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Thread: 2008 328i now, trade up a 5 or 7 series around same year. Good or bad idea?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
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    2008 328I

    2008 328i now, trade up a 5 or 7 series around same year. Good or bad idea?

    My 2008 328i now at 128k miles is an 8 or 9 out of 10 scale. Near perfect condition inside and mechanically fully serviced, no SIL lights .
    My last BMW was 2003 530i M-Package, that one started my respect for BMW as I was before that driving a 2000 SL500 and the 530i was a better drivers car.
    Now that I have all the 100k maintenance done on my 328i would it be a bad idea to trade up to a 5series or even a 7series around the same year and miles?
    How much would I lose in reliability?
    I do alot of the maintenance myself, bearings, brakes, just did the valve cover and VVT shaft sensor, flush fluids, stuff like that.
    But I wouldn't swap a tranny or timing chain so no head gaskets probably. Any thoughts, anything to avoid?
    Thanks for your thoughts.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
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    Houston, TX
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    36 Cylinders
    Avoid most V8 BMWs and E65 7 series like the plague.
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
    - 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  3. #3
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    Bummer, I new that was true with the older v8s, i was hoping they had made some improvements. Still love the 6.

  4. #4
    Join Date
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    96 E36 Vert 03 E39 M5
    I dont agree.
    My E39 M5 was troublefree and if it wasnt crushed by a utility worker dropping a pole on it, I'm sure it would be laying the smackdown still. I'm planning on getting another . I have a 08 335i now and I think the E39 M5 was a better car in build quality and driver feel. That said I think you would like a 535. I've been looking at them and almost purchased one but I was beat to the punch by one day. Aside from the N54's carbon issue due to DI , i think it has a strong reputation [aside from the electric water pump issues].
    I've also heard the V8 M3 is a nightmare, however it may suffer the same rod bearing issues the S65? was affected by. In that situation, if you have the means or ability to replace the rod bearings, they have a pretty stout reputation in the my circles. Seems the biggest issues were Vanos, Rod Bearings [specced the wrong oil clearances I believe] and cooling system issues [N54]. Also walnut blasting is a chore however some people have taken the task on themselves and it's a managable [abiet messy] one.

    YMMV but I wouldn't be fearful of the V8s, just know what their issues are and resolve them.
    Good luck let us know what you eventually end up with.
    http://www.bmwmregistry.com/detail.php?id=13792
    * E39 M5 SterlingGray -RIP 11/2018
    * E36 328 vert Schwarz - ~TurboProject underway
    * E90 335i Sedan MonocoBlau - Daily ToddlerTaxi

  5. #5
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    '08 E90 335xi manual
    Quote Originally Posted by Turbohugh View Post
    Aside from the N54's carbon issue due to DI , i think it has a strong reputation [aside from the electric water pump issues].
    Aside from the injection pump failures.
    Aside from the OFHG leaks.
    Aside from the oil pan leaks and the colossal repair they entail.
    Aside from serpentine belts getting sucked through the crank seal and destroying the engine.
    Are you gonna eat that?

  6. #6
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    96 E36 Vert 03 E39 M5
    Quote Originally Posted by relative4 View Post
    Aside from the injection pump failures.
    Aside from the OFHG leaks.
    Aside from the oil pan leaks and the colossal repair they entail.
    Aside from serpentine belts getting sucked through the crank seal and destroying the engine.
    HPFP covered during recall
    Serpentine belt : known solutions exist :
    Can’t argue with the other points :
    Seriously for the performance potential I’ll take the trade off . Oil pan and OFHG don’t see to affect everyone


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    http://www.bmwmregistry.com/detail.php?id=13792
    * E39 M5 SterlingGray -RIP 11/2018
    * E36 328 vert Schwarz - ~TurboProject underway
    * E90 335i Sedan MonocoBlau - Daily ToddlerTaxi

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Turbohugh View Post
    Seriously for the performance potential I’ll take the trade off .
    Ditto, just bought a second.
    Are you gonna eat that?

  8. #8
    Join Date
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    96 E36 Vert 03 E39 M5
    Quote Originally Posted by relative4 View Post
    Ditto, just bought a second.
    I'm thinking of targeting a LCI vert once I get familiar with the platform.

    One thing I think should be said about any of the M series [or any of the higher strung variants of any of the platforms]
    "If you do not have the means or personal ability to maintain the vehicle and resolve the know issues, stick with a LS platform"

    Fix it yourself, pain in the rear but can be reliable.

    Have to pay a dealer or indy.. Welcome to the Wallet of WOE [Burn My Wallet] .

    http://www.bmwmregistry.com/detail.php?id=13792
    * E39 M5 SterlingGray -RIP 11/2018
    * E36 328 vert Schwarz - ~TurboProject underway
    * E90 335i Sedan MonocoBlau - Daily ToddlerTaxi

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