[Jamesons Viggen]

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We saw what happened when all cars had the six cylinder, it is now an 11 page thread.

This test is an summer tire equipped 328 MSport vs the smaller engined cars.

This is a pretty decisive win for the F30. The wider summer tires and Euro brakes proved their merit with a short 109ft stopping distance, .90 on the skidpad oh and a new record for 1/4 mile time of 13.8 second at a LOW 97.7mph, which indicates it HOOKED well off the line.

Full review: http://www.edmunds.com/bmw/3-series/...ison-test.html

[sevenmxf]

Makes me feel good about my decision - can't wait for it to arrive. Thanks for passing the link along.

[hollandog]

good read.

the 328i has similar 1/4 mile as the 328hp G37

[Jamesons Viggen]

Originally Posted by hollandog

good read.

the 328i has similar 1/4 mile as the 328hp G37

Yeah, it must be the torque+8spd auto.

C&D had a 13.9 with an 8spd auto Sport, so this is no longer a "unicorn time" to break 14's. The C&D car trapped 1-2mph higher showing the MSport may hook better at the expense of wheel speed.

[Dinh335]

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

We saw what happened when all cars had the six cylinder, it is now an 11 page thread.

cool article and good for the 328. Thanks for sharing.

i will say your statement seems to imply the 328 is better than the 335 as it wins more comparos. I think it's more cause the 328 is the big fish in its class, rather than superior per se than it's brother. ( you're not saying that but seems to hint at it.).

Another way of looking at it is, for 2500-3k more the 335 would have whoooped these cars too,, and also hang with some others in a slightly more powerful class. It's up to the buyer to see if that's worth it.

It's almost like a boxer kicking ass in middle weight class. And one slightly heavier in heavy weight, with more competitors. They are both good boxers, just cause the heavy weight gets pushed around more it's more because the heavy weight class has stronger opponents. And if the middle weight guy went up to heavy weight he too would struggle.

the price difference between 2 similarly equipped cars isn't thaat much in my opinion. That doesn't mean more money is better either, its almost as if the cars are designed for us to pick what we need/want. (fuel economy, 4 vs 6 cylinder, power, balance etc etc)And well positioned at that.

Not starting 328 vs. 335 here, both fantastic cars, and good share. Just responding to the way your first sentence was phrased.

[Dan_335i]

i dont see why people say lexus is ugly. doesnt look ugly in nebula grey or ultra sonic blue. But i would say the lexus has the better interior
the is250 is also getting a turbo 4 in 2015MY

[Jamesons Viggen]

Originally Posted by Dinh335

cool article and good for the 328. Thanks for sharing.

i will say your statement seems to imply the 328 is better than the 335 as it wins more comparos. I think it's more cause the 328 is the big fish in its class, rather than superior per se than it's brother. ( you're not saying that but seems to hint at it.).

Another way of looking at it is, for 2500-3k more the 335 would have whoooped these cars too,, and also hang with some others in a slightly more powerful class. It's up to the buyer to see if that's worth it.

It's almost like a boxer kicking ass in middle weight class. And one slightly heavier in heavy weight, with more competitors. They are both good boxers, just cause the heavy weight gets pushed around more it's more because the heavy weight class has stronger opponents. And if the middle weight guy went up to heavy weight he too would struggle.

the price difference between 2 similarly equipped cars isn't thaat much in my opinion. That doesn't mean more money is better either, its almost as if the cars are designed for us to pick what we need/want. (fuel economy, 4 vs 6 cylinder, power, balance etc etc)And well positioned at that.

Not starting 328 vs. 335 here, both fantastic cars, and good share. Just responding to the way your first sentence was phrased.

I see what you are getting at-but it's not the intent of my first sentence. It was stated as why I started a NEW thread instead of posting in what had already become 11 pages.

See my definitive post in the 328 vs 335 post below. I state, examples where the media might even say the 328 is better and I summarize that I do not have to agree-that the person who selects either car is getting something of benefit, there is no winner or loser. But as you said, the 328 does a good job right now of flying the F30 flag as its very class competitive and the 335 has more work cut out for it.

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

This will be my definitive 328 vs 335 post after collecting articles here and there.

So, there are two perspectives.

One, the general public who are wowed by the additional power on a test drive of the 335. Let's be honest, the difference in power is easily felt, and it's easily noticed by most people and rather quickly.

But I did want to share notes from professional testing, people who drive these cars for days, on the roads, road trips, the track and drove BOTH 335 and 328. This isn't one of those, well I had a loaner for an hour kind of crap.

Here are some excerpts that describe that scenario:



"As for the BMW, well, since we first drove the new 335i, no one on staff has been particularly smitten. The consensus is that the 328i is a better-driving car."

"Part of the problem is that, while the 328i's suspension feels properly tuned, the 335i's feels as if BMW just dropped in a heavier, more powerful engine and didn't bother recalibrating anything"

"3rd Place: BMW 335i Sport
Expensive, though the underrated engine does give you loads of power. Damping rates too soft for a car with so much grunt."

-MotorTrend 2/13

Notes: They mentioned how the 328 dominated the 8 car test:

"When we did that eight-car comparison the 328i won, I remember getting out of the other cars, climbing into the BMW, and thinking, 'This is it. This is how you do it.' I had the same feeling today driving the Cadillac ATS."



The writers go a bit overboard in the declaration again on the Motor Trend blog:

"The 328i is a better car than its sibling, the more powerful, more expensive 2012 BMW 335i."

"The engine is just one more part that makes the 328i feel like the better product. Put another way, the three editors on staff that spent considerable time in each, all preferred the slower, cheaper 328i."

-Motor Trend Written by: Jonny Lieberman on March 7 2012 12:00 PM

Honestly, MotorTrend sounds a bit more neutral with this blurb from their first test of the 335:

"The 335i seems portly -- the scales show 3586 pounds and a front/rear distribution of 51/49 percent -- but that weight actually matches that of the last 335i coupe we tested. Versus the four-cylinder 328i, it carries 100 extra pounds. Where do you think that weight comes from? A hundred points if you guessed the front axle. The added weight is noticeable after back-to-back drives with the 328i, but equally noticeable is the extra forward thrust the 335i so readily supplies. A slightly heavier nose or more power? Decisions, decisions."

-MotorTrend By Carlos Lago | February 28, 2012


So now, we have the added power of the 335, and it loses to it's competition(Lexus IS350, the S4, the ATS 3.6) and they clearly state the suspension tuning is not well calibrated to the car. This mind set that more power=better, I am sorry is a fallacy. If people say I enjoy the extra power of the 335, I am all for it. I would often make the same choice. But the idea that more power makes the 335 better than the 328 by default-eh, that I don't know about. Fact is, the 328 does a better job of slaying the competition than the 335. Only when it gets on these forums are we pitting them against each other and playing up the power of the 335 and downplaying the 328. In the E90 days, it was much easier to differentiate camps.

You can flame all you want. But that is the feedback from professionals that spent time in both cars. I had a week in a 335 about a week after I owned my 328. Honestly, the power is clearly there, and for many it's a no brainer, combine that with the better engine/intake note. But there is a idea that the 328 only handles better on a race track. I did not fine that to be true as did professional writers.

So to me, there is no winner or loser when we pit the two cars against each other. Neither owner got it WRONG. The statements that someone only buys a 328 because they are too poor to afford a 335 is just as silly as saying there is no power advantage felt by the 335 or no handling advantage to the 328.

/my 328 vs 335 debate.

[shivaswrath]

Is it just me or does the IS250's fascia:

Look like this:

[Jamesons Viggen]

Originally Posted by shivaswrath

Is it just me or does the IS250's fascia:

Look like this:

No, it's more this:

[Dinh335]

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

I see what you are getting at-but it's not the intent of my first sentence. It was stated as why I started a NEW thread instead of posting in what had already become 11 pages.

See my definitive post in the 328 vs 335 post below. I state, examples where the media might even say the 328 is better and I summarize that I do not have to agree-that the person who selects either car is getting something of benefit, there is no winner or loser. But as you said, the 328 does a good job right now of flying the F30 flag as its very class competitive and the 335 has more work cut out for it.

ah yes, yeah that is a good post you posted in the other thread. Alls good man just responding, words are often hard to discern tone with

[Jamesons Viggen]

Originally Posted by Dinh335

ah yes, yeah that is a good post you posted in the other thread. Alls good man just responding, words are often hard to discern tone with

No worries.

I try and be even keel and not be overly biased about the subject. So I figured pointing out that post is like the cliff notes of it all and my take at least.

[64-bit]

Originally Posted by Dinh335

cool article and good for the 328. Thanks for sharing.

i will say your statement seems to imply the 328 is better than the 335 as it wins more comparos. I think it's more cause the 328 is the big fish in its class, rather than superior per se than it's brother. ( you're not saying that but seems to hint at it.).

And let's the 335i vs 328i battle begins...

Let's put this way...

I owned a 2010 IS 250 RWD and I replaced that car for a 335xi, why? The engine, it sucks big time... slow, week, sounds good but that is about it, I could no longer live with it so I trade on a Honda odyssey for my wife, it was that bad.

So if lexus just moved over that engine in to their new body style model expecting to compete with BMW, they were sooo wrong, and that is a done deal.

328i has the best engine on its class, as you mention, but 335i has an engine that is called "a marvel", and if combine the 8 automatic = perfect, of course add more weight, but who tracks their car every day???

I want to feel the power and sound while I'm driving and be happy with my decision for a lonnnnggg time... that is why I choose the 335i

If I wanted the fuel efficiency + nice and yet powerful engine, I would choose the 328i but I would hate myself every time that engine hits idle as it sounds 4 cyl diesel like.

[Dinh335]

Originally Posted by 64-bit

And let's the 335i vs 328i battle begins...

Let's put this way...

I owned a 2010 IS 250 RWD and I replaced that car for a 335xi, why? The engine, it sucks big time... slow, week, sounds good but that is about it, I could no longer live with it so I trade on a Honda odyssey for my wife, it was that bad.

So if lexus just moved over that engine in to their new body style model expecting to compete with BMW, they were sooo wrong, and that is a done deal.

328i has the best engine on its class, as you mention, but 335i has an engine that is called "a marvel", and if combine the 8 automatic = perfect, of course add more weight, but who tracks their car every day???

I want to feel the power and sound while I'm driving and be happy with my decision for a lonnnnggg time... that is why I choose the 335i

If I wanted the fuel efficiency + nice and yet powerful engine, I would choose the 328i but I would hate myself every time that engine hits idle as it sounds 4 cyl diesel like.

with respect to the OP i actually was trying NOT TO IN ANY WAY start a 328 vs. 335 thread. I think my post clearly notes that as does his response.

[Jamesons Viggen]

Originally Posted by Dinh335

with respect to the OP i actually was trying NOT TO IN ANY WAY start a 328 vs. 335 thread. I think my post clearly notes that as does his response.

This

[hrosenberg33]

Great to see another comparo win.

I gotta say, 6 months into ownership I still enjoy the drive, the power is nice (and gives a great feel off the line in sport mode) and I guess coming from a GTI with a 4-banger turbo with DI the sounds are what I'm used to. I only wish M-Sport was available in Canada when I bought mine but hey, you can't have everything. As an added bonus the X-drive worked fabulously with my winter tires to keep me out of trouble despite some heavy snowfalls.

Now it's time to take it to the track but I'm still in the chicken stage of ownership and dread what the track will do to my tires and brakes.

[300hp]

My X5 at the 1/4 will smoke the IS250 and match the ATS 2.0 and not too far off the 328i with trac on.

I think this says a lot about the competition BMW has, they are just not at the same level, save for the S4

[metrathon]

"Where the Lexus does trump the BMW is in steering feel and precision. We'll say it again: The 2014 Lexus IS 250 F Sport has better, more precise, sharper and more communicative steering than the BMW 3 Series."

Hahaha ... wasn't this what use to make a BMW a BMW?

[300hp]

Originally Posted by metrathon

"Where the Lexus does trump the BMW is in steering feel and precision. We'll say it again: The 2014 Lexus IS 250 F Sport has better, more precise, sharper and more communicative steering than the BMW 3 Series."

Hahaha ... wasn't this what use to make a BMW a BMW?

The m135i trumped the Porsche boxster in the top gear comparison. It's got the same steering setup.

Did this 328 have DHP. Every day I drive both my e70 with the hydraulic set up and my 335 with DHP and the difference is not night and day if any. Anyone else here with an Exx and the f30 with DHP who can either confirm or deny this?

It's funny the E70 steering was criticized by car and driver for being too heavy at parking speed, this is exactly what DHP fixes. Lol

[KT_F31_EBII]

well as a soon-to-be F31 328i touring guy, i had researched a lot from C250 Estate, A4 2.0 Quattro Avant. After driven the bmw, it is so much powerful and fast than the other two. In addition, the other two are ageing in their model lifecycle.

For sedan, definitely the new IS F sport look is stunning if you don't care about the engine section. Love the electronic gauges and aggressive look.

But hey, I love the 328i touring so much i can't buy a sedan!

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by hollandog

good read.

the 328i has similar 1/4 mile as the 328hp G37

Thanks for sharing. Unfortunately for BMW, you can get an IS 350 F-sport for $43k. Add the Nav/Lev and you're at $46k.

http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases...4+is+sedan.htm

I'd like to see a price-based comparison of the IS 350 F-Sport against the $45k 328i.

[300hp]

Originally Posted by lem144

Thanks for sharing. Unfortunately for BMW, you can get an IS 350 F-sport for $43k. Add the Nav/Lev and you're at $46k.

http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases...4+is+sedan.htm

I'd like to see a price-based comparison of the IS 350 F-Sport against the $45k 328i.

The G37 auto does 0-60 in 5 flat and the 1/4 at 13.5@105mph. Motortrend has the test. Just wanted to correct that part as well

That ATS had a higher slalom than the 335i, 328i and S4 edmunds tested.

[ACCELCAR]

Originally Posted by metrathon

"Where the Lexus does trump the BMW is in steering feel and precision. We'll say it again: The 2014 Lexus IS 250 F Sport has better, more precise, sharper and more communicative steering than the BMW 3 Series."

Hahaha ... wasn't this what use to make a BMW a BMW?

I drove an e46 for eight years before getting my f30, and I can say that the f30 is vastly more nimble and responsive, even though it is a larger car. BMW also has managed to almost entirely dial out any feel and feedback from the steering, pedals, etc. I think BMW sees this new approach as an advantage over the competition. Audi doesn't do steering feedback either.