Loaner F30 335i spoiled me :(

Well I took my car into Classic BMW to get the software update on my F10 528i and they gave me a loaner 2012 335i sedan. Thus car completely spoiled me, the steering, ride, handling and above all the engine impressed the flip out of me. I am already looking at how to loose the least amount of money on a year old F10 lol.

Please talk me out of it I think it's just love at first drive

Btw the software update really makes the car better but that's for another thread.

Thanks,
-Daniel

I have not driven one, but here is my take on them. If you secretly wanted a four door sport car, the 335 is the way to go. But if you want a very competent sedan with good handling, but value a solid comfortable ride and nice surroundings, the 5 is the way to go.

If the 335 had been available with ventilated seats, I would have been very tempted myself. But I like the interior of the 5 probably twice as much as the 3. I was disappointed when I saw the all new 3. But from a sports car perspective I'm sure it is a hell of a lot more fun to drive.

I like sports cars (just sold a Z06 Corvette), but at the end of the day I live and drive the car in the Houston area where a sport car is something of a waste of money for a daily driver (I ride my motorcycles on the fun back roads on weekends).

Should have gotten a 535i, it could have been closer to the performance of the 335i. In a way, beside the performance, the F30 is in every way a notch below the F10.

This is so odd -- I just came over here to BF to post about the 335i Sedan (E90 even!) I have for a loaner during my software upgrade, and this thread is the first thing I see!

Anyway, I forgot how fun a smaller car with a big powerplant is -- I'm having a blast driving this little car. They can take as long as they want with my boring 5...

Originally Posted by The X Men

Should have gotten a 535i, it could have been closer to the performance of the 335i. In a way, beside the performance, the F30 is in every way a notch below the F10.

I disagree it's a notch below.

It's just a different car for a different mission.

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

I disagree it's a notch below.

It's just a different car for a different mission.

Yes, different design mission. One is a entry level sports sedan and the other is a mid size luxury sport sedan. Beside performance, the F30 is a notch below the F10 in every catagory.

Originally Posted by The X Men

Yes, different design mission. One is a entry level sports sedan and the other is a mid size luxury sport sedan. Beside performance, the F30 is a notch below the F10 in every catagory.

No offense but it bugs me to hear the 3 Series described as an "entry level" .....

Many view it as the ultimate.

It's been on the 10 Best list for years and is the "gold standard" in handling and drivability for a sports sedan.

Originally Posted by laser

No offense but it bugs me to hear the 3 Series described as an "entry level" .....

Many view it as the ultimate.

It's been on the 10 Best list for years and is the "gold standard" in handling and drivability for a sports sedan.

I am not the only one with this opinion, here is what Edmunds have to say about the F30.

"The 3 Series sedan is all-new for 2012, but the other body styles carry over unchanged. Regardless, this BMW stalwart remains a well-rounded and highly desirable entry-level luxury car."

Originally Posted by The X Men

Yes, different design mission. One is a entry level sports sedan and the other is a mid size luxury sport sedan. Beside performance, the F30 is a notch below the F10 in every catagory.

Well, I guess we're arguing semantics, but to me, a different category means of course it's going to be a notch below (or above). One could say that the F10 is a notch below the F01 in every category. Why compare apples to oranges? Is a GT-R a notch below the F10 in every category except performance because it's not as luxurious or the back seat and trunk are useless?

One could say that viewed through the framework of evaluating it against its peers, the F30 is actually a notch ABOVE the F10. THe F10 has been reviewed and ranked on par or below the A6, E class, M and GS in many areas and above in not as many, whereas the F30 is above it's competitors (A4, C class) in many more than it's below.

The reason is the 528i is underpowered so the 335i seems a lot more responsive and agile.

I drove the F30 335i Sport on Saturday as part of the drive for Team USA event. I liked the car a lot, but I had no desire at all to own one. Much prefer my 550i.

I've still not driven the F30 but it's very encouraging to hear these reports from F10 owners with 328i and 335i loaners. Seems like BMW pulled up their pants with the F30. I can hardly wait to see what the new M3 will be like.

I could see that happening. I had a 328 loaner and couldn't believe how slow it was. I can only imagine a 528. Not too mention I was only able to get 3 mpg more than my 550 in my normal commute. Probably because I had to keep the throttle down a lot to keep it going...

I have had a lot of seat time with both. You can't even compare the two. First of all the 335i out of the box is a drivers car. When you add sport package, or Msport, or 19 inch rims or go for future M3 it takes an already capable drivers car and turns it into a track tool.
The 5 series starts as a luxury car. It's much more refined, larger,civilized, and mature. In order to make it more of a drivers car you have to order a host of expensive options, then it becomes much more suited to aggressive driving. It's still not a spots car though, it's too big and you can't defy the laws of physics. Even the M5 with all it's power will still be much harder to maneuver on the track than an M3.

It's been said before but it bears repeating the 3 is a sports car with some luxury while the 5 is a luxury car with some sport. This was done on purpose, and considering how big the 3 and 5 have become, the 1 is the new 3 and the 3 is the new 5.

Originally Posted by TJPark01

I have had a lot of seat time with both. You can't even compare the two. First of all the 335i out of the box is a drivers car. When you add sport package, or Msport, or 19 inch rims or go for future M3 it takes an already capable drivers car and turns it into a track tool.
The 5 series starts as a luxury car. It's much more refined, larger,civilized, and mature. In order to make it more of a drivers car you have to order a host of expensive options, then it becomes much more suited to aggressive driving. It's still not a spots car though, it's too big and you can't defy the laws of physics. Even the M5 with all it's power will still be much harder to maneuver on the track than an M3.

It's been said before but it bears repeating the 3 is a sports car with some luxury while the 5 is a luxury car with some sport. This was done on purpose, and considering how big the 3 and 5 have become, the 1 is the new 3 and the 3 is the new 5.

As someone who has owned several 5ers and 3ers at the same time I can tell you that this post by TJ is the most accurate of all the posts on this subject. I too like each car for what it does. The 3er is a much more sporty and fun car so that is the one I drive on the weekends and after work. The 5 er is much more luxury oriented so that is the one I drive when I spend 2 + hours a day on the road for work. I have yet to find a car that does both sport and luxury the way I want. I am hopeful that it might be the F10 M5, but I have to test one before I am sure. Even when I pondered the E60 M5 I could not help but feel that the car lost too much luxury to warrant a car that large....the M3 was more fun and cost less money IMHO. As a BMW guy I hate to say this, but but I remembered test driving the MBZ E63 AMG and feeling that the E63 AMG hit the sweet spot better than the M5 (E60) or the 3 series. It was the lack of a 6 speed manual that kept me away from the E63 AMG and if it were available with a 6MT I would be driving one right now. MBZ really nailed the balance of sport and luxury with that car IMHO.

Personally I always felt my old E39 was just the right size for a performance and luxury sedan. When the E60 ariived I thought WTF? Look how much larger this thing is! But I ended up surrendering to the E60 in 2008. Now I own a F10 and the new 3 has my attention with it's larger size and solid performance. The new F30 is about the same size as the E39 with more rear seat room. The only thing that may stop me going with the F30 is I'll be 14 years older since owning the ole E39. BRAVO BMW!!!

Originally Posted by Slaymaster

Personally I always felt my old E39 was just the right size for a performance and luxury sedan. When the E60 ariived I thought WTF? Look how much larger this thing is!

It's been happening since the dawn of time. Every iteration, larger,more expesive, more complicated, etc, and yet, break sales records.

Originally Posted by TJPark01

I have had a lot of seat time with both. You can't even compare the two. First of all the 335i out of the box is a drivers car. When you add sport package, or Msport, or 19 inch rims or go for future M3 it takes an already capable drivers car and turns it into a track tool.
The 5 series starts as a luxury car. It's much more refined, larger,civilized, and mature. In order to make it more of a drivers car you have to order a host of expensive options, then it becomes much more suited to aggressive driving. It's still not a spots car though, it's too big and you can't defy the laws of physics. Even the M5 with all it's power will still be much harder to maneuver on the track than an M3.

It's been said before but it bears repeating the 3 is a sports car with some luxury while the 5 is a luxury car with some sport. This was done on purpose, and considering how big the 3 and 5 have become, the 1 is the new 3 and the 3 is the new 5.

+1 Nice summary/analysis.

I love my 535 and wouldn't give it up for the new 3...BUT, I am seriously considering the new M3 sedan when it comes out. This will be an addition to the fleet...the 535 has its advantages too so I'd keep both!

It's a great car...but it's not like my 2008 650i sport, which is gone. the 500xi is too big, too heavy, and not nimble enough. I'm not not blaming BMW: this is a small "7" and not the 5 of old. I think I need an M3 or a 911 next. Then again, I still have the Ducati MTS 1200 and the more boring 1200RT.

Anyone surprised why the OP preferred a lighter car with a stronger engine than a heavier car with a weaker powerplant? Duh...

If OP were coming from a 535 or 550 and got into a 335 loaner his experience would not be as exciting.

Even 535i and 550i driving experience is still below F30 335i. See my rant of F10 here after driving 335i.

F10 has 4 weak areas compared to F30:

1. Steering: The software update does make the F10 steering better. It's about 80% of F30 now.
2. Handling: stock vs stock, F10 handling is not even closed. Let's see after I switch the springs to ACS and change the tires to Michelin PSS.
3. Sound: Hopefully BMW M performance exhaust can remedy this.
4. Transmission: No solution so far. Our shift change is so much slower compared to F30's

F10 strong areas:

1. Higher quality interior
2. More space in term of width, not much in term of interior length
3. Better exterior design (this maybe subjective)

Originally Posted by bodonx

Even 535i and 550i driving experience is still below F30 335i. See my rant of F10 here after driving 335i.

F10 has 4 weak areas compared to F30:

1. Steering: The software update does make the F10 steering better. It's about 80% of F30 now.
2. Handling: stock vs stock, F10 handling is not even closed. Let's see after I switch the springs to ACS and change the tires to Michelin PSS.
3. Sound: Hopefully BMW M performance exhaust can remedy this.
4. Transmission: No solution so far. Our shift change is so much slower compared to F30's

F10 strong areas:

1. Higher quality interior
2. More space in term of width, not much in term of interior length
3. Better exterior design (this maybe subjective)

Yes but the F30 can't hold a candle to the handling of the 135iS. It's just too heavy! I don't understand why you wouldn't just get a 1 series.

BTW BMW invented a genius 4 wheel steering that offsets the weight effect while cornering and gives you more cornering speed, but no body buys that option and then complains about the steering.

I honestly don't see anyone driving my car, and then saying they prefer a 335.

1 series does not come with 4 door. The selling point of BMW for me is always a sporty car that can accommodate 4 people comfortably.

If 4-door is not required, there are a lot of options such as porsche 911.

The 335 is nice but at 6 ft 2 I feel it is a tight fit for me. On the other hand I see tall folks driving them.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by dontay

The 335 is nice but at 6 ft 2 I feel it is a tight fit for me. On the other hand I see tall folks driving them.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Bimmer App

Have you sat in a 335? I'm 6'1", and a huge complaint I have about the 5 is the very short front door. The pillar between front and back is very far forward, so it took me a while to adjust my "vehicle entry procedure."

I actually believe the 3 has more legroom than the 5, although the 5 is a bit wider.

Fortunately I appreciate the former more than the latter.