Replace 200sx with E92

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Discussion

lawdevice

Original Poster:

127 posts

185 months

Saturday 24th March 2012
quotequote all
So my dad's finally decided its time to replace the S14 200sx that he's owned for over 12 years.

He really likes the look of the E90 coupe and is off to look at a few 325 and 330's today. Which is the better engine? He's got around 20k to spend will he be able to stretch to a 335? And is it worth it?

All the ones he's seen are autos. Should I really push him to a manual?

...and if anyone's got any other options let me know. He's after a comfortable gt-esque car.

XitUp

7,690 posts

205 months

Saturday 24th March 2012
quotequote all
Personally I'd go 330 after the sx, try NA for a change.

Shaw Tarse

31,544 posts

204 months

Saturday 24th March 2012
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You decided to add a title this time? wink

lawdevice

Original Poster:

127 posts

185 months

Saturday 24th March 2012
quotequote all
Shaw Tarse said:
You decided to add a title this time? wink
Just trying to get my post count up wink

I'm not used to this posting lark. I'm normally just a lurker.

Cemesis

771 posts

163 months

Saturday 24th March 2012
quotequote all
Automatic without doubt. I think it was around 2007 that they moved to the new auto gearboxes which are faster and a much better drive. The 335i is brilliant but I hear warranty might be beneficial. At that price though, BMW used is probably an option.

Make he gets the Nav too.

RobCrezz

7,892 posts

209 months

Saturday 24th March 2012
quotequote all
Look for SE spec cars not m sport if comfort is important.

lawdevice

Original Poster:

127 posts

185 months

Saturday 24th March 2012
quotequote all
XitUp said:
Personally I'd go 330 after the sx, try NA for a change.
Thanks. Are the 325 and 335 turbo charged then?

Interesting to hear auto is the best option.

XitUp

7,690 posts

205 months

Saturday 24th March 2012
quotequote all
335 is. 325 isn't, but has less power than the 330.

mackie1

8,153 posts

234 months

Saturday 24th March 2012
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The 325i isn't turbo charged, it's just a "detuned" 3.0l.

sday12

5,053 posts

212 months

Saturday 24th March 2012
quotequote all
lawdevice said:
XitUp said:
Personally I'd go 330 after the sx, try NA for a change.
Interesting to hear auto is the best option.
Only if you've given up enjoying driving.

Seriously, the auto box is suited to these cars. 335 is auto only IIRC.??ETA Wrong I think.?

However the manual is a tight 6 speed and the only way to go if you want to enjoy the chassis and handling.

Ride IS hard, but aparently can be sorted with the (careful) replacement of dreaded runflats.


330 6 speed manual M Sport Highline IMHO.

Just my two pennies.


Edited by sday12 on Saturday 24th March 09:01

cslwannabe

1,423 posts

170 months

Saturday 24th March 2012
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335d is auto only, 335i available as a manual although not that many around.

ArsE92

21,020 posts

188 months

Saturday 24th March 2012
quotequote all
sday12 said:
lawdevice said:
XitUp said:
Personally I'd go 330 after the sx, try NA for a change.
Interesting to hear auto is the best option.
Only if you've given up enjoying driving.

Seriously, the auto box is suited to these cars. 335 is auto only IIRC.

However the manual is a tight 6 speed and the only way to go if you want to enjoy the chassis and handling.

Ride IS hard, but aparently can be sorted with the (careful) replacement of dreaded runflats.


330 6 speed manual M Sport Highline IMHO.

Just my two pennies.
I have a 335i SE Auto and I haven't given up driving. Flappy paddles for when you want to have a play, normal D for pottering around or motorway. Perfect.

All 335's have the M sport suspension and seats, yet SE's are considerably cheaper.

rallycross

12,836 posts

238 months

Saturday 24th March 2012
quotequote all
The 335 petrol is a superb machine, try one!

3.0 twin turbo 305 bhp, terrific value at the moment, he would be crazy to go from a 200sx to a 330 when he could have taken a 335 instead within similar budget. Make sure he gets a drive in one, back to back with a 330 the 335 is on a different level of performance but still gives good economy.

Having had lots of turbo cars over the years (including 200sx) the 335 twin turbo is a very nice development of how a turbo can work well ie no lag, very good economy when driven on the motorway (mid 30's from a 300 bhp petrol), makes a lovely 6 cylinder growl when driven hard, very refined. My one averages just under 28 but that includes lots of quick driving, normal driving sees much better average mpg.

Manual or auto depends what he wants really, the 335 auto (steptronic) is pretty good, very quick shifts with paddles, if he gets an auto make sure its the got paddles on the steering wheel (an option on SE but comes with all Sport). They seem to drive fine when in 'Drive, loads of torque to push you along without bothering about what gear its in.

Having driven a few of driven both I went for the manual (6 speed) but nothing wrong with the aut.

Spec wise nav/idrive makes a big difference on price, avoid the bigger wheels, I've had one with 17" and one with 19" and the big wheels ruin the ride and tyres cost a fortune v's 17".

ArsE92

21,020 posts

188 months

Saturday 24th March 2012
quotequote all
OP, get your old man to take a few out on test drives. I've never felt the ride was too hard on test drives, and the 19s look so much better.


s m

23,278 posts

204 months

Saturday 24th March 2012
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Seeing as he's used to turbo cars, I'd go for a manual 335i. Lovely engine and an effortless cruiser as well

XitUp

7,690 posts

205 months

Saturday 24th March 2012
quotequote all
rallycross said:
T the 335 twin turbo is a very nice development of how a turbo can work well ie no lag.
Not true.

All turbos have lag, unless you have some sort of anti lag fitted.

Having said that, don't these cars have a bit of throttle lag? Is it artificial and can it be mapped out?

s m

23,278 posts

204 months

Saturday 24th March 2012
quotequote all
XitUp said:
rallycross said:
T the 335 twin turbo is a very nice development of how a turbo can work well ie no lag.
Not true.

All turbos have lag, unless you have some sort of anti lag fitted.

Having said that, don't these cars have a bit of throttle lag? Is it artificial and can it be mapped out?
Some people used to complain about the throttle lag on the n/a cars like 330s

I've got a cable throttle 328 and I didn't find the 335 a problem at all - very responsive

XitUp

7,690 posts

205 months

Saturday 24th March 2012
quotequote all
So some of them are cable and some are electronic? Is there a way of knowing which have which?

rallycross

12,836 posts

238 months

Saturday 24th March 2012
quotequote all
XitUp said:
So some of them are cable and some are electronic? Is there a way of knowing which have which?
all bmw's have non cable throttle's and have done for the past <10(?) years, and you wont even be aware of it unless you try and find the throttle cable under the engine cover.

XitUp

7,690 posts

205 months

Saturday 24th March 2012
quotequote all
Cheers.

So is it possible to remap it to get rid of the throttle lag?