2007 3-series

[B17a]

Alright guys, I'm new to the BMW scene here but this is what I'm contemplating and I'm looking for suggestions and opinions. I'm looking at a 3-series 4-door sedan. 2007 models. Right now (I am only starting my research now so I haven't test driven yet). I'm very interested in:

- 335 sedan - for obvious reasons!:bigpimp:
- 328 sedan - a few less bucks

My main question is, with Calgary winters, is it worthwhile going to the 328x? I know lots of bimmer owners who say its fine with rear-wheel with a good set of tires. But if I go to the x, then the 335 is out. My other question is at 230hp, the 328 is plenty, the 335 would be super fun, but is it money well spent or should I take the money and get some better upgrades for the 328? Let me know your thoughts.

[FiveFreshFish]

The X isn't necessary in Calgary unless you live outside the city. As you mentioned, a good set of 4 winter tires will get you around just as well. I sold my AWD car (Audi S4) when I found its capabilities were under-utilized here and bought a RWD Bimmer instead because it's lighter, better handling and more fun to drive.

[ZorroAMG]

I've had no issues with the '90 W124 with no traction control, RWD....you don't NEED the x......that being said, the Carrera 4 is a BLAST to drive in the white season.....

[blinkme_210]

If you can afford it, definitely get the 335. Won't leave you wishing you bought the 335 instead if you buy the 328. I'm thinking about ordering a 335 coupe alongside my E60.

Another thing to consider, the all wheel drive system definitely sucks up a lot more fuel. My E60 530XI is a bitch on gas; I fill up every 5 days. I get ~16mpg doing city driving, never going above 2500rpm; compare that to the V8 in the 550i that gets ~17mpg.

[B17a]

Thanks guys!:thumbsup:

Having never owned a turbo before, should I be concerned about maintenance with the 335?

[max_boost]

Maintenance?

Free scheduled maintenance for 4 years/80,000 kms. If there's anything to worry about, you don't have to be concerned now.

335 is the real deal. I won't even give the 328 any consideration. You get so much more compared to what Benyl and I paid for our 04 330's LOL. Nicer car, faster car, and cheaper!

Now go see C4S (Malcolm) at BMW Gallery (Crowfoot). He'll hook you up.

[blinkme_210]

Also don't forget to get the add the Sport Package for the awesome Style 189 wheels. The other OEM wheels just don't look right on the 335i.

[B17a]

Thanks again guys. On the wheels, for sure! I was playing with that on the website and they are definitely a must. I need to get my ass out and test drive the two now:thumbsup:

[benyl]

be wary that a turbo car will drink fuel at an enormous rate. BMWs are generally not so great on fuel. Add a turbo and a slightly heavy foot and you will get V8 mileage.

Wow, I didn't realize BMW dropped the 330 from the lineup. That is so odd.

300hp is not useable most of the time in Calgary. Don't get me wrong, it is fun, but not required. As in, I have never wished I was in my STi when accelerating in the 330.

[Loose]

I'm surprised they dropped the 330i. I bet a lot of 330i drivers are upset!

[Xtrema]

Wonder why they don't drop the 328 instead. Doesn't it have the same 3L as 330 but detuned?

The 335 Sedan does cause me to have a 2nd look at the 3 series. But I probably would be happy with a 328 or IS350 for the about the same price as 328.

[rc2002]

Isn't the 335 the replacement for the 330? I agree with everyone else - you don't need the all wheel drive. The traction and VSA in the BMW 330 that I test drove last time was incredible. It drove like a FWD car in the winter time.

[bigboom]

Originally posted by richardchan2002
Isn't the 335 the replacement for the 330? I agree with everyone else - you don't need the all wheel drive. The traction and VSA in the BMW 330 that I test drove last time was incredible. It drove like a FWD car in the winter time.

errrr no it doesnt drive like a FWD, why would you want it to drive like a rwd?...it still drives like a rwd but no stability, traction issues.

[rc2002]

:confused: Not sure what you mean by that.

It was impossible to get the car to fish tail. Didn't feel like power was going to the rear wheels is what I meant.

[JspecB16]

Richard is absolutely right, if you try to do a fishtail to turn around.... you go straight at the curb in front of you. Exactly what would happen in a fwd

[beyondmike]

If your worried about Calgary winters, I'd go for the X, all wheel drive. I've had 3 different 3 series cars over the past several years and winter driving really sucks! A lot of times, I just ended up taking the train when there is a lot of snow, although I've never gotten stuck. I've also driven many times with LoPro summer tires on and that was not fun at all, well, at first it was. I decided to get a 4X4 this winter so I can drive all year round and not worry about the bmw. If your worried about winter driving, go for the X. If your comfortable driving a rear wheeler in the winter, go for the 335!!!
Summer 335I is better
Winter 328XI is better
The choice is yours! Not really a bad decision either way, your still getting a new bimmer!

[Xtrema]

Originally posted by beyondmike
If your worried about Calgary winters, I'd go for the X, all wheel drive. I've had 3 different 3 series cars over the past several years and winter driving really sucks! A lot of times, I just ended up taking the train when there is a lot of snow, although I've never gotten stuck. I've also driven many times with LoPro summer tires on and that was not fun at all, well, at first it was. I decided to get a 4X4 this winter so I can drive all year round and not worry about the bmw. If your worried about winter driving, go for the X. If your comfortable driving a rear wheeler in the winter, go for the 335!!!
Summer 335I is better
Winter 328XI is better
The choice is yours! Not really a bad decision either way, your still getting a new bimmer!

Are you saying that you try to drive them with summer tires on?

Get some winters dude. Doesn't matter how many wheels are spinning when they have no tractions.

[benyl]

Originally posted by beyondmike
If your worried about Calgary winters, I'd go for the X, all wheel drive. I've had 3 different 3 series cars over the past several years and winter driving really sucks! A lot of times, I just ended up taking the train when there is a lot of snow, although I've never gotten stuck. I've also driven many times with LoPro summer tires on and that was not fun at all, well, at first it was. I decided to get a 4X4 this winter so I can drive all year round and not worry about the bmw. If your worried about winter driving, go for the X. If your comfortable driving a rear wheeler in the winter, go for the 335!!!
Summer 335I is better
Winter 328XI is better
The choice is yours! Not really a bad decision either way, your still getting a new bimmer!

omg.

My summer tires are like slicks and I would never drive in the winter with them. Not because I wouldn't be able to go... but because I wouldn't be able to stop.

AWD does not help you stop in the winter... I don't understand why people don't understand that.

[Justing]

Originally posted by benyl


omg.

My summer tires are like slicks and I would never drive in the winter with them. Not because I wouldn't be able to go... but because I wouldn't be able to stop.

AWD does not help you stop in the winter... I don't understand why people don't understand that.

:werd:
Its not that hard to understand. Theres a reason why they call them SUMMER and WINTER tires
Just buy some good winter tires and your good to go. 335 no question.

[beyondmike]

Originally posted by Justing


:werd:
Its not that hard to understand. Theres a reason why they call them SUMMER and WINTER tires
Just buy some good winter tires and your good to go. 335 no question.

I meant with winter tires on, should have said that in my post. I meant if he wasn't comfortable driving a rear wheel drive vehicle with winter tires on, than go for the 328XI instead since he did say he maybe worried about winter driving in Calgary. I was comfortable driving my ride with winters on so it shouldnt be problem. That was the point I was going on but if I had my choice I would pick the 335 for myself.

[beyondmike]

Originally posted by benyl


omg.

My summer tires are like slicks and I would never drive in the winter with them. Not because I wouldn't be able to go... but because I wouldn't be able to stop.

AWD does not help you stop in the winter... I don't understand why people don't understand that.


It was just a point I wanted to make. I understand it doesn't help you drive in the winter but it does help your traction to get you moving and not get stuck as easy. I wouldn't drive with summer tires on in the winter, it was just my point if the guy was worried about driving in the winter. If it was me, like I said in my previous post, I would choose the 335 hands down, but if it was for my wife, I would choose a 328XI for her.

[B17a]

beyondmike, appreciate the input. that's the kind of stuff I was looking for. I'm still tossing it up right now. Also its a $9K difference between the 328i and 335i so I need to decide if 70hp is worth that for my realistic driving, not my dream open road, no traffic driving!:D

[max_boost]

Yes it is worth the 70hp. It's a no brainer. Having a 300hp car will separate you from the pack and there will be times where you'll utilize the extra power.

$9k is nothing when buying a bimmer. Refer to my sig for clarification.

[benyl]

It is more than 70hp... more like 70whp == ~100hp

[B17a]

Test drove both last week. No comparison, deposit is down, 335 here we come!!:bigpimp: :bigpimp:

[Weapon_R]

Congratulations, great choice.

[rc2002]

Which dealership did you go to?

[QuasarCav]

Selling the GSR?

[max_boost]

Nice choice. Congrats!

When do you get the car? Give us the specs, color, options etc!

[B17a]

Thanks guys. Yeah, GSR will be for sale when this new car rolls around. Earliest would be December. I'll keep you all in suspense on the details until it arrives!:D

To anyone else considering this car, it is unreal. The first stretch of road where I hammered down the throttle sealed the deal for me.

[maxboost_R]

Originally posted by benyl

Wow, I didn't realize BMW dropped the 330 from the lineup. That is so odd.

[/B]

They really didn't the 328 is still a 3.0 litre and still makes the 230hp that the 330 did, i just don't know why they dropped down to the 328 badge again though

[B17a]

The recently departed 330 was 255hp if I'm not mistaken.

[benyl]

Originally posted by maxboost_R


They really didn't the 328 is still a 3.0 litre and still makes the 230hp that the 330 did, i just don't know why they dropped down to the 328 badge again though

When the e90 first came out, there were two models taht had the 3 litre motor.

The 325 and the 330. The 325 put out 225 hp like the e46 and teh 330 put out 255hp. The 330 has since been dropped and the 325 pushed up to 328. That is my take of what happened anyway.

[in*10*se]

i thought the 2007

328 = 3.0 L

335 = 3.0 L twin turbo'd

i dunno why they're eff'n with the numbers though

so the old 325 is the new 328
and the old 330 is the new 335

right?

[C4S]

That extra ~ $5K from 328xi to 335i will be the best money you ever spend !!!!

Don't get me wrong, 328i is a great car, and 0-60mph in 5.9 second is quite good ..

But 335i ... damn.. 4.8 second .. 39mpg .... super smooth twin turbo .. ( or spend $200K on another twin turbo car!! lol )

:banghead: :banghead: DAMN!

[benyl]

I need to test drive the 335...

[B17a]

Benyl, its a slippery slope. One minute you're test driving, the next you're signing away your life savings!:D

[B17a]

Here's a sneak preview, not mine, I ripped it off the E90 forum but identical.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=42246&stc=1&d=1160635852

[benyl]

woah, I swore my next car would be white, but that is a nice color!

[nos_efx]

Wish they haden't changed the style of the 04 330 and kept with with a few mods for the 335...

Great choice though, thats the one I would have chosen too. :thumbsup:

[Justing]

wow that's a nice color!!
Kind of looks like Estoril:drool:

[B17a]

Montego Bay Blue. Its beautiful.:hitit:

[max_boost]

That color is hot!:bigpimp:

[spyce]

Thats a nice color man. I like that type of blue for a car. Maybe even a light tad darker. But its still very nice. I wish Lexus had a color like that :(

[nadroj23]

335 sedan will come out with AWD for 2008. from what BMW told my bro who just bought a 335 and my parents who want the 335 but awd....

[jasonrx-7]

The difference between AWD and RWD isnt that crazy in Calgary winters
I went from a RWD 240rwhp RX-7, to a 210hp AWD Talon TSI, I had pirelli tires on my 7 and all seasons on my Talon, it hasnt been that bad yet, but still not that noticeable!

[Altezza]

For the Bimmer gurus who know who Jim Conforti is...he picked up his 335i Sedan the other day. Expect some goodies from him in the near future.

[OMOYYC]

Originally posted by benyl
be wary that a turbo car will drink fuel at an enormous rate. BMWs are generally not so great on fuel. Add a turbo and a slightly heavy foot and you will get V8 mileage.

Wow, I didn't realize BMW dropped the 330 from the lineup. That is so odd.

300hp is not useable most of the time in Calgary. Don't get me wrong, it is fun, but not required. As in, I have never wished I was in my STi when accelerating in the 330.

Sorry man, you're wrong on the fuel consumption. The 335i has amazing fuel economy. Just a hair worse than my 01-330ci, which was amazing on gas.

[Rav4Guy]

Benyl > HP isn't necessary... your right. One thing that IS necessary is TQ. :burnout:

[CokerRat]

So now that there's been a few days of the white stuff, any complaints about the 335i on snow and ice? Is the lack of mech limited slip diff a problem or is the traction control adequate?

[max_boost]

Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is more than adequate. It's all about the Winter Tires!

[Justing]

Did you take delivery yet?
Pics?
That color would be amazing on a coupe:drool:

[Darkane]

Lol, has no one ever had a 5L with bald tires in the winter?

[OMOYYC]

Originally posted by CokerRat
So now that there's been a few days of the white stuff, any complaints about the 335i on snow and ice? Is the lack of mech limited slip diff a problem or is the traction control adequate?

I'm not sure how this car is in the snow, I only drive it when it's dry out, and I only have summer tires on..

[B17a]

No delivery yet, late January at best.

Cwave, how long did you break it in before you really starting lighting it up?

[benyl]

Hard Break in!

[Kaos]

Originally posted by benyl
Hard Break in!

I keep reading on E90 post that the hard break-in is pretty harsh.
THen, I keep reading that hard break-in is best.
So many mixed stories. :nut: :nut:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37625&highlight=hard+break

[cbinteg]

The BMW's dynamic stability control refuses to allow you to do a donut...we've tried many times and it seems to be easier in the A4 than in the 330. It would only work when we turn of the DSA...I'd imagine the 335 would be pretty much the same if not better and hence driving in the city shouldn't be a problem. Especially if you've got some good winter tires.

[CokerRat]

Drove a 335i sedan yesterday. Damned fine car. Trying to weigh whether it's $10K better than an 07 G35 Sport. The G35 has a lot of nice touches & gadgetry while the BMW was the better driver hands down. Still need to drive an IS350 to round out the comparison.

[Auditor]

I looked at the same 3 cars your looking at and decided on a 06 330i the savings were hard to argue with.

[benyl]

Originally posted by Auditor
I looked at the same 3 cars your looking at and decided on a 06 330i the savings were hard to argue with.

But when you get used to the power of the 330, you will be kicking youself for not getting the 335.

[Kaos]

Originally posted by benyl


But when you get used to the power of the 330, you will be kicking youself for not getting the 335.

So true.... To those who bought the 330i, I really feel bad.
All this hype for the new 3 series to come out and a couple months later, bam, kick in the nuts! Bi-Turbo motor. :banghead:

[Auditor]

Yeah I thought about the 335i, but I liked the savings.

Actually the car I ended up getting was traded in because the owner ordered the same car but in the 335i.

[A2VR6]

Originally posted by CokerRat
Drove a 335i sedan yesterday. Damned fine car. Trying to weigh whether it's $10K better than an 07 G35 Sport. The G35 has a lot of nice touches & gadgetry while the BMW was the better driver hands down. Still need to drive an IS350 to round out the comparison.

My dad was looking at the same 3 cars and while the IS350 was great it simply wans as good as the 335i. However with the option packages we were looking at,the IS350 was a fair bit cheaper (both cars had NAV). If rear seating room wasnt a consideration I would think we would be getting the IS350 instead of the 335i due to the price difference.

[CokerRat]

Agree w/ A2VR6. I drove the IS350 this morning and it was surprisingly good. The only problem was the back seat legroom; it's inadequate for stuffing adults in there for anything more than a very short drive. Powertrain, suspension, etc was better than I was expecting. Interior was fantastic & would be a great place to be for the daily commute. Too bad the back seat is so small.

[Hollywood]

I am seriously considering a 335i coupe, the wife even gave me the go ahead. I want to wait till the 08 model comes out tho as I am weary of a first year bmw turbo. I know if I go test drive it I will buy it. So I am avoiding test driving it at this point. For real.

But.

I'm not a bmw fanboi, I just like what u get in a 335i. BMW was smart in lurring non-bmw customers like me with this car. It's only competition to me personally is the EVO X, which with being distracted by the 335i I forgot about until a few days ago. Yes a EVO X is not a lux car, it's a drivers car, much like the 335i, both cars are ment to be driven by auto enthusiasts which to me is why they are in direct competition despite the obvious market differences.

(sorry subie guys, but the only interest I have in subaru's the the boxer exhaust note, other that that, I care not for wrx/sti).

I have researched modding the 335i already. If you want the piggy back ecu and the full X-pipe exhaust your looking at 3k US, that gets you;

2007 BMW 335i Vishnu XEDE Dyno Dynamometer Results Graph
Horsepower: 329.57 HP
Torque: 357.07 ft-lbs.

For 1k US you can do better than that in an EVO X, I expect.

I find it funny/interesting that a BMW 3 series is the new supra..... It's not as strong as a supra motor, but the numbers and the lux are there.

So if EVO X hits a home run, I will end up saving 10g or so and will end up being faster, if not red leather here I come...:thumbsup:

[benyl]

I have a deposit on the Evo X. I am waiting to see what it looks like and what the price will be. If they price it in the STi range, I am going to stay away.

[JordanLotoski]

I bought one of the last 330i's in the city, I knew the 335 was coming out but I also knew the lease rate would be over 7%...I picked up my 330 with a 2.9% lease rate which makes my payment very low....it worked out cheaper per month then a Nissan maxima.

whatever model you chooseyou wont be dissapointed.

[bg_27]

i agree with whatever model you choose you wont be dissapointed, and if you dont want to buy a 335, dont go and test drive one, if you test drive one get ready to sign paper work :D

Also i drive mine in the winter with the BMW winter tire package (blizzaks) and every corner the back end wants to go out if you touch the gas, but the DSC definetly kicks in and brings you back. You just have to be careful with the throttle