@Nigelo is the man to talk to about them. ChrisL's car is lovely, if I was in the market for one I'd be making that call.
If you want to come and look round mine without any pressure work away. I think car might be going this coming Friday unless I get a better offer.
In terms of what to look for theres not really that much. - HPI Clear - Make sure all important run in service has been documented - Need to have full dealewr or specialist service history - If on 19" 225 wheels make sure they are not suffering from the cracking issue - Make sure turbo isnt suffering from rattle and has any hesitation as this could be the dreaded turbo failing issue - Make all electrics are working and if car has IDrive make sure no faults are logged on memory - Check cars history to make sure it has been an MSport from new as alot can be clones/replicas - Stone chips round the front end, basically normal stuff to look for. Get a good one however and it will last an age, very reliable cars when a good one is found. Easily maintained and running costs are not bad either, im getting 25-26 MPG and its a 3.0 twin turbo. Try and get some extras also, mine has all optional extras from that year (Sept 2007)
Taking one of these to Drogheda and back for a bit of craic tomorrow, oh and a meeting for work in drogheda
Chris has pretty much laid it all down. The 335i came better specced than the lower models. Even the SE has msport suspension and black headlining. I bought an SE myself and constructed my own hybrid of M3, msport and aero kit just to suit myself. Even a SE with the right alloys can look great, but the msport just looks more pleasantly aggressive and is more sought after. Injectors can also give bother, but for whatever reason we get much less bother with injectors and fuel pumps in the UK compared to the USA. I'd say only things I'd have liked would've been usb/iPhone prep, uprated audio, and heated seats. Nav I just use through phone for, old 2007 bmw nav can look a little dated and the old idrive a bit fiddly. Some things can be retrofitted but not all! They tune very well - 350 with just a map and 390-400 with fmic and exhaust mods.
Definitely a good buy. I have an early SE but with all the toys including the factory fit aero kit with front and back bumpers and rear spoiler, sports seats and suspension. The paddle gear selector is a nice extra. Check headlight washers fully extend and retract until flush as can be a costly repair if not under warranty.