My New Arctic 335i Sedan (review + pics galore!)

Ninjaneer · 10-14-2006, 03:42 PM

After patiently waiting for my baby to arrive I finally picked my car up a few days ago. I'm pleased to note that it survived the long voyage across the seven seas, avoiding pirates and dodging hurricanes, thanks to the Patriot, which coincidentally shipped on 9/11. My car had 2.4 (or 3) miles on it

I'm loving the car. Everything's great, no major complaints. I-Drive is great, not hard to use, but I need to stop messing with it too much while driving

PDC is nice, CA is the BEST thing ever, I love it

Everytime I just walk up to my car or get out to lock/unlock it, I'm glad I got it and it just gives me a whole new feeling towards getting into the car, no fumbling with keys. I wonder what the average person thinks when they see a guy walk up to his Bimmer and just open it... like "did that fool keep his car unlocked?!"

I've been too busy familiarizing myself with i-drive and everything else, so I haven't used Nav too much yet, but it works good. I need to get used to finding the right address to use since the choices get narrowed down as you select numbers/letters and then I'd find that the address I want to put in has been filtered out! I also like being able to find the nearest restaurants/entertainment etc.

RTTI is great. It did alert me of a detour (due to slow traffic) when I used Nav and prompted me if I wanted to change the route. I also used it on my way back from work yesterday to check I275 and figure out if traffic was slow. It picks up nearby interstates so I was able to go through them and get an idea of traffic flow.

Bluetooth is awesome

I upgraded my old non-bluetooth capable phone just before my Bimmer was delivered (Verizon LG VX8300, nice phone) in anticipation of this feature. Hands-free calling is very convenient, especially since I commute 1 hour to/from work. Oh and the way the system lowers the volume for calls and then comes back to life when the call is done is sweeeet!

Paddle shifters

To the people that said it's just gimmicky and will hardly be used 2 months after getting the car, I have to disagree. It's instant power at my fingertips. Granted I can just step on the accelerator to easily pass someone, but instead I've simply pushed the p-shifter down and the gear drops, get higher RPM, and I'm getting instant speed gains. It seems a whole lot quicker than just pressing down on the pedal.

NOTE: the question about how to return to Drive after using the paddle shifters... I've found a partial answer (or the answer?). If I shift w/o being in D/S mode, it will eventually (maybe ~8-10 secs later) stop displaying M2,M3,M4,M5,M6 and just go back to D once I've stopped using the shifter. So it's automatic. HOWEVER, when in D/S mode, this doesn't seem to be the case - instead, it will continue to display the M-whatever gears. I also tried to see whether it would go back to Sport mode after using the paddles then not using them... but no, once you use the paddles, it stays on M-whatever, so to get Sport mode back you'd have to move the gear stick back out then back into D/S.

Ok not to bore everyone with the things they probably already know, the car overall is great and all these convenient features really redefine the normal driving experience I was used to.

Oh one really cool thing my CA told me about: the air-conditioned cupholder in the armrest

That just blew my mind that BMW had it

Max speed: 100 mph
Max RPM: 5K once
For the most part I'm safely sticking to the break-in guidelines. No more than 4-4.5K RPM and no more than 100 mph.

Slight Gripes so far:
1. Plastic buttons on the steering wheel and some of the interior feel slightly flimsy, almost "cheap." I wish they felt a little bit more well built or had some depth to it. The center armrest and glovebox locks both feel too "plasticy" (yea that's not a real word) and I cringe everytime I close them hoping nothing breaks. Maybe the quality is real good and it's normal, but it just feels flimsy to me.

2. Cup holders. They should've made these sturdier and perhaps extend the drop-down flap to accomdate medium sized travel mugs or cups. My Aquafina water bottle fits, but it's too tall and will lean over, so I have to place it in the center armrest.

3. Blindspots in the mirrors. I've yet to find a good angle that covers my view the way I had it setup in my old Nissan. The Bimmer mirrors seem smaller, and the rearview mirror catches the rear headrests so it takes up from what I really want to be seeing on the road. I'm 5'11" and I like to have the seat low, and I've adjusted the mirrors accordingly, but I'm still getting used to the mirrors.

4. Comfort Access not folding up my mirrors, as I've discussed in the current CA threads. No biggie, just need to check with the dealer.

5. Trunk space, under that liftable cover, got reduced further due to turbos

Not a biggie but oh well!

SOOOOOOOO without further ado, here are my pics!

Ninjaneer · 10-14-2006, 03:45 PM

More Pics!

Ninjaneer · 10-14-2006, 03:48 PM

Yet More Pics!

Joker · 10-14-2006, 03:49 PM

Nice colour, great car!

E90Fleet · 10-14-2006, 03:54 PM

Nice

oneshare325 · 10-14-2006, 03:58 PM

GREAT CAR!! that is exactly what I have gotten! Excpet the wood trim!!I love it! You should be proud!!!

P.S. you picked the best color too!!

ZuerstBMW · 10-14-2006, 04:00 PM

CONGRATS!!!! Looks great!!! I purchased mine at REEVES as well. We should meet up. ENJOY

Ninjaneer · 10-14-2006, 04:33 PM

Thanks everyone!

I'd like to make one of those meets, but I can't make the one they're planning for this month, maybe next time!

Just keep me posted on meets if anything comes up!

Victor.L3IchibanM3 · 10-14-2006, 04:42 PM

OMG

Have fun driving ur new car

cycler2 · 10-14-2006, 04:46 PM

Thanks for your first impressions of your great car. Nice color, Ninjaneer. Same as mine, except I got aluminum trim. Oh...and mine is a 328. I pick it up next Tuesday at the Performance Center.

Enjoy your ride.

dmontic71 · 10-14-2006, 04:54 PM

Sweet ride dude! I think we live in the same part of town, so go easy on me if we should ever meet up at a stop light!

flush01 · 10-14-2006, 04:54 PM

stupid questions, can you listen to mp3 cd while navigation is working ? i see you gatta control mp3's through idrive, is it easy to do ?

Ninjaneer · 10-14-2006, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmontic71

Sweet ride dude! I think we live in the same part of town, so go easy on me if we should ever meet up at a stop light!

haha I'll try... give you a head start

Quote:

Originally Posted by flush01

stupid questions, can you listen to mp3 cd while navigation is working ? i see you gatta control mp3's through idrive, is it easy to do ?

My CD worked normally during Navigation, but if you opt to keep the voice directions on, then it will keep interrupting your audio and tell you when to turn etc. then the audio will resume.

BTW I haven't tried an mp3 CD yet, but I was listening to my regular audio CD.

edit: I can control the CD from the steering wheel too. I have one of my shortcut buttons setup to switch the audio source, then of course the up/down arrows can be used to go fwd/back a track (or station if radio)... hold down to rewind/fwd the current CD track.

I-drive is not hard but be very careful messing with it while driving. Keep your eyes on the road or have your passenger do it... or use voice commands!

flush01 · 10-14-2006, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninjaneer

haha I'll try... give you a head start

My CD worked normally during Navigation, but if you opt to keep the voice directions on, then it will keep interrupting your audio and tell you when to turn etc. then the audio will resume.

BTW I haven't tried an mp3 CD yet, but I was listening to my regular audio CD.

edit: I can control the CD from the steering wheel too. I have one of my shortcut buttons setup to switch the audio source, then of course the up/down arrows can be used to go fwd/back a track (or station if radio)... hold down to rewind/fwd the current CD track.

I-drive is not hard but be very careful messing with it while driving. Keep your eyes on the road or have your passenger do it... or use voice commands!

thx

can you take a close picture while navigation is showing map ? thx

Ninjaneer · 10-14-2006, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flush01

thx

can you take a close picture while navigation is showing map ? thx

Alright, I'll try to later this evening and let you know

flush01 · 10-14-2006, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninjaneer

Alright, I'll try to later this evening and let you know

thx bro

LEDZEP · 10-14-2006, 05:40 PM

Very, very nice! Congratulations!! She's a beauty. Looks like the RTTR is nice too!

Nikki · 10-14-2006, 05:45 PM

wow awesome!!!!!!!! looks great.

LEDZEP · 10-14-2006, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikki

wow awesome!!!!!!!! looks great.

Somehow, I knew you'd like it. I think you're biased!

Pedal2Floor · 10-14-2006, 06:07 PM

Ninjaneer:

Stupid question, did they give you the key chain or did you purchase the "3" keychain? If you purchased it, where did you get it?

Bimmerforlife · 10-14-2006, 06:08 PM

It's nice to see more and more pics of the 335i sedan, yours looks great.

Can you tell me what the small knob and the left/right arrow button that are both just above the Nav slot, what is that for? Is it for the radio and CD volume and to change the tracks? I thought this was on the steering wheel. Can you clarify.

Also you have a rear spoiler was that an option cause I don't see it on the build your own site, how much, dealer installed?

John 070 · 10-14-2006, 06:47 PM

Nice! It's posts like these that make me wish I were picking my car up too....soon!

10-14-2006, 03:42 PM	#1
Ninjaneer Shadow Warrior 141 Rep 2,095 Posts Drives: '07 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	My New Arctic 335i Sedan (review + pics galore!) After patiently waiting for my baby to arrive I finally picked my car up a few days ago. I'm pleased to note that it survived the long voyage across the seven seas, avoiding pirates and dodging hurricanes, thanks to the Patriot, which coincidentally shipped on 9/11. My car had 2.4 (or 3) miles on it I'm loving the car. Everything's great, no major complaints. I-Drive is great, not hard to use, but I need to stop messing with it too much while driving PDC is nice, CA is the BEST thing ever, I love it Everytime I just walk up to my car or get out to lock/unlock it, I'm glad I got it and it just gives me a whole new feeling towards getting into the car, no fumbling with keys. I wonder what the average person thinks when they see a guy walk up to his Bimmer and just open it... like "did that fool keep his car unlocked?!" I've been too busy familiarizing myself with i-drive and everything else, so I haven't used Nav too much yet, but it works good. I need to get used to finding the right address to use since the choices get narrowed down as you select numbers/letters and then I'd find that the address I want to put in has been filtered out! I also like being able to find the nearest restaurants/entertainment etc. RTTI is great. It did alert me of a detour (due to slow traffic) when I used Nav and prompted me if I wanted to change the route. I also used it on my way back from work yesterday to check I275 and figure out if traffic was slow. It picks up nearby interstates so I was able to go through them and get an idea of traffic flow. Bluetooth is awesome I upgraded my old non-bluetooth capable phone just before my Bimmer was delivered (Verizon LG VX8300, nice phone) in anticipation of this feature. Hands-free calling is very convenient, especially since I commute 1 hour to/from work. Oh and the way the system lowers the volume for calls and then comes back to life when the call is done is sweeeet! Paddle shifters To the people that said it's just gimmicky and will hardly be used 2 months after getting the car, I have to disagree. It's instant power at my fingertips. Granted I can just step on the accelerator to easily pass someone, but instead I've simply pushed the p-shifter down and the gear drops, get higher RPM, and I'm getting instant speed gains. It seems a whole lot quicker than just pressing down on the pedal. NOTE: the question about how to return to Drive after using the paddle shifters... I've found a partial answer (or the answer?). If I shift w/o being in D/S mode, it will eventually (maybe ~8-10 secs later) stop displaying M2,M3,M4,M5,M6 and just go back to D once I've stopped using the shifter. So it's automatic. HOWEVER, when in D/S mode, this doesn't seem to be the case - instead, it will continue to display the M-whatever gears. I also tried to see whether it would go back to Sport mode after using the paddles then not using them... but no, once you use the paddles, it stays on M-whatever, so to get Sport mode back you'd have to move the gear stick back out then back into D/S. Ok not to bore everyone with the things they probably already know, the car overall is great and all these convenient features really redefine the normal driving experience I was used to. Oh one really cool thing my CA told me about: the air-conditioned cupholder in the armrest That just blew my mind that BMW had it Max speed: 100 mph Max RPM: 5K once For the most part I'm safely sticking to the break-in guidelines. No more than 4-4.5K RPM and no more than 100 mph. Slight Gripes so far: 1. Plastic buttons on the steering wheel and some of the interior feel slightly flimsy, almost "cheap." I wish they felt a little bit more well built or had some depth to it. The center armrest and glovebox locks both feel too "plasticy" (yea that's not a real word) and I cringe everytime I close them hoping nothing breaks. Maybe the quality is real good and it's normal, but it just feels flimsy to me. 2. Cup holders. They should've made these sturdier and perhaps extend the drop-down flap to accomdate medium sized travel mugs or cups. My Aquafina water bottle fits, but it's too tall and will lean over, so I have to place it in the center armrest. 3. Blindspots in the mirrors. I've yet to find a good angle that covers my view the way I had it setup in my old Nissan. The Bimmer mirrors seem smaller, and the rearview mirror catches the rear headrests so it takes up from what I really want to be seeing on the road. I'm 5'11" and I like to have the seat low, and I've adjusted the mirrors accordingly, but I'm still getting used to the mirrors. 4. Comfort Access not folding up my mirrors, as I've discussed in the current CA threads. No biggie, just need to check with the dealer. 5. Trunk space, under that liftable cover, got reduced further due to turbos Not a biggie but oh well! SOOOOOOOO without further ado, here are my pics! Attached Images __________________ 335i E90 / Arctic / Gray / Burl Walnut / Steptronic / ZPP / ZSP / Paddles / CA / Nav / PDC / OEM Spoiler Mods: PIAA Angel Eyes, Rear Fog Switch, Escort X50 Blue hardwire, 30% Charcoal Llumar Installing soon: Rear Power Outlets (Happy Robot mod!)
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10-14-2006, 03:45 PM	#2
Ninjaneer Shadow Warrior 141 Rep 2,095 Posts Drives: '07 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	More Pics! More Pics! Attached Images __________________ 335i E90 / Arctic / Gray / Burl Walnut / Steptronic / ZPP / ZSP / Paddles / CA / Nav / PDC / OEM Spoiler Mods: PIAA Angel Eyes, Rear Fog Switch, Escort X50 Blue hardwire, 30% Charcoal Llumar Installing soon: Rear Power Outlets (Happy Robot mod!)
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10-14-2006, 03:48 PM	#3
Ninjaneer Shadow Warrior 141 Rep 2,095 Posts Drives: '07 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Yet More Pics! Yet More Pics! Attached Images __________________ 335i E90 / Arctic / Gray / Burl Walnut / Steptronic / ZPP / ZSP / Paddles / CA / Nav / PDC / OEM Spoiler Mods: PIAA Angel Eyes, Rear Fog Switch, Escort X50 Blue hardwire, 30% Charcoal Llumar Installing soon: Rear Power Outlets (Happy Robot mod!)
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10-14-2006, 03:49 PM	#4
Joker Private First Class 8 Rep 143 Posts Drives: BMW 320i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Finland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2005 320i [0.00]	Nice colour, great car! __________________
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10-14-2006, 03:54 PM	#5
E90Fleet Lieutenant General 1312 Rep 10,185 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: South Africa iTrader: (0)	Nice __________________ BMW if you are reading, I need a job, Please.
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10-14-2006, 03:58 PM	#6
oneshare325 Brigadier General 199 Rep 4,178 Posts Drives: E90 325i, E82 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Arlington, VA iTrader: (11) Garage List 2018 BMW M3 [0.00] 2006 325i [0.00]	GREAT CAR!! that is exactly what I have gotten! Excpet the wood trim!!I love it! You should be proud!!! P.S. you picked the best color too!!
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10-14-2006, 04:00 PM	#7
ZuerstBMW ¡Viva España! 374 Rep 7,803 Posts Drives: 2023 230i Mineral White Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Apollo Beach, FL. iTrader: (68)	CONGRATS!!!! Looks great!!! I purchased mine at REEVES as well. We should meet up. ENJOY __________________ 23 G42 230i Mineral White Cognac, Aluminum With Mesh Effect Interior Trim MODS Clear Guard, 15% Ceramic Tint, Floating Caps
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10-14-2006, 04:33 PM	#8
Ninjaneer Shadow Warrior 141 Rep 2,095 Posts Drives: '07 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Thanks everyone! I'd like to make one of those meets, but I can't make the one they're planning for this month, maybe next time! Just keep me posted on meets if anything comes up! __________________ 335i E90 / Arctic / Gray / Burl Walnut / Steptronic / ZPP / ZSP / Paddles / CA / Nav / PDC / OEM Spoiler Mods: PIAA Angel Eyes, Rear Fog Switch, Escort X50 Blue hardwire, 30% Charcoal Llumar Installing soon: Rear Power Outlets (Happy Robot mod!)
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10-14-2006, 04:42 PM	#9
Victor.L3IchibanM3 Banned 262 Rep 373 Posts Drives: '06 325i,'04 RX 330,'99Corolla Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: San Jose iTrader: (0)	OMG Have fun driving ur new car
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10-14-2006, 04:46 PM	#10
cycler2 Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 283 Posts Drives: 328i Sedan Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Rockville, Md iTrader: (0)	Thanks for your first impressions of your great car. Nice color, Ninjaneer. Same as mine, except I got aluminum trim. Oh...and mine is a 328. I pick it up next Tuesday at the Performance Center. Enjoy your ride.
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10-14-2006, 04:54 PM	#11
dmontic71 Lieutenant 27 Rep 520 Posts Drives: 2012 F30 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 328i [10.00] (retired) 2009 528i [10.00] (retired) 2006 325i [10.00] (retired) 2002 325ci [10.00]	Sweet ride dude! I think we live in the same part of town, so go easy on me if we should ever meet up at a stop light! __________________ 2012 F30 328i, Melbourne Red, Premium, Sportline, Steptronic, Xenon, Harmon Kardon.
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10-14-2006, 04:54 PM	#12
flush01 Major 46 Rep 1,419 Posts Drives: 33m@%#ing5 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: toronto iTrader: (0)	stupid questions, can you listen to mp3 cd while navigation is working ? i see you gatta control mp3's through idrive, is it easy to do ?
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10-14-2006, 05:40 PM	#17
LEDZEP Lieutenant General 418 Rep 12,276 Posts Drives: 2009 E70 & 2011 F25 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Area 51 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 X3 35i M Sport [7.62] 2009 X5 M Sport [0.00] 2007 328xi E90 [0.00] 2006 325xiT E91 [0.00]	Very, very nice! Congratulations!! She's a beauty. Looks like the RTTR is nice too! __________________ I think it is bad luck to be superstitious
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10-14-2006, 05:45 PM	#18
Nikki Major General 990 Rep 6,381 Posts Drives: Sepang Z4MC Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (9)	wow awesome!!!!!!!! looks great. __________________ Nikki
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10-14-2006, 06:07 PM	#20
Pedal2Floor First Lieutenant 7 Rep 307 Posts Drives: 335i Euro Delivery Fall 2008 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Trumbull, CT iTrader: (0)	Ninjaneer: Stupid question, did they give you the key chain or did you purchase the "3" keychain? If you purchased it, where did you get it?
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10-14-2006, 06:08 PM	#21
Bimmerforlife Major 388 Rep 1,278 Posts Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	It's nice to see more and more pics of the 335i sedan, yours looks great. Can you tell me what the small knob and the left/right arrow button that are both just above the Nav slot, what is that for? Is it for the radio and CD volume and to change the tracks? I thought this was on the steering wheel. Can you clarify. Also you have a rear spoiler was that an option cause I don't see it on the build your own site, how much, dealer installed?
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10-14-2006, 06:47 PM	#22
John 070 Lieutenant General 1706 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	Nice! It's posts like these that make me wish I were picking my car up too....soon!
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