[Arksun]

So after being disappointed with my IS250's MT (handling and ride is not too clumsy), I'm thinking of switching to an E92 328i, but planning on getting it used.

How is the reliability on the E92s? I know BMW has gotten much much better and nowhere near as problematic as their German competitors. Are the fuel pump and squeaking issues the only major ones so far?

I found a used 328xi for $33,895 with only with 11k miles on it and it is basically loaded (Sports package, Premium Package, Nav). It has the perfect combination that I wanted (Sparkling graphite/ coral red/ dark gray wood) and is coming from Luxury Motors. Local dealers are willing to give me $27,000 for my 2008 IS250 so I think I can probably get $28k-$29k for it via Carmax or selling it privately. I think the extra amount out of my pocket would be well worth it.

So how reliable is the E92? I'm not expecting Lexus reliability, but I want a better drive!

Hoping to join the BMW family within a couple months!

[crex]

Consumer reports had the reliability of the 328 above average but also rated it as more fun to drive.

[Legion5]

Originally Posted by Arksun

So after being disappointed with my IS250's MT (handling and ride is not too clumsy), I'm thinking of switching to an E92 328i, but planning on getting it used.

How is the reliability on the E92s? I know BMW has gotten much much better and nowhere near as problematic as their German competitors. Are the fuel pump and squeaking issues the only major ones so far?

I found a used 328xi for $33,895 with only with 11k miles on it and it is basically loaded (Sports package, Premium Package, Nav). It has the perfect combination that I wanted (Sparkling graphite/ coral red/ dark gray wood) and is coming from Luxury Motors. Local dealers are willing to give me $27,000 for my 2008 IS250 so I think I can probably get $28k-$29k for it via Carmax or selling it privately. I think the extra amount out of my pocket would be well worth it.

So how reliable is the E92? I'm not expecting Lexus reliability, but I want a better drive!

Hoping to join the BMW family within a couple months!

pull the trigger imediatly, you won't regret it.

[addy85]

go drive one, you wont look back

[GreenThree]

+1. You will be hooked after driving it.

Have a full inpection done by a third party though. Remember, these cars can be very expensive to maintain. (Could be different than Lexus/Toyota)

[Comet]

you gotta drive it
I think it will def have more power than the IS250...
it is less tail happy (I recall the IS350 being very tail happy)

fuel pump was a problem for a certain batch of bmws.. don't know the details on it...

chances are the ex-owner had it changed if he had problems with it anyways...

squeaks? I'veh ad my E90 for a while now.. not a single squeak...

[demosthenes]

As another poster said, reliability is better than average. Reliability isn't as good as Lexus.

The IS250 is a luxury car with some sporty characteristics whereas as the 328 is a sports sedan with some luxury. The 328 is a better car for enthusiasts.

[GreenThree]

THere is a discussion on used e90's here: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145281

[Arksun]

I haven't driven the coupe yet, but I've driven a used 330i at a local dealership, and it was AMAZING. I was able to shift quick and throw the car around corners quickly and comfortably. The ride was the reason why I am so interested in trading in my car. E92 328i with MT is very hard to find in FL

Since the used car I am looking at is in Chicago and I am in Florida, how would I go about getting it inspected?

[EDK99]

Don't for get if the car only has 11k on it you still have the rest of teh 4yr/50k warranty and free maintenance. If it is a CPO car from a BMW dealer then you are getting 6yr/ 100k for warranty and maintenance.

[GreenThree]

Originally Posted by Arksun

I haven't driven the coupe yet, but I've driven a used 330i at a local dealership, and it was AMAZING. I was able to shift quick and throw the car around corners quickly and comfortably. The ride was the reason why I am so interested in trading in my car. E92 328i with MT is very hard to find in FL

Since the used car I am looking at is in Chicago and I am in Florida, how would I go about getting it inspected?

There should be a CarFAX report on the car you are looking at. Honetsly, I would wait until you can see the car yourself. This is just me, and what I would do. But I would never buy a used Audi or BMW. This is just my opinion. I have bought new in the past, and they have been warranteed and 0 cost maint is still in place. But if I were to buy used, it would definately be something with low maint cost and reliable. Subie, Honda, Toyota, etc.

Are Audi's and BMW's unreliable? Not neccessarily. But I would not buy a used one, esp if it was out of Warrantee

[Back in a Subie]

Out of curiosity, why not just spring for a fully loaded 2006 330i? You can find plenty of CPOs with low miles because of all the people who took the hit to get 335's?

[Legion5]

Oh... forgot to mention, I made a post recently about how my friend's modded 328i which only has a 3 grand in it full exhaust intake chip etc etc, beat a IS350 up to 150 mph. The XI will obviously be slower but the point is the 328i can even stand up to the IS350 with a little investment, so don't even think you are getting a slower car, it's better in every way really.

[JamieA]

Do it, do it, do it... now

[Arksun]

Originally Posted by Mi330xi

Out of curiosity, why not just spring for a fully loaded 2006 330i? You can find plenty of CPOs with low miles because of all the people who took the hit to get 335's?

I much prefer the E92 body over 330i sedan or the last generation 330i coupe.

I will contact the dealer later in the day and inquire about warranty and etc. but I think it would still have the BMW factory warranty/free service.

[nightops]

It seems for that price you could be into a used 335i and you are definitely going to notice the difference in power there. theres a ton of them on the market right now

[Arksun]

So I contacted the dealer to inquire more about the vehicle and it turns out this was a vehicle purchased from BMW. BMW had cause some panel damages to it and repaired it.

REPAIR/REFINISH: R/rocker molding, R/door and R/qtr panel
REFINISH: Fuel door and R/roof rail

$2500 worth of damages.

The guy at the dealer told me it is still under the BMW 4 year warranty/free service program so I think I would be covered. But I Google the reputation of this dealer (Luxury Motors) as well as searched the boards and doesn't look like they have a good reputation at all. So I'm kind of on the fence for this one. A fully loaded E92 328xi, low miles, and with minor damages to panels about $5000 less than the KBB suggested retail price..

Anyone with Carfax want to run a full check for me please?

[akack79]

Originally Posted by Arksun

I much prefer the E92 body over 330i sedan or the last generation 330i coupe.

I will contact the dealer later in the day and inquire about warranty and etc. but I think it would still have the BMW factory warranty/free service.

Get the coupe asap, you won't regret it.

~5,000 miles and zero problems so far, knock on wood.

[Firefly6]

Originally Posted by addy85

go drive one, you wont look back

ditto

[bonsai]

Carmax will give you even less than your dealer will. When I sold my previous car, I was almost insulted at the offer they gave me.

I ended up selling it privately and got $6K more than what Carmax had offered me!

Back on topic: Get the 328! With the free service and warranty still valid, it sounds like a great deal. Of course, test drive it and make sure there's nothing wrong with it first.

[Saintor]

You are at least the 3rd Lexus IS I hear about who regrets not having bought a 3-series in the first place (the others were IS350).

[col4bin]

Is there really something to think about? It's a BMW....just do it