335i or 545i???

[jandyrohnson]

am in the market to buy a used sports sedan for approx 28,000 or less. sound off on which BMW you would choose: an 07 335i (E90) sport or 04/5 545i (E60) sport. Which is going to be more reliable in the long run? obviously they're both early model years and the 335i introduces an untried twin turbo setup. Which is going to be a more satisfying drive? Am looking to find either with 60K or less on the clock. Also am considering an E36 M3 (sedan) if I can find one for 15K or less without crazy mileage and hasn't been tuned and burned out.

[amlebede]

I just answered your question on E90post.com and I am gonna say the same thing here.

BMW 545i
0-60 mph = 5.4 seconds
0-100 mph = 13.6 seconds
Quarter mile = 13.7 seconds
V8, 330 HP
Has potential for tuning but more pricy.
Larger, more luxury
Non-turbo --> less smooth
Will depreciate even more soon due to F10 coming out.
Harder to find car with low fewer miles.
25 mpg highway, 17 mpg city
Considered to be older car, less flashy
Older but still good technology
Only available as sedan in US.
I-drive comes as standard option
Relatively rare car

BMW 335i (stock)
0-60 mph = 4.9 seconds
0-100 mph = 12.7 seconds
Quarter mile = 13.6 seconds
I6 Turbo = 300 horsepower
More potential for tuning (chips available at pretty low cost)
Smaller, more sporty
Turbo --> less smooth
HPFP problems
Cars with fewer miles easier to find.
26 mpg HWY, 17 mpg CITY
Considered to be newer car, more flashy
Newer technology in car
Available as coupe, sedan, and convertible.
3-series is more widely produced car

You should consider the BMW 550i too.

I did some searches (few seconds of research) and here are typical prices and offers I came up with:

2004 BMW 545i
*Black
*72k miles
*6MT
*Fully loaded (includes heated leather seats and heated steering wheel)
*Winter wheels and tires included
*Pretty new tires
*New brakes
*$19595 (prices likely to drop when F10 comes out)

2007 BMW 335i
*57,500 miles
*Sports, premium, all options but navigation
*Silver with black interior
*Still under factory warranty
*$24,999 (prices likely to be pretty stable for E90)

Personally, I would definitely choose a BMW 550i over a BMW 335i. However, 545i and 335i would be comparable in my opinion. If you have a family, go with a 545i.

Here you will have people that are more biased toward 5-series, there you will have people that will be more biased toward 3-series.

[bulldog_yyc]

Why 335? Go for the 535, or 550 if you want N/A. The 335 is a great car, tuned or not. The 5 is much smoother and comfortable vs. the 3, and has a usable back seat (the e90 back seat is pretty snug).

What do you want out of the car? If you want performance, cheap HP/$ tuning options and a great driving experience go for the 335. You can get a 400 WHP car by spending $2k or so.

If you want comfort, a more sophisticated car that still has a ton of power, go for a 550.

[Kayani_1]

I have both 2005 BMW 545i sport and 2007 335i coupe and they are very different in their feel and I like both of them. I also had a 745i which I just recently traded.

If I was buying a sedan I would either go with a 7er or 5er over a 3er because they both have plenty more room for your family and friends. If you were going with a coupe I would take 335i coupe over a 645i or 650i. As 335i coupe is faster, better fuel mileage and a bit more roomy.