[electro-house]

I usually downplay the 328i, but those are from poor loaner experiences (option-less sedans). Recently I was given a solid loaner, a loaded 328i coupe (I drive a 335i coupe), the car is obviously slower but it's still a great experience.

You can't go wrong either way, but I really do use the power of the 335i. You can push the 328i to the limit a little bit more with your daily driving in comparison a 335i, and that's where the fun factor comes in.

If I was in a similar buying situation in the future and the HPFP still had probems, I'd go with a 328i.

[1sicke92]

well i just love bmw

[accel]

I used this iPhone app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/verdi...468308374?mt=8 to compare cars I considered relevant to my search for a new car - 328i, 335i, IS250 and G35, 330i ZHP, - entered data, specified what was important for me (yes, the price was one of the parameters, reliability - another one, and many others - weight, power, mpg, test drive impressions, etc. ). 328i came out as the winner. Sure thing - this was to double check what was in my mind already.

To each - its own. If 328i was such incapable car, BMW most likely wouldn't put it in production. I wonder what are the sales numbers between these two. Based on what I see everyday, I'd assume 328i sells better.

[3me]

Happy with 325i. At the time, I needed a newer car with 4 doors that I would have for a long time. If I wanted power, I would have bought my uncles e46 m3 he was selling to get into his e92 m3. I'll probably keep this car forever haha. Not that I don't like power though. Even when I was buying my car I had a REALLY hard time picking even though the car I went with made so much more sense.

[bimmerguy288]

I recently downsized and "downgraded" from a 750i to a 328Xi. Yes, money was an issue. Spending over a grand on a car every month is not the brightest idea. Things I miss most: the higher quality of the leather in the 7, the power of the V8, and the comfortable ride. Other than that, I think the 328 is a fine car.

[gizmo335i]

I understand every argument 328 owners make for not getting a 335 except the racing thing. What adult wants the extra speed just for racing? I like having the extra speed for many other reasons.....getting around someone on the highway quicker/pulling out of a parking lot faster. Maybe nitpicking....but just sayin.

I've driven new 328 loaners many miles. I would still be a happy boy if I drove that car instead of the 335. But after driving a 328 for a few days, I can't wait to get my 335 back JUST for the speed difference....not because I can't beat anyone in a race tho

[John 070]

I don't know what the avg. age of the respondents to this post is, but I always see one thing lacking in the responses: "I couldn't afford a 335."

Let's face it, there's a pecking order. Then, there are ways and means.

Why didn't I get a 330i in late 2005 to mid 2006? I didn't have my finances in order to purchase a BMW. When I could, the 335 coupe was out. I never considered a 325/328 because I wanted at minimum a 330.

Why didn't I wait and get a M3 coupe in 2008? Again, the affordability factor. If I had waited until now, and I were ready for my first BMW, it would be the M3. My job situation has entirely changed since 2006.

I really have to question the "I really didn't want a 335" or "a 328 has more than enough power an torque for me" responses. When we're young, our wants are unlimited. Are 335 owners satisfied with 300/300? Of course not, 400/400 or 500/500 are even better. But there is an affordability factor.

[60av8tor]

Originally Posted by John 070

I don't know what the avg. age of the respondents to this post is, but I always see one thing lacking in the responses: "I couldn't afford a 335."

Let's face it, there's a pecking order.

I really have to question the "I really didn't want a 335" or "a 328 has more than enough power an torque for me" responses.

I guess you're saying you question a 'youngster' saying they didn't want a 335..?

At almost 40, my choice for 328 vs. 335 was financial; the fact that I wrote a check and have other places to spend my money - flying, retirment, etc. The little xtra money for a 335 for my needs - short drive to work averaging 45 mph - was just a waste. I've never been concerned too much about appearances. A previous poster mentioned paying over a k/month to drive a 750 To each their own, but I have to wonder how many people driving a 60, 70, 80,000 dollar car have similar payments. Again, individual choice - just like CHOOSING to pay less; not having to. Only my opinion, but if you're stretching so far that you can't afford the slight increase from 328 to 335, you need to look at a less expensive ride.

[Express]

Originally Posted by Cski1

Just got my 2011 328i 6mt in December, custom order....

Some opinions:

1) if money was no object, would buy an M3. Anyone who says that money wasn't an issue, and bought less than an m3 is a not telling the truth. I had a 40k take home price budget. Check.

2) the fact is, money does matter, period. I say that if your new car has more hp than your existing car, you're good. Went from 2001 325i to 2011 328i..... Check.

3) I had a crap load of issues with my 2001 e46.... A ton. Anyone who buys one BMW vs another based on a reliability argument is kidding themselves. In spite of this, would not buy anything other than a BMW.

Folks have different points of view...... That's cool.

Enjoy driving.....

im going to have to disagree with you on a few parts.

1- call me a liar, but i would still chose my 330 with 75k on the clock over a CPO m3 or 335 with equal or less milage.. i dont choose to buy the most expensive car i can afford, but i choose to buy the car i will most enjoy driving, and the 330 is perfect.

2- i came from a boosted G35. i guess i downgraded in a sense of HP, but upgraded in quality and handling for sure.

3- agree on e46 problems.

[slingxshot]

Originally Posted by 60av8tor

I guess you're saying you question a 'youngster' saying they didn't want a 335..?

At almost 40, my choice for 328 vs. 335 was financial; the fact that I wrote a check and have other places to spend my money - flying, retirment, etc. The little xtra money for a 335 for my needs - short drive to work averaging 45 mph - was just a waste. I've never been concerned too much about appearances. A previous poster mentioned paying over a k/month to drive a 750 To each their own, but I have to wonder how many people driving a 60, 70, 80,000 dollar car have similar payments. Again, individual choice - just like CHOOSING to pay less; not having to. Only my opinion, but if you're stretching so far that you can't afford the slight increase from 328 to 335, you need to look at a less expensive ride.

The 328 is not an expensive car. I had a budget of 10K-11K with the trade in.
335xi with nav would have put me in 16K. I know 5K may be nothing to some but what I did with that 5K is replace my front siding of my house with insulated prodigy siding and installed shed siding (new window and door) which came around to 3.1K. Now the house looks like a new house..... And I just purchased hotel/plane tickets to st. thomas for a couple of days which was 2K. That totals to 5K. Look at lose things I did for 5K.....

I can post pics later

[doubleIN]

328 < 335 < Kia

[nichojo]

I "downgraded" to a equivalently optioned 2011 328 E92 from a 2007 335 E92 and couldn't be happier. Yes I lost 100hp but honestly, all that did was get me in trouble and not to mention only put me in situations that would one day most likely get me in jail (the occasional chase against my friend in his 996tt on a closed course in Mexico).

I love the E92 LCI look too

[33beto]

[/U]

Originally Posted by lkw15

I bought a 328 over a 335 for one reason: the HPFP. The uncertainty of having a car and worrying about taking it on road trips was enough to push me to the 328.

what he^ said.

If i wanted to race everyone in the streets and drag strip/racetrac.....

M3

But when you have a morgage, utilities and what not

328i makes for a perfect choice

Lou.

[P1]

As a European, I look at it through different eyes: the 328i model is actually high-end in Europe as most people drive the smaller petrol engines or the diesels. In America, just because you only have a choice between the 328i and the 335i, the 328i is essentially seen as the 316i in Europe (bottom of the barrel).

I'd drive a 328i sedan with the M Sport package all day long.

[ibarry92]

I took the 328xi over the 335 because I didn't have enough money. I would have probably gotten the 335 if I had enough money.

[eaglesfan83]

I currently own both. I got the 328i first due to the cost and would rather have a fully loaded 328 then a stripped down 335. The power loss is huge and very noticable. I went from that to a E92 M3 that was much different beats but wasnt a fan of the lack of torque and overall feel of the car. Moved into a 335 E93 and its the perfect blend although heavy but im not a racer.

328 is a great reliable car and I did not have one issue in 36k miles just not alot of get up and go.

[bimmerguy288]

Originally Posted by 60av8tor

A previous poster mentioned paying over a k/month to drive a 750 .

Actually I wrote a check for the 750i in 2006. A rough calculation tells me that it depreciated about $1000/month, that's before gas and insurance! Things have changed since 2008 and I am no longer in a postion to buy anything I want like before. Would I have been happier with a 335? No doubt, but I am OK with a 328. I am a firm believer of "don't spend the money you don't have". Hey, maybe I can run for president.

[Kolyan2k]

I personally dont know a person who bought a car for racing......I didnt buy my M3 for racing, 335i wasn't for racing either, and so is my S2000.....all just daily drivers. I dont race professorially OR on the streets. My buddy with 750hp CL600 also does not race.....

I dont race thats why i bought 328xi is a very stupid argument. Power and feel of M3 or 335i is something that you use every second of driving....and it something that a car enthusiast enjoys every second.

Now again, if you care less about power, feel, or performance, and just want a nice car, then 328i or xi might be the right choice for you. Some of my rich friends drive 2006 2.0t A4, C300, etc.....why, because they just dont care. They bought what was nice and reasonably priced.

[60av8tor]

Originally Posted by bimmerguy288

Things have changed since 2008 and I am no longer in a postion to buy anything I want like before.

Nice position to be in, and one that I don't see myself ever being in Although there is something pleasurable as well about wanting what you have vs. having what you want.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by 60av8tor

I guess you're saying you question a 'youngster' saying they didn't want a 335..?

At almost 40, my choice for 328 vs. 335 was financial; the fact that I wrote a check and have other places to spend my money - flying, retirment, etc. The little xtra money for a 335 for my needs - short drive to work averaging 45 mph - was just a waste. I've never been concerned too much about appearances. A previous poster mentioned paying over a k/month to drive a 750 To each their own, but I have to wonder how many people driving a 60, 70, 80,000 dollar car have similar payments. Again, individual choice - just like CHOOSING to pay less; not having to. Only my opinion, but if you're stretching so far that you can't afford the slight increase from 328 to 335, you need to look at a less expensive ride.

It has to do with one's income imho. An M3 and all the extra expenses back in 2006 were unreasonable given my income. Today, it's very reasonable, however, I cannot simply toss out a 335i coupe that has nothing wrong with it. The difference between a 328 and 335 is so small over time, especially in the used market. But in the new market sure, it's considerable.

At nearly age 40, I would say sure, either you're SVP or managing director material, or you're not. But by the same token, I would think your potential still might be limitless. In other words, settling for a 328 or even a 335 for that matter and saying anything better is unnecessary isn't the whole picture. Surely it's not unreasonable for someone to "aspire" to more than 200 lbs. ft., that's like a modern 4 cyl. motor. I'm not saying anything is wrong with 200 lbs. ft., just saying I find the "it has more torque than I'll ever need" a bit of a half-truth, that's all.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by bimmerguy288

Actually I wrote a check for the 750i in 2006. A rough calculation tells me that it depreciated about $1000/month, that's before gas and insurance! Things have changed since 2008 and I am no longer in a postion to buy anything I want like before. Would I have been happier with a 335? No doubt, but I am OK with a 328. I am a firm believer of "don't spend the money you don't have". Hey, maybe I can run for president.

Oh sure, I have two friends who bought 7500 sq. ft. homes in late 2008, at what they thought was a bargain. Friends were saying it's only you, the wife, and a baby, why do you need so much house??? Because the price was so good. Ask my friend in Boston today how he likes his 55k property tax today. It was not such a good year in the financial business.

[Kolyan2k]

ps there are also people that buy ONLY NEW cars.....I think its stupid if you are not rich, but its not my money. So their 328i might be more expensive then your 335i.