[pgaplayerless]

Originally Posted by Skhmund

And the M3 was not designed for the road?

street legal track car is different than street car used on track....

[derrick603]

Originally Posted by pgaplayerless

street legal track car is different than street car used on track....

Street legal track car = Ariel Atom
Street car that can be used on the track = M3

An M3 has 4 seats, a decent sized trunk, a leather interior, street-oriented tires, luxury features, weighs 3500 pounds, and is available as a convertible. Some of them even have 4 doors. That sounds like a high-performance street car to me, not a "track car".

[pgaplayerless]

Originally Posted by derrick603

Street legal track car = Ariel Atom
Street car that can be used on the track = M3

An M3 has 4 seats, a decent sized trunk, a leather interior, street-oriented tires, luxury features, weighs 3500 pounds, and is available as a convertible. Some of them even have 4 doors. That sounds like a high-performance street car to me, not a "track car".

Ariel Atom is street legal toy not a car.

M3 still needs to be useful as street car, to appeal to broad market. Car companies are not in business of producing cars that do not sell.

[iknowitsfast]

Up until recently I debated the fk out of this exact same thing prior to purchasing. I realized that I would kick myself if I did not get the 335. I am decent with a wrench and my friend/neighbor is a mechanic. We've replaced a few minor things. I also purchased an extended warranty since my 335 has 60k on the odo. If you can get an ex warranty go with the 335.

[derrick603]

Originally Posted by pgaplayerless

Ariel Atom is street legal toy not a car.

It has 4 wheels, an engine, etc. and can be driven legally on highways. Sounds like a car to me.

Originally Posted by pgaplayerless

M3 still needs to be useful as street car, to appeal to broad market. Car companies are not in business of producing cars that do not sell.

It's not just "useful" as a street car, it was designed to be a street car, and is a good one at that.

[i dunno]

Originally Posted by pgaplayerless

M3 still needs to be useful as street car, to appeal to broad market. Car companies are not in business of producing cars that do not sell.

Which is why it's considered a street car. Although it has track capabilities, the street part takes priority.

These are street legal track cars.

[BMWcoupe335ii]

OP I'm not trying to discourage you, but if your only able to get a high mileage 328i or 335i I think your better off not getting either. Think about it, if this is all your able to get on your budget then you should be responsible enought to tell yourself that your not financial ready to get it. There are other cars out there that handle well and have that fun factor. But if you dead set on getting one I suggest that you either get the 328i or even a 1 series. I just don't want you to get in a situation where your not truly getting what you want, how you want it. If you truly want a 335i or 328i I'm pretty sure you'd want it with low miles. Just save some more and get something newer, give it some time. I've seen 2011 328i coupes full loaded going for 26-28k.

[Mardio]

Originally Posted by BMWcoupe335ii

OP I'm not trying to discourage you, but if your only able to get a high mileage 328i or 335i I think your better off not getting either. Think about it, if this is all your able to get on your budget then you should be responsible enought to tell yourself that your not financial ready to get it. There are other cars out there that handle well and have that fun factor. But if you dead set on getting one I suggest that you either get the 328i or even a 1 series. I just don't want you to get in a situation where your not truly getting what you want, how you want it. If you truly want a 335i or 328i I'm pretty sure you'd want it with low miles. Just save some more and get something newer, give it some time. I've seen 2011 328i coupes full loaded going for 26-28k.

+1
A high mileage beemer is going to cost you. Best if you have a reserve in the bank if you go this route.

[Spitfire007]

Sold my M-sport 135i with 6Mt for a 328i with sport package and 6Mt

Observations:
More fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.

328 is way cheaper, in everything.

135i handled horribly
328i handles VERY well

328 is obviously not as fast, but you really need to wind it out to get performance out of it. Still a quick car, and doing more with less forces you to be a better driver.

I miss the power of the 135i, but never got to enjoy it.

It's about keeping the momentum up while driving through the curves. If you want a stoplight-hero car, then the -35i is the better choice.
But you'll pay!

For simplicity and cost, get a 328. Easier, cheaper, a true BMW with a straight six.

[apc3libras]

Originally Posted by Spitfire007

Sold my M-sport 135i with 6Mt for a 328i with sport package and 6Mt

Observations:
More fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.

328 is way cheaper, in everything.

135i handled horribly
328i handles VERY well

328 is obviously not as fast, but you really need to wind it out to get performance out of it. Still a quick car, and doing more with less forces you to be a better driver.

I miss the power of the 135i, but never got to enjoy it.

It's about keeping the momentum up while driving through the curves. If you want a stoplight-hero car, then the -35i is the better choice.
But you'll pay!

For simplicity and cost, get a 328. Easier, cheaper, a true BMW with a straight six.

You think the 135 handled horribly? That's surprising. I drove one a couple times and was amazed. It felt awesome.

[Grendeltouring]

I went from a leased '10 335i xDrive auto/sport (though not the real sport suspension as it was an xDrive) with just about every option box checked to a purchased '11 E91 328i 6MT M-sport with very few options. The 328 with ZSP and a manual is far more engaging to me than the 335 xDrive auto was. Yes, the 335 was faster to 60 by a half a second, but to me it's much more fun to change my own gears and have a proper sport suspension with a staggered wheel/tire setup. I also have quite a bit more versatility in the E91 than I had in the 335i sedan. I also have the BMW Performance exhaust on my 328, and it sounds much better than the stock 335i exhaust did. On top of the fact that to me the ZSP 328 6MT is more fun to drive, it's never stranded me on an interstate as the 335i did twice in two years. I have winter tires for the 328, and it's more capable in the snow than the 335 xDrive on all-seasons. My 328 M-sport has a higher top speed than my 335i did as well, as the 335i was limited to 130.

I think much of this philistine-esque mentality that the 335 is better in all respects is more than a bit misguided, and I'd wager that not too many people touting the virtues of the 335 have ever driven a 328 with a manual and ZSP. For me it came down to how the ZSP feels in corners and the sound of the performance exhaust, while being able to shift for myself in an environment that I live in 90% of the time, either lots of traffic in Seattle or on the roads with very low speed limits on the island next to Seattle that I live on.

[Venom692x]

I have a 328 coupe xdrive and I quite enjoy it. But when I come to these forums... I feel like I'm driving a car thats terribly slow and has no dynamics according to a lot of the people around here, like it's a corolla or something. I think the car is pretty quick in DS mode.

Does the X drive really feel that much different than the RWD model? I would guess a bit more floaty at high speed but it does have better grip on sharp turns because more traction? Albeit you cant drift and all that then...I also think the xdrive steering might be a bit more heavy, but maybe that's me.

[Grendeltouring]

No xDrive from the factory had the true sport suspension, there is more body roll and the car can't be steered through the corners as easily with the throttle. In a straight line and in the wet an xDrive 335i will be faster than a RWD model as there is just more traction, but I think it was a disadvantage in corners. Drifting is very difficult in an xDrive 335, I had mine on the track a number of times and even with DCS completely disabled with all-season tires it was difficult to drift as there was too much interaction with the front putting power down. Would've been cool if BMW would've given the driver more control over the torque bias from front/back.

I much prefer the feel of the RWD/ZSP, especially with the manual. It's just more engaging. If I could've bought a 335 E91 here in RWD with M-sport/6MT I would've considered it though, we get screwed on engine choice in the wagons here. I've thought about seeing how much it would cost to put an N54 or a V8 from an E90 M3 in there, but for now I'm pretty happy with the way this car feels.

[Stance321]

I am trying to buy a car for myself and i cannot decide between the 328i and the 335i. I cannot spend the enormous amount for a low mile 335i. Which ever car i choose will have 80,000-100,000 miles. I am just not sure about the power difference between the two. Is the 328i coupe just as fun as the 335i coupe? Thank you!

It will have 80k to 100k miles. you should not even be looking for either.

[apc3libras]

Originally Posted by moarlow

It will have 80k to 100k miles. you should not even be looking for either.

And why is that exactly? Do BMW's just explode when they hit 100k? I will never understand the paranoia of buying/owning a BMW (especially a 3 series) out of warranty and/or with higher mileage.

It's great that a lot of people buy these cars brand new then dump them before they hit 50k miles. Usually makes for a nice preowned Bimmer. Keep doing that guys.

[cyclicoyster]

Haha, I like this response. I get a sense that 335 owners hate on the 328, from what I've read on this thread. Whatever, I like my 328.

Originally Posted by apc3libras

And why is that exactly? Do BMW's just explode when they hit 100k? I will never understand the paranoia of buying/owning a BMW (especially a 3 series) out of warranty and/or with higher mileage.

It's great that a lot of people buy these cars brand new then dump them before they hit 50k miles. Usually makes for a nice preowned Bimmer. Keep doing that guys.

[Delta0311]

Originally Posted by cyclicoyster

Haha, I like this response. I get a sense that 335 owners hate on the 328, from what I've read on this thread. Whatever, I like my 328.

Dude I got a 335xi now and I'm really starting to like this car but I LOVED my 07 E90 328. I had that car tined, with 18in staggered rims, lowered on H&R touring cup kit, had performance exhaust, a Euro Intake box, and a Eurochagred tune. The car drove nice, turned on a dime, and thanks to the tune it shifted almost as well as my 335 and it had some decent pick up to it. The 328 is and always will be a great car to me; fuck the haters!!

Oh and BTW all I did to it was basic maintenance (replaced fluids, filters, oil change every 5k etc) and the car never gave me any problems. Only major issue was the valve cover gasket but I replaced that with a buddy of mine. The car was solid like a tank.