[Just a 3]

Guys, I am an ex E90 driver - had a beautiful 330i (2006) which I leased and returned at the end of lease last year (and rue that decision every day). Now I am looking to get back into the fold, either in a CPO 335 or 328. Was hoping I can get a 335, but the CPO prices are currently out of my range, so have started to look at 328.

My question:
Are there any ride/handling differences between the 328 and 335 (both sport pkg equipped), or any suspension difference? How do the two compare to each other in this one all important parameter? I am aware that the 335 has 18 inch wheels v/s the 17s on the 328 - does this make much of a difference?

Thanks for your comments/feedback

[hankcah]

335 will definitely ride harder and be more fun to drive. 328s are super nice as well, but should test drive the 335. It is a raw feeling compared. I was in the same boat and after a month of the 328 IMO, you will be bored.

I was debating all the perks and navigation blah with 328, vs sport steering wheel w/ paddles, aluminium trim with 335. 335 won of course. You may be able to get the 335 out of CPO, they can sell it to you as a used car. (CPO was out of my price range as well, but mine is still way under 50,000 miles.) Beware of any restrictions with CPO, I was told you have to replace your run-flats with run-flats ($$$) since their CPO package wont cover standard tires. Just a heads-up. There are a ton of 328s on road. You wont regret the 335. Best of luck man

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by hankcah

335 will definitely ride harder and be more fun to drive.

Man sometimes I DO wish they have some sort of qualification process before anyone is allowed to hand out "advice" on the internet.

[ragingclue]

328 is lighter, and that added lightness rides mostly in the nose.

E90 ZSP suspension itself isn't going to feel different between the two.

[Faster444]

Originally Posted by The HACK

Man sometimes I DO wish they have some sort of qualification process before anyone is allowed to hand out "advice" on the internet.

so many haters.....

@Just a 3, I'm sure HankCah was simply stating that it rides firmer

[hankcah]

Okay F the suspension comparison. (wrong choice of words) Get aftermarket suspension and lower for sure. I do recommend the sport package with your cah...., better seats, memory, better sound system, possible paddles if you want auto, better brakes too. Don't listen to non-enthusiast snobs on this forum. They are confused as to why they are here.

I'm more qualified to give sound advice seeing that I actually own a 335i. I'm not a WRX trolling the E90 boards. <---- i say that because the HaCk doesnt even have a 3 listed in his profile.

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by hankcah

Okay F the suspension comparison. (wrong choice of words) Get aftermarket suspension and lower for sure. I do recommend the sport package with your cah...., better seats, memory, better sound system, possible paddles if you want auto, better brakes too. Don't listen to non-enthusiast snobs on this forum. They are confused as to why they are here.

I'm more qualified to give sound advice seeing that I actually own a 335i. I'm not a WRX trolling the E90 boards. <---- i say that because the HaCk doesnt even have a 3 listed in his profile.

I think he's got a Z4MC in his list, but that's a tangential argument anyway. You never know who is a former E9X owner, especially the guys with much earlier join dates. Those are usually the guys who know the most.

I didn't think the ZSP included the premium sound or better brakes either....

[Kilgore Trout]

Originally Posted by hankcah

335 will definitely ride harder and be more fun to drive. 328s are super nice as well, but should test drive the 335. It is a raw feeling compared. I was in the same boat and after a month of the 328 IMO, you will be bored.

I was debating all the perks and navigation blah with 328, vs sport steering wheel w/ paddles, aluminium trim with 335. 335 won of course. You may be able to get the 335 out of CPO, they can sell it to you as a used car. (CPO was out of my price range as well, but mine is still way under 50,000 miles.) Beware of any restrictions with CPO, I was told you have to replace your run-flats with run-flats ($$$) since their CPO package wont cover standard tires. Just a heads-up. There are a ton of 328s on road. You wont regret the 335. Best of luck man

Sigh. Ignore this stuff.

The 335i and 328i will ride and handle about the same. The main difference, at least with regard to ride and handling, is that the 335i has a heavier engine. The suspensions, steering, etc are identical. Depending on the different models and options, there could also be differences in tire size. You would probably notice a change in ride quality with 18" tires vs. 17" tires and, at least in my opinion (and this is just opinion), I'm not sure you'll see a big difference in handling.

The real differences come down to the engine and (if you got with the 6AT) the nicer transmission.

If the power in the 330i was OK for you, you may find a 328i (which is about as quick as the older 330i) meets your needs.

Good luck with your purchase!

[Kilgore Trout]

Originally Posted by Faster444

so many haters.....

@Just a 3, I'm sure HankCah was simply stating that it rides firmer

It doesn't ride any firmer. The 335i has just as nice a ride as the 328i. Same damn suspension.

[Alexander]

Originally Posted by ragingclue

328 is lighter, and that added lightness rides mostly in the nose.

E90 ZSP suspension itself isn't going to feel different between the two.

I've owned both.

If you get a 328i you can delete the cats, run sims, IM swap, dyno tune, race pipes, and minor weight savings. Trust me the car will fly after this... You can realistically hit 275hp and shave upwards of 300lbs if you wanted (Seats, Race pipes, wheels), which will result in a quick DD. Also throw in a quaife (Sp?) diff and damn... MT only though. GM Auto is slow as balls.

[Alexander]

Originally Posted by hankcah

335 will definitely ride harder and be more fun to drive. 328s are super nice as well, but should test drive the 335. It is a raw feeling compared. I was in the same boat and after a month of the 328 IMO, you will be bored.

I was debating all the perks and navigation blah with 328, vs sport steering wheel w/ paddles, aluminium trim with 335. 335 won of course. You may be able to get the 335 out of CPO, they can sell it to you as a used car. (CPO was out of my price range as well, but mine is still way under 50,000 miles.) Beware of any restrictions with CPO, I was told you have to replace your run-flats with run-flats ($$$) since their CPO package wont cover standard tires. Just a heads-up. There are a ton of 328s on road. You wont regret the 335. Best of luck man

WTF?

[401FlaGATOR]

Originally Posted by The HACK

Man sometimes I DO wish they have some sort of qualification process before anyone is allowed to hand out "advice" on the internet.

+1

Same damn suspension...

[Weaselboy]

Originally Posted by Kilgore Trout

Sigh. Ignore this stuff.

The 335i and 328i will ride and handle about the same. The main difference, at least with regard to ride and handling, is that the 335i has a heavier engine. The suspensions, steering, etc are identical. Depending on the different models and options, there could also be differences in tire size. You would probably notice a change in ride quality with 18" tires vs. 17" tires and, at least in my opinion (and this is just opinion), I'm not sure you'll see a big difference in handling.

The real differences come down to the engine and (if you got with the 6AT) the nicer transmission.

If the power in the 330i was OK for you, you may find a 328i (which is about as quick as the older 330i) meets your needs.

Good luck with your purchase!

OP>> Kilgore speaks the truth. This accurately sums up the issue.

[Alexander]

Originally Posted by hankcah

Okay F the suspension comparison. (wrong choice of words) Get aftermarket suspension and lower for sure. I do recommend the sport package with your cah...., better seats, memory, better sound system, possible paddles if you want auto, better brakes too. Don't listen to non-enthusiast snobs on this forum. They are confused as to why they are here.

I'm more qualified to give sound advice seeing that I actually own a 335i. I'm not a WRX trolling the E90 boards. <---- i say that because the HaCk doesnt even have a 3 listed in his profile.

You are a re-tard. Stop trying to give advice. Sport package does not give you a "better sound system". "Memory"? You mean memory seats? Again that is not included in ZSP. Better brakes.... wow gtfo.

Non-enthusiast snobs? You have 13 posts and clearly do not have a fucking clue .

I love how you say "get aftermarket suspension and lower for sure". Care to elaborate? We all know that you can't.

Unless you are building a track car, which is highly highly unlikely standard ZSP suspension rocks. Maybe throw some H&R springs or Eibachs, but I personally wouldn't drop any E90 that I've owned.

[Alexander]

Originally Posted by Kilgore Trout

Sigh. Ignore this stuff.

The 335i and 328i will ride and handle about the same. The main difference, at least with regard to ride and handling, is that the 335i has a heavier engine. The suspensions, steering, etc are identical. Depending on the different models and options, there could also be differences in tire size. You would probably notice a change in ride quality with 18" tires vs. 17" tires and, at least in my opinion (and this is just opinion), I'm not sure you'll see a big difference in handling.

The real differences come down to the engine and (if you got with the 6AT) the nicer transmission.

If the power in the 330i was OK for you, you may find a 328i (which is about as quick as the older 330i) meets your needs.

Good luck with your purchase!

Dead on.

Also 335i has a much heavier exhaust system.

The auto in the 335i, ZF, is superb, but the GM in the 328i auto is dog shit, sorry 328i AT drivers it is.

Another big thing is the lack of the 328i's mod-ability, you can't just get a tune and be running 350-400 hp on a N52. You would be looking at $14000 to match a lightly modded 335i.

[Kolyan2k]

Just took out JB+ for a day from my car and then installed it back.....wow, that alone would push me towards 335.... so much power for only $160 bucks and i am running it at 50-60%

[hpowders]

I have to say that the 328i sedan with sport package and run flat tires is pretty harsh-don't look here for a pillowy soft ride. I've never driven a sport packaged 335i, but I imagine with the 18" wheels, it will be a harsher ride than the sport-packaged 328i with 17" wheels.

I test drove a Porsche Cayman S, 18" wheels- and was struck by how the suspension was more comfortable than that of the 328i. I expected just the opposite.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by hpowders

I have to say that the 328i sedan with sport package and run flat tires is pretty harsh-don't look here for a pillowy soft ride. I've never driven a sport packaged 335i, but I imagine with the 18" wheels, it will be a harsher ride than the sport-packaged 328i with 17" wheels.

I test drove a Porsche Cayman S, 18" wheels- and was struck by how the suspension was more comfortable than that of the 328i. I expected just the opposite.

I also test drove Cayman S with the same tires as my 335 but non-runflats. Suspension on Porsche seemed much better. After that I sold my runflats and bought normal tires.......very happy now.

Somebody was a stupid moron who put runflats on bmws with low profile tires. I can understand a Camry on runflats, but BMW......wtf ?

ps. a place where I was doing the switch also said that it was a smart idea to replace tires before bending all wheels.

[hpowders]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

I also test drove Cayman S with the same tires as my 335 but non-runflats. Suspension on Porsche seemed much better. After that I sold my runflats and bought normal tires.......very happy now.

It's really funny-all I keep reading on Porsche forums is how jolting the Cayman S suspension is.

After I test drove a Cayman S with 18" wheels, I had to pull back in to the Porsche dealership by going over a driveway depression and I was starting to sweat, but I didn't feel a thing! When I drove my 328i with SP/runflats into the dealer's lot over the same depression, I thought my kidneys got displaced!!

[hpowders]

I truly believe the BMW sport suspension in 3 Series or 1 Series guise combined with the run flat tires is one of the most uncomfortable there is.

I leased a 2005 545i for 3 years and the first thing I noticed was how wonderful the suspension set up was-speed bumps and rail road tracks were no longer nightmares.
Then I gave the car back and purchased a 2007 CPO 328i and the nightmare has returned! The car is great except for the suspension and AT sluggishness from rest.

[advocado]

Originally Posted by The HACK

Man sometimes I DO wish they have some sort of qualification process before anyone is allowed to hand out "advice" on the internet.

Advice comes in many forms. Frequently on this forum what is stated as "advice" is merely the poster's opinion, and is usually accepted as such. His experience could be different than yours. You see it almost in every thread. What I have difficulty with is an uncalled for, gratuitously snotty response to someone who is just trying to provide his view and share his personal experience on a topic.

[Just a 3]

Thank you all for the suggestions and advice - it is clear to me now that the suspension is similar, and so is the ride and with a lighter nose the 328 may offer a slightly better ride.

I has a sport pkg equipped 330i (E90) - and I was very happy with the stiffness that set up provided (18 inch) - so anything similar would work well for me. It does look like I may be going for a 335 if I can find one near my price range - just drove a 328i and it surely felt a little slower than my old 330i - especially of the mark - probably the lower torque numbers....