Help - Man Maths Failure for BMW 135/335
Discussion
I need some help with my man maths. I would really like a BMW E93 (3-series convertible) with an Auto gearbox, DCT would be ideal. Choice is between 330i and 335i.
I've seen a 335i (Auto not DCT) which I like. However the running costs are alarming compared to my existing E46 330Ci.
Figures for the E93 330 are slightly better in terms of tax but the warranty is still advisable due to issues with injectors, coil packs, HPFP, valve carbonisation, etc.
Do I pay up, risk going without a warranty or choose a different car?
I've seen a 335i (Auto not DCT) which I like. However the running costs are alarming compared to my existing E46 330Ci.
- Fuel costs are of negligable difference for my usage compared to the E46.
- From what I've read, a BMW warranty on the N54 engine is HIGHLY advisable. On a car with > 60k miles (within budget), that's likely to cost £80pcm. Current E46 has no warranty so £0pcm.
- In addition, all E93 335is with an Auto box (pre DCT) fall into tax band K which is £470pa. Current E46 costs £270pa.
Figures for the E93 330 are slightly better in terms of tax but the warranty is still advisable due to issues with injectors, coil packs, HPFP, valve carbonisation, etc.
Do I pay up, risk going without a warranty or choose a different car?
I was lucky in the sense that I got my 335i from AUC and had the HPFP and injectors done under the warranty in the first year.
Would it not be worth looking at a car that has both of these areas covered recently and then running it without a warranty, its not like your current E46 330i would could £0 in repairs - cracking boot floors, sensors, electrics etc.
Would it not be worth looking at a car that has both of these areas covered recently and then running it without a warranty, its not like your current E46 330i would could £0 in repairs - cracking boot floors, sensors, electrics etc.
kiethton said:
I was lucky in the sense that I got my 335i from AUC and had the HPFP and injectors done under the warranty in the first year.
Would it not be worth looking at a car that has both of these areas covered recently and then running it without a warranty, its not like your current E46 330i would could £0 in repairs - cracking boot floors, sensors, electrics etc.
It has had both turbos replaced recently. HPFP is around £500 to change I think so less than the cost of the warranty. I don't mind replacing things once but N54 parts seem to need replacing on a regular basis.Would it not be worth looking at a car that has both of these areas covered recently and then running it without a warranty, its not like your current E46 330i would could £0 in repairs - cracking boot floors, sensors, electrics etc.
Aargh, I don't know!
For warranty, it might be worth considering Warranty Direct's Extra Care Lite.
http://www.warrantydirect.co.uk/bri.html
I've posted about it before. It's not something they advertise openly (IMO) as it's far cheaper than their main warranty product. But it has the same level of cover - providing that your car is recovered to a garage first by a recognised recovery company like AA or RAC. This doesn't necessarily mean that you need to have 'broken down' though.
It's about £150 a year, and if you call them they can give you a price for 3 years cover, which is a bit cheaper.
They were trying to flog me a full warranty on the 550i for about £750 a year but after the 3rd of 4th negative response from me they told me about the Lite cover. I then thought about it for a few more weeks before finally deciding the Lite cover was worth a go as it should protect me from any big disasters and the cost is pretty negligible.
http://www.warrantydirect.co.uk/bri.html
I've posted about it before. It's not something they advertise openly (IMO) as it's far cheaper than their main warranty product. But it has the same level of cover - providing that your car is recovered to a garage first by a recognised recovery company like AA or RAC. This doesn't necessarily mean that you need to have 'broken down' though.
It's about £150 a year, and if you call them they can give you a price for 3 years cover, which is a bit cheaper.
They were trying to flog me a full warranty on the 550i for about £750 a year but after the 3rd of 4th negative response from me they told me about the Lite cover. I then thought about it for a few more weeks before finally deciding the Lite cover was worth a go as it should protect me from any big disasters and the cost is pretty negligible.
The 335i is not an unreliable car, it just has some issues which you need to be aware of when buying. A 60k car with new turbos will have seen most of the issues that it is likely to see, for quite a while.
See this thread:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
for my summary of the key issues on the 335i. I've never had a warranty on mine and the only two bills in 20k miles (beyond consumables and servicing) have been for the water pump (£1k) and a sensor failing (£250).
See this thread:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
for my summary of the key issues on the 335i. I've never had a warranty on mine and the only two bills in 20k miles (beyond consumables and servicing) have been for the water pump (£1k) and a sensor failing (£250).
Wife went from e46 330i conv to 07 plate e93 335i conv auto . Fuel cons very similar, yes tax is 250/yr more (5 quid a week) and AUC is very similar (40/mth on DD with 0 xs, no emerg). If you buy from BMW as an AUC you get 1st year auc thrown in and year 2 can be negotiated.
Performance-wise it's much quicker.
Performance-wise it's much quicker.
E46 issues can be solved with a modicum of spannering skills. Change radiator? No probs. PS pump? No probs.
Changing turbos, fuel pumps and injectors on the E93 is another matter.
Dealership has none and is only buying 320s in due to "demand". Therefore no AUC available.
I test drove one today and drove up in my 330i manual and it didn't seem much slower than the 335i Auto. Maybe I'm not ready for an auto gearbox yet.
Changing turbos, fuel pumps and injectors on the E93 is another matter.
Dealership has none and is only buying 320s in due to "demand". Therefore no AUC available.
I test drove one today and drove up in my 330i manual and it didn't seem much slower than the 335i Auto. Maybe I'm not ready for an auto gearbox yet.
ecs0set said:
I test drove one today and drove up in my 330i manual and it didn't seem much slower than the 335i Auto. Maybe I'm not ready for an auto gearbox yet.
Maybe hold fire on changing until you can afford the later N55 engined 335i with the DCT box, which has a more reliable single twin-scroll turbo and is a more efficient (fuel and tax bracket) car than the older N54 and Steptronic auto. DCT is a massively better 'box than the Step.Debaser said:
Man maths?
Wait until the M4 convertible is available and lease one of those. You won't have to pay for a warranty so really you'd be mad not to get one.
He he, that's my kind of man maths!Wait until the M4 convertible is available and lease one of those. You won't have to pay for a warranty so really you'd be mad not to get one.
Hmm, hassle of breaking down at the side of the road... On an unrelated note, I'm still keeping my TVR!
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff