for some reason, quite a rare one from what I've seen.

Yes and its never made much sense to me either and had two E90`s which are meant to be the more practical/boring car with the 4 doors, yet my E92 M3 Coupe which is the more sporty model with 2 doors and it had folding rear seats as standard and was more practical!

Yeah I was mulling this too re size etc. The one at Partridge turned me off as light on spec and the dealer harps on about how good the 19" + RFT are. I couldn't think of anything worse based on my previous experience of RFT on 18"s!

[mikeyscott]

More than I was thinking, but v nice.

http://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/1-Series/3.0-135i-M-Spor...