[SupernovaSpriter]

I know this topic has been done before, but whatever here goes. Hey guys, I'm a college student who is looking for a nice 335i coupe. The only problem is that I heard that they break down all the time lol. Really, I don't think servicing the car would be a big problem, the only problem is that I don't want to be on the side of the highway waiting for a tow truck. I mean, aside from the hpfp, the maintenance of the 328i and the 335i are similar correct? So do you guys think the 2013 335i coupe has become more reliable, as in reliable enough to buy out of warranty? No more hpfp problems and stuff like that? Would I be better off getting a 328i coupe? I rode in my friends 2011 328i sedan, and it was pretty fast for me, but ive never drove the 335i. Of course reliability is important, but really nothing beats 300lb ft of torque lol. If you guys were in my shoes, what would you do? P.S. I'm paying for it myself

[OzCoE92]

2012 or 2013 has the N55 motor, which is shown to not suffer as bad from carbon buildup like the N54 motor in the older 335's. If a BMW is what you want, look for a CPO car that still has a little bit of warranty, therefore you won't be paying out of pocket all the time in case something does break.

[Goofs]

I feel like this thread and spring/shocks threads are made every day. Learn to search, you're in college

[Antetokounmpo]

Reliable enough to own out of warranty? People don't throw them away after the warranty expires. HPFP is over-hyped now, back in the day they were a problem, but now you rarely hear them failing with the new version. The water pump is the only thing that is abnormal reliability wise on these cars IMO. If you can cope with a $1k repair every 80k miles or so then you're fine. Sure, there are people with a lot of problems, often times these are people who didn't do their research when buying and bought the first one they saw on craigslist. A well maintained 335i will give you few problems. Aside from my water pump (I was expecting it to fail) mine has given me a trouble free experience for 27k miles, I keep maintenance up to date and do oil changes every 5k.

[kctim]

Originally Posted by Heel Toe

Reliable enough to own out of warranty? People don't throw them away after the warranty expires. HPFP is over-hyped now, back in the day they were a problem, but now you rarely hear them failing with the new version. The water pump is the only thing that is abnormal reliability wise on these cars IMO. If you can cope with a $1k repair every 80k miles or so then you're fine. Sure, there are people with a lot of problems, often times these are people who didn't do their research when buying and bought the first one they saw on craigslist. A well maintained 335i will give you few problems. Aside from my water pump (I was expecting it to fail) mine has given me a trouble free experience for 27k miles, I keep maintenance up to date and do oil changes every 5k.

+1

Couldn't have said it better.

[rohitsja]

Plus hardly anybody posts on here which reads " Hey I bought a 335i and I have had 32K miles trouble free."

[B.M.W.]

Hey I have a 335 (n54) & my wife has a 528i.
So far, mine has had less issues.
Her shifter bugged out and wouldn't shift into drive, water pump failed, airbag lights came on for no reason & had another water pump fail within 20k miles of being installed.

Mine, I've had the water pump fail after it hit 70k miles & that's about it.
Previous owner did a walnut blast, new turbos & gave it the M3 front suspension.

It's all about the right car, but a CPO would give you a less problems or you could get a Route 66 warranty (I recommend).

[SupernovaSpriter]

Thanks a lot everybody! From what you guys say I think I can afford about a 1k repair every 80k, and my neighbor is a mechanic so maybe he could hook me up lol

[Miller335]

Originally Posted by SupernovaSpriter

Thanks a lot everybody! From what you guys say I think I can afford about a 1k repair every 80k, and my neighbor is a mechanic so maybe he could hook me up lol

You'll need $1-$2k a year to keep the car going with repairs, fluids, tires and maintenance.

[xXSupa]

Originally Posted by SupernovaSpriter

Thanks a lot everybody! From what you guys say I think I can afford about a 1k repair every 80k, and my neighbor is a mechanic so maybe he could hook me up lol

You're gonna need about 1k every 10k to keep up. I wouldn't get a 335i if you don't think you'll be able to have 2-3k aside in case something craps out. Yes, the 2012-13 models with the N55 engine is a bit more reliable than the pre 2010 models with the N54 engine, but stuff can still go wrong.

Edit: At the poster who said 1k every 80k: You must have gotten really lucky. There are so many things that can go wrong with a BMW, way more than just the HPFP issue. I guess some of it would apply to the 328i's as well, but the risk is there.

[SupernovaSpriter]

1k every 10k miles? That's about 2k a year, so I still think I can do it, but I guess the 328i coupe would be the cheaper option

[Wilt]

You need about $0.10 per mile driven simply for MAINTENANCE

• tires
• brake pads and rotors and sensors, brake fluid changes
• wheel alignments
• windshield wiper blads
• oil, oil filter, engine air filter, cabin microfilter
• battery
• (amortization of future) costs of plugs, belts, cooling system hoses, all hoses in a/c and power steering as car approaches 100K

...or the need to put away $1000 for 10K miles driven -- to fund this year's stuff and the stuff that does not arise until you have accumulated the need for servicing at 100k: like A/T fluid, spark plugs, replacing belts and hoses.

And as the car hits 100K miles, you will ALSO need additional funds for REPAIRS

• pulleys and tensioners for belts
• water pump, thermostat
• fuel pump
• steering control arm/bushings
• various sensors that wear out/break
• CCV
• plastic things that get brittle (e.g. cooling system reservoir) and some emissions related components

If you buy 335i rather than 328i, ADD these additional servicing needs

• walnut shell blast to clean intake valves every 50K
• twice as frequent spark plug change (every 50K, rather than every 100k)
• breakages related to the turbocharger
• A/T fluid change at 60K (rather than at 100K)