[nicknaz]

Do a 60-100mph wide open throttle pull in both cars.

I think that is the best way to decide whether there is a performance difference, and whether you care enough about the difference to pay more (btw, if you are leasing, it is about +$50/month to get 335)

In my opinion, gearing and traction make the 328 and 335 acceleration close at low speeds below 60mph. The value of the 335 is up to you and how hard you drive, how wide open the roads near you are, and whether or not you want to go for power adders like MPPK or JB4

good luck, have fun!

EDIT: I totally agree with the other posted who mentioned "significant price difference" is different for everyone, and applaud sticking to a pre-determined budget. If I had to get a F30 on a budget, it would be 328 m sport with as few options as possible.

[bavarianboar]

335i. Had same dilemma. 6 months old, got some problem, car feels like a effing 328i now. no fault codes.

test drives will reinforce your inclination to go 6-turbo.

[hollandog]

wanted the 335i. but im happy with my monthly payment on the 328i

[JJS]

My head was all set on a 328i Touring, when I went into my local dealership to place my order. Then, just for the hell of it, I asked to test drive a 335i that happened to be in the yard. In an instant, my head was overruled by my heart, and my order was changed. The N55 engine has soul and a sound that is not obtrusive but has the tonality of an engine that means business. I haven't wondered much what it'd be like to drive a lesser car.

[philbake]

There's no question there's a performance difference. I came from an '08 335xi (n54). It was a rocket. I then drove a '13 335. Nice. I fully expected that's where I'd go. I then asked the sales guy to drive a 328, just to see. My wife had an '07 328, and I was familiar with the e90 differences between the 328 and 335 (significant). I was really surprised. The difference in the F30 version was much less noticeable. Part of this is that I'm in colorado, and live at 6,000 ft, the '07 e90 non turbo 6 cyl engine loses some punch, while the turbo holds closer to its performance at sea level. Repeated the test drives and went with the 328. While the 335 has more punch, the 328 does the job just fine. With my 08 335, I never could really use that extra power.

[SRB]

Originally Posted by deanesn

BTW I originally was going to order a 328i but after the test drives it was an easy choice for me to spend the extra $2700. If you are not leasing the 335 keep better value so that is a plus. I understand also that the 335 is more car that their lives require therefor I suggest you drive both. After the drive, you will know which one is best for you.

here in Poland the price difference between the 428i I ordered and a 435 with the same options was about $22K plus $700/year extra in insurance.

Would that change the mind of some American 335 buyers? Would you SERIOUSLY pay $22K more for a 335 over a 328? from what I'm reading on this thread, very few (if any) would say yes.

And don't say I would just get an M3/M4 - after discounts the M4 is $65K more than the 328i in Poland.

Reason is that any car > 2 litres has 18% excise tax (<2 litres, 3%) and no discounts are offered on the M4.

needless to say, I am waiting for my 428i. Previous car was a 320d e92 - which the Americans are referring to as 328d - I am not yet convinced I will prefer the 428i over the 320d engine, we'll see.

FYI, the average speed of my e92 over 5 years was about 30 km/h - mostly driven in slow moving traffic.

[fecurtis]

Since the weather has been so nice lately I've put the car in Sport mode more and opened her up a little bit since the roads have gradually been repaved/potholes patched.

I will say, the N55 is the smoothest engine I've ever experienced. I loved revving my VQ motor in my old Infiniti but this thing, she sings and is sooooo smooth going up to redline. It's an absolute blast just revving that engine.

How smooth is the N20?

[diablo2112]

Originally Posted by SRB

here in Poland the price difference between the 428i I ordered and a 435 with the same options was about $22K plus $700/year extra in insurance.

Uh, really? $22,000 more for the same car, same options, only difference is 28i vs. 35i. You really do get the shaft in Poland. Here in the USA, the comparison is straightforward.

Straight up base retail is:

328i $37300
335i $43400
thus, delta is $6100

335i has xeon lighting, alarm, 18" rims, and sunroof standard (it also has bigger brakes, extra cooling, and some other things which we'll not try to cost but do add value)

xeon $900
sunroof $1050
alarm $400
18" rims $800 (delta between 328i and 335i sport package; difference is 18" rims included with 335i; upgrade on 328i)

This is a total of $3150.

Subtract from the $6100 base differential, and in an apples-to-apples, same options comparison the increase in price for the 355i is.....

.... $2950. Seriously. And remember, the 335i also has bigger brakes and more cooling. I can nearly make the case that the engine displacement upgrade is nearly FREE given these extras. But, I won't. For less than $3k, you can upgrade to the 335i from the 328i if you wanted the very common and desirable options that come standard (just try to find a 328i without a sunroof, for example. Or sport package with 18" rims).

If your 328i has a sunroof, xeons, and 18" rims (say, sports package) then you basically gave up getting the 335i for nearly free. Which is why I've always said the 328i is kinda of dumb choice in the lineup and makes no sense. Especially considering resale on the 335i compared to the 328i. Given resale difference, the 328i costs MORE over the long term compared to the 335i.

Sorry to hear you get so screwed on the 435i in Poland. Here in the US, the 35i is a complete and utter no-brainer over the 28i. Really, given the above, I just don't understand why anyone would order a 28i in the states. As I showed, the 35i costs nothing, and actually will cost LESS once resale is considered.

[n55x3]

Originally Posted by diablo2112

Uh, really? $22,000 more for the same car, same options, only difference is 28i vs. 35i. No way, no how. Your math is wrong, or you're comparing a used car to a new car. By every same-option comparison done, cost difference is less than $3000. This is easily verified on the BMW website, but as you got this so outlandishly wrong, I'll walk you through it:

You do realize not every part of the world adheres to USA pricing standards. And this poster is talking about prices in Poland.

I think I've even seen bigger price diffs between 328 and 335 in other parts of the world.

[diablo2112]

Originally Posted by n55x3

You do realize not every part of the world adheres to USA pricing standards. And this poster is talking about prices in Poland.

I think I've even seen bigger price diffs between 328 and 335 in other parts of the world.

Yes, realized this 30s after posting and revised completely my comments. thanks.

[n55x3]

Originally Posted by diablo2112

Yes, realized this 30s after posting and revised completely my comments. thanks.

Word. And for what it's worth, I totally agree with your argument for the 335i. When you factor in everything you get with a 335 the cost is minimal to make the jump.

[Tommy_hf]

In Holland the difference is about 12k euro's, that's about 17k USD just for the engine difference, with same spec in the configurator. That said in USD a reasonable specced 320i sells for 65k USD, 328i 75k USD and 335i goes well above 90k USD. If there was only 3k USD difference between the 328i and a 335i, it's a no-brainer.

[exclusivo]

it was all about the pricing and options for me. The msrp on the 428 I ordered was 53k, I could easily have gotten a 435 for that money, but I would lose options that I wanted. I could have opted for alpine white paint and sensatec interior, rather than mineral grey and coral red. I could have gotten just the navigation, instead of the tech package, I could have done without cold weather package, since I dont really need a heated wheel or headlight washers... My car is still on a boat waiting to be delivered and I havent driven a 28 or 35 yet, but i am not worried about the performance as I currently drive a 06 325, the least powerful of the e90 lineup, so I'm sure the 428 will be just fine. Admittantly, I was a little cautious of switching from Inline 6 to 4 cylinder, but the reviews seem positive, we shall see.

Also, the coupes have more standard features than the 3 series, like xenons and other stuff.

[diablo2112]

Just to add some data on resale. If you price an identical 2009 BMW 328i vs. 335i (with 50k miles) for average trade in value at NADA you get the following:

328i: $15650
335i: $20350

That's a difference of $4700. Given the $2950 difference in cost, the 335i is almost $2000 CHEAPER than the 328i.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by diablo2112

Really, given the above, I just don't understand why anyone would order a 28i in the states. As I showed, the 35i costs nothing, and actually will cost LESS once resale is considered.

I'll extend that argument and say that we should all go out and purchase 991 GT3, since GT3 hold their value extremely well and the value of all the options and the power train , etc means that in reality, the GT3 is similar cost as a 3er

Everyone has a different budget, and +$50/mo lease payment or +$6k cash cost could be deal breaker

[dtn]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

I have a 335i and usually get a 328i as a loaner. The 328i is a great car and suprisingly fast when you work it. I prefer the more relaxed power delivery of the 335i for my daily driving though - there's always power there when you need it. With the 328i you have to dig a bit deeper into the gas pedal and the rpm's.

Neither way is objectively "better". It's just really down to what you like and how you drive. Some people love to have the rpm's high, and if you're one of those then you'd be happy with the 328i. I'm more laid-back, but I want power when I want power, so the 335i fit my driving style better.

+1 This is probably the best way to describe the difference for both cars.

I bought pre-owned, and initially wanted the inline 6, but for pre-owned cars, the difference was $10K. Although I could afford much more than the 335, I couldn't justify the price difference. I'm still very pleased with the 328, even though I know the 335 would be THAT much more fun to drive. A piggy back helped.

When I'm shopping for the ultimate driving experience in my next car, I'll pay the premium for more displacement.

[hevykevy420]

Originally Posted by dtn

I bought pre-owned, and initially wanted the inline 6, but for pre-owned cars, the difference was $10K. Although I could afford much more than the 335, I couldn't justify the price difference. I'm still very pleased with the 328, even though I know the 335 would be THAT much more fun to drive.

+2. I usually purchase my vehicles Certified Pre Owned with low mileage. There simply were very few 335s available when I bought, and I was looking all over TX. I'm not saying they aren't available, but not very many to chose from compared to 328i. And for me, I am an options whore. The more the better. I just found the options I wanted in a 328i and don't regret it one bit. The CPO premium on a fully loaded 335 is pretty big in comparison, as previously noted, at least $10k plus on CPO cars.

If you drive anywhere around Austin, TX you're in stop and go traffic 90% of the effing time so the extra 2 cylinders aren't providing any additional HP at idle

[64-bit]

Originally Posted by OC40

I have been driving a 335 MSport for just over a year. During that time, I have had multiple 328/428 loaners in various lines (no-line, sport and MSport) for extended periods.

When I had the 328/428 MSports, I didn't call my SA every five minutes to ask when my car would be ready to pick up (as I did with the other lines). I enjoyed them. That being said, my car put a smile on my face every time that picked it up from the dealer.

Would I be happy with a 328 MSport? Yes, but I love my 335.

Test drive both for extended periods as others have indicated above. Both are nice, but it depends on your preference.

Im 100% with you!

I did not like the engine noise of the 328i in 2012 and 2013 models but that has changed on 2014.

If you are buying and you will keep the car for a long time like myself (6 years +) then the 335i has no compromise and I can assure you that has not been a single day That I wished a had a 328i without my PPK and dual exhaust.

Im a BMW fan and very often I go to BMW meetings and I yet to see a 328i owner, all guys have 335i

[MikeVictor]

1. No. 2. No. 3. Not an issue either way.

For me it was a poverty pack 335i or a well optioned 328i. Don't regret the 328i decision for a moment, it's a great DD and handles well at the track. Benefits well from the M Performance exhaust aurally too.

[jmaak]

Originally Posted by diablo2112

Just to add some data on resale. If you price an identical 2009 BMW 328i vs. 335i (with 50k miles) for average trade in value at NADA you get the following:

328i: $15650
335i: $20350

That's a difference of $4700. Given the $2950 difference in cost, the 335i is almost $2000 CHEAPER than the 328i.

You are forgetting one thing. The engines were totally different. What I mean is that the old 328i was obviously NA. there was nothing you could do short of adding a super charger to get it close to 335 power. That isn't the case anymore. With 1k worth of aftermarket addons you can get close to those power levels.

What drove the resale of the 335 was the tuning potential. Now the n55 will have way more potential than the n20, the gap has closed.

This is the same reason why evos and sti's always have had great resale rates.

[diablo2112]

Originally Posted by jmaak

You are forgetting one thing. The engines were totally different. What I mean is that the old 328i was obviously NA. there was nothing you could do short of adding a super charger to get it close to 335 power. That isn't the case anymore. With 1k worth of aftermarket addons you can get close to those power levels.

What drove the resale of the 335 was the tuning potential. Now the n55 will have way more potential than the n20, the gap has closed.

This is the same reason why evos and sti's always have had great resale rates.

Bunk. Let's look at average trade-in values for the F30. Used 2013 model with 15k miles:

328i: $29550
335i: $34975

Difference is now $5500.

If you theory was right, you'd see the gap closing, not widening.

The 335i is CHEAPER than the 328i. Q.E.D.

[jmaak]

Originally Posted by diablo2112

Bunk. Let's look at average trade-in values for the F30. Used 2013 model with 15k miles:

328i: $29550
335i: $34975

Difference is now $5500.

If you theory was right, you'd see the gap closing, not widening.

The 335i is CHEAPER than the 328i. Q.E.D.

http://www.cudlautosmart.com/Researc...eInValues.aspx

They use black book.

Difference is 4.3k. The gap is closing. Keep in mind the price difference isn't 3k it's 6k.