Drove a 335i Coupe 6spd Manual
08-11-2007, 05:34 PM
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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.
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.
08-11-2007, 06:03 PM
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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/
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...i_g37_bmw_335/
08-12-2007, 01:59 AM
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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.
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.
08-12-2007, 07:46 AM
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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 
08-13-2007, 11:06 AM
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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.
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..
08-13-2007, 12:06 PM
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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..
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..
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