Initial Impressions F30 335i M-Sport comparison to E46 M3
Picked up the 335i ordered from Munich 2 days ago and wanted to posit a coupe thoughts on the initial first impressions compared to my last Bimmer, the E46 M3 Coupe.
First off the 335i is scary quiet compared to the M3. It has been awhile since my E46 325i and E39 530i, but it seems even quieter than the 5er was. Reminds me of when I drove a C Class Benz.
The HK speakers in the 335i sound better than the ones in either of my E46s, but I think that has more to do with the ambient noise level. Because in any of the cars when you're parked, engine off there is plenty of bass and fidelity.
The F30 is more "floaty" feeling in normal street driving--even with it set for "Sports" mode. Haven't had a chance to drive the canyon yet, but have hit some high speed freeway transitions and then the 335i definitely feels like a 3er when it's cornering. Never had run-flats before and I'm not sure I could tell the difference from the Conti's that came on the 325i or 530i, but definitely not as nice as the Michelin Sport Pilots on the M3. I got 18" wheels this time because I was tired of the 19s on the M3. They look cool, but for driving experience, I'll never do that again.
The only turbo I've owned was an Eclipse back in the 90s, and you could easily feel its lag. The 335i doesn't seem to have much of one. It seems to pull as well as the M3, but I'm still in the break-in period and haven't jumped on it yet. The M definitely has way more compression as evidenced when you're coasting to a light while in gear. But then again the S54 was the epitome of performance out a normally aspirated engine.
The shifting on the 335i is very comparable to the M3 as far as the gearshift throw (IIRC the M-Sport package has a short shifter). The first time I drove my 325i after getting the M3 it was amazing how much throw the stock manual transmission has. The 335i clutch is very light and when I switch back to driving the M3, it feel like the clutch is 10 times heavier--yet when you drive everyday you don't notice that. Plus the E46 M3 manual is a very notchy and noisy thing--BMW even had a published explanation of why it was so.
Overall the 335i exudes a luxury feel while being very sporty, but I will have to get used to the isolated feeling from engine noise/feedback. Overall I'm happy with the purchase.
First off the 335i is scary quiet compared to the M3. It has been awhile since my E46 325i and E39 530i, but it seems even quieter than the 5er was. Reminds me of when I drove a C Class Benz.
The HK speakers in the 335i sound better than the ones in either of my E46s, but I think that has more to do with the ambient noise level. Because in any of the cars when you're parked, engine off there is plenty of bass and fidelity.
The F30 is more "floaty" feeling in normal street driving--even with it set for "Sports" mode. Haven't had a chance to drive the canyon yet, but have hit some high speed freeway transitions and then the 335i definitely feels like a 3er when it's cornering. Never had run-flats before and I'm not sure I could tell the difference from the Conti's that came on the 325i or 530i, but definitely not as nice as the Michelin Sport Pilots on the M3. I got 18" wheels this time because I was tired of the 19s on the M3. They look cool, but for driving experience, I'll never do that again.
The only turbo I've owned was an Eclipse back in the 90s, and you could easily feel its lag. The 335i doesn't seem to have much of one. It seems to pull as well as the M3, but I'm still in the break-in period and haven't jumped on it yet. The M definitely has way more compression as evidenced when you're coasting to a light while in gear. But then again the S54 was the epitome of performance out a normally aspirated engine.
The shifting on the 335i is very comparable to the M3 as far as the gearshift throw (IIRC the M-Sport package has a short shifter). The first time I drove my 325i after getting the M3 it was amazing how much throw the stock manual transmission has. The 335i clutch is very light and when I switch back to driving the M3, it feel like the clutch is 10 times heavier--yet when you drive everyday you don't notice that. Plus the E46 M3 manual is a very notchy and noisy thing--BMW even had a published explanation of why it was so.
Overall the 335i exudes a luxury feel while being very sporty, but I will have to get used to the isolated feeling from engine noise/feedback. Overall I'm happy with the purchase.
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October 18, 2012, 2:47 pm
I'm pretty sure the 6MT shifter mechanisms are all the same in the F30, and the M Sport just gets a different knob. At least going through RealOEM.com they only have 1 shift mechanism for all 3 series 6MTs, but different knobs and such.
Thanks for the writeup by the way.
October 18, 2012, 2:51 pm
Thanks for the writeup by the way.
I think it's the same weighted ZHP knob I have in my E36/7.
I was not a fan of the standard non weighted knob.
October 18, 2012, 2:59 pm
good stuff
October 18, 2012, 5:03 pm
I think it's the same weighted ZHP knob I have in my E36/7.
I was not a fan of the standard non weighted knob.
The only other thing that comes to mind is the sport seats don't seem as nice as the M3's. It's nice that they adjust the same, but I'm still trying to tweak the settings to be as good as the M's. In the M3 I felt like a cork in a bottle--which is what you want for the twisties.
October 18, 2012, 5:14 pm
I thought the M Sport had the shorter throw? Thought that was in the brochure or something.
October 18, 2012, 5:22 pm
October 18, 2012, 5:49 pm
October 18, 2012, 7:11 pm
The BMW shifter is very good on its own, it's not like an old WRX 5 speed that feels like it came off a tractor unless you replace the bushing & put in a short throw kit.
October 18, 2012, 8:33 pm
First off the 335i is scary quiet compared to the M3. It has been awhile since my E46 325i and E39 530i, but it seems even quieter than the 5er was. Reminds me of when I drove a C Class Benz.
The HK speakers in the 335i sound better than the ones in either of my E46s, but I think that has more to do with the ambient noise level. Because in any of the cars when you're parked, engine off there is plenty of bass and fidelity.
The F30 is more "floaty" feeling in normal street driving--even with it set for "Sports" mode. Haven't had a chance to drive the canyon yet, but have hit some high speed freeway transitions and then the 335i definitely feels like a 3er when it's cornering. Never had run-flats before and I'm not sure I could tell the difference from the Conti's that came on the 325i or 530i, but definitely not as nice as the Michelin Sport Pilots on the M3. I got 18" wheels this time because I was tired of the 19s on the M3. They look cool, but for driving experience, I'll never do that again.
The only turbo I've owned was an Eclipse back in the 90s, and you could easily feel its lag. The 335i doesn't seem to have much of one. It seems to pull as well as the M3, but I'm still in the break-in period and haven't jumped on it yet. The M definitely has way more compression as evidenced when you're coasting to a light while in gear. But then again the S54 was the epitome of performance out a normally aspirated engine.
The shifting on the 335i is very comparable to the M3 as far as the gearshift throw (IIRC the M-Sport package has a short shifter). The first time I drove my 325i after getting the M3 it was amazing how much throw the stock manual transmission has. The 335i clutch is very light and when I switch back to driving the M3, it feel like the clutch is 10 times heavier--yet when you drive everyday you don't notice that. Plus the E46 M3 manual is a very notchy and noisy thing--BMW even had a published explanation of why it was so.
Overall the 335i exudes a luxury feel while being very sporty, but I will have to get used to the isolated feeling from engine noise/feedback. Overall I'm happy with the purchase.
October 18, 2012, 8:45 pm
October 18, 2012, 8:47 pm
October 18, 2012, 8:56 pm
Thank you Eddie for your response