FOA: Fox

I'm literally sitting here and thinking I'm only a few months off being able to go for something like that..... maybe I should look and finding the extra money now to get a good one and expand my timescale to buy.
 
I'd rather have a manual which is what drew me to this one (high spec, lowish mileage, manual, not a 'boring colour) but to be honest I've only ever driven 3 autos - 2 were Ford Mustangs and the other an E39 so I'm sure things are a lot better now.

Really good to see these getting into affordable now, if Fox is to be believed then next year you'll be looking at some very good deals for a top spec, very quick current 3 series.
 
Don't you have WD cover on your parents e60 or Z4? Will they pay out on wear and tear then?

I've always thought anything bar the official warranty would be a real pain to claim on because everything could come under wear and tear?
 
Interesting, good to know there is a viable option to the BMW one.

Still set on the 335i or recon you'll get a shortlist closer to the time and drive other stuff (or have you already)?
 
What benefit would a 330i have over a 335i? Apart from maybe being cheaper or easier to get hold of?

The 330i you sorta stuck with the stock output on the engine as well, 335i gives you scope should you ever want more.
 
[TW]Fox;17770775 said:
335i:

Pro's: 306bhp, dual exit exhuasts at the back, 0-60 5.5 seconds (Tho in reality they are quicker than the stats suggest).

Cons: Based on older M54 engine, HPFP is a significant weak point, not particularly economical at 31mpg combined, not quite as crisp throttle response.

330i:

Pros: 272bhp, 0-60 5.9 seconds but with a combined mpg figure of 39 - it's allegedly significantly more economical than a 335i without being hugely down on power. Brand new N53 engine. Crisper throttle response. Cheaper so you get a newer car for the money.

Cons: Doesn't quite have the midrange thurst of a 335i. Not as easy to find. Isn't 'the top one'.

In reality both are fast cars, neither will leave you wanting power wise, both are far quicker than I'd ever need anyway. What the 330i lacks in power it makes up for in real world usabilty - ie 40mpg on a run is better than 30mpg and cuts the cost of those 1000 mile at a time jaunts :)
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Cheers, although I'd no idea 335i's were actually making more power or being quicker than the BMW stats.

I don't think I'd be able to not get it remapped though. Just with extra power in reserve waiting to be tapped into it'd seem a waste.
 
[TW]Fox;17770820 said:
With the near chronic reliability issues affecting the N54 engine (There is now a voluntary recall in effect in the USA, and even a 120k mile 10 year warranty on the fuel pumps - but onyl for Americans) tuning them is not a risk I would want to take.
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I know I wouldn't be able to help myself.

Something I saw the other day the small engine on the new Aston Martin (the 4 door jobbie) would be slower to 60 than a mapped 335i (or even standard depending on power) or something like that - then with BMW running costs (cheap compared with the AM!).

Wonder if WD would refuse warranty payout if you had it mapped or do they not look into that sort of stuff?
 
Any car I've driven before and after a remap though were worlds apart, I'm sure it wouldn't be so much in something so quick anyway - but I'd always be sitting there thinking I've spent £20k on this car, why not spend another £800~ or whatever and get the full use out of those turbos.
 
[TW]Fox;17770978 said:
And then blow them up.
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That's what WD is for :D

iaind said:
If I was spending 20k on a car, I'd make sure it was a car that performed as well as I wanted/needed in the first place, rather than having to spend another few quid trying to make it better but less reliable
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So what else do you pick up for £20k that's quicker/more powerful and does everything as well as the e92 335i?
 
[TW]Fox;17771020 said:
Your constant thirst for power is quite perplexing. You are what, 21. Why is 306bhp not enough in an RWD Coupe?! Why exactly do you need even more as soon as you get it?

It's quite satisfying in a way to work your way up the 'power ladder' I think :p

Plus had my 530i had 360bhp when I got it I'd have killed myself in it.
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Oh yeah I totally understand I'm doing it all wrong and it's either going to end in tears or some sort of crazy power addiction.

I really can't explain it, figures I don't care about - I just want to be in the quickest, nicest thing I can possibly get that suits my needs.

If the power is there to be got - why not.
 
Hopefully. I've driven some pretty quick stuff but only over very short distances or with a sales bloke in the car.

I've gotta start thinking how I'm even going to get a test drive on a 335i! Hard enough to find one, let alone convince a private buyer to let me test drive one, and BMW are unlikely to throw the keys at me straight away!
 
[TW]Fox;17771068 said:
It's a BMW Individual car so sadly there wont be many others like it. The key point is that the top of the doorcards is black - on a standard E92 with a light interior the top of the doorcard is usually the same colour as the seats :(
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Can't you get cream leather and some sort of cream dash very like that though?
 
[TW]Fox;17771103 said:
Yes you can:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...page/15/radius/1501/postcode/pl11aa?logcode=p

But as you'll see the entire doorcard is cream whereas on the Individual car the black of the dash top continues around the doorcard.

Before you ask, that particular car is cheap because the spec is crap :p
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I see your point, not a fan of the wood either with it.

What sort of 'spec' should you be looking for?

I would never use a Nav but understand in this market you've gotta get one for the other iDrive stuff and resale?

Bluetooth (is that phone prep?) I assume is good? What other stuff do you think is worth looking out for?
 
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