E90 BMW 3 Series 2006–2013

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

• Sought after: The single-turbo N55 335i, from 2011 All years

  Turner Motorsport and AutoGuide both call the N55 the more reliable 335i engine for a car kept stock, and two owners in one forum thread say they would choose it over the twin-turbo N54.^1,2,3

• Avoid: A high-mileage N54 335i without records All years Less sought after

  AutoGuide warns that the 335i needs more than routine upkeep, especially past 100,000 miles, and Turner Motorsport says to assume any service without a record was not done. Two owners in one forum thread warn that its turbos are costly to replace.^2,1,3

Before you pay

Open the buyer's checklist

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.

Sources

1. Turner Motorsport E9X 335 guide
2. AutoGuide 335i guide
3. Grassroots Motorsports forum (E90)