[dominican]

Hi everyone,

I've been lurking in this site for a long time, looking at 330is, 328is, M3s etc... After a couple of years of searching, and weighing options, I think I've landed on the 335d as my next car.

I've had an 89 325is, an 85 M535i, and a 2000 540i6 msport, and I currently own my 97 Honda Prelude track rat, but I've had to start commuting, and my motorcycle (NC700X) isn't that much fun to ride into NYC.

After reading a lot about this car, I want to make sure I'm as educated and well versed on the ins and out of this car. I want to list out a few issues that I don't want happening, and would like some help in making sure I know how to prevent and possibly fix:

-- Carbon Buildup - This is the scariest part of this vehicle. When I like a car, I want to keep it for a very long time, and I don't want to have to spend 2-3k every couple of years just on maintenance. I've read that CBU is most likely caused by the EGR and other emission systems. I read there there are two different tuners able to take away all of the emissions nonsense without throwing a CEL. My question is, what is the best way I can get rid of the CBU issues, while adding a little bit of power to the car?

-- Electrical problems - I've read that there are issues with the screen on some people's cars. Are there any other electrical issues?

-- Turbos - I've always been skeptical of turbos, how reliable is this one? From what I've read, no one's had issues with this, but if anyone has, I'd love to hear it.

--Finding one in blue, red, white or light silver with the paddle shifters and heated seats is proving to be impossible....

Thanks for your responses everyone, look forward to the discussion.

[Pierre Louis]

Welcome dominican!

I certainly understand how people feel about their CBU. I can give you my view which doesn't represent anyone else's exactly.

The car is wonderful. The build quality is high, especially since in comes in as one of the last e90 cars, just with a more interesting engine.

If you want a great car, get an e90. The options are to get the normally aspirated I6 in the 328i while the 335i and 335d each seem to have their own problems (you are correct, the turbo's are usually good for a while). Partly, I would wager, because they are made to be high performance. This comes with a price in extra maintenance down the road. Its not unusual to need $2000 a year in maintenance and repair on such cars, but of course its also better to be lucky. I don't see an M3 being much of a good commuter around NYC, but the 335d is a killer commuter car. Buying a 335d at the current market rate saves a lot of money that would otherwise be going toward depreciation. We occasionally have a poster that has a problem with the screen but its rare. You can find cars without nav if you like. It doesn't work as well as it should and the maps are a bit behind on road changes, but you can try to update from an online vendor and it costs $50.

A new F30 is far more expensive than a used 335d. Most on this board would recommend buying from a dealer and getting a CPO (certified pre-owned) car which will give you a warranty to 100,000 miles. But my experience with CPO cars is that the dealer makes a really tidy profit on such cars so you are paying for the CPO part often dearly.

CBU can be fixed, whether by doing a pre-emptive cleaning (getting more affordable as we speak) or waiting for something to happen. I for one am without a warranty now and use only "top tier" brands like Shell and Chevron for their potentially better additives, filtering etc. Cetane is not so easy to find out about and BMW recommends 51 cetane for the 335d. Most stations may average around 45. Giving the throttle a healthy punch to cause a sharp downshift and strong acceleration seems to clean out the soot a bit in cars that don't have a DPF (diesel particulate filter) so it may help prevent CBU problems I don't know.

Finally, living the the NYC area you may need to find the right shop to maintain your car, whether dealer or private. There are some really good places to get your car serviced and some not so good from my experience living there and owning a BMW in the past. The availability of good diesel is also questionable as it is in other areas of the country. The Northeast seems to have a grudge against diesel by the way prices and refining have gone.

Some would recommend the 4wd 328d for the Northeast. It probably has less potential for problems but its still BMW and they aren't always that reliable. Most looking for a 335d would prefer a late 2011 model year build - they went through several iterations of the DDE (digital diesel electronics - I hate acronyms!). Most of the fuel injector codes that keep coming back even after replacing them seem to point to a bad DDE.

So pick your poison and enjoy the baddest commuter car there is: a 335d. Check it out thoroughly and get the latest version you can find.

PL

[Pierre Louis]

The sport mode and manual mode on the 6 speed automatic are pretty good - I wouldn't lose sleep on not having paddle shifters. I can't believe you wouldn't find one with heated seats. If you must go where the potholes are a problem, the sport suspension may not be the choice for you or you can get Koni FSD's ($1000 plus installation) for the heavy road irregularities.

PL

[Yozh]

If I would be looking to buy one, I would find a late 2011 with full options and sport/M-package. Just out of warranty, non-CPO, having had carbon cleaned not so long ago. Then, depending on the emission laws on your state, at the very least I would block the EGR, and have a tune done that allows you to keep your emission bits in place. If no record of carbon cleaning, just pay to have it done (they are coming down in price by specialized indys) or fit a meth kit and clean as you drive. If emission laws are relaxed, then you can play with doing a full DPF/SCR'ectomy and a full tune to enjoy the beast and it's fuel efficiency. Don't forget to buy a car with almost bold tires so you can throw them off and buy some decent non-RFT rubber for summer and winter.

You will most likely have to expand your search to a few states around yours to find a decent one.

PS: have never heard of lcd screen failures, but they are cheap to buy online anyway.

[dominican]

Thanks for the quick reply guys, let me clarify a few more things so you get a better picture of what I will use the car for.

I will never again drive a car in NYC, I either ride my motorcycle, or if it is cold enough to be frozen out, take a bus or just stay in my nice suburban area. The purpose of this car will be short stints to the park and ride and longer road trips to and from beautiful spaces in america. This is why I want to get the M sport package, that and the paddle shifters.

Now, the paddle shifters. I won't go into it, but I am a big fan of manual transmissions. The only car that would convince me to buy an automatic is this diesel car, and that has to do with the crazy amount of torque it has. With that said, if I am making the manual transmission concession, I want to be able to go all sport mode once in a while and do a terrible impression of the stig. I know if I don't get the paddle shifters, and the sport steering wheel, and the sport suspension, I will regret it. Is it easy to sqap in the paddle shifters and steering wheel? (I doubt it)

As for finding a car, since I always keep cars for as long as possible, it needs to be the right color. Dark gray and black just aren't my colors, no offense to those that like it, just not me. I love the other colors, though.


Emissions - I'm in NY, so we have to get inspections done. However, my family owns a mechanic shop. As long as I don't have a CEL, I can pass it. I do intend to remove all the emissions junk on the car as soon as possible, and tune it up a bit to get a little more oomph. I don't care about going crazy with the boost, but a nice, reliable bump in power will do just fine.

I may have to fly out to a BWM dealer to get me a nice example...

[Yozh]

Get a white one then, they are great looking cars. (I have a dark gray and it does not motivate me to wash it often).

Of you get a sport or M-sport you will get a sport steering wheel. Paddles were a $100 (I think I am right) factory option. You can swap them in no problem, just search on the site. Just will cost more then if it would originally be ordered. You need a new steering wheel with paddle cut-outs (what a shame, I have not come across anyone modifying existing), paddles and a harness. These guys have the harness:
http://www.burgertuning.com/paddleshift.html
Here is a DYI: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=944689

If you do not need to worry about emissions, go for the DPF'ectomy, block your EGR, get a tune. I am sure if you have been lurking around, you have seen a few threads dedicated to tuning. You will love this car tuned, it puts a smile on my face everyday.

Cheers

[dominican]

Originally Posted by Yozh

Get a white one then, they are great looking cars. (I have a dark gray and it does not motivate me to wash it often).

Of you get a sport or M-sport you will get a sport steering wheel. Paddles were a $100 (I think I am right) factory option. You can swap them in no problem, just search on the site. Just will cost more then if it would originally be ordered. You need a new steering wheel with paddle cut-outs (what a shame, I have not come across anyone modifying existing), paddles and a harness. These guys have the harness:
http://www.burgertuning.com/paddleshift.html
Here is a DYI: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=944689

If you do not need to worry about emissions, go for the DPF'ectomy, block your EGR, get a tune. I am sure if you have been lurking around, you have seen a few threads dedicated to tuning. You will love this car tuned, it puts a smile on my face everyday.

Cheers

Holy Frijoles, I would never do all that work on a car this new. Thanks for digging up the post though!

I fully intend on getting a tune and taking off the emissions crap, who/what do I get for this?

[GottaBeKD]

Originally Posted by dominican

Holy Frijoles, I would never do all that work on a car this new. Thanks for digging up the post though!

I fully intend on getting a tune and taking off the emissions crap, who/what do I get for this?

Find the JR automotive thread in this forum and happy reading.

[Got_Diesel]

Wanna buy mine? 2010 Blue Water Metallic, fully loaded, sports, premium, nav.
61k miles, warranty for 7 year 100k miles. still has almost 3 years of warranty left for 40k miles.

It's a great car though.

[dominican]

Originally Posted by Got_Diesel

Wanna buy mine? 2010 Blue Water Metallic, fully loaded, sports, premium, nav.
61k miles, warranty for 7 year 100k miles. still has almost 3 years of warranty left for 40k miles.

It's a great car though.

Hey thanks! It's a rare color, but light blue hasn't really been a color for me.

Good luck with your sale though!

[GreekboyD]

Originally Posted by dominican

Hey thanks! It's a rare color, but light blue hasn't really been a color for me.

Good luck with your sale though!

Based on your replies, I'd say the 335d isn't the car for you.
.

[dominican]

Originally Posted by GreekboyD

Based on your replies, I'd say the 335d isn't the car for you.
.

Why would that be?

[GreekboyD]

Originally Posted by dominican

Why would that be?

Yozh is offering up some solid advice yet you find it too pricey.

Perhaps a 328i is more what you're looking for?

You don't seem too versed where diesels are concerned and you'd probably be getting in over your head.

[GottaBeKD]

Originally Posted by GreekboyD

Yozh is offering up some solid advice yet you find it too pricey.

Perhaps a 328i is more what you're looking for?

Don't forget the D is not as popular as the 328 so you can't be as picky.

It's a sweet car mind you. I'll be swapping out the suspension anyway. Only thing I wish I had are the seats.

[dzlmoose]

Originally Posted by GottaBeKD

Don't forget the D is not as popular as the 328 so you can't be as picky.

It's a sweet car mind you. I'll be swapping out the suspension anyway. Only thing I wish I had are the seats.

How about the m badges I saw you eyeing mine?

[dzlmoose]

Originally Posted by dominican

Why would that be?

You can't be that picky the paddles shifters are an easy mod.

Trust me I researched it but I was lucky and found one with them.

Oh btw Greekboy had rough weekend tranny issues.

[GottaBeKD]

Originally Posted by dzlmoose

How about the m badges I saw you eyeing mine?

Red scoops before the badge for me. At least they weigh less

[dominican]

I'm willing to fly to pick up the right car, it needs to be the right color with the right options. I'm very picky about what car I drive, I'm sure you guys understand.

I'll be looking out for the right one, I'm not really in a rush. Cost isn't much of an issue either, I'll be taking off all the emissions crap with a tune, and a nice exhaust anyway.

[dzlmoose]

Originally Posted by dominican

I'm willing to fly to pick up the right car, it needs to be the right color with the right options. I'm very picky about what car I drive, I'm sure you guys understand.

I'll be looking out for the right one, I'm not really in a rush. Cost isn't much of an issue either, I'll be taking off all the emissions crap with a tune, and a nice exhaust anyway.

Baller

[GreekboyD]

Originally Posted by dominican

I'm willing to fly to pick up the right car, it needs to be the right color with the right options. I'm very picky about what car I drive, I'm sure you guys understand.

I'll be looking out for the right one, I'm not really in a rush. Cost isn't much of an issue either, I'll be taking off all the emissions crap with a tune, and a nice exhaust anyway.

Love to hear that man.

[Puerto Rican 335d]

Left you a pm dominicano

[dominican]

Originally Posted by Puerto Rican 335d

Left you a pm dominicano

Thanks man, been a bit busier with work these last two days, I'll give you be talking to you soon.