Paging the Bimmer crowd.

[Saga]

Quick and dirty: Retired the TA permanently and have been driving the truck as a DD for half the year. Loathe it, the truck is amazing and has it's uses but driving a 700HP 7MPG monster as a daily driver is starting to get rather annoying when you fill up twice a week @ $88 a fill.

I've stumbled on a local 335xi that meets the majority of my requirements for a daily driver.. 20+mpg city, replacing all 4 tires with legit DWS is less than a grand + AWD, and a turbo'd six pushing 300+hp. Clean carfax, one owner, immaculate service history. 35k miles, dealer was asking 32.5k, ended up haggling for $27900 OTD.

It still has a year remaining on the factory warranty and everything mechanical checks out - I'm bringing it to a local BMW dealer tomorrow to run it through their inspection (as I'm buying it used from a non-BMW dealer) and if everything is kosher I'll be writing them a check tomorrow.

I consider myself to be pretty educated on cars, but I've never owned German. I've done the general maintenance calculations and the car is far below my initial price point for ownership - I plan to keep it 2-3 years and trade out as this model seems to keep it's value very well and I'll only be driving it 5-7k miles a year.

Is there anything blatantly obvious I'm missing here for my potential new garage baby now that my precious TA is gone?

 

[punjabiplaya]

parts are going to be expensive

 

[Saga]

parts are going to be expensive

It's under warranty and the purchase comes with a BMW backed 2 year extension free of charge to me. Parts will be free for the duration I expect to own it.

 

[punjabiplaya]

grats then!

 

[Demo24]

Only issue I know about on these is the HPFP(high pressure fuel pump), and there was a service out by BMW to try and address this. I would check to see a)if it's been replaced/inspected b)if it meets the criteria of fixing.

 

[GoatMonkey]

Did you also get a spare tire? I don't think the DWS tires are run-flats.

 

[Saga]

Did you also get a spare tire? I don't think the DWS tires are run-flats.

The tires are at 80%, OEM run-flats. I simply think ahead on replacements since the OEM tires last in the 15k range. I'd be replacing them with run-flats to the tune of $800-1,000 for a set, or non run-flats (DWS in that case) for $400-600 a set. Really depends on the need, I've never had a flat tire in my life but I have no problem using a jack and swapping in a spare.

The fact that the car is not the sport model and the tires are not staged is saving me about $300 all-in.

 

[Saga]

Only issue I know about on these is the HPFP(high pressure fuel pump), and there was a service out by BMW to try and address this. I would check to see a)if it's been replaced/inspected b)if it meets the criteria of fixing.

Due to a class action lawsuit the BMW warranty for HPFP's has been extended to 100,000 miles @ 10 years. I don't expect to own the car long enough for that warranty expiring to be an issue.. but thanks for the heads up!

 

[halik]

parts are going to be expensive

compared to?

 

[punjabiplaya]

compared to?

a honda

 

[Saga]

a honda

We already have a 2010 CRV for a beater. Someday my daughter will get it I'm sure.

 

[woodie1]

I've owned a 323i, 530i and 540i. Nothing compares. Looks like you did your homework and found a good deal for your needs. You will enjoy attributes that no other car has IMHO.

 

[punjabiplaya]

We already have a 2010 CRV for a beater. Someday my daughter will get it I'm sure.

I'm so psychic. Anyways, get a flash tuner and have some fun in the 335.

 

[MotF Bane]

What is the TA that you retired, and what is the truck?

 

[SSSnail]

Do yourself a favor and get a new set of wheels and tires. Run flats = meh.

And, google JB3 for 335i.

Oh, and why write a check? Use your cards so you can get points.

 

[alkalinetaupehat]

What is the TA that you retired, and what is the truck?

Seconded, needs pics.

(TA = Trans-Am, I'm pretty sure.)

 

[DivideBYZero]

Buy it, enjoy it. If you don't the only thing you will always have is nagging regret. If you hate it, sell it, nobody's holding a gun to your head to keep it, and on parts, you'd be surprised. Everyday parts are very comparable with other manufacturers, the more exotic stuff, yeah it's pricey(my MAF is the same unit used in the M5/6=$), but you're not driving a Civic...

 

[ravana]

Enjoy the 335 if you decide to get it.

I've thoroughly enjoyed driving em.

 

[PricklyPete]

Solid choice...great motor. The HPFF is the is the biggest problem I've heard...and that is warrantied for 10 years. If you're not planning on keeping this car forever...jump on it...you'll enjoy every minute of driving it.

 

[mb]

The tires are at 80%, OEM run-flats. I simply think ahead on replacements since the OEM tires last in the 15k range. I'd be replacing them with run-flats to the tune of $800-1,000 for a set, or non run-flats (DWS in that case) for $400-600 a set. Really depends on the need, I've never had a flat tire in my life but I have no problem using a jack and swapping in a spare.

The fact that the car is not the sport model and the tires are not staged is saving me about $300 all-in.

I think he was wondering if the car already has a spare since sometimes when you get a car with runflats they might not include a spare.

 

[halik]

a honda

2010 civic alternator (aftermarket, reman) 142 bucks
2007 335i alternator (aftermarket reman) 172 bucks

Don't think 20% price difference over an econobox car would kill you.

 

[actuarial]

I think he was wondering if the car already has a spare since sometimes when you get a car with runflats they might not include a spare.

The newest three series don't even come with a place for a spare. There is an after-market conversion to swap out the storage area under the trunk for one though.

I've read on E90post that a lot of people just use regular tires + throw a can of fix-a-flat in the trunk storage. I find the run-flats pretty loud, and will get regular tires when I next change them.

 

[mb]

The newest three series don't even come with a place for a spare. There is an after-market conversion to swap out the storage area under the trunk for one though.

I've read on E90post that a lot of people just use regular tires + throw a can of fix-a-flat in the trunk storage. I find the run-flats pretty loud, and will get regular tires when I next change them.

Hmm I wasn't aware of that (the bolded part).

But yeah I really don't like run flats. My dads 5 series came with run flats and they SUCKED. He got them swapped out with a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus tires that are 100000x better. Cheaper, quieter, smoother, and better handling in every weather condition.

 

[GoatMonkey]

You could try something like this:
http://www.leatherz.com/Merchant5/m...roduct_Code=SpaceSaverSpare&Category_Code=E90

 

[KDKPSJ]

You could try something like this:
http://www.leatherz.com/Merchant5/m...roduct_Code=SpaceSaverSpare&Category_Code=E90

Wow.. The price of that LeatherZ's spare keeps going up and up. It was about $ 300 with the tools included when I first looked at it (about 2-2.5 years ago). And now it's $ 440! Guess demand & supply curve never lies.

Anyway, yes, RFT is bad. Yes, there are better RFT's, but all of them are worse than their non-RFT counterparts. I am ready to give up some of trunk space if I can get spare tire, and looks like many others do as well.