[Big Busa]

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Ok! So I have been driving a 2013 V6 Honda Accord sedan for the last year and a half!! For some reason, I sold my 335i and thought I would be better in a Honda!! (Insert Jokes here!!) Well hell, as you already guessed, not so much! I am getting back in a Bimmer!! Can't stand this Accord! It is all holy crap!! Tranny is awful, with a capital A!!! Anyway, back to my question, I am looking at getting a F30 model but not sure if I should go with the 28i or 35i model! I love power but I am getting to the point where I love good gas mileage also! My E92 335i was awesome and I loved the power, just hated the gas bill! One of the reasons I sold her and went to an Accord, along with the fact that she was out of warranty and into maintenance.

So I'm looking for a conversation. Between the F30 28i owners and the 35i/40i owners and anyone who has owned both! Want to see who has the best argument for owning each version. Come with the pain but keep it civil! Bring up performance, modding and anything that you feel will best make your point! I am looking to make my move by the end of the year. So get to your corners and come out swinging!!! And may the best engine option win!!!

[BMWalltheway]

[Ender_]

Get a 335i/40i and drive it in Eco, fuel will be about the same from what I see, maybe 10%, that's maybe $4 doors more every fill up. Do you care about fuel economy that much, if so go with the 28i.
If you drive either hard they will both have bad fuel economy.

[Big Busa]

Originally Posted by Ender_

Get a 335i/40i and drive it in Eco, fuel will be about the same from what I see, maybe 10%, that's maybe $4 doors more every fill up. Do you care about fuel economy that much, if so go with the 28i.
If you drive either hard they will both have bad fuel economy.

To be truthful, my foot is kinda heavy!! Not complaining, just confirming!!!

[RoarinRow]

I have a 2012 328i. Gas mileage good. Fun to drive. Fun to modify. Fits my family of 5.

But if I had to do it again, I would go with the higher model. I don't like the diesel-like sound of the engine that the 328i makes. And if I had to do it again, I would go with a line model, like Sport or M.

The baseline model was so plain until I put $$ to fix it up. Plus with a bigger model I am assuming there is more space inside and trunk space.

The lighter weight of the 328i, which I assume it is, makes it fun at the track and very nimble around the streets.

I get between 24-33 mpg just as the literature states and that's with aftermarket tires and a tune, etc.

[TylerMcCraw]

Go for the 340i.. Trust me you won't regret it.

[CalCarNut]

If you were happy with the Power the Honda V6 had, the x28 will be fine since they're both close to about 260hp. The extra 2 cylinders in the x35 set you back about $5-6K on a new car vs the 4pot; it may carry over in the used market as well. $6K for about 60-80hp difference is a lot in my opinion when you can tune the x28 to a safe margin, close the gap considerably and only spend $600-1000 doing it and still have $ to spend on wheels, coilovers, spoilers ,exhaust etc to personalize it.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by TylerMcCraw

Go for the 340i.. Trust me you won't regret it.

+1 - if you're buying new do this.

[shoguniori31]

if your going to use it for daily, IMO N20 has more than enough power you need to take you to point A to B and cut thru traffic or what not and get good better gas mileage.

But if you are one of those people who like to do "random street racing" or going to the track on the weekends then i suggest get the bigger engine. Just like one of the guys here said.."you have to pay to play" bigger engine cost more and drinks more gas

[Big Busa]

Originally Posted by TylerMcCraw

Go for the 340i.. Trust me you won't regret it.

What about the issues I have been hearing about with that new B58 engine?

[Herakles]

Originally Posted by Big Busa

Ok! So I have been driving a 2013 V6 Honda Accord sedan for the last year and a half!! For some reason, I sold my 335i and thought I would be better in a Honda!! (Insert Jokes here!!) Well hell, as you already guessed, not so much! I am getting back in a Bimmer!! Can't stand this Accord! It is all holy crap!! Tranny is awful, with a capital A!!! Anyway, back to my question, I am looking at getting a F30 model but not sure if I should go with the 28i or 35i model! I love power but I am getting to the point where I love good gas mileage also! My E92 335i was awesome and I loved the power, just hated the gas bill! One of the reasons I sold her and went to an Accord, along with the fact that she was out of warranty and into maintenance.

So I'm looking for a conversation. Between the F30 28i owners and the 35i/40i owners and anyone who has owned both! Want to see who has the best argument for owning each version. Come with the pain but keep it civil! Bring up performance, modding and anything that you feel will best make your point! I am looking to make my move by the end of the year. So get to your corners and come out swinging!!! And may the best engine option win!!!

Since owning my 335, i had some crazy thoughts- i think from not appreciating it! I drove also a 2000 accord v6 for 13 years before finally finding my 335

From the F30 loaners i had, i have to say they are intriguing. Very nice cars with nice performance- no slouches! But I think i would feel short changed and miss / would want the 335. Just too much fun to drive. Ho cant you get that N55 with the 8spd!!

[jmg]

I have owned both the F30 328i and 340i.

My impressions:

328i Sport: Coming from my former car, a 340hp S4 V8 it actually didn't feel like much of a step down. The 328i is fairly quick and lighter than my S4. I drove it for 3 years as a commuter and not once did I feel like I didn't have enough power to do what I needed to do even in aggressive Los Angeles driving. I took it through the canyons a few times and it was still fun. Despite "only" having 240hp vs the 326hp 340i, I don't feel like the 328i is underpowered at all.

340i M Sport Track Package: WOW, I only owned this car for 3 months, but it's so much faster than the 328i!!! Sounds so much nicer too! I still think it's underrated at 326hp. Much quicker than my S4, much quicker than the 328i. Did it make the 328i seem like a slug? No. BUT, I did have a loaner 320i and it was like night and day.

If you can afford it, go for the 340i. The 328i isn't that bad though if you want to save some $$. Either way, go test drive them both.

[Big Busa]

Originally Posted by jmg

I have owned both the F30 328i and 340i.

My impressions:

328i Sport: Coming from my former car, a 340hp S4 V8 it actually didn't feel like much of a step down. The 328i is fairly quick and lighter than my S4. I drove it for 3 years as a commuter and not once did I feel like I didn't have enough power to do what I needed to do even in aggressive Los Angeles driving. I took it through the canyons a few times and it was still fun. Despite "only" having 240hp vs the 326hp 340i, I don't feel like the 328i is underpowered at all.

340i M Sport Track Package: WOW, I only owned this car for 3 months, but it's so much faster than the 328i!!! Sounds so much nicer too! I still think it's underrated at 326hp. Much quicker than my S4, much quicker than the 328i. Did it make the 328i seem like a slug? No. BUT, I did have a loaner 320i and it was like night and day.

If you can afford it, go for the 340i. The 328i isn't that bad though if you want to save some $$. Either way, go test drive them both.

Nice! I have already driven the 335i and loved it. Have not yet driven the 340 or 328 yet! My main thing is making the right decision. Don't want no more regrets like with this accord. I might drive the 340 then the 328 to see if the step down is something I can live with!! Thanks for the opinions guys! Keep em' coming!!

[Herakles]

Originally Posted by RoarinRow

I have a 2012 328i. Gas mileage good. Fun to drive. Fun to modify. Fits my family of 5.

But if I had to do it again, I would go with the higher model. I don't like the diesel-like sound of the engine that the 328i makes. And if I had to do it again, I would go with a line model, like Sport or M.

The baseline model was so plain until I put $$ to fix it up. Plus with a bigger model I am assuming there is more space inside and trunk space.

The lighter weight of the 328i, which I assume it is, makes it fun at the track and very nimble around the streets.

I get between 24-33 mpg just as the literature states and that's with aftermarket tires and a tune, etc.

i never thought of it as a diesel sound- sounds more like a boxer engine like the subaru WRXs..cool sound!!

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by Big Busa

Nice! I have already driven the 335i and loved it. Have not yet driven the 340 or 328 yet! My main thing is making the right decision. Don't want no more regrets like with this accord. I might drive the 340 then the 328 to see if the step down is something I can live with!! Thanks for the opinions guys! Keep em' coming!!

Are you buying new or used? The 328i is being replaced by the 330i, B48 motor.

[Big Busa]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Are you buying new or used? The 328i is being replaced by the 330i, B48 motor.

Still trying to decide. I knew the 328 is being replaced, not sure why I did not mention that initially.

[Billfitz]

My last was an '07 Altima V6, equivalent to the Accord. The N20 crushes it. I get 32 MPG on the highway.

[JamRWS6]

Originally Posted by Big Busa

What about the issues I have been hearing about with that new B58 engine?

What issues? I have one and have had zero issues. Runs hard and sips gas if you keep your foot out of it which is mighty hard.

[Big Busa]

Originally Posted by JamRWS6

What issues? I have one and have had zero issues. Runs hard and sips gas if you keep your foot out of it which is mighty hard.

Every new engine from BMW has issues in the first few years of existence! The tensioner issue is one that I have recently heard of.

[englishguy84]

Are you buying or leasing? CPO or new?

If buying CPO, get the 335i. N55 is a tested engine, doesn't have a lot of issues, and lots of fun. Price won't be as big a deal because the huge depreciation hit already happened. I've been a passenger in one. Wish I had bee in the market when it was still being produced.

If buying new, it's going to depend on price more. If you can swing it, I would get the 340i because the B58 has been out an extra year--the 330i is brand new. Unless you can find a leftover 328i on the lot that's spec'd the way you want. If you can, there would probably be a great deal to be negotiated on a leftover and you'd have the more proven N20 vs B48.

If leasing--whichever you can afford that makes you happy. 340i might be overkill. Up to you. You only live once.

[Bbb34]

I always have a policy to "buy a bit more than what I think/feel I need" assuming I can afford it. By that logic, my advice is N55, you will never look back, never ask that "what if".

However, I didn't follow my own advice with N55 Vs. N63 as I felt that N55 fits everything I need perfectly and I simply didn't need more. They key though, I was absolutely 100% certain it was the right decision for me.

So, if you have any doubts, go with N55, but I doubt you really "need" more than N20, I recently had 228 loaner and it's a blast to drive.

[kenwelch]

The B48 was launched in 2014 for MINI and 2015 for BMW. The B48 is not that untested. The engine is new to the 330.

Another advantage of the 340 vs 330 there are additional standard equipment items not just a larger engine. Depending on what you might select as options on a new vehicle there might not be much price difference.
Examples:
M-sport package
Moon roof
HK Sound System