[Dx11]

Oh btw op, are you gonna be using the rear seats? Because if not, the Z4 e89 is also pretty darn cool, and they're not much more expensive than an e93, just a bit harder to find.

[racerbruce]

Originally Posted by Dx11

Oh btw op, are you gonna be using the rear seats? Because if not, the Z4 e89 is also pretty darn cool, and they're not much more expensive than an e93, just a bit harder to find.

My 12.5 yr OC ownership of the beloved Red Roadster Z4MR ended a few months ago and I've moved to an amazing 335is E93 N54 3 liter twin turbo....

[Dx11]

Originally Posted by racerbruce

My 12.5 yr OC ownership of the beloved Red Roadster Z4MR ended a few months ago and I've moved to an amazing 335is E93 N54 3 liter twin turbo....

Attachment 3129170

Z4 looks so good! I had to get an e93 because I needed the backseats, if I didn't I would absolutely have gotten a grey or blue Z4:





Why did you switch? Also because of the back seats? Or because of the weird climate control and idrive the e89 has

[racerbruce]

Originally Posted by Dx11

Z4 looks so good! I had to get an e93 because I needed the backseats, if I didn't I would absolutely have gotten a grey or blue Z4:





Why did you switch? Also because of the back seats? Or because of the weird climate control and idrive the e89 has

Mine was the E85, the M E85 was produced 2006-2008; mine was on 07; upgraded the suspension to Bilstein shocks/Eibach Pro-Kit lowering springs, Rogue Engineering mufflers, OZ Ultraleggera rims, CF mirrors, trunk spoiler, Coco mats, etc, etc; she was in PRISTINE condition and sold it on BaT in late Oct; found my 335is in San Jose CA and flew down and drove her home to Seattle along PCH 101 in early Dec; just added dual cone inlet air filter and am in the final planning for an aluminum chargepipe to replace the OEM plastic pipe that inevitably fails, removing both diverter valves and installing a blow off valve, installing a plug & play JB+ software that increases turbo boost, etc, etc

[Dx11]

Originally Posted by racerbruce

Mine was the E85, the M E85 was produced 2006-2008; mine was on 07; upgraded the suspension to Bilstein shocks/Eibach Pro-Kit lowering springs, Rogue Engineering mufflers, OZ Ultraleggera rims, CF mirrors, trunk spoiler, Coco mats, etc, etc; she was in PRISTINE condition and sold it on BaT in late Oct; found my 335is in San Jose CA and flew down and drove her home to Seattle along PCH 101 in early Dec; just added dual cone inlet air filter and am in the final planning for an aluminum chargepipe to replace the OEM plastic pipe that inevitably fails, removing both diverter valves and installing a blow off valve, installing a plug & play JB+ software that increases turbo boost, etc, etc

Already felt like something was wrong with that picture of the e89 you posted, because it wasn't an e89

Anyway thanks for all the info but, why did you switch out? Especially since you invested so much?

[racerbruce]

Originally Posted by Dx11

Ok but, why did you switch out? Especially since you invested so much?

12.5 yrs of beloved ownership and time for a change.

The 335is backseat is a throwback to the "2+2" 4 seater sports car where the rear seats are divided and are a bit like a bucket seat.

The additional seating was never a factor.

The new ride has this most unreal 7 speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) where there are two shafts - one shaft for gears 1,3,5,7 and the second shaft for gears 2,4,6....when you select manual mode and select "SPORT" it shifts in literally nano-seconds and the car (from the factory) has the most wicked sound when the 3 liter twin Mitsubishi turbos are at redline that I've heard from a 3 series ever; and it's RAPID and wanted my next performance ride to be able to be driven by my wife.

[Serf27]

I had the chance to buy a white over red e89 35i a few years ago and I deeply regret it.
Same story for the z3 clown shoe.

[Dx11]

Originally Posted by racerbruce

12.5 yrs of beloved ownership and time for a change.

The 335is backseat is a throwback to the "2+2" 4 seater sports car where the rear seats are divided and are a bit like a bucket seat.

The additional seating was never a factor.

The new ride has this most unreal 7 speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) where there are two shafts - one shaft for geas 1,3,5,7 and the second shaft for gears 2,4,6....when you select manual mode and select "SPORT" it shifts in literally nano-seconds and the car (from the factory) has the most wicked sound when the 3 liter twin Mitsubishi turbos are at redline that I've heard from a 3 series ever; and it's RAPID and wanted my next performance ride to be able to be driven by my wife.

Nice!
When buying an e93 I test drove both the 6 and 7 speed but in the end chose the 6 speed because I preferred having the much better creeping function at stoplights, and there's a lot of waiting in traffic here, the 7 speed is a bit weird at takeoff and I didn't like that, but for the rest awesome car!

Oh and I also Alpina-flashed my 6 speed, it's not quite the same as a DCT now, but it's pretty darn good.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by racerbruce

Greetings StradaRedlands -
Picked up my 2013 335is E93 just a few months ago; one of the posts state there are not a lot of failures associated w/the retractable hardtop posted on this site; I took the leap and am in love with the E93; I just sold an 07 Z4MR after 12.5 yrs of OC ownership and wanted a convertible and DCT 7 speed so y wife can drive it; just spent a 1/2 day wiping down and servicing all seals; it's a great top and stating the obvious, turns a hardtop and quiet into top down and visceral at the touch of a button....

Can't complain with what I'm seeing there!

I probably don't need a back seat, but I just like the size of the larger car.

Must be patient...

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Can't complain with what I'm seeing there!

I probably don't need a back seat, but I just like the size of the larger car.

Must be patient...

Did you get the E93?

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

Did you get the E93?

No, ran away from it as fast as I could after Serf27 posted some details from it! I'll try to check out the little 128, but I think I'm really kinda' thinking 328 at this point, especially after seeing some of the above examples!!!

[Dx11]

If you do get an e93, make sure to get an LCI. The main reason for me is the angel eyes. On the LCI, the stock angel eyes are led and they're really good. On the pre-lci, they're... well... shit.

Here's my e93 at night with only DRL:

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by Dx11

If you do get an e93, make sure to get an LCI. The main reason for me is the angel eyes. On the LCI, the stock angel eyes are led and they're really good. On the pre-lci, they're... well... shit.

Here's my e93 at night with only DRL:

Noted! I'm a little more concerned with finding that third pedal... that's the had part!

[Dx11]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

Noted! I'm a little more concerned with finding that third pedal... that's the had part!

Not gonna lie I was exactly like you, I never wanted an automatic, why would I want that I'm not lazy!

Then I drove an automatic rental. And I testdrove my next car as an automatic.
It's so relaxing, and sooo good if you drive in traffic sometimes.

Anyway I test drove the e93 in DTC 7 speed and normal auto 6 speed. In the end I preferred the normal auto, because of the better traffic driving (early bmw DCT aren't great at low speed).

I then alpina-flashed my auto box to get much faster manual shifts (in S and with the paddles, normal D isn't super fast), and now if I ever feel like taking everything out of it I switch to S or M and it's so fast I'm absolutely certain I could never shift this fast in a manual.

So basically, what I'm saying is, maybe test drive an auto. They're pretty great.

If you want to see what I mean:

Also you can get even faster shifts with xhp flash but I don't need that.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

No, ran away from it as fast as I could after Serf27 posted some details from it! I'll try to check out the little 128, but I think I'm really kinda' thinking 328 at this point, especially after seeing some of the above examples!!!

I was interested in the car and called the seller yesterday but it was sold already. I missed all the info posted but just went to the first page here and read up, definitely shady especially with all the claims of all the maintenance work done. If there are receipts then great but otherwise it sounds very suspicious. Looks like a quick auction flip, not that there's anything wrong with that if done right, but I'm not a fan of dealers posing as private sellers. Rear bumper damage wouldn't even bother me if done right and priced properly. This E93 seemed to be that case but who knows.

I'm looking for a E93 manual in the same market as you. If you want a manual, don't let anyone convince you otherwise. I had a E90 325i auto that I drove for a while until I found my 330i 6MT and I'd never go back. (I shouldn't say never, if I had an opportunity for an auto convertible at a price too good to pass up I wouldn't let the AT stop me.)

I gave that car to a family member and still drive it occasionally, and the E90 is still an incredible platform even with an automatic, but it's an even better driving dynamic with the manual. It's not as fast around a track as a DCT or maybe even the regular ZF/GM six speed automatic but so much fun.

I haven't driven the DCT yet but I have TWO friends (locally) who each have a E93 335is DCT and they've both offered to let me drive them.

[StradaRedlands]

Dx11 We have a 528i with the N52 engine, so I know an auto isn't the end of the world. Just not something I'm going to go out and seek. It's actually nice for driving to LA. Prior E91 was AT as well... miss that car!

lowrydr310 So I see I have some competition in the greater LA market!!! Our E30 325iC was the BEST, and I guess I'm looking back at that nostalgically. The 128i E88 is actually pretty damn close in size to it, and has a similarly useless back seat. That car was an AT but it was fine. I had an E30 325i MT at the time, and combining the two is my goal! I'm still thinking E88 is higher on my list than an E93, but finding one with MT, heated sport seats, and maintenance records seems to be a bit too much to ask for. As they say, I have to pick any two!

Too bad that E93 was so sketch... flip side is that it was at least priced well so they weren't gouging. Probably a fine car for whoever ended up with it!

[StradaRedlands]

So I'm still on the drop-top kick, and found something I'm interested in... but high-ish mileage @ 150k, and sold by dealer not a private party, so who knows the maintenance on it.
I can figure out most issues on an E90, but that hard top scares me to death... how do I assess if it's in good condition/well maintained. Or should I not even be looking at an E93 with that high a mileage as there are too many unknowns. If I get serious a PPI is the right call of course, but I'm trying to determine some basic stuff before it gets to that point.

Thoughts/suggestions/warnings/support group recommendations?

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

So I'm still on the drop-top kick, and found something I'm interested in... but high-ish mileage @ 150k, and sold by dealer not a private party, so who knows the maintenance on it.
I can figure out most issues on an E90, but that hard top scares me to death... how do I assess if it's in good condition/well maintained. Or should I not even be looking at an E93 with that high a mileage as there are too many unknowns. If I get serious a PPI is the right call of course, but I'm trying to determine some basic stuff before it gets to that point.

Thoughts/suggestions/warnings/support group recommendations?

My suggestion is to buy it. I love my E93 auto, even though I wanted a manual. I'm not sure what to say about the roof. No issues with mine so far, but it looks like it was well lubricated. Previous owner didn't use it much either. I probably opened and closed the roof more in the last three months than he has in the last seven years. 150k miles is nothing. Maintenance history and regular use is a better indicator of reliability. Id rather a 150K mile car that was driven and maintained over a 70K car that was driven once every three months and hasn't had anything replaced.

My only gripe is that my E93 rides like trash compared to my E90 330i. Same exact struts/shocks, control arms, and tie rods on both cars. Both sport suspension. Yet my E93 feels under dampened and bouncy up front. Separate discussion though, I have other threads documenting that unresolved journey.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

My suggestion is to buy it. I love my E93 auto, even though I wanted a manual. I'm not sure what to say about the roof. No issues with mine so far, but it looks like it was well lubricated. Previous owner didn't use it much either. I probably opened and closed the roof more in the last three months than he has in the last seven years. 150k miles is nothing. Maintenance history and regular use is a better indicator of reliability. Id rather a 150K mile car that was driven and maintained over a 70K car that was driven once every three months and hasn't had anything replaced.

My only gripe is that my E93 rides like trash compared to my E90 330i. Same exact struts/shocks, control arms, and tie rods on both cars. Both sport suspension. Yet my E93 feels under dampened and bouncy up front. Separate discussion though, I have other threads documenting that unresolved journey.

Yeah, it's an auto, but has the sport wheel with paddle shifters. I presume a GM transmission. I agree with maintenance trumping mileage, but that's the problem. It's a home-dealer person and there's no maintenance history. Thinking just do it and see, but I don't need a money pit! I already have two of those already!!!!

[Serf27]

Originally Posted by StradaRedlands

So I'm still on the drop-top kick, and found something I'm interested in... but high-ish mileage @ 150k, and sold by dealer not a private party, so who knows the maintenance on it.
I can figure out most issues on an E90, but that hard top scares me to death... how do I assess if it's in good condition/well maintained. Or should I not even be looking at an E93 with that high a mileage as there are too many unknowns. If I get serious a PPI is the right call of course, but I'm trying to determine some basic stuff before it gets to that point.

Thoughts/suggestions/warnings/support group recommendations?

I don’t think high mileage has to do much with the top.
Yes, the top may have been used more because of the miles, but the top may have also never been used and always driven with the top up.

Open the top and look at the black string, check if it is frayed or not.
https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1254508

Operate the top a few times, make sure there’s no roof errors or odd noises when operated.
Drive over some bumpy roads to see if the “very slap/noise” is there.

They’re fun and slick, and if it’s the n54/5 model, even better.

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by Serf27

I don’t think high mileage has to do much with the top.
Yes, the top may have been used more because of the miles, but the top may have also never been used and always driven with the top up.

Open the top and look at the black string, check if it is frayed or not.
https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1254508

Operate the top a few times, make sure there’s no roof errors or odd noises when operated.
Drive over some bumpy roads to see if the “very slap/noise” is there.

They’re fun and slick, and if it’s the n54/5 model, even better.

N52, so would be an underpowered toy. That's not a bad thing though. Just a tool to get to work and back and enjoy driving.

I know the string thing to look for, so maybe just go check it out and see. You're right that mileage =/= wear on the top... good point! Even if a PP sale, they can easily say it was never used and always maintained every 6 months, but could by lying their asses off. No way to know... we got burnt on our 528i being lemony, but every other car has been great!

[Dx11]

Originally Posted by Serf27

I don’t think high mileage has to do much with the top.

Well... You have to clean and moisturize the rubbers in the roof about once a year, if you don't they dry out and will start creaking a lot while driving closed. And those rubbers are VERY expensive to replace. So yeah, that could be an issue. Not every e93 owner does this.

BTW OP if you get it at a dealer wouldn't that give you MORE history? Over here the dealers can go into the pc and see every service detail that happened to the car ever..