[SwaggyP]

Hi Guys,

I'm torn between keeping my CPO 2011 335d w/ 60k miles or selling it and driving my 2000 540i 6-speed with 143k miles.

Details - 2011 335d:

- 60k Miles
- non sport model
- Purchased October 2015 w/ 22k miles
- No mechanical issues since purchased
- NO CBU cleaning, yet..
- Running JBD - 70%
- Constantly driven like its stolen
- 3 accidents (Not at Fault)
- Hit LARGE pothole during rain storm
- FR strut replaced, FR Strut tower "Mushroom" repair, FR wheel replaced
- Semi backed up into RL quarter panel (Replaced and painted)
- Car was hit while parked w/ wheels turned towards curb
- Replaced: Steering rack, FL tie rod, FL tie rod end, FL Fender, Bumper, FL wheel

Details - 2000 540i 6speed:

- 143k miles
- Repair log provided w/ reciepts, dealership maintained
- 10/10 exterior and interior
- Msport
- Purchased from original owner w/ failing timing chain guides
- Purchase price $1600
- Replaced: Timing chain, Timing chain guides, Cam Chains, Timing chain tensioner, Cam tensioners, rebuilt Vanos units, oil separation valve, Intake seals, Rear intake manifold OSV valve, Valley pan, rear heater hoses (3), water pump, thermostat, valve cover gaskets, valve covers, Radiator, Radiator hoses (3), expansion tank, coolant level sensor, upper and lower oil pan gaskets, ignition coil packs (8), Spark Plugs (8)... pretty much I replaced everything that was touch/exposed when replacing the timing chain

- Needs: Starter, Clutch/Dual Mass Flywheel, RR window regulator, Possible FR wheel hub

total cost w/ repairs + needed repairs: $4,500


What are your thoughts? Do you think the 335d has high millage potential(300k+ miles)?

Should I sell the 335d and keep the 540i ? The 540i should be problem free for the next 100k+ miles given the work that has been done. Also, M62Tu V8 is notorious for being bulletproof and lasting forever.

Just curious on what everyone on here would do?!?

[Pierre Louis]

Honestly, I would keep both as future classics, but I've had a bunch of cars that would be quite desirable today and sold them for lack of need/change of requirements.

If I had to pick one, I would keep the newer car, as the latest materials and components are much more reliable.

The hysteria that grips many on these boards about CBU, injectors, SCR/urea tank, are all fixable and seem to only involve a small, yet important, percentage of these cars. Some of it may be related to the DDE, which was updated several times until late 2011 model year, as well as using crappy diesel. I don't use additive but buy the brand name fuel that has a better chance of quality control and better filtering/storage, as I don't believe the barb "diesel is diesel."

Hope this helps.

PL

[kbsilver]

Originally Posted by SwaggyP

Hi Guys,

I'm torn between keeping my CPO 2011 335d w/ 60k miles or selling it and driving my 2000 540i 6-speed with 143k miles.

I have "almost" the exact same pair. 2011 335d with 75K miles, 2000 540iT with 160K miles. Big difference is the iT is an automatic, the engine has original guides/chains, and was never fully resealed (just parts of it).

I would not exactly call the M62TU bullet proof, but you have already taken care of the the most common issues. For me the auto trans self destructs every 60K miles ($5K-$7K to rebuild) thus already have plans on replacing the 'larger' car before it happens a 3rd time (2017 340GT is high on the list).

As others have said, keep both. They are both significantly (if not nearly fully) deprecated, and insurance costs are less on older cars. I think the engine on any modern BMW is good for 300K or more miles. But as we all know with the D it's not the actual engine, it's all the other "stuff". I would guess that the cost of maintaining either car is going to be about the same.

Or 335D has been very reliable and still runs great. Had a CBU cleaning on the house at 53K miles, the only major issue. My car seems a bit unique in that it has not asked for DEF in over 25K miles. There are no SES lights, it's not complaining, so neither am I. Going thru state inspection in a few weeks but with no SES, I do not think they will care either. And yea, our 335D seems to attract trouble as well. A deer ran into the front fender (yes the deer hit ME), and as classified by the insurance company, a "UFO" fell on the car shattering the sunroof and scratching the trunk.

[glitdi]

Owning a German car is like sticking your hand in the fire! You know its going to burn but you do it anyway. For how far into the fire and how long in the fire is a matter of personal choice, and a certain amount of mental illness..

[kbsilver]

Originally Posted by glitdi

Owning a German car is like sticking your hand in the fire! You know its going to burn but you do it anyway. For how far into the fire and how long in the fire is a matter of personal choice, and a certain amount of mental illness..

Not necessarily true. My son is still driving my old E46 328i 5-speed with 205K miles. They only unexpected issue was it needed a new starter (pulleys, water pump, coils are all expected). Doesn't burn a drop of oil and still has the original clutch!

[Pierre Louis]

If you actually take care of your German cars and drive them like many Europeans do, they will be quite reliable. I believe we Americans like our stop light grand prix and use our cars a bit more severely with long Interstate drives in very hot weather (and cold) than others.

When my German mechanic bought my E320 CDI (and asked for first dibs on my 335d!) he found that I had taken care of it far better than his "average" (high end) customer.

PL

[glitdi]

Originally Posted by Pierre Louis

If you actually take care of your German cars and drive them like many Europeans do, they will be quite reliable. I believe we Americans like our stop light grand prix and use our cars a bit more severely with long Interstate drives in very hot weather (and cold) than others.

When my German mechanic bought my E320 CDI (and asked for first dibs on my 335d!) he found that I had taken care of it far better than his "average" (high end) customer.

PL

I have the same thing with my German cars, being a diesel mechanic typically I have a line up of friends wanting my old cars. I almost bought a e320 beautiful car! as far as reliability goes which one has been better?
I always tell people that a German car is like a German.... it needs to be maintained on time, on schedule, with precision and in a tight neat little package....
Still a pain in the but though....

[Mrdeezy]

Don't believe the hype, believe what you see.
Jajajaja

[ptpending]

the 335d M57 engine will require main chain replacement on 200000-240000 kms (120000-180000 miles), if car is remapped - earlier

[Pierre Louis]

Originally Posted by glitdi

I have the same thing with my German cars, being a diesel mechanic typically I have a line up of friends wanting my old cars. I almost bought a e320 beautiful car! as far as reliability goes which one has been better?

I dare say that by 80,000 miles, the CDI needed a new EGR valve, a replacement alternator, and soon developed problems with the panoramic roof which to this day is too expensive to fix, a trunk leak (from the license plate screws being too long), a new water pump, and a new rear wiring harness. Later in its life it blew out the #1 fuel injector port requiring a replacement for the valve cover (>$1,000!) and even later a new engine cooling fan with module.

The 335d has needed new catalytic converter(s) and NOx sensors, had the AC condenser and belt replaced under warranty. So far the cars are similar in reliability and quality, which is good.

PL

[GaryE30]

Wait a second! You drive 76K miles a year? Surely that's a typo.

[Chief Orman]

Keep it...we are a rare torque addicted breed that is incapable of doing a sensible cost benefit analysis on our cars.

[SwaggyP]

Originally Posted by GaryE30

Wait a second! You drive 76K miles a year? Surely that's a typo.

Nope. Not a mistake! I am in sales and I drive all over the state to meet with clients. I love driving.

- I apologize for the delayed response.... I had surgery on my ankle been a bit loopy from the meds.

[SwaggyP]

Originally Posted by ptpending

the 335d M57 engine will require main chain replacement on 200000-240000 kms (120000-180000 miles), if car is remapped - earlier

isn't the N57 engine the one that had the main chain replacement issue? the majority of changes from the N57 to the M57 was the chain moving from the rear to the front and the swirl flaps being modified? Also new cast iron block?

I may be wrong but I hope this engine doesn't have timing chain issues. I hate that BMW uses plastic timing rails guides... why wouldn't they use a better material?!


- I apologize for the delay in response... I had surgery on my ankle and the meds made me fairly loopy

[SwaggyP]

Originally Posted by kbsilver

I have "almost" the exact same pair. 2011 335d with 75K miles, 2000 540iT with 160K miles. Big difference is the iT is an automatic, the engine has original guides/chains, and was never fully resealed (just parts of it).

I would not exactly call the M62TU bullet proof, but you have already taken care of the the most common issues. For me the auto trans self destructs every 60K miles ($5K-$7K to rebuild) thus already have plans on replacing the 'larger' car before it happens a 3rd time (2017 340GT is high on the list).

As others have said, keep both. They are both significantly (if not nearly fully) deprecated, and insurance costs are less on older cars. I think the engine on any modern BMW is good for 300K or more miles. But as we all know with the D it's not the actual engine, it's all the other "stuff". I would guess that the cost of maintaining either car is going to be about the same.

Or 335D has been very reliable and still runs great. Had a CBU cleaning on the house at 53K miles, the only major issue. My car seems a bit unique in that it has not asked for DEF in over 25K miles. There are no SES lights, it's not complaining, so neither am I. Going thru state inspection in a few weeks but with no SES, I do not think they will care either. And yea, our 335D seems to attract trouble as well. A deer ran into the front fender (yes the deer hit ME), and as classified by the insurance company, a "UFO" fell on the car shattering the sunroof and scratching the trunk.

OK. This is awesome! I haven't had the chance to speak with someone who has the same car combo as me. First, what car do you think is faster?
For me I think the 540i is faster from 0-60 mph but the 335d seems to act like a freight train from 60-120 mph. You would think the diesel would have less top end but this is no regular diesel! I also know the 540i automatics and 6-speeds have different rear differential gearing ratios. The automatics have a shorter 3.15 and the 6speed has a taller 2.89 which makes a world of difference in acceleration/top speed.

But what is the iT? I've never heard of this. only 540i

[SwaggyP]

Originally Posted by Chief Orman

Keep it...we are a rare torque addicted breed that is incapable of doing a sensible cost benefit analysis on our cars.

Yes I know. One day I'm thinking about selling it and the next day I'm looking at Hybrid turbo upgrades along with DPF delete, sport DP and ecu tune.

I cant makeup my mind!

Have you thought of going the hybrid turbo route?

[Chief Orman]

Originally Posted by SwaggyP

Yes I know. One day I'm thinking about selling it and the next day I'm looking at Hybrid turbo upgrades along with DPF delete, sport DP and ecu tune.

I cant makeup my mind!

Have you thought of going the hybrid turbo route?

of course I have. I look forward to the day I melt my existing turbos so I can upgrade.

[ptpending]

Originally Posted by SwaggyP

isn't the N57 engine the one that had the main chain replacement issue? the majority of changes from the N57 to the M57 was the chain moving from the rear to the front and the swirl flaps being modified? Also new cast iron block?

I may be wrong but I hope this engine doesn't have timing chain issues. I hate that BMW uses plastic timing rails guides... why wouldn't they use a better material?!


- I apologize for the delay in response... I had surgery on my ankle and the meds made me fairly loopy

N57 have same, weak chain, but it is relocated to rear side of the engine
M57 had thick chain until 2005 year (M57 and M57N engines), all M57 engines after that time (M57N2 and its 335d derivative) have thin chain.

[kbsilver]

Originally Posted by SwaggyP

OK. This is awesome! I haven't had the chance to speak with someone who has the same car combo as me. First, what car do you think is faster?
For me I think the 540i is faster from 0-60 mph but the 335d seems to act like a freight train from 60-120 mph. You would think the diesel would have less top end but this is no regular diesel! I also know the 540i automatics and 6-speeds have different rear differential gearing ratios. The automatics have a shorter 3.15 and the 6speed has a taller 2.89 which makes a world of difference in acceleration/top speed.

But what is the iT? I've never heard of this. only 540i

The iT is the rare station wagon! (Touring in BMW speak). As this wagon has the M sport package (making it even more rare) it also comes with a high stall torque converter. Straight 0-60 I think the 335D is faster, but the 540 will get the jump off the line as long as you do not spin the tires. To me the biggest difference in initial feel is the turbo lag of the 335D (the 540 being naturally aspirated doesn't have any). But once that big turbo in the diesel kicks in, the D sure can go. Top end I'm sure the 540 is faster, but this is an area I've never tested.

Just got done doing a 320 mile trip (each way) this weekend. The D got over 40 MPG in each direction.