The $6,000 335i project

[BoostedZHP]

Yes, that's correct. I paid $6,000 for my 335i. My dad and I had been looking for a project car for the last year or so, but didn't really know what we wanted or what we were capable of fixing. We wanted something that we could buy fairly cheaply, have some fun with for a while, and sell to make a profit when we were done. We never buy cars locally, so we had been looking on eBay, craigslist, etc. all around the country and never found the car that seemed "just right,"...until we found this. There's a body shop about 5 miles from my house that we've done business with before, and I had noticed this 335i out behind the shop for a few months. One day I decided I would stop in and ask about it, and when I did I realized there was a for sale sign on it. I talked to the owner of the shop and he told me he had just put the sign on it, not even an hour before and I was the first person who had stopped by. I came to find out that it's a clean title, one owner 2007 335i with 125k miles and Dinan stage 2 software. I was blown away at how clean the car was both inside and out. It literally looked like it had been wrecked on the way home from a detail shop. It was owned by an older asian man who had rear ended someone after canceling his full-coverage. He wasn't happy with the quote he received so he decided to sell the car as-is and buy an f30. I came back the next day with cash, and thus began my $6,000 335i project. Right off the bat I knew it would need a headlight, hood, fender, bumper, and radiator. After taking everything apart I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was missing very few odds and ends, and I would need less "miscellaneous" parts than I was anticipating. A few clicks online and all the parts were on the way. It took a little bit to get started because of my dad's work and my school, but over the next few weeks we began to make some progress. With each new step I became more and more excited to get it finished, and about a week ago, I couldn't stand it any longer so I worked through a good bit of the night with a few friends and got it done. All in all, I couldn't be happier with how it turned out! It's truly an amazing car and I can't help but smile every time I look at the pictures of the process. I also contacted the owner of the car and found out that the HPFP recall has been done, both wastegate actuators are new, one turbo was replaced at 80k miles, injectors and coils are new, along with a few other little bits. I've never owned an n54 before but so far the car is rock solid and runs like a champ!

Here's the pics of our progress:
When I first stopped in to ask about her
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The next day when we got her home
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The damage
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Changing the radiator was a huge pain
12744

Just had to take her out for a drive, couldn't help myself :)
12745

[BoostedZHP]

Finally starting to come together!
12747

Find of the day: $150 OEM bi-xenon headlight!
12748

Got back from paint!
12750


12751

The best feeling it the world. She's done!
12753

[ELCID86]

Wow great story, find and car. Love the color. Can't wait to see more.


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[NorCalZman]

That's awesome. So you'll be selling it for a profit? How much do you figure you'll get for it?

[BoostedZHP]

How she looks today

12755

Very first drive after completion

12754

12756

12757

Thanks for reading :)

[BoostedZHP]

Thanks! It was a blast working on it and I figure I'll keep it for a while. I haven't posted it for sale or made any talk of it and I've already been offered $13k for it, so I'll probably keep it until the summer or so and sell it to my buddy who offered to buy it. The torque is unbelievable, it's pretty addicting :)

[fredo]

Well done, man ! How much did you spend on parts and paint ? Please PM if you prefer. Sounds like you covered the labor with some help (dad and friends).

[BoostedZHP]

Well done, man ! How much did you spend on parts and paint ? Please PM if you prefer. Sounds like you covered the labor with some help (dad and friends).

PM'd!

[Hornung418]

Nice work! That's a great turn around.

Sent from my GS3.

[BoostedZHP]

Nice work! That's a great turn around.

Sent from my GS3.

Thank you sir! I remember reading your thread a while back. Props to you as well!

[Hornung418]

Thank you sir! I remember reading your thread a while back. Props to you as well!

Thanks! I've still got to get my rear bumper repainted and aligned. Thinking about having my exterior trim sprayed BSM and wrap my roof trim in glossy black vinyl.

Can't wait to see your updates!

Sent from my GS3.

[BoostedZHP]

Thanks! I've still got to get my rear bumper repainted and aligned. Thinking about having my exterior trim sprayed BSM and wrap my roof trim in glossy black vinyl.

Can't wait to see your updates!

Sent from my GS3.

Good deal! I've always been a fan of black roofs. Funny story, when I had my previous ZHP I had been looking online at zhps with black roofs and ran across my current ZHP years before I bought it! I'll keep an eye out for updates in your thread! I can't wait to get the 335 cleaned up a bit. The paint is still soft :(


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[yura]

Car looks great, and that's a hell of a deal for $6k

[Tlandreth22]

What an amazing deal for such a beautiful car! Is it Le Mans Blue?

[danewilson77]

What do you figure the total cost was restored?

Nice job.

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[QC_ZHP]

Dat blue....

Awesome project, esp. doing it with the old man. Mine taught me everything I know. So the plan is to sell the 335i and keep the ZHP? How does the boosted M54 compare to the N54?

[trancenation]

Nice project! It's good to see folks bringing bmw's back to life.

[Avetiso]

Awesome find! Not a bad hit at all! Glad to see this car went to an enthusiast.

[BimmerWill]

Awesome find she is gorgeous!

sent from S4

[3ZHPGUY]

Nice find and a job well done. I did the same thing when I was in high school in the 70s. Just had to add that because the color on the Ford I did was a similar blue. Congrats once again, looking great.


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[BoostedZHP]

Thanks for all the kind words guys! For those wondering, it's Montego Blue.

[BoostedZHP]

Dat blue....

Awesome project, esp. doing it with the old man. Mine taught me everything I know. So the plan is to sell the 335i and keep the ZHP? How does the boosted M54 compare to the N54?

It was an absolute blast to work on and see the results! I would do it again to just break even. Sadly, I think I have a buyer for my ZHP, so I will likely keep the 335 until mid summer or so and sell it as well. That's an interesting question, I've thought about doing a whole write up on the differences, just cause it's a unique comparison. In short, the n54 spanks my ZHP all day long. But the m54 does rip pretty hard at high RPMs. The 335 doesn't feel particularly strong up high, it's just the way it pulls from 2k rpm or so. Even though the 335 is an auto, its actually kind of jerky after coming from the ZHP just because the throttle response and torque are so much different to get used to. I think if I had an intercooler and a smaller pulley, the ZHP could keep up pretty well. Right now I can hang with stock 335s. Hope that helps :)

[QC_ZHP]

It does, its good to hear a first hand opinion. I'm a huge fan of the N54/N55 engines, I'm just in love with the e46 chassis.

[cakM3]

Just so you know....when you sell your ZHP you will come to miss it. The 335 was an awesome find and it was nice to see the progress you have made to it :thumbsup

[BoostedZHP]

That's the same predicament I'm jn. If an e46 335i was made I would not consider ever buying another car lol. Unfortunately that's what I'm afraid of. I bought this ZHP because I missed my last one and this is by far the best car I've had. Hopefully I won't regret the move to a 335 it eventually maybe a 135


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[johnrando]

Great werk!

[Smilez]

damn... i don't know if would flip it and sell it. but that is a nice pick up.

[BoostedZHP]

damn... i don't know if would flip it and sell it. but that is a nice pick up.

I may not. I've only driven it a couple times so I may end up keeping it. I have a sale pending on the ZHP so this will be my daily for a while. If it were a 6 speed I would keep it for sure!


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[cakM3]

You're gonna miss your ZHP....I'm telling ya!

[BoostedZHP]

You're gonna miss your ZHP....I'm telling ya!

:( I'm trying to stop the tears from flowing lol


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[BoostedZHP]

Sorry I haven't been on here in a while. Turns out, my ZHP is tentatively sold so this will be my daily driver for a while. Honestly I really like it. The more I drive it, the more it grows on me. I figured up that the total cost is lower than I thought so that's a plus too! The torque is absolutely insane and I LOVE the logic7. Maybe this summer I will sell it and buy an lci 6 speed or a 135 but for now I'm enjoying it.


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[BoostedZHP]

Just ran across this thread and thought I'd post a little update. I'm sad to say I sold the 335i this week. I absolutely fell in love and ended up keeping it about a year and a half; only sold it because I found another 335i I want. I felt like I was cheating on my gf lol. Here it was before I sold it. 1844518445

[ELCID86]

Now you tell us :-/


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[danewilson77]

It LOOKED awesome.

"No flamesuit required"

[cakM3]

waiting to see where this leads.....when you will post how you miss your ZHP ;) Congrats though!

[fredo]

Car looked great, as Dane says. I always wanted to have a 335i. Next time I visit my Indy I will ask how reliable they are. I know the turbos are pricey to replace.

[yura]

Car looked great, as Dane says. I always wanted to have a 335i. Next time I visit my Indy I will ask how reliable they are. I know the turbos are pricey to replace.

They definitely have their issues, but most are well known and have fixes for. From what I remember, shop labour on replacing the turbos is something like 17 hours - crazy expensive. Were that to happen to me, I would get some buddies together and swap in (more reliable) aftermarket turbos.

I absolutely loved my '07 335i and plan to get another one down the line (after a house, in a few years).

[BoostedZHP]

I'll keep you posted on what's coming! I would absolutely not hesitate to buy a 335i if you're interested in one. This was a fantastic car. I've heard plenty of horror stories but I sold it with 138k and it was rock solid. No injector issues, no wastegate rattle, etc. Great car with gobs of torque, got 31mpg hwy and I never had any issues other than needing a walnut blasting.