My current car is a 1999 328i, and I haven't been interested in a new car til they came out with the 4 series gran coupe, so I'm now starting to look into my options and it's a little overwhelming. I haven't driven the car yet, but I have driven my friend's 2013 328i and my understanding is that the differences between the 4 series and the 3 series are mostly aesthetic. My reaction to driving my friend's car is that it wasn't as powerful/responsive as my 1999. So my first question is whether I'm crazy or whether that might be possible. I bought my car used, and not certified preowned or anything, so I don't know much about my car,but my sister is convinced my car's been modified. I find it hard to believe no one would have mentioned that to me in the last 10, but in any event, mentioning that for what it's worth. I recognize the possibility that what I'm interpreting as less powerful is really just ease, whereas I could be mistaking my car's hard work for power. But bottom line, if I drove a 2013 car and then drove my 1999 car, and preferred the 1999, for whatever reason, it doesn't motivate me to want to spend $40k on a new car. So my next question -- is the 435 significantly different such that I might prefer it to my car? What about the M sport package -- does that make much of a difference? i don't care about max speed, but I'm pretty fond of a quick 0-60 time -- because of freeway entrances where you have to merge into 80 mph traffic in very little time from a dead stop and, to be honest, the various obnoxious traffic moves I do that make people hate LA drivers.
I get the appeal of the classic bmw 6 having owned and driven a few. But to me the turbo era versions lack the same character in terms of sound, smoothness, power curve and throttle response. Plus they've added weight. Still nice, effective all around engines but so are the 4 cyls.
-Both have more than enough power but neither are muscle cars.
-both sound like sewing machines at idle
-both have similar technology and similar long term durability prospects
-both have nice midrange torque at the expense of top end (what gives the old na engines character)
To me, the n55 is worth maybe 1k extra to me not 4-5k. Maybe not even that since having less weight in the nose is always a good thing. Frankly id choose the old n52 over either if they still made it.
I get the appeal of the classic bmw 6 having owned and driven a few. But to me the turbo era versions lack the same character in terms of sound, smoothness, power curve and throttle response. Plus they've added weight. Still nice, effective all around engines but so are the 4 cyls.
-Both have more than enough power but neither are muscle cars.
-both sound like sewing machines at idle
-both have similar technology and similar long term durability prospects
-both have nice midrange torque at the expense of top end (what gives the old na engines character)
To me, the n55 is worth maybe 1k extra to me not 4-5k. Maybe not even that since having less weight in the nose is always a good thing. Frankly id choose the old n52 over either if they still made it.
BMW has already decided which is the drivers car. It's the models that they still offer with a manual. Interestingly your cute little hatchback with the little 2l motor and the bright red seats can't be ordered with a stick. Hmmmmmmmmmm
I'm
QUOTE=boltjaM3s;8884712]
Ah, but the reason we don't go there is it's no-contest.
There's not a person alive that doesn't think the Gran Coupe is on par with the Coupe and vastly better looking than the Sedan. Especially M-Sport to M-Sport where the 4 Series looks seriously like an M4 and the 3 Series looks seriously like the E90 LCI.
BMW has already decided which is the drivers car. It's the models that they still offer with a manual. Interestingly your cute little hatchback with the little 2l motor and the bright red seats can't be ordered with a stick. Hmmmmmmmmmm
When I need more than 4 cylinders and I have to hear engine sound. I drive this.
360 fuel injected V8, Posi Dana Rear end, Torque Commend Chrysler Transmission, Kono Sway bars, Proper Polyurethane bushings in the right suspension locations, operational stock steel frame fiberglass hood, Self Engineered and built suspension components. custom oiling system to remedy design flaws.
HP: Classified
Torque Classified
Will not show under the hood. Some proprietary stuff is under there.
When I need more than 4 cylinders and I have to hear engine sound. I drive this.
360 fuel injected V8, Posi Dana Rear end, Torque Commend Chrysler Transmission, Kono Sway bars, Proper Polyurethane bushings in the right suspension locations, operational stock steel frame Self Engineered and built from suspension components. custom oiling system to remedy design flaws.
HP: Classified
Torque Classified
Will not show under the hood. Some proprietary stuff is under there.
As all of the other responders said, you must test drive and feel the difference for yourself. BUT, beware! I went through a similar situation .. after considering the 428, test drove the 435. LOVED the 435. THEN, could not decide between 435 and M4. …. Long story short, waiting for slot/allocation on the M4. Take your time thinking about which car … explore all options in detail … read read read. It seemed like every day, I was learning more about the difference in the cars. Good luck to you!
As all of the other responders said, you must test drive and feel the difference for yourself. BUT, beware! I went through a similar situation .. after considering the 428, test drove the 435. LOVED the 435. THEN, could not decide between 435 and M4. …. Long story short, waiting for slot/allocation on the M4. Take your time thinking about which car … explore all options in detail … read read read. It seemed like every day, I was learning more about the difference in the cars. Good luck to you!
I can't find it and you don't have to take my word for it, but the 335 brakes are bigger and different compared to the 328. I'm not entirely sure between the 428/435, but I'm guessing it is the same.
I think you are comparing stock 335 stock brakes to M-Performance ones.
Check the classifieds. It is a popular upgrade for people with 328s to buy the 335 front brakes off of people that have done the M-Performance upgrade.
Found this, not mine I have the optional M-brake package so never looked into it.
"" E-mail to BMW USA and this is what they said:
The 2014 BMW 4 Series Coupe comes with two distinct braking systems. The BMW 428i models feature lightweight sliding calipers with large vented discs (12.3" front, 11.8" rear) and Anti-Lock Braking capabilities at all four wheels. The BMW 435i models feature a high-performance system that includes 4-piston fixed calipers in the front and lightweight sliding calipers in the rear, large vented discs (13.4" front, 13.0" rear) and Anti-Lock Braking capabilities at all four wheels.
BMW 4 Series Coupe models equipped with the M Sport Package also boast high-performance brake pads. Additionally, the 2014 BMW 4 Series Coupe can be ordered with optional M Sport brakes which feature the following:
***8226; 4-piston aluminum fixed calipers front and 2-piston aluminum fixed calipers rear
***8226; lightweight discs (diameter: 13.4" (428i) or 14.6" (435i) front, 13.6" rear)
***8226; high-performance brake pads
***8226; blue-painted calipers with "M" designation""
Found this, not mine I have the optional M-brake package so never looked into it.
"" E-mail to BMW USA and this is what they said:
The 2014 BMW 4 Series Coupe comes with two distinct braking systems. The BMW 428i models feature lightweight sliding calipers with large vented discs (12.3" front, 11.8" rear) and Anti-Lock Braking capabilities at all four wheels. The BMW 435i models feature a high-performance system that includes 4-piston fixed calipers in the front and lightweight sliding calipers in the rear, large vented discs (13.4" front, 13.0" rear) and Anti-Lock Braking capabilities at all four wheels.
BMW 4 Series Coupe models equipped with the M Sport Package also boast high-performance brake pads. Additionally, the 2014 BMW 4 Series Coupe can be ordered with optional M Sport brakes which feature the following:
• 4-piston aluminum fixed calipers front and 2-piston aluminum fixed calipers rear
• lightweight discs (diameter: 13.4" (428i) or 14.6" (435i) front, 13.6" rear)
• high-performance brake pads
• blue-painted calipers with "M" designation""
I drove the 435 with regular brakes on my test drive and then ordered the M sport brake package on my spec vehicle.
To me big difference. The M sport brakes is where you want you life. Any car as powerful and heavy as 335 and z435 deserves the upgraded brake system. Money well spent for your life
I will say it again: if debating option for your new car, invest in the brakes. Certainly more valuable than a stereo upgrade!
Tires and brakes keep you alive
Well sure, but then you might as well get better pads and tires and leave the rotors alone. smaller rotors are lighter which means less unsprung and rotating mass. heat capacity only factors in for extended use (i.e. tracking, or driving like an idiot downhill).
The BMW rep that introduced the 435 vert at the LA Auto Show told me unless you are going to drive the car in extreme conditions like the track you really don't need M Sport brakes. Yes, the BMW rep.
Even if you do track it, bleeding your fluid and putting on track appropriate pads is adequate. on my e60 550i, I can run 30 minute sessions at Road America and I don't have issues with the brakes. I use Ferodo DS2500 pads, and the limiting factor for me is the Michelin PSS tire, not the brakes. The M sport rotors are larger diameter and thicker, which means they have more heat capacity. Pad choice has more effect on stopping distance / braking power than a slightly larger rotor.
If you are trying to stop in as short a distance as possible bthe idea is to threshold brake and not lock up the tires. With ABS you can jam the brakes on and the ABS will pump the brakes and keep the tires rolling. Rolling tires will stop much faster than locked up tires.
Based on what was said in the BMW Email response they increase the brakes 328 to 335 as factory standard. So if another higher level braking system is available there is no point in not getting them.
well that may be there only as a calculation of what's needed to handle the extra heat from more accel/decel + a mass factor. it doesn't mean you get shorter stopping distances.
in terms of handling and stopping (reduced rotating and unsprung mass), the lower mass (328i) system is superior.
They're probably as near as makes no difference irrelevantly different in terms of absolute, single stop braking capacity.
I can't comment on pedal feel, but fixed calipers seem to rule that with an iron fist. I tend to adapt so quickly to the feel of different brakes that I really don't care, unless they're really horrible. Comparing my R1100S's "whizzy brakes" servo + brembo 4 pots vs my brothers' yamaha with sliders is a laughable joke. he rode mine once and has forever been complaining about his. all I can say is "mine don't suck".
When it comes to servicing brakes, it's not that hard to change out one more O-ring.
As for my e60, with my first one, my buddy helped me pick the car up, and he made the mistake of asking "how are the brakes?"
I took that as a "please prove that your brakes don't suck" request, and double foot stomped the pedal as hard as possible. to this day, he still tells me to @#$$ off whenever someone brings it up.
I test drove both the 28 and 35. Yes, when you floor the pedal, both cars seem very quick. But the main difference I noticed was that the 35 picks up speed much more easily by just barely pressing the pedal. You don't have to floor it to get good acceleration. Whereas in the 28, it felt like I need to press down fairly hard to get decent acceleration. Also, as noted above, the price difference is about 4500. But if you plan on getting a fairly well equipped 28 or 35, just get the 35 since it comes with more standard features like xenon headlights, etc.
After I got a 28 loaner, I'm glad I drive the 35, maybe it's just because I like the extra power.
140-190 lbs will definitely be felt. I'm very in tune with the dynamics of a car I'm driving and that weight, especially at front or atop a car, will rear its head. On another side of it, in a head on collision (of which is hopefully purely hypothetical), the 35 with some extra weight would be a better place to be).
The lightness of the 28i is a dynamic advantage, not huge, but it's something.
The 35i's effortless power, on the other hand, really richenss the experience. Another issue with the 4 to me is its near commonality thus ubiquity thus un-specialness.
Yes they have their variances, but every car on the road has a 4 cylinder. Mostly cheap and basic cars. There are inherent elements of a 4 nature that they all share, some of which are to the senses, which makes it so I personally have a hard time justifying an expensive to me car purchase, with one.
The I6 gives the car a soulfulness and unique/exclusive character. It's a luxury in its own right imo.
140-190 lbs will definitely be felt. I'm very in tune with the dynamics of a car I'm driving and that weight, especially at front or atop a car, will rear its head. On another side of it, in a head on collision (of which is hopefully purely hypothetical), the 35 with some extra weight would be a better place to be).
The lightness of the 28i is a dynamic advantage, not huge, but it's something.
The 35i's effortless power, on the other hand, really richenss the experience. Another issue with the 4 to me is its near commonality thus ubiquity thus un-specialness.
Yes they have their variances, but every car on the road has a 4 cylinder. Mostly cheap and basic cars. There are inherent elements of a 4 nature that they all share, some of which are to the senses, which makes it so I personally have a hard time justifying an expensive to me car purchase, with one.
The I6 gives the car a soulfulness and unique/exclusive character. It's a luxury in its own right imo.
In this video you can see an F-type being tested on the Nürburgring Nordschleife on the 11th of April 2014. It's wearing a F-type S jacket, but listen to that engine. It's clearly a smaller engine. Jaguar was also testing a V6 and V8 F-type on the Nordschleife the same day, which were much faster and had a much louder sound from both the intake and exhaust. What do you guys think this F-type is hiding under the hood?
Want to know the real kicker? Don't tell BMW, but the 328i is better than the 335i. I lapped both at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca during BMW's launch event. We brought both home to test (you'll be seeing the 335i First Test soon), and we all agree. Yes, the 335i is a lot faster thanks to that turbo-six, but the 328i is the better car to drive. The four-cylinder car is 50 pounds lighter in the nose and the engine sits behind the front axle, making for a superb weight balance that the big-engine car just can't match. On the track and on the road, the 335i feels a bit more nose-heavy and a bit looser out back, with the rear end wanting to step out in turns, whereas the 328i is perfectly planted throughout. Sure, the 328i doesn't have the top end speed of the 335i, but it's more rewarding to drive fast. What's more, BMW's own driving instructors at the track confided that the lap times were nearly identical, with the 335i faster on the straights and the 328i faster through the corners.
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