[jmac]

In the market for a new BMW. With my price range I'm looking at either '06 330s or '07 335s. I drive over 20k miles a year, mostly highway.

The best deals I've found are:

2006 330i, black , terra leather , 30k miles, cold/premium/sport/logic7 ~ $29k

2007 335i, montego blue , grey leather , 20k miles, cold/premium/logic7, no sport ~ 32k

Any thoughts?

How does the reliability compare between the 330s and 335s? I've heard that the 335s are unreliable, but according to TrueDelta the 335 is actually more reliable than the 330. Both are CPOed for the next three years, so it's not a huge deal--but with the miles I drive it'll be a pain to have to constantly be taking it in.

[b0bab0i]

you have more smiley faces for the 330i, so you should go for that one.

j/k

But if its CPO'd, the car will still have warranty correct? so you would get a loaner car?

[VTECaddict]

Keep looking. That's a lot for that 330i (and the 335i). Mine was $25.2k before taxes/fees, and I bought it like 4 months ago with 35k mi. Options are listed below (Logic7 is standard on all 330i/335i before 2009).

335i is going to have a lot more power obviously, and very easy to add even more later, should you want to. The only thing is that damned HPFP. You have to decide if the power to you is worth the extra money and potential hassle of the HPFP failing.

The 330i is more than adequate for daily driving duties - I never find myself needing more power (wanting is another story ). I went with 330i because dealers were still asking $35k+ for 335i's, and they had 0.9% CPO financing on 06's when I got mine. Plus I found pretty much the exact color/option combo that I wanted.

[thatsosm]

its only 3k. Get that 335i, you will regret it if you get the 330i once you drive the 335i

[jmac]

I'm not sure where you guys are finding good deals on Bimmers. I've checked out the CPOs within 200 miles of my house on Cars.com and those are both some of the better deals...

I'm kinda leaning toward the 335, but am torn on whether I'd rather have the extra power or the 330's sport package. I made the mistake of driving the 335... If I hadn't I would have thought the 330 had more than enough power.

[rotaryboy]

That 330 is way too high...there are better deals out there for sure. I bought mine for 20k almost 9 months ago. At those 2 price points you'd be a fool not to get the 335. If I had to do it over I'd get a 335...but I still love my car. Either way get the sport package though.

[NeTWorKz]

Where are you guys finding those deals? I tried to search for a 330i 9months ago and all I found were 330i's going from 27-32k...

[Kroy]

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

Keep looking. That's a lot for that 330i (and the 335i). Mine was $25.2k before taxes/fees, and I bought it like 4 months ago with 35k mi. Options are listed below (Logic7 is standard on all 330i/335i before 2009).

335i is going to have a lot more power obviously, and very easy to add even more later, should you want to. The only thing is that damned HPFP. You have to decide if the power to you is worth the extra money and potential hassle of the HPFP failing.

The 330i is more than adequate for daily driving duties - I never find myself needing more power (wanting is another story ). I went with 330i because dealers were still asking $35k+ for 335i's, and they had 0.9% CPO financing on 06's when I got mine. Plus I found pretty much the exact color/option combo that I wanted.

+1 keep looking.

Looking at the deals you listed, I'd go for the 335i; overall it's a much better deal than the 330(unless you think grey seats are a deal killer). It's just really sad it doesn't have sports package. That's the only package I think you NEED. I'm sure you can find a similarly priced 335i at the price range you're looking for, so I say keep looking. HPFP is problematic but it's got a 120K mile warranty, so it's really no biggie.

[deletedelete]

335 even without the sport package. Then save up a few bucks and add the sports suspension. Lots sell the stock sports package around here. Its not even a choice man.

[koreez88]

Reliability is the main concern? Go for 330.
A friend of mine goes to a BMW school in LA and he's been told by their instructors that it's much better to lease a 335i, because n54 will have huge turbo problems in the future.

[Rekla]

335i burns more rubber, fuel, insurance cost, maintenance, etc...
330i reliable most powerfull NA engine in the E90 with all the luxury - it was the E90 flagship back in 2005-2006. Love mine, it's a keeper.

[kugasman]

I think it depends how long you plan to keep the car. I chose 330i because I'm going to keep it for as long as I can and I think that long-term reliability will be better. Also with that many miles driven per year you will get better hwy mileage as well. Look on Autotrader within a larger radius and be willing to travel to find the "right" car for the right price. In June I had found a 2006 330i in Ohio for 28K and it had 4,500 original miles and was loaded. Don't forget that many on these forums say that the sport seats alone are worth the sport package as well. There are times that I wish I had held out for the 335i and the extra power but I think that I made a good decision for the right reasons and I love my car.

my .02

[Hoog_23]

I have both cars and they both burn the same amount of fuel if that helps. I dont worry about holding on to the 330 now that the warranty has passed but I dont think I will feel the same way about the 335 when it is up.

[Rando]

One major thing that everyone seems to forget is that the 330i engine is really more responsive because it is naturally aspirated... hence, ZERO lag. Of course, you give up massive torque for that.

I test-drive a G37 a while back, and although it is a complete guzzler, the instant responsiveness (which you will find in the 330i also) is nice.

Another factor is the auto transmission, if you're getting it. The ZF in the 335i is the world's best non-dual-clutch auto... quite a bit better than the 330i auto.

I hope this helps.

[jmac]

Thanks for the replies. It looks like I'll be expanding my search radius... I thought the 330 seemed a bit overpriced ($500 over KBB), but it sounds like it's actually way over.

Grey interior isn't really a killer. Actually, I'd much prefer grey interior than black exterior (just too many black BMWs in my area).

I didn't realize the HPFP had an extended warranty. Only adds 20k over the CPO, but I was planning on selling around 120k (~5 years ownership), so that works out perfect.

Yeah, I agree the sport is probably the most important feature on the 330/335. Followed by Logic7 (for the 330) and heated seats. Everything that pops up in my area though is premium/cold. I couldn't care less about the premium... I'd actually rather have leatherette for the durability...

I really couldn't feel any turbo-lag. Course the salesperson rode with me (I hate that...) so I couldn't give it the best test, and my last experience with a turbo was my wife's turbo Beetle.

Looks like I'll be going with a/the 335 unless a 330 pops up in the mid-twenties. Thanks again.

[Michael Schott]

You're wrong about the premium package IMO. The leather seats are much more comfortable in a hot and muggy Michigan summer. They breath better and I would not be concerned about them wearing out. Mine, after 28,000 miles except for a scratch on a bolster look like new. Plus the bluetooth is a great option and most likely in the near future hands free will be the law in nearly every state.

Second, I wouldn't be that concerned about the sport package other than the great seats. There are concerns about the harshness of the tighter suspension along with the low profile tires over bad roads. And since you live in Michigan you know our roads suck, especially in the late winter and early spring.

The heated seats are great and a good option to have.

So if I were you, I'd look for a 335 in your price range.

Thanks, Mike.

[badass1g]

335i without question, its not even the same car. go drive and you'll see what im talking about.

[Roth517]

335i without a doubt.

[Rando]

I should add that, coming from a 2003 330i, I drove the 2006 330i and was quite unimpressed, so I passed on it. Then I drove the 2007 335i and basically bought it for the engine and the new, very quick-shifting ZF auto transmission.

The big difference you will feel is the torque per pound... the E90 330i is basically identical to the E46 330i, so they feel equally "fast". But the 335i's torque per pound is very high, so it feels very quick (and it is).

[Ryan323i]

For reliability get the 330i! But get them to come down on that price. I got mine for $25,300 at the end of July but w/o the sport package. They can at least come down to $26,000 for you. And don't let them list Logic7 as an option, I'm pretty sure it was standard on the 330s.

[max_asdf]

how do you tell between logic 7 and standard speakers, i remmeber reading if you have speakers on your door for a 330, you have logic7?

[335TWNTURBO]

Originally Posted by alexosma

its only 3k. Get that 335i, you will regret it if you get the 330i once you drive the 335i

Get the 335, you wont regret it. I was in the same predicament as you 3 or 4 months ago. Been driving my 335 ever since i test drove.