E90Post
 


 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > Regional Forums > USA - Mid-Atlantic > My Impression of the 435i Test Drive



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      09-28-2013, 01:19 PM   #1
utfenix335i
Colonel
utfenix335i's Avatar
United_States
135
Rep
2,000
Posts

Drives: 2007 E92 335i; 2015 X5 50i
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Rockville, MD

iTrader: (11)

Garage List
2007 BMW 335i  [10.00]
My Impression of the 435i Test Drive

So I test drove the Msport 435i. Here are my thoughts that i'd like to share with you all.
1) if you are going to buy an 435i, only ONLY ONLY get the Msport package. Just looks alone is worth it. you don't have the crappy black front bumper accent, it just looks great. Also, fog light delete. Some people like it, some people don't. I might look for an aftermarket upgrade like the F12 ones.



2) N55 actually sounds pretty decent inside. i was driving with the windows up and I could hear the growl. Similar to my N54 with my downpipe upgrade. I think there's a valve in the exhaust which needs to be set to wide open though. Kinda odd to have to change all 8 gears (miss my 6AT). I wanted a manual, but none in stock.

3) suspension on run flat tires. I did get a little squirrely on my version of the proving grounds. I blame the tires, not the car. the xdrive system with DTC off was pretty good. Suspension was driveable in Sport+ (something I'd probably want to code to be always on, not on comfort).

4) width. Well, yes, it's wider, but it doesn't feel wider. On the proving ground, it felt a firm, flat, and pleasant to drive. I suspect again that's the xdrive system at work. RWD needs to be tested.

5) Electronic Steering. This was definitely on point. every little input I gave to the car felt like I was connected to the car. Yes, it was a little video gamey, but honestly, it was hard to tell when you are able to make minor adjustments at around 2x the limit.


Overall, 435i Msport definitely is a good car to look into. Interior styling is nice. The M wheel gives it a more cockpit of a race car feel. Aftermarket parts, in my book, would be a splitter, engine mods, tires, and limited slip for RWD.

However... the salesman couldn't talk with me about purchasing the car today. So, I had to get back into my e92... at which point I noticed a stark difference. If it's one thing the F32 was missing, it was the hydraulic steering. My car felt more connected, more 'sports caresque' than the replacement model. Negate the power mods, exterior styling, and technology... BMW is known for handling. Sure it handles well, but it just doesn't engage the driver, i.e. me, to make me feel like i'm actually in the car. Maybe that's something the M4 will address or LCI models will have fixed. Until then, I'm happy in my e92 and admire the F32 Msport from a far.

And to those who went this far in reading my post, kudos.

Other pix:


__________________
Join Bimmer Alliance....
https://www.facebook.com/groups/511846452162411/
Become a BMW CCA member & reference my member# 451032

Last edited by utfenix335i; 09-28-2013 at 01:27 PM..
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2013, 03:04 PM   #2
Raja Ventureshield
Major General
Raja Ventureshield's Avatar
United_States
288
Rep
5,686
Posts

Drives: BMW M3 coupe
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Northern VA

iTrader: (6)

just buy the damn car and get it protected by me.








lol. j/k nice review
__________________
*************************************
Un4gettable 435i Extended Test drive thread:
http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=881491
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2013, 04:29 PM   #3
brinkmann
Major
brinkmann's Avatar
Germany
317
Rep
1,364
Posts

Drives: 2023 M4
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Northern Virginia

iTrader: (18)

Nice write up. I've yet to read a single review that doesn't bash the electric steering.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2013, 04:59 PM   #4
utfenix335i
Colonel
utfenix335i's Avatar
United_States
135
Rep
2,000
Posts

Drives: 2007 E92 335i; 2015 X5 50i
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Rockville, MD

iTrader: (11)

Garage List
2007 BMW 335i  [10.00]
Honestly, I don't think it's terrible. As I mentioned in another post, if I never got back into my e92, I don't think I would have cared as much. However, just driving my car after that, you notice the stark difference. I noticed it between my 335i and the e92 M3 as well. I think after a while, you get used to it and you don't care so much. I think this car would be a complete win in my personal book if the steering had more resistance (even if it's simulated), had an N54 under the hood, and the Msport package came with a Limited slip. Apart from the engine, I think most of those things can be upgraded after market.
__________________
Join Bimmer Alliance....
https://www.facebook.com/groups/511846452162411/
Become a BMW CCA member & reference my member# 451032
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2013, 05:01 PM   #5
utfenix335i
Colonel
utfenix335i's Avatar
United_States
135
Rep
2,000
Posts

Drives: 2007 E92 335i; 2015 X5 50i
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Rockville, MD

iTrader: (11)

Garage List
2007 BMW 335i  [10.00]
raja, i just read your review. Mine sounds so incredibly lame now. Thanks a lot
__________________
Join Bimmer Alliance....
https://www.facebook.com/groups/511846452162411/
Become a BMW CCA member & reference my member# 451032
Appreciate 0
      10-01-2013, 07:24 AM   #6
tres
Major
tres's Avatar
United_States
34
Rep
1,381
Posts

Drives: 2011 bmw 335is 6MT
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: maryland

iTrader: (6)

i like the seats on the 435i i test drove one this sat performance wise and handling wise it didnt do anything for me. Tech wise I think its great
Appreciate 0
      10-01-2013, 09:15 AM   #7
Raja Ventureshield
Major General
Raja Ventureshield's Avatar
United_States
288
Rep
5,686
Posts

Drives: BMW M3 coupe
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Northern VA

iTrader: (6)

Quote:
Originally Posted by utfenix335i View Post
raja, i just read your review. Mine sounds so incredibly lame now. Thanks a lot
lol. no worries. i had 48 hours to drive so i had more to write.

everything to me was great. the steering wheel in the beginning felt wierd but once i got past it, i was loving it.
__________________
*************************************
Un4gettable 435i Extended Test drive thread:
http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=881491
Appreciate 0
      10-01-2013, 02:58 PM   #8
Pat@sonictuning
Major General
Pat@sonictuning's Avatar
370
Rep
7,902
Posts

Drives: Porsche 996 Turbo
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NOVA

iTrader: (145)

Just buy a Porsche!! 4 seats are overrated.
Appreciate 0
      10-01-2013, 02:59 PM   #9
Raja Ventureshield
Major General
Raja Ventureshield's Avatar
United_States
288
Rep
5,686
Posts

Drives: BMW M3 coupe
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Northern VA

iTrader: (6)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pat@sonictuning View Post
Just buy a Porsche!! 4 seats are overrated.
i will take one of each.

one porsche and one bmw.
__________________
*************************************
Un4gettable 435i Extended Test drive thread:
http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=881491
Appreciate 0
      10-01-2013, 09:13 PM   #10
Pat@sonictuning
Major General
Pat@sonictuning's Avatar
370
Rep
7,902
Posts

Drives: Porsche 996 Turbo
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NOVA

iTrader: (145)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Raja Ventureshield View Post
i will take one of each.

one porsche and one bmw.

Always good!!
Appreciate 0
      10-02-2013, 05:15 PM   #11
tres
Major
tres's Avatar
United_States
34
Rep
1,381
Posts

Drives: 2011 bmw 335is 6MT
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: maryland

iTrader: (6)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pat@sonictuning View Post
Just buy a Porsche!! 4 seats are overrated.
Appreciate 0
      10-02-2013, 06:19 PM   #12
Pat@sonictuning
Major General
Pat@sonictuning's Avatar
370
Rep
7,902
Posts

Drives: Porsche 996 Turbo
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NOVA

iTrader: (145)

Quote:
Originally Posted by tres View Post
Hows the car man? You coming to the dyno day Sat at Franks?
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2013, 07:46 PM   #13
tres
Major
tres's Avatar
United_States
34
Rep
1,381
Posts

Drives: 2011 bmw 335is 6MT
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: maryland

iTrader: (6)

the car is running great I'ma come hang out for a few

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pat@sonictuning View Post
Hows the car man? You coming to the dyno day Sat at Franks?
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2013, 09:38 PM   #14
Pat@sonictuning
Major General
Pat@sonictuning's Avatar
370
Rep
7,902
Posts

Drives: Porsche 996 Turbo
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NOVA

iTrader: (145)

Quote:
Originally Posted by tres View Post
the car is running great I'ma come hang out for a few
Cool see ya there.
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:07 PM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST