[gtvr6]

Hey guy's - I currently drive an E90 335i Manual Sport Package (72k). I've been happy with the car but I'm honestly getting sick of the leaks. I spent a ton of money in the last year chasing leaks and it still leaks. Oil, Coolant, water coming into the interior. I swear, just when I settle that I'm keeping it, I see steam from the grill...I'm too old to deal with this crap and want something more reliable. (Don't say buy a Toyota, I know that's more reliable).

I went to see a used 435i GC and it was nice but I swear that when I opened the hood, I could smell the oil....I'm sure it's just the Filter housing but it turned me off.

Can people who have had both give me their honest opinion? Is the 328/428 a better and more reliable choice? I drove a 328 (auto) and it felt fairly quick and while I love the power of my 335, this is a daily driver. I have a weekend toy so I could go down a little on power if it's more reliable.

Any regrets switching to the F3x's???

I am just curious.

[anielsen71]

Originally Posted by gtvr6

Hey guy's - I currently drive an E90 335i Manual Sport Package (72k). I've been happy with the car but I'm honestly getting sick of the leaks. I spent a ton of money in the last year chasing leaks and it still leaks. Oil, Coolant, water coming into the interior. I swear, just when I settle that I'm keeping it, I see steam from the grill...I'm too old to deal with this crap and want something more reliable. (Don't say buy a Toyota, I know that's more reliable).

I went to see a used 435i GC and it was nice but I swear that when I opened the hood, I could smell the oil....I'm sure it's just the Filter housing but it turned me off.

Can people who have had both give me their honest opinion? Is the 328/428 a better and more reliable choice? I drove a 328 (auto) and it felt fairly quick and while I love the power of my 335, this is a daily driver. I have a weekend toy so I could go down a little on power if it's more reliable.

Any regrets switching to the F3x's???

I am just curious.

In short: no regrets at all!
Coming from an E91 to a F36 all of the car feels more modern.
The E91 was not bad at all. The F series just feels much newer and more composed.

[jackstrath]

I went from a E91 335d to a f31 340i

You wont have the issue but god i missed the low down torque to begin with!
Also one think i notice is the F31 doesnt feel as sharp and stiff as the E91 did, it was more planted on the road forsure. Alot has to do with the electric steering which isnt terrible but you 100% loose feeling through it.

That aside the F31 is better in everyway, My E91 had leaks, no coolant unless it was the EGR cooler failing (twice) but oil leaks left right and centre, boost leaks from pipes and swirl flaps, it was all starting to go wrong at 114k! I spent a small fortune fixing everything and then sold it, 3/4 weeks later another oil leak appeared with the new owner on the rocker breather.... so feel your pain there!

But the cabin is a nice of a place as ever to be and the 8ZF box is absolute a joy to use !

[F30lolz]

OP, I own both, a e90 335 6MT and a f36 428. E9x steering is hard to beat but the f3x is more modern across the board. My e90 has been a garage queen for some time now while the f36 is the beater.

BTW, have you been doing the repairs or an indy on your 335? The N54 motor itself is reliable, however, it’s everything around it is made of glass. Try narrowing down your search on what you want (ie f30, f32, etc...) and test drive a few. Also, would you be dumping the 335 or keeping it if you do get a f3x?

[gtvr6]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

OP, I own both, a e90 335 6MT and a f36 428. E9x steering is hard to beat but the f3x is more modern across the board. My e90 has been a garage queen for some time now while the f36 is the beater.

BTW, have you been doing the repairs or an indy on your 335? The N54 motor itself is reliable, however, it’s everything around it is made of glass. Try narrowing down your search on what you want (ie f30, f32, etc...) and test drive a few. Also, would you be dumping the 335 or keeping it if you do get a f3x?

The repairs have been a combination of me and an indy. I agree that the steering on my E90 is great and I've heard that these engines are bullet proof but I can't take the leaks. I've gone through 3 water pumps in 2 years - I replaced the first one and then 2 years later, I started vomiting coolant and I was too busy at work to deal so I had my Indy do it. 12 months later, it started vomiting coolant again!!!!! at least I was under warranty for the part. I want to keep it but it's getting hard to justify. It's too the point that Carvanna said they'd pay me $4,400 for it and I'm rationalizing it.

I would be dumping the 335. I have a 2005 997 and if I try keeping one more car my wife will think I have a hoarding problem.....

[gtvr6]

I could deal with some repairs but I feel like I'm at a bottomless pit.

Anyone go from a 335i to a 3/428i and feel like they're missing out?

[F30lolz]

If Carvana offered $4400 to you, take it. However, ask $5.5k on CL, offer up, etc... and if no bites for a week, let them take it.

[Wgosma]

OP: good luck car shopping. I've been driving Bimmers for 15+ years, still DIY quite few things- I don't think we'll ever escape the gasket leak issues as the German gaskets stuff has material limitations.

My friends 2015 328i was just in shop for check engine lamp diagnosis-among other things, the Dealer replaced OFHG and VCG, leaking tad bit....car has 35K on the clock. CPO covered fortunately.

[Aldor27]

So I have gone from an e92 335i, to a f22 228i and as of 3 days ago now a f30 340i. Power wise, the 335i and 228i are completely different cars. I had buyers remorse about a month into ownership with the 228i. Traded it in for a 340i and the remorse is gone.

[thatBimmerBloke]

Originally Posted by Aldor27

So I have gone from an e92 335i, to a f22 228i and as of 3 days ago now a f30 340i. Power wise, the 335i and 228i are completely different cars. I had buyers remorse about a month into ownership with the 228i. Traded it in for a 340i and the remorse is gone.

I switched from 328 to 435 after a year of purchasing the former, there was hardly any CPO or even a used 340/440 available back then. Should have probably waited for another year but would have diminished the value of 328 even more. Amount of money I lost in this makes me regret not getting an M3/M4 in the first place I was pretty new to BMW, should have researched a bit more, I guess I didn't really know what I was looking for, until a few months later.

[Danddd]

Had a E91 and went to a '16 F31. More features and a more modern feel. Steering though lacks any feel and the F31 doesn't have that well planted feeling that the E91 did.

[Psi5]

Originally Posted by gtvr6

I could deal with some repairs but I feel like I'm at a bottomless pit.

Anyone go from a 335i to a 3/428i and feel like they're missing out?

I went from a 2007 E90 335 6MT to a 2020 F32 440 6MT. Loved the 335 (w/140k miles) but 100% glad I upgraded. The F32 is obviously newer but beyond that, the driving dynamics are solid (I don't fee too much difference with the steering), the various driving modes are great so you can adjust to road conditions, the tech and safety are nice to have, and the new one is fully covered for everything (except tires) for 4 yrs/50k miles.

A couple of people really wanted my 335 so I got good $ for it and that, combined with some savings, made the 440, fully decked out, reasonably affordable.

If you have any specific questions about the 440 or selling the 335, ask away. I did a ton of research before selling and buying. Have fun!

[Aldor27]

Originally Posted by thatBimmerBloke

I switched from 328 to 435 after a year of purchasing the former, there was hardly any CPO or even a used 340/440 available back then. Should have probably waited for another year but would have diminished the value of 328 even more. Amount of money I lost in this makes me regret not getting an M3/M4 in the first place I was pretty new to BMW, should have researched a bit more, I guess I didn't really know what I was looking for, until a few months later.

I feel it, my 228i did take a depreciation hit. I was actually debating between getting a 435i gran coupe and 340i. After researching the n55 vs b58, B58 had the win as I wanted to make power easier. Would still kill for a white 440i gran coupe with a red interior.

[johnung]

Originally Posted by gtvr6

I could deal with some repairs but I feel like I'm at a bottomless pit.

Anyone go from a 335i to a 3/428i and feel like they're missing out?

I've got a '15 335ix and it's awesome. Great as a daily driver and as a modded fun car. I had a discussion with my Indy who services BMW's all day long. His opinion was that the N55/B58 6-cylinders were clearly the most reliable. Told me to stay away from the 4-cylinders. Good luck!

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by johnung

His opinion was that the N55/B58 6-cylinders were clearly the most reliable. Told me to stay away from the 4-cylinders built before 03/2015.Good luck!

FTFY

[johnung]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

FTFY

[Eddien123]

Went from an auto E90 328 to a manual F30 335. It was sorta by force since the E90 was totaled.

Overall, I'm very happy with the car. I miss the size of the e90 and even though it was base, it still felt tighter than the sport suspension f30. The steering is miles better in the e90 (I miss this the most). And I do really miss the N52. But the N55 has been an amazing engine and tuned, has provided me with more than enough power. Car is reliable, sounds great, looks amazing and being that it's a RWD 6MT it's quite rare.

I'd say do it. You'll miss a lot about the e90 but you'll find new things about the F30 you love.

I'd avoid the 328/330 though... just my $.02

[gtvr6]

Originally Posted by Aldor27

So I have gone from an e92 335i, to a f22 228i and as of 3 days ago now a f30 340i. Power wise, the 335i and 228i are completely different cars. I had buyers remorse about a month into ownership with the 228i. Traded it in for a 340i and the remorse is gone.

Thanks for posting - I was curious to see how someone going from a 335i to a X28 would feel. The more I think of it, the more I feel like I have to get another X35i.....I love the feel of the inline 6.

Thank you.

[gtvr6]

Originally Posted by Eddien123

Went from an auto E90 328 to a manual F30 335. It was sorta by force since the E90 was totaled.

Overall, I'm very happy with the car. I miss the size of the e90 and even though it was base, it still felt tighter than the sport suspension f30. The steering is miles better in the e90 (I miss this the most). And I do really miss the N52. But the N55 has been an amazing engine and tuned, has provided me with more than enough power. Car is reliable, sounds great, looks amazing and being that it's a RWD 6MT it's quite rare.

I'd say do it. You'll miss a lot about the e90 but you'll find new things about the F30 you love.

I'd avoid the 328/330 though... just my $.02

Earlier in the year I had an opportunity to buy a 335i with a manual and I didn't. Now casually shopping, I can't find any locally (with a manual). If I go this route, I may let the manual go but I think the in-line 6 is a must. Thanks.

[Eddien123]

Originally Posted by gtvr6

Earlier in the year I had an opportunity to buy a 335i with a manual and I didn't. Now casually shopping, I can't find any locally (with a manual). If I go this route, I may let the manual go but I think the in-line 6 is a must. Thanks.

I wouldn't say the transmission is a deal breaker. 8AT is good. 6MT is more fun but that's subjective. N55 definitely has more reliability over the 4 bangers

[gtvr6]

Thank you for your input and advice. I truly appreciate the help and insight everyone provided.

I'm going to have my indy go over the car and evaluate it. Depending on the cost to repair (and what I can do myself), I'll figure out what my next steps will be.

I'll let everyone know where I end up.

Thanks and happy holidays,

jt

[Aldor27]

Originally Posted by gtvr6

Thank you for your input and advice. I truly appreciate the help and insight everyone provided.

I'm going to have my indy go over the car and evaluate it. Depending on the cost to repair (and what I can do myself), I'll figure out what my next steps will be.

I'll let everyone know where I end up.

Thanks and happy holidays,

jt

If you want power and tuning potential, go 340i. If you want styling and bigger trunk go 435i gc. I was in this same position and I'm glad I went 340i.