[ybbiz34]

This post is primarily intended for those who have made such a switch but any and all with comments on the subject are more than welcome to add their thoughts.

I currently have a Le Mans Blue E90 335i (LCI; xDrive) M-Sport. It has ten months left on the lease and only 17,500 miles. It is in impeccable condition. I haven't had a single (knock on wood) problem/hiccup with the car. I've had the Dinan Stage II Flash on it since I bought it.

Anyway, I was at my local dealership recently and I took an extended spin in an F30 328i Sport Line (Glacier Silver). Even though the power discrepancy was unquestionably noticeable, I found myself really enjoying how nimble the car was. It just seemed light and tight when cornering. I also liked the fact that it was RWD.

I have been in an E90 since 2007 and although I enjoy my car, part of me is ready for change. I have the option of ordering a F30 328i and then trading in my E90 in 3 months (with 7 months still left on the lease) without taking a bath.

Is it worth it to spring for the F30 now or will I miss the power?

I'm obviously not asking someone to make my decision for me - I just want to hear the thoughts of fellow BMW owners who can offer valuable perspective and potentially shed light on aspects of the change I have not considered. Thanks in advance.

[matt_335Ci]

are you in a 5 year lease?

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by matt_335Ci

are you in a 5 year lease?

No. I had a RWD '07 E90 335i when they first came out for 3 years and then I went to the LCI E90 335i xDrive w/ the M-Sport package.

Thus, I've been in the E90 model for 5+ years now.

[Aggression]

Im anxious to hear views on this as well as I am due for an upgrade come December.

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by Aggression

Im anxious to hear views on this as well as I am due for an upgrade come December.

The more the merrier.

I thought I'd add it's not necessarily a matter of cost (because the F30 335i is an option and I am in no way under the gun to get out from under my current lease) but rather a desire to have a different driving experience/new look.

[Number]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

The more the merrier.

I thought I'd add it's not necessarily a matter of cost (because the F30 335i is an option and I am in no way under the gun to get out from under my current lease) but rather a desire to have a different driving experience/new look.

Have you tried taking the F30 335i for a spin? Or is that out of the question? I went into the dealer set on a 328 but I test drove both. I liked the 335i better. but was still good with the 328i. However, after adding all the options I wanted on the 328, I was only a couple grand short of the 335 (since a lot of the options came standard). Just something to consider. I woulda been happy either way.

OR, you could wait for the M-Sport. That would really be a lateral move and would be most pleasing.

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by Tremolo

Have you tried taking the F30 335i for a spin? Or is that out of the question? I went into the dealer set on a 328 but I test drove both. I liked the 335i better. but was still good with the 328i. However, after adding all the options I wanted on the 328, I was only a couple grand short of the 335 (since a lot of the options came standard). Just something to consider. I woulda been happy either way.

OR, you could wait for the M-Sport. That would really be a lateral move and would be most pleasing.

Thank you. Good advice.

The F30 335i is in play but I haven't driven it yet. I guess my thinking initially was - 335i for 9 years?

I'll have to drive them back to back. The prices are similar because when you throw the Premium Package on the 328i (at $3,600) and Xenons (at $900) you aren't too far from the 335i with Premium Package (I believe Xenons are standard . . .).

[matt_335Ci]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

No. I had a RWD '07 E90 335i when they first came out for 3 years and then I went to the LCI E90 335i xDrive w/ the M-Sport package.

Thus, I've been in the E90 model for 5+ years now.

Gotcha, you gotta go with the F30 335i after 2 e90 335s. Price is not much more if you are optioning the car, and gas mileage is not much better after BMW revised their estimates. I had an e92 335i and a Z4 35i, thought my next car was the F30 328i after I test drove it...then I drove the F30 335i.

[Elk]

Power is addictive and, if so predisposed, you will always want more. Thus, buy the new car if it has other attributes you find compelling and try to set the power desire aside. You can always mod it if you miss the power.

[mundo74]

Posted this on the e90 forum


Just drove the A4 and 328 at the Olympic drive event.
The A4:
Pros:
-Really nice car with good interior finish.
-While BMW was harping on the turbo lag I found it to be more throttle response. In sport mode it feels OK.
-The power is adequate for most people
-Like the electro hydraulic parking brake. No need to release it just hit the gas and go. (Pseudo auto hold)

Cons:
-The DNA of the car comes out when pushed. Felt squirmesh under hard braking. Felt the Jetta within.
-Even good engineering cannot beat physics. FWD is a no no on a performance car when driven hard. Simple maneuvers that I would not bat an eye in my e90 were evident in the A4 with torque steer to boot.
-The switches are lifted from the VW global parts suppliers. Felt clicky like a computer mouse button. BMW buttons felt positive with good travel, feel and feedback. (ItÂ’s the small things that get youÂ…think the guy who develops the gong from the CNBC program)

The 328:
Pros:
-Interior made my E90 look cheap. Basically a mini F10 which is a good thing. Nuff said
-Really love the tech that is flowed down from the 5 and 7 series. HUD is a must for me. The drive control is cool and so is the camera.
-Have to agree with Hammond, it is better than the E90 that I believe is a very good car to start with.
-Drive dynamic is still BMW. Electric steering is nice and seamless. Nice low speed effort and good high-speed feedback. DonÂ’t miss my hydraulic setup.

-The attention to detail is striking. Stuff like radio tuning displayed in HUD. The 1000 ways you can configure everything in Idrive and even the cruise set point changing from green to orange when cruise is canceled. Just a much better execution that the E90.
-Love the auto. Seamless. Enough to give up my 6MT

Cons:
-If I get the 328 it needs a chip before I take it home. After the drive getting back into my cobb 335 was the only think that made me smile about my car.
-I could not tell the power difference between the A4 and the 328 and I pushed them.
-The ZSP steering is not as fat as the E90
-Not much more cons about this car

This car is definitely an upgrade to the E90 that is a phenomenal car. The upgrade in cabin tech and materials are welcomed. The hardest part for me is to decide on the F10 or the F30

Update:
Just drove the f30 335 with zsp and active suspension. First the route was in city and short. Did not discern the difference between sport and sport plus. That said having considered the 328 and driving this car this is my conclusion;

Hp is addictive and while the n20 is a phenomenal engine I could not give up the n55 for it. It would be a perfect engine if my wife wanted a BMW that offered it.

Loved the induction turbo noises the 335 made.

The zsp on this car makes it just palatable to drive vs the razor sharp e90. Again maybe someone can comment about the adaptive suspension

The electric steering on the f30 is well sorted out really, don't miss my zsp e90 here. Just drive the f10 and f30 back to back to see what I mean. I like the low speed effort. This brings me to my last point

The f30 feels 98% of the e90 sportiness (in zsp form) but the n55 compliments it more than the n20 for enthusiast and aggressive drivers like me. I still maintain that for the f10 with the Lexus like suspension and numb electric steering the n20 is all you need.

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by matt_335Ci

Gotcha, you gotta go with the F30 335i after 2 e90 335s. Price is not much more if you are optioning the car, and gas mileage is not much better after BMW revised their estimates. I had an e92 335i and a Z4 35i, thought my next car was the F30 328i after I test drove it...then I drove the F30 335i.

I have a feeling that test driving the F30 335i is going to be a fate-sealing decision.

Originally Posted by Elk

Power is addictive and, if so predisposed, you will always want more. Thus, buy the new car if it has other attributes you find compelling and try to set the power desire aside. You can always mod it if you miss the power.

Good point. I've already been in touch with Dinan and they are working on software for the F30 328i as we speak. Should see modest gains in HP and gobs of extra torque.

Originally Posted by mundo74

Posted this on the e90 forum * * *

Nice comparison sir. Thanks for sharing.

[Number]

One more thing.... Really, and I mean REALLY get to know how you can configure these cars. From my understanding, it is quite different from the E90 in that there is a lot less ala carte. Different Lines will restrict you to certain options etc. There have been several people on this forum that had some regrets because they bought first and realized later. And if you have a question, post it here. Some times the dealer will be wrong in what is available or unavailable. This forum has helped me tremendously in my order.

[r3dbimmer89]

I drove an F30 328i back to back with an F30 335i and the 335i is slightly better due to that inline 6. The four in the 328i isnt bad as it is really smooth and torque filled but the N55 is still better and I currently drive an E90 335i and I cant see myself going to a 328i bur rather another 335i. I know I would miss that turbo inline 6 too much.

[ybbiz34]

I'm going to commit the ultimate heresy and test drive a 2012 C350 Sport as well.

[F30SD]

I was going to get the 328, less expensive, better mpg... but then I test drove the 335, just to see...

Expensive test drive. Ended up ordering the 335i.

The power difference is notable, and the inline 6 feels smoother, especially at higher speeds.

[Elk]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

I'm going to commit the ultimate heresy and test drive a 2012 C350 Sport as well.

Excellent thinking. It is good to check the options.

Let us know what you conclude.

[justinnum1]

I went from N54 e90 to F30 N20

No complaints here. If the F30 came with the N54, i probably would have gotten that.

[CE750Jockey]

Originally Posted by justinnum1

I went from N54 e90 to F30 N20

No complaints here. If the F30 came with the N54, i probably would have gotten that.

Not to hijiack, but what made the 54 better than the 55?

[justinnum1]

Originally Posted by CE750Jockey

Not to hijiack, but what made the 54 better than the 55?

less lag more power imo

[new2the3]

Wait out year lease, why rush it? The F30 will still be around and plentiful if you still want one at that time.

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by F30SD

I was going to get the 328, less expensive, better mpg... but then I test drove the 335, just to see...

Expensive test drive. Ended up ordering the 335i.

The power difference is notable, and the inline 6 feels smoother, especially at higher speeds.

Thank you for the input sir.

Originally Posted by Elk

Excellent thinking. It is good to check the options.

Let us know what you conclude.

Thanks. Will do. Planning on using tomorrow as a test drive day.

Originally Posted by justinnum1

I went from N54 e90 to F30 N20

No complaints here. If the F30 came with the N54, i probably would have gotten that.

Appreciate your thoughts!

Originally Posted by new2the3

Wait out year lease, why rush it? The F30 will still be around and plentiful if you still want one at that time.

That would be the prudent decision. Sometimes I'm an impatient son of a bitch though.

[ede92]

I drove an F30 328 and it brought a smile to my face. Once I settled in I did notice the sounds of the 4 versus the smoothness of an I6 328. But no doubt the F30 328 is faster.

As mentioned before when you start to load up the 328 with options you are talking about a $4K difference with the 335.

So if you can control your urge to add options to the 328 it is an attractive car for $40K or so. Blows away a Mercedes C250.

I had an E92 335 and now an E93 328, but I will go with the 335 next time around.