I owned a 2013 “Is” and let me say that this model of the 335 was in incredible car. DCT, sports exhaust, 313 style 19 inch rims, increased HP, with a host of other tweaks. No issues with 4 years of ownership, solid and fun car to drive.
I have had my 2011 335is convertible for four years and not one problem, except some dude rear ended me.... Fast fun and classy car and the ladies love it..
The n54 motor has forged internals vs N55. The real problem is everything attached to the motor i.e. water pump, waste gate rattle, oil filter housing gasket etc. I find that once you address the outer problems with this motor it becomes very reliable and the tuning potential is out of this world , they are making 900 plus hp from a modified turbo setup and tune with stock internals. The M3 of same year, E92 only made 300 ft. of torque at 4000 rpm in a v8. The 335is with over boost feature makes 370 ft lbs. of torque at 2000 rpm. The M3 is no doubt a better track car the suspension alone puts it in front of the 335is by miles, but as far as reliable the M3 E92 v8 suffers from bad BMW internal flaws rod bearings failing we all know BMW poorly matched the crank to the connecting rods. I own a 335is because it will be a collectors car just look at how many M3 e92s were produced and compare it to the 335is. They only produced 6000 total from 2011 to 2013 and my color combo is one of only 127 so how rare will this car be in the future, only time will tell. Love your channel nice review very insightful
Thanks a lot for the great comment and for watching my content. The 335 is is also a nicely style, albeit slightly subtly, but handsome nonetheless. I have been looking at some locally and am finding that the prices are virtually matching the E90/E92 M3's for good reason.
@@latuba2478 It is a Black Sapphire metallic with Black interior and it has every option you can get for 2013 and it is the last year of production had to have it. The DCT transmission is really fun and it works perfect, I can forgive the car for not having a clutch pedal. The shifts are firm and instant you can't depress a clutch pedal and release it in the same amount of time thus zero to sixty in four second range. I want to drive this car every day, it is fun and quick but that is not reality once a week I drive it to the store or the car wash and then back in the garage with a car cover. All those options equals a lot of modules and electronics just things to go wrong so I drive it very little keep the miles down and wax the paint. My daily driver is a BMW 535I but not a new model please do not hate on me but it is an e34 with over 200k and it runs perfect and all the windows sun roof and door locks all work. It is so solid of a car and the only issues were valve cover gasket and oil pan gasket and water pump. BMW should go back to building cars like in the eighties and nineties very reliable and built to last a life time.
@@ECPP Love your M5 it is going to be the one collectors car we all wish we should have purchased and I think a good machine shop that understands BMW internals could make that motor one of the greatest engineering feature offered to the public, A de tuned Formula 1 engine usually only comes in Italian red and around a million dollars. BMW out did themselves with this car and that sound of that engine I do not know how you have the restraint when driving, must be blast
timlad123456 thank for all the good things you see, because I was leaning a bit heavily on the manual side but now I’ll consider DCT. Only issue I have is this, is the rwd. I live in PA so snow here can get in the way at times
It depends how you treat your car. Most BMW owners that I know treats their cars like they have the fastest cars on the planet! You can own the most reliable car in the world but if you abuse it all the time it will break down on you. I purchased my 335is new back in 2011 and I still have it. All stock and I still love it! No problem and no issues.
Great video, I myself have been fascinated by the 335is myself, but not enough to get one. I went with a 2011 6spd e90 m3 and I love it. It has the sweetest engine note ever and the v8 revs so smooth, and develops max torque for over half it's rev range. I know it's not the fastest thing out there by any means but still brutally quick. It also handles like it's on rails has near perfect 50/50 weight distribution giving great turn in and feedback. A true drivers car. I would love to own a 2010 e60 m5 6spd. Love it.
I like your videos, but here are a few things that I'd like to add. 335is has a higher-capacity cooling fan (850W same as the 1M) vs the 600W fan found in the 335i. 335is has overboost mode the same feature that is found in the 1M and Z4 sDrive35is as well. Although the 335is has it's shortcomings against the M3. The M3 does not hold a candle to the 335is power-wise. I have a 2012 335is w/almost 90K miles, besides the seatbelt extender that failed under warranty, I haven't had any reliability issues since. Maybe it's because I am the original owner or because I purchased the vehicle in Germany. I never knew of N54 reliability issues until I came back stateside. My car has been pushing 20lbs+ of boost for 5 years on stock turbos and has been tuned years prior. Keep up the great videos!
Thanks for watching and thanks a lot for sharing more info on the 335is. I tried to buy one because they are great and the subtle cosmetic updates are nice too, but I just found junk around here. Definitely worth buying if you find a good one
latuba247 yes, but you need to make sure you are using 335is tunes - not just 335i. I’ve seen people use JB4 tunes with it and it actually makes it slower than stock. Not sure if I’ll tune mine when I get it
If you're going to buy an 335is, you'll want to keep it stock, as its a special " limited run" model. It will eventually be a collector's model similar to an E46 ZHP.
Update from July 2023- you forgot to mentioned how rare the car is the only built 3500 of them i recently got a 2011 335is with dct with 25k miles for 30k so they’ve shot up in value and will continue to do so as more people total them or mod them mines is crimson red and it’s 1/82 i plan on holding on to it and keeping the miles low and we’ll see what the future holds
The N54 engine had a lot of issues, though when it ran well it performed better than the N55 engine. The N54 had a reputation of fuel injector and engine problems when using ethanol gas. You had to use non-ethanol premium or the injectors would fail. This was told to me by a trusted mechanic at my local BMW dealership as well as several salesmen who had to address the problem with their customers. The N-55 seemed to have had the problem corrected.
That could be true, but alcohol fuel is hard on most fuel systems nd I run away from that at all costs on any of my cars. I will not put it into my lawnmower. Thanks for the comments and yes, the insiders can really tell the story. Id love to meet a good seasoned factory mechanic and have a beer with him to chat about these cars.
I believe the early Index injectors did have a flaw with ethanol gas but the index 12 was supposed to have fixed this issue will check the forum to verify
I’m a car salesman and we had a 335is at one point. Very fun car especially with that 371lb ft of torque but MAN did that thing have problem after problem after problem. One of the WORST and HARDEST car’s I ever tried selling. Thing had a new light like everyday.
1 wow I’m glad I saw your comment. I’m currently looking at 335is’s on Autotrader. I love everything about it and still want to get one, but not sure what I should look out for. Did the 335is’s have more reliable engines than the early on 335i’s with the N54? Also would it be wise to find one in the 70k-80k mile range or after 100k due to the big service being recently performed?
Jordan Banko Hey 👋 there! Glad you took the time to read my comment, first off. All 335is’s have the N54 Motor in them (N55 is definitely more reliable). Second, it would definitely be wise to get a 335is after it has had the 100k mile service, most definitely. Things you should look out for are the water pump, fuel pump, bearings, the turbos, oil leakages in the engine compartment, smoking from the turbos, rattles on the exhaust, etc. This 335is we had was treated poorly, it was beat to death by the previous owner and he never took proper care of it. Scratches, curb rash, etc it was in rough shape. Don’t let my bad experience deter you from enjoying a 335is. I would highly recommend you find a 335is from a Private seller, someone who actually did the maintenance on the car and with hard proof. Buy it from someone who actually loved the car. Try not to buy one that was sitting on a lot because lord knows what’s wrong with it and how many test drivers who beat on it that it went through. It’s a great Car when everything is working properly. Again, buy Privately or buy one from an Auction, if you’re that serious I could help you out and find you a good one. Cars in auction haven’t had the abuse the cars on a dealer lot get.
1 wow thank you for all that information! I’ll definitely have my work cut out for me haha. I actually had been looking for ones that have been sitting for over 90 days because I know after that point, dealers start to mark them down or will negotiate quite a bit (something I’ve learned from Exotic Car Hacks - highly highly recommend it). I did know that the 335is had the N54 but wasn’t sure if they were tweaked after they had been discontinued in the regular 335. Wasn’t sure if BMW had noticed the issues and tried to fix them before releasing it. Will a simple PPI be able to check all the things you mentioned above? I know some are easy to just see by putting the vehicle up on a lift, but how would you be able to diagnose something like the turbos? Finally, what price range do you think these should go for with over 100k miles? I’m seeing high teens, but that just seems high (unless they are going back up in value due to exclusivity?)
I could of got a M3 but I went with the 335is for the power. M3 is cool because of the M and all the goodies but I knew I would have more fun in the 335is. Don’t for get that the 335is has most of the updated revisions on those early gen parts. My IS has been FBO e85 for 40k miles with not one problem.
I bought one back in July! It's been awesome so far however the stock charge pipe will fail at some point. Mine just did and I decided to go with an upgraded one and go stage 2+ with downpipes and fmic
I currently have a 335is, I've had it for about 4 years now. Bought it at 60k and I've put quite a bit of kms on it 200,000kms to be exact. Haven't had any issues aside from the obvious, thermostat and water pump. No wastegate rattle and nothing significant, still running off the original turbos. I've driven a M3 E92 as well. I disagree with you because the M3 is a great car but you really have to open it up to enjoy the car, otherwise it feels like a 335i but quieter. The great thing about the 335is is that it has the overboost feature with upto 370lbs of torque at only 2500 RPM, therefore it makes it a much more exciting car to drive on a day to day city, and highway driving basis without surpassing 150 kms an hour to really feel the power. The 335i is a great car but doesn't have the stiffness as you mentioned and that exhaust note that the 335is provides. Yes, price wise it is not cheap but compared to the new 435i M-performance which is the "newer" version of the 335is, it is still more of a rugged sporty BMW which has that torque a grunt BMW is known for. The 435i feels too refined. Some like wine and some like bourbon, to each it's own.
I have a 2013 335is FBO not one lick of problems no cel lights or dme problems, hears the thing your not conveying , I have been a master mechanic for about 30 year now just a regular Joe , every car has its ups and down it is how you maintain your car that make the difference. I would have to disagree with you if the 335i Vs 335is is better, there both N54 platform's no difference other then the IS boost function that gives it 370 FP of torque but only for 7 seconds still better then 335 i and the torque is what you want to be faster now the N55 platform that has Vano's upgrade and a twin scroll turbo doesn't make it more reliable your risibility is on how you take car's your cars engine as for any engine Servicing on a regulator basis is best way to keep your car working running for years and years, German cars need extra attention due to there specks better tolerances and performances N54-N55 still the same{ IE] engine platform with better cooling with upgraded oil cooler and radiator how dose that make it more UN reliable, the point I want to make is just this simple service your car ! before you mod it and after you mod it or keep it stock doesn't matter take care of your car's engine just that easy, more Unreliable that is just plane horse Crap !
I would choice the M3 for sure. I also wonder that the M3 would be more valuable in the future with a possible resale. Doesn't every BMW enthusiast want an M series car.
Mine has held up great! Just had my first oil housing leak at 109,000. All I have had to do is spark plugs, ignition coils, tires, brakes, oil change. Nothing major. It's fbo with MHD 2+ (93). I do baby it 95% of the time.
Wow ! I see one for $17,890, almost 69k on the dash 2012 335is looks so freaking good I love the way the bmw drive , is it worth it ? Would it be good to me lol my type s has been a pain in the ass since I got it
Thank you for the informative video. How do think 2014 435i with N55 with 44 k miles. Also I noticed the market is flooded with 2018 430i convertibles ( used rental previously). What is your opinion about this car. I am looking for mildly used convertible to drive for fun. Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon.
I drove a 2017 330 which was a sedan and it was decent in terms of performance and the tech was plentiful. I would say that it would be a nice snappy car chocked with features for a decent price. For the right price, I would say it could be a good buy.
Bmw Fanboy that’s an amazing price! I’ve been scouring the internet for them and they seem to range from high teens to high 20s (and the ones in the teens have well over a 100k miles on them)! I think that’s ridiculous. What was the original listing price on yours?
Customer: "I'm in the market for an unreliable car." BMW salesperson: "Well, you've come to the right place. Let's look over our proven unreliable showroom models and trade-ins with issues."
Do they even make this car anymore? It’s rare and out of production meaning even if you can find one its not likely there is another one within 200 miles with similar specs year and miles. All for a few extra horses?
Hi Steve, if you are looking for that unique car, this one may qualify for sure. No, they do not build these anymore and were limited to the E90 generation. They are nice cars and for none enthusiasts, a person may look at it and not be able to point out the differences but just notice the overall car looks fresher and slightly upscale from the standard car. Its the whole package, but if performance is the game, the M3 is the car to go with. There is an advantage with the 335 series over the M car. Less harsh and more usable power band for normal driving. Thanks for watching.
335is is great, because have DTC and most important N54. Hybrid turbos, couple of changes and you get 550KM for a little money in compare to E92 M3 (and a lot more NM). If you are crazy enough, for little more $ you put two TD-04 hybrid turbos, double barrel pomps and you get 750KM+ I'm in love for 335is.
@@Toymonkeyjr No problem still till 150k km. I only change HPFP (but this was not needed) and one injector was broken, but I change all of them at once.
@@FlopsPL nice, most of them with similar builds hear in the states tend to blow their hpfp, and crack their Chargepipe, wastegate failure. Mostly when tuned. I guess that's why most people run single turbo incase something happens, easier to fix.
I think this guy is missing the point. 335is, besides the 20hp more than the 335i has, it also comes with a performance exhaust, and more importantly it comes with an over boost function that increases the torque to 370fp for 7 seconds. I guarantee you if you have a regular 335i and put it up against an IS, it will get blistered. Now as far as his argument that it makes no sense why people are selling 335is models for almost M3 money, I’ll tell you why. Scarcity. There aren’t many, low mileage, good condition 335is’s roaming around, let alone with a 6-speed manual. I’m lucky to own a 336is 6-speed manual, with 17k miles and I’m holding onto it for a really long time.
Kind of reminds me of the e46 330 zhp from back in the day in the since that it was an extra model BMW made that was just slightly below the M3, but for whatever reason Maybe cuz I own one I consider the 330ci ZHP “understandable” and not a waste of money however that special edition 330 you showed in this video I consider a waste just because I think the base 330 or the M3 would be a better option
Thanks for the comment. Yeah the value compared to the M car does not seem to be there. I love the 335IS but it is missing too much of the performance essence that is M.
The 335i n54 is better than 335is because it’s cheaper and there is barely a difference in my opinion. 335i is better than m3 because it’s already boosted and with a tune and downpipes you’re going to number competing with the m3. The n54 holds a lot more power than n55. You should really go for a 335i it’s great project car. On my 335i I have a jb4, vrsf downpipes, and bms DCI. And I have gave a lot of m3s and m4s are run for there money. Can’t wait to see an n54 on this channel.
Currently have a 03 530i and that’s been great! Original owner, 125k kms on it and want to get a brand new 18 x5 35i. How reliable would it be? Plan on keeping it 10-15 years +
Recently had to get the ABS pump reconditioned on my 335i, apparently a common issue. Apart from that 129000 miles later and it’s still going strong. I would go with it over the m3 but I’m biased. Get the m sport!
Yo mark, I’m really digging da bmw m140i , i found a used 2018 model and about to buy it , but after subscribing to you and watching your videos about which bmw is reliable and which is not... can you please tell me if the bmw m140i engine is reliable or is it risky? Please let me know , thanks 🙏🏼
Hey there James, any car can be a gamble of course, but everything that I have researched, suggests the 40 series or the turbo 3.0 is a solid engine. It has been improved upon in many ways and improves on engine and oil cooling where the original N55 and N54 did not. So far they look quite reliable.
I own a 335i n55 e92, 108k miles, 6 sod manual trans. no problems so far, replaced water pump at 96k, you want the power of the 335is, but reliable, do what I did, mhd tune and you have a solid 330 hp and very reliable.
I had my 09 335i 6sp for 6 1/2 years and while it never broke down and left me stranded most of the issues well documented on the the forums my car had. I didn’t have waste gate or turbo issues. However this was by far my favorite car ever. The handling, steering and performance was first rate. It just started to get really expensive post extended warranty
when i bought my 328i i remember talking to the guy about the 335i and he told me you wouldnt want to buy that, he told me about the turbo problems and whatnot. He said that the 328i is much more reliable and it's the smarter purchase. At the time i thought he was only trying to make me buy the car, but it turns out he was being honest :)
Obviously never owned one of these cars. Just no understanding about what costs involved with any used M3, nor the afternarket costs of upgrading a 335i to 335is specifications, even igmoring the cosmetic differences.
Do not get the v8 m3 for track, front heavy and 335 with bolt ons and a tune is faster and lighter, doesnt sound as good as the m3 but it beats most sports cars sound
Love the videos man but u def made some errors for example my 335is manual says 335 horsepower and 335 torque without over boost . And 50 more torque with overboost at kick down .Please don’t misquote , something as important as this I believe u said 320.and u won’t feel it. U couldn’t be more incorrect .
ExoticCar PlayPlace Yes hopefully I can keep this one a while . I’ve owned it a few years . Has bout 60k for mileage pretty young . Dealer has replaced a bunch of warranty items no charge to me ,ie injectors, charge pipe ,valve cover . Also I had a rear suspension issue and car max warranty paid about 6000 buks . Can’t say enough great things about carmax warranty . Hope to keep it as long as possible . Thanks again man . If u want pictures send me an email .
I have a 2011 335i E93 with the N55 engine and I'm super glad I got this instead of the N54 though as you mentioned the N54 is capable of making more power. Personally for me, anyone who thinks because a car makes more power somehow makes it better (as most guys with an N54 do with their constant bragging about German 2JZ and 700hp whatnot) are compensating for all the issues that their cars have that the N55 doesn't. Of course if money is not a factor then go M3 all day any day but if you want to build a nice daily with more power especially in a straight line for relatively cheap then it's 335i all day. You can buy a 335i today very cheap and with a simple MHD, JB4, Cobb or Dinan tune, add some Inlets (N54) or Inlet (N55), Downpipes, bigger Intercooler, DCIs (N54) and an exhaust and a few M3 suspension goodies you still won't come nowhere close to what you'd pay for an M3 and have the ability to beat it even on the track. Of course you can also add M3 bits to the hood, front and side skirts and facia as well as the rear to your 335i and have the same aggressive looks of an M3 and still be thousands of dollars below the cost of an M3 with equal or more capabilities. It just makes more sense to go 335i if you're on a budget or looking to make upgrades that'll put you ahead of the M3 for far less than it would cost them to mod their cars to be able to beat you if racing is mostly what you care about.
I own a 2012 BMW 335is and I don't know who or how people have problems.. My car drives and looks perfect! maybe its because it only has 44,000 miles .. But I don't think so? Make up your mind! The 335is is a shit car for people who modify it! Just leave it alone
A 335is is a fun car car, so wouldn't the previous owner had fun with it? Meaning these cars were all used and abused. Also, why would a person sell a perfectly good car. People only sell something when there's something wrong with the car. Lastly, never buy a previously tracked car.
“People only sell cars when there’s something wrong” That’s a lie I sold my last G because I had it for four years and wanted a coupe. Five years later I’m ready to sell the G coupe for a bimmer 🤷🏾♂️ sometimes people just want change.
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I owned a 2013 “Is” and let me say that this model of the 335 was in incredible car. DCT, sports exhaust, 313 style 19 inch rims, increased HP, with a host of other tweaks. No issues with 4 years of ownership, solid and fun car to drive.
chop 362 how many miles when you bought it?
Just bought 1 with 55k miles for 26k and man this is awesome car
I have had my 2011 335is convertible for four years and not one problem, except some dude rear ended me.... Fast fun and classy car and the ladies love it..
Thanks for watching
been having my 335is for 1 year 2 months! no issues FBO as well
Froylan Rosales how many miles?
How many miles !! I really want one 68k miles on it almost 69k for $17,890?? Worth it I wanna trade my type s in
BMW are just very addictive machines, I can’t see myself driving anything else good video man.
The n54 motor has forged internals vs N55. The real problem is everything attached to the motor i.e. water pump, waste gate rattle, oil filter housing gasket etc. I find that once you address the outer problems with this motor it becomes very reliable and the tuning potential is out of this world , they are making 900 plus hp from a modified turbo setup and tune with stock internals. The M3 of same year, E92 only made 300 ft. of torque at 4000 rpm in a v8. The 335is with over boost feature makes 370 ft lbs. of torque at 2000 rpm. The M3 is no doubt a better track car the suspension alone puts it in front of the 335is by miles, but as far as reliable the M3 E92 v8 suffers from bad BMW internal flaws rod bearings failing we all know BMW poorly matched the crank to the connecting rods. I own a 335is because it will be a collectors car just look at how many M3 e92s were produced and compare it to the 335is. They only produced 6000 total from 2011 to 2013 and my color combo is one of only 127 so how rare will this car be in the future, only time will tell. Love your channel nice review very insightful
Thanks a lot for the great comment and for watching my content. The 335 is is also a nicely style, albeit slightly subtly, but handsome nonetheless. I have been looking at some locally and am finding that the prices are virtually matching the E90/E92 M3's for good reason.
What is your color? I’ve been looking for Alpine white with coral red, and really looking forward to buying one of these beasts
@@latuba2478 It is a Black Sapphire metallic with Black interior and it has every option you can get for 2013 and it is the last year of production had to have it. The DCT transmission is really fun and it works perfect, I can forgive the car for not having a clutch pedal. The shifts are firm and instant you can't depress a clutch pedal and release it in the same amount of time thus zero to sixty in four second range. I want to drive this car every day, it is fun and quick but that is not reality once a week I drive it to the store or the car wash and then back in the garage with a car cover. All those options equals a lot of modules and electronics just things to go wrong so I drive it very little keep the miles down and wax the paint. My daily driver is a BMW 535I but not a new model please do not hate on me but it is an e34 with over 200k and it runs perfect and all the windows sun roof and door locks all work. It is so solid of a car and the only issues were valve cover gasket and oil pan gasket and water pump. BMW should go back to building cars like in the eighties and nineties very reliable and built to last a life time.
@@ECPP Love your M5 it is going to be the one collectors car we all wish we should have purchased and I think a good machine shop that understands BMW internals could make that motor one of the greatest engineering feature offered to the public, A de tuned Formula 1 engine usually only comes in Italian red and around a million dollars. BMW out did themselves with this car and that sound of that engine I do not know how you have the restraint when driving, must be blast
timlad123456 thank for all the good things you see, because I was leaning a bit heavily on the manual side but now I’ll consider DCT. Only issue I have is this, is the rwd. I live in PA so snow here can get in the way at times
It depends how you treat your car. Most BMW owners that I know treats their cars like they have the fastest cars on the planet! You can own the most reliable car in the world but if you abuse it all the time it will break down on you. I purchased my 335is new back in 2011 and I still have it. All stock and I still love it! No problem and no issues.
Flyingaceful Really no issues? HPFP? Water Pump? Turbos? If so that’s dope man
Great video, I myself have been fascinated by the 335is myself, but not enough to get one. I went with a 2011 6spd e90 m3 and I love it. It has the sweetest engine note ever and the v8 revs so smooth, and develops max torque for over half it's rev range. I know it's not the fastest thing out there by any means but still brutally quick. It also handles like it's on rails has near perfect 50/50 weight distribution giving great turn in and feedback. A true drivers car. I would love to own a 2010 e60 m5 6spd. Love it.
Thanks Shaun. You are very true, that V8 is an amazing powertrain and likely one of a kind. Thanks for sharing.
I like your videos, but here are a few things that I'd like to add.
335is has a higher-capacity cooling fan (850W same as the 1M) vs the 600W fan found in the 335i.
335is has overboost mode the same feature that is found in the 1M and Z4 sDrive35is as well.
Although the 335is has it's shortcomings against the M3. The M3 does not hold a candle to the 335is power-wise.
I have a 2012 335is w/almost 90K miles, besides the seatbelt extender that failed under warranty, I haven't had any reliability issues since. Maybe it's because I am the original owner or because I purchased the vehicle in Germany. I never knew of N54 reliability issues until I came back stateside. My car has been pushing 20lbs+ of boost for 5 years on stock turbos and has been tuned years prior.
Keep up the great videos!
Thanks for watching and thanks a lot for sharing more info on the 335is. I tried to buy one because they are great and the subtle cosmetic updates are nice too, but I just found junk around here. Definitely worth buying if you find a good one
Standard 335i is definitely the best value and a sweet ride to boot
I totally agree on the value. They are quick enough and with a few mods can hammer the M cars
ExoticCar PlayPlace can’t the 335is do the same? They’re both very tunable right?
latuba247 yes, but you need to make sure you are using 335is tunes - not just 335i. I’ve seen people use JB4 tunes with it and it actually makes it slower than stock. Not sure if I’ll tune mine when I get it
If you're going to buy an 335is, you'll want to keep it stock, as its a special " limited run" model. It will eventually be a collector's model similar to an E46 ZHP.
Update from July 2023- you forgot to mentioned how rare the car is the only built 3500 of them i recently got a 2011 335is with dct with 25k miles for 30k so they’ve shot up in value and will continue to do so as more people total them or mod them mines is crimson red and it’s 1/82 i plan on holding on to it and keeping the miles low and we’ll see what the future holds
The N54 engine had a lot of issues, though when it ran well it performed better than the N55 engine. The N54 had a reputation of fuel injector and engine problems when using ethanol gas. You had to use non-ethanol premium or the injectors would fail. This was told to me by a trusted mechanic at my local BMW dealership as well as several salesmen who had to address the problem with their customers. The N-55 seemed to have had the problem corrected.
That could be true, but alcohol fuel is hard on most fuel systems nd I run away from that at all costs on any of my cars. I will not put it into my lawnmower. Thanks for the comments and yes, the insiders can really tell the story. Id love to meet a good seasoned factory mechanic and have a beer with him to chat about these cars.
Must be nice to have a non-ethanol option... The N54's problem was/is carbon buildup requiring regular walnut blasting.
I believe the early Index injectors did have a flaw with ethanol gas but the index 12 was supposed to have fixed this issue will check the forum to verify
timlad123456 did you find anything out?
I’m a car salesman and we had a 335is at one point. Very fun car especially with that 371lb ft of torque but MAN did that thing have problem after problem after problem. One of the WORST and HARDEST car’s I ever tried selling. Thing had a new light like everyday.
1 wow I’m glad I saw your comment. I’m currently looking at 335is’s on Autotrader. I love everything about it and still want to get one, but not sure what I should look out for. Did the 335is’s have more reliable engines than the early on 335i’s with the N54? Also would it be wise to find one in the 70k-80k mile range or after 100k due to the big service being recently performed?
Jordan Banko Hey 👋 there! Glad you took the time to read my comment, first off. All 335is’s have the N54 Motor in them (N55 is definitely more reliable). Second, it would definitely be wise to get a 335is after it has had the 100k mile service, most definitely. Things you should look out for are the water pump, fuel pump, bearings, the turbos, oil leakages in the engine compartment, smoking from the turbos, rattles on the exhaust, etc. This 335is we had was treated poorly, it was beat to death by the previous owner and he never took proper care of it. Scratches, curb rash, etc it was in rough shape. Don’t let my bad experience deter you from enjoying a 335is. I would highly recommend you find a 335is from a Private seller, someone who actually did the maintenance on the car and with hard proof. Buy it from someone who actually loved the car. Try not to buy one that was sitting on a lot because lord knows what’s wrong with it and how many test drivers who beat on it that it went through. It’s a great Car when everything is working properly. Again, buy Privately or buy one from an Auction, if you’re that serious I could help you out and find you a good one. Cars in auction haven’t had the abuse the cars on a dealer lot get.
1 wow thank you for all that information! I’ll definitely have my work cut out for me haha. I actually had been looking for ones that have been sitting for over 90 days because I know after that point, dealers start to mark them down or will negotiate quite a bit (something I’ve learned from Exotic Car Hacks - highly highly recommend it). I did know that the 335is had the N54 but wasn’t sure if they were tweaked after they had been discontinued in the regular 335. Wasn’t sure if BMW had noticed the issues and tried to fix them before releasing it. Will a simple PPI be able to check all the things you mentioned above? I know some are easy to just see by putting the vehicle up on a lift, but how would you be able to diagnose something like the turbos? Finally, what price range do you think these should go for with over 100k miles? I’m seeing high teens, but that just seems high (unless they are going back up in value due to exclusivity?)
I could of got a M3 but I went with the 335is for the power. M3 is cool because of the M and all the goodies but I knew I would have more fun in the 335is. Don’t for get that the 335is has most of the updated revisions on those early gen parts. My IS has been FBO e85 for 40k miles with not one problem.
Love mine , 2011 335is , just starting to mod it on our channel. Best car for the money, and incredibly fast.
How many miles ?? I’m looking at a 2012 335 is looks so good . 68k miles almost 69 for 17,890k worth it ?
I bought one back in July! It's been awesome so far however the stock charge pipe will fail at some point. Mine just did and I decided to go with an upgraded one and go stage 2+ with downpipes and fmic
I currently have a 335is, I've had it for about 4 years now. Bought it at 60k and I've put quite a bit of kms on it 200,000kms to be exact. Haven't had any issues aside from the obvious, thermostat and water pump. No wastegate rattle and nothing significant, still running off the original turbos. I've driven a M3 E92 as well. I disagree with you because the M3 is a great car but you really have to open it up to enjoy the car, otherwise it feels like a 335i but quieter. The great thing about the 335is is that it has the overboost feature with upto 370lbs of torque at only 2500 RPM, therefore it makes it a much more exciting car to drive on a day to day city, and highway driving basis without surpassing 150 kms an hour to really feel the power. The 335i is a great car but doesn't have the stiffness as you mentioned and that exhaust note that the 335is provides. Yes, price wise it is not cheap but compared to the new 435i M-performance which is the "newer" version of the 335is, it is still more of a rugged sporty BMW which has that torque a grunt BMW is known for. The 435i feels too refined. Some like wine and some like bourbon, to each it's own.
The IS has a lot of nice features to it and makes it very desirable for sure.
I have a 2013 335is FBO not one lick of problems no cel lights or dme problems, hears the thing your not conveying , I have been a master mechanic for about 30 year now just a regular Joe , every car has its ups and down it is how you maintain your car that make the difference. I would have to disagree with you if the 335i Vs 335is is better, there both N54 platform's no difference other then the IS boost function that gives it 370 FP of torque but only for 7 seconds still better then 335 i and the torque is what you want to be faster now the N55 platform that has Vano's upgrade and a twin scroll turbo doesn't make it more reliable your risibility is on how you take car's your cars engine as for any engine Servicing on a regulator basis is best way to keep your car working running for years and years, German cars need extra attention due to there specks better tolerances and performances N54-N55 still the same{ IE] engine platform with better cooling with upgraded oil cooler and radiator how dose that make it more UN reliable, the point I want to make is just this simple service your car ! before you mod it and after you mod it or keep it stock doesn't matter take care of your car's engine just that easy, more Unreliable that is just plane horse Crap !
I have one it has been flawless currently turned up to 450whp
Sounds like a good one
I would choice the M3 for sure. I also wonder that the M3 would be more valuable in the future with a possible resale. Doesn't every BMW enthusiast want an M series car.
True. Sadly I have to consider cars with snowy traction because we have 6 months of winter here. Thanks for watching John.
Mine has held up great! Just had my first oil housing leak at 109,000. All I have had to do is spark plugs, ignition coils, tires, brakes, oil change. Nothing major. It's fbo with MHD 2+ (93). I do baby it 95% of the time.
Wow ! I see one for $17,890, almost 69k on the dash 2012 335is looks so freaking good I love the way the bmw drive , is it worth it ? Would it be good to me lol my type s has been a pain in the ass since I got it
Thank you for the informative video.
How do think 2014 435i with N55 with 44 k miles.
Also I noticed the market is flooded with 2018 430i convertibles ( used rental previously). What is your opinion about this car.
I am looking for mildly used convertible to drive for fun.
Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon.
I drove a 2017 330 which was a sedan and it was decent in terms of performance and the tech was plentiful. I would say that it would be a nice snappy car chocked with features for a decent price. For the right price, I would say it could be a good buy.
I just picked up a 2011 335is with the dct trans from the m3 for 13k$ with only 69k miles
Where can I sign up. Here where I live, we over pay for everything and can only dream to get that type of car for that price.
Bmw Fanboy that’s an amazing price! I’ve been scouring the internet for them and they seem to range from high teens to high 20s (and the ones in the teens have well over a 100k miles on them)! I think that’s ridiculous. What was the original listing price on yours?
You stole it for that price!
Branded title? 🤔
Customer: "I'm in the market for an unreliable car." BMW salesperson: "Well, you've come to the right place. Let's look over our proven unreliable showroom models and trade-ins with issues."
There is a whole model lineup to choose from
Do they even make this car anymore? It’s rare and out of production meaning even if you can find one its not likely there is another one within 200 miles with similar specs year and miles. All for a few extra horses?
Hi Steve, if you are looking for that unique car, this one may qualify for sure. No, they do not build these anymore and were limited to the E90 generation. They are nice cars and for none enthusiasts, a person may look at it and not be able to point out the differences but just notice the overall car looks fresher and slightly upscale from the standard car. Its the whole package, but if performance is the game, the M3 is the car to go with. There is an advantage with the 335 series over the M car. Less harsh and more usable power band for normal driving. Thanks for watching.
Yes Yes Yes more of this. Drive those priced down while im in the market for one.
Mi e might be for sale
335is is great, because have DTC and most important N54. Hybrid turbos, couple of changes and you get 550KM for a little money in compare to E92 M3 (and a lot more NM). If you are crazy enough, for little more $ you put two TD-04 hybrid turbos, double barrel pomps and you get 750KM+ I'm in love for 335is.
then reliability really comes into question there.
@@Toymonkeyjr No problem still till 150k km. I only change HPFP (but this was not needed) and one injector was broken, but I change all of them at once.
@@FlopsPL nice, most of them with similar builds hear in the states tend to blow their hpfp, and crack their Chargepipe, wastegate failure. Mostly when tuned. I guess that's why most people run single turbo incase something happens, easier to fix.
I think this guy is missing the point. 335is, besides the 20hp more than the 335i has, it also comes with a performance exhaust, and more importantly it comes with an over boost function that increases the torque to 370fp for 7 seconds. I guarantee you if you have a regular 335i and put it up against an IS, it will get blistered. Now as far as his argument that it makes no sense why people are selling 335is models for almost M3 money, I’ll tell you why. Scarcity. There aren’t many, low mileage, good condition 335is’s roaming around, let alone with a 6-speed manual. I’m lucky to own a 336is 6-speed manual, with 17k miles and I’m holding onto it for a really long time.
I would too. They are cool machines for sure.
I was also told 2013 is models came with index 12 injectors
Another great vid,, BTW nice shirt,, I need to go shopping again , Have a great day, William
Thanks a lot for watching. Have a great one. Cheers.
Kind of reminds me of the e46 330 zhp from back in the day in the since that it was an extra model BMW made that was just slightly below the M3, but for whatever reason Maybe cuz I own one I consider the 330ci ZHP “understandable” and not a waste of money however that special edition 330 you showed in this video I consider a waste just because I think the base 330 or the M3 would be a better option
Thanks for the comment. Yeah the value compared to the M car does not seem to be there. I love the 335IS but it is missing too much of the performance essence that is M.
The 335i n54 is better than 335is because it’s cheaper and there is barely a difference in my opinion. 335i is better than m3 because it’s already boosted and with a tune and downpipes you’re going to number competing with the m3. The n54 holds a lot more power than n55. You should really go for a 335i it’s great project car. On my 335i I have a jb4, vrsf downpipes, and bms DCI. And I have gave a lot of m3s and m4s are run for there money. Can’t wait to see an n54 on this channel.
Awesome, thanks Billy for the response. I too love the turbo mod capability and it makes big power quite easily. We will see shortly.
Hey bro I am 19 years old from Germany and I love BMW . What do u think is the best bmw for beginners like me . Ty for the nice videos
For a newer driver I would recommend an E46 or E70 325 as that is somewhat sporty and yet relatively reliable.
ExoticCar PlayPlace Ty for the replay
Currently have a 03 530i and that’s been great! Original owner, 125k kms on it and want to get a brand new 18 x5 35i. How reliable would it be? Plan on keeping it 10-15 years +
Reliable to me is your yearly maintenance (oil, filters etc) plus one or 2 things going wrong adding up to about $1000 a year
335 is lightee and can make more power than m3
Can you do most reliable sporty BMWs in the future? Love your videos man
Thanks for the kind words. I will be sure to hit the topic. Cheers.
Thanks broseff. Have a good one.
@@ECPPI'll second that my friend. You're vids are getting better and better each time.
Would you buy a 335is today?
Question. I want to purchase a really reliable BMW (Sedan) from 2012-2015? What would you suggest
Mafia BamBam Any X28i with the naturally aspirated In-line 6.
Recently had to get the ABS pump reconditioned on my 335i, apparently a common issue. Apart from that 129000 miles later and it’s still going strong. I would go with it over the m3 but I’m biased. Get the m sport!
Everything, sadly is pricey on these things.
ExoticCar PlayPlace yeah cost me £500!
Yo mark, I’m really digging da bmw m140i , i found a used 2018 model and about to buy it , but after subscribing to you and watching your videos about which bmw is reliable and which is not... can you please tell me if the bmw m140i engine is reliable or is it risky? Please let me know , thanks 🙏🏼
Hey there James, any car can be a gamble of course, but everything that I have researched, suggests the 40 series or the turbo 3.0 is a solid engine. It has been improved upon in many ways and improves on engine and oil cooling where the original N55 and N54 did not. So far they look quite reliable.
I feel like a 335is is better than an m3 if your looking to tune
I would agree, but they need the rear differential upgrade
Great commentary on the is. But it’s kinda hard to take u serious, I mean, at some point you thought that shirt was “worth it”...
Thanks for watching.
Mark go for the E92 M3
I like your choice. I may start looking.
I own a 335i n55 e92, 108k miles, 6 sod manual trans. no problems so far, replaced water pump at 96k, you want the power of the 335is, but reliable, do what I did, mhd tune and you have a solid 330 hp and very reliable.
Go for the latest model M3 you can get. I wouldn't buy another N54 model, perhaps the latest N55 with the hope that BMW had ironed all of their issues
Thanks for the advice. Cheers. Have you had a bad experience ?
I had my 09 335i 6sp for 6 1/2 years and while it never broke down and left me stranded most of the issues well documented on the the forums my car had. I didn’t have waste gate or turbo issues. However this was by far my favorite car ever. The handling, steering and performance was first rate. It just started to get really expensive post extended warranty
when i bought my 328i i remember talking to the guy about the 335i and he told me you wouldnt want to buy that, he told me about the turbo problems and whatnot. He said that the 328i is much more reliable and it's the smarter purchase. At the time i thought he was only trying to make me buy the car, but it turns out he was being honest :)
Obviously never owned one of these cars. Just no understanding about what costs involved with any used M3, nor the afternarket costs of upgrading a 335i to 335is specifications, even igmoring the cosmetic differences.
so if I found 335is for 13k with 80k miles on it that a good deal?
Absolutely.
Thank you for advice 🌹
335is or E46 M3?
Easily the 335is for me.
Do not get the v8 m3 for track, front heavy and 335 with bolt ons and a tune is faster and lighter, doesnt sound as good as the m3 but it beats most sports cars sound
Love the videos man but u def made some errors for example my 335is manual says 335 horsepower and 335 torque without over boost . And 50 more torque with overboost at kick down .Please don’t misquote , something as important as this I believe u said 320.and u won’t feel it. U couldn’t be more incorrect .
Thanks for the comments and for watching. If you could would you buy another ? I am curious as I have been shopping and trying to feel out the value.
ExoticCar PlayPlace
Yes hopefully I can keep this one a while . I’ve owned it a few years . Has bout 60k for mileage pretty young . Dealer has replaced a bunch of warranty items no charge to me ,ie injectors, charge pipe ,valve cover . Also I had a rear suspension issue and car max warranty paid about 6000 buks . Can’t say enough great things about carmax warranty . Hope to keep it as long as possible . Thanks again man . If u want pictures send me an email .
Also I would choose this over non lci m3 e92 any day 😀
Get a e92 m3. But get it in manual not a dct
Awesome cars, a buddy of mine has one, great machines, we cruised in my E60 M5 and his E90 M3 and close in performance.
ExoticCar PlayPlace your toy collection will be amazing with an s65. An e90 m3 would be a great fit for you.
Very helpful channel for my favorite car too....... subd !! Bless on
I have a 2011 335i E93 with the N55 engine and I'm super glad I got this instead of the N54 though as you mentioned the N54 is capable of making more power. Personally for me, anyone who thinks because a car makes more power somehow makes it better (as most guys with an N54 do with their constant bragging about German 2JZ and 700hp whatnot) are compensating for all the issues that their cars have that the N55 doesn't.
Of course if money is not a factor then go M3 all day any day but if you want to build a nice daily with more power especially in a straight line for relatively cheap then it's 335i all day. You can buy a 335i today very cheap and with a simple MHD, JB4, Cobb or Dinan tune, add some Inlets (N54) or Inlet (N55), Downpipes, bigger Intercooler, DCIs (N54) and an exhaust and a few M3 suspension goodies you still won't come nowhere close to what you'd pay for an M3 and have the ability to beat it even on the track.
Of course you can also add M3 bits to the hood, front and side skirts and facia as well as the rear to your 335i and have the same aggressive looks of an M3 and still be thousands of dollars below the cost of an M3 with equal or more capabilities. It just makes more sense to go 335i if you're on a budget or looking to make upgrades that'll put you ahead of the M3 for far less than it would cost them to mod their cars to be able to beat you if racing is mostly what you care about.
I own a 2012 BMW 335is and I don't know who or how people have problems.. My car drives and looks perfect! maybe its because it only has 44,000 miles .. But I don't think so?
Make up your mind! The 335is is a shit car for people who modify it! Just leave it alone
Good thing u said for 15k because I found one!!!!!!!
Nice
Need some help plz.
Bmw 335is premium package for $21500 with 54000 miles. Worth it? Plz help
Its a 3012 btw
2012
Is it in US, Canada or other dollars ?
US dolalra
Dollars us
335is have upgraded turbos and more reliable. Aka no wastegate rattle.
Allen Messi what
Marcus Johnson how are you going to reply to me with a what like i'm supposed to knoe what ur thinking 😂
There's a 2011 335is with 60000 miles on it for 17000. Yay or nay
That one is borderline for me since I am seeing E90 M3's for similar dollars now.
@@ECPP I ended up buying it for 16. It's really really fast
A 335is is a fun car car, so wouldn't the previous owner had fun with it? Meaning these cars were all used and abused. Also, why would a person sell a perfectly good car. People only sell something when there's something wrong with the car. Lastly, never buy a previously tracked car.
agreed
“People only sell cars when there’s something wrong”
That’s a lie I sold my last G because I had it for four years and wanted a coupe. Five years later I’m ready to sell the G coupe for a bimmer 🤷🏾♂️ sometimes people just want change.
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More videos with the e60 m5 maybe another exhaust please
Awesome thanks. Exhaust it is. Stay tuned.
@@ECPP I'm hyped thanks