[redlinegw]

Hello, I am new the BMW forum and I recently test drove a 2011 335d that had 130,000 miles on it, I wasn't interested in buying this particular vehicle but I wanted to drive one to see how I would like it. I have to say I loved the power and overall ride quality so I started looking for one that I would actually want to own and I ran across this one for sale on cl http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb...654288115.html The owner has told me he would let it go for $22k. I am currently driving a 2013 Dodge Dart turbo SEMA show car and a 2005 Dodge Magnum R/T. My thinking is the BMW could replace both of those cars, it has the power of the Hemi with the economy of the Dart. I am a little scared of the BMW because I do most of all of my own work especially all normal maintenance and I have done my own engine swaps and rebuilds of all of my older classic Mopars. I also own a 1995 Dodge Ram Cummins Diesel that is a work horse and has never had any issues, it is still a baby with only 130k miles, the only mod I have on the cummins is a cam plate which I installed myself. I guess what I am asking is if I should be scared of the BMW with all of the posts about CBU issues it makes me a bit nervous and makes me think I should just stick with my current setup. Any advice will be much appreciated.

[DieselRacer]

For that price I would, it has BMW warranties so you should be fine, as long as you like the car, if you drive it a few years and sell it you will not loose much at all...

[335dwanted]

The torque is a bit intoxicating. Good looking car and I think that is a fair/good price but I am no expert. The extended warranty is very valuable, particularly when buying a second hand BMW. The extended maintenance has some value to you as well (although far less than what somebody paid for it). You should know that this particular car is a bit of a "stripper" in that it does not have sports package (suspension, wheels/tires, seats), no iDrive/Navi, and although I can't be sure, I suspect "leatherette" instead of real leather interior. While mine is pretty much loaded, I have to say that today's smartphone replaces the navi with little downside and BMW's leatherette is quite nice and many would be hard pressed to tell the difference from leather, however, I would not want to give up my sports package.

As far as concerns about CBU; you should have very little concern until 9/2016! After that date you can be like many of us here with awareness, healthy concern and do what you can to prevent the condition (EGR block and perhaps meth injection). If healthy concern evolves to constant worry, then you should simply sell the car as you approach the end of the warranty in 2016 and hopefully you won't do too bad.

I have to ask: what is with the rug on the dash?? Is this something typically done in Cali to beat the sun?

[DieselRacer]

I have leatherite and prefer it over the real, as far as the M sport, I could not live without it, for the seats and steering wheel alone..

[redlinegw]

Thanks for the input, maybe I will keep my eyes open for an M-package!

[Cliffj]

I have an 11 335d M-Sport. Just rolled over 92K miles. No CBU issues so far. Matter of fact, the only issue I have had was an i-drive screen that went out under warranty. No other problems. The overall performance/economy of this car is fantastic. I expect we will keep this car in the family a long time.

[Masstar]

You can replace all that sport package stuff if you want, I did all but the seats. I would rather have leatherette though, I had it on my e46 and it was like new after 12 years. I also really like my harmon kardon.

[DieselRacer]

Originally Posted by Masstar

You can replace all that sport package stuff if you want, I did all but the seats. I would rather have leatherette though, I had it on my e46 and it was like new after 12 years. I also really like my harmon kardon.

that is why I love the fake stuff, my interior looks better than new after 55k miles...

[Pierre Louis]

Originally Posted by DieselRacer

that is why I love the fake stuff, my interior looks better than new after 55k miles...

Methinks the latest fake stuff is too soft and easily damaged on the F30, especially the soft plastic on the door pockets, if that is an indication.

PL

[335dwanted]

I had an e36 for 12 years and 150k miles and the leatherette still looked great.

Originally Posted by Masstar

You can replace all that sport package stuff if you want, I did all but the seats. I would rather have leatherette though, I had it on my e46 and it was like new after 12 years. I also really like my harmon kardon.

[coyote95667]

read up on CBU and buyer beware. You should buy it if you like taking it in for SES lights every few weeks. Every 50K you are going to have a crap load of service/maintenance expense. If I had not been covered under warranty I'd have spent over $6K between 50K and 55K miles. If you're up for that then knock yourself out.

If I could get in a time machine and go back a year, I'd have bought a Lexus.

[Pierre Louis]

Originally Posted by coyote95667

read up on CBU and buyer beware. You should buy it if you like taking it in for SES lights every few weeks. Every 50K you are going to have a crap load of service/maintenance expense. If I had not been covered under warranty I'd have spent over $6K between 50K and 55K miles. If you're up for that then knock yourself out.

If I could get in a time machine and go back a year, I'd have bought a Lexus.

Interestingly we have a Lexus CT200h in our stable. lt doesn't measure up to the d but its still a nice car. Other Lexi with poor fuel economy (20 mpg real world?) might be more sporty but I have my doubts they would feel much different, as the CT is more "European" IMO.

PL

[grotto]

Buy an E90 M3 instead. SES will kill you along with CBU, DDE, DPF, EGR, etc. I'm done when my CPO is about up. Had it one year and been in the shop like 5 times. I don't have time for that, had 9 BMW's and by far this one is funner except the M cars but the gremlins and reliability takes it's toll. Love the torque with JBD!

[Pierre Louis]

Originally Posted by mofares

Buy an E90 M3 instead. SES will kill you along with CBU, DDE, DPF, EGR, etc. I'm done when my CPO is about up. Had it one year and been in the shop like 5 times. I don't have time for that, had 9 BMW's and by far this one is funner except the M cars but the gremlins and reliability takes it's toll. Love the torque with JBD!

I would not buy a 15 mpg car, especially one that drinks premium only. For the price, a Porsche makes much more sense to me. Porsche designs cars to use the least amount of fuel with the most power with each redesign.

PL

[GottaBeKD]

Go do some google searches and read on it. I'll summarize for you.

Car is a beast
CBU is not if but more like when
CPO may or may not clean CBU
If you have CPO you'll get to know the girl working reception at the service dept. Be nice to them.
Car is a beast
Oh, car is a beast.

[BayE30]

Some people value reliability over all else, some people are more into the driving experience. I have owned almost every brand car, and always come back to BMW. American cars for me were not reliable at all(lincoln towncars 1996-2008 models, suburban 2006model, cadillac STS, DTS. 2006-2008 models), and are floaty, non performing people haulers. Honda Accord , Acura TL, Toyota Camry SE , Lexus is300, is350, all have terrible seats in my opinion, and feel too hallow and plastic. The driving position in most of those cars was terrible as well. Then theres the other euros, Benz, Audi, VW. Benz to me were always the passengers car, Audi terribly unreliable in the past, and only AWD/FWD, and VW is the econo brand of euro cars.

The E90 chassis to me is a great daily driver, with comfort and performance packaged in a stylish body. If I wanted reliability i would have bought a 328i, but i have driven a couple and they dont have the punch i need to put a smile on my face day to day. Fine, the 335d may have to visit a shop more often, so either get a CPO warranty, or have friends in the business like myself.

[redlinegw]

Not feeling to confident in the 335d and that makes me kinda sad but I have to use wisdom so I will probably pass on it. Maybe I will do a CRD swap into my Magnum someday. Or maybe just not be concerned with good gas mileage and put the 6.1 Hemi I have on an engine stand in the Magnum and get 450 whp. Maybe all this cbu and warranty crap is the reason why BMW quit doing the 335d.

[DieselRacer]

Just supercharge your little Dodge, it will be as fast as a tuned 335d, you just wont have as nice of an interior...

[Pierre Louis]

Originally Posted by redlinegw

Not feeling to confident in the 335d and that makes me kinda sad but I have to use wisdom so I will probably pass on it. Maybe I will do a CRD swap into my Magnum someday. Or maybe just not be concerned with good gas mileage and put the 6.1 Hemi I have on an engine stand in the Magnum and get 450 whp. Maybe all this cbu and warranty crap is the reason why BMW quit doing the 335d.

It took a while for dealers to sell the 335d's they had in stock. BMW has not always been the best at marketing their "niche" vehicles other than those that were much more expensive.

Buying used is always a risky proposition - you might get others' problems.

I am personally keeping mine in spite of the specter of unreliability, since it is good for my "needs." I wouldn't want to pay $30,000 more for a new car if my current one is running so well.

That turbocharged Dodge SEMA show car looks interesting...

PL

[darkevo]

My 335d has been more reliable then my 335i coupe. Nothing matches it in power and gas mileage. Little 4-cylc turbos are fun (I had heavy modded Evo's and eclipse gs-t), but will never give you the easy torque of the v6's without alot of work.

You want the extra luxury, get it! :-)

[skychismo]

Originally Posted by darkevo

My 335d has been more reliable then my 335i coupe. Nothing matches it in power and gas mileage. Little 4-cylc turbos are fun (I had heavy modded Evo's and eclipse gs-t), but will never give you the easy torque of the v6's without alot of work.

You want the extra luxury, get it! :-)

V6? Blasphemy! I6 son.

[darkevo]

Originally Posted by skychismo

V6? Blasphemy! I6 son.

lol, opps, you know what I meant. Had too many cars, glad I didn't call it a hemi!