I know this isn't the best place to ask about BMWs but I do know that there are a few from RX8club that switched to a 3 series.

I've been looking at 2006 BMW E90 330i's. They're going for under $26,000 nowadays, probably due to the craptastic economy and slow season. I do know that the 2006 was the first E90 330i. What I don't know is the reliability of the E90 330i and I am somewhat worried about the 2006 because it is the first year after all. I hear that BMW's are generally well built and very high in quality but they lack reliability in the electronics department. That worries me even more because the E90 has a lot more electronics compared to the previous gen, the E46.

So, can anyone with some BMW knowledge give me some suggestions?

 

e90post.com

 

We have a 325i - It's great. It feels very solid, its quiet, comfortable. Quick enough too.

Sightlines on the 3 series are poo

 

I dont have much BMW knowledge, but my car knowledge say go with a E46 M3

 

what would you like to know?

far as i know the 330i is pretty much flawless. not too many problems that i've seen. the 335i seems to have more problems but even then, it's only minor. with a 2006 you're still under warranty and maintenance. so anything and everything (with the exception of tires) is covered. if you have any specific questions, let me know, i'll see if i can answer them.

 

I almost bought a 330i, but passed after reading too many horror stories about repair costs, cost of maintenance, and actually joining the beemer forums and learning that the plain vanilla 3 series aren't all their advertised to be in the handling department.

I do still like them though, but they really sell at a massive premium for what you get.

They are having motor issues with the 335i, by the way - another turbo defeats an otherwise great platform motor.

 

I have a 08 E92 335i coupe that the wife drives, it has been flawless so far, but on the 07 E92 328i we had, the steering gearbox and pump ate itself up around 3000 miles (and that was covered by the warranty).

The E9X series seems to be pretty solid so far, and less prone to electrical issues than say the late 90's/early 00's BMWs. The tire pressure sensors however on all 06+ BMW's seem to be a little funky.

 

2006 model year E90s has a common clicking noise from the engine bay for the first 10 minutes upon engine start, after it warms up the clicking disappears. Nothing that will break anything on the car.

 

^ there is a bulletin on that issue. air pockets develop in the valvetronic system. the remedy is to rev the engine between 1500-2000 rpm for approx. 3 minutes. this bleeds out any trapped air. so far, it's been working great.

 

i dunno about the problems for that car but for that money you can get yourself into an e46 m3. My best friend just swooped on an e46 m3 for 19k

e46>e90(excluding the 335 and the M)

 

It's all good until something breaks after warranty. For out of warranty luxury brand, get a Lexus.