Alright, so I am new to this forum, and am happy to be here. I have a few questions for you guys. I currently drive a 2002 Subaru WRX, alpine white. I love the car, the color, but after 5 years its starting to get boring and I am looking for something a little more exhilirating. Are there certain things you guys recommend about the 335i as far as options that make the car flawless? What is the driving expierence like? I am moving to Chicago, and I want to make sure the car will handle well in the midwest weather. Also, I really enjoy the alpine white, but how true is the whiteness of this color that BMW offers?Also, have any of you done the European Delivery offer that they run throw their Bmwusa.com site? Sounds like a pretty cool trip but I was wondering if you get the European model then back in the states or is it an American version?

Thanks:redspot

The performance of a 335 is unlike any I have experienced. I haved owned a 99 Mustang Cobra, and a 97 Toyota Supra TT. I test drove a 2007 Mustang GT with 3:55 gears the same day I purchased my bimmer. The BMW 335i outperforms them hand down. If you enjoy winter driving, the 335xi is the way to go but, remember the sport package upgrade is not intended for snow or heavy rain. This is my first automatic and I love it. When you step on the gas it will pin you to your seat and won't let up until about 140mph. The steering is tight and precise and the ride is not too harsh with the sport package. This car comes with all the bells and whistles on the base model. Opting for the premium package and the wheel and tire insurance will set you back 47K but, it is well worth it. Go test drive one and you will fall in love with it.

You "only" get the US model with a Euro delivery...but that does not mean you can't stop at Alpina or Hartge while you are there. ;)

Get ready for comfort vs your WRX. I drove a cousins WRX for a week and though it was quick and fun to drive it has no where near the comfort.

Get the sports pkg for the awesome seats, thicker steering wheel and lower ride height. That is the only must have option imo.

The other thing with Euro delivery is that you will pick up your car, drive it for a couple weeks and then not see it for another 4-6 weeks while it is shipped stateside. Cool, but you have to be patient.

After test driving 2 335i coupes (manual and auto) and the convertible and researching this for almost 1 year here is my conclusion. I would recommend this to anyone:

MUSTS:
- sports package

recommended:
- premium package (mostly for the leather interior, but the other gadgets are also nice and usefull and not too much extra $$$)
- step with paddles (this transmission has to be driven to be believed, the best "manumatic" transmission ever, the mighty ZF: fast as hell, smooth as silk... hell, it has even been compared to the dual-clutch from Audi and the Ferrari transmission!!!)
- confort access (an awesome gadget to have, never fondle keys again!!)

my personal opinion:
- iDrive with navigation (I would get these, but some people hate idrive)
- power rear sun shade (if you live in hot and sunny weather this is nice to have)
- ipod adapter (to me car audi nirvana is having 80 GB ipod + prologic surround sound + controller in steering wheel. BMW gives that but you need this adapter).

That is it.

After test driving 2 335i coupes (manual and auto) and the convertible and researching this for almost 1 year here is my conclusion. I would recommend this to anyone:

MUSTS:
- sports package

recommended:
- premium package (mostly for the leather interior, but the other gadgets are also nice and usefull and not too much extra $$$)
- step with paddles (this transmission has to be driven to be believed, the best "manumatic" transmission ever, the mighty ZF: fast as hell, smooth as silk... hell, it has even been compared to the dual-clutch from Audi and the Ferrari transmission!!!)
- confort access (an awesome gadget to have, never fondle keys again!!)

my personal opinion:
- iDrive with navigation (I would get these, but some people hate idrive)
- power rear sun shade (if you live in hot and sunny weather this is nice to have)
- ipod adapter (to me car audi nirvana is having 80 GB ipod + prologic surround sound + controller in steering wheel. BMW gives that but you need this adapter).

That is it.

+1 on CA, Premium and ipod (wish I had this, the aux-in sux:( )
-1 on idrive, not because I don't like idrive, I just don't like the double hump dash.
-1 on step, Manuals are still the best way to drive, it is a nice auto though.