Coming from E90 325i --> F30 328 or 335?

As everyone else mentions, don't test drive the 335i if you have your heart set for the 328i. Performance, added equipment, specs, etc of the 335i put it a step ahead of the 328i. You'll notice the differences immediately on the test drives.

The downside....335i is much harder to come by. It's a relatively rare beast.

Originally Posted by mr_clueless

Not sure where you got the 22 for the 328i...the specs on bmwusa.com:

328i = 23/34 (manual), 23/33 (auto)
335i = 20/30 (manual), 23/33 (auto)

So, for auto it's identical. For manual, the 328i has some advantage.

This is for non-x-drive. For x-drive, both cars are listed as TBD.

I drove an 335 8at on the same trip I nurse my 328 6mt as an experiment.

I hit 35.5mpg on the 335.
I hit 39.9mpg on the 328.

My range on a full tank usually says about 450 on the 328, The 335 range never got close.

So real world numbers are more divided.

Originally Posted by justinnum1

328m sport for sure

This. The M sport really enhances the F30. I could not imagine getting one without M sport. I personally would drop the DHP and order a base 335i with M sport and 6MT and call it a day before I got the 328 with options.

I'm leaning against the MSport just because I feel its a younger person's line and I'm not so young anymore

Originally Posted by kobechrome

I'm leaning against the MSport just because I feel its a younger person's line and I'm not so young anymore

Kidding? The M-sport steering wheel is to die for. After you drive with it, all other F30 wheels will feel like hard rubber steering wheels from a school bus.

A loaded up 328i is a smart choice. Once you start using options like Nav and the cameras, you'll wonder how you lived without them. Plus a heavily optioned car is always great for resale value.

Originally Posted by kobechrome

I'm leaning against the MSport just because I feel its a younger person's line and I'm not so young anymore

That's crazy talk.

I can only agree if you were talking about some of the more popping colors like Estoril Blue. I saw an M-Sport in Mineral Gray the other day, it's not flashy at all to fall into an age category.

Originally Posted by Jamesonsviggen

That's crazy talk.

I can only agree if you were talking about some of the more popping colors like Estoril Blue. I saw an M-Sport in Mineral Gray the other day, it's not flashy at all to fall into an age category.

You might be right. When I think of MSport, I keep picturing the EB (which I think is a beautiful color) but just a little too flashy for me.

Originally Posted by mr_clueless

Not sure where you got the 22 for the 328i...the specs on bmwusa.com:

328i = 23/34 (manual), 23/33 (auto)
335i = 20/30 (manual), 23/33 (auto)

So, for auto it's identical. For manual, the 328i has some advantage.

This is for non-x-drive. For x-drive, both cars are listed as TBD.

That can't be right. The BMW USA numbers you quote show improved economy for the 335i with the auto, but reduced economy for the 328i with that same auto. It's also not consistent with the rest of the world.

There's a typo somewhere - I think both numbers in the 335i auto are accidentally transposed from the wrong column.

The 335i is slightly less fuel efficient, but the very minor difference certainly wouldn't have persuaded me away from the 335i if it fit my budget.

Originally Posted by kobechrome

I'm leaning against the MSport just because I feel its a younger person's line and I'm not so young anymore

Come on, now. MSport is just an appearance package; surely appearance doesn't matter to you? Are you dyeing your hair? Comb-over? Wearing silk shirts and Armani?

Originally Posted by S-Dot

That can't be right. The BMW USA numbers you quote show improved economy for the 335i with the auto, but reduced economy for the 328i with that same auto. It's also not consistent with the rest of the world.

There's a typo somewhere - I think both numbers in the 335i auto are accidentally transposed from the wrong column.

The 335i is slightly less fuel efficient, but the very minor difference certainly wouldn't have persuaded me away from the 335i if it fit my budget.

Those same numbers also appear on the EPA website.
http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/Index.do

Originally Posted by floydarogers

Come on, now. MSport is just an appearance package; surely appearance doesn't matter to you? Are you dyeing your hair? Comb-over? Wearing silk shirts and Armani?

Not that old yet But not in my mid 20's anymore.

The MSport in colors besides EB look good also and a little more conservative so perhaps I spoke too soon.

M
Mpm

I too am on the fence between the 335 and 328, almost bought a 328 this weekend, but held out for the 335. Drove a 335 Msport today with Mineral Grey, and I have to admit, the gray makes it look TOO sedate for me. Going to a sedan from a vert is tough enough, but even with an Msport package, the gray made the car look like an accord. I know its subjective, and mebbe I'm a bit mental, but I think the EB in Msport is a must for me at least. Whether the 35 is worth the extra $$ is the only issue left for me. . . .

Originally Posted by jbailey895

I too am on the fence between the 335 and 328, almost bought a 328 this weekend, but held out for the 335. Drove a 335 Msport today with Mineral Grey, and I have to admit, the gray makes it look TOO sedate for me. Going to a sedan from a vert is tough enough, but even with an Msport package, the gray made the car look like an accord. I know its subjective, and mebbe I'm a bit mental, but I think the EB in Msport is a must for me at least. Whether the 35 is worth the extra $$ is the only issue left for me. . . .

Living in SoCal and as a likely Chargers fan, that color makes sense for you.

BJ

Lol yeah, the "Boltz" are having a tough year though, but being a native San Diegan, I"m obligated to feel their pain. I remember you were into a 328 way back when I got my 35 E93, I see you've stuck with it in its latest iteration. . .

The diesel-like clacking of an idling 328 is a bit of a turnoff, but the acceleration and lighter feeling of the body almost balances out. I was surprised that the stock lights on the 28 were so bad; tried to justify the 335 based on that, and having separate tailpipes ;-)

Flogged my MT E93 on the way home today, I think I'm really going to miss a stick, too, but doesn't seem practical in a sedan. . .

Originally Posted by mr_clueless

Not sure where you got the 22 for the 328i...the specs on bmwusa.com:

328i = 23/34 (manual), 23/33 (auto)
335i = 20/30 (manual), 23/33 (auto)

So, for auto it's identical. For manual, the 328i has some advantage.

This is for non-x-drive. For x-drive, both cars are listed as TBD.

According to Transport Canada, the 335i RWD gets better fuel economy than a 328i Xdrive - 5.9L/100 kms hwy vs 6.1L/100 kms hwy for the 328i Xdrive !!!

If I were the OP, I would resist spending $2000 extra for Xdrive and buy a RWD 328i or RWD 335i + a set of proper snow tires for the winter. I have driven many BMWs so equipped in winter conditions and never been stuck.

As for extra features that come with the 335i, for Canada at least, the 335i comes standard with Sport Auto w/ paddles, Sport seats, Sportline, adaptive bi-xenon lights, high beam assistant, larger brakes + six cylinder power/torque.

As others have suggested: drive both the 328i and 335i and decide for yourself.

Originally Posted by mr_clueless

Those same numbers also appear on the EPA website.
http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/Index.do

Yup, I confirmed. You were right. Very surprising. (not surprising that you're right but that the numbers are the same.)