Should I buy a 2009 85k E89 35i DCT?
- Thread starter Redant
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I have had my 3.5is for just over a year and I love it. It has cost little more to run than the 2.2 E85 that I had previously. Buying any car which is older is always a gamble. Even if it has been well maintained. You need to be in a position to afford repairs. If you stretch to your financial limit on an older vehicle you are taking a risk and making yourself vulnerable. So make sure that you are comfortable with possible financial expenditure. Having said that, as others have said the car you are interested in has had most of the models weaknesses dealt with. WhTever you decide good luck. 
North West Surrey
It's for this exact reason I decided to go with the 30i, keeping it a long time with less headaches! I see some of the parts have been replaced on this 35i but does that mean they won't need replacing again and some parts will still need replacing. As for sound to be honest I don't really know since I have not tried the 35i but the 30i is real sweet and sounds awesome. When I was checking couple of BMW specialists I spoke to told me that they considered the 30i NA to have a much sweeter sound then the forced induction but of course not the power. As for the auto box well I have had BMWs since 1995 and all have been autos bar one and never have I had to spend a penny on any of the auto boxes, touch wood!
A
Anonymous
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Interesting reading here...the N20 section makes good structured reading also..not that this is relevant to this topic
https://bmwtuning.co/n54-n55-b58-s55/
https://bmwtuning.co/n54-n55-b58-s55/
I agree 100%!Silverstar said:
A bit of an update after the test drive of the 35i:
The test drive went fanatstic, a very nice gent who let me spend quite a bit of time with it with both him and myself alternating the driving. Although the speed from the 35i was phenomenal and the burbling from the exhaust very nice, I was reaching very high speeds very very quickly without much effort or drama from the engine.
I dont kow how to explain and it may seem a bit silly but it seemed too quick, too easy for it to reach those very high speeds??
I did not really get the chance to fully enjoy listening to the rising pitch of the engine, along with the deep, smooth, power delivery as i did with the 3.0i N52 (I did try it in sport and sport+ modes). Maybe this is the effect of the twin Turbo as some have suggested?
The car needed some simple cosmetic fixes to make it look its best. My main concern, and I dont know if this is normal, was that there was some oil near the engine seals that made me cautious about the car. Unless I took someone along who knows about these things I would not take a gamble on it. For what its worth it did not look like fresh oil as there was lots of dust and other particles on top of the the oil on the engine casing - but this is an complete guess :?
This test drive has been very useful as it did make me realise one thing; that the Z4 bug that I fell in love with was mainly for the 3.0 naturally aspirated 6cyl engine and so I will focus my search on that in the E89 shape!
Thank you to all that have given me their advice - I really, really appreciate it
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Anonymous
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Sounds like a very measured analysis with attention to your own skills etc...good call!
That is the benefit of being able to try both options - you can then decide which suits you better without having to forever wonder whether there was a better option!
I've never driven a 35i or is, but I really do like the 3 litre N52 engine in my E86 - so much so that my daily is now a 330i with the same engine. :roll:
Good luck with your search.
I've never driven a 35i or is, but I really do like the 3 litre N52 engine in my E86 - so much so that my daily is now a 330i with the same engine. :roll:
Good luck with your search.
You're right about not being able to enjoy the 35i exhaust note for long. It sounds great but you can only keep your foot buried for 5 or 6 seconds before getting into trouble.
The N52 will sound good too, maybe lacking the cracks and pops of the DCT but you get to ring the engine out for longer without worrying about speed limits.
The N52 will sound good too, maybe lacking the cracks and pops of the DCT but you get to ring the engine out for longer without worrying about speed limits.
gwatson said:
The burble is a result of continued fuel injection on overrun. On both engines this is something which is deliberately programmed in.
The cracks and pops of the DCT engined cars are a result of engine timing being retarded during shits as a method of torque management rather than clutch disengagement.
My 35is is the best car i have ever had out of dozens of vehicles in 37 years of driving. True, I've not had Porsches and Ferraris but as for a decent affordable to buy car, you can't go wrong with the 35i or 35is. They're just superb.
I might feel more nervous if I did not have the car on an extended warranty. And if it goes over 100k and I still have the car then all bets are off.
I might feel more nervous if I did not have the car on an extended warranty. And if it goes over 100k and I still have the car then all bets are off.
Ugh, and again my 35is is heading to the mechanic.
So far this year.
replaced 3 injectors
replaced front shock absorber
replaced timing chain and tensioner
about to fix leaking dct gearbox
about to fix leaking coolant.
When it runs it's a great car but good grief I can't even get a month out of it without an issue.
Has anyone else had all of these issues or am I just very unlucky?
Sad and poor!!!!
So far this year.
replaced 3 injectors
replaced front shock absorber
replaced timing chain and tensioner
about to fix leaking dct gearbox
about to fix leaking coolant.
When it runs it's a great car but good grief I can't even get a month out of it without an issue.
Has anyone else had all of these issues or am I just very unlucky?
Sad and poor!!!!