Now that I have (temporarily) de-RX8'ed for a 335i 6MT coupe, I just wanted to share the compare/contrast.

First of all, CHR was out visiting over the weekend and we took the 335i thru some twisties. The 335i is a lead sled. A pig. A joke. Period. Don't take it on a curvy road; 'tis a waste of time after the RX-8.

On the highway and around town, the 335i shines. There's big, greasy gobs of torque from 1500rpms to redline at 7,000 rpms. Of course, the open diff makes hooking up in 1st and 2nd a bit of a challenge; but this is definitely a nice cruising car. Quieter, and killer gas mileage (30mpg on the freeway @ 80mph with a PROcede piggyback plugged in).

Since my job is going to have me on the road quite a bit, it was the right decision. However, when I have cash again AND someone has figured out how to get the Renesis to make a reliable 300WHP, I want to own another one.

The RX-8 is a truly great car, especially for those of you who either don't mind the lack of torque/power NA or can pay to play for FI.

Enjoy your little track monsters!!!

 

thanks for that quickie. i guess compared to the 8, the 335 is more of a muscle car, or a true grand tourer. but that's actually kinda sad. there was a time when the 3-series was the little bmw that could, the basic and simple car that's small and nimble and just plain and honest fun to drive and toss around. i guess not so anymore...

 

Yeah, it's not a bad car by any means, but it seems every revision it sees a jump in size. Nice little comparison OP.

 

Well, you know it's a sad day when the current 3-Series' curb weight is approaching and even eclisping the curb weight of the early 7-Series.

I guess BMW deserves credit for being able to build relatively heavy cars that still maintain good driving dynamics.

Although I think it speaks volumes that a new M3 just barely edges out the RX-8 when you toss aside the actual numbers and just focus on pure driving enjoyment (i.e. Pobst/Motor Trend comparo).

But not like I care, I'm not a big fan of German cars anyway.

 

135i > 335i for sport driving.

 

+1

BMW series IMO (exclude M cars)
1 series = younger guys with money who want exceptional performance
3 series = moms who dont know what they drive but their husbands want to show off a bit and dont want their wives driving a camery or accord
5 series = waste of money, people who think bigger pice tag = better car
6 series = older men in a mid life crisis who want to show how much money they make/have
7 series = straight baller

 

+1 to that except 6 series.

Comeon m6 anyone?

 

*excludes M cars*

 

I disagree on the 3 series when it comes to the 335i 6MT. It may be a lead sled in comparison with the 8, but it will do mid-12s in a 1/4 mile with just a chip mod.

It also has way too tight a suspension for a soccer mom.

 

umm, i think what u guys REALLY mean is that as the 3 gets bigger with each generation, the price tag spirals upward exponentially... back in 98, the starting prices on these things were $28k. (paid $35k otd for mine.) price out a nicely equipped 335i on www.bmwusa.com nowadays and get ready for some sticker shock- not to mention the e92 m3....

for the price they're going for, i'm actually amazed so many of them are on the road- ie a DIME a dozen. but, oh wait- that's because bmw has thoroughly diluted it's brand name by giving out cheap-*** leases to every tom, dick, and mary and grandma, and soccer mom, and teenager with rich parents etc... so much for a distinguished car for distinguished owners who appreciate a superbly engineered german vehicle, eh? nowadays, 3's are about as cliche as honda civics, except that if u do the math u could buy 2.5 civics for the price of a 3. but, who cares if you're leasing right?

 

135i rocks

 

For some reason I cant find myself to like BMW's, atleast the ones I have been in. It all comes down to the interior....mainly the dashboard setup feeling like its very outdated, I drove my inlaws 2006 3 series and I liked everything but the interior, it felt like I was driving a car from the 80/90's. I am biased toward the Mazda obviously though but I could not get over the dashboard on it, nice to drive otherwise.

 

going from my 8 to my stratus is like going from nascar to F1 literally but I need the Dodge's 28mpg for work and to keep mileage off the 8

 

^^ yah, the steering wheel on my 3 is like a friggen tractor wheel compared to the 8 -and- to the new crop of 3's... i guess back in the day big steering wheels where 'in.' nowadays they just look big and dated...

 

The 07+ 328i 4 door is the cheepest BMW and really not any more expensive to own then a similarly equipped V6 camry or V6 accord and if you have driven them back to back the BMW is a much nicer driving experiance. As far as the interior, the newest BMW's have a much improved and modern interior, prior to 07 I would agree that the dash was outdated.

The best way to buy any car and especially BMW's is buy it 2 year used. Because of the maintenance package you are getting a well taken care of vehicle at half the price of new.

 

Thanks for the review, SW.

Can you tell us more about this PROcede piggyback? Are you using it mainly to increase fuel economy? I notice the 335i is EPA rated at 26 mpg highway. BTW, I get 26-28 mpg highway in my RX-8 but that's at a very conservative 65 mph.

Did you consider/testdrive the Infiniti G37? Did you think about FI on the RX-8 (other than GReddy) but not consider it reliable or was poor fuel economy the issue? Thanks again.

 

Sure. I dig the 335i as a freeway car & will get another corner carver when I've got the $$$.

I'm going to be doing a LOT more driving (my 2004 RX8 only had 21,000 miles on it), so fuel economy is a big concern. I got the PROcede for power & fuel economy.

My first choice would've been a 135i & one of my other short-listed cars was a 2009 WRX 5-door. However, I got a killer deal on a 2007 335i that was ultra clean and pretty low miles, so here I am!

I dig turbo cars, so the G37, although hot, was not really on my list.

 

e30 is the most awesomest

 

This is why I like hanging out here...you guys actually discuss other car makes and badges without trashing them. You give them their due and that's cool.

Can't say this for many boards.

 

^ Dude above has the best BMW currently available. Other models have become fatards. >50% of BMW car that goes out of their dealerships are leased. BMW models their sale strategy on leasing.

Also not to mention the best Mazda currently available.

 

I do miss the 8!

Maybe the 335i will feel a little lighter on its feet after I put the Sport suspension on.

The guy I bought the BMW from has a totally sick 2002...stripped, carbon fiber hood & trunk, roll cage, crazy suspension mods, and a 1991 M3 engine & tranny grafted on.

That thing is around 2000# and rockin' a power to weight ratio of 8:1. THAT is a BMW!

 

i wanted one the twin turbo one but a bit too much so im hoping i get the new z

 

IMHO...one of the best things about the new BMWs is the NO MAINTENANCE COSTS!!! I don't own one, so I don't know all the "exceptions" but the thought of driving the crap out of the car...the way it was meant to be driven, and then not have to worry about brakes, rotors, oil changes, etc... Could you imagine if we had that in our 8s?

 

No thanks.

 

Your problem lies with the weight.

BMW's no maintenance cost is based on the 3-years B2B warranty. You have to follow their schedules or you have to pay up. Not sure in US, but in Canada oil change intervals is very long. That's how BMW recoup their costs. It's marketing really. Very smart of them. But sure does work well with majority of ignorant owners. I cannot imagine an oil change every 20k km!