[SCZ4]

Hi guys,

Revisiting the idea of purchasing a E91 335i. Couple of questions:

- Who does aftermarket touring exhaust systems, can't find any online, not Milltek etc. Does the BMW performance one even fit the touring? From video clips I've seen online it sounds a bit boy racer like at idle from cold, but much nicer once it settles down after 20 seconds or so.

- How come all the used BMW car on the AUC list says N52, I thought they were N54 engines?

- Did space grey replace sparking graphite during the LCI and facelift, or are some sparkling graphite cars LCI.. I'm not sure if LCI was at the same time as the facelift.....

- Any "essential" aftermarket upgrades anyone recommends? Car will be used on the track 3 or 4 times a year.

- I will run 17" winter rims, but not sure what the recommended tyres size is.

- Lastly, is the LCI worth saving up for or will a 2006 do the job, just lose a few mpg?

Thanks in advance

Graeme

[m1bjr]

Watch the VED on early cars, they are just over into the highest tax bracket.

Best upgrade for track would be as normal. Tuition.

[CHG]

Originally Posted by SCZ4

Hi guys,

Revisiting the idea of purchasing a E91 335i. Couple of questions:

- Who does aftermarket touring exhaust systems, can't find any online, not Milltek etc. Does the BMW performance one even fit the touring? From video clips I've seen online it sounds a bit boy racer like at idle from cold, but much nicer once it settles down after 20 seconds or so.

- How come all the used BMW car on the AUC list says N52, I thought they were N54 engines?

- Did space grey replace sparking graphite during the LCI and facelift, or are some sparkling graphite cars LCI.. I'm not sure if LCI was at the same time as the facelift.....

- Any "essential" aftermarket upgrades anyone recommends? Car will be used on the track 3 or 4 times a year.

- Lastly, is the LCI worth saving up for or will a 2006 do the job, just lose a few mpg?

Thanks in advance

Graeme

As far as the exhaust, if you PM Anneka @ Sytner, she'll be able to clarify for you.

The colours i'm not sure on...

The LCI is better, but it depends what you want from the car... The iDrive system on the lci is MUCH better, and I think they've changed the suspension set-up on the M-Sport as mine seems to ride better than the old M-Sports, although that may just be me...But driving pleasure will still be the same whatever you get, as long as it's been looked after

Also, an LCI will also be in warranty atm, so might be worth it. I'm not really very clued up on the differences, so maybe someone might be able to answer you better

[SCZ4]

Originally Posted by m1bjr

Watch the VED on early cars, they are just over into the highest tax bracket.

Best upgrade for track would be as normal. Tuition.

Ah, thanks for that, did that change when the LCI was released?

I've done plenty of track days in the UK & Nurbrugring, but that's in my track prepared M3. Trying to identify the weak point of the 335i, I suspect it'll be the brakes like most heavy cars.

[SCZ4]

Originally Posted by colourhutgroup

As far as the exhaust, if you PM Anneka @ Sytner, she'll be able to clarify for you.

The colours i'm not sure on...

The LCI is better, but it depends what you want from the car... The iDrive system on the lci is MUCH better, and I think they've changed the suspension set-up on the M-Sport as mine seems to ride better than the old M-Sports, although that may just be me...But driving pleasure will still be the same whatever you get, as long as it's been looked after

Also, an LCI will also be in warranty atm, so might be worth it. I'm not really very clued up on the differences, so maybe someone might be able to answer you better

Thanks for the info. When was the LCI model released in the UK?

[F31-340i]

Originally Posted by m1bjr

Watch the VED on early cars, they are just over into the highest tax bracket.

Best upgrade for track would be as normal. Tuition.

+ 1 on the VED - be careful. From memory I think its only the 56 and 07 and perhaps one or two 57 plate cars that were built before Sep 07 that have the >225g CO2 (& hence avoid, or get very cheap!). LCI came later from Sept 08 production on - all with 58 plates, in other words the better <225g co2 is available before LCI.

LCI worth having for looks and media idrive - if you're not that bothered about these you could save a packet and get an earlier model.

You might want to google about 335i engine injectors/coil issues though - not sure what models it applies to, or whether the "fix" is indeed a proper fix, but out of warranty it could cost big bucks from what I gather.

Winter tyres - I've used 205/50R17 winter tyres on 17" 7J rims with no problems. Narrower=better in snow, as no doubt you know.

EDIT For track use, you may do well to consider a 330i (no turbos) with the upgraded 265ps engine (from 57 I think) - if you can find one!
No options, but manual..... http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_d...VS32020AE93141
Loaded LCI, but more £££...... http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/auc/car_d...UV52050A546118

[zltm089]

In terms of exhaust, theres some good ones out there....

Akrapovic...(not sur eabout the spelling) ....hartge, ac schitnzer, eisenman,

and a very nice one....the active autowerke...

[zltm089]

oppss...my bad....just saw that u got a touring....so not sure about fitment!!!

[CHG]

Originally Posted by SCZ4

Thanks for the info. When was the LCI model released in the UK?

I THINK the lci model was the 2009 model...Looks much nicer and meaner too!

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by SCZ4

Hi guys,

Revisiting the idea of purchasing a E91 335i. Couple of questions:

- Who does aftermarket touring exhaust systems, can't find any online, not Milltek etc. Does the BMW performance one even fit the touring? From video clips I've seen online it sounds a bit boy racer like at idle from cold, but much nicer once it settles down after 20 seconds or so.

- How come all the used BMW car on the AUC list says N52, I thought they were N54 engines?

- Did space grey replace sparking graphite during the LCI and facelift, or are some sparkling graphite cars LCI. I'm not sure if LCI was at the same time as the facelift.....

- Any "essential" aftermarket upgrades anyone recommends? Car will be used on the track 3 or 4 times a year.

- I will run 17" winter rims, but not sure what the recommended tyres size is.

- Lastly, is the LCI worth saving up for or will a 2006 do the job, just lose a few mpg?

Thanks in advance

Graeme

Hi mate, you won't regret it!

Re exhausts etc, the E91 is IDENTICAL to the E90. Anything listed for the E90 underside will fit the E91 just perfect. Check www.realoem.com if you don't believe me.

The 335i is the N54 on all models. (except the latest N55 of course) so AUC is talking shite.

Not sure about the timing of SpGraph and Spgrey, but they swapped around the LCI release time for sure.

For track use, I have Quaife LSD and anti roll bars plus M3 bushings and front arms. Decent pads / fluid and braided lines are essential too. But decent pads are hard to get in 335i fitment as its very low volume. I've been waiting 2 months for rear Ferodo Ds2500 to arrive then i'm having the lot fitted.

I run Vredestein Wintrac extreme winters on 18" MV3 reps at ET34 (£300 new for 4 online). 18x8J rims all round at 225/40/18 91Y which is the front M sport standard size and dead easy to get hold of. Also keeping standard design wheels means no insurance increase. (even going DOWN in size most insurers will charge you for modifications)

17"s are too small for me for 5 months a year...

LCI or not? It's down to looks and the new idrive (if you want that) I reckon pre-lci has a better suspension setup than LCI - and the car gained about 30 kilos at LCI stage too. MPG is all bullshit, it hasn't really got better in the real world, BMW just got better at fiddling the test criteria as they all do every few months.

Good luck.

[SCZ4]

Done a lot of reading on 335's in the last few days. Are they really as unreliable as it would appear?

Are the problems related to early models i.e pre 2007, or do the LCI cars have the same issues? In other words, but year did the car get more reliable?

[jke11y]

I bought a 335i last year and have done 10k in it so far with zero issue. I too read loads before buying mine, but didnt get the impression they were unreliable? Its under BMW warranty anyway. Well worth the £26/month for the backup if needed.

I have seen your m3 at KH before (I am from Glasgow, down here temporarily)

[SCZ4]

Thanks for that. Probably the same scare stories with the E36 vanos etc etc.

£26 a month, is that all the extended warranty is, or is that a warranty direct policy.

Yeah the M3 is a regular at Knockhill these days. Been stripped, caged etc since these pictures. Give me a shout for a passenger lap next time you see me, unless you have a 600bhp track car yourself and then it'll just bore you Next evening is Sat 19th of June, 6pm.

[jke11y]

The warranty is the BMW extended one, fully comp from memory. I cant remember the ins and outs of it but its been discussed on here a lot.

I have been going up to KH for a few years now, used to have a few different Lotuses most recently a lambo grey honda type R converted one.

Probably wont be up in the next while as in London but I`ll maybe see you up there soon.

[F31-340i]

Originally Posted by SCZ4

Are they really as unreliable as it would appear?

Its a good question - hard to tell only from internet stories. I think I recall reading about at least 3-4 335is with coil/injector issues. Is that alot? Hard to say, but go in with eyes open - keeping up the BMW warranty would probably be wise.

[NFS]

There are a couple of known issues that the 335i is prone to suffer from:

1. Coils / plugs / injectors
3. High pressure fuel pump

BMW still have issues with this, even on the LCI model.

These things are frustrating, but not complicated to fix. So long as you are in warranty it's not a massive problem.