[etinifni]

My wife has a 2015 Accord Coupe, EX-L Nav/4cyl and I have a '12 328i; both automatics. The later model 9th generation Accord CVTs are definitely better than earlier models much like the F30 N20s, more refined. For the money we spent on the new Accord I think we would have been happier with another F30 but the new car warranty and Honda longevity won us over, you just can't beat a Honda when it comes to this.

The Accord interior is dramatically more roomy but the one issue that kills me is not having the capability of raising the passenger seat (the V6 is the only model with this). Both cars get about the same mileage but the Accord doesn't have the get-up-and-go my F30 does.

[spuntyb]

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!!!

Pros

N20 - 100lbs lighter, and still punchy. The weight loss with 2-fewer cylinders over the front wheels is noticeable. Lacks performance of N55, but a piggyback tune all but erases that gap. Wasn't really the case with the previous N52 vs N54.

N55 - Smoother out-of-the-box pull and power. You can get a cheap boost in HP/torque with the MPPK, which helps it pull away from the N20 even more.

Equivocal in sound. Neither sounds particularly great.

Cons

N20 - needs a tune to really perform

N55 - ever so slightly worse mileage, limp mode problems seem to be more common

Drive both and see what you like. They are close enough imho that it's really subjective.

[RoundelM3]

The BMW inline-6 has been dubbed one of the best engines in the world, and for good reason. It's smooth, quiet, and in its current turbocharged configuration, has extremely good power and fuel economy. I get 34-36 MPG on the highway in my 2013 335i 8AT with MPPK and MPE in comfort mode, and mid- to high-20s around town. All depends on how you drive it. The 8-speed auto is far better than any CVT transmission and keeps the engine revs down (less than 2K at highway speeds) to give better mileage.

My wife's car is a 2016 228i convertible with the N20 engine and 8AT, and while we like it a lot, we don't see any better fuel mileage in it than in the 335i thus far. The N20 seems ideal for a slightly smaller/lighter car (relatively speaking), but the engine sound is noticeably different than in the N55-engined 335i. Once on the highway in cruise, you don't really hear it, though.

[canukgtp]

I've owned both the N55 and now N20...only reason I have the N20 is the wagon...otherwise I would be in another straight 6...go bigger, fuel mileage difference isn't that noticeable for everyday around town driving.

[F30ed]

I have 328i N20, love every aspect of it, but, my friend, if you intent to keep it for a long run - go with N55. N20 has long list of timing chain failures and turbo oil leaking. Quite a few people ended up replacing engines. Nothing like that reported for N55.

[etinifni]

Originally Posted by F30ed

I have 328i N20, love every aspect of it, but, my friend, if you intent to keep it for a long run - go with N55. N20 has long list of timing chain failures and turbo oil leaking. Quite a few people ended up replacing engines. Nothing like that reported for N55.

Yeah but doesn't the N55 have issues of its own with bent rods?

[CntryClub007]

Driven both, just get a 35i, go for the 40i if you can. 20i was right for me at the time, but now that life is moving on, I'm ready for a 40i.

[roll_the_dice]

I just picked up a used F30 328i. I weighed the option of the 335 vs the 328...drove both and realized I don't drive as fast as I used to. With that said, I still drove the 335 and determined for DD and less aggressive driving now, the 328 was the better choice for me. If I still drove like I did when I was younger, I would have opted for the 335. The N20 has more kick than my e90 has. The only thing I wish the N20 had a better exhaust note.

When I buy a car, new or used, I go in on a Friday afternoon/night and tell them I am interested in X car. I test drive it and then say, "I need this for the weekend, to see if it fits in with my lifestyle." I have done this with Jaguar, Porsche, BMW, Cadillac, etc and I have never had them tell me no, then I can enjoy the car for the weekend and make a truly informed decision.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

I just picked up a used F30 328i. I weighed the option of the 335 vs the 328...drove both and realized I don't drive as fast as I used to. With that said, I still drove the 335 and determined for DD and less aggressive driving now, the 328 was the better choice for me. If I still drove like I did when I was younger, I would have opted for the 335. The N20 has more kick than my e90 has. The only thing I wish the N20 had a better exhaust note.

Active Autowerke exhaust

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Active Autowerke exhaust

Hmmm I don't want to hijack this thread...so I will PM you. Thanks

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

Hmmm I don't want to hijack this thread...so I will PM you. Thanks

LOL sounds good

[KGB_123_99]

Get a 6 cylinder, just for the sound alone. There is much more to a car than power. I went from a 6 cylinder M54 to a 4 cylinder N20. The 4 cylinder is more powerful but the other engine was more pleasant to drive.

You shouldn't buy a 335/340 because the 328i is slow, it's far from it. The 6 just offers a more rewarding driving experience.

[Y0tsuya]

I've always liked the smooth BMW I-6. Liked it in my E46 and like it in my F22. Why drive a scratchy 4-banger when you can have a buttery-smooth I-6?

[Big Busa]

Originally Posted by KGB_123_99

Get a 6 cylinder, just for the sound alone. There is much more to a car than power. I went from a 6 cylinder M54 to a 4 cylinder N20. The 4 cylinder is more powerful but the other engine was more pleasant to drive.

You shouldn't buy a 335/340 because the 328i is slow, it's far from it. The 6 just offers a more rewarding driving experience.

Yeah! I am beginning to get that impression from all of the responses. I am still on the fence but I know I am leaning the way I thought I would lean from the very beginning. Most likely, I'll be going with the I6 twin-power turbo N55 335i or B58 340i. Either way, it will be a CPO. Can't see myself going new as I don't like taking that initial financial hit on depreciation. Been there! Done that! Refuse to do it again. Thanks to everyone for your thoughts. Keep the coming though. This has been cool to get everyone's thoughts, likes and dislikes.

[Big Busa]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

I just picked up a used F30 328i. I weighed the option of the 335 vs the 328...drove both and realized I don't drive as fast as I used to. With that said, I still drove the 335 and determined for DD and less aggressive driving now, the 328 was the better choice for me. If I still drove like I did when I was younger, I would have opted for the 335. The N20 has more kick than my e90 has. The only thing I wish the N20 had a better exhaust note.

When I buy a car, new or used, I go in on a Friday afternoon/night and tell them I am interested in X car. I test drive it and then say, "I need this for the weekend, to see if it fits in with my lifestyle." I have done this with Jaguar, Porsche, BMW, Cadillac, etc and I have never had them tell me no, then I can enjoy the car for the weekend and make a truly informed decision.

I have performed that same maneuver! I have to know how I will be able to live with the car. A simple test drive never really does it for me.

[Big Busa]

Originally Posted by CntryClub007

Driven both, just get a 35i, go for the 40i if you can. 20i was right for me at the time, but now that life is moving on, I'm ready for a 40i.

[goj]

Originally Posted by Big Busa

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.

No issues here. But also you're out of the 1st Model year window.

[EvenKeel]

N55 full stop.

[F30inthe6ix]

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.

This sounds like a very reasonable review from a current 328 owner. I love my Sport Line 328i, though sometimes I do wish I opted for the M-Sport package.

I get 8.5L/100KM doing majority city driving and I do like to put my foot down and reach deep into the rev ranges from time to time. The car after six months of driving it is just fantastic and I really couldn't care less for the HUD/BSM options that my model is not equipped with.

You'll love the 328i no doubt. If you can, put yourself in a position with a 4 year finance that will allow you to trade in after 3-3.5 years and get a different model if you feel you're ready for it by then, but for now I can assure you that you will enjoy every second you spend driving the N20 engine.

[Big Busa]

Originally Posted by F30inthe6ix

This sounds like a very reasonable review from a current 328 owner. I love my Sport Line 328i, though sometimes I do wish I opted for the M-Sport package.

I get 8.5L/100KM doing majority city driving and I do like to put my foot down and reach deep into the rev ranges from time to time. The car after six months of driving it is just fantastic and I really couldn't care less for the HUD/BSM options that my model is not equipped with.

You'll love the 328i no doubt. If you can, put yourself in a position with a 4 year finance that will allow you to trade in after 3-3.5 years and get a different model if you feel you're ready for it by then, but for now I can assure you that you will enjoy every second you spend driving the N20 engine.

I am with you on the financing. I always calculate the CPO in reference to the financing and go accordingly. I refuse to own another car outside of any warranty ever again!!! I am at the point that, if I'm paying, I'm riding in what I want!! Relatively speaking!! Because, I want that GTR, but that ain't happening any time soon!!!

[F30inthe6ix]

Originally Posted by Big Busa

I am with you on the financing. I always calculate the CPO in reference to the financing and go accordingly. I refuse to own another car outside of any warranty ever again!!! I am at the point that, if I'm paying, I'm riding in what I want!! Relatively speaking!! Because, I want that GTR, but that ain't happening any time soon!!!

I did CPO on my F30 and have zero regrets. Cars like these are not meant to be driven without some sort of warranty, unless of course you're just in sheer excess of money or you don't mind out-of-pocket repairs/modifications.

It helps me sleep at night knowing that if my engine for some reason dies out tomorrow, I don't have to look at $8000-10,000 at least out of pocket to find and install another one with similar KMs on it. Once my CPO period is done (3 years left or 115,000km), I plan to assess whether it's worth keeping my current ride and potentially adding some mods to it, or trading it in while the value is still reasonable for a newer-model CPO that'll once again be covered for a substantial period of time.

[mbanks21]

Doesn't the 335 come standard with more options then the 328? The bigger engine models usually come standard with better headlights, larger tires and brakes, better stereo system, etc, etc.

If you're just comparing the engines that's one thing but comparing the 2 cars as a whole is another thing.