35i owners - input wanted

[Geddin]

Having refined my search to a 3.0 6 pot, my preference was leaning towards a 30i, kinda like the idea of the NA engine, and reliability factor. But I'm coming across a couple of particularly clean examples of 35i at a decent price, and they have their own appeal over the 30i. In the long run perhaps the 35i would be a more desirable car?

I hear so many stories about big bills and issues with the 35i, but also appreciate people don't create posts to say "my car has had no issues and has cost me no money".

So 35i owners, what's your real life ownership experience been like??

 

[Beerman]

You won't find a V6.

 

[Geddin]

.

 

[Geddin]

Yes dummy typo!

 

[Lynchy]

I’ve only had mine for just under 6 months and I love it, no issues at all. The power is great and the DCT is very smooth and seamless. I don’t really hear of any issues tbh apart from the occasional roof failure which is a problem through the range. I think people are too focused on what could go wrong and in my opinion a lot of scare mongering goes on.
Having said that mine is for sale as I need more money for an impending house buy. Have a look on here and if it’s of interest to you let me know

 

[Johnbmwz4]

I’m on my 2nd 3.5i and both have been reliable. My 1st was the DCT and now have the manual. Like Lynchy says, there’s a lot of scaremongering about what could go wrong rather than what actually goes wrong. My friend bought my 1st 3.5i off me and still has it 7 years later and still looks as good as when he first got it from me. The only thing he has had done to it was a new water pump. His car has around 120k miles on it and drives like new

 

[Geddin]

Thanks Lynchy & John

 

[B21]

Ignoring the things I did cause I wanted too..

At 50k miles the adaptive dampers were shot all round

It had had incorrectly fitted one index 12 injector..I had to at a minimum fit two others..

The inlet valves were partially coked up

At 60k miles the water pump failed.

The DCT box was leaking from its sump

At 75k mikes it needed new front wheel bearings

I’m lucky…others have reported in line with other owners…

Turbo waste gate wear

Turbo failures

Injector failures

HPFP failures

DCT leaks

Coil failure

 

[Pondrew]

I had an N54 (not in a Z4 but same engine) which by 35k miles had:
both turbo wastegates fail with a re-build of both turbos required
Both HP and LP fuel pumps failed and required replacing
All six coil packs were shot and needed replacing.
New injectors were required aswell.

This was a car with an impeccable (yearly), full dealer service history aswell.
Maybe it was just a 'bad one' but boy did it cost a lot to keep (not for me all the work had been done before I bought it).

 

[Geddin]

Ouch Pondrew, atleast it was done lol.

B21, was the coked up inlet and sump leak easy to resolve?

 

[Marcoose]

BMWs in general are expensive to maintain. Especially, and amazingly coincidentally, after the warranties expire.

If you’re on a budget and/or don’t do services and repairs yourself, then I recommend to get a lesser e89. My N54 DCT is at 52K miles, and in the same vein as B21, things are starting to happen. None cheap.

 

[Beerman]

Has the wastegate issues ever been resolved with the N54?

I had an E92 335i and had both turbos replaced under warranty. Back then the bill was £3500.

My water pump failed around the 80,000 mile mark and was covered by by extended warranty.

Back then there was a lot of stories about issues, but I'd have thought all the years later better parts would have been developed.

 

[B21]

Has the wastegate issues ever been resolved with the N54?

I had an E92 335i and had both turbos replaced under warranty. Back then the bill was £3500.

My water pump failed around the 80,000 mile mark and was covered by by extended warranty.

Back then there was a lot of stories about issues, but I'd have thought all the years later better parts would have been developed.

The Mitsubishi turbos were never revised…

Injectors went through 12 iterations but even index 11/12 have early failures..

 

[B21]

Ouch Pondrew, atleast it was done lol.

B21, was the coked up inlet and sump leak easy to resolve?

£400 ish for walnut blasting …£300 ish sump and fresh fluid

 

[Chippie]

I would say that the 30 is the sensible option but whatever you do don’t test drive the 35i as all that sensibility will go out of the window, water pumps and inlet valve cleaning will need doing over 60-70l miles, mine had the injectors changed before my ownership so again will probably need doing, I’d budget coils and plugs on purchase anyway which ever model you get and oil leaks do seem to be “par for the course”, I’m planning a DCT service this week so that’s also something to consider at 80+k mines, so far no problems with the fuel pumps but who knows when? If you get adaptive suspension then that’s another week point, my fronts were changed at 35k miles and the rear are probably now past their best, having said all that would I have bought a 30i , NO, it’s a fun weekend toy and I expect to pay for it.

 

[B21]

I think the summary on 35i/35is is…

It will cost someone big money (by other E89 standards)…whether it you or the next owner (s) is the mute point..

If you can’t afford to take the risk on a couple of £1k and one £2k hits either with cash or a decent warranty it’s not for you..

However if you want to feel like you’ve just been strapped to a Saturn V rocket just coming off the pad..it’s for you..

 

[Nanu]

Had a 35is for 7 years from being a demo with a couple of hundred miles to 45K.

Apart from the usual servicing, the only issue I had was 3 of the 6 fuel injectors needed changing. Loved the car only changed it because I was offered such a good deal on the part ex for current one.

My only advice would be if you can afford the IS go for it

 

[Marcoose]

Had a 35is for 7 years from being a demo with a couple of hundred miles to 45K.

Apart from the usual servicing, the only issue I had was 3 of the 6 fuel injectors needed changing.

A chum has a saying, ‘anecdote isn’t the plural of data.’ Your data point is important. But the stories told here, assuming they’re all true, are the other data points.

I’m with B21. If you don’t have a couple of grand for unexpected repairs, a 35i or 35is isn’t for you. There are other e89s, though.

 

[Lynchy]

Thinks can also go wrong by the way some people drive

 

[Geddin]

Nah I’m not afraid of a bill. Boxsters were my previous pastime. Just don’t want to be constantly dealing with issues (which of course is an exaggeration).

The downside is that I’m city centre apartment based these days, so will need to rely on a shop. No longer equipped myself