Notices
General Automotive Discuss all things automotive here other than the RX-8

Drove a 335i Coupe 6spd Manual

Thread Tools
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Aug 11, 2007 | 05:34 PM
  #1  
brillo's Avatar
Thread Starter
Go Texas Longhorns!
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 1
From: Houston, Texas
Drove a 335i Coupe 6spd Manual

My friend recently got a 335i so i finally got a chance to test out the 6spd manual version, which is pretty rare.

the car is certainly well built, thought out, and appointed per BMW. Interior is nice although a little plain for $45K. the backseat is actually pretty usable, almost RX8 usable, with good headroom and legroom for me (I'm 6ft).

the power of the car surprised me. I really expected more than the car had. Off the line, the car felt about as fast as the 8, shift to second, the midrange becomes apparent, but overall it was not as torquey as I was expecting. Now, the car is very smooth and quiet, which hides the feeling of how fast it really is to a degree, as the RX8 is much more visceral. One paper the car is 1 sec faster to 60 than our car, but unless your willing to dump the clutch hard, the car feels similar to our car as far as acceleration. The 650 extra lbs also has a way of eating into acceleration performance.

The handling was good (little body roll, good composure) he had the sport package, the runflats were much better than the last generation as far as grip and comfort. the steering is accurate but light weight, I think the last gen had better steering feedback.

overall, for the average person, its a hell of a drivers car compared to its peers, but you really pay for it. The engine while good was a little underwhelming given the press its gotten. I think the 135i will have alot more potential given its lighter weight. Its a nice car, but I'm not spending $45K for one.
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2007 | 06:03 PM
  #2  
RotaryManiax's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: West Jordan, UT
I thought this was a pretty good read about how it fared against the upcoming Infiniti G37:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...i_g37_bmw_335/
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2007 | 06:04 PM
  #3  
Daemos's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 686
Likes: 0
From: Canada ---> Australia
335i + Vishnu = 12 second 1/4 mile...
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2007 | 06:21 PM
  #4  
playdoh43's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,510
Likes: 1
From: University of Maryland
its not so much a lack of torque but a linear power band, that car has tons of torque
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2007 | 01:59 AM
  #5  
Phil_Hendrie_is_back's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
My friend has the 335i with Vishnu. Light and quick steering kind of like my RX8, which creates the impression that it's lighter than it actually is, which is not necessarily a good thing at the limit. The shifter is nice like the RX8.

My other friend has a 2003 corvette z06. It rumbles at low throttle and then has a vicious growl when you floor it. It's really exhilarating but the steering is a little numb and rubbery, like the mags write. The shifter is crap.

Both cars are different yet amazing. I think the corvette had a little bit more pull.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2007 | 07:46 AM
  #6  
Feras's Avatar
the Doctor
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 0
From: Bryn Mawr, PA
yeah what playdoh said...the 335 has practically no turbo lag so its deceptive you start with 300lbs of torque and you stay there, theres no really big surge since it achieves boost so quickly...the 335 smokes the 8 pretty easily (and yes i've actually done this test and switched drivers too just to be sure) i think your buttdyno is getting affected by the german smoothness
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2007 | 11:06 AM
  #7  
termigni's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by brillo
My friend recently got a 335i so i finally got a chance to test out the 6spd manual version, which is pretty rare.

the car is certainly well built, thought out, and appointed per BMW. Interior is nice although a little plain for $45K. the backseat is actually pretty usable, almost RX8 usable, with good headroom and legroom for me (I'm 6ft).

the power of the car surprised me. I really expected more than the car had. Off the line, the car felt about as fast as the 8, shift to second, the midrange becomes apparent, but overall it was not as torquey as I was expecting. Now, the car is very smooth and quiet, which hides the feeling of how fast it really is to a degree, as the RX8 is much more visceral. One paper the car is 1 sec faster to 60 than our car, but unless your willing to dump the clutch hard, the car feels similar to our car as far as acceleration. The 650 extra lbs also has a way of eating into acceleration performance.

The handling was good (little body roll, good composure) he had the sport package, the runflats were much better than the last generation as far as grip and comfort. the steering is accurate but light weight, I think the last gen had better steering feedback.

overall, for the average person, its a hell of a drivers car compared to its peers, but you really pay for it. The engine while good was a little underwhelming given the press its gotten. I think the 135i will have alot more potential given its lighter weight. Its a nice car, but I'm not spending $45K for one.


I disagree with your review of the 335.

A 335 with Stick isn't rare at all. In fact, ~50% of 3 series are equipped with stick shift. ( I went to Germany last year and looked at the production stats at the company) Relevantly, most owners choose sport package for their 3 series as it's very worth while for their $.

How long have you driven your Rx8 vs. 335? I would suggest you drive 335 more than a month, then come back to the forums to talk about its torque. The torque is the first thing you'll notice about 335. My guess is you are too used to your Rx8 that you can wind it up to get effective torque unconsciously.

My 2 cents..
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2007 | 12:06 PM
  #8  
skhmund's Avatar
THE BITCH IS DEAD
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Dayton, Texas
Originally Posted by termigni
I disagree with your review of the 335.

A 335 with Stick isn't rare at all. In fact, ~50% of 3 series are equipped with stick shift. ( I went to Germany last year and looked at the production stats at the company) Relevantly, most owners choose sport package for their 3 series as it's very worth while for their $.

How long have you driven your Rx8 vs. 335? I would suggest you drive 335 more than a month, then come back to the forums to talk about its torque. The torque is the first thing you'll notice about 335. My guess is you are too used to your Rx8 that you can wind it up to get effective torque unconsciously.

My 2 cents..
touchy touchy lol...........well i havent driven the car so i cant say anything about it, nvr really been a fan of 3 series as sports cars, BUT then i dont know much about them, the only beamer i like would have to be is the M3, very NOICE car i have to say........a cousin of mine is debating whether to get a 335i or not, i saw the review on motortrend, funny how the beamer broke down, could just be a fluke, nothing big BUT STILL payin 8 k more than the g37 for the beamer n it breakin down?? makes u wonder.......
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Shankapotamus3
Series I Trouble Shooting
28
Mar 14, 2021 03:53 PM
JCTaylor
New Member Forum
3
Sep 30, 2015 07:31 PM
XianUnix
Series I Trouble Shooting
6
Sep 29, 2015 03:48 PM
FubarI33t
New Member Forum
12
Sep 28, 2015 08:45 PM
Stubbs
Series I Wheels, Tires, Brakes & Suspension
0
Sep 27, 2015 04:06 PM



You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:07 PM.