[Al Bundy's Dodge]

Originally Posted by 34dean

The cars:
328i x-drive/M sport/Loaded, 22K miles
$21,000

335i x-drive/loaded, 41K miles
$24,500

From a value standpoint, I'd roll with the 328 here.


However, from a driving pleasure standpoint, the current generation's 335 is far superior imo.

I didnt feel that way about the previous generation. I loved my E90 328....but thats because it had the silky smooth inline 6.

As mentioned, drive both and follow your heart.

[Breezin]

I just recently bought my 335i and i was in the same position as the OP. I decided to get the 335i its more of a rare car where im from and it would hold value later on when i go to sell it. I drove both the 328 and the 335 and after i drove the 328 i wasn't as impressed as i was with the 335. Just my opinion and like someone else said its your decision to make. I love my 335 and im more than happy i picked it over the 328.

[Dirk Diggler]

I love the 335i for the smooth power delivery of the straight six. IMO it doesn't compare to the i4. The extra ponies are welcome too.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by 34dean

I am considering a 2015 328i x-drive and 335i x-drive. Both have similar mileage (within 5,000 miles). Both with M sport packages, loaded.
Is it worth the extra $3,500 to go 335?

About my needs:
1. I drive 25-30K per year. Almost entirely highway miles. Need reliability.
2. I want something quick and fun to drive.
3. Would like to have a little growl to the car... sound sporty but not obnoxious.
4. Looking to get 4 years out of the car.

Thank you for your input!

The prevailing wisdom is sound.
Which one you should get is the one YOU want.

We can only give you our opinions and reasons for why we got what we got.
We can't tell you what will be best for you.

That's probably what you were really asking anyway.

I'm thinking that since you are considering two 3 series that are pretty much the same other than the engines, then you may be wondering if the price of the more powerful 335i's 3.0 turbo inline-6 is worth the extra money over the cost of the lower powered 328i's 2.0 turbo 4.

Some will say that MPG is an advantage with the 2.0 turbo.
Well, that's not really true in the context of why there is a more powerful 3.0 turbo to begin with.
What does that mean?

When equipped nearly identically there is very little MPG difference between a 328i/xi and a 335i/xi. The weight difference is under 200lbs in total.
The biggest different regarding weight is the lower weight at the front end of the 328/330i or xi. There is around 100lbs less weight at the front of the 328, and that weight is also positioned back towards the front line axle, and closer towards the center of the car.
The lower weight and better placed weight gives an advantage to the 328 regarding transitional handling. The overall feel is that the 328 feels lighter and more nimble during sportier drives, and that's a very positive advantage.

The 2.0 turbo 4 is an excellent engine and produces strong low rpm torque as well as developing a very linear and flatter torque curve throughout it's power band. That flat and broad torque is why this car is a lot faster than one may initially think. Plus, couple to the ZF 8spd, maximum performance can be extracted.

The same is true of the 3.0 turbo 6 in the 335i. It too have a broad and flat torque curve, and it's stronger than the 2.0 overall.
As good as the 2.0 is the 3.0 is even stronger and gooderer.
That's obvious of course as it's displacement is 50% larger from the 2.0, or the 2.0 is 33% smaller from the 3.0. Interesting that.

With an AT the 335's engine is couple to the same ZF 8spd AT.
And, the gear ratios are even the same with either engine.
The 3.0 does sound better overall, to my ears at least, as it is the renowned and classic BMW inline-6 engine design.
The 3.0 is also smoother in operation. It's like quiet and like butter at idle, and it retains the wonderful smoothness all the way to it's red line.
Fantastic.

Some will say the 328/330's 2.0 will give you better MPG.
Not so fast on that. Even with BMW's and the EPAs tested rating,
the 2.0 is 22mpg city & 33mpg highway w/26mpg combined.
So, the 2.0 is rated at only 1mpg better on the highway.

The reason for that is simple. To produce more power requires more air and more fuel. The 3.0 when driven like the 2.0 will need about the same amount of fuel. There is nothing magical about a smaller engine that it can get better MPG. It produces a given power that requires a given amount of fuel. And since the 3.0 can produce the same min and max power as the 2.0 can, it will then use about the same amount of fuel.
Now, if you want more power and greater acceleration, the 3.0 can go beyond what the 2.0 can produce, and that thus requires more fuel.
So that is where the 3.0 will get lower MPG, when it's producing more power and accelerating faster than the 2.0.

Still, there is a prevailing conviction that the 328/330 get's "better or much better MPG than a 335/340. And that is just not true when it comes to actual MPG for daily driven cars, driven in the same manner where maximum power is not called on for the majority of the time.

Another factor that may be true is the insurance premium.
You need to check with your insurance agent to see if the 328xi has a lower premium than a 335xi. There could be a greater difference in premiums in certain markets and/or certain age groups.

Which one to get depends on what you want and how much you are willing to pay for it. If you want the greater power, smoother engine, better engine and exhaust sounds, then get the 335xi.
You could get a 328xi and then get a tune, and get a different exhaust, and that will cost you money and time.
And if your new/used BMW has an extended or certified warranty, those modifications can and will affect warranty coverage by stated warranty and law. Also, modifying an engine to produce more power, without modifying the internals to cope with the added stresses, will reduce the engines longevity. All of that factors in.

If you like and want the power of the 335xi, then pay the extra and get that power already designed and built-in. If you don't like or want the extra power of the 3.0, then there is not need to pay extra for it cause the 328xi's 2.0 is a fantastic engine in it's own right.

Let's us know which one YOU choose.

[34dean]

I am going to drive both but am leaning hard towards the 335. Just feel I wouldn't have to do anything further to it to get the performance and sound I am looking for. I am not looking to drive the car like a teenager every day. Only a couple days a week like that.

Will report back.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by 34dean

The cars:
328i x-drive/M sport/Loaded, 22K miles
$21,000

335i x-drive/loaded, 41K miles
$24,500

The term "loaded" is the most overused and misused phrase in car buying. No idea what it means. If you want the advice you are soliciting to have real meaning, list out all the options. Of course, only you can determine what options are important to you anyway.

If the cars were equipped the same, and had around the same mileage, then I would definitely go with the 335. But with 20K more miles on the 335, I'd probably be more inclined to go with the 328.

But you have to live with the decision.

[H4CK1NT05H]

I love my 335 and have no regrets, I've even got put in a 2018 330 for a loaner and missed my 335 every second she was gone.

[ihateredlight]

Originally Posted by 34dean

I am considering a 2015 328i x-drive and 335i x-drive. Both have similar mileage (within 5,000 miles). Both with M sport packages, loaded.
Is it worth the extra $3,500 to go 335?

About my needs:
1. I drive 25-30K per year. Almost entirely highway miles. Need reliability.
2. I want something quick and fun to drive.
3. Would like to have a little growl to the car... sound sporty but not obnoxious.
4. Looking to get 4 years out of the car.

Thank you for your input!

335i FTW had a 328 then went to 335 before my 435i total difference in my opinion. Night and Day.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by 34dean

The cars:
328i x-drive/M sport/Loaded, 22K miles
$21,000

335i x-drive/loaded, 41K miles
$24,500

With a 19k miles difference, the 328i seems to be OK for its low mileage.

[rayxi]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

328 for fuel economy if nothing else.

I had a similar dilemma and this was the reason I went with a 328i instead of 335i. I live in NYC so redlining is barely even a thing. LOL

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by rayxi

I had a similar dilemma and this was the reason I went with a 328i instead of 335i. I live in NYC so redlining is barely even a thing. LOL

We have a stock 328, Dinan 328 and Dinan M235. The stock 328 is totally fine and quick enough. The only time it's a problem is when I haven't driven it in a while and need to adjust what I'm used to and drive a little differently.

[sspade]

328

Can I vote more than once

[SoDiezl350]

If I were to do it all over again I'd get a 335. Speed/acceleration has never been an issue with the 328, but smoothness of the power delivery has.

You say the 328 is loaded, but I'm skeptical as to what this actually constitutes. Very few 328s are spec'd with adaptive headlights(standard on 335i).

Most 328 msport models also don't have the brembo brakes (standard on 335i). And since you seem to be set on x-drive, the suspension is going to be soft and mushy unless either of the cars comes with dynamic handling pkg(again rare on 328).

That being said, the 328i is considerably cheaper, and when I had to make the choice you are making, I chose the Msport 328i over lesser equipped 335s. This was on the basis that I wanted an estoril blue msport with a heads up display, adaptive headlights, and non dynamic sport suspension.

While I wish it had heated seats, a back up camera, parking sensors, and the harmon kardon sound system, the biggest disappointment to me has to be the depreciation. 328 msports appear to depreciate faster than any other F30. It appears the one you're considering has already depreciated considerably, so perhaps that won't be an issue.

That being said my most pleasant surprise, have been the ergonomics and reliability. The car has been nearly trouble free for the 50k miles I've owned it.

And then something about the Msport F30 fits my proportions better than any car I've owned to date. This can almost exclusively be attributed to the sport seats and msport steering wheel(I wouldn't buy a 335i without these which based on the price I imagine the one you're considered is missing). However, even things like the height of the window sill, and position of the arm rest aid in comfort that cars portraying themselves as considerably more luxurious cannot match.

[insanecoder]

Originally Posted by 34dean

I am going to drive both but am leaning hard towards the 335. Just feel I wouldn't have to do anything further to it to get the performance and sound I am looking for. I am not looking to drive the car like a teenager every day. Only a couple days a week like that.

Will report back.

300 horses on CT open roads..

[vooonoo]

Originally Posted by 34dean

I am considering a 2015 328i x-drive and 335i x-drive. Both have similar mileage (within 5,000 miles). Both with M sport packages, loaded.
Is it worth the extra $3,500 to go 335?

About my needs:
1. I drive 25-30K per year. Almost entirely highway miles. Need reliability.
2. I want something quick and fun to drive.
3. Would like to have a little growl to the car... sound sporty but not obnoxious.
4. Looking to get 4 years out of the car.

Thank you for your input!

Originally Posted by 34dean

The cars:
328i x-drive/M sport/Loaded, 22K miles
$21,000

335i x-drive/loaded, 41K miles
$24,500

You said they were within 5000 milage, 41000 and 22000 aren't within 5k. Wtf. I was gonna say go for the 335 when the milage was close but like that I'd probably go with the 328... actually fuck it go with the 335i it'll be more enjoyable

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by vooonoo

You said they were within 5000 milage, 41000 and 22000 aren't within 5k. Wtf. I was gonna say go for the 335 when the milage was close but like that I'd probably go with the 328... actually fuck it go with the 335i it'll be more enjoyable

This is why Common Core Math sucks.

[VCuomo]

I've got a 335i and had the dealer install a Dinan Stage 1 tune on it. I've been very happy with the results, although I don't know if I'd go with Dinan today based on the complaints I've read regarding their customer service.

Trust me, even if you get the 335i you want to put a Stage 1 tune on it. Turned the car into what it should have been in the first place.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by VCuomo

I've got a 335i and had the dealer install a Dinan Stage 1 tune on it. I've very happy with the results, although I don't know if I'd go with Dinan today based on the complaints I've read regarding their customer service.

Dinan does seem to be lacking big time since the change in ownership. Sad but all too common these days!

[goj]

If you can afford the 335i get it.the 328 is a great car but the N55 was an award winning engine and bmw's in-line 6 is a truly awesome thing.

Everyone here voting for the 328i is likely trying to justify their own buying decision.

No one with the 335 is wishing they had gotten a 328

[sspade]

Originally Posted by goj

If you can afford the 335i get it.the 328 is a great car but the N55 was an award winning engine and bmw's in-line 6 is a truly awesome thing.

Everyone here voting for the 328i is likely trying to justify their own buying decision.

No one with the 335 is wishing they had gotten a 328

N20 is also an award winning engine LOL.

Do your homework!

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by goj

Everyone here voting for the 328i is likely trying to justify their own buying decision.

No one with the 335 is wishing they had gotten a 328

The same also applies when 328 and 335 are switched in the above statements.

[Fuller]

All else being equal, I'd pay more for the 335i without hesitation. Unfortunately though, the 335i has twice as many miles as the 328i. In this situation, I'd keep looking until I found another 335i or 435i msport, but with less miles on the odometer.

When shopping for a 3 series I never considered a 320 or 328i. My approach was that if I couldn't get a bmw with the I6, then I wouldn't get a bmw.

That's just my personal bias though, since you solicited opinions. I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with a 328i. Plenty of people love them. It's just not for me. I'd suggest a couple of good test drives in each to see how they suit you, and go from there.