[ssaylor]

http://magazine.windingroad.com/issue/61/

[kirby135i]

nice read...i have a 135i and am really considering make the jump to a 335is. Really wish they would have upgraded the brakes and/or suspension some though.

[NFS13]

Originally Posted by kirby135i

nice read...i have a 135i and am really considering make the jump to a 335is. Really wish they would have upgraded the brakes and/or suspension some though.

The thing is though, you might was well get the M3 at that point. The 335i has always had that nice balance of handling & comfort, and the brakes are more than enough in stock form. The extra's you are mentioning would have put the car too close to the M3 in price. Right now for 4K over a nicely equipped 335i with sport package, you get an extra cooler, a little more power, very nice exhaust, 313 style wheels and DCT if you want it. Not to mention some cool added trim pieces that many would have done aftermarket. If they gave me a set of painted reflectors I would have been set : )

[ssaylor]

Originally Posted by kirby135i

nice read...i have a 135i and am really considering make the jump to a 335is. Really wish they would have upgraded the brakes and/or suspension some though.

I almost pulled the trigger on a 135i M Sport, then I drove the 335is. The difference in ride quality is dramatic. The M135i is going to be a track star but I would be seriously concerned about using one as a daily driver or on long trips. The 3 series is a much more comfortable platform for real-world, daily driving.

[kirby135i]

Originally Posted by NFS13

The thing is though, you might was well get the M3 at that point. The 335i has always had that nice balance of handling & comfort, and the brakes are more than enough in stock form. The extra's you are mentioning would have put the car too close to the M3 in price. Right now for 4K over a nicely equipped 335i with sport package, you get an extra cooler, a little more power, very nice exhaust, 313 style wheels and DCT if you want it. Not to mention some cool added trim pieces that many would have done aftermarket. If they gave me a set of painted reflectors I would have been set : )

i do agree with that...main diff btw 335is and M3 is LSD/Susp/Brakes/Seats...which added up would prob cost more to add since the difference btw the cars is ~10k.

[ssaylor]

Originally Posted by NFS13

The thing is though, you might was well get the M3 at that point. The 335i has always had that nice balance of handling & comfort, and the brakes are more than enough in stock form. The extra's you are mentioning would have put the car too close to the M3 in price. Right now for 4K over a nicely equipped 335i with sport package, you get an extra cooler, a little more power, very nice exhaust, 313 style wheels and DCT if you want it. Not to mention some cool added trim pieces that many would have done aftermarket. If they gave me a set of painted reflectors I would have been set : )

A base M3, maybe. If you spec out an M3 with similar options, you'll be at $70K+ before you know it.

[kirby135i]

Originally Posted by ssaylor

A base M3, maybe. If you spec out an M3 with similar options, you'll be at $70K+ before you know it.

i think with both similar options it was like 59k vs 69k. M3 with the comp pkg and sound (1900) can go North of 70k quickly though.

[NFS13]

Originally Posted by kirby135i

i think with both similar options it was like 59k vs 69k. M3 with the comp pkg and sound (1900) can go North of 70k quickly though.

Its funny because most people just assume the packages are the same. But if you option out an M3 coupe and 335is with same options, its 67k vs 61k And the DCT is more on the M3 because its programmable.

[kirby135i]

Originally Posted by NFS13

Its funny because most people just assume the packages are the same. But if you option out an M3 coupe and 335is with same options, its 67k vs 61k And the DCT is more on the M3 because its programmable.

yeah...DCT has more options/levels on the M3 but i wouldnt want to pay 2900 for it...modding a M3 gets very exp too...you can throw on procede/fmic/dps and call it a day on 335is.

[datbimmerdoe]

[stressdoc]

Winding Road is developing into one of the best auto reads.

335is DCT, Mods= AST dampers w/ Swift springs, Quaife LSD, non-rfts.

[kirby135i]

Originally Posted by stressdoc

Winding Road is developing into one of the best auto reads.

335is DCT, Mods= AST dampers w/ Swift springs, Quaife LSD, non-rfts.

now that mentioned LSD...does the 335is DCT have a welded or bolted diff?

[citrixscu]

Man that car looks bad with a front plate.

[Oulixes]

The article certainly is a nice read. The "is" is a nice car, but comparing it to the "M" requires dealing creatively with quite a few fairly important engineering attributes of the two cars.

[Oulixes]

Originally Posted by kirby135i

now that mentioned LSD...does the 335is DCT have a welded or bolted diff?

AFAIK all 3-series cars since 2009(?) has welded differentials. The LSD can be installed, but the mod requires a bit of machining, which I would not entrust to anyone who has not done it before.

[rickwjenn]

Nice read and clearly a great car.

The black mirrors, grill, and exhaust just didn't work for me - looks too much like a entry-level car or some body's else's mods. Limited colors and interior trim took it off my list - I went with the 335i coupe. Wanted the new engine too.

I also found myself instantly thinking M3 over 335is after comparing the two. If you want the higher performance 3 series might as well get it vs. a stop 1/2 way there. Just what influenced me.

[Novator]

Not worth the money unless you don't want M related maintenance costs, fuel bills, and insurance, and have no plans on modding your car. I have a 135i with the BMW Performance Power Kit and I like it, but the "is" version is nothing more than the same kit with a 7 second overboost and its not that much better compared to aftermarket tunes. I'd shoot for an M3 over a 335is or further mod my car. You can do a helluva lot with saving that $4k premium. I will give the 335is this, it is a very pretty car after the E9X M3, but personally BMW should have made the "is" version the original 335i in terms of styling and spec.

[EHDEN]

great find...nice read!!

[335iMIAMI]

Awsome article!!! I would like to test drive one of them soon.

[zesus-3]

Does anybody find the pricing of 59k for this 335is a little bit crazy? I have an loaded 07 335 e92 that I baught used and there is no way in hell that I would pay anything close to the 47k or so that my car went for brand new.....absolutely rediculous considering the competition that is out there right now and the inherant problems with the n54 and the whole car in general.

I dont care what anybody says, the 335 is not a "tuner car", it was never meant to be tinkered with and made to compete with the M3's power...The tuners are upsetting the pecking order that was intended by BMW. The 335is is BMW's answer to the guys out there running a tune and other BS on thier 335's...You will see, you are not going to be able to manipulate anything without voiding warranties on this thing... and that will scare the aftermarket away.....

this does not make any sense but as long as you idiots pay premium for BMW's smoke and mirrors, a few will be sold here and there......ANYBODY ON THIS FORUM (as well as anybody that prob owns a 3 series) would take a used e9x M3 over this car anyday.

IDK maybe its just because I think the 335 is a complete POS, and a sad excuse for a luxury sports coupe....but fuck it, it is what it is.

[I335]

^ So just how long have you been an idiot 335 owner like the rest of us? Sounds like you're one of those "take my advice, I'm not using it" kind of guys...

[kirby135i]

Originally Posted by I335

^ So just how long have you been an idiot 335 owner like the rest of us? Sounds like you're one of those "take my advice, I'm not using it" kind of guys...

+1...if u hate ur car so much sell it and buy something else.