My brave pill: E92 BMW 335i with the infamous N54 engine

[TheAngryDog]

E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3.

[Court_S]

TheAngryDog said:

E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3.

So, just to be clear you’re on the fence about the M3?

Ideally of like an E90, but they’re rare and expensive. Perhaps sitting tight until I can spend a bit more would be a wise choice. I did like the IS-F though, a lot.

[TheAngryDog]

Court_S said:

TheAngryDog said:

E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3.

So, just to be clear you’re on the fence about the M3?

Ideally of like an E90, but they’re rare and expensive. Perhaps sitting tight until I can spend a bit more would be a wise choice. I did like the IS-F though, a lot.

Not sure, I don't think you should get one

Definitely get an M3. Reading your posts over the last 18 plus months, the M3 has been a car you mention and lust after a lot. I think you should do it, you'll only end up regretting if not I reckon.

[cerb4.5lee]

TheAngryDog said:

Court_S said:

TheAngryDog said:

E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3, E9x M3.

So, just to be clear you’re on the fence about the M3?

Ideally of like an E90, but they’re rare and expensive. Perhaps sitting tight until I can spend a bit more would be a wise choice. I did like the IS-F though, a lot.

Not sure, I don't think you should get one

Definitely get an M3. Reading your posts over the last 18 plus months, the M3 has been a car you mention and lust after a lot. I think you should do it, you'll only end up regretting if not I reckon.

I'm definitely with you TAD, and I know that Sam loves the E9x M3. However I am intrigued about the IS-F too, because they are a lovely bit of kit as well I reckon.

[Court_S]

TheAngryDog said:

Not sure, I don't think you should get one

Definitely get an M3. Reading your posts over the last 18 plus months, the M3 has been a car you mention and lust after a lot. I think you should do it, you'll only end up regretting if not I reckon.

It’s definitely something that has been a bit of a halo car for me; turning down the E92 M3 that I looked at in March last year looks like a mistake. It was higher mileage but only two owners and very very clean plus it was sensible money.

At the moment I’d very much be at the bottom of the market but pickings are slim. There is one ca that I’d like to find out a bit more about unless it gets snapped up.

I’ve decided I’m not brave enough for a B7 RS4 and I really, really dislike the interior of the early C63’s.

[Court_S]

cerb4.5lee said:

I'm definitely with you TAD, and I know that Sam loves the E9x M3. However I am intrigued about the IS-F too, because they are a lovely bit of kit as well I reckon.

The Lexus was quite an intriguing car and possibly an easier daily car given it’s a bit less highly strung than the M3 plus by all accounts their reliability is something that the German marques can only seam of. Sounded fruity with the Haywood & Scott exhaust.

Sone bits were better than the E9x cars, some bits worse. I’d really like to drive it again, back to back with my 335i.

[Mr Tidy]

Court_S said:

TheAngryDog said:

Not sure, I don't think you should get one

Definitely get an M3. Reading your posts over the last 18 plus months, the M3 has been a car you mention and lust after a lot. I think you should do it, you'll only end up regretting if not I reckon.

It’s definitely something that has been a bit of a halo car for me; turning down the E92 M3 that I looked at in March last year looks like a mistake. It was higher mileage but only two owners and very very clean plus it was sensible money.

At the moment I’d very much be at the bottom of the market but pickings are slim. There is one ca that I’d like to find out a bit more about unless it gets snapped up.

I’ve decided I’m not brave enough for a B7 RS4 and I really, really dislike the interior of the early C63’s.

Has to be an E9* M3 Sam - you already know you want to!

[mooseracer]

Interesting - I've been toying with changing my 140 for an E9x M3. Perhaps you can get one "for me" and save me the expense!

Hope all goes well with the 335 today

[Gallons Per Mile]

If you're in the SE or fancy a trip to Kent you can have a go in my E90 and see what you think of them. I use mine on and off as a daily and it's brilliant. Currently taking it to work this week but it's not been used for a few months and I felt sorry for it!

[Court_S]

So, the car was dropped off this morning.

I’ve been given a G30 320 for the next few days which is fine other than bring a bit dirty inside and out. For a big car it continues BMW’s mastery of the reverse tardis It might be the small doors but the drivers room feels more compact than in my E92.

The steering in the 320 is awful though, jumping out of my car with HPAS and M3 arms it was very noticeable, the base BMW stereo continues the trade of being rubbish, the brakes on modern BMW’s are too over-servo’s and the washer nozzles are now in the wipers which annoys me more than it should.

Oddly the daft digital dials don’t bother me as much as they do in pics etc. The latest idrive is very good.

Fingers crossed all goes well with the strip of my car today and that the warranty team will cover it.

[Court_S]

mooseracer said:

Interesting - I've been toying with changing my 140 for an E9x M3. Perhaps you can get one "for me" and save me the expense!

Hope all goes well with the 335 today

Ha ha. That was the choice I had when I bought my M140i, an M3 of that. I bottled the former and regretted it in the end.

[Court_S]

Gallons Per Mile said:

If you're in the SE or fancy a trip to Kent you can have a go in my E90 and see what you think of them. I use mine on and off as a daily and it's brilliant. Currently taking it to work this week but it's not been used for a few months and I felt sorry for it!

Thanks; my uncle had a Silverstone blue E90 which I got it drive a bit and it’s probably his fault that I like them so much!

I could have bought his E90 for a good price in 2019 but bottled it and bought a 140i instead because I evaluated them on paper too much.

[bmwmike]

Hope it goes well.

You obviously like your BMW's as do I and it's good to read your critique there of the 320 as I too will likely be moving away from the brand for my next car. I don't like the current crop at all. I like the F10 as the most recent new one but it has its inherent flaws and I'm not sure I'd have another.

Hope the cam ledge goes well, and more so I hope they know what they are looking for.

[MissChief]

Court_S said:

That would be my first port of call but prices are very strong at the moment and I’d be very much at the bottom of the market. There is an E92 that looks good for the cash (rod bearings and actuators both done).

The car that I’ve actually seen and like is a bit left field; an IS-F.

I was considering an IS-F before I got my 428i. Supremely reliable as long as a couple of weak points have been dealt with, radiator and something else I can’t quite remember. Bit older than what you have though. I just couldn’t justify a 5.0 V8.

[Court_S]

bmwmike said:

Hope it goes well.

You obviously like your BMW's as do I and it's good to read your critique there of the 320 as I too will likely be moving away from the brand for my next car. I don't like the current crop at all. I like the F10 as the most recent new one but it has its inherent flaws and I'm not sure I'd have another.

Hope the cam ledge goes well, and more so I hope they know what they are looking for.

Indeed, fingers crossed it goes Ok.

It does seem like I’m stuck in the past a bit and each new generation moves further away from the bits I like. Superficially the newer cars are better with posher materials etc but it’s easy to see where costs have been trimmed. My E92 has flock lined door bins to prevent rattles, this doesn’t.

My only concern is the extent that they’re stripping the car down; the error codes at the moment are all relate to the intake side but they still want to strip the exhaust side as well. And I’m
Worried that might make the warranty team twitchy.

[Court_S]

MissChief said:

I was considering an IS-F before I got my 428i. Supremely reliable as long as a couple of weak points have been dealt with, radiator and something else I can’t quite remember. Bit older than what you have though. I just couldn’t justify a 5.0 V8.

Yeah the reliability is definitely a draw; other issues seem to be a leaking valley plate and the water pump.

The one I’ve seen is newer than my 335i which is an early 2008 car. The Lexus design is a bit older and can see why it was criticised at the time but 15 years later it’s less of an issue. And I don’t think it’s any worse than an early C63 interior.

[Craikeybaby]

Good luck!

[JakeT]

At least it’s in for work now. Hopefully if they find the inlet at fault and cover it, you can pay for repairs to the exhaust while they’re in there and everyone (just about) comes away happy.

I’d be very happy with an E90 M3 or IS-F. The IS-F, now it’s depreciated doesn’t really matter on the interior too. After the first owner there’s different priorities.

[bmwmike]

There is an ISF around by me and it sounds great. I can't get past partridge though.

[MDifficult]

I know the E9x M3 seems like a risky prospect because of all the potential issues, there's a benefit to that too. So much knowledge, so much self-fix-ability (especially for a guy like you who's so capable with the spanners), not to mention so much experience out there in suppliers, independents, people who race them etc. Even the YouTube contingent.

My fear with the Lexus is that if there IS an issue.. you're in a bit of a dead zone to try to diagnose and resolve it. For a man who likes to tinker - what options are there?

If you can find a mechanically sound but potentially spec/trim 'challenged' E9x M3 I think you'll be in a happy place.