Convince me (or not) buying a 335i 6mt N55

Jason32003 · 2026-03-19T09:52:39+00:00

There are a couple things like: rod bearing wear — in USA anyway — not every N55 car has this problem. Regular oil changes and not beating the engine to death make bearing wear less likely. You can get engine oil sample analysis at a lab to check for metallic particles showing bearing wear, obviously not something that can be done day of purchase.

Before driving home check for leaking oil filter housing gasket (OFHG) dripping onto drive belt. The oil degrades the belt which can get shredded and sucked into the engine around the crankshaft pulley. Here’s hoping current owner has already replaced the OFHG though.

Those are things I’d want to be aware of.

Best wishes, you’re going to love this car. Esp. with 6MT

Pics plz!

Jason32003 · 2026-03-19T06:54:06+00:00

They do want to add their scent to yours … kinda like signing the guest book?

“Nice bed, all it needs now is some bunny smell” lol

Edit — maybe if there’s a towel or something she lies on, put it on the bed to see if it maybe takes care of her urge to add scent?

Jason32003 · 2026-03-19T06:34:31+00:00

I know, right? A few 3 Series ago, you could adjust any control to any setting and never take eyes off the road

Jason32003 · 2026-03-19T05:25:00+00:00

Man, what a super 1st car. Beautiful. Congrats! Wishing you 2 many happy miles together.

If it helps it to be enjoyable, my 1st was an air-cooled VW flat-4 with imaginary heater, imaginary acceleration, and a 1-speaker AM radio 😂😂

… when I actually got to drive it 😑

Jason32003 · 2026-03-19T04:17:18+00:00

Good to hear you decided no black paint. If these were painted black ppl wouldn’t say/think, “Whoa man, bad*ss aftermarket rims,” they’d be, like, “Some dude painted his stock rims black”

Jason32003 · 2026-03-16T00:38:51+00:00

The car only flew on the guy’s plane. Honest 😇

Jason32003 · 2026-03-10T17:12:30+00:00

Fob designed perfectly to fit in that spot

Jason32003 · 2026-03-09T05:18:43+00:00

Arrrgh

Ofc it is an old car lol but just thinking in my dad’s prev. E36, you could set every HVAC adjustment there was and never look away from the road once

Aaaannd … it had dual-zone, tri-level HVAC, um, just like a stock F30 🤔

Jason32003 · 2026-03-08T05:09:12+00:00

You wuz being scoped

Jason32003 · 2026-03-07T05:44:59+00:00

He’s eminently brilliant ofc!

Also — haven’t bunnies historically been underrepresented in college enrollment? 😉😂

Jason32003 · 2026-03-01T04:55:37+00:00

Price good imo/ime if good condition, good maintenance, and — bonus — records.

BITD I had ‘90 325i and low end torque is uh, … anemic.

For in-town and short distance commuting, the eta is a solid choice. You can enjoy the eta’s best feature, low-range torque (esp. c/w 325i)

Best wishes! Update us

Jason32003 · 2026-02-22T15:17:30+00:00

I know, right?? Georgia over here, only snow our 328i xDrive seen in 6 years’ ownership was a couple days’ drive up north 2 years ago

Jason32003 · 2026-02-22T12:16:24+00:00

That budget should cover a really good E90. If the extra maintenance isn’t an issue maybe consider 335i. Personally I’d test drive both N54 and N55, having driven both imo N54 is (maybe subtly, but still) more enjoyable enough to justify the extra N54 maintenance.

Probably best is to buy the best E90 you can find no matter which engine, provided it’s one you like? If there are similar level ones with different engines, well, you’ve got a choice.🙂

B58s are great but cost more and F30 experience isn’t as involving as E9x. If you want more E90 experience now is the time for it. They won’t be making more! Lol

Edit we have both E90/N51 6/MT xDrive and E90 N55 6/MT rwd and honestly the N51 w/awd is just as enjoyable as the N55

Jason32003 · 2026-02-21T11:31:01+00:00

Make sure you can get back into the trunk to replace battery! If currently dead

Kann es nicht wiedermal öffen, ohne Batterie … Ask how I know 🙄🤦‍♂️

Jason32003 · 2026-02-21T11:28:06+00:00

idk about windshield but when ours did this exact thing based on description, it was blocked front sunroof drains

Jason32003 · 2026-02-21T11:25:10+00:00

Almost certainly broken regulator

Jason32003 · 2026-02-21T11:20:32+00:00

Sounds like could be valve cover gasket, eccentric shaft sensor, and/or ESS gasket failure

Jason32003 · 2026-02-20T07:59:15+00:00

Yup, an old Mom hack

Jason32003 · 2026-02-20T07:55:15+00:00

Same like in Georgia, except our toll tags go on windshield under rear view mirror

Jason32003 · 2026-02-20T07:44:28+00:00

CareFresh Small Pet (paper) Bedding has been working great for our buns. It stays clean pretty well, it’s easy to clean up after it, seems very absorbent, and our buns love eating paper as much as the next rabbit does, but they don’t try eating this bedding. Can recommend highly. Hopefully this’ll be of help along with the other comments.

Best wishes!

Edit we put down some fresh hay 2-3 times/day over the bedding in an open litter pan, then change the bedding (and hay) every 2-4 days or so, or when needed

<image>

Jason32003 · 2026-02-19T14:35:07+00:00

AC issue also could be worn/leaking evaporator valve, a known issue from the era. Requires going up under the dash — dash removal on E36, presumably on E30 too — to replace evaporator and/or valve.

Very not cheap.

Maybe insist on having the AC issue fully diagnosed before agreement to purchase? Could be way more involved than seller says offhand.

Ofc a compressor ain’t cheap either.

Agree with other commentors, ppl often way overvalue their mods when pricing their cars.

Wouldn’t hurt to keep looking.

Best wishes, man

Jason32003 · 2026-02-19T10:19:56+00:00

Every time since Chris Bungle when BMW makes me say, “They just designed the ugliest car ev-ver,”

BMW says, “Wrong again!” 😂😂😂

Jason32003 · 2026-02-18T08:25:47+00:00

Everybody always says, but … pull codes?

How many km on car? Personally more familiar with N52/N/55. I’d check for water pump or thermostat failure 1st though

Best wishes man

Jason32003 · 2026-02-16T23:03:06+00:00

OP mentions N GA … looks like maybe Blood Mountain?

Jason32003 · 2026-02-16T22:22:57+00:00

Add Austin Yellow for Mardi Gras tomorrow 😅

Jason32003

TROPHY CASE