Time to Buy an E9x

[Mordakyblu]

My E46 cost too much for me to keep repaired. So I'm thinking about a 2011 335 Desiel with 69k miles. Or a 2011 328 manual with 81k. Price for these is about the same. Not sure which one to go with. Lots of the next series available

[328 Power 04]

Well the 335d had so many issues with emissions equipment, your E46 would be a walk in the park. Lol.

In all seriousness, if you're dedicated, they're both good. But from what I hear, the late N52 is a very good engine.

[White94RX]

If an E46 is too much to repair, you certainly don't want a diesel. The N52 was a great engine, and reliable, but it will need ongoing maintenance and repairs like any BMW does. Oil leaks, water pump, coils, vanos solenoids, valvetronic sensor. If you think an E46 cost too much, maybe you need to buy a Honda or Toyota. BMW's are not cheap cars to maintain.

[Mordakyblu]

Not a helpful reply (Buy a Honda). My E46 has gotten to the point were I have to restore it. The repairs are routinely running $2,000 dollars each to keep it running with 3+ repairs per year. So, it's time to restore. I can't restore it and use it as my primary car. Too inconvenient. So time for a newer version for my primary (Right now I plan to keep and restore E46 - pretty banged up though didn't know that I would like it so much when I bought it. So maybe I will dump it and look for E46 M3 manual to repair).

Perhaps I phrased the question poorly. So let me restate the question. Of the two, which you buy? Will the diesel wear better than the gas? Just looking for input. Or if you were going on a search for E9x what you do? Kinda of newbe to BMW's. So any help would be appreciated.

[White94RX]

Unless I had plans to delete the emissions equipment, and tune the diesel, I would not buy one. The emissions control systems are garbage, and very costly to repair. A diesel particulate filter is over $4k plus labor.

The N52k in the 328 is much more reliable, but don't expect to put gas in it and run it forever. It will cost money to keep on the road, same as any used car (just more $$$ than a Honda would, which is why I mentioned it).

[jclausen]

Just because the diesel is better on mpg is not the only thing to look at. The systems on the Diesel engine to make it comply with emissions are complex. The diesels are not made for just short trips around town because the engine will not go into regen to clean the particulate filter, one problem the short drives clog up the intake system. So I would not recommend the Diesel. The newer BMW will have the common oil leaks, electric water pump etc. if you could work on it yourself than certainly you will save a bunch of money. Personally im ready to get into a completely different brand I love the BMW but I do get frustrated with all the things that need attention. My BMW R1100gs has been pretty much bullet proof in comparison.

[328 Power 04]

The 335d is considered the first generation of diesel emissions equipment (at least for North America), and it had many problems. From adblue tank design to many issues with carbon deposits. The second generation is much more improved (much less rates of major failure, save for some egr cooler leaks... with overall better longevity), but you won't find it in E90.

I think the 335d is a great performance diesel, hindered by a lot of emissions equipment failures. The mpg of the 335d is not exactly spectacular... But its power is. If taken care of, it can easily last over 200k miles, very likely even more.

Just like previous posters said, both would need some maintaining, but I think the 328 with N52 would be a little cheaper overall for the long term.