[b622r]

Went from 97 M3 to 07 335i 6spd, sport package...my lease is up and I am moving away from BMW. I have found the BMW community to be like no other and have been helped tremendously by this board and others to modify, fix, upgrade, and get more out of the product. So I hope the below is helpful to anyone considering the 07 335 as a used car, etc.

1. Engine is very good but finicky...unlike non-turbo engines, it is behaves with more variability based on temperature, gasoline, gear/RPM combo, etc. If you are going from a more traditional high revving, high compression engine, take your time to spend some seat time with the 335i.

1.5 Handling is excellent however more seperated from the driver than in the 97 M3. Although the stats say I can take a corner faster in the 335 than I could in the M, the M "felt" like it could take it faster. You just felt like you knew where the limit was so you get closer to it. With the 335 the suspension isulates you more from the input of the car so you weren't quite sure where that edge was - could be good, could be bad depnding on the driver.

1.7 Transmission is a of a long through but overall smooth...I was impressed with the auto I drove...may actually be a better match for this type of engine.

1.8 Brakes are very effective...somewhat sensitive from a feel perspecitve. I had a problem they NEVER fixed. My left front caliper would stick and after braking I woudl have a squeek for 3-4 revolutions of the wheel. They could never duplicate in the shop...a frustrating point.

2. Fuel economy is fantastic - I regularly got 28 MPG at 80 MPH.

3. Engine is problematic - fuel pump, intake valve solenoid, crank position sensor, etc. Be aware what you are getting into - there is price for the output and economy you get out of a relatively small engine.

4. Car technology is beyond a poor implementation of the intended purpose. The iDrive system could be so much more flexible and intuitive...it falls short in almost every category. I thought the navigation was a strong point but my wifes Tom Tom is easier to use and more powerful.

5. Run flats with no spare is no good...be wary however to move to aftermarker wheels and tires. The suspension is tuned for the heavy numb runflats with the OEM wheels. if you move to lighter wheels it changes the characteristics of the steering and handling considerably and not for the better.

6. The seats are awesome - best seats ever.

7. Bluetooth functions - audio and mic are all very good.

8. No dipstick...may seem trivial but this is an issue. You cannot get an immediate reading on oil level...some things you may not think about...on three seperate occasions my car was at the shop, because the tech can't readily check the oil level, my low oil light came on within weeks of getting the car back. I complained to the service tech - "hey, if my car is here I expect you guys would check all fluids and have the car 100% ready to go" - the answer was that the techs do run through their list but because the car needs to be warmed up to check the oil they often skip that step. It is just silly not to have dipstick.


Thanks to all those over the years who have contributed to these boards.

[jopa489]

Just curious, what's your next car?

[Bmoney2K4]

Nice write up

[noro]

Points 1 and 1.5 are DEAD ON!

[DenverJayhawk]

Originally Posted by jopa489

Just curious, what's your next car?

+1. I'm interested too. Nice write up.

OP - sounds like you're a NA engine kind of driver. Perhaps a G37? It should address the shortcomings of technology implementation, lack of dipstick, and forced induction engine that you noted. However, you might be even less satisfied with the handling. But at $5-10k cheaper, it might be something you can easily live with.

[cgpublic]

Originally Posted by b622r

Thanks to all those over the years who have contributed to these boards.

Great post. Thanks for taking the time to write it and good luck with your next ride.

[b622r]

I am actually driving an H3 and really enjoying it. Nice departure from weaving around potholes!!!!

I think a nice buy would be a low mile 06 330i 6spd with some suspension work. I do need 4 doors.

[bsamoul]

You sure won't be getting 28mpg at 80mph in that tank!

[Tuce]

Very nice write-up. Thanks.

[anthony @ eas]

Great write up. Enjoy your Hummer

[DenverJayhawk]

Originally Posted by b622r

I am actually driving an H3 and really enjoying it. Nice departure from weaving around potholes!!!!

I think a nice buy would be a low mile 06 330i 6spd with some suspension work. I do need 4 doors.

Couldn't agree with you more on the 330i 6spd Get the ZSP and you don't need any suspension work

[BMdblU]

Originally Posted by DenverJayhawk

Couldn't agree with you more on the 330i 6spd Get the ZSP and you don't need any suspension work

Keep telling yourself that

[Craig@SupremePower]

nicw write up... good luck!

[DenverJayhawk]

Originally Posted by BMdblU

Keep telling yourself that

I will.

[Goody4]

Your car needs to be at operating temperature to check the oil level, dipstick or not. It's been this way forever, for every car.

In most cars, you wait for the car to warm up, open the hood, pull out dipstick, clean dipstick off, put dipstick back, pull dipstick out, check level, put dipstick back, add oil if needed, close hood.

In our cars, wait for the car to warm up, check electronic level, add oil if needed.

I'm not sure how removing the physical dipstick made this harder for you.

[tirana]

M3 to 335i to H3? This is not a good trend!

[David 12]

Just turned in my 2007 335i coupe as well and I would add that even though the HPFP has an extended warranty, I am not sure I would want to own the vehicle out of warranty.

Fuel injectors plus a turbo engine are expensive to repair and BMW is moving to a single turbo engine.

But it is a great car, especially tuned!!

Your point 5 is right on - I replaced the run flats and wheels with aftermarket wheels and PS2's and it made a huge difference.

Dave

[chromisdesigns]

Originally Posted by David 12

Just turned in my 2007 335i coupe as well and I would add that even though the HPFP has an extended warranty, I am not sure I would want to own the vehicle out of warranty.

Fuel injectors plus a turbo engine are expensive to repair and BMW is moving to a single turbo engine.

But it is a great car, especially tuned!!

Your point 5 is right on - I replaced the run flats and wheels with aftermarket wheels and PS2's and it made a huge difference.

Dave

Dave:

Are you saying that when you changed from the runflats to PS2's the cornering and ride got WORSE? That's what the OP claims...but most of the posts I've read think ditching the OEM runflats vastly improves things.

I'm contemplating exactly that change -- runflats to PS2 so am very interested in your experiences.

I made the same change he did, BTW - went from E36 M3 to 335i sedan with sport package, and agree with most of the rest of his post.

Regards,

Bob

[dab3]

How is unsprung weight in the wheels accounted for in the suspension tune? That seems counter intuitive to me. The mass of the rest of the car is huge compared to the wheels.

Originally Posted by David 12

Just turned in my 2007 335i coupe as well and I would add that even though the HPFP has an extended warranty, I am not sure I would want to own the vehicle out of warranty.

Fuel injectors plus a turbo engine are expensive to repair and BMW is moving to a single turbo engine.

But it is a great car, especially tuned!!

Your point 5 is right on - I replaced the run flats and wheels with aftermarket wheels and PS2's and it made a huge difference.

Dave

[David9962000]

I have non-runflat PS2's and it made a big difference in a + way. And they're lighter too.

[asus389]

Originally Posted by b622r

I am actually driving an H3 and really enjoying it.

What now?

[David 12]

Bob, sorry I did not read the original post more carefully. My nonrunflat PS2's handled and rode much better than the stock runflats. The second best mod I made; the first was a JB3.

Some tires have soft sidewalls and maybe that is what the OP used. The nonrunflat Michelin PS2 tires were absolutely flawless.

dab3 - You are right, my switch to lighter wheels did not adversely affect the handling characteristics; maybe the OP can provide more explanation.

Dave