335i or AH3

Both M sport, with basically the same options.

I can get the ah3 slightly cheaper.
What would you pick for a lease? And why?

I chose the AH3-for same lease cost, it saves around $75/month in gas, Plus:
Very quite at lights and while 'coasting' along under electric power.
If you use Auto Stop Start, the AH3 is much better as it is much smoother (although not perfect, there is a jolt sometimes when just coming to a stop, engine shuts off, light turns green and engine re-starts a second later).
When engine is off at lights the A/C keeps running, you can pre-condition the car from the key fob.
Almost bottom-less feeling of power.
But...if you don't want the auto stop start, it cannot be defeated in the AH3 as it can in the 328 and 335, however by putting the shift lever to Sport Drive the Auto stop start is defeated but now with Sport (or manual) shift points. You cannot have it defeated and have Eco or Comfort shifting.
It's a bit more of a drivers car than a 'put it in drive and go' car. In stop and go traffic, I do a lot of driving in Sport Drive mode with manual upshifts (it auto-downshifts as the car slows down at lights, etc.
I really like it. My wife has not in a month driven it, she's a bit put of by it. I'm a bit afraid to let my college age boys drive it.
Take one out for a long test drive, if you can.
Must haves: the Dynamic Suspension and Variable Steering are absolutely must haves, provides a smooth ride without being overly soft or harsh.
I got the Sports line, mostly for the seats which are great.
The Harmon Karman upgrade is very good.
I can be sanctimonious around Prius drivers and smug when I tell them that while getting 40+mpg on the open road (so far averaging 28 with lots of city driving) I have over 300hp under the road and the car is a blast to drive!

I drove the AH3 today, it's a wonderful car. There's as much power as my 335, and it's just as fun to drive. You won't feel the switch between electric and gas - there's no jolt like on a 328 ASS.

Its really cool how you take your foot off the pedal on the highway, the engine cuts out and the electric takes over. When you need power again the engine kicks in without you knowing, and no lag!

I was faced with the same decision as you and chose the AH3. Some hybrid-haters on here (everettpa) will trash the AH3 though if you search his posts you'll see that he has no real experience with the car at all. I was doubtful about the AH3 at first but it won me over with its technology and cool factor. Since you are leasing you never have to worry about paying for any maintenance on the hybrid drive system down the road. I think you should give the AH3 a chance. It's a great car. Oh, and almost no brake dust since most of your braking is to recharge the batteries. It only gets into the brake pads when you stop quickly with a lot of pedal force.

Tim

The M-Sport AH3 does not come with the sport suspension so you may want to order DHP. I had to pick between 335i and AH3 and I picked the AH3. A big plus for me was that it comes with the new NBT nav which is supposed to be faster.

nbt nav, better start stop, parked car air conditioning, etc all made it a no brainer for the hybrid.

Originally Posted by jacar

I chose the AH3-for same lease cost, it saves around $75/month in gas, Plus:
Very quite at lights and while 'coasting' along under electric power.
If you use Auto Stop Start, the AH3 is much better as it is much smoother (although not perfect, there is a jolt sometimes when just coming to a stop, engine shuts off, light turns green and engine re-starts a second later).
When engine is off at lights the A/C keeps running, you can pre-condition the car from the key fob.
Almost bottom-less feeling of power.
But...if you don't want the auto stop start, it cannot be defeated in the AH3 as it can in the 328 and 335, however by putting the shift lever to Sport Drive the Auto stop start is defeated but now with Sport (or manual) shift points. You cannot have it defeated and have Eco or Comfort shifting.
It's a bit more of a drivers car than a 'put it in drive and go' car. In stop and go traffic, I do a lot of driving in Sport Drive mode with manual upshifts (it auto-downshifts as the car slows down at lights, etc.
I really like it. My wife has not in a month driven it, she's a bit put of by it. I'm a bit afraid to let my college age boys drive it.
Take one out for a long test drive, if you can.
Must haves: the Dynamic Suspension and Variable Steering are absolutely must haves, provides a smooth ride without being overly soft or harsh.
I got the Sports line, mostly for the seats which are great.
The Harmon Karman upgrade is very good.
I can be sanctimonious around Prius drivers and smug when I tell them that while getting 40+mpg on the open road (so far averaging 28 with lots of city driving) I have over 300hp under the road and the car is a blast to drive!

$75 in gas savings per month over what? A sherman tank. Or maybe you are driving 35,000 miles a year. Check your math again.

Originally Posted by Kar Don

nbt nav, better start stop, parked car air conditioning, etc all made it a no brainer for the hybrid.

Do they still have the eco credit giveaway on it? It only starts to make sense if BMW has to discount the price way down.

Anybody arguing that the ASS (perfect acronym) is better over the 328 or 335 should be put on medicine. That's like arguing the better way to kill yourself.

Originally Posted by Avpilot

I was faced with the same decision as you and chose the AH3. Some hybrid-haters on here (everettpa) will trash the AH3 though if you search his posts you'll see that he has no real experience with the car at all. I was doubtful about the AH3 at first but it won me over with its technology and cool factor. Since you are leasing you never have to worry about paying for any maintenance on the hybrid drive system down the road. I think you should give the AH3 a chance. It's a great car. Oh, and almost no brake dust since most of your braking is to recharge the batteries. It only gets into the brake pads when you stop quickly with a lot of pedal force.

Tim

Hybrid = cool factor. Really? What bank do you work at?

Originally Posted by everettpa1

Anybody arguing that the ASS (perfect acronym) is better over the 328 or 335 should be put on medicine. That's like arguing the better way to kill yourself.

The ASS is definitely better on the AH3...

Originally Posted by lezam

The ASS is definitely better on the AH3...

And maybe carbon monoxide is a better way to go than hanging. Both stink, that is the point.

I drive a AH3 and I am very happy with it. I do not think any of the AH3 owners have any complaints about it. The car does not feel heavy and is super quite and smooth. I have done two autocross events so far and have no issues with handling or lack of power. It is a no brainer if it is cheaper than a 335i.

Originally Posted by everettpa1

Do they still have the eco credit giveaway on it? It only starts to make sense if BMW has to discount the price way down.

Anybody arguing that the ASS (perfect acronym) is better over the 328 or 335 should be put on medicine. That's like arguing the better way to kill yourself.

See? I warned you guys. Everettpa1, have you ever experienced in great detail the Auto Start/Stop on the AH3 vs. the 335i or 328i? I have experienced it extensively on all three and the difference is night and day. Everyone who has experience with the AH3 on here says the exact same thing.

Is the car for everyone? Of course not. The Toyota Camry is not for me but you don't see me going on Camry boards and trashing their choice in car with basically no knowledge of the car, do you? But then again I am not a troll.

Tim

Originally Posted by Avpilot

See? I warned you guys. Everettpa1, have you ever experienced in great detail the Auto Start/Stop on the AH3 vs. the 335i or 328i? I have experienced it extensively on all three and the difference is night and day. Everyone who has experience with the AH3 on here says the exact same thing.

Is the car for everyone? Of course not. The Toyota Camry is not for me but you don't see me going on Camry boards and trashing their choice in car with basically no knowledge of the car, do you? But then again I am not a troll.

Tim

Avpilot...do you have any pics of your AH3? I was thinking about European delivery of one spec'd similar to your but didn't know if I would like the chrome trim that comes with the AH3 (except on M-Sport). Thanks!

If you do go with the AH3, make sure you get the non-LRR tires, I think they're the default ones for the Hybrid but you should be able to specify summer tires.

I would be getting an M sport in Estoril Blue, pretty much loaded, and the upgraded suspension / steering.

I don't really see a reason to NOT get the AH3.
The car MSRP is $6k above the 335i, but my lease payment will be less.

Originally Posted by luvdabass

I would be getting an M sport in Estoril Blue, pretty much loaded, and the upgraded suspension / steering.

I don't really see a reason to NOT get the AH3.
The car MSRP is $6k above the 335i, but my lease payment will be less.

why cheaper lease if car is more expensive?

Originally Posted by furby076

why cheaper lease if car is more expensive?

You know why, subsidies and incentives.

Originally Posted by furby076

why cheaper lease if car is more expensive?

Subsidies. You know the thing you have to offer on a great car that everybody wants.

Originally Posted by jacar

I can be sanctimonious around Prius drivers and smug when I tell them that while getting 40+mpg on the open road (so far averaging 28 with lots of city driving) I have over 300hp under the road and the car is a blast to drive!

Jacar, are you really averaging 40mpg on the highway? I don't see how this can be, since the 335 is rated for 33mpg highway. The hybrid stuff doesn't contribute to fuel economy on the highway.

Originally Posted by everettpa1

Subsidies. You know the thing you have to offer on a great car that everybody wants.

It's hard to respect your opinion when your comments are full of sarcasm. We get it, you don't like hybrids. I don't think anyone cares.

Originally Posted by michael schott

it's hard to respect your opinion when your comments are full of sarcasm. We get it, you don't like hybrids. I don't think anyone cares.

+1

Here in Hawaii the speed limit is 55, many roads 45. At that speed and rolling hills, I can start a trip, reset the meter and 60 miles later it reads 40-42mpg.
Add in 30% city driving and it drops to 31-33mpg.
70% City /30% highway it drops to 27-29mpg, average speed showing at 25mph

Originally Posted by luvdabass

I would be getting an M sport in Estoril Blue, pretty much loaded, and the upgraded suspension / steering.

I don't really see a reason to NOT get the AH3.
The car MSRP is $6k above the 335i, but my lease payment will be less.

If you don't mind me asking, how much cheaper is the lease payment for the AH3 vs 335i? Thank you!

Originally Posted by jacar

Here in Hawaii the speed limit is 55, many roads 45. At that speed and rolling hills, I can start a trip, reset the meter and 60 miles later it reads 40-42mpg.
Add in 30% city driving and it drops to 31-33mpg.
70% City /30% highway it drops to 27-29mpg, average speed showing at 25mph

Hawaii is so beautiful, if I lived there I wouldn't drive fast either.

Anyway the speed explains your good fuel economy. It looks like the hybrid is giving you an advantage in the city, though, around 10-15% probably.