[KGIL]

My first post on this forum. Just took delivery of a 2012 335 with 3k miles. Deal was too good to pass up. It has just about every conceivable option and stickered for about $59k and I got it for about 40% back of that. I'd post pics, but really......does anyone need to know what another red F30 looks like?

This is my 4th 3-series and I'm moving up to this from an '02 M5. Needless to say, this car feels.....different. Lighter steering, lack of "solidness".....and this is with pretty low miles. Maybe I just need to get used to it.

I luv the transmission. I've driven MT's for about 30 years and this my first AT and it's really cool. I haven't had the car a week, but so far I'm not missing the MT. While I haven't had it long, I'm using paddle shifters all the time with Sport mode.

Love the size. Smaller than the E39, but every bit as much inside room and I think it actually has more leg room in back.

There were a couple things with the car that weren't perfect, so I took it into the dealer and they gave me a I35 M-package, auto. Holy crap. THIS is what a BMW is supposed to drive like. Felt fast and super solid. 335 is plenty fast for me, but it just doesn't feel as fast or as nimble. Great sound and I swear those seats are better than what's in the old M5. Great steering wheel, too. No iDrive or configuration settings. Just a beautiful, smartly placed button labeled SPORT......and dang, does it work.

If only I could get that car in a 4-door 3-series size. Maybe the M3, but I'd like to think I'm done with M's. They be a pretty penny for repairs.

Anyway, this forum has been a wealth of info. Thank you. Keep it coming.


Kevin G

[fecurtis]

Yeah it seems that their smaller cars have the reputation of still being the "ultimate driving machine" where the other models have sacrificed driving pleasure for a little more room and comfort, just depends on what you'd like.

May want to check out the M235i too, that's supposed to be a blast to drive as well.

[Bimmer-Mac]

I must agree 100%. I love the tech in my fully-loaded 335xi, but the drive is less than stellar.

I have driven my mom's 135i M-Sport vert several times, and it is the very definition of a pocket rocket. The steering is sublime, and the engine and throttle response is perfect (tho the 335i is the same). As much as I love the 8-Sport-AT, the 7DCT in the 135i is just as good, and makes a beautiful rev-matched noise on downshift. Drop the top and the sound will seduce you much more than the 3.

Yes, the build quality on the 3 is much better, but boy do I wish it drove like the 1.

[kapkanimd]

why do you keep saying i35??

[KGIL]

Originally Posted by kapkanimd

why do you keep saying i35??

You're right. Don't know why I so that.

Build quality is better on 335? Not positive I agree....at least on mine. Mine is a 1/2012 build, so I'm probably begging for issues. We'll see. The 135 seems so much more solid, even as a loaner with 13k miles.

It'll be great. I'm just reading too much into it.

[mrich1353]

You don't specify if your 335 is RWD or X-Drive. If it happens to be X-Drive, you lose a lot of the drivability you desire without DHP. Steering wheel...is your an M-Sport which has a thicker wheel.
I came from two E60's and an F10; love the 335I, but you coming from the holy grail of E39, it is a tough act to follow!

[MicrophoneMic]

Originally Posted by KGIL

My first post on this forum. Just took delivery of a 2012 335 with 3k miles. Deal was too good to pass up. It has just about every conceivable option and stickered for about $59k and I got it for about 40% back of that. I'd post pics, but really......does anyone need to know what another red F30 looks like?

This is my 4th 3-series and I'm moving up to this from an '02 M5. Needless to say, this car feels.....different. Lighter steering, lack of "solidness".....and this is with pretty low miles. Maybe I just need to get used to it.

I luv the transmission. I've driven MT's for about 30 years and this my first AT and it's really cool. I haven't had the car a week, but so far I'm not missing the MT. While I haven't had it long, I'm using paddle shifters all the time with Sport mode.

Love the size. Smaller than the E39, but every bit as much inside room and I think it actually has more leg room in back.

There were a couple things with the car that weren't perfect, so I took it into the dealer and they gave me a I35 M-package, auto. Holy crap. THIS is what a BMW is supposed to drive like. Felt fast and super solid. 335 is plenty fast for me, but it just doesn't feel as fast or as nimble. Great sound and I swear those seats are better than what's in the old M5. Great steering wheel, too. No iDrive or configuration settings. Just a beautiful, smartly placed button labeled SPORT......and dang, does it work.

If only I could get that car in a 4-door 3-series size. Maybe the M3, but I'd like to think I'm done with M's. They be a pretty penny for repairs.

Anyway, this forum has been a wealth of info. Thank you. Keep it coming.


Kevin G

I think I saw your car at United BMW of Gwninett. I seriously considered it several weeks ago, but ultimately passed because I wasn't really a fan of red and also it didn't have DHP (really wanted that). I think it had only 3400 miles and was fully loaded w/ every option minus the DHP, but also was a dealer loaner/dealer demo. At any rate, it was definitely a super deal. Congratulations on the car. I was real close to getting it! I probably would have bought it if it had DHP. I remember the car had the stock 401 19's, something I'm still trying to locate now.

[KGIL]

Originally Posted by MicrophoneMic

I think I saw your car at United BMW of Gwninett. I seriously considered it several weeks ago, but ultimately passed because I wasn't really a fan of red and also it didn't have DHP (really wanted that). I think it had only 3400 miles and was fully loaded w/ every option minus the DHP, but also was a dealer loaner/dealer demo. At any rate, it was definitely a super deal. Congratulations on the car. I was real close to getting it! I probably would have bought it if it had DHP. I remember the car had the stock 401 19's, something I'm still trying to locate now.

Wow, you're good. Yep, that was it. It was nice working with Gwinnett even at long distance. I guess I didn't do my homework, though. I wanted DHP as well, but I thought the M-suspension option sort of took care of that and that DHP was not offered on the early MY12's. I'm probably wrong.

I originally was not a fan of red either, but for that price, I could live with it and its growing on me. I really like the 19's, too.

I'm not positive it was a "dealer loaner". Might be worse than that actually; it was previously registered to the BMW Performance Center in NJ. Does that mean it was a test car or something? Could've been, but I thought their performance center was in S.C.. Potentially scary, but my thought is that it only had 3,400 miles on it and still plenty of factory warranty.

We'll see.

[KGIL]

Originally Posted by mrich1353

You don't specify if your 335 is RWD or X-Drive. If it happens to be X-Drive, you lose a lot of the drivability you desire without DHP. Steering wheel...is your an M-Sport which has a thicker wheel.
I came from two E60's and an F10; love the 335I, but you coming from the holy grail of E39, it is a tough act to follow!

RWD, Sport Line w/ M suspension for whatever good that offers. Not sure. I do like that thicker steering wheel. I didn't give careful consideration to x-drive. I've always ran previous BMWs with Blizzaks with no problems.

[dan99]

Nice, I saw that they had the 135is there AW with red leather/ stick shift at Markel's BMW.