328i vs 335i - Help Choosing

[jack63ss]

I currently drive a 2006 330Ci 6-spd. I only has 122k on it, but I am thinking about replacing it with a lower mileage 2011/2012 3-Series 6-spd Convertible. My quandary is, 328 vs 335 ? The biggest difference is obviously the extra 70hp and 100ftlb generated by the turbocharger. I owned a turbocharged car before, so my two questions are about turbo lag and reliability. Is the lag noticeable and if so how bad is it ? And about what is the is the life expectancy of the turbo ? The price difference is only a couple of thousand, and I'm okay with that. I am pretty sure most people will say to go with the 335i, which was why I asked specifically about the turbo. My last turbo car was a 91 Ford Probe GT, which had no lag and I put 130k+ on the turbo before I sold the car, so I have high expectations.
Thanks

[marvinstockman]

The only thing I would advise is don't sell the old one until you're happy with the new one.

[zellamay]

You haven't said how important the power is to you. That's the most important consideration. I've had turbo cars, and know that they are eventually more money to own. We have a 2006 330i and it has plenty of power.

[JDStrickland]

There is an M54 and M55 engine, the M54 has two turbos, the M55 has one. The M55 is reportedly more reliable. Finding a 6-spd E93 will prove to be a challenge, having said that, most of them that I was able to find came in the 335. I used autotrader.com to find my car, and I specifically set the search criteria to manual transmission, and almost all of the cars on a dealer's lot were shown as a manual trans, but showed paddle shifters. I had trouble finding a 328 with a manual, -- pedals, not paddles -- but almost all of the 335s were described correctly. I'm an old guy, and I'm very happy with the 328. My trouble with the car is prying myself out of it. I shoulda got a 4 Series so I have the extra 2 or 3 inches to get in and out.

[dankatz]

There is an M54 and M55 engine, the M54 has two turbos, the M55 has one. The M55 is reportedly more reliable. Finding a 6-spd E93 will prove to be a challenge, having said that, most of them that I was able to find came in the 335. I used autotrader.com to find my car, and I specifically set the search criteria to manual transmission, and almost all of the cars on a dealer's lot were shown as a manual trans, but showed paddle shifters. I had trouble finding a 328 with a manual, -- pedals, not paddles -- but almost all of the 335s were described correctly. I'm an old guy, and I'm very happy with the 328. My trouble with the car is prying myself out of it. I shoulda got a 4 Series so I have the extra 2 or 3 inches to get in and out.

I think those were N54 and N55. Both are excellent choices and I would pick the one that is in better condition. I suspect the 328 may have less problems. I’m happy with my low mileage 2009 335xi with 83k miles. As long as you get an in-line 6, which you do with both, than you are all set

I think the options also matter. Do you want the sports suspension? Do you want all wheel drive? The purest is a rear wheel drive naturally aspirated manual version in terms of fun to drive

[jack63ss]

Replies in order:
Definitely will hold on to the 2006. May wind up going to one of my children, as both have expressed interest.

Importance of power is a 5 on a 10 scale. My 2006 is quick enough and a 2011 328 has 5hp more, but 14lb less torque and weighs 320lb more. So it might be a wash, although the extra weight concerns me as I count more on the handling than the horsepower.

So I did some quick research on BMW engine nomenclature (Wikipedia). Unfortunately, as with anything on the internet, I did find one or two anomolies. But putting them aside, as sold in the E4x/E9x series:

M54 natural 2000-2006 E46
B22 320
B25 325
B30 330 (225hp)
N52 natural 2006-2015
2006-2007 E90/E92/E93 325i, 325xi (215hp)
2005-2013 E90/E91/E92/E93 328i, 328xi (230hp)
2007-2013 E90/E92/E93 330i, 330xi (255/276hp) ?
N53 natural 2006-2013 (Not sold in US)
N54 twin turbo
2006–2010 E90/E91/E92/E93 335i (302hp)
2011–2013 E92/E93 335is (322hp)
N55 single turbo
2010–2013 E90/E91/E92/E93 335i (302hp)

So a 328 N52 or 335 N55 would be fine. An N54 twin turbo would be an overkill and I'll take the more reliable option, as my current 122k miles has been mostly trouble free. And I checked into the paddle shifter thing, as I do NOT want that, and it looks like up thru at least 2012 it is three pedals, so I am good.

And actually, if someone can confirm this data that would be great. I think some of my confusion is year of mfg vs model year vs where it was sold, as I don't think I have seen a 2007 330i ? And given that version is 25hp more than a 328i, I'd love to know what the difference is.

So I think I need to do a 328 vs 335 shootout road test. There are a bunch of 2009/2010 coupes and sedans around with 6 spd, so I'll go find 2 and try them out. THANKS your all for your comments.

[jack63ss]

Late Note: Did find a 2009 335i with paddle shifters (a $100 option), so I will make sure I check.
Later Note: Never mind, turns out the ad was wrong, it was 6spd StepTronic, not a manual.

[dankatz]

I have an N54 335xi sedan from 2009 with a manual. The manual was available on most e9x bmws. The N54 and N55 are both under stressed and can be modified. I think both are relatively reliable but do think no turbo would be even better reliability wise as long as the injectors have been replaced at some point. The 330i was non turbo and produced for a couple of years if I remember correctly in the e9x series, 2006-2007

[jack63ss]

I am actually looking into buying a 2010-2011 328i and seeing if I can find the parts to upgrade the engine from 230hp to the 255/260hp version used in the Z4/X3/X5 3.0Si versions. I think the differences are the intake manifold and engine management software, and if that is true the change could be done for a reasonable cost with used parts. I just need to find someone that actually KNOWS if it is true.

[JDStrickland]

I think those were N54 and N55. Both are excellent choices and I would pick the one that is in better condition. I suspect the 328 may have less problems. I’m happy with my low mileage 2009 335xi with 83k miles. As long as you get an in-line 6, which you do with both, than you are all set

I think the options also matter. Do you want the sports suspension? Do you want all wheel drive? The purest is a rear wheel drive naturally aspirated manual version in terms of fun to drive

Sorry, you're right, it N54 and N55. The N and the M are next to each other, stupid keyboard design...

[Pilgrim]

Simple opinion: I'm always reluctant to buy a used turbo vehicle with many miles. I've pulled and rebuilt a turbo with 49K miles when the previous owner didn't know how to take care of a turbo. They can be killed quickly with too much hot rodding and poor care.

My wife and I have two 328 X series E90s, and they're both over 100K with no service problems. I love "more power," but when it comes to the E90 series I'll stick with the non-turbo models since I'm a used car buyer, not a new car buyer.

[Tidrick]

I just recently picked up a '07 328i 6-spd manual with the sport package. It is a lower level trim spec car (manual seats, no bluetooth stereo, etc) but I am loving driving it. I am pleasantly impressed with the power, especially how torque delivers underway and when driving spiritedly in the twisties. I "love" mo'powa, but as this rig came with 105k on the odo and I really don't want to pour a lot of funds in repairs, I leaned towards the normally aspirated variant.

Talking with some folks much more knowledgeable than me re: BMWs (especially *older* BMWs), I was told it could be modded for power. Then I said I need it to last me another 150k or so and he just smiled and said, "then take care of the routine maintenance and drive it. This car is a great selection for what you say you want."

I do have a couple of small niggling things to address, but generally I am please with this car thus far!

- kbt

[dukedkt442]

The ‘06 and maybe early ‘07 E9x 328 and 330 BOTH had the N52. The difference in power is due to the intake design; 328 had single stage while 330 had 3 stage (which can be added to the 328 for an easy, reliable, ~30-40 hp gain. The 328s of all E9x in the could also have N51, which was 3 stage intake but lower compression, so it’s maxed out.

The N54 is plagued with HPFP and turbo system failures, but has forged internals. The N55 solved some of those issues, but has a weaker rotating assembly and a propensity for wiping rod bearings, apparently from oil changes in which the pump was not primed. No thanks.

All N series engines can eat their serpentine belts through their front crank seals, which clogs the oil pump pickup and kills the engine. Watch out for those inevitable OFHG leaks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pdude1]

Had many problems with the N54 though most ere addressed during the initial warranty. My turbos are in the 90K range and still working fine. Hopefully they continue to work fine. Recently had issues with coolant and the blower.

[zellamay]

Replies in order:
Definitely will hold on to the 2006. May wind up going to one of my children, as both have expressed interest.

Importance of power is a 5 on a 10 scale. My 2006 is quick enough and a 2011 328 has 5hp more, but 14lb less torque and weighs 320lb more. So it might be a wash, although the extra weight concerns me as I count more on the handling than the horsepower.

So I did some quick research on BMW engine nomenclature (Wikipedia). Unfortunately, as with anything on the internet, I did find one or two anomolies. But putting them aside, as sold in the E4x/E9x series:

M54 natural 2000-2006 E46
B22 320
B25 325
B30 330 (225hp)
N52 natural 2006-2015
2006-2007 E90/E92/E93 325i, 325xi (215hp)
2005-2013 E90/E91/E92/E93 328i, 328xi (230hp)
2007-2013 E90/E92/E93 330i, 330xi (255/276hp) ?
N53 natural 2006-2013 (Not sold in US)
N54 twin turbo
2006–2010 E90/E91/E92/E93 335i (302hp)
2011–2013 E92/E93 335is (322hp)
N55 single turbo
2010–2013 E90/E91/E92/E93 335i (302hp)

So a 328 N52 or 335 N55 would be fine. An N54 twin turbo would be an overkill and I'll take the more reliable option, as my current 122k miles has been mostly trouble free. And I checked into the paddle shifter thing, as I do NOT want that, and it looks like up thru at least 2012 it is three pedals, so I am good.

And actually, if someone can confirm this data that would be great. I think some of my confusion is year of mfg vs model year vs where it was sold, as I don't think I have seen a 2007 330i ? And given that version is 25hp more than a 328i, I'd love to know what the difference is.

So I think I need to do a 328 vs 335 shootout road test. There are a bunch of 2009/2010 coupes and sedans around with 6 spd, so I'll go find 2 and try them out. THANKS your all for your comments.

We have a 2006 330i 255 hp, which is not on your list. There is apparently some confusion because there were some E46 cars made in 2006 also.

[zoomie]

I bought my first BMW last fall, 2007 328i convertible with N52K automatic. It has the sport features so better seats, steering wheel and wider tires. It has lots of power for the twisties and the grip is amazing. I too am more for reliability than chasing HP so this one is perfect for me.