[KevinJ]

Lets face it, not many people are going to take their car to a track. With holiday cash and tranny credit, I can get a 335i with M-Sport and same options plus navigation for 4k less than than a 335is same options and without nav.

Right now I'm trying to justify a 335is but the M-Sport looks similar.

Is a 335is with more HP/Toque and Double-clutch worth $4kmore than a 335i with Steptronic with M-Sport and Navigation/iDrive? Just wondering if its a waste to spend the extra and lose iDrive?

I guess I have to decide by today. M3 is out of my range.

[ZoomZoom]

4-5 pages..

[skiernan36]

if you're just using it as your daily driver and have no plans to go to the track, then i would go with the 335i with all the options. the DCT is very nice, but for your purposes the step is fine. my 335i is step with paddles and its great on the road and at the track. also, the extra 20-30hp isnt going to matter if you're just using it as a dd, just nice to brag about.

[Clarence Watson]

Toss up between the two 335is choices for me, and for only one reason. I don't like the step AT. I would get a completely stripped down 335is with DCT before a step AT.

[KevinJ]

DCT would be nice but I'm wondering if just getting a M-Sport loaded with Nav would do fine. In fact I could get a xDrive on top of it and still be cheaper than the 335is without Nav. Either way I'm going from a 325ci to a 335..

There about $67 per month difference between the nearly loaded 335i compared to 335is without Nav which would pay my car property tax that we have to pay in Alexandria VA. If I add Nav to the 335is there is $100 diff per month.

Originally Posted by skiernan36

if you're just using it as your daily driver and have no plans to go to the track, then i would go with the 335i with all the options. the DCT is very nice, but for your purposes the step is fine. my 335i is step with paddles and its great on the road and at the track. also, the extra 20-30hp isnt going to matter if you're just using it as a dd, just nice to brag about.

[424D57]

Originally Posted by KevinJ

Is a 335is with more HP/Toque and Double-clutch worth $4kmore than a 335i with Steptronic with M-Sport and Navigation/iDrive? Just wondering if its a waste to spend the extra and lose iDrive?

Unless you have a dire need for Nav I'd take the DCT over idrive. The tranny is sick; can't even be compared to steptronic. I'd suggest driving the is w/DCT, as long as you're prepared to never go back to an auto.

-424D57

[bluefly]

Both cars will be a lovely daily drive, but to avoid the STEP, get the 335is. (As a bonus you get much better handling, all the exhaust tone you are likely to want, and a rarer car.)

[dmayhem]

Agreed DCT over nav. I test drove both and the way the DCT just pulled was intoxicating. Every passenger I've had in my car comments on it.

[Edward]

That's a really really tough one. DCT is so awesome but to me an e9x without idrive is such a massive bummer. I seriously say pony up the money for a loaded 335is included DCT and nav. $100 extra a month won't kill you, and if it does, you're already pushing your limitations.

[Kroy]

OP, hate to ask... but have you test drove both the 335i and 335is? I would only get the is if you want DCT. That's one thing you can't really upgrade without being extremely costly. I had DCT on my last loaner, and like others have said, it is a BEAST. Then again you may not need DCT; ZF is a good transmission as well it's just not DCT.

I hear the new iDrive is good and I thought it was alright in my loaner. But still believe my phone's GPS is better.

OP, what do you want this car for? We don't know what's important to you. Also, how long are you keeping this car?

[ZoomZoom]

General Tso or Orange Chicken??

[KevinJ]

Job scare for my wife earlier last month which is over. Then a last minute decision to take advantage of the holiday cash and free tranny. Add in-laws in town for the last three weeks and there you have it.

SO last minute I'm putting in a blind order which I have to do by tonight!! I spent hours working over options and down to black and silver. I have a silver 325ci right now.

In terms of money, I can go for broke and afford an M3 or Porsche but I don't need an M3 and live within limits and need to put that toward the college fund and retirement.

What I want is more power than my 325ci off the line which a standard 335i would certainly fit the bill. I use my Step in manual mode exclusively so I'm thinking a DCT would be better.

I believe that a 335is would be more durable for the harsh DC area highway driving I do two to three times a week since it is built with better cooling. My limit is 51-53k which I can get a 335is at invoice and with credits meets my limit but without Nav.

My 325 is ten years old so I imagine keeping the new one at least for 5-6 years. If the new 2013 coupe is significantly better then who knows.

Originally Posted by Kroy

OP, hate to ask... but have you test drove both the 335i and 335is? I would only get the is if you want DCT. That's one thing you can't really upgrade without being extremely costly. I had DCT on my last loaner, and like others have said, it is a BEAST. Then again you may not need DCT; ZF is a good transmission as well it's just not DCT.

I hear the new iDrive is good and I thought it was alright in my loaner. But still believe my phone's GPS is better.

OP, what do you want this car for? We don't know what's important to you. Also, how long are you keeping this car?

[KevinJ]

I have to finalize the exterior color by tomorrow but ordered black on black so far.

335is Premium, Convenience, HK, Heated Seats, iPod, DCT tranny. Nav would have been nice but I can't justify $1900+ for it. I got invoice but the "old" paperwork fee charge trick was added which I let go for hassle-free sake. I also got less than what I wanted for my 2001 ($5k) but I'm hoping they will throw in some more $ at delivery.

Now I have to figure out how much insurance is going to cost me!

[chenx15]

335is in the long run the resale value will compensate for the extra amount. also the cosmetics and the performance will be better. how is the interest rate and taxes where you're buying from?

[Rush21]

I usually don't opt for the nav either(on any car). But after having it, it's a nice little extra if you have the funds. Especially when it operates the radio, bluetooth and all.

[dryicerx]

Get the 335is DCT, nav, everything. I have this config, and love it, no regrets at all.

[Edward]

come on! what is $1900 when you're getting a new 57-62k car?just over 3% more of the car price? The nav is just as integrated into the car as DCT and is one of the most cost ineffective things to retrofit. Just DO IT!

[str8nm]

Originally Posted by KevinJ

Lets face it, not many people are going to take their car to a track. With holiday cash and tranny credit, I can get a 335i with M-Sport and same options plus navigation for 4k less than than a 335is same options and without nav.

Right now I'm trying to justify a 335is but the M-Sport looks similar.

Is a 335is with more HP/Toque and Double-clutch worth $4kmore than a 335i with Steptronic with M-Sport and Navigation/iDrive? Just wondering if its a waste to spend the extra and lose iDrive?

I guess I have to decide by today. M3 is out of my range.

Here is mine. Have 3500K miles on it and love it. The HK sounds pretty damn good. The DCT works well once the engine is warm...otherwise some lag in reverse and D1. Driving in Manual and Sport mode a blast. Did not get NAV so don't miss the iDrive although the big screen would have made it easier to find phone numbers and songs on my iPhone. This car is the best. Ordered it for $500 over invoice of $52,225.

[dryicerx]

Also to add to my previous comment, if you're worried about that price gap, get a fully loaded and do a European Delivery! (save money, get the car in style, and get a vacation out of it).

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=451984

[Edward]

Hey Str8nm. Did your Michelin's come stock? Are those PS2? I can't tell...or are they some sort of Michelin runflat? Mine came with P-zero runflats....great looking tire but not even close to what my old PS2s handled like.

[tony20009]

My advice is to buy the car that will meet your needs. If YOU won't take the car to the track, it doesn't really matter whether other folks will do so with their cars.

IMO, the 335i sounds like it's the better choice for you. You will likely find uses for the options you can get on the 335i; however, you may not ever realize the full potential of the 335is' capabilities.

Good luck with your purchase.

[ssaylor]

Originally Posted by Edward

Hey Str8nm. Did your Michelin's come stock? Are those PS2? I can't tell...or are they some sort of Michelin runflat? Mine came with P-zero runflats....great looking tire but not even close to what my old PS2s handled like.

Sadly, if you have 19" wheels, Micheline does not make the PS2s on the 335is tire sizes - 225/35 19 or 255/30 19. Haven't checked the 18s but I suspect it's the same.