[SteveC]

I was in the market for a new 335d when the 330d LCI was launched, so I tried both and ended up with a '30d.

The main thing that swung it for me was the auto box, which I felt took the edge off the 35d's performance (especially that wait as it decides which gear to go for when you pull away or mash the gas) vs. the MT 30d's instant thrust.

0-60 times on the 35d are marginally faster but again my impression was that the '35d didn't accelerate quite as hard but shifted faster.

At very high speeds, the '35d feels faster, probably because the gearbox is out of the equation. At lower speeds, the '30d MT feels like it pulls slightly harder.

If both cars had been ATs it probably would have gone the other way but I really didn't like the AT for the reasons mentioned.