IMMEDIATE HELP REQ. Which car one buy? 330i 50k vs 335i 85k @ 2006/2007

[mixmercury]

Basically I've put a deposit on a E92 335i that I was planning to pick up tomorrow from PASSPORT BMW in MD and just noticed that a 330i (My preferred but more unavailable model) appeared on cars.com. I am troubled extremely because I feel like I am going to make the wrong decision. PASSPORT painted the rear bumper for me due to what looked like white chipping or some sort of nasty sh**; but when I called to reassure myself that the hood of the trunk was not compromised similarly the sales man who is clearly foreign raised his voice with me which pissed me off.

Short story- here are the two cars. I need one tomorrow. hopefully you guys can help.


http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...4129/overview/ - 335i with 85k Black on Black


http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...2668/overview/ - 330i with 50k Green on Brown interior.


Any help would be grreatly appreciated. Thanks.



- A

[323i E30]

I'd go for the one I like best, which for you is the 330i.
Buying a car while you feel like you're making the wrong decision is pretty much the recipe for regret

[mixmercury]

Disregard what I said about my worries or fears, I was looking for more mechanical or professional opinions, based off of the cars themselves.

[pbonsalb]

Simpler car is non turbo 330i. Lower mileage also a benefit. Personally, I like performance so I would go 335i, but the cheaper car to maintain over the long run is likely the 330i.

[mixmercury]

Simpler car is non turbo 330i. Lower mileage also a benefit. Personally, I like performance so I would go 335i, but the cheaper car to maintain over the long run is likely the 330i.

even with the mileage difference of almost 30k? Also the 335 was driven to and from NY for a while. Not sure if this is a determining factor or not

[pbonsalb]

I would be way too bored in a 330i to even consider it. But that is me and I am not telling you to be me. If performance is not an issue for you, that makes the decision much easier. Also performance is relative. If a 330i is higher performing than whatever you have been driving, you will probably be happy.

If one car had lower miles but was used for city driving and another had high miles but was used on the highway, then the lower mileage car might not be any better. You did not disclose usage in your original post. If the 335i is mostly highway and the 330i mostly city, maybe 50% more miles does not matter. I will say that I think BMW's past 15k mile oil changes were a bad idea.

Our 08 535xit with same N54 twin turbo engine as in the 335i you are looking at has about 100k miles. It has needed an electric coolant pump, thermostat, ignition coils,and some sort of solenoid valve. I'd say all normal for a car with that age and mileage. I expect the turbos to go next. If you can pull the service history on the 335i that might give you an idea of what has been done and what may still be waiting for you.

[BimmerBreaker]

The 330i is a great car with a great engine, even with the mileage difference it will likely be much cheaper to maintain over the long run and will still put many smiles on your face. 335i is faster, but the turbos add a lot of complication and expense. Worth it to some, not to others. If you want the 330i get the 330i