[SmoothSteeringHopeful]

I'm sure there are countless threads and comparisons already, but I drove my first 335i the other day and I've been comparing both and thinking about them. I really expected a huge difference in straight line acceleration...

I was disappointed, I actually feel that the n20 is a bit more fun, especially city driving.

Did I not get enough time behind the wheel of a 335? Are they that close?! I lost my passion for speed after my 3kgt, and I really appreciate the power and economy of the n20. I just can't justify the extra expense, lower fuel mileage, for the slight bump in performance of the n55.

Anyone else feel similar?

[fshubert]

I think there was a Roundel issue where the author had the same sentiment as you - that the 328 was a lot of fun and wouldn't dissappoint anyone. In the E90 I went from a 328 to a 335 and I too thought the 328 was a blast. I went to the 335 for the performance improvement (30% more ponies and twisties is noticable) and looks of the dual-exhaust. I got about 24mpg with the E90 335 (don't recall the gas mileage with the 328) and find that reasonable for a high performance sedan. If I wanted drag race performance I would have gone with a Vette, but for all-around "spirited" driving, I can't see myself without my 3-series. When I got rid of the E90 335 the F30 335 was just a no-brainer. But I would have to say my years with the 328 was pure joy!

[martyl]

Yes, they are that close. A recent Bimmer mag article prefers the 328i unless you're on the track. I guess if you want pure top end power the 335 is the ticket. I like them both but I prefer the 328i. They are both great cars.

[bcl0328]

the only reason i like 335i more is the sound of the exhaust

[MikeVictor]

Depends on your track, as the N20 is a bit lighter and would suit a twistier circuit.

[emtrey]

NO..

328 is a very nice engine and fun to drive but the N55 is wonderfully smooth and powerful and perfectly matched to the 8AT IMHO.

ps I am currently getting 29.5 mpg and with that much power on tap, its all good.

[Koer]

Drove both and went with the 335, why? Simply because i wanted my car to make a beautiful noise, to have plently of low end power ( i HATE downshifting ATs) and to put a smile on my face everytime i press the gas. Not to mention i hated the diesel-like engine sound and vibration from the four banger. Yes 50 hp are important when your city is hung on a cliff and you have to drive mile long, stupidly inclined streets every day.

[The X Men]

I would buy the N55 just for the sound alone.

[sparkyg]

I have an M3 that sounds fantastic. But 320 km to the tank gets painful. Thats 14.6 mi/gal.

Next car will have an N20.

[justinnum1]

328 FTW!!!!

Engine has a ton of power down low. And the handling is great

[tuned2ride]

Originally Posted by bcl0328

the only reason i like 335i more is the sound of the exhaust

Correct. 50% of the visceral BMW driving experience is about engine sound and the N20 is clearly not up to the task.

[SmoothSteeringHopeful]

Everyone thinks my ride is a diesel, the n20 is quite unique I think.

[Jamesons Viggen]

Originally Posted by tuned2ride

Correct. 50% of the visceral BMW driving experience is about engine sound and the N20 is clearly not up to the task.

Its the only real weak point for me. But it is easily remedied, you will find 5-6 exhaust options to choose from within 6 months time.

[sparkyg]

Originally Posted by Jamesons Viggen

Its the only real weak point for me. But it is easily remedied, you will find 5-6 exhaust options to choose from within 6 months time.

Get an Eisenmann exhaust and save the $$$ and gas over the 335.

[SPACEMANRICK]

Originally Posted by sparkyg

Get an Eisenmann exhaust and save the $$$ and gas over the 335.

That exhaust is $2500 and the 335i has more standard items included in the car, how does that save you money? The 328 is a great engine, but if you add on the cost of the same options included standard with the 335 the difference is pretty small.

http://www.ind-distribution.com/whee...0762%5E306.php

[cardsdoc]

I currently have an n54 335 and have an f30 335 on order. I have test driven both f30s and had an n20 loaner for a day. While I agree the sound of the n55/n54 is better I don't really care much about that. Nonetheless I think there is a pretty significant difference in the perceived torque between the two engines, even more pronounced at highway speeds. This is just on daily commuting which includes local roads and highway - no ridiculous speeds or tracking. I had previously convinced myself that the n20 was for me and was happy about a cheaper lease and better mpg but after driving both back to back, and for more than a test drive, the n55 is just more fun from an engine standpoint. Certainly there are many great attributes of these cars and the engine is just one and more important for some than others. For me, however, it's what I love most about my current 335. My commute is always too short.

[batislav]

Originally Posted by cardsdoc

I currently have an n54 335 and have an f30 335 on order. I have test driven both f30s and had an n20 loaner for a day. While I agree the sound of the n55/n54 is better I don't really care much about that. Nonetheless I think there is a pretty significant difference in the perceived torque between the two engines, even more pronounced at highway speeds. This is just on daily commuting which includes local roads and highway - no ridiculous speeds or tracking. I had previously convinced myself that the n20 was for me and was happy about a cheaper lease and better mpg but after driving both back to back, and for more than a test drive, the n55 is just more fun from an engine standpoint. Certainly there are many great attributes of these cars and the engine is just one and more important for some than others. For me, however, it's what I love most about my current 335. My commute is always too short.

Same situation for me. Coming from the n54, I wanted to try to n20 because I heard it was so good. It was good, but there was still a big enough gap in performance and feel that I couldn't say no the the n55. If people don't notice a big difference, by all means go for the n20, but that wasn't the case for me. The 40-80 performance is where I felt the difference was most pronounced.

[sparkyg]

Originally Posted by SPACEMANRICK

That exhaust is $2500 and the 335i has more standard items included in the car, how does that save you money? The 328 is a great engine, but if you add on the cost of the same options included standard with the 335 the difference is pretty small.

http://www.ind-distribution.com/whee...0762%5E306.php

Crazy dollars. It was $1200£ in the UK.

Me thinks they have some margin padded in there.

I expected $1800 USD.

Bummer

[emtrey]

Originally Posted by cardsdoc

I currently have an n54 335 and have an f30 335 on order. I have test driven both f30s and had an n20 loaner for a day. While I agree the sound of the n55/n54 is better I don't really care much about that. Nonetheless I think there is a pretty significant difference in the perceived torque between the two engines, even more pronounced at highway speeds. This is just on daily commuting which includes local roads and highway - no ridiculous speeds or tracking. I had previously convinced myself that the n20 was for me and was happy about a cheaper lease and better mpg but after driving both back to back, and for more than a test drive, the n55 is just more fun from an engine standpoint. Certainly there are many great attributes of these cars and the engine is just one and more important for some than others. For me, however, it's what I love most about my current 335. My commute is always too short.

exactly. I tried the 328 first and was impressed enough to start configuring an F30 around the N20. BUT, coming from an N54 135i, I decided I better try the pricier, thirstier 335. From the press of the starter button, I knew I would regret not getting the 335.

It is smooth, effortless, and fast. My wife took it the other day and she said she was driving waay faster then she normally drives on her tollway ride to work without realizing it.

I find this drivetain ( sport 8AT) perfect for my daily driving. Right now, on a 700 mile old engine , I am getting close to 30 mpg. Nicely done BMW.

No disrespect here to the N20--its awesome. I just love those BMW 6 cylinder engines.

[webdither]

I test drove a 328i Sport and then a 335i Sport back-to-back before I ordered. I was extremely impressed with the n20. It was very light on its feet and a lot of fun! Hugely massively awesomely improvement over the previous generation, no contest. Had I never driven the n55 car I probably would have had no issue ordering it right there.

But... I then started up the 335i. That sound of the 6-cylinder engine. That relentless power and haul ass-ness that's always there, always ready, never hesitant. The n20 just seemed to lag a bit in some situations where the n55 didn't.

And most importantly... the smile on my face was so much bigger in the 335!

Then after pricing the two cars the difference just wasn't great enough (but almost was) to justify getting the 328. About $3000 more for the 335 specced with the same options. If the base price of the 328 hadn't gone up significantly for 2013 it would have been a much harder choice.

[ZMM_OMG]

Originally Posted by emtrey

exactly. I tried the 328 first and was impressed enough to start configuring an F30 around the N20. BUT, coming from an N54 135i, I decided I better try the pricier, thirstier 335. From the press of the starter button, I knew I would regret not getting the 335.

It is smooth, effortless, and fast. My wife took it the other day and she said she was driving waay faster then she normally drives on her tollway ride to work without realizing it.

I find this drivetain ( sport 8AT) perfect for my daily driving. Right now, on a 700 mile old engine , I am getting close to 30 mpg. Nicely done BMW.

No disrespect here to the N20--its awesome. I just love those BMW 6 cylinder engines.

^^ This. I was also set on the N20 (w/ 6MT) and drove it both in test drives and during the Team USA event. Compared to the '01 325i, the N20 had WAAAAY more power and thrust, but I didn't feel compelled to buy it as was missing a certain "playfullness". After taking the N55 on the same route and punching the gas on an expressway, I knew I'd wind up with a 335.

The 328 is perhaps the more rationale choice of the 2; it gets better mileage and has 95% of the performance for a lower price. The 335 is the lusty vixen who leans into your ear and whispers, "Let's be BAD!"

[RobUK]

Originally Posted by ZMM_OMG

The 328 is perhaps the more rationale choice of the 2; it gets better mileage and has 95% of the performance for a lower price. The 335 is the lusty vixen who leans into your ear and whispers, "Let's be BAD!"

To hell with cars... I want a 'lusty vixen'