328i pros:
1) Looks just as good
2) No fuel pump problems
3) No oil temp issues
4) Less expensive
5) Large, hidden storage area where spare tire would have resided
6) Better gas mileage (marginal)

328i cons:
1) 70 less HP less than 335i - 'Nuff said...
2) No dual exhaust - Doesn't sound as good
3) Can't brag about "turbo" bling at meet & greets
4) Stepchild in new 3 series

I know I missed a few other pros & cons. Feel free to chime in... :redspot

P.S. My only regret is that I didn't get the manual tranny in my 328i coupe.

I believe 328 has dual exhaust too....but just on one side. Does the 335 still sound that much better because of the engine/exhaust!?

I couldn't get over how much extra hp you got for so little extra $. Other than that the 328 is a great car. One thing to note, is that I got a pretty loaded car, and would have gotten a loaded 328, so the price difference was pretty small.

I couldn't get over how much extra hp you got for so little extra $. Other than that the 328 is a great car. One thing to note, is that I got a pretty loaded car, and would have gotten a loaded 328, so the price difference was pretty small.
With so little price difference, and so little (if any) difference in projected gas mileage, it is a no-brainer to me that the 335 is the way to go.

With so little price difference, and so little (if any) difference in projected gas mileage, it is a no-brainer to me that the 335 is the way to go.

+1

With so little price difference, and so little (if any) difference in projected gas mileage, it is a no-brainer to me that the 335 is the way to go.

I forgot about the gas mileage. That's true too.

Yea, but those nagging problems the 335i has... The power difference isn't enough to sway me into the 335i, which I could have afforded. :b_yellow

The next couple of model years will be telling...

In 2001, I bought a 325ci when I could have had a 330ci. I loved the 325 but always wondered how much better the 330 would have been. I drove both the 328 and the 335 prior to buying time and liked them both. The reason I selected the 335 was to eliminate the doubt. I now love my 335 and have no doubts.

Isn't the 328 coupe 200+ pounds lighter than the 335? To me, the E46 M3 felt a little porky and the 335 just looks too heavy.

Yea, but those nagging problems the 335i has... The power difference isn't enough to sway me into the 335i, which I could have afforded. :b_yellow

The next couple of model years will be telling...
You have to jump in at some time, so if you're worried about first year naggles, just lease the beast. They warranty it head to toe and if you don't like it when the term is over - just give it back. But then, I am known as an early-adopter. :shifty

I believe 328 has dual exhaust too....but just on one side.
??
This statement makes no sense.
The 328 has a single exhaust with dual tips.

328i pros:
1) Looks just as good
2) No fuel pump problems
3) No oil temp issues
4) Less expensive
5) Large, hidden storage area where spare tire would have resided
6) Better gas mileage (marginal)

328i cons:
1) 70 less HP less than 335i - 'Nuff said...
2) No dual exhaust - Doesn't sound as good
3) Can't brag about "turbo" bling at meet & greets
4) Stepchild in new 3 series

I know I missed a few other pros & cons. Feel free to chime in... :redspot

P.S. My only regret is that I didn't get the manual tranny in my 328i coupe.
One word:
Power. That's why I went with the 335.

Isn't the 328 coupe 200+ pounds lighter than the 335? To me, the E46 M3 felt a little porky and the 335 just looks too heavy.

No clue on the weights. Turbos add some though no question.

The e46 m3 is a different animal. We had one and I hated it. Actually I loved it, but the only way to make the car feel good is to drive it very hard. I was going to hurt someone or go to jail if we kept it.

While the benefits of turbos are obvious, it could be pointed out that they may be a liability after 100k miles, if you plan to keep your car a while... and BMW doesn't have the long history with turbos that some other marques have...

Denton

It is a no brainer that some people will always insist that their car is a much better one, and that it is indeed a "no brainer." I take the opposite tact -- it is in fact a big-input-from-brainer to opt out of the horsepower of a twin turbo in favor of a something a little more tame, and just as sexy. Don't be arrogant --

Isn't the 328 coupe 200+ pounds lighter than the 335? To me, the E46 M3 felt a little porky and the 335 just looks too heavy.

If you really want to split hairs, in addition to being lighter the 328i has better weight distribution

because the 330I is a better package for less.

Can't really compare 335i.

The real issue with the 335 is the (lack of) reliability. I placed the order for my ED in August 2006, three weeks before the official launch of the E92, long before the issues regarding the fuel pump and overheating surfaced. However, I plan to keep the car for some time (I only drive around 7,000 miles a year) and I took for granted that the long term reliability of the turbo engine could be a problem. It was not a matter of money: I would have chosen the 330 over the 325 if hadn't been discontinued.
Honestly, I never thought there would be so many cars developing issues within the first few thousand miles, but what has happened so far only makes me even more wary of turbo engines.

You know, the lease of a 335i is probably the way to go. In my case, I plan on keeping the car for several years, and frankly, I don't need the hassle of a turbo. I now have money left over for the motorcycle I hope to purchase, which will most likely be quicker than any model in the BMW line, thus, allowing me to get my speed jollies off...

I just ordered a 328xi today and compared that with the 335xi. I found that for me in mostly city driving the 328xi was enough power. I am coming from a 1999 323i so the 3.0 engine has more power already. There was an alpne white 335i right in the showroom with sport, premium and cold weather plus navigation. BUt I really wanted the xdrive more than the turbo. Turbo adds about 20 lbs to the car. I hope I made the right decision.

I should say turbo adds about 200 lbs in weight not 20 as above.

You should feel good about your decision.The 335i will end up being a great car, but that doesn't help you now. Once the new M3 hits the showroom, this will all be a moot point....

Actually, I think all wheel drive weighs 200 lbs more. I think the 335i weighs 20 lbs more than the 328i because the 335i has an aluminum block with cast iron sleeves and the 328i has a magnesium block. I could be wrong, but that's what I thought I remembered.

Ya lazy bastages. The answer is on BMWUSA.com.

The unladen 3571lb, 335i coupe weighs 220lb more than the 3351lb, 328i coupe.

Heres a fun fact too: Going from the 6MT to the Auto in the 335i, increases the weight by 12lb. Whereas getting the Auto on the 328i, porks it out by 66lb. :confused

And as someone pointed out, the 328i's weight is indeed more evenly distributed. 50.3 versus 51.2.

Not to pick nits with "exilio" but there are some small differences between his "published" specifications and the ones I located on-line. Not to say one is more accurate, mind you. The basic mass difference is 200 Lb.

That being said, while the rest of you might argue about the relative difference in performance between the 328 and the 335, it is moot for some of us.

1) I do not care about a small difference in price. I walked into the dealer "cold" while my X5 was in for scheduled service (and the wife was in Italy and could not object!) and tested both. I only plan on one life and considering how little I probably have left, it seemed too short to waste on the lower performance vehicle.

2) At 7500 feet, the 335 with the twin turbo absolutely runs away from the 328. No if's, and's, or but's. No way, no how, no day. Remember, at this altitude, an engine without forced induction is down at least 25 percent from sea level performance.

Different tools for different jobs. The lighter-weight, smaller wheels in the sport package, and better balance *might* make the 328i a better autocross car, at least in a stock class. A friend who autocrosses a 335 complains that its power makes it quite a handful. So we're leaning toward the 328.

MM35, just think if you had waited for the new M3... it would leave your 335i gasping for air... Point is, there's always someone bigger and badder...

Actually, "Tony P" the cognomen is NM335, as in New Mexico...

The only things gasping for air here are the normally aspirated engines. Be sure you understand all the parameters before you spend your $$. Up here, turbo/super charged is king. By a large margin.

The cons on here don't scare me, I could live with those..

328i = :buttrock

With so little price difference, and so little (if any) difference in projected gas mileage, it is a no-brainer to me that the 335 is the way to go.

5k is not a little price difference to me. The question in which car needs to be couched by people who lease vs. people who bought. People who rent a 335 dont care about long term issues.

While the benefits of turbos are obvious, it could be pointed out that they may be a liability after 100k miles, if you plan to keep your car a while... and BMW doesn't have the long history with turbos that some other marques have...

Denton

DENTON!! America is not the only country on Earth. Wake up!!!! BMW has been doing turbo engines for years here in Europe.

Just wanted to follow up from my post above this week. I have the 328xi with auto and absolutely love the experience. It is much faster than my 99 323i to be sure. I can only imagine how super fast the turbo must be (I never test drove either one before buying). In CHicago I drive in the city streets 98% of the time. PLus I once had a 280zx turbo and got into way too much trouble in speed zones with that :Q

The I drive takes some learning and I have read half the manual so far. But Idrive ebhances the experience so much with everything from the satellite radio to real time traffic info etc.

The Comfort Access is fantastic !! I just walk up to the car and put my index finger on the handle and it unlocks. Then when leaving just put the finger on the top handle and it locks. No more fumbling with the remote with bags or packages in hand. Of course no more inserting the key either, just step on the brake and lightly hit the start button. This is easily one of the best options to get and only 500.00. In the 6 series this option is 1000.00 I noticed.

The standard radio/stereo is quite good as well when driving with al the windows closed. When windows open the sound is somewhat dulled somehow.

Xenons are great at night. I didnt think I would care about that but this car had it and it does give better detail to the road than halogen does.

For my money I would rather have a 328xi with most options than a 335. Plus with xdrive I have better control than in my rear drive 323i and better handling somehow. Winter will be the test of ocurse or even a rainy day.
Tomorrow I will return to my lessons on Idrive in the manual...

Yea, but those nagging problems the 335i has... The power difference isn't enough to sway me into the 335i, which I could have afforded. :b_yellow

The next couple of model years will be telling...

The only nagging issues the 335 has is stupid people posting nonsence, rumor and flat out lies. Everytime i see a 328 I ask myself why would anyone chose that over the 335.

DENTON!! America is not the only country on Earth. Wake up!!!! BMW has been doing turbo engines for years here in Europe.

Pls help this ignorant Yankee with the history of BMW and gasoline engines that are turbocharged, prior to 335i. Diesel turbos are a different story. We're talking about gas engines here, not diesel. AFAIK, BMW has built the following turbo gas cars:

2002 Turbo, 1672 units worldwide in 1973-1975
745i, 16,031 units worldwide from 1979-1986, and widely known to be troublesome.

BMW has avoided turbo gas engines for whatever reasons.

Denton

NM35, I stand to be corrected... just don't come down off your mountain... In 2008, you may find the competiton too tough... M power baby!

The only nagging issues the 335 has is stupid people posting nonsence, rumor and flat out lies. Everytime i see a 328 I ask myself why would anyone chose that over the 335.

I read this post and I wonder how someone so rude and condescending can remain on this forum. I would like to nominate this fellow for a lifetime ban. This type of derisive post should at least have flawless spelling.

If anyone can be called stupid, it is someone who attacks others with words that are not spelled right. Further, everytime I see a 335 in the future, I will wonder what the owner/driver is thinking. Is he as much of a look-down-his-nose-holier-than-thou fellow as this poster?

My 328 is a neck-breaker. People see it go by, and break their necks to get another glimpse of my absolutely HOT brand-new BMW. The idea that someone looks down on it (or me) is not only absurd, it is awe-inspiringly arrogant and appallingly rude. 0-60 doesn't make your car, you do. Nice style 197 wheels, shimmering black paint, and Coral Red interior don't hurt.

The only nagging issues the 335 has is stupid people posting nonsence, rumor and flat out lies. Everytime i see a 328 I ask myself why would anyone chose that over the 335.


The same reason you bought a 525i and NOT a 540.

Maybe, that's why!

Quote:

Tony PNM35, I stand to be corrected... just don't come down off your mountain... In 2008, you may find the competiton too tough... M power baby!


I do not come down off the "mountain" very often considering most of the state is above 5000 feet. I live at 7200 and my vacation home is at 9000. People do not seem to understand just how much this altitude affects engines. Heck, even on something a simple as a cake mix, you look up "high altitude" and they say that 3000 feet is considered high! Most engine tuners don't even know what to do up here.

With at least a dozen engine builds under my (admittedly expanding middle aged) belt, I can tell you from first hand experience that at high altitudes, the easiest way (other than Nitros - which does not last long between fillings) to get HP is with forced induction. Personally I have made more HP with supercharging than turbocharging but the commercial choices are a bit biased.

Bottom line, if you are at altitude, without forced induction you just are not in the game.

5k is not a little price difference to me. The question in which car needs to be couched by people who lease vs. people who bought. People who rent a 335 dont care about long term issues.

When I optioned the cars exactly the same the price difference was 3K. It's a little tricky because the packages are not the same.

The only nagging issues the 335 has is stupid people posting nonsence, rumor and flat out lies. Everytime i see a 328 I ask myself why would anyone chose that over the 335.

When I asked my dealer how much of a difference there was between the 335 and 328, he laughed at me. They had exactly one 335 coupe left (I had to drive out fo my home state to even find one) and a bunch of 328's, so I don't think it would have been in his best interest to lie (maybe even against his best interests?). I got about $1000 off MSRP, so it's not like he was fleecing me.

That doesn't prove anything, but I have to agree that the 8-12% or so difference in price is pretty insignificant for the added performance... at least on paper (assuming the 335 DOESN'T turn out to have major issues with fuel pumps and oil coolers). I would have been happy with the 328, but I know I would be regretting not getting the 335 right now had I gone in that direction.

I'm considering the purchase of a new car to replace my 96 328i. I like power as much as the next guy, even though I'm not sure where I could safely use 300 hp without going to a track. (maybe 250 :thumbup:)

I enjoy driving a manual particularly changing gears to keep the engine in that rpm range where the power and torque are at or near peak. Based on what I've read about the 335i's abundance of torque at low rpms with the turbo, it seems to me that a manual would be of little use on this car, although I wouldn't be surprised if all you 335 owners out there tell me I'm wrong. :pityfool

I would be willing to bet that it's a fantastic engine for the 5 series when combined with the excellent slushbox. If only the 5 wasn't so ugly. :bluecryin

??
This statement makes no sense.
The 328 has a single exhaust with dual tips.

is it 2 pipes side by side, or does the exhaust collect to 1 pipe after the header? Im pretty sure there was at least some model of 3 series in the e46 that had 2 pipes all the way back to the rear muffler, (stayed 2 distinct pipes inside) and then out to 2 tips. Not merely 1 pipe to 2 tips at the end.

edit: i know my 323 is 2 pipes until the middle of the car, and that the 330 is different. this is e90s we're talking about here tho