[jgentry]

I just traded my 2011 Camaro 2SS in on a brand new, 2013 335i xDrive Sedan and I couldn't be happier. Even with 100 less horse power, the BMW actually feels faster than the Camaro. Am I crazy?



I ended up purchasing a BMW that was already built and on a ship. It had a lot more features than I would have added had I built it from scratch but it was worth the extra money to not have to wait as long. I was a little annoyed that it took so long to get on a truck once it reached California. I think it sat idle for about 9 days.

Now the only complaint I have deals with the tires. The build sheet said it would show up with all-season tires. However, it clearly has high-performance tires on it. Being from Colorado, I really wanted the all-seasons. I'm working with my dealer now to rectify.

I'm really happy with the Harman Kardon sound system. The low end isn't as powerful as the 10" JBL I had in my Camaro but I'm definitely satisfied with what's there.

The backup camera is a must. The guidance lines are incredibly useful and I don't know if I can buy another car without them. I also got the heads-up display. Also nice although I can't figure out why the BMW engineers didn't add turn signals to the HUD. That seems like a no-brainer.

The connected drive is fun although I'm a little annoyed that it disables the bluetooth audio. I switch back and forth quite often. Also, I didn't buy the iPhone cradle because I will be upgrading to the iPhone 5 soon and $250 just seems like a waste, especially since all of the features work with the stock USB cable. I did find out, however, that it is a bad idea to leave your iPhone in the console when driving. It had to shut itself down because it overheated. I've since routed a USB cable through the console and ending up with the 30-pin connector next to the cup-holders (Macally cup-holder mount is on its way).

Overall I'm extremely impressed with the technology on my BMW. It seems like the engineers thought of everything (almost). As for a future feature wishlist, I'd really like the following (not sure if some of them are even possible or feasible, I know some of these are available in the higher-end BMW models):

1) Turn signals on the HUD
2) BMW Apps through bluetooth
3) Cruise control presets (i.e. 35mph, 45mph, etc.)
4) Programmable iDrive buttons next to the iDrive controller (a.k.a. knob)
5) Rear-view mirror position included as part of the profile memory
6) Tilt/telescope steering wheel included as part of the profile memory
7) iPhone album art display through bluetooth

That's all for now, time to go drive!

[webdither]

Congrats! Love the color!

[verbs]

The reason it feels quicker is because it makes 300 lb-ft off idle and it weighs less than your Camaro. I came from a 2008 M5 and feel the same way you do at low rpms and putzing around town.

[jgentry]

That makes sense. It definitely "feels" lighter.

[E36toF30]

Originally Posted by verbs

The reason it feels quicker is because it makes 300 lb-ft off idle and it weighs less than your Camaro. I came from a 2008 M5 and feel the same way you do at low rpms and putzing around town.

Yeah, that's part of it. The other reason is elevation. The OP said he's in Colorado; I'll assume somewhere near Denver, which is about 5280 feet. That means the naturally aspirated Camaro loses a straight ~15% of it's power compared to sea level, meaning the 426 hp Camaro effectively has more like 360. The turbo charged engine in the 335i will have slightly more turbo lag at elevation, but once the turbo is going it makes virtually the same power as at sea level. Plus, BMW does tend to underrate their engines a bit.

[jgentry]

Fort Collins but close enough. Interesting stuff!

[E36toF30]

Also, I'm not sure if your Camaro was an auto or manual, but the ZF 8 speed in the BMW is probably a lot better than whatever auto Chevy is using.

[verbs]

Originally Posted by E36toF30

Yeah, that's part of it. The other reason is elevation. The OP said he's in Colorado; I'll assume somewhere near Denver, which is about 5280 feet. That means the naturally aspirated Camaro loses a straight ~15% of it's power compared to sea level, meaning the 426 hp Camaro effectively has more like 360. The turbo charged engine in the 335i will have slightly more turbo lag at elevation, but once the turbo is going it makes virtually the same power as at sea level. Plus, BMW does tend to underrate their engines a bit.

Didn't realize he was in Colorado. So yeah, that too. If you want to get technical the 335i actually makes closer to 320lb-ft of torque if you look at actual hp. And not to mention if you have the 8-speed auto, you have closer spaced gears in the Camaro which do a better job keeping you in the ideal powerband combined with faster shifting, which again aids in that perception.

[DrivenByE30]

Once you have really tasted the BMW driving dynamics, it's really hard to find better elsewhere stock...

Congrats on the purchase, and welcome to the family.

Enjoy one of the ultimate driving machines Happy driving !

[ric124]

No you are not crazy! Here are the numbers from zeroto60times


2012 BMW 335i Sedan 0-60 mph 4.6 Quarter Mile 13.1

2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible 0-60 mph 4.8 Quarter Mile 13.0

2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS 0-60 mph 4.8

2011 Chevrolet Camaro SLP ZL1 0-60 mph 3.1 Quarter Mile 11.0 ★ Editor's Choice ★

[jsbmw87]

Looks like you got it at Gebhardt in Boulder!

Bought mine there too.

Great place.

[sean10mm]

All else being equal, AWD cars will feel like they pull harder than RWD too, and usually have fractionally faster 0-60 times. BMW claims the xdrive 335i is a couple tenths faster to 60 than the RWD version even though the xdrive adds a bit of weight.

[Cyberdemon]

The Camaro is a pig, especially if it was an automatic. I rented an SS and was appalled how slow it felt. And that's coming from someone who was in love with the LSx engines.

[verbs]

Originally Posted by ric124

No you are not crazy! Here are the numbers from zeroto60times


2012 BMW 335i Sedan 0-60 mph 4.6 Quarter Mile 13.1

2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible 0-60 mph 4.8 Quarter Mile 13.0

2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS 0-60 mph 4.8

I've also NEVER seen an F30 BMW 335i sedan run anything close to a 13.1 second 1/4 mile stock. "Supposedly" motor trend had it running a 13.3@103.9mph, and that's the closest I've ever seen to a low 13 second 1/4 mile. I've also seen 1/4 mile runs as bad as 13.8 seconds in the rags.

Let's be clear here. From a roll the Camaro is a good amount faster than the 335i. In the 1/4 mile it'll trap a good 5-7mph faster which is a good indication of the horsepower differentials. It's just harder to get all the weight of the Camaro going off the line.

[jgentry]

Originally Posted by sean10mm

All else being equal, AWD cars will feel like they pull harder than RWD too, and usually have fractionally faster 0-60 times. BMW claims the xdrive 335i is a couple tenths faster to 60 than the RWD version even though the xdrive adds a bit of weight.

Hah, that's good to know (xDrive versus AWD). I had the misconception that the xDrive would actually make it slower off the line (xDrive weight, etc.).

[MaestroAl]

AWD is always harder to launch than RWD - it's common misconception that somehow 0-60 times are magically shorter on AWD cars. The truth is that it's extremely difficult to get a good launch in a turbocharged AWD car. You either have to pile on the revs and sidestep the clutch (ain't gonna do your drivetrain any good!) or you risk bogging down and out of boost. Also general drivetrain losses of AWD mean there's fewer horses at the wheels and then there's all the extra weight

Don't get me wrong, I drive AWD now and I love it but it's not all that there's a reason no track racing cars are AWD

[dd1981]

Congrats, beautiful car. Yeah the camaro if Im not mistaken is like 4100lbs maybe more. It got a bump of a 100hp from the previous gen but performance pretty much stayed the same due to the extra weight. I think the F30 335i weighs roughly 3600-3700 lbs so thats probably why you feel like its quicker and more nimble.

[E36toF30]

Originally Posted by jsbmw87

Looks like you got it at Gebhardt in Boulder!

Bought mine there too.

Great place.

That's where I got mine too. I agree it's a nice place. I like my CA there.

[Il Fenomeno 415]

Originally Posted by jgentry

I just traded my 2011 Camaro 2SS in on a brand new, 2013 335i xDrive Sedan and I couldn't be happier. Even with 100 less horse power, the BMW actually feels faster than the Camaro. Am I crazy?



I ended up purchasing a BMW that was already built and on a ship. It had a lot more features than I would have added had I built it from scratch but it was worth the extra money to not have to wait as long. I was a little annoyed that it took so long to get on a truck once it reached California. I think it sat idle for about 9 days.

Now the only complaint I have deals with the tires. The build sheet said it would show up with all-season tires. However, it clearly has high-performance tires on it. Being from Colorado, I really wanted the all-seasons. I'm working with my dealer now to rectify.

I'm really happy with the Harman Kardon sound system. The low end isn't as powerful as the 10" JBL I had in my Camaro but I'm definitely satisfied with what's there.

The backup camera is a must. The guidance lines are incredibly useful and I don't know if I can buy another car without them. I also got the heads-up display. Also nice although I can't figure out why the BMW engineers didn't add turn signals to the HUD. That seems like a no-brainer.

The connected drive is fun although I'm a little annoyed that it disables the bluetooth audio. I switch back and forth quite often. Also, I didn't buy the iPhone cradle because I will be upgrading to the iPhone 5 soon and $250 just seems like a waste, especially since all of the features work with the stock USB cable. I did find out, however, that it is a bad idea to leave your iPhone in the console when driving. It had to shut itself down because it overheated. I've since routed a USB cable through the console and ending up with the 30-pin connector next to the cup-holders (Macally cup-holder mount is on its way).

Overall I'm extremely impressed with the technology on my BMW. It seems like the engineers thought of everything (almost). As for a future feature wishlist, I'd really like the following (not sure if some of them are even possible or feasible, I know some of these are available in the higher-end BMW models):

1) Turn signals on the HUD
2) BMW Apps through bluetooth
3) Cruise control presets (i.e. 35mph, 45mph, etc.)
4) Programmable iDrive buttons next to the iDrive controller (a.k.a. knob)
5) Rear-view mirror position included as part of the profile memory
6) Tilt/telescope steering wheel included as part of the profile memory
7) iPhone album art display through bluetooth

That's all for now, time to go drive!

hey i see you have the 19" staggered wheels on there. Do you have any concerns about the 19" wheels for winter use? I'm debating whether I should have a spare 18" wheel set for winter if I order mine with the 19" wheels.

I'm also about to place an order on a 335i xdrive in mineral gray. the car is sweet, congrats!

[jgentry]

The guys at Gebhardt treated me well. They weren't my "local" dealer but they were willing to deal with me over email rather than making me come in; a hard thing to do when you have kids.

Regarding the 19" wheel concern in winter weather driving conditions, I wasn't concerned until now. Why would there be a difference between 18" and 19"? I didn't explicitly order it with the 19s but as it was already on its way I went ahead and paid the extra $$ rather than wait for a custom build. They do look nice! I'm currently working with my dealer to get the all-season tires on it. The build sheet said it was supposed to come with all-seasons.

[willa1975]

Originally Posted by jgentry

The guys at Gebhardt treated me well. They weren't my "local" dealer but they were willing to deal with me over email rather than making me come in; a hard thing to do when you have kids.

Regarding the 19" wheel concern in winter weather driving conditions, I wasn't concerned until now. Why would there be a difference between 18" and 19"? I didn't explicitly order it with the 19s but as it was already on its way I went ahead and paid the extra $$ rather than wait for a custom build. They do look nice! I'm currently working with my dealer to get the all-season tires on it. The build sheet said it was supposed to come with all-seasons.

I think you would do better to forget about the all-seasons and instead buy a set of 18" wheels with dedicated winter rubber. They should offer you a good deal considering that you just bought a new car from them. You'll do a lot better in the winter compared to being on 19s with all-seasons, and you'll have a lot more fun in summer with the performance tires.

[tr0tt3r]

^^^ +1

All season tires are bad in the summer and worse in the winter. Get some decent winter tires and keep the summer ones. People always neglect the rubber, but that's your contact to the road.