[MichBadger]

I've been lurking here for a couple of months while considering the purchase of a 335i to use mostly as a daily driver. I had a Boxster S about 16 years ago and sold it when my first kid was born. I was working at Ford, and have driven nothing but Fords in the last 15 years. I'm now in a different job and looking to experiment with owning different cars over the next few years. I bought an old Lexus 350 RX and can keep it to use a a backup for when my toy car goes down for repair. I'm very mechanically inclined, but do not have much experience working on cars. Have wrenched on just about everything else that has a motor.

I am debating the merits of buying a $10k fun car that can take me on my 60 mile round trip commute. It's a mix of city, country and a 7 mile freeway jaunt each day. The more I read about the N54 version of a 335, the more convinced I am that it's not IF I will have problems, it's when. I basically was convinced to move up to a N55 version, for about $15-$20k.

I've just started thinking about going back to a 2000-2003 ish Boxter S and doing some of the research about reliability. These cars can be found in the $10-$12k range.

I'm sure there are some people that have had both cars on this forum and looking for opinions on my situation. One other point: I am NOT looking to mod a N54 engine, so that is not a selling feature of the N54 to me.

Thanks in advance for any help on this.

[porsche959]

id pick the boxster if you are looking for a fun car and have $$$. wont even compare imo.

the only thing i would be hesitate of are the running costs of a Porsche (2-3x BMW for shop repairs and even parts i think?)

if im not mistaken, arent those 10k boxters pretty unreliable/need significant preventative maintenance as well?

was looking at cheapo boxters before my e90 but the running costs scared me off...

[mecheng77]

The 328i has the same great handling and as fun to drive as the 335 but the Engine is much more reliable and simple. If you insist on more power I would definitely get the N55 over the N54.

Boxster's are super fun cars, I rented one for a day, very fun to drive but you only have two seats. For someone with a family, I've started to look at Panamera's over Boxster's for a Sunday fun car. With the BMW they are still practical and fun to drive. I've also wondered about the Boxster reliability and with how the engine is mounted, it is not DIY friendly.

[MichBadger]

Originally Posted by mecheng77

The 328i has the same great handling and as fun to drive as the 335 but the Engine is much more reliable and simple. If you insist on more power I would definitely get the N55 over the N54.

I'm definitely looking at the power aspect. I have driven both the 328 and then a 335. Once the Genie was out of the bottle, I can't look back. Otherwise I'd probably go look at Miata's. Having 4 seats is not a necessity.

[Bimmer_Engineer]

Originally Posted by MichBadger

I'm definitely looking at the power aspect. I have driven both the 328 and then a 335. Once the Genie was out of the bottle, I can't look back. Otherwise I'd probably go look at Miata's. Having 4 seats is not a necessity.

I too was looking at boxsters in the range you’re talking about...and I’d probably have gone that way if the 335 hadn’t been dropped in my lap practically for free. That’s fortunate for me too since I added it all up this morning and I’ve spent about $3000 on the 335 since I got it in June...but hopefully I’ve taken care of many of the common issues. I don’t know much about the reliability of the boxsters, but I do think that the engine placement and accessibility makes them much less DIY friendly...

[tcphoto]

I drove an E46 325 convertible for nearly seven years before buying the E92. I think the 328 would be a fun car as long as it's an M Sport with manual transmission. The 335 has a lot of power but I think the 328 would be just as much fun to drive.

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

I wouldn't DD a boxster. They're a fun short drive for the purpose of driving. They're not fun in a long drive. They're not very good with creature comforts, the exhaust drones, the electronics are meh. I've driven one about 2-3 hours a few times, and I was happy to be out of it each time.

I found it to not be a good long cruiser, but it's a fantastic joy ride.

[Biginboca]

Personally I would do a e92 328i manual with a few choice mods. 3 stage intake and a 3.73 diff swap for about $500 all in and your car will give you 90%+ the acceleration of the 335, better handling, no turbo lag, and 10% of the headaches of a n54 335.

That’s the sweet spot for a daily driver and the usage you describe.

[mecheng77]

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

I wouldn't DD a boxster. They're a fun short drive for the purpose of driving. They're not fun in a long drive. They're not very good with creature comforts, the exhaust drones, the electronics are meh. I've driven one about 2-3 hours a few times, and I was happy to be out of it each time.

I found it to not be a good long cruiser, but it's a fantastic joy ride.

Indeed this is true, we took a long drive in the desert and after some time the exhuast drone started taking its tole; made us feel tired and wanted out of the car. The car was the non S with stock exhaust.

[tlow98]

One is fast in a straight line, kinda bloated and problematic but is comfy and holds stuff. the other is a sports car.

Do you want a regular car or a sports car?

[Gamb1t]

You live in Michigan... that means you can daily a boxster for 3 months. And if you are thinking of a boxster of that vintage, why not go for a newer Miata? Or a Z4?

If you are not planning to mod for high hp, there really aren't any compelling reason to own an N54 335i. An N55 135i should be quite fun and more reliable.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by Gamb1t

You live in Michigan... that means you can daily a boxster for 3 months. And if you are thinking of a boxster of that vintage, why not go for a newer Miata? Or a Z4?

If you are not planning to mod for high hp, there really aren't any compelling reason to own an N54 335i. An N55 135i should be quite fun and more reliable.

The Miata and the z4 have the same use case as the boxster. They can all be used year round with the correct tires.

[MichBadger]

Originally Posted by Gamb1t

You live in Michigan... that means you can daily a boxster for 3 months. .

LOL...I waterskied in 9 out of 12 months in 2018. I certainly can drive a RWD sports car at least during those same months.

Thanks for the comments so far. Definitely given me some things to think about.

[wdb]

Get both. Z4 3.0si. 255HP N52 motor, two seats.

[nhhiep]

for old cars, I would get the NA over Turbo engine. I am looking for a Boxster 981 myself, but my budget is only $20k. I guess I've to wait a few more for it to get to that price

[TemjinX2]

the N54 will be faster on the highway, but the boxster will be better on the back roads. The boxster will be ok if your will do your own diy on maintence and they had the IMS bearing already replaced. The boxster will also be a bigger pain to work on compared to the N54...keep in mind you have to jack up the car and take off the bottom rear quarter inner fender just to do spark plugs on the boxster.

You should also look at a used frs...you can buy those for 12-14k and it'll be a more reliable and cheaper maintence boxster. Also down the line, you can drop in a ls or 2jz motor if you want more power out of it.

[arhoads335i]

Get a 135i! The boxter will be a mess and could have an IMS bearing failure.
But really you are looking at two cars that are probably expensive to maintain.
Buy a Fox body mustang!

[floydarogers]

I DD our 2000 Boxster for several weeks (during good NW weather) a couple years. Really fun except for top-down in the Mercer Island and Mt. Baker I90 tunnels where it's really loud. The clutch is a wonder, it's great being able to see all the summer scenery. Easy to park. Great exhaust note. Very adequate power (altough an 'S would have been nice.) Suspension (not sport) better with no RFT crashing.

During rainy times not so good because you're way down there in the spray.

Very reliable car, although I worried about the IMS problems of those early engines. (Interestingly, BMW's current timing chain problems are due to a similar design!)

[srey]

Originally Posted by arhoads335i

Get a 135i! The boxter will be a mess and could have an IMS bearing failure.
But really you are looking at two cars that are probably expensive to maintain.
Buy a Fox body mustang!

A fox body with an IRS conversion might not be bad, but damn the interior quality is gawd awful. The e9x interior isn't the top of the podium, but it's pretty damn good. I don't like spending a lot of time in my other vehicles because of ergonomics and layout, but my 335i is nice.

[MichBadger]

Thanks for all of the comments. I'll definitely consider a 135i and a 328i. I've never cared for the looks of a Z4 and won't be looking at old Mustangs...lol.

I do have say that there is something alluring about a N54 E92 though. It almost feels like a challenge to find a good one and keep it running. I always like the satisfaction of a project like that.