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      12-18-2011, 12:09 PM   #1
wagz0627
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A few questions from a new BMW buyer

Hey all,

I'm a current BMW noob, but have a few friends and co-workers that are proud BMW owners. I'm looking to order a 2012 335i shortly and I had a few questions.

First off, I was planning to go to my local dealer soon and test drive a 2011 335i. Am I correct in assuming that mechanically speaking the 2011 E90 335i is similar to the F30? I know that both have the N55 engine, but are there any other major mechanical changes (barring the new 8 speed automatic transmission)? Basically what I'm asking is that is it worthwhile for me to test drive a 2011 and order my 2012, or should I wait until February 11 and drive the actual F30? I'm kind of impatient so ordering it sooner than February 11 is a strong possibility.

Second, I'm currently looking at configuring the Luxury Line mainly due to the fact I like the Saddle Brown leather/wood interior combination best (having sat in a co-worker's 2007ish 335i Convertible it appears to be largely the same decor as in the F30). However, I'm not really a fan at all of the Luxury Line's 18" wheels. Has anyone confirmed whether its possible to change wheels on a pre-ordered F30, or will I have to opt for the much nicer (in my opinion) 19" wheels? I'm not sure if I want to go with 19" wheels and the lower profile tires since this will be a daily driver over the great streets and highways of Philadelphia.

Thanks in advance.
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      12-18-2011, 01:10 PM   #2
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About the only similarity between the '11 and '12 335i is the engine. All else is different. I would test drive an '11 now and if you like it, I can't imagine you wouldn't also like the '12 based on all that has been published.

I think I read where you could order the 19" wheels with the 335i luxury but I'm not 100% sure of that without more research.

I would definitely recommend the sport car over luxury due to the seats and slight suspension change but that's not necessarily what you should do. I'm also a fan of the 18" sport rims. I do wish you could order wood trim on that car and hopefully one day we can or find a way to do it aftermarket.
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      12-18-2011, 05:54 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TiAg330i View Post
I think I read where you could order the 19" wheels with the 335i luxury but I'm not 100% sure of that without more research.
Yes, based on the ordering guide, the 19" Style 401 wheels can be ordered with any 335i model with a Line. Not available on 328i.
Above applies to US models
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      12-19-2011, 09:20 AM   #4
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I haven't heard anyone complaining about how a bmw drives after having testing it for the first time.

What i am trying to say is that you dont even have to test drive it... Just be confident that the F30 will be one of the best drives you will ever experience in your life, so much so that once tasted, you will come back for more... That's how good those cars are.
IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BRAND, the brand does not make it smooth.
It just happens that every car in this brand just drive beautifully

so Just skip the test drive, and order it with confidence.

I was hooked since the Great Great Grand Parents E30 ... :P
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      12-19-2011, 09:42 AM   #5
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Fwiw. The E90 had hydraulic steering, the F30 has electric steering.
My current F10 also has electric steering. It's different, for sure....

Just testdrive the F30 if you want to feel the difference.

Or just go with it like DrivenbyE30 stated.

I ordered it from pictures as well.....
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      12-19-2011, 09:45 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DrivenByE30 View Post
I haven't heard anyone complaining about how a bmw drives after having testing it for the first time.

What i am trying to say is that you dont even have to test drive it... Just be confident that the F30 will be one of the best drives you will ever experience in your life, so much so that once tasted, you will come back for more... That's how good those cars are.
IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE BRAND, the brand does not make it smooth.
It just happens that every car in this brand just drive beautifully

so Just skip the test drive, and order it with confidence.

I was hooked since the Great Great Grand Parents E30 ... :P
I don't doubt that. The only cars I've driven so far have been various Chevy sedans. But now my career advancement has provided me an opportunity to taste the fine German automotive engineering. I'll still test drive an E90 as a co-worker is going to be hooking me up with her salesman anyway, so I might as well check one out while I'm there.

As for the wheels, I'm shying away from getting the Style 401 19" wheels actually. I'm guessing since the wheels are bigger the tires are lower profile as a result, and I'm worried about hitting a pothole and bending the rim (during and after the winter I've seen some car swallowers up here in Philly). I do like the looks of the Style 401s though. Is it possible to order the vehicle with the Style 397s for example? Or am I just being overly paranoid about the 19" wheels?
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      12-19-2011, 01:01 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wagz0627 View Post
As for the wheels, I'm shying away from getting the Style 401 19" wheels actually. I'm guessing since the wheels are bigger the tires are lower profile as a result, and I'm worried about hitting a pothole and bending the rim (during and after the winter I've seen some car swallowers up here in Philly). I do like the looks of the Style 401s though. Is it possible to order the vehicle with the Style 397s for example? Or am I just being overly paranoid about the 19" wheels?
Valid reason for not getting 19" with lower profile.
Unfortunately you are stuck between Luxury line wheels or the 401 19"
The 397 only comes in Sport Line.

BMW USA has always given additional wheel options, but they are usually larger and are way overpriced. For example, look at the E90/E92 build your own page under Accessories. There are 4 options, all between $4K-$5K.

So, there may be additional options that come later, but they'll still likely be 19" and way more expensive than the 401's.
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      12-20-2011, 03:10 AM   #8
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The tyre on the 19" 401 logically has a lower profile than the 18"397, but the sidewall of the 19"tyre on the F30 is higher than a 19" tyre on a E90. So you keep a bit of 'comfort' and don't have to worry that much about damaging the rims fwiw.

I almost opted for 20"in ferric grey.(I now have 20" 312s on my F10, still in 999,9999% shape, no chips/cracks whatever)
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      12-21-2011, 12:38 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wagz0627 View Post
I don't doubt that. The only cars I've driven so far have been various Chevy sedans. But now my career advancement has provided me an opportunity to taste the fine German automotive engineering. I'll still test drive an E90 as a co-worker is going to be hooking me up with her salesman anyway, so I might as well check one out while I'm there.

As for the wheels, I'm shying away from getting the Style 401 19" wheels actually. I'm guessing since the wheels are bigger the tires are lower profile as a result, and I'm worried about hitting a pothole and bending the rim (during and after the winter I've seen some car swallowers up here in Philly). I do like the looks of the Style 401s though. Is it possible to order the vehicle with the Style 397s for example? Or am I just being overly paranoid about the 19" wheels?
hey wagz, you are going to have to get separate set of wheels if you go with the 19s. i lived in the Philly area for 20 years and had 2 BMWs while living there, and the only way to use a BMW as a daily driver in Philly is to have a winter set. a summer set of 19" tires is a death sentence. best of luck!
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      12-21-2011, 07:25 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by matt_335Ci View Post
hey wagz, you are going to have to get separate set of wheels if you go with the 19s. i lived in the Philly area for 20 years and had 2 BMWs while living there, and the only way to use a BMW as a daily driver in Philly is to have a winter set. a summer set of 19" tires is a death sentence. best of luck!
Yeah I was worried about that, but I may be able to borrow a family member's Chevy Malibu when it snows. I have one now and it does ok in a few inches of snow. Plus I drive a few miles on major roads and then the rest on I-95 so at least they'll be plowed (or what PennDot calls plowing). I'm guessing low profile summer tires don't even like a little slush do they? Worst case I'll just avoid driving it til the roads are clear.

A friend with an M3 was driving from north Jersey back to the Westchester, NY area during our October 29 snow storm. He had summer tires on an said he spent half the time going sideways!
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      12-21-2011, 05:21 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wagz0627 View Post
Yeah I was worried about that, but I may be able to borrow a family member's Chevy Malibu when it snows. I have one now and it does ok in a few inches of snow. Plus I drive a few miles on major roads and then the rest on I-95 so at least they'll be plowed (or what PennDot calls plowing). I'm guessing low profile summer tires don't even like a little slush do they? Worst case I'll just avoid driving it til the roads are clear.

A friend with an M3 was driving from north Jersey back to the Westchester, NY area during our October 29 snow storm. He had summer tires on an said he spent half the time going sideways!
Get a separate set of winter performance wheel/tires to use for 4 months of the year. Keeps you completely functional, costs about $1200, and will then make your expensive summer tires last longer.
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      12-21-2011, 05:59 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by jje227 View Post
Get a separate set of winter performance wheel/tires to use for 4 months of the year. Keeps you completely functional, costs about $1200, and will then make your expensive summer tires last longer.
+1
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      12-21-2011, 07:08 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DrivenByE30 View Post
so Just skip the test drive, and order it with confidence.
That's what I did - or didn't do - when I ordered my E46 and then my E90.
However my sales guy literally insisted on me taking an E90 for a few hours a few weeks after my order back in 2005.

He's now the dealer's new car sales manager.

I will order my F30 untested as well probably.
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