[dougman]

I have no intention of turning this into yet another 328 vs. 335 thread, but wanted to share my personal experiences today.

I woke up this morning and planned to head into the dealer and pick up a Space Gray/Coral Red 335 they had with 5000 miles on it. Before making my final decision, I asked to drive the 328i coupe again (which was my original direction) before deciding on the 335i. Both were manuals with Sport and Premium packages.

I am surprised to say that I came back out and ordered a 328. They are both fantastic and spectacular cars. But they are SO much different in character.

The 335, when the throttle is pressed, feels like a jet. The throttle feels like it opens up the afterburner and the car just GOES. First, second, and third are MUCH more broadly spaced on the 6 MT than on the 328. The car feels heavier, yet at the same time faster. The shifter is not as precise, and just feels one more level disconnected from the gearbox as compared to the 6MT on the 328, where it's like you can feel well-oiled bearings snicking and slipping into place. But it doesn't matter because in the 335 you just put that throttle down and the car gathers speed like something out of DC comics. And Coral Red is a perfect interior for the personality of this car.

The 335 driveline has just a bit of "elasticity" in it, which you can feel when getting on and off the throttle. There's no turbo lag per se, but there is just not the same relationship between throttle and engine as on the 328. Instead of a thrust controller, the 328 throttle feels like a rheostat connected to an electric motor.

The 328 feels just a touch nimbler. You can feel it in the response time between your twist of the steering wheel and the set the car takes on an exit ramp. If you love a manual transmission, the feel is better, the clutch action is smoother, and the driveline doesn't have as much lash to take up. The first three gears are signficantly closer spaced and you're going to be shifting more ofter--which can be a good thing for some of us.

The biggest regret for me in walking away from the 335 was... the SOUND. Oh, my god--what an incredible noise. Not too loud, but the most wonderful sound I've heard in ages. A perfect balance between burbling exhaust and well-tuned mechanical harmonies. The 328 is a singer sewing machine in comparison, which has less character and aggressiveness, but again, feels a touch more refined.

My last BMW was a '74 2002, and I felt the BMW heritage dramatically more in the 328 than I did in the 335.

I absolutely loved both cars, and consider it an incredible privelege in my life that I am in a position to choose between two such spectacular automobiles.

When I stepped out of the 335, it was "wow--THAT is a fast and fun car". When I stepped out of the 328 it was "THAT is one of the best engineered machines I've ever experienced".

10 years ago, no question, I'd have ended up in the 335. Today, with three kids, when life's pleasures come from that perfect heel-and-toe downshift, that feel of precise engine response at part throttle, and the way the gear lever snicks into first at the traffic light... my heart belonged to the 328.

I don't know how else to say it--but the 328 felt like it had an extra year with the engineers as compared to the 335.

I have a 328 on order, Space Gray with Saddle, which just seemed to suit the 328 a little better than the Coral, which is definitely consistent with the 335's character.

We are all very lucky to be in an age where we can drive a 6.1 0-60 car that is considered the "entry level" model (and get 30 mpg on the highway).

My god, these are wonderful automobiles. I don't know how I can wait for delivery.

[STE92VE]

I love you , man...:rocks:

[teknochild]

riiighttttt

[BMW F22]

congrats! cant go wrong either way.

[hak87]

Originally Posted by teknochild

riiighttttt

Your posts crack me up..

[DrGP]

Originally Posted by dougman

I have no intention of turning this into yet another 328 vs. 335 thread, but wanted to share my personal experiences today.

I woke up this morning and planned to head into the dealer and pick up a Space Gray/Coral Red 335 they had with 5000 miles on it. Before making my final decision, I asked to drive the 328i coupe again (which was my original direction) before deciding on the 335i. Both were manuals with Sport and Premium packages.

I am surprised to say that I came back out and ordered a 328. They are both fantastic and spectacular cars. But they are SO much different in character.

The 335, when the throttle is pressed, feels like a jet. The throttle feels like it opens up the afterburner and the car just GOES. First, second, and third are MUCH more broadly spaced on the 6 MT than on the 328. The car feels heavier, yet at the same time faster. The shifter is not as precise, and just feels one more level disconnected from the gearbox as compared to the 6MT on the 328, where it's like you can feel well-oiled bearings snicking and slipping into place. But it doesn't matter because in the 335 you just put that throttle down and the car gathers speed like something out of DC comics. And Coral Red is a perfect interior for the personality of this car.

The 335 driveline has just a bit of "elasticity" in it, which you can feel when getting on and off the throttle. There's no turbo lag per se, but there is just not the same relationship between throttle and engine as on the 328. Instead of a thrust controller, the 328 throttle feels like a rheostat connected to an electric motor.

The 328 feels just a touch nimbler. You can feel it in the response time between your twist of the steering wheel and the set the car takes on an exit ramp. If you love a manual transmission, the feel is better, the clutch action is smoother, and the driveline doesn't have as much lash to take up. The first three gears are signficantly closer spaced and you're going to be shifting more ofter--which can be a good thing for some of us.

The biggest regret for me in walking away from the 335 was... the SOUND. Oh, my god--what an incredible noise. Not too loud, but the most wonderful sound I've heard in ages. A perfect balance between burbling exhaust and well-tuned mechanical harmonies. The 328 is a singer sewing machine in comparison, which has less character and aggressiveness, but again, feels a touch more refined.

My last BMW was a '74 2002, and I felt the BMW heritage dramatically more in the 328 than I did in the 335.

I absolutely loved both cars, and consider it an incredible privelege in my life that I am in a position to choose between two such spectacular automobiles.

When I stepped out of the 335, it was "wow--THAT is a fast and fun car". When I stepped out of the 328 it was "THAT is one of the best engineered machines I've ever experienced".

10 years ago, no question, I'd have ended up in the 335. Today, with three kids, when life's pleasures come from that perfect heel-and-toe downshift, that feel of precise engine response at part throttle, and the way the gear lever snicks into first at the traffic light... my heart belonged to the 328.

I don't know how else to say it--but the 328 felt like it had an extra year with the engineers as compared to the 335.

I have a 328 on order, Space Gray with Saddle, which just seemed to suit the 328 a little better than the Coral, which is definitely consistent with the 335's character.

We are all very lucky to be in an age where we can drive a 6.1 0-60 car that is considered the "entry level" model (and get 30 mpg on the highway).

My god, these are wonderful automobiles. I don't know how I can wait for delivery.

Not saying the 328 is underpowered, but just not enough for me. Don't need the e92 M3. Kinda like the 3 bears story. 335i "is just right'!

[Jay_328]

I my 328 and you'll love yours just as much I'm sure!

[Zeiss]

328

[0asis]

.. and I love Jay's avatar.

[6MTFTMFW]

Originally Posted by teknochild

riiighttttt

I have only been reading this forum for a little while, since i have ordered e90 as a replacemnt for my 2004 330ci.

But I gotta tell you technochild - you are already pissing me off. How did you last on this forum without getting killed for so long. Every post of yours makes me wanna grab something heavy...

If I were to to try to come up with a reason why you're always so mad and rude it would probably be - because you're NOT getting laid. That's the only explanation I can come up with.

I just noticed your anim/gif thing. I sure hope you're a girl, otherwise this explains why you're NOT...

[Revlis]

I drove both back to back... I loved the 328, but it was just the added thrust of the 335 that got my adrenals involved...

Cannot really go wrong, and the extra cash you leave on the table would buy some nice accessories for the 328...

Congrats.

[teknochild]

Originally Posted by panerai7

I have only been reading this forum for a little while, since i have ordered 335i as a replacemnt for my 2004 330ci.

But I gotta tell you technochild - you are already pissing me off. How did you last on this forum without getting killed for so long. Every post of yours makes me wanna grab something heavy...

If I were to to try to come up with a reason why you're always so mad and rude it would probably be - because you're NOT getting laid. That's the only explanation I can come up with.

I just noticed your anim/gif thing. I sure hope you're a girl, otherwise this explains why you're NOT...

and yes i am a cute chibi little highschool girl, got a problem?



and another for fun

[David 12]

Teknochild, fwiw - you are okay in my book!!

[Revlis]

Bah teknochild is a melodramatic little beeyotch sometimes...

A little over the top, with a penchant for starting shit...

But I'd also say he/she has proven helpful a few times, which is a lot more than I can say for a great many short bus riding, semi-sentient, mouth breathers that seem to frequent this board. So Yeah Tekno is good to go...

Though there is a lot of.....

[teknochild]

no, i just enjoy giving the tight assed folk a run for their money

i have to do it quickly because their all going to die from stress related heart problems before 40

[Fester]

It's great that you've found the car of your taste- ain't mine bro...

[E90330iS]

I totally understand what you are talking about. With the extra power 335 offers, the agility will definitely be slightly sacrificed!

[lkraven]

I <3 Teknochild.

I also agree with him in this case. The 328i is an amazing machine. The 335i is in a different class... and there's nothing wrong with choosing the 328i for a whole variety of reasons not the least of which is that it's a MUCH more affordable car. There are a million things in life you could better spend your money on, especially with three kids...

... but damn if that didn't read like you're justifying saving money with all kinds of delusion. All the respect in the world, man. There shouldn't have to be an excuse for choosing ANY BMW. Just enjoy it...

[AGIO_330i]

This thread is turning EMO!!1!

[Zeiss]

teknochild #1

[scottp999]

Loved my 2000 323CI with 170HP. The driving experieince was amazing. I can not wait to see that 170HP turn to 300hp with the E92, or even 370HP with a PROceed.

They are all great cars and fun to drive!

[tommydogsdad]

The reason why I chose the 328i was because it felt a bit more "laid back." If that makes any sense. The power is there when you need it. You don't feel like you have to control yourself at every green light. I like that. Plus I like the fact that it gets better gas mileage and the insurance is less expensive. That's always a plus I have owned 3 "sports" cars before, all manuals. This time I was in the market for something that was going to be comfortable enough for client lunches, but sexy and fast enough for me to have some fun on the road with. I think the 328 is a great choice.