BMW E92 335i Possible Purchase
Discussion
Hi All,
I am looking to purchase a E92 335i (2011/2012) and just looking for some help on what to watch out for, and if anyone has any recommendation on what Spec is best? How is this car for a daily driver?
What are the typical running costs of this (both Monthly and Yearly costs)?
Additionally, I would be looking to make a few upgrades to the car. Nothing crazy, but definitely looking at a new exhaust and remapping.
If anyone has any good recommendations on garages that specialise in this car, along with any suggested modifications to make, it would be greatly appreciated.
Any and all help would be great!
Thanks all.
Best Regards,
Craig.
I am looking to purchase a E92 335i (2011/2012) and just looking for some help on what to watch out for, and if anyone has any recommendation on what Spec is best? How is this car for a daily driver?
What are the typical running costs of this (both Monthly and Yearly costs)?
Additionally, I would be looking to make a few upgrades to the car. Nothing crazy, but definitely looking at a new exhaust and remapping.
If anyone has any good recommendations on garages that specialise in this car, along with any suggested modifications to make, it would be greatly appreciated.
Any and all help would be great!
Thanks all.
Best Regards,
Craig.
I was in a similar postion a few years ago I however couldn’t shift the idea that it would never be the M3 I truly wanted. Because of that I didn’t buy one and waited until I could afford a well specced M3.
Sorry, that didn’t answer your questions but it was my only relatable experience.
Sorry, that didn’t answer your questions but it was my only relatable experience.
CGallan said:
Hi All,
I am looking to purchase a E92 335i (2011/2012) and just looking for some help on what to watch out for, and if anyone has any recommendation on what Spec is best? How is this car for a daily driver?
What are the typical running costs of this (both Monthly and Yearly costs)?
Additionally, I would be looking to make a few upgrades to the car. Nothing crazy, but definitely looking at a new exhaust and remapping.
If anyone has any good recommendations on garages that specialise in this car, along with any suggested modifications to make, it would be greatly appreciated.
Any and all help would be great!
Thanks all.
Best Regards,
Craig.
I daily drove a 2009 335i DCT for 25k miles over 19 months. I am looking to purchase a E92 335i (2011/2012) and just looking for some help on what to watch out for, and if anyone has any recommendation on what Spec is best? How is this car for a daily driver?
What are the typical running costs of this (both Monthly and Yearly costs)?
Additionally, I would be looking to make a few upgrades to the car. Nothing crazy, but definitely looking at a new exhaust and remapping.
If anyone has any good recommendations on garages that specialise in this car, along with any suggested modifications to make, it would be greatly appreciated.
Any and all help would be great!
Thanks all.
Best Regards,
Craig.
It was the older N54 so probably a bit less efficient but cost per mile of fuel was 22.7p (prices up to May 2016)
Excellent daily driver once run flats removed , even better in terms of comfort and handling (felt nimbler) when I switched to 17s square set up and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires.
You should be fine at that age but make sure your Nav has firmware to do a 7 digit postcode search. My 2009 was updated.
Mine was very high spec , only missing front parking sensors.
Pro Nav gives a better screen.
Heated seats great on cold mornings.
Folding mirrors handy if like me you park/ drive down congested streets.
I had the top of the range Bmw Individual audio which sounded like a band was in back seats
I found the power sufficient for the stock chassis , as I was pushing the car to the limit on B roads , so didn’t do for a “remap “
I considered a suspension upgrade and LSD , and talked to Birds but they would only let me ride as passenger in their demo which for me wasn’t enough of a test before spending money. Car was over 85k miles by then and so with more free time to go for B road blasts on weekends I sold it for a M3.
Only repair issue I had with it was changing injectors at 75k.
Servicing was a lot cheaper than M3.
Smuler said:
I daily drove a 2009 335i DCT for 25k miles over 19 months.
It was the older N54 so probably a bit less efficient but cost per mile of fuel was 22.7p (prices up to May 2016)
Excellent daily driver once run flats removed , even better in terms of comfort and handling (felt nimbler) when I switched to 17s square set up and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires.
You should be fine at that age but make sure your Nav has firmware to do a 7 digit postcode search. My 2009 was updated.
Mine was very high spec , only missing front parking sensors.
Pro Nav gives a better screen.
Heated seats great on cold mornings.
Folding mirrors handy if like me you park/ drive down congested streets.
I had the top of the range Bmw Individual audio which sounded like a band was in back seats
I found the power sufficient for the stock chassis , as I was pushing the car to the limit on B roads , so didn’t do for a “remap “
I considered a suspension upgrade and LSD , and talked to Birds but they would only let me ride as passenger in their demo which for me wasn’t enough of a test before spending money. Car was over 85k miles by then and so with more free time to go for B road blasts on weekends I sold it for a M3.
Only repair issue I had with it was changing injectors at 75k.
Servicing was a lot cheaper than M3.
Thanks for the response, this is a big help. It was the older N54 so probably a bit less efficient but cost per mile of fuel was 22.7p (prices up to May 2016)
Excellent daily driver once run flats removed , even better in terms of comfort and handling (felt nimbler) when I switched to 17s square set up and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires.
You should be fine at that age but make sure your Nav has firmware to do a 7 digit postcode search. My 2009 was updated.
Mine was very high spec , only missing front parking sensors.
Pro Nav gives a better screen.
Heated seats great on cold mornings.
Folding mirrors handy if like me you park/ drive down congested streets.
I had the top of the range Bmw Individual audio which sounded like a band was in back seats
I found the power sufficient for the stock chassis , as I was pushing the car to the limit on B roads , so didn’t do for a “remap “
I considered a suspension upgrade and LSD , and talked to Birds but they would only let me ride as passenger in their demo which for me wasn’t enough of a test before spending money. Car was over 85k miles by then and so with more free time to go for B road blasts on weekends I sold it for a M3.
Only repair issue I had with it was changing injectors at 75k.
Servicing was a lot cheaper than M3.
I am looking at 11/12 Plates that come with the Upgraded iDrive system and ProNav.
I currently have an S3, and that is running about 28mpg on average for my daily commute (Mix of B Roads/Motorway). I reckoned this would be about the same.
Obviously the M3 is the best version of this car, however I am only really looking for daily commuter that I could do a bit of work to.
Possibly look at an M3 in future when I can afford to upgrade to that.
Thanks and Best Regards
CGallan said:
Smuler said:
I daily drove a 2009 335i DCT for 25k miles over 19 months.
It was the older N54 so probably a bit less efficient but cost per mile of fuel was 22.7p (prices up to May 2016)
Excellent daily driver once run flats removed , even better in terms of comfort and handling (felt nimbler) when I switched to 17s square set up and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires.
You should be fine at that age but make sure your Nav has firmware to do a 7 digit postcode search. My 2009 was updated.
Mine was very high spec , only missing front parking sensors.
Pro Nav gives a better screen.
Heated seats great on cold mornings.
Folding mirrors handy if like me you park/ drive down congested streets.
I had the top of the range Bmw Individual audio which sounded like a band was in back seats
I found the power sufficient for the stock chassis , as I was pushing the car to the limit on B roads , so didn’t do for a “remap “
I considered a suspension upgrade and LSD , and talked to Birds but they would only let me ride as passenger in their demo which for me wasn’t enough of a test before spending money. Car was over 85k miles by then and so with more free time to go for B road blasts on weekends I sold it for a M3.
Only repair issue I had with it was changing injectors at 75k.
Servicing was a lot cheaper than M3.
Thanks for the response, this is a big help. It was the older N54 so probably a bit less efficient but cost per mile of fuel was 22.7p (prices up to May 2016)
Excellent daily driver once run flats removed , even better in terms of comfort and handling (felt nimbler) when I switched to 17s square set up and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires.
You should be fine at that age but make sure your Nav has firmware to do a 7 digit postcode search. My 2009 was updated.
Mine was very high spec , only missing front parking sensors.
Pro Nav gives a better screen.
Heated seats great on cold mornings.
Folding mirrors handy if like me you park/ drive down congested streets.
I had the top of the range Bmw Individual audio which sounded like a band was in back seats
I found the power sufficient for the stock chassis , as I was pushing the car to the limit on B roads , so didn’t do for a “remap “
I considered a suspension upgrade and LSD , and talked to Birds but they would only let me ride as passenger in their demo which for me wasn’t enough of a test before spending money. Car was over 85k miles by then and so with more free time to go for B road blasts on weekends I sold it for a M3.
Only repair issue I had with it was changing injectors at 75k.
Servicing was a lot cheaper than M3.
I am looking at 11/12 Plates that come with the Upgraded iDrive system and ProNav.
I currently have an S3, and that is running about 28mpg on average for my daily commute (Mix of B Roads/Motorway). I reckoned this would be about the same.
Obviously the M3 is the best version of this car, however I am only really looking for daily commuter that I could do a bit of work to.
Possibly look at an M3 in future when I can afford to upgrade to that.
Thanks and Best Regards
In 2012 they introduced the sports plus edition, which had a few styling upgrades, I think it was black mirrors and some extra body kit. I think it may have been influenced by the US only 335is. As someone who preferred the pre LCI (facelift) styling, hence I chose a 2009 model, I think the sports plus looks that bit better than others post 2010.
You didn't mention gearbox, but as someone who prefers manual (harder to find) I was impressed with the DCT. Sharper and more involving that the earlier auto which the DCT replaced circa 2010.
Smuler said:
CGallan said:
Smuler said:
I daily drove a 2009 335i DCT for 25k miles over 19 months.
It was the older N54 so probably a bit less efficient but cost per mile of fuel was 22.7p (prices up to May 2016)
Excellent daily driver once run flats removed , even better in terms of comfort and handling (felt nimbler) when I switched to 17s square set up and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires.
You should be fine at that age but make sure your Nav has firmware to do a 7 digit postcode search. My 2009 was updated.
Mine was very high spec , only missing front parking sensors.
Pro Nav gives a better screen.
Heated seats great on cold mornings.
Folding mirrors handy if like me you park/ drive down congested streets.
I had the top of the range Bmw Individual audio which sounded like a band was in back seats
I found the power sufficient for the stock chassis , as I was pushing the car to the limit on B roads , so didn’t do for a “remap “
I considered a suspension upgrade and LSD , and talked to Birds but they would only let me ride as passenger in their demo which for me wasn’t enough of a test before spending money. Car was over 85k miles by then and so with more free time to go for B road blasts on weekends I sold it for a M3.
Only repair issue I had with it was changing injectors at 75k.
Servicing was a lot cheaper than M3.
Thanks for the response, this is a big help. It was the older N54 so probably a bit less efficient but cost per mile of fuel was 22.7p (prices up to May 2016)
Excellent daily driver once run flats removed , even better in terms of comfort and handling (felt nimbler) when I switched to 17s square set up and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires.
You should be fine at that age but make sure your Nav has firmware to do a 7 digit postcode search. My 2009 was updated.
Mine was very high spec , only missing front parking sensors.
Pro Nav gives a better screen.
Heated seats great on cold mornings.
Folding mirrors handy if like me you park/ drive down congested streets.
I had the top of the range Bmw Individual audio which sounded like a band was in back seats
I found the power sufficient for the stock chassis , as I was pushing the car to the limit on B roads , so didn’t do for a “remap “
I considered a suspension upgrade and LSD , and talked to Birds but they would only let me ride as passenger in their demo which for me wasn’t enough of a test before spending money. Car was over 85k miles by then and so with more free time to go for B road blasts on weekends I sold it for a M3.
Only repair issue I had with it was changing injectors at 75k.
Servicing was a lot cheaper than M3.
I am looking at 11/12 Plates that come with the Upgraded iDrive system and ProNav.
I currently have an S3, and that is running about 28mpg on average for my daily commute (Mix of B Roads/Motorway). I reckoned this would be about the same.
Obviously the M3 is the best version of this car, however I am only really looking for daily commuter that I could do a bit of work to.
Possibly look at an M3 in future when I can afford to upgrade to that.
Thanks and Best Regards
In 2012 they introduced the sports plus edition, which had a few styling upgrades, I think it was black mirrors and some extra body kit. I think it may have been influenced by the US only 335is. As someone who preferred the pre LCI (facelift) styling, hence I chose a 2009 model, I think the sports plus looks that bit better than others post 2010.
You didn't mention gearbox, but as someone who prefers manual (harder to find) I was impressed with the DCT. Sharper and more involving that the earlier auto which the DCT replaced circa 2010.
I will have a look for a Sports Plus edition then as this would be preferable.
For the gearbox, I prefer manual, however I think in this instance I would go for the DCT.
CGallan said:
Smuler said:
CGallan said:
Smuler said:
I daily drove a 2009 335i DCT for 25k miles over 19 months.
It was the older N54 so probably a bit less efficient but cost per mile of fuel was 22.7p (prices up to May 2016)
Excellent daily driver once run flats removed , even better in terms of comfort and handling (felt nimbler) when I switched to 17s square set up and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires.
You should be fine at that age but make sure your Nav has firmware to do a 7 digit postcode search. My 2009 was updated.
Mine was very high spec , only missing front parking sensors.
Pro Nav gives a better screen.
Heated seats great on cold mornings.
Folding mirrors handy if like me you park/ drive down congested streets.
I had the top of the range Bmw Individual audio which sounded like a band was in back seats
I found the power sufficient for the stock chassis , as I was pushing the car to the limit on B roads , so didn’t do for a “remap “
I considered a suspension upgrade and LSD , and talked to Birds but they would only let me ride as passenger in their demo which for me wasn’t enough of a test before spending money. Car was over 85k miles by then and so with more free time to go for B road blasts on weekends I sold it for a M3.
Only repair issue I had with it was changing injectors at 75k.
Servicing was a lot cheaper than M3.
Thanks for the response, this is a big help. It was the older N54 so probably a bit less efficient but cost per mile of fuel was 22.7p (prices up to May 2016)
Excellent daily driver once run flats removed , even better in terms of comfort and handling (felt nimbler) when I switched to 17s square set up and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires.
You should be fine at that age but make sure your Nav has firmware to do a 7 digit postcode search. My 2009 was updated.
Mine was very high spec , only missing front parking sensors.
Pro Nav gives a better screen.
Heated seats great on cold mornings.
Folding mirrors handy if like me you park/ drive down congested streets.
I had the top of the range Bmw Individual audio which sounded like a band was in back seats
I found the power sufficient for the stock chassis , as I was pushing the car to the limit on B roads , so didn’t do for a “remap “
I considered a suspension upgrade and LSD , and talked to Birds but they would only let me ride as passenger in their demo which for me wasn’t enough of a test before spending money. Car was over 85k miles by then and so with more free time to go for B road blasts on weekends I sold it for a M3.
Only repair issue I had with it was changing injectors at 75k.
Servicing was a lot cheaper than M3.
I am looking at 11/12 Plates that come with the Upgraded iDrive system and ProNav.
I currently have an S3, and that is running about 28mpg on average for my daily commute (Mix of B Roads/Motorway). I reckoned this would be about the same.
Obviously the M3 is the best version of this car, however I am only really looking for daily commuter that I could do a bit of work to.
Possibly look at an M3 in future when I can afford to upgrade to that.
Thanks and Best Regards
In 2012 they introduced the sports plus edition, which had a few styling upgrades, I think it was black mirrors and some extra body kit. I think it may have been influenced by the US only 335is. As someone who preferred the pre LCI (facelift) styling, hence I chose a 2009 model, I think the sports plus looks that bit better than others post 2010.
You didn't mention gearbox, but as someone who prefers manual (harder to find) I was impressed with the DCT. Sharper and more involving that the earlier auto which the DCT replaced circa 2010.
I will have a look for a Sports Plus edition then as this would be preferable.
For the gearbox, I prefer manual, however I think in this instance I would go for the DCT.
However, I'd say a lot of this is window dressing, as long as Sat Nav is good and you can call up all your info, that's enough. other aspects are about music functionality.
I could only find a modded sports plus on autotrader. This one on pistonheads is more typical of what was available when I was looking, albeit newer back then.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
CGallan said:
Yeah I think by the 11/12 Plates, the iDrive was essentially the same system as what is used on the standard new BMWs from today.
Not the case.The E92 gained CIC iDrive from September 2008 production until end of production. NBT iDrive was released in September 2012 but was never fitted to the E92. NBT itself has now been superseded in current production vehicles, so in effect the system you will find in a 2008-2012 E92 is two generations old now.
That said, it's an excellent system and far better than the original.
I will be selling my manual 2011 e92 335i from next week after it has had a full detail.
It is top spec bar the sunroof.
Genuine carbon fibre duck tail spoiler
Genuine BMW performance rear diffuser
Genuine black grilles
It has a BMS oil catch can and FTP charge pipe; preventative and supporting mods to allow other bolt ons - however, I never got round to doing it.
PM me if you're interested, I'd be happy to go over running costs, service intervals etc
It is top spec bar the sunroof.
Genuine carbon fibre duck tail spoiler
Genuine BMW performance rear diffuser
Genuine black grilles
It has a BMS oil catch can and FTP charge pipe; preventative and supporting mods to allow other bolt ons - however, I never got round to doing it.
PM me if you're interested, I'd be happy to go over running costs, service intervals etc
Watch out for typical N55 issues,
Valve cover leak, oil filter housing gasket leak, oil pan leak, water pump.
Leaking coolant tank is also a problem on the earlier E series.
Aftermarket charge pipe is needed if you tune, OEM one cracks above stock boost levels.
DCT could also leak from every pan possible.
Manual is better reliability wise.
Also typical E92 issues you may find,
Seat belt extensioner barely or not working, and random eletronical issues due to their age nowadays.
Whether it's a good daily driver or not is rather subjective.
Valve cover leak, oil filter housing gasket leak, oil pan leak, water pump.
Leaking coolant tank is also a problem on the earlier E series.
Aftermarket charge pipe is needed if you tune, OEM one cracks above stock boost levels.
DCT could also leak from every pan possible.
Manual is better reliability wise.
Also typical E92 issues you may find,
Seat belt extensioner barely or not working, and random eletronical issues due to their age nowadays.
Whether it's a good daily driver or not is rather subjective.
I’ve had a 2011 E93 335i DCT for 3 years as a replacement for an E39 M5, it has the later Idrive. It is fine as a daily driver and a bit more economical than the M5 (26mpg general town driving). The DCT is a bit of a slug in normal driving mode compared to the DSG in my wife’s Audi, but terrific in attack mode. I have had the usual issues, water pump, valve cover gasket, header tank, but fixed under extended warranty.
It has had a remap by DMS, ally charge pipe, LSD , full birds suspension upgrade and I have ditched the run flats all this has improved the car no end. It is no M3, but it handles well enough and is fast enough for most occasions. Economy is not as good as BMW would have you believe, but it improves on a long run.
I looked at a lot of cars including several M3s before fining the right one, most of the M3s were leggy and a bit dog-eared which was a disappointment, I dont regret not buying one.
It does eat rear tyres rather quickly though.
Dave
It has had a remap by DMS, ally charge pipe, LSD , full birds suspension upgrade and I have ditched the run flats all this has improved the car no end. It is no M3, but it handles well enough and is fast enough for most occasions. Economy is not as good as BMW would have you believe, but it improves on a long run.
I looked at a lot of cars including several M3s before fining the right one, most of the M3s were leggy and a bit dog-eared which was a disappointment, I dont regret not buying one.
It does eat rear tyres rather quickly though.
Dave
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