Which E90 would you get>

Josh (PA) · 11-20-2012, 11:56 AM

This is a question that I've been kicking around lately. I figure I'm about a year out from replacing the M5. I'm 95% sure I'll go the pre-owned route, unless the F30 is way better than the reviews suggest, the ATS really wows me or something unexpected hits the market. I will check out an E60 M5 and the S4/S6, but realistically I'll most likely wind up in an E90. One of the big motivators for the switch is my oldest daughter will be getting her license and will be added to our insurance. Even if she won't be driving my car, I'm sure her addition to our policy will make the rates excessive for something like an E60 M5.

If you were to get an e90, which engine would you get? The original 330, the 328 and both 335 turbo engines seem to have pros and cons.

The 330 has the most powerful NA engine in the group and seemed to be relatively reliable, but it was only the 1st and 2nd year of production, so the car is older.

The 328 that replaced it is the last NA I6, and can be had in the last year of the generation, so most of the kinks are worked out and options are most up to date. I assume thet NA engine will be more reliable long term than the FI engines, but that's just an assumption.

I'm not really up to date on the pros/cons of the N54 vs N55 (other than 1 turbo vs 2), but am interested in the positives/negatives of each and if you think it would be smart to own a turbo engine for the next 5 + years out of warranty. Coming from the M5, I'd much prefer the added Hp (and more importantly torque). Are there any decent LSD options?

Which would you get?

JST · 11-20-2012, 12:00 PM

I loved the engine in my 07 335 (an N54). That's the only engine I'd consider in an E90; the rest of the car is sort of bland, and in 328 guise there just wasn't enough to recommend it (at least to me). The 330 was generally indistinguishable from the 328, as far as I recall.

JST · 11-20-2012, 12:02 PM

I should say that it appears the HPFP issues have been resolved, finally; make sure whatever car you buy has had the recall(s), if applicable, but they probably all have by now.

Sharp11 · 11-20-2012, 12:21 PM

I've driven both the 335 and 328 fairly extensively.

The 335 is pretty nice - it just feels great and I'd imagine the transition from an M5 relatively painless. My friend Chuck has the E93 version and even with the extra weight, it has plenty of power.

My sister has a 328 xi sedan. I can see where some people would feel it bland, it is the bread and butter car of the line-up, but as an all around daily driver, it's a much nicer Accord, IMO. For me it's fast enough and I like the way it rides on 17/45's.

bren · 11-20-2012, 12:32 PM

I had a 328 loaner a little while back. Slow and terrible gas mileage, no thanks.

No idea what the real world difference is between the turbo's, but the n55 in the x3 is no slouch. I'd get the newest 335 I could find with the options I wanted.

gek330i · 11-20-2012, 12:58 PM

I have a manual 07 335i (N54) that has been 100% reliable (I did the HPFP recall preemptively) and if price is a big factor for you, then do not drive the 335i. To me there is no comparison at all with the other two performance wise.
I have fun every day I drive this car.

Only detriment to these engines in my experience is carbon build up in the intake valves about every 30k miles. Had the dealer clean them once under warranty and I'm guessing I'll be doing it again in the new year possibly, but in the end it is not a big deal for me if you know that this is part of your 30k-40k mile maintenance.

I'm planning on driving this car into the ground. I've heard from people that have gone from an N54 335i to an N55 that they feel a little less umph factor in the newer N55 (both E90 and F30).

Hope this helps.

JST · 11-20-2012, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gek330i

I have a manual 07 335i (N54) that has been 100% reliable (I did the HPFP recall preemptively) and if price is a big factor for you, then do not drive the 335i. To me there is no comparison at all with the other two performance wise.
I have fun every day I drive this car.

Only detriment to these engines in my experience is carbon build up in the intake valves about every 30k miles. Had the dealer clean them once under warranty and I'm guessing I'll be doing it again in the new year possibly, but in the end it is not a big deal for me if you know that this is part of your 30k-40k mile maintenance.

I'm planning on driving this car into the ground. I've heard from people that have gone from an N54 335i to an N55 that they feel a little less umph factor in the newer N55 (both E90 and F30).

Hope this helps.

What are the symptoms of the carbon buildup, and what's involved in the cleaning?

FC · 11-20-2012, 01:24 PM

I know this is BS having not driven a 335, but my M-sport 328i, at least in MY2011 guise, is excellent. It is very nearly a ZHP but 6-8 years newer, and (as is my case) available in wagon.

It is not fast, though. It has the same issues the ZHP had. But it is very smooth, loves to rev, and is surprisingly responsive.

That said, I would have bought a 335iT if available. It only feels slow when loaded up or if you are in a lazy mood and don't feel like winding it up. Otherwise, it is perfectly quick enough to have fun.

As your sportiest car, I would probably go with more power. But keep in mind I read rumors about BMW tweaking the sports suspension right up until 2011, which might explain why I like the E91 (late '11) so much dynamically. Excellent ride too.

SARAFIL · 11-20-2012, 01:45 PM

If you go E90, go 335i. It's a no brainer. 330i is nice but they are getting old, and 328i is decent but no reason to not go 335.

gek330i · 11-20-2012, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JST

What are the symptoms of the carbon buildup, and what's involved in the cleaning?

The way I noticed it before finding out it was due to carbon build up was a very slight "flutter" feeling in the higher gears (4th, 5th & 6th) at about 3,000 RPM and flooring it. I had to do a test drive with the service manager on a very smooth road to be able to demonstrate it as it could be masked by normal road imperfections (it was that slight of a feeling and I guess that means I do belong on this board as a CARmudgeon?).

There is an entire thread about this on e90post. I'll find it and update this post.
I don't know what specific method the dealer used to clean the valves, but folks on e90post use walnut shell blasting and seems to run ~$400.00.

Link to Carbon Build Up thread at e90post: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=669314

View Poll Results: Which E90
330	0	0%
328	2	16.67%
335 n54	7	58.33%
335 n55	3	25.00%
Voters: 12. You may not vote on this poll

11-20-2012, 11:56 AM	#1
Josh (PA) Hello. Join Date: Mar 2004 Carmudgeonly Ride: '09 X3, '11 328xiT, '11 135i C, '17 c2, '19 X5 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 5,531	Which E90 would you get> This is a question that I've been kicking around lately. I figure I'm about a year out from replacing the M5. I'm 95% sure I'll go the pre-owned route, unless the F30 is way better than the reviews suggest, the ATS really wows me or something unexpected hits the market. I will check out an E60 M5 and the S4/S6, but realistically I'll most likely wind up in an E90. One of the big motivators for the switch is my oldest daughter will be getting her license and will be added to our insurance. Even if she won't be driving my car, I'm sure her addition to our policy will make the rates excessive for something like an E60 M5. If you were to get an e90, which engine would you get? The original 330, the 328 and both 335 turbo engines seem to have pros and cons. The 330 has the most powerful NA engine in the group and seemed to be relatively reliable, but it was only the 1st and 2nd year of production, so the car is older. The 328 that replaced it is the last NA I6, and can be had in the last year of the generation, so most of the kinks are worked out and options are most up to date. I assume thet NA engine will be more reliable long term than the FI engines, but that's just an assumption. I'm not really up to date on the pros/cons of the N54 vs N55 (other than 1 turbo vs 2), but am interested in the positives/negatives of each and if you think it would be smart to own a turbo engine for the next 5 + years out of warranty. Coming from the M5, I'd much prefer the added Hp (and more importantly torque). Are there any decent LSD options? Which would you get? __________________ Josh (PA) - '19 X5 '17 991.2 C2 Cab '11 135i Convertible '11 328xiT '09 X3

11-20-2012, 12:58 PM	#6
gek330i Kludge it! Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: 330i/335i Location: B'more Posts: 122	I have a manual 07 335i (N54) that has been 100% reliable (I did the HPFP recall preemptively) and if price is a big factor for you, then do not drive the 335i. To me there is no comparison at all with the other two performance wise. I have fun every day I drive this car. Only detriment to these engines in my experience is carbon build up in the intake valves about every 30k miles. Had the dealer clean them once under warranty and I'm guessing I'll be doing it again in the new year possibly, but in the end it is not a big deal for me if you know that this is part of your 30k-40k mile maintenance. I'm planning on driving this car into the ground. I've heard from people that have gone from an N54 335i to an N55 that they feel a little less umph factor in the newer N55 (both E90 and F30). Hope this helps. __________________ /gek330i

11-20-2012, 01:45 PM	#9
SARAFIL I like BMWs Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: X5 M50 / M550 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 5,789	If you go E90, go 335i. It's a no brainer. 330i is nice but they are getting old, and 328i is decent but no reason to not go 335. __________________ 2020 X5 M50i -- Alpine White / Coffee Leather 2020 M550i -- Carbon Black / Beige Leather

11-20-2012, 12:00 PM	#2
JST 195 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 24,611	I loved the engine in my 07 335 (an N54). That's the only engine I'd consider in an E90; the rest of the car is sort of bland, and in 328 guise there just wasn't enough to recommend it (at least to me). The 330 was generally indistinguishable from the 328, as far as I recall.

11-20-2012, 12:02 PM	#3
JST 195 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 24,611	I should say that it appears the HPFP issues have been resolved, finally; make sure whatever car you buy has had the recall(s), if applicable, but they probably all have by now.

11-20-2012, 12:21 PM	#4
Sharp11 Vicarious Twitterer Join Date: May 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 06 330 cic ZHP Location: CT Posts: 7,566	I've driven both the 335 and 328 fairly extensively. The 335 is pretty nice - it just feels great and I'd imagine the transition from an M5 relatively painless. My friend Chuck has the E93 version and even with the extra weight, it has plenty of power. My sister has a 328 xi sedan. I can see where some people would feel it bland, it is the bread and butter car of the line-up, but as an all around daily driver, it's a much nicer Accord, IMO. For me it's fast enough and I like the way it rides on 17/45's.

11-20-2012, 12:32 PM	#5
bren lawn boy Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: e46m3, f25x3,C5 Z06, C4 Vette, 06 CTD Ram, and a trailer Location: Maryland Posts: 14,029	I had a 328 loaner a little while back. Slow and terrible gas mileage, no thanks. No idea what the real world difference is between the turbo's, but the n55 in the x3 is no slouch. I'd get the newest 335 I could find with the options I wanted.

11-20-2012, 01:24 PM	#8
FC Solving problems Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: M5 / 718 GTS / Cooper S / GTI / LR4 Location: Metro Boston Posts: 25,264	I know this is BS having not driven a 335, but my M-sport 328i, at least in MY2011 guise, is excellent. It is very nearly a ZHP but 6-8 years newer, and (as is my case) available in wagon. It is not fast, though. It has the same issues the ZHP had. But it is very smooth, loves to rev, and is surprisingly responsive. That said, I would have bought a 335iT if available. It only feels slow when loaded up or if you are in a lazy mood and don't feel like winding it up. Otherwise, it is perfectly quick enough to have fun. As your sportiest car, I would probably go with more power. But keep in mind I read rumors about BMW tweaking the sports suspension right up until 2011, which might explain why I like the E91 (late '11) so much dynamically. Excellent ride too.