I drive a 428i, and I test drove several E92s before getting my 428i.

1. The N20 has better low end torque and the transmission was quicker shifts, the biggest difference is going to be the sound unfortunately, and it's not for the better.

2. If you're talking about a new 2016 model, you have Bluetooth music streaming and telephone connectivity standard.

3. EBII is awesome, looks different under various lighting conditions and hides dirt well. I'm getting EBII/CR on my next car.

4. If I had a black exterior and EBII interior, I would definitely get the EBII trim. But I'm also in the wood trim > aluminum trim camp so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

 

Thanks for the feedback, keylime503!

It's a bummer that I could get a 6-cylinder in a 328i in 2013, but now I have to pay $6,300 more for a 435i to have the same type of engine. Unfortunately I can't justify that much money for a sound improvement and the sense I get from reading other threads is that performance is very similar (please correct me if I'm wrong).

The other option is to get an M235i, but they seem to be an evolution of the 1 series and when I tried a 128i last time it felt pretty cramped.

keylime503, honest question - for what reasons do you prefer the wood trim?

 

The other option is to get an M235i, but they seem to be an evolution of the 1 series and when I tried a 128i last time it felt pretty cramped.

Don't overlook the 2-series. The way I see it, an F22 is more closely related to the E46 and E92 than an F30 (which I look at as an E39).

 

I would honest say N20 428i performance > N52 328i performance, it's really just the sound.

Personally I'm going M240i when my lease is up, but I also think the 4 is too much space for me and you don't seem to be in the same camp which is fine too.

My personal trim rankings would have to be CF/alacantra, fineline wood, hexagon aluminum, burl walnut wood (what I currently have), and last by a big margin: brushed aluminum. Just my preference. I think brushed aluminum looks really cheap (have it in a lot of loaner cars), and fineline looks better than hex to me.

 

I take it you're getting the M-sport. Good choice on that!

I prefer the NA I-6 engines even though the turbo-4 may be faster, probably because of the linear power delivery. I think there was some discussion in the early days that talked about passing/usable power being better in the old NA I-6, even though the 0-60 time was better with the turbo-4. Much more than the engine, I think you will miss the steering feel and the suspension (feeling planted/on rails) of the old 328i. Depending on the type of person you are, you might get distracted by the gizmos/technology/styling of the 428i, so the steering/suspension may or may not bother you, or you may realize it bothers you only after you buy the car. Personally, I would probably hang on to the old 328i if it was not giving me any problems.

EB-II is a nice color, but I was always worried I might get tired of it. Then again, I thought I'd get tired of coral red, but I'm really liking it. So I prefer AW.

IMO, the Hexagon/EB highlight will look good on cars that are white, silver, grey, black, or EBII, with a black or oyster interior.

Good luck with your choice.

 

You really should consider the 440xi. the B58 is a beast. The performance is not similar. Test drive a 340xi and see for yourself. (440's aren't out yet)

 

1. Will I feel the difference between a 3.0L 6-cylinder in the 328i and the new 2.0L 4-cylinder Turbo in the 428i?
   -- The acceleration and responsiveness of the 328i still impresses me where I can be ~50' down the road from a stoplight while other cars are just starting to move while still being under the speed limit.

Look, getting 50' ahead of everybody else at a traffic light has nothing to do with engine and all to do with driver. I am doing the same thing with my 140 hp diesel Golf. Other people sleep at the light, you are awake.

That other thing, though ... I don't know. You must test drive it first. Only you know what is important to you and how much is that important to you. I did something very uncomfortable to me just so I can jump on the train that is leaving the station and get into the NA 6 cylinder game and, if Gods will allow me to, I have no intention ever going back when talking about fun car. For a daily driver, here in U.S., golf cart will suffice.

 

That is one nice looking Porsche!