[Mocheenm3]

I would appreciate any input. I am thinking about ordering the 328i M Sport Alpine White with the premium package, Xenon lights and paddle shifters. I saw that the sunroof, alarm and xenons are standard on the 335i. Now I am thinking it might be better to order the 335i sportline with leatherette and paddle shifters in Alpine White.

This will be my daily driver (Monday -Thursday) and I have a E46 M3 6sp with Dinan mods at home in the garage. The 328i has better gas mileage and handling with the M Sport package, but the 335i has more power and can be tuned (aftermarket) down the road. I am planning to keep the car for at least 10 years. I will probably be driving around 7000 miles a year mixed hwy and street. Either choice will include the 8 speed transmission with paddle shifters. Any input is greatly appreciated.

[ric124]

My suggestion is to go test drive them both. I did that and chose the 335i. I think the MPG are the same for both cars with the 8spd.

[nesrevival]

same mpg??? get 335i..

[Mocheenm3]

I signed up the the Team USA test drive on June 1, 2012. It looks like it is a 90 minute test drive and at the end you get a $1000 certificate off the purchase price or lease price. That will definitely come in handy.

I think the 328 with the M Sport package will look nice, but it will not perform as well as the 335i. Although my wife argues that if I need to go fast I can drive the M3. I think the 335 without the M sport package looks nice and offers the same straight line performance as my M3. With the 335i I know the engine has been around for a few years. I know there were fuel pump issues and then the start stop button issue. Those problems should be resolved by now though. I thought the 328i even with the revised rating was getting better gas mileage.

[twerle]

Originally Posted by Mocheenm3

I signed up the the Team USA test drive on June 1, 2012. It looks like it is a 90 minute test drive and at the end you get a $1000 certificate off the purchase price or lease price. That will definitely come in handy.

I think the 328 with the M Sport package will look nice, but it will not perform as well as the 335i. Although my wife argues that if I need to go fast I can drive the M3. I think the 335 without the M sport package looks nice and offers the same straight line performance as my M3. With the 335i I know the engine has been around for a few years. I know there were fuel pump issues and then the start stop button issue. Those problems should be resolved by now though. I thought the 328i even with the revised rating was getting better gas mileage.

Drive both, I hate the 4 cylinders engine noise from the 328i (sounds like a diesel car), and I love how strong the 335i felt, I cannot see myself for a long time driving the 328i.

10 years... that is too much time to think about your mistake, buy the 335i and you will not need the M3 anymore.

Looking at real world mileage the 335i is not too far, you may get 1 to 2 miles less but... it puts a bigger smile on your face all the times.

That is my opinion...

[shabadoo25]

Since you already have an M3, go with the 328. You'll appreciate the mpg for a daily driver.

[Poor Knight]

I'd get the bigger engine - avoid future regret.

[wmo168]

335i better as it prices the same with more options

[Tim_78]

Since you have a weekend toy already I would get the 328i.

328i has better fuel economy. I am not sure whether there is a significant difference but you should take into consideration the maintenance cost and cost of ownership between two cars since you said you will keep the car 10 years. I am guessing 328i will cost less to keep.

whichever you chose, both great cars!

[M.Suka]

328 m sport

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by ric124

My suggestion is to go test drive them both. I did that and chose the 335i. I think the MPG are the same for both cars with the 8spd.

They haven't retested the 335i yet like they did on the 328i.
I'm positive that the 335i will be at least a 2-3mpg less overall, and even more in real world driving when you put the hammer down.

For me it's not a big difference if the power is much greater.
I'm test driving a 335i sport tomorrow.
I loved the 328i, so I'll see how much more the 335i has to offer.
For reference I'm driving a 135i with the twin turbo N54, and I thought the 328i had plenty of git'up. Not as forceful as my 135i, but still plenty especially for daily driving when I rarely get to fully use all 300/300.

[Ron Scott]

I wouldn't worry about gas milage. For every 10,000 you drive an additional 4 mpg nets you about $200.

[jj970]

I had a 2007 335 e92 and just got a F30 328...
I miss my N54 growl and the power. Go with the 335.

[Mocheenm3]

Originally Posted by RPM90

They haven't retested the 335i yet like they did on the 328i.
I'm positive that the 335i will be at least a 2-3mpg less overall, and even more in real world driving when you put the hammer down.

For me it's not a big difference if the power is much greater.
I'm test driving a 335i sport tomorrow.
I loved the 328i, so I'll see how much more the 335i has to offer.
For reference I'm driving a 135i with the twin turbo N54, and I thought the 328i had plenty of git'up. Not as forceful as my 135i, but still plenty especially for daily driving when I rarely get to fully use all 300/300.

I drove the fully loaded 328i and it felt decent. I did not really like the start stop feature of the car. I turned it off and drove the car in sport mode and it was more to my liking. I stepped on the gas hard and it seems to move quick enough. In 3 weeks we will test drive the 328i and the 335i at the dealership. My wife will probably pick the 328i since it is cheaper.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Mocheenm3

I drove the fully loaded 328i and it felt decent. I did not really like the start stop feature of the car. I turned it off and drove the car in sport mode and it was more to my liking. I stepped on the gas hard and it seems to move quick enough. In 3 weeks we will test drive the 328i and the 335i at the dealership. My wife will probably pick the 328i since it is cheaper.

I didn't like the stop/start either. It's an ok idea, but there is a distinct delay when taking off from a stop.

You won't go wrong with a 328i. I find I have few opportunities to fully use the N54 in my 135i. That's why the 328i feels quite powerful enough to me.
Coupled with that sweet 8spd sport auto, and very quick low rpm torque, it moves out nicely and smoothly.

For my configuration of a 328 and 335, the difference was about $3500.
Substantial if you're buying. For a lease the difference is like $45 per month, so not bad at all.

For me it's not the price difference. I'm concerned about the handling balance. I've read a few reviews that say the 328i is the better handler to due being lighter up front.
If this were the E90 it's a much easier call if you want more power.
With the F30 the difference gap is much closer. No doubt the 335i is more powerful. I just need a 335i test drive to see how much, and if it's night and day to make it a definitive call.

Have fun on your purchase.

[darksilkx1]

Originally Posted by twerle

Drive both, I hate the 4 cylinders engine noise from the 328i (sounds like a diesel car), and I love how strong the 335i felt, I cannot see myself for a long time driving the 328i.

10 years... that is too much time to think about your mistake, buy the 335i and you will not need the M3 anymore.

Looking at real world mileage the 335i is not too far, you may get 1 to 2 miles less but... it puts a bigger smile on your face all the times.

That is my opinion...

Wont be a 90 minute test drive, more like 10 to 15 (per car you choose to drive). They will give you a sheet of paper with a route all laid out and will tell you BMW's insurance only covers you on that route.

[Mocheenm3]

Originally Posted by RPM90

I didn't like the stop/start either. It's an ok idea, but there is a distinct delay when taking off from a stop.

You won't go wrong with a 328i. I find I have few opportunities to fully use the N54 in my 135i. That's why the 328i feels quite powerful enough to me.
Coupled with that sweet 8spd sport auto, and very quick low rpm torque, it moves out nicely and smoothly.

For my configuration of a 328 and 335, the difference was about $3500.
Substantial if you're buying. For a lease the difference is like $45 per month, so not bad at all.

For me it's not the price difference. I'm concerned about the handling balance. I've read a few reviews that say the 328i is the better handler to due being lighter up front.
If this were the E90 it's a much easier call if you want more power.
With the F30 the difference gap is much closer. No doubt the 335i is more powerful. I just need a 335i test drive to see how much, and if it's night and day to make it a definitive call.

Have fun on your purchase.

I read a few threads on here that said BMW understated their horsepower numbers. I thought the dyno results showed figures around 270hp. That is not too bad. I will also need to drive the 335i to see if the difference is that drastic. I went with my wife to test drive the Acura TSX, and she commented that it felt more luxurious and it came fully loaded for $12,000 less. She obviously wants a cheaper car, since it is going to be parked outside. I am betting that when we get the 3 series her Lexus gets pushed outside.

[swifty]

I say go for the 328i if you currently own an e46 M3. I own an e92 335 n55 and there is no way it even compares to your M3 so why not just go with the lighter car that will probably be backed by more aftermarket tuners since that is what they all seem to be buying on these forums.

On the other hand, if BMW still offered the n54 (owned it prior to n55) then I'd say go ahead because it's more tunealbe and with some mods like Quaife LSD and Ohlins r/t suspension you'd get close enough. However, who knows how long all these things will take to come out.

[Mocheenm3]

Originally Posted by swifty

I say go for the 328i if you currently own an e46 M3. I own an e92 335 n55 and there is no way it even compares to your M3 so why not just go with the lighter car that will probably be backed by more aftermarket tuners since that is what they all seem to be buying on these forums.

On the other hand, if BMW still offered the n54 (owned it prior to n55) then I'd say go ahead because it's more tunealbe and with some mods like Quaife LSD and Ohlins r/t suspension you'd get close enough. However, who knows how long all these things will take to come out.

I would not add any aftermarket tuning parts until the warranty expired. I had trouble getting my catalytic converters replaced because of the Dinan software. BMW eventually replaced them, but gave me a real hard time before doing so. I just started driving the M3 daily this month as my truck is in pieces. The ride is pretty stiff with the Dinan suspension and the exhaust is loud. San Francisco has pot holes everywhere and you cannot avoid them.

[swifty]

^ well from all the feedback, both the 328i and 335i are extremely compliant with even the sport pkg so I don't think you'll have to worry about that.

I understand you reason for not going with any mods and I don't blame you. I really don't care for more power but do see the need for an LSD cuz it's impossible to put the power down on turns or damp weather.

[Mocheenm3]

They just announced the pricing for the M Sport package. It is $3850, so that is only $1350 over the cost of the sportline trim. Does anybody know if it has the same suspension as the sportline trim or if it has a different M tuned suspension? That is a decent price for what you are getting.

[Pele96]

Originally Posted by Mocheenm3

They just announced the pricing for the M Sport package. It is $3850, so that is only $1350 over the cost of the sportline trim. Does anybody know if it has the same suspension as the sportline trim or if it has a different M tuned suspension? That is a decent price for what you are getting.

Most likely same suspension