[legaleye3000]

Is the only difference between the 328 and 335 the engine? Thanks.

[Reznick]

OH boy. This may be an honest question but I know the reaction its gonna get. In short no that's not the only difference. Drive them back to back for a good amount of time if you can. The 328 has a stormer of a little engine in it. Like every car made , once one change is made (especially an engine) other things need to be tweaked . You may never notice the changes but they are there. Sorry if I'm not giving you specifics, but either way , you're buying a nice car. I see you have a 328 ,, enjoy it,its a beautiful car. I had one in my possession for a week and it always put a smile on my face.The only this I really hated was the Start-Stop feature, but can easily be switched off. The only reason I didn't buy it it because I wanted to wait for the upcoming 4 series. I like coupes. The only 4 door I have is a 2nd Gen CTS and I guess my Roush Pick up counts.Enjoy!

[legaleye3000]

Basically, I just want to know if someone would buy the 335 if they wanted more speed, that's all...

[czarmar]

Drivetrain wise, I believe the 335i has beefier brakes.
The 335i comes with standard equipment that is optional on the 328i:
Adaptive Xenon headlights (+$950)
Sunroof (+1000; comes on the 328i as part of ZPP)
Alarm (+$400)

There may be a few other differences, i.e. gear ratios, front spring rates, etc.

I've run my F30 configurations a few ways, and it seems that the difference between a well optioned 328i and the similarly optioned 335i is about $3500, which gives you a smoother engine, nicer exhaust tone, not to mention quite a difference in power. You'll likely give up 3-4 mpg to drive the bigger engined car, and carry about 150 lbs. more over the front. On the 328i, you can mitigate the lack of power partially with a tune, but the same money spent on a tune for the 335i brings it well up away from a tuned 328i.

I'm torn myself. I think the 335i will be more desireable down the road as well as rare, but the N20 seems to be a revolutionary engine. If one can get 30 MPG on the 328i and 26 MPG on the 335i, while driving 15,000 miles a year and paying $5/gallon, the 335i will cost about $385 extra a year to drive. That's not a whole lot to consider if you are preparing to spend about $50K for a new car.

[UAM951]

Get the 335 you will like the power bump

[Number]

The Standard Options of each model is not what differentiates them because you can usually outfit a 328i with all the standard options that the 335i comes with. The main thing is the engine and many components that attach itself to the engine all the way to the exhaust. You'll get different coolers, oil reservoir, exhaust etc etc. You'll also get different components in the suspension to compensate for the different weight ratios. Those are the things that are specific to each model. There are more, but I don't know them specifically. The 335i will also have bigger brakes but is compatible with the 328i so it doesn't count in my book. But the most important thing is the engine sound. Grumble grumble burble burble.

[Reznick]

Originally Posted by legaleye3000

Basically, I just want to know if someone would buy the 335 if they wanted more speed, that's all...

That would be a yes. There will always be someone saying " well I'm gonna put a bigger turbo on my 328 so it will go faster then a 335. Then the 335 owner says " I'm putting on a JB and Meth so I'll be way faster then you" and so on and so on . But in the end , Yes the 335, stock is faster then the 328. Thats just a fact.

[hans007]

bigger brakes.

probably slightly different suspension tuning for the weight

split exhaust pipes

standard xenons and moonroof

option of buying 19" rims


price difference is what $3500 after adjusting for the moonroof/xenon on a 328i.

though if you dont want a moonroof its like you are saving $4500 (though you cant get premium to do this) so you can apply that to other things. its definitely a personal choice. i didnt go for the premium or 335i, would rather spend that on other things, but other people just want that i-6

[Ron Scott]

For anyone who is willing to spend a few thousand more than a sparsely decorated 328 costs, I don't understand why they wouldn't choose a 335. It's the no-brainer option from my perspective.

"Loading up" a 328 makes no sense to me...

[nsquared]

This thread = .


Trollin'

[Reznick]

Originally Posted by Ron Scott

For anyone who is willing to spend a few thousand more than a sparsely decorated 328 costs, I don't understand why they wouldn't choose a 335. It's the no-brainer option from my perspective.

"Loading up" a 328 makes no sense to me...

+1

[DarkTrigger]

Originally Posted by czarmar

Drivetrain wise, I believe the 335i has beefier brakes.
The 335i comes with standard equipment that is optional on the 328i:
Adaptive Xenon headlights (+$950)
Sunroof (+1000; comes on the 328i as part of ZPP)
Alarm (+$400)

There may be a few other differences, i.e. gear ratios, front spring rates, etc.

I've run my F30 configurations a few ways, and it seems that the difference between a well optioned 328i and the similarly optioned 335i is about $3500, which gives you a smoother engine, nicer exhaust tone, not to mention quite a difference in power. You'll likely give up 3-4 mpg to drive the bigger engined car, and carry about 150 lbs. more over the front. On the 328i, you can mitigate the lack of power partially with a tune, but the same money spent on a tune for the 335i brings it well up away from a tuned 328i.

I'm torn myself. I think the 335i will be more desireable down the road as well as rare, but the N20 seems to be a revolutionary engine. If one can get 30 MPG on the 328i and 26 MPG on the 335i, while driving 15,000 miles a year and paying $5/gallon, the 335i will cost about $385 extra a year to drive. That's not a whole lot to consider if you are preparing to spend about $50K for a new car.

Technically though, according to the EPA, the two cars give the exact same MPG, 23/33 for AT.

Also, even though it's 150 lbs. heavier, only ~50 of those lbs. is over the front axle (according to their website the weight dist. is 51.5/48.5 and the vehicle weight is 3555 lbs)

Regarding power, there are no BMW authorized 328i tunes but there is supposed to be a PPK for the 335i coming out soon.

I agree with everything else you said though. So here's your +1!!

[ric124]

328i =
335i =

[justinnum1]

328i is awesome. cant go wrong with it.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by Ron Scott

For anyone who is willing to spend a few thousand more than a sparsely decorated 328 costs, I don't understand why they wouldn't choose a 335. It's the no-brainer option from my perspective.

"Loading up" a 328 makes no sense to me...

+1. With a pretty full package of options, I priced out both and with those options, the 335 is 30 bucks a month more in a lease. 30 bucks. Easiest decision I've ever made.

[midnight express]

if you want more power, get a 335. if you really dont care 328. thats it, basic and simple

[Jackson743]

The thread is actually quite civilized. That's weird.

I just put an order in for a 335i M-Sport in EBII. I actually didn't realize a fully spec'd 328i was only $3500 less. Easy decision in my opinion, but the 328i appears to be a great car. Can't go wrong either way.

But, I'd put it this way. You'd have to drive fairly hard to notice the better balance of a 328i. But, you'll use the 60 extra HP everyday!

335i is just a little faster and I'm sure the engine lays down the power a little smoother.

[Jamesons Viggen]

Sigh

[shivaswrath]

Originally Posted by Reznick

+1

+2

[gt1206]

I actually wanted the N20 engine when I ordered my 328 EBII. Seems like if a member prefers the N20, its like committing a sin in this forum. I simply wanted the newer engine and was impressed by the numbers it put out. I bought the car without a test drive... I knew from what I read and know about BMW...I wouldn't regret it at all.

The engine noise that people seem to hate about the N20... to me gives it an identity. The 1GR-FE V6 that was introduced in the 4th gen. 4Runner was criticized for the loud valve noise at idle when it came out...I remember customers at work demanding an engine teardown to see what the issue was. That engine has proven to be a workhorse with a flat torque curve with more than enough power...just like the N20 (torque and HP at least for now).

I could have easily bought a 335...but I wanted the N20 engine. I have driven an E90 with the N55 engine at work plenty of times and have nothing but positive things to say about it.

People need to get off the idea that 328 is for people who cannot afford a 335...thats simply not true and its people who have that view that gives us BMW drivers a bad rep.

That being said.... The engine and the associated necessary changes for the weight/gearing difference is all that I see between the two models.

[nikneo]

Originally Posted by gt1206

I actually wanted the N20 engine when I ordered my 328 EBII. Seems like if a member prefers the N20, its like committing a sin in this forum. I simply wanted the newer engine and was impressed by the numbers it put out. I bought the car without a test drive... I knew from what I read and know about BMW...I wouldn't regret it at all.

The engine noise that people seem to hate about the N20... to me gives it an identity. The 1GR-FE V6 that was introduced in the 4th gen. 4Runner was criticized for the loud valve noise at idle when it came out...I remember customers at work demanding an engine teardown to see what the issue was. That engine has proven to be a workhorse with a flat torque curve with more than enough power...just like the N20 (torque and HP at least for now).

I could have easily bought a 335...but I wanted the N20 engine. I have driven an E90 with the N55 engine at work plenty of times and have nothing but positive things to say about it.

People need to get off the idea that 328 is for people who cannot afford a 335...thats simply not true and its people who have that view that gives us BMW drivers a bad rep.

That being said.... The engine and the associated necessary changes for the weight/gearing difference is all that I see between the two models.

+328

[Carnook]

Depending on your location there may be options on the 335i that are not offered on the 328i. For example in Canada the surround cameras and front park assist are not offered on the 328i. And as others have mentioned the 335i has better brakes, duel exhaust, etc.