Highlights

Japanese import with low mileage of 61,000 miles
Driven on salt-free roads for all of its life
Well maintained in Japan and serviced on arrival in 2026
Recent new tyres, new shocks and gearbox, engine and differential fluids
Very well kept car in Black Sapphire with black leather interior
MOT valid until July 2027 with no advisories

The Appeal

Good as the M3 is, the E90 335i makes a really strong case as the better real-world alternative. 300bhp from its N55 straight-six, lightning-quick Steptronic gearbox and M Sport suspension tweaks provide the ‘ultimate driving machine’ engagement, yet it is much more comfortable and forgiving over long drives than the M car.

We suspect that this 2011 car is one of the best available, largely thanks to spending its life in Japan, where high maintenance standards and salt-free roads preserve cars. It was imported to the UK in 2026 with a Grade 3.5B auction rating and presents very well in photos. It is well specified too, mixing Black Sapphire metallic paintwork with a matching black leather cabin. The equipment list includes heated and fully electric front seats in black leather, BMW Professional iDrive, HiFi audio, comfort access with keyless start, automatic bi-xenon headlights, and an electric rear sun blind.

Upon arrival in the UK, it was comprehensively serviced using genuine BMW parts and fitted with new rear shock absorbers and front tyres. The vendor describes it as a versatile daily driver with a fantastic exhaust note — a car that does a bit of everything well. It comes with its Japanese book packs, BMW spec sheet, two keys and a long, advisory-free MOT.

The vendor says:

Overall, it is a really nice car and a tremendous daily driver. It’s fast enough that you can take advantage of good roads and not feel swallowed in heavy traffic. But not so fast that it just feels on edge. The gearbox is super smooth and perfect for daily driving, arguably a little too relaxed for the type of car it is, but still enjoyable. The engine is a gem, with bags of power available, and it is a genuinely quick car. And the sound is also incredible. The specification gives you all the creature comforts we know and love in modern cars, without all the let-downs that come with them. Heated, electric, and super-comfortable leather seats make long journeys a breeze. The HiFi sound system is perfect when you don’t want the straight-six roar. It’s a proper Jekyll and Hyde car, to be honest. It can do a bit of everything and still do it well. It’s just not an M5; otherwise I’d keep it :-).”

Key Information

Mileage: 61,000 miles (supported by Japanese BMW service history)
Country of registration: Japan (now registered on UK plates since August 2026)
Technical inspection status: MOT valid until 3rd July 2027 with no advisories
Technical specs: 300bhp 2,979cc turbocharged inline-six petrol, six-speed Steptronic automatic
Paperwork: Japanese BMW service history, book packs, BMW spec sheet, and two keys

Recent work since arriving in the UK:

Serviced with genuine BMW parts
Gearbox service
Oil and filter
Air filter
Cabin filter
Spark plugs
Two new rear shocks
Two front tyres (Goodyear as6)

The Detail

Serviced on arrival to the UK using genuine BMW parts as detailed above
Further work, including tyres and shock absorbers, since arrival
Grade 3.5B Japanese auction rating and presents well in photos for age and mileage
Some stone chips to note to front of car and other minor areas to note to paint
Black Sapphire metallic paintwork with M Sport body kit
Small crack at the very bottom of the front bumper
Minor polishable scratches around car but no dents reported
Vendor notes a stage 1 paint correction would remove 99% of blemishes
Factory alloy wheels are presentable with kerbing to note to rims
Underside reported to be in good order due to salt-free Japanese roads
No structural or other advisories on MOT
Vendor states engine is completely standard and believed to be in full working order
We are told the gearbox as very smooth and well suited to daily driving
Headlights are yellowing
Black leather interior in good order commensurate with a low mileage car
Minimal wear to seats and steering wheel with minor wear on some trim
Electric rear sun blind can be temperamental when retracting, we are told
All other switchgear reported to be working correctly
Features factory Japanese navigation as shown
M boot mat fitted
Upgraded charge pipe fitted whilst in Japan
The latest bmw saftey recall for drivers airbag has also been carried out and is documented in the Japanese paperwork

Specification advised by seller:

Heated seats
Fully electric front seats
Full black leather interior
HiFi audio
BMW Professional I Drive
Comfort access and start (Keyless)
Electric rear sun blind
Extended storage package
Split folding rear seats with ski hatch
Automatic bi-xenon lights with washer function
Folding mirrors
Cruise control
Extendable centre armrest

BEFORE YOU BUY

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