08-12 335i, which year should i get

jarg7 · 05-09-2016, 02:53 AM

So i've been looking through the options and it seems they all are the same basic body style and interior looks ok(although i dont like that fake wood). Basically I'm thinking of throwing a chip and intake and exhaust and maybe some suspension. Recently I'm leaning towards the newer because i like the cleaner cars with lower milage however I heard the older ones are more tunable. Would I be crazy trying to get a 2011 or 2012 as far as throwing a chip on there. Are they built as well as the older ones, and any other points to note? Thanks. My search continues for a nice car.

Cory S · 05-09-2016, 03:12 AM

10/11 are the best....Sedans are also faster and sexier.

BeastMode335i · 05-09-2016, 06:14 AM

If I could do it again I'd probably look for a 2012 335is..

abren · 05-09-2016, 07:20 AM

N55 (11+) for reliability, N54 for tunability imo. I'd shoot for a 2010 if you're going after an N54.

John 070 · 05-09-2016, 07:37 AM

doesn't N55 have a slew of issues that the N54 did not (valvetronic)...I almost want to say '08-'09....as the years went on, stuff was removed, there is a long list somewhere...it would take some research because you want to make your choice down to the production month. For example, 2/07 is different from 3/07, don't know what the other cutoffs are....

John 070 · 05-09-2016, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cory S

10/11 are the best....Sedans are also faster and sexier.

that's kind of subjective

because the coupe has a stiffer unibody--fact

Cory S · 05-09-2016, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John 070

that's kind of subjective

because the coupe has a stiffer unibody--fact

Yep. Was being biased

BeastMode335i · 05-09-2016, 07:42 AM

Didn't the 2012 335is also have an N54..?? Thought I read that somewhere before, which is why I chose that as my "if I had to choose" option

FramingLogic · 05-09-2016, 07:47 AM

Good Morning and Happy Monday.
It's been a little over 4 months since I have bought my new project 335i. I went for the N54 because (as mentioned) it is a very flexible engine. I have a second N54 in my shop that I am building, but the oem in my 335i has 155k on it and its running very strong.

If you are gonna go with the N54 here is what I will recommend:
1) go with 2008+. 2007 is fine, but there are a few details that BMW fixed that you could research, however the 2007's are fine as well
2) don't go the auto route. Known for trans issues just like the X3's and any other. Their SMG's where decent but..bla
3) This engine is actually stinking easy to work on. I take N54's and N55's apart in my sleep and the N54 imo is the better choice.
4) This engine will have issues. They run very hot, and you will need to replace gaskets, pumps, lines, and such every so often. My route would be to improve most cooling systems but I won't go into details (feel free to give me a shout if you need any answers). The N55 is deff the better route if you are not using this car the performance aspect but more like a sporty daily. Less repairs, improvements and still decent on gains (one of ours running at 460wheel as off now)

John 070 · 05-09-2016, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cory S

Yep. Was being biased

I do actually like the new M3 better than the M4....but I find the E92 to be timeless. As cars progressed, it started to look narrow (compare it to a A5/S5). But now, the S5 imho looks bloated....again subjective.

John 070 · 05-09-2016, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeastMode335i

Didn't the 2012 335is also have an N54..?? Thought I read that somewhere before, which is why I chose that as my "if I had to choose" option

yes the is models were N54's.....we have no valvetronic so we don't get into that mechatronic sleeve stuff....

abren · 05-09-2016, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FramingLogic

2) don't go the auto route. Known for trans issues just like the X3's and any other. Their SMG's where decent but..bla

Could you elaborate on the auto trans issues?

Fundguy1 · 05-09-2016, 08:19 AM

Most issues I've heard is they don't hold up well over 500 hp. You need significant work at that point to not blow them up.

abren · 05-09-2016, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fundguy1

Most issues I've heard is they don't hold up well over 500 hp. You need significant work at that point to not blow them up.

Interesting. I wonder if the AT would hold up to a FBO + meth setup. Either way, OP is just looking for a basic FBO setup it seems - I'm sure the auto will be more than suitable for his goals.

Fundguy1 · 05-09-2016, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abren

Interesting. I wonder if the AT would hold up to a FBO + meth setup. Either way, OP is just looking for a basic FBO setup it seems - I'm sure the auto will be more than suitable for his goals.

Agreed and probably fine. If you go to aftermarket turbos you start getting into danger territory.

Fundguy1 · 05-09-2016, 08:26 AM

Dct on IS supposedly holds up for a few more ponies than the standard auto. 75-100 more. I bought mine new in 2008 knowing someday I'd go bonkers with hp so I chose a stick. Saved $2000 and had the fun of a manual too.

BeastMode335i · 05-09-2016, 08:26 AM

He can go FBO all he wants, just don't push 25psi and he'll be fine.. I'm stickin to the conservative route for that very reason, 17-18psi is good enough for me lol..

FramingLogic · 05-09-2016, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abren

Interesting. I wonder if the AT would hold up to a FBO + meth setup. Either way, OP is just looking for a basic FBO setup it seems - I'm sure the auto will be more than suitable for his goals.

they are just don't take the extra power well at all. Couple people repeatedly coming in with the chronic transfer case issues, and then the usual. for daily use its not an issue though for sure

sirdaft1 · 05-09-2016, 01:19 PM

There seems to be a bunch of these identical posts being made. OP try doing a search, this has been covered in great, great depths recently.

Alen E90 · 05-10-2016, 12:53 AM

I would suggest the 2010's becuase of the N54 engine. Especially if you're interested in an E92, than the 2010's are for sure the best.

jarg7 · 05-10-2016, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alen E90

I would suggest the 2010's becuase of the N54 engine. Especially if you're interested in an E92, than the 2010's are for sure the best.

well the one im looking at now is 2011 what do you think about them? its clean and has only 41k miles so

Miller335 · 05-10-2016, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cory S

10/11 are the best....Sedans are also faster and sexier.

Is today opposite day?

05-09-2016, 02:53 AM	#1
jarg7 Private 6 Rep 53 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2016 Location: so cal iTrader: (0)	08-12 335i, which year should i get So i've been looking through the options and it seems they all are the same basic body style and interior looks ok(although i dont like that fake wood). Basically I'm thinking of throwing a chip and intake and exhaust and maybe some suspension. Recently I'm leaning towards the newer because i like the cleaner cars with lower milage however I heard the older ones are more tunable. Would I be crazy trying to get a 2011 or 2012 as far as throwing a chip on there. Are they built as well as the older ones, and any other points to note? Thanks. My search continues for a nice car.
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05-09-2016, 03:12 AM	#2
Cory S Major 305 Rep 1,163 Posts Drives: 2011 335i-X Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: N.H. iTrader: (0)	10/11 are the best....Sedans are also faster and sexier.
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05-09-2016, 06:14 AM	#3
BeastMode335i Maximus Decimus Meridius 1130 Rep 4,584 Posts Drives: F30 335i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Down South iTrader: (2)	If I could do it again I'd probably look for a 2012 335is.. __________________ F30 335i Melbourne Red Metallic M-Sport Package
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05-09-2016, 07:20 AM	#4
abren Lieutenant 247 Rep 416 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: NoVA iTrader: (2)	N55 (11+) for reliability, N54 for tunability imo. I'd shoot for a 2010 if you're going after an N54.
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05-09-2016, 07:37 AM	#5
John 070 Lieutenant General 1705 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	doesn't N55 have a slew of issues that the N54 did not (valvetronic)...I almost want to say '08-'09....as the years went on, stuff was removed, there is a long list somewhere...it would take some research because you want to make your choice down to the production month. For example, 2/07 is different from 3/07, don't know what the other cutoffs are....
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05-09-2016, 07:42 AM	#8
BeastMode335i Maximus Decimus Meridius 1130 Rep 4,584 Posts Drives: F30 335i Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Down South iTrader: (2)	Didn't the 2012 335is also have an N54..?? Thought I read that somewhere before, which is why I chose that as my "if I had to choose" option __________________ F30 335i Melbourne Red Metallic M-Sport Package
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05-09-2016, 07:47 AM	#9
FramingLogic Student 24 Rep 190 Posts Drives: GT3, 335i, Charger Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: WPB, FL ~ Bielefeld, DE ~ Dover, UK iTrader: (0)	Good Morning and Happy Monday. It's been a little over 4 months since I have bought my new project 335i. I went for the N54 because (as mentioned) it is a very flexible engine. I have a second N54 in my shop that I am building, but the oem in my 335i has 155k on it and its running very strong. If you are gonna go with the N54 here is what I will recommend: 1) go with 2008+. 2007 is fine, but there are a few details that BMW fixed that you could research, however the 2007's are fine as well 2) don't go the auto route. Known for trans issues just like the X3's and any other. Their SMG's where decent but..bla 3) This engine is actually stinking easy to work on. I take N54's and N55's apart in my sleep and the N54 imo is the better choice. 4) This engine will have issues. They run very hot, and you will need to replace gaskets, pumps, lines, and such every so often. My route would be to improve most cooling systems but I won't go into details (feel free to give me a shout if you need any answers). The N55 is deff the better route if you are not using this car the performance aspect but more like a sporty daily. Less repairs, improvements and still decent on gains (one of ours running at 460wheel as off now) __________________ ~2008 E92 Single Turbo Project~ 719whp/658wtq @29 PSI FFTEC Precision 6466 Bottom mount cppnr1@gmail.com
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05-09-2016, 08:19 AM	#13
Fundguy1 Major General 2032 Rep 8,339 Posts Drives: 335 e93 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Orlando, fl iTrader: (0)	Most issues I've heard is they don't hold up well over 500 hp. You need significant work at that point to not blow them up.
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05-09-2016, 08:26 AM	#16
Fundguy1 Major General 2032 Rep 8,339 Posts Drives: 335 e93 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Orlando, fl iTrader: (0)	Dct on IS supposedly holds up for a few more ponies than the standard auto. 75-100 more. I bought mine new in 2008 knowing someday I'd go bonkers with hp so I chose a stick. Saved $2000 and had the fun of a manual too.
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05-09-2016, 01:19 PM	#19
sirdaft1 Brigadier General 2203 Rep 3,336 Posts Drives: X5 & E90 WTCC Widebody Racecar Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Chicago West Burbs iTrader: (9) Garage List 2007 E90 WTCC Wideb ... [9.50] 2012 BMW X5 xDrive35i [9.00]	There seems to be a bunch of these identical posts being made. OP try doing a search, this has been covered in great, great depths recently.
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05-10-2016, 12:53 AM	#20
Alen E90 Lieutenant General 764 Rep 10,033 Posts Drives: E90 328i TiAg Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (7)	I would suggest the 2010's becuase of the N54 engine. Especially if you're interested in an E92, than the 2010's are for sure the best. __________________ TiAg FTW!
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