2007 BMW 335i - am I mad....??
Discussion
I'm hankering after a manual 2007 E92 335i SE Coupe for sale on Autotrader - done 76k miles, FBMWSH 9 stamps, for sale at £7500.00. Lovely colour & leather combo.Been on there a few weeks. Called them today - apparently they sold it in July but within 1 week it came back needing new turbos @ £1.5k (done by the garage selling it), then the new owner returned it for good saying it was too expensive to run & swapped it for something else...... Last service was in 2015 as well. Salesman didn't know if it's had replacement HPFP's, coils etc and all the myriad of everything else these things are notorious for. I can examine the paperwork if I go look at it.
However, I will get a fully comprehensive 12-month BMW warranty if I go for it (about £1k) so if anything else goes bang it'll get sorted, and it's within my overall budget (just...).
But... I'm concerned about the future years 2,3 & 4 as I will be probably keeping it for a while. Will be doing about 16k a year motorway miles as I'm self-employed. I just started my business in March, got a leggy Alfa 156 JTD as a cheap n' cheerful chariot currently on 146k miles .... but now in the lucky position to get something a bit more, errrrr, up-market. I know I should buy something sensible like a 2.0D Mondeo, but hey that's why we're on Pistonheads, right...??
Question is am I just opening up a whole Pandora's box of big-money bills, breakdowns etc? And am I being a fool thinking the 12 month BMW warranty will get most of the nasties sorted in the first 12 months of my ownership, assuming they crop-up!.I really want the more reliable 3.0 E92 manual ... but they are just so rare & hardly come-up in this price-bracket / high miles. And even they''re not exactly as reliable like the E46 version was.Thought about the 3.0 diesel but again the complexity of the engine esp at higher miles just scares me.
Any advice...?? Otherwise it's gonna be an Alfa 159 TBi (and a lovely 2nd choice it is as well ).
However, I will get a fully comprehensive 12-month BMW warranty if I go for it (about £1k) so if anything else goes bang it'll get sorted, and it's within my overall budget (just...).
But... I'm concerned about the future years 2,3 & 4 as I will be probably keeping it for a while. Will be doing about 16k a year motorway miles as I'm self-employed. I just started my business in March, got a leggy Alfa 156 JTD as a cheap n' cheerful chariot currently on 146k miles .... but now in the lucky position to get something a bit more, errrrr, up-market. I know I should buy something sensible like a 2.0D Mondeo, but hey that's why we're on Pistonheads, right...??
Question is am I just opening up a whole Pandora's box of big-money bills, breakdowns etc? And am I being a fool thinking the 12 month BMW warranty will get most of the nasties sorted in the first 12 months of my ownership, assuming they crop-up!.I really want the more reliable 3.0 E92 manual ... but they are just so rare & hardly come-up in this price-bracket / high miles. And even they''re not exactly as reliable like the E46 version was.Thought about the 3.0 diesel but again the complexity of the engine esp at higher miles just scares me.
Any advice...?? Otherwise it's gonna be an Alfa 159 TBi (and a lovely 2nd choice it is as well ).
Edited by defonsecca on Tuesday 5th December 21:58
If it's never been out of warranty (that's what the ad says) then if any of the issues occurred, surely they would have been dealt with under warranty and there's a chance (a good one) of finding out from BMW (assuming seller always meant BMW Warranty) what's been done.
You're clearly prepared to run it under warranty, IF he's got it under a monthly scheme with BMW then you can pick up the payments and this avoid the first month no claim clause; alternatively if he's paid annually he can transfer to you, thus arguably a private sale becomes much safer.
I had only injectors done at 85k , car as a 2009 DCT box. So I don't know even with age whether it's a guarantee that any issues will crop up in 12 months but you surely can't live life worrying too much.
£7,500 seems pretty good for a rare manual performance car and you seem to be taking as many safeguards as you can.
I would go for it.
I'm assuming it's the grey one in which case this is a report, says 2 previous owners : so less than ad??
https://cazana.com/uk/car/MV58AXF
You're clearly prepared to run it under warranty, IF he's got it under a monthly scheme with BMW then you can pick up the payments and this avoid the first month no claim clause; alternatively if he's paid annually he can transfer to you, thus arguably a private sale becomes much safer.
I had only injectors done at 85k , car as a 2009 DCT box. So I don't know even with age whether it's a guarantee that any issues will crop up in 12 months but you surely can't live life worrying too much.
£7,500 seems pretty good for a rare manual performance car and you seem to be taking as many safeguards as you can.
I would go for it.
I'm assuming it's the grey one in which case this is a report, says 2 previous owners : so less than ad??
https://cazana.com/uk/car/MV58AXF
If your business is only 8 months I STRONGLY recommend going for something that is more of a known quantity and better MPG.
The business has to be your sole focus - how would you cope if the car breaks down , how much money will that cost you? What happens if cash flow hits a sticky patch and you need to subsidise the business and cannot take any money out that month.
Give it a year and then look at it again.
The business has to be your sole focus - how would you cope if the car breaks down , how much money will that cost you? What happens if cash flow hits a sticky patch and you need to subsidise the business and cannot take any money out that month.
Give it a year and then look at it again.
I run a 335i out of warranty, it ran out in August. It has cost me a fortune and the warranty hasn't covered any of it.
Mainly tyres, a clutch, all brake discs and pads, injectors would have been covered but the warranty hadn't kicked in yet so had to fork out myself!
Despite this, it's a great car. I love mine and am glad I went manual. It does 25mpg in winter and closer to 30 in summer.
Mainly tyres, a clutch, all brake discs and pads, injectors would have been covered but the warranty hadn't kicked in yet so had to fork out myself!
Despite this, it's a great car. I love mine and am glad I went manual. It does 25mpg in winter and closer to 30 in summer.
bought a 2007 with 73000 miles 2 1/2 year ago as a toy for track days with rattling turbos, slightly modified with bigger intercooler, LSD, M3 suspension frames/arms, cobb and no front cats, 12k miles later turbos still rattle on start up when cold which is just the linkages, just replaced the clutch, MOT and topped up air con for £480.
No good for track days as the gearbox isn't strong enough, just baulks on fast changes, otherwise 100% reliable but 16mpg....
No good for track days as the gearbox isn't strong enough, just baulks on fast changes, otherwise 100% reliable but 16mpg....
Personally I’d always go M sport spec or above as I prefer the looks and additional kit that it brings plus it’s easier to sell.
These are old cars now things go wrong with older cars. Way to help mitigate that is either buy really cheap so you have a bork fund OR buy with certain parts changed. As such those bits you have nothing to worry about.
End of the day it’s just a boosted 3ltr engine.
These are old cars now things go wrong with older cars. Way to help mitigate that is either buy really cheap so you have a bork fund OR buy with certain parts changed. As such those bits you have nothing to worry about.
End of the day it’s just a boosted 3ltr engine.
Fox- said:
Welshbeef said:
Personally I’d always go M sport spec or above as I prefer the looks and additional kit that it brings plus it’s easier to sell.
What additional kit? Other than the suspension it's purely cosmetic on a 335i coupe.The body kit
Bigger M sport wheels
M sport suspension
Dark headlining
M sports seats with the air pump bolsters.
Well thanks to you all for your advice & comments, it's really appreciated.
And (unfortunately!) I think Herbs advice is probably the best and certainly struck a chord. My business does & has to comes first, so I have to put my petrol-head brain in a cave & it needs to be a sensible choice...for now. Especially if i have a couple of cash-stricken months. Maybe when I get some spare cash / bank balance is healthier then I can indulge in something like this. I recently (and sadly) sold my much-loved immaculate Alfa GTV 3.0 V6 "weekend" car so I guess part of me just really hankers after something similar. I'll just have to be patient!
So now looking at a used E92 325d Coupe. Test-drove one today at BMW Sytner Sheffield with FBMWSH, full warranty etc. Lovely growl to the engine note which surprised me, though not at idle. I totally realise they're not without their issues either but nowhere as potentially nail-biting as a 335i at this lower-end of the price range. Plus £1000's saved on the fuel over the months / years. Help pay for the DPF, DMF, EGR etc etc!!!!!!!
One of those where the heart combined with beer says "yes" & the head say "Ffffffff.....". For once the head wins. No 335i it is!
And (unfortunately!) I think Herbs advice is probably the best and certainly struck a chord. My business does & has to comes first, so I have to put my petrol-head brain in a cave & it needs to be a sensible choice...for now. Especially if i have a couple of cash-stricken months. Maybe when I get some spare cash / bank balance is healthier then I can indulge in something like this. I recently (and sadly) sold my much-loved immaculate Alfa GTV 3.0 V6 "weekend" car so I guess part of me just really hankers after something similar. I'll just have to be patient!
So now looking at a used E92 325d Coupe. Test-drove one today at BMW Sytner Sheffield with FBMWSH, full warranty etc. Lovely growl to the engine note which surprised me, though not at idle. I totally realise they're not without their issues either but nowhere as potentially nail-biting as a 335i at this lower-end of the price range. Plus £1000's saved on the fuel over the months / years. Help pay for the DPF, DMF, EGR etc etc!!!!!!!
One of those where the heart combined with beer says "yes" & the head say "Ffffffff.....". For once the head wins. No 335i it is!
Smuler said:
If it's never been out of warranty (that's what the ad says) then if any of the issues occurred, surely they would have been dealt with under warranty and there's a chance (a good one) of finding out from BMW (assuming seller always meant BMW Warranty) what's been done.
You're clearly prepared to run it under warranty, IF he's got it under a monthly scheme with BMW then you can pick up the payments and this avoid the first month no claim clause; alternatively if he's paid annually he can transfer to you, thus arguably a private sale becomes much safer.
I had only injectors done at 85k , car as a 2009 DCT box. So I don't know even with age whether it's a guarantee that any issues will crop up in 12 months but you surely can't live life worrying too much.
£7,500 seems pretty good for a rare manual performance car and you seem to be taking as many safeguards as you can.
I would go for it.
I'm assuming it's the grey one in which case this is a report, says 2 previous owners : so less than ad??
https://cazana.com/uk/car/MV58AXF
...sorry, forgot to say special thanks to Smuler for getting the above report for me!You're clearly prepared to run it under warranty, IF he's got it under a monthly scheme with BMW then you can pick up the payments and this avoid the first month no claim clause; alternatively if he's paid annually he can transfer to you, thus arguably a private sale becomes much safer.
I had only injectors done at 85k , car as a 2009 DCT box. So I don't know even with age whether it's a guarantee that any issues will crop up in 12 months but you surely can't live life worrying too much.
£7,500 seems pretty good for a rare manual performance car and you seem to be taking as many safeguards as you can.
I would go for it.
I'm assuming it's the grey one in which case this is a report, says 2 previous owners : so less than ad??
https://cazana.com/uk/car/MV58AXF
Go for the 335d if looking for a diesel. The 35d engine is generally bulletproof, there are no real concerns with these engines, especially as the turbochargers are more reliable. You will still (kind of) get the 335i performance, but accompanied with 50+mpg and no real issues that can cost an arm and a leg.
Mike335i said:
Mainly tyres, a clutch, all brake discs and pads, injectors would have been covered but the warranty hadn't kicked in yet so had to fork out myself!
A warranty wouldn't have covered those first 3 things anyway? Also they're not items specific to a 335i either. OP as long as you have some sort of a slush fund after year 1 you'll be fine. £7500 for a 300bhp car, 2 new turbos, 1 year BMW warranty, sounds good to me.
Shaoxter said:
Mike335i said:
Mainly tyres, a clutch, all brake discs and pads, injectors would have been covered but the warranty hadn't kicked in yet so had to fork out myself!
A warranty wouldn't have covered those first 3 things anyway? Also they're not items specific to a 335i either. OP as long as you have some sort of a slush fund after year 1 you'll be fine. £7500 for a 300bhp car, 2 new turbos, 1 year BMW warranty, sounds good to me.
defonsecca said:
Well thanks to you all for your advice & comments, it's really appreciated.
And (unfortunately!) I think Herbs advice is probably the best and certainly struck a chord. My business does & has to comes first, so I have to put my petrol-head brain in a cave & it needs to be a sensible choice...for now. Especially if i have a couple of cash-stricken months. Maybe when I get some spare cash / bank balance is healthier then I can indulge in something like this. I recently (and sadly) sold my much-loved immaculate Alfa GTV 3.0 V6 "weekend" car so I guess part of me just really hankers after something similar. I'll just have to be patient!
So now looking at a used E92 325d Coupe. Test-drove one today at BMW Sytner Sheffield with FBMWSH, full warranty etc. Lovely growl to the engine note which surprised me, though not at idle. I totally realise they're not without their issues either but nowhere as potentially nail-biting as a 335i at this lower-end of the price range. Plus £1000's saved on the fuel over the months / years. Help pay for the DPF, DMF, EGR etc etc!!!!!!!
One of those where the heart combined with beer says "yes" & the head say "Ffffffff.....". For once the head wins. No 335i it is!
Low number of owners and solid MOT history to date, could you maybe negotiate a second years' warranty, play on the fact that as a manual and a 325d it's (you could argue) not a popular car (i.e. lots of buyers want auto and /or a 330) and they'll 'want' to sell it And (unfortunately!) I think Herbs advice is probably the best and certainly struck a chord. My business does & has to comes first, so I have to put my petrol-head brain in a cave & it needs to be a sensible choice...for now. Especially if i have a couple of cash-stricken months. Maybe when I get some spare cash / bank balance is healthier then I can indulge in something like this. I recently (and sadly) sold my much-loved immaculate Alfa GTV 3.0 V6 "weekend" car so I guess part of me just really hankers after something similar. I'll just have to be patient!
So now looking at a used E92 325d Coupe. Test-drove one today at BMW Sytner Sheffield with FBMWSH, full warranty etc. Lovely growl to the engine note which surprised me, though not at idle. I totally realise they're not without their issues either but nowhere as potentially nail-biting as a 335i at this lower-end of the price range. Plus £1000's saved on the fuel over the months / years. Help pay for the DPF, DMF, EGR etc etc!!!!!!!
One of those where the heart combined with beer says "yes" & the head say "Ffffffff.....". For once the head wins. No 335i it is!
I'd say it's the pick of the 325d AU cars because it's a manual and pre LCI (facelift) looks better.
It's list price is almost 50% more though, so if you didn't get the second year's warranty that's what £2.5k more, I'm taking 1k off for the warranty you'd buy with a 335i ; would you get that back in definite running costs, fuel, road tax?
https://cazana.com/uk/car/YS59OWU
As an indication, my 335i (sold 2016) ran at 23p per mile on fuel whereas my X1 20d runs on 15p per mile so 8 p difference, over 20,000 miles that's only £1600 ; thus 18 months to break even on £2,500
Edited by Smuler on Thursday 7th December 07:25
Mike335i said:
Yeah that was my point, I had the warranty but the bits I had the resolve weren't covered anyway. Whilst not specific to a 335i, they are pricy on one haha
Lots of lols but basically what you are saying is you don’t like the normal consumables cost of a 300bhp vehicle. I’ve a 535d with over 300bhp.
My tyres all round have lasted 40k Miles with 3-3.5mm left all round they are RFT Michelin Promacy H1’s. Dealer fitted them new when I bought it and showed an invoice for dealer price of those tyres £1.1k which is a few hundred more van I can buy the same from Costco.
Discs - my fronts lasted 92k Miles the tears still original and we suspect will see it to 130k Miles.
Brake pads again OeM not the cheap stuff last between 40-50k miles each.
No cambelt it’s cam chain
18-21k oil service intervals
Bi annual brake fluid changes
Touch wood nothing at all has gone wrong outside of routine servicing.
Look at my garage and you’ll see detailed coatings for each and every car I’ve run and I’ve not owned a non performance car for a long time. One things that is odd is the all up pence per mile cost is frightingly similar regardless of car. So buy older car running costs and servicing is more yet depreciation is less.
defonsecca said:
Well thanks to you all for your advice & comments, it's really appreciated.
And (unfortunately!) I think Herbs advice is probably the best and certainly struck a chord. My business does & has to comes first, so I have to put my petrol-head brain in a cave & it needs to be a sensible choice...for now. Especially if i have a couple of cash-stricken months. Maybe when I get some spare cash / bank balance is healthier then I can indulge in something like this. I recently (and sadly) sold my much-loved immaculate Alfa GTV 3.0 V6 "weekend" car so I guess part of me just really hankers after something similar. I'll just have to be patient!
So now looking at a used E92 325d Coupe. Test-drove one today at BMW Sytner Sheffield with FBMWSH, full warranty etc. Lovely growl to the engine note which surprised me, though not at idle. I totally realise they're not without their issues either but nowhere as potentially nail-biting as a 335i at this lower-end of the price range. Plus £1000's saved on the fuel over the months / years. Help pay for the DPF, DMF, EGR etc etc!!!!!!!
One of those where the heart combined with beer says "yes" & the head say "Ffffffff.....". For once the head wins. No 335i it is!
And (unfortunately!) I think Herbs advice is probably the best and certainly struck a chord. My business does & has to comes first, so I have to put my petrol-head brain in a cave & it needs to be a sensible choice...for now. Especially if i have a couple of cash-stricken months. Maybe when I get some spare cash / bank balance is healthier then I can indulge in something like this. I recently (and sadly) sold my much-loved immaculate Alfa GTV 3.0 V6 "weekend" car so I guess part of me just really hankers after something similar. I'll just have to be patient!
So now looking at a used E92 325d Coupe. Test-drove one today at BMW Sytner Sheffield with FBMWSH, full warranty etc. Lovely growl to the engine note which surprised me, though not at idle. I totally realise they're not without their issues either but nowhere as potentially nail-biting as a 335i at this lower-end of the price range. Plus £1000's saved on the fuel over the months / years. Help pay for the DPF, DMF, EGR etc etc!!!!!!!
One of those where the heart combined with beer says "yes" & the head say "Ffffffff.....". For once the head wins. No 335i it is!
Now get your head down, make a success of the business and get a new car next year
Fox- said:
Welshbeef said:
M sports seats with the air pump bolsters.
Are also standard on the SE.Edit: Mine was also specced with 19" sports wheels although I think 17" was standard on SE.
Edited by mudster on Thursday 7th December 13:09
Welshbeef said:
Mike335i said:
Yeah that was my point, I had the warranty but the bits I had the resolve weren't covered anyway. Whilst not specific to a 335i, they are pricy on one haha
Lots of lols but basically what you are saying is you don’t like the normal consumables cost of a 300bhp vehicle. Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff