[JDeruyt]

Hello from SoCal:

New to the forums, but not new to BMW's. I previously drove a 2007 BMW 550i and sold it when I got married & had a kid. Lately, been driving around a POS Honda Accord for my work commute. It's done its duty, but starting in January I will be in a new position which allows for car allowance.

I had been looking for quite a while around the $20k-$25k price range at cars like WRX's, G35, G37's, Mustangs, etc. but nothing peaked my interest like the WRX. When I made a proposition to my wife of picking up a WRX she thought I was crazy. Said, "It's not classy enough". Whatever. I'll keep looking.

Flash forward a bit, hanging out with a buddy at a car meet who owns a Nissan GT-R. I watch a modded 335 take down an M3. Think to myself, "Damn, I wonder what those cost.." My buddy tells me that the the 335's are V6 Twin Turbo and if modded correctly can do the fair share of damage.

Check carmax that night and see that they have 335's for 17K!
Last night, went and checked out an 08 335 Sedan with what I believe was the sport package and was incredibly surprised just how quick the car felt and that old familiar BMW sturdiness.

Now a few questions:

Between the 08/09 should I be looking at the 09's instead?
It is my understanding that the 08's have a problem with the turbos needing to be replaced due to waste gate rattle.

Anything else I need to be aware of or should be looking for when I do a thorough inspection of the car?

Side note: I will be purchasing the extended warranty for the car from Carmax. I know that people have a mixed bag of answers when it comes to the Carmax warranty but I wouldn't drive off the lot without it.

[zoppp]

The 09 still has the n54 engine, I believe the n55 was put in the 2011 model and above. The n55 is a single turbo, twin scroll design which is probably more reliable. If you get an 09 with low miles, make sure to buy an extended warranty or something, because you will only have a year left on the 82k miles/8yr Turbo warranty. The water pump is also a big ticket item. I would definitely go with the extended warranty from carmax. Doug Demuro on youtube had a range rover from carmax and their warranty has already paid out over 10k in repairs on it.

I would go with the 09 because it definitely looks better because that was the year BMW facelifted the sedans but the internals are all the same as the 08.

Side note: BMWs use straight 6/inline 6 engines, not v6s.

[JDeruyt]

Thanks for the clarification on the inline 6.

Are there any difference performance wise between the Coupe & Sedan?
I'd like to eventually track the car but its my understanding that it's purely preference.

[B.M.W.]

Coupe's weigh a bit less and have a different exhaust along with some interior differences.

I prefer the sedan and slightly cheaper insurance with a more sleeper feel, but it does come down to preference.
I remember the E90 M3 lapped better than the E92 slightly because the chassis was stiffer with 4 doors, but there could have been a lot of different variables.

[Nitrousbird]

If you want to overpay, go to Carmax. Or buy elsewhere and if you need a warranty get a Route 66 one.

As for wastegate rattle, all years of N54 (sold '07-'13) can have it. Same as injector, HPFP, coil, water pump, leaking valve cover and other common issues. These aren't reliable cars and partly why the depreciated so badly.

I wouldn't look at anything that didn't have Sport, Premium, heated seats and 6MT.

IMO these cars aren't all that fast stock. JB4 really wakes it up though.

[damonp335i]

I am very happy with my 08 335i. They arent reliable cars, but they are awesome so its worth it IMHO. I have an e92 with nav, but had I done a little bit more research I would have probably gone with an 09 because of the new updated CCC Nav system. My car had full M-sport body and some carbon fiber goodies, as well as the peanut butter interior (saddle dakota) and 6MT though, so I probably would have still bought it because I love the color combo, but stock for stock 09-10 all the way.

[sirdaft1]

An '09-'11 Sedan will get you the revised LCI headlights/taillights, hood, front bumper and trunk. And assuming you test drove a bone stock 335? Find someone local on these forums with a full bolt-on (FBO) 335 to take you for a spin. It is intoxicating. You probably won't need much more convincing after that

[bmwmsport]

335i's are great man. Chose mine over 5.0 mustangs and SS camaros. So much quicker and easier to make power out of.

Not the most reliable as others have said, but mine in stock form is pretty quick.

One note I'd add is the lower mileage the better. If i could do it over again, I'd have to get something lower mileage and 6MT even if it was a few years older.

Good luck and keep us posted!