[dougman]

So I've driven both, but for only a few minutes at a time.

This will sound weird, but the sheer power of the 335 is not a single factor that would shove me over to it. I loved the sound and throttle response, though.

But what really makes a car fun to drive, for me, is the whole manual transmission and clutch performance.

Both cars seemed to have a bit of "deadness" to the clutch pedal, but I'm assuming that's the CDV.

But (and I'm not sure if this is my imagination) the 335 seemed a bit harder to drive smoothly--there was more driveline windup on takeoff, and the gearbox seemed less precise.

Has anyone driven both side-by-side and can comment on the fun and precision of regular manual shifting? It's a key factor on my decision, as it's what really makes the drive to work fun.

I've done intensive searching on this, but can't find this specific comparison.

Thanks in advance.

[Moderato]

Originally Posted by dougman

Both cars seemed to have a bit of "deadness" to the clutch pedal, but I'm assuming that's the CDV.

But (and I'm not sure if this is my imagination) the 335 seemed a bit harder to drive smoothly--there was more driveline windup on takeoff, and the gearbox seemed less precise.

I haven't driven the 335 or 328 but from my experiences with the cars I do have, I'd guess the 335 is a bit harder to drive due to the extra low end TQ which requires more finesse to manage smoothly and also the 335 probably has a beefer trans and drivetrain then the 328 and that will make it less forgiving. The deadness to the clutch pedal, is something you will get used to and it won't feel dead once you do. Also the if you get the 335 as you get used to it and it breaks in fully, you will feel right at home driving it.

[are]

I haven't had the chance to drive either the 328 or 335 w/ a manual transmission (only had autos to test), but from what I've read (can't remember where) ... the 335 has the ZF manual transmission versus the Getrag in the 328. Some car magazine thought the ZF manual was only so-so; they speculated that the Getrag was better, but didn't actually test it. In maybe the same article the magazine concluded that the ZF auto was a better choice w/ the 335 because (a) it works so well, and (b) it does a better job of keeping the revs in a range that the turbo is always available - I guess depressing the clutch and shifting manually brings the revs so low the turbos have to spool up again. I also prefer MT to AT, but if I were going to get the 335 I'd really think about the AT.

[matlough]

Originally Posted by are

....(b) it does a better job of keeping the revs in a range that the turbo is always available - I guess depressing the clutch and shifting manually brings the revs so low the turbos have to spool up again.

Heel & toe will sort that!!!

http://motoringfile.com/2005/07/24/h...g_made_simple/

[Safety2213]

I've had a 318is & 325ic e36 both manuals, e46 323i manual and now a 335i manual and I always found that the clutch on the more powerful cars were much better. As a matter of fact, I didn't really care for the power and was going to go with a 328i however decided to go with a 335i because the clutch felt heavier and more sport like. With a bigger engine, my experience has always been that the drive train was more robust and worth the extra cost.

[BK]

FWIW, the 335i clutch feels a lot lighter than my 330i clutch, which is pretty light to begin with. Although, that was based on just sitting in the car, not even driving... but I doubt it would get any heavier when you drive. I haven't even sat in a 328i. As for one MT being easier than another -- they break in as the car breaks in, and get easier to use. Maybe the 335i was less broken in?