I've had one of these for the past few years and really enjoyed it. I think the comments about reliability are a bit wide of the mark and based more on the M3 version. The major issues with this car are the high pressure fuel pump, water pump and injectors. After that it's pretty solid. You can get an oil leak around the filter housing too and valve cover gasket but they're not a big deal to fix. If you stay on top of the oil changes with good quality oil, Castol 5w30 I think, then it's a lovely smooth engine with plenty of power and smooth delivery. Not much in the way of lag. The stock exhaust sounds fantastic, nice low rumble that's quiet for everyday use but if you stick the gearbox in sport and give it the gas it comes alive. Suspensions can be a bit firm at the front, swapping the runflats for standard tires goes a long way. Very practical car too, fold down the back seats and you can stick a bike in there without much issue or suitcases etc. If you're into tuning then the N54 is a bit of a monster. Upgrade a few plastic parts like the charge pipe, better air filter and intercooler and you can tune it to serious performance territory.
I’ve had two E92s; a 325i M Sport manual and a 330i SE auto. The manual was good, with a short throw (I think the M Sports get a shorter shift), a nicely progressive clutch, but it was a slightly notchy action and reverse has a very strong spring detente to stop you inadvertently selecting it instead of 1st. The auto couldn’t be easier of course and seems to suit the engine well. The 325i and 330i are basically the same six-cylinder engine just in different states of tune. Both are non-turbo and fairly rapid and economical, especially so in 330i guise with its 272bhp. In my experience M Sport suspension is borderline too firm for UK roads and SE noticeably better, but the M Sport more than counteracts with better handling and better feedback. The car sits 10mm lower too to the benefit of looks and has a slightly more purposeful look with a different front bumper and spoiler treatment and same at the rear. I couldn’t afford a 335i at the time, but would love to have a go in one someday. They always seemed like a real quality product to me and I love the simple elegant styling. They’re practical cars too within their coupé remit, with room for four and a decent boot with folding rear seats. I had virtually zero issues with either of my cars, but they were bought new and I imagine it’s not unreasonable to expect an issue over two with older cars. Like any, it’s a case of finding a good one. I saw a 335i M Sport a couple of years ago that I wish I’d bought. It was a ten year old one owner car in immaculate condition with fairly modest, but not silly low mileage (about 50 or 60,000 miles of I remember correctly). A car like that would be a bargain and no doubt look after you for a good few years.
I have a 2012 E92 335is and it's DEFINITELY a future classic. The hydraulic steering, coupe bodystyle, 6 speed manual. These cars are a tuners dream for a reason, the N54 really is the German 2J
I owned a 2006 model for 15 years, too many plastic parts in the engine, I absolutely loved it but it wasn't reliable enough and I spent a lot of money on it, I got it tuned with various parts, it made 390 BHP and 506 ft lbs of torque, and it does NOT use 10w60 oil, it uses 0w30 fully synthetic.
N54 isnt unreliable, people buy them, dont look after them, and then they start to fail/leak and complain on forums about it. Its a owner issue, not a engine issue, the engines actually very capable, both at stock power, and tubed, had my n54 with zero issues for 2 years now, keep on top maintenance and its fine.
Ex 2008 E93 335i owner here. The earlier autos are six speed torque converter boxes, later ones are 7 speed DCT. The motor is a peach, lovely silky smooth torque and a good top end howl. The standard exhaust sounds great, the one in the featured car sounds terrible tbh. Reliability is a mixed bag but easy to stay on top of. Use the forums! The bones are solid, it’s the ancillaries that are slightly fragile. Ride comfort / handling balance is top drawer, Aston Martin levels of good. Interiors are decently accommodating but marred by brittle plastics and that bloody iDrive. Later iterations of the system are somewhat less frustrating. The HK Logic 7 sound system is excellent, two tiny subs under the front seats and plenty of volume with no discernible distortion. Is it a classic? Will it ever be one? No, and probably not. The entire E90 range of BMW’s are just too disposable. An E46 has bags more character and is much better built. However , with the right knowledge and enthusiasm you could probably have good enjoyment from one of these at a decent price. They were great to own under Motorplan, that about sums it up.
I had a 2009 E93 330i - smooth naturally aspirated straight six, nice sound from the original sport exhaust, M-package, 19'' wheels, 6-speed manual, Le Mans blue... I definitely see this car as a future classic because they simply don't build cars like this anymore! And I was pretty sure, that I wanted to keep mine but then I ran into a Jaguar XK8 and at over 50 I realised that the Jag not only is a future classic as well but also a much more comfortably one 😉 but seeing this video, I have to say: I miss my BMW, such a nice car, so much fun to drive! I prefer the naturally aspirated ones over the turbos - but that's just my personal taste of classic smooth power delivery 😄 I can only say: buy a good one now and keep it!
Lovely lines and a lot of performance for the money. An emerging classic for sure and the N54 engine is legendary in performance circles for producing ridiculous amounts of power if tuned.
Totally get the point on the interior. Driven an E90 330i M Sport; occasionally sit in my brother’s E87 1 series and found the interiors more plasticky than my E46 330ci. It’s funny because a lot of more casual owners at the time felt it was a step up, but I seem to hear more about gummy plastics and creaks in the E9x.
This is a proper motor and the build quality of the e92 bmw can know only dream of, I had a e93 convertible with the m57 engine which is solid, I now have a 635d with the same m57 engine, some people don't Like the styling however I love it
Good video. tt's been 7 or 8 years since I had a similar car but I'm sure it had a 6 speed conventional automatic not a 7 speed DTC - I think the latter was just for the M3?
These engines were known to have a top end tick from the fuel injectors. Since it's a direct injection engine they started out life as diesel injectors which are all known to have that injection tick
Great review I have the 335d version does the petrol version have heavy steering too. Mines 400ho and 800 torque 1.5 yrs of ownership and I still can’t stop looking at it ❤
Call me biased, I love an e92! I’ve had 2 330d’s which were bulletproof but I’m hankering after a 335i. I think they will be a classic but the car tax is insane on them in the uk, something needs to be sorted out otherwise it will put buyers off them
Glad you are thinking of a e92 as a classic. Some things you got wrong. A lot of problems you mentioned are about the s65 engine in the m3. The n54 suffered from other problems. My perspective might be skewed as I own one. But you forgot a few things to mention as to why this could be classic… 1. It shares the engine with the 1M. While turbos are not the NA experience of bmw, this engine is the grandfather for the S55 and S58. The N54 has to walk so that the s55 could run. 2. Is the last generation of bmw you can buy with a hydraulic steering rack, drive any modern bmw and you will feel the disconnect. 3. The Bangle design is timeless, even now this car gets attention in the right spec. It’s the last of the analog bmw, last model you can buy without a screen, and analog gauges. 4. BMW welded the diff from the factory because at the time people were putting a LSD in and beating M3s. The warm up tick is usual lifter tick. This car needs to be revved out after warmed up properly.
I owned various BMW models and the E90/2 was the worst when it came to reliability. Today I would prefer the E36 with the durability of the E46 leather interior.
Its not really a classic yet but its got potential. I suppose you could stretch the M3 to being a modern classic but even that wasn't really a high point after the E46 and before the turbo cars. I like how the E9x chassis goes down the road. Planted and nice handling but it is a heavy old thing by the standards of the day. I was never keen on the interior. Apart from leather quality it could easily be a mid 2000's Vauxhall and thats not a good thing.
Buttons and dash are more solid vs newer. E36 had one trim piece, too many buttons. Steering wheel alone, Nav android ready , ice iphone, etc blow away NA Baby m4
Just never liked the dash layout, dare I say bland. But seems to be the thing in a BMW, you either love or hate. Standard come back from owners is it's a drivers car, but I've gone down other German car routes that to me look more luxurious for the money.
I'm of such an antiquated mindset that I believe that no car which has arrays of sensors and limp modes should ever be considered a classic. Not for another hundred years anyway.
Break My Wallet (BMW), be too worried about repair costs due to rust like the E46/36/30, stupidly long engine and auto transmission service intervals, plastic water pumps, head gaskets going pop and the Fur coat and no under garment brigade who can only just about make monthly payments on the finance to impress the neighbours, let alone afford anything else like routine maintenance or decent tyres. Neighbour loves his despite the eye watering costs to maintain - fantastic brand loyality despite logic and common sence.
Many such cars cost a fortune to repair and my local garages just want to fix the obvious things and aren't realy interested in investigating persistent problems. Moreover half the time the work isn't done properly either, so I gave up and sold my modern classic and stuck the money in the bank. It'll go towards out next new everyday car. Sadly it isn't worth the hassle unless you've a fully equipped workshop and the inclination. I'll content myself with the odd tour round the shows in the summer where I can admire, chat, get a bag of chips then walk away!
@@rob5944 I know we all see classics in different ways and me being 55 years old a 2007 BMW 3 series isn't even close to being a classic of any kind. But (I assume) many 20 year-olds will see it as an old car? For me the advent of the ECU and sensors for everything took the fun out of cars. Many people say my classics are unreliable, but I don't find that at all. I think people have become used to not having to "tinker" with their cars and keep them in fine fettle. They rely on all the sensors and ECU doing it for them. I'd rather drive my old cars than anything modern but I suppose I am a nostalgic old fart. :)
I've had one of these for the past few years and really enjoyed it. I think the comments about reliability are a bit wide of the mark and based more on the M3 version. The major issues with this car are the high pressure fuel pump, water pump and injectors. After that it's pretty solid. You can get an oil leak around the filter housing too and valve cover gasket but they're not a big deal to fix. If you stay on top of the oil changes with good quality oil, Castol 5w30 I think, then it's a lovely smooth engine with plenty of power and smooth delivery. Not much in the way of lag. The stock exhaust sounds fantastic, nice low rumble that's quiet for everyday use but if you stick the gearbox in sport and give it the gas it comes alive. Suspensions can be a bit firm at the front, swapping the runflats for standard tires goes a long way. Very practical car too, fold down the back seats and you can stick a bike in there without much issue or suitcases etc. If you're into tuning then the N54 is a bit of a monster. Upgrade a few plastic parts like the charge pipe, better air filter and intercooler and you can tune it to serious performance territory.
What!? If you think the E92 interior is 'plasticky' you should drive a modern BMW.
Not really a classic yet, but those lines have aged well - had a 325d, massive torque and good mileage
I’ve had two E92s; a 325i M Sport manual and a 330i SE auto. The manual was good, with a short throw (I think the M Sports get a shorter shift), a nicely progressive clutch, but it was a slightly notchy action and reverse has a very strong spring detente to stop you inadvertently selecting it instead of 1st. The auto couldn’t be easier of course and seems to suit the engine well. The 325i and 330i are basically the same six-cylinder engine just in different states of tune. Both are non-turbo and fairly rapid and economical, especially so in 330i guise with its 272bhp. In my experience M Sport suspension is borderline too firm for UK roads and SE noticeably better, but the M Sport more than counteracts with better handling and better feedback. The car sits 10mm lower too to the benefit of looks and has a slightly more purposeful look with a different front bumper and spoiler treatment and same at the rear. I couldn’t afford a 335i at the time, but would love to have a go in one someday. They always seemed like a real quality product to me and I love the simple elegant styling. They’re practical cars too within their coupé remit, with room for four and a decent boot with folding rear seats. I had virtually zero issues with either of my cars, but they were bought new and I imagine it’s not unreasonable to expect an issue over two with older cars. Like any, it’s a case of finding a good one. I saw a 335i M Sport a couple of years ago that I wish I’d bought. It was a ten year old one owner car in immaculate condition with fairly modest, but not silly low mileage (about 50 or 60,000 miles of I remember correctly). A car like that would be a bargain and no doubt look after you for a good few years.
Great comment. Thanks for sharing.
I have a 2012 E92 335is and it's DEFINITELY a future classic. The hydraulic steering, coupe bodystyle, 6 speed manual. These cars are a tuners dream for a reason, the N54 really is the German 2J
I owned a 2006 model for 15 years, too many plastic parts in the engine, I absolutely loved it but it wasn't reliable enough and I spent a lot of money on it, I got it tuned with various parts, it made 390 BHP and 506 ft lbs of torque, and it does NOT use 10w60 oil, it uses 0w30 fully synthetic.
Classic for me, love it. Had e36, e46 M3, love this one the most
Totally wrong on oil capacity, grade and rod bearing issues, those are all m3 related not n54 335
N54 isnt unreliable, people buy them, dont look after them, and then they start to fail/leak and complain on forums about it. Its a owner issue, not a engine issue, the engines actually very capable, both at stock power, and tubed, had my n54 with zero issues for 2 years now, keep on top maintenance and its fine.
Ex 2008 E93 335i owner here. The earlier autos are six speed torque converter boxes, later ones are 7 speed DCT.
The motor is a peach, lovely silky smooth torque and a good top end howl. The standard exhaust sounds great, the one in the featured car sounds terrible tbh.
Reliability is a mixed bag but easy to stay on top of. Use the forums! The bones are solid, it’s the ancillaries that are slightly fragile.
Ride comfort / handling balance is top drawer, Aston Martin levels of good.
Interiors are decently accommodating but marred by brittle plastics and that bloody iDrive. Later iterations of the system are somewhat less frustrating.
The HK Logic 7 sound system is excellent, two tiny subs under the front seats and plenty of volume with no discernible distortion.
Is it a classic? Will it ever be one? No, and probably not. The entire E90 range of BMW’s are just too disposable. An E46 has bags more character and is much better built.
However , with the right knowledge and enthusiasm you could probably have good enjoyment from one of these at a decent price.
They were great to own under Motorplan, that about sums it up.
Throttle actuators and big end bearings were only on the s65 not the n54 and there are no known oil starvation issues with these cars
I had a 2009 E93 330i - smooth naturally aspirated straight six, nice sound from the original sport exhaust, M-package, 19'' wheels, 6-speed manual, Le Mans blue... I definitely see this car as a future classic because they simply don't build cars like this anymore! And I was pretty sure, that I wanted to keep mine but then I ran into a Jaguar XK8 and at over 50 I realised that the Jag not only is a future classic as well but also a much more comfortably one 😉 but seeing this video, I have to say: I miss my BMW, such a nice car, so much fun to drive! I prefer the naturally aspirated ones over the turbos - but that's just my personal taste of classic smooth power delivery 😄 I can only say: buy a good one now and keep it!
I do think these are the best cars ever made, either these or the 330i. No other car has ever or will ever have such a perfect balance of everything.
Lovely lines and a lot of performance for the money. An emerging classic for sure and the N54 engine is legendary in performance circles for producing ridiculous amounts of power if tuned.
Totally get the point on the interior. Driven an E90 330i M Sport; occasionally sit in my brother’s E87 1 series and found the interiors more plasticky than my E46 330ci. It’s funny because a lot of more casual owners at the time felt it was a step up, but I seem to hear more about gummy plastics and creaks in the E9x.
It’s the ‘last’ of the sexy looking BMW’s
This is a proper motor and the build quality of the e92 bmw can know only dream of, I had a e93 convertible with the m57 engine which is solid, I now have a 635d with the same m57 engine, some people don't
Like the styling however I love it
Good video. tt's been 7 or 8 years since I had a similar car but I'm sure it had a 6 speed conventional automatic not a 7 speed DTC - I think the latter was just for the M3?
These engines were known to have a top end tick from the fuel injectors. Since it's a direct injection engine they started out life as diesel injectors which are all known to have that injection tick
I like the E46 a lot more, the interior design is nicer and the exterior looks a lot nicer.
Great review I have the 335d version does the petrol version have heavy steering too. Mines 400ho and 800 torque 1.5 yrs of ownership and I still can’t stop looking at it ❤
Call me biased, I love an e92! I’ve had 2 330d’s which were bulletproof but I’m hankering after a 335i. I think they will be a classic but the car tax is insane on them in the uk, something needs to be sorted out otherwise it will put buyers off them
Glad you are thinking of a e92 as a classic. Some things you got wrong. A lot of problems you mentioned are about the s65 engine in the m3. The n54 suffered from other problems. My perspective might be skewed as I own one. But you forgot a few things to mention as to why this could be classic… 1. It shares the engine with the 1M. While turbos are not the NA experience of bmw, this engine is the grandfather for the S55 and S58. The N54 has to walk so that the s55 could run. 2. Is the last generation of bmw you can buy with a hydraulic steering rack, drive any modern bmw and you will feel the disconnect. 3. The Bangle design is timeless, even now this car gets attention in the right spec. It’s the last of the analog bmw, last model you can buy without a screen, and analog gauges. 4. BMW welded the diff from the factory because at the time people were putting a LSD in and beating M3s. The warm up tick is usual lifter tick. This car needs to be revved out after warmed up properly.
I owned various BMW models and the E90/2 was the worst when it came to reliability. Today I would prefer the E36 with the durability of the E46 leather interior.
Its not really a classic yet but its got potential. I suppose you could stretch the M3 to being a modern classic but even that wasn't really a high point after the E46 and before the turbo cars.
I like how the E9x chassis goes down the road. Planted and nice handling but it is a heavy old thing by the standards of the day.
I was never keen on the interior. Apart from leather quality it could easily be a mid 2000's Vauxhall and thats not a good thing.
G37 1719kg
S5 1675kg
Monaro 1658kg
Brera 1625kg
C350 1615kg
335i 1540kg
Can't keep up with Phil's changes of haircut (just watched the Lexus video!). Watching this as an E46 Alpina and E92 M3 owner.
We filmed this video and the Lexus test around nine months apart... 😅
E93 is
LBM-Coral red
DTC
2013
24kmi
Dinan stage 2
FBO
420ftlb
OEM turbos
Runs close to new coyote V8 😮
Buttons and dash are more solid vs newer.
E36 had one trim piece, too many buttons.
Steering wheel alone, Nav android ready , ice iphone, etc
blow away NA
Baby m4
Just never liked the dash layout, dare I say bland. But seems to be the thing in a BMW, you either love or hate. Standard come back from owners is it's a drivers car, but I've gone down other German car routes that to me look more luxurious for the money.
Sleeper once remapped
I'm of such an antiquated mindset that I believe that no car which has arrays of sensors and limp modes should ever be considered a classic. Not for another hundred years anyway.
Charge boost pipes plastic recalled 😮
Crack
ECS pipe ditch oem fix.
Oem v2 only for stock motor....lol😅
Break My Wallet (BMW), be too worried about repair costs due to rust like the E46/36/30, stupidly long engine and auto transmission service intervals, plastic water pumps, head gaskets going pop and the Fur coat and no under garment brigade who can only just about make monthly payments on the finance to impress the neighbours, let alone afford anything else like routine maintenance or decent tyres. Neighbour loves his despite the eye watering costs to maintain - fantastic brand loyality despite logic and common sence.
The first in the current era of terrible cost cutting at BMW. I wouldn't touch a BMW if this or later era with a bargepole
The BMW fanboys will call it a future classic for sure. The rest of us will possibly see it is a mediocre car from the brand with awful reliability??
Many such cars cost a fortune to repair and my local garages just want to fix the obvious things and aren't realy interested in investigating persistent problems. Moreover half the time the work isn't done properly either, so I gave up and sold my modern classic and stuck the money in the bank. It'll go towards out next new everyday car. Sadly it isn't worth the hassle unless you've a fully equipped workshop and the inclination. I'll content myself with the odd tour round the shows in the summer where I can admire, chat, get a bag of chips then walk away!
@@rob5944 I know we all see classics in different ways and me being 55 years old a 2007 BMW 3 series isn't even close to being a classic of any kind. But (I assume) many 20 year-olds will see it as an old car? For me the advent of the ECU and sensors for everything took the fun out of cars. Many people say my classics are unreliable, but I don't find that at all. I think people have become used to not having to "tinker" with their cars and keep them in fine fettle. They rely on all the sensors and ECU doing it for them. I'd rather drive my old cars than anything modern but I suppose I am a nostalgic old fart. :)
@@Mike_Ockiner Nothing wrong with nostalgia...