[thebawse]

I am looking to pick up a 3 series within the next 3 months but I am not really sure if I want a 328 or a 335.

I am finding that i can pick up a 328 for about 15-18k vs the 335 which is about 18k-24k.

I am not really a fast driver, nor do I plan on doing quarter mile runs, drag racing, or anything of that nature. But i guess it is nice knowing that the power is there if you wanted it.

I test drove a 328xi and was impressed by the acceleration and handling however a part of me is worried that if I do pick up a 328 after a few months it may start to feel slow.

Right now I am leaning towards a 328 over 335 is that I heard that that 335 is a maintenance nightmare and i need the car to be able to handle 100miles of commuting everyday. I am not sure if the 335 is capable of that.

My question for the 328 owners is: Do you all regret picking up a 328 over a 335 due to the underpowered engine?

and my question for the 335 owners is if you can do it again would you still buy the 335 given all the issues it has?

[edirtaynine]

i dont regret getting my 328, but if EVERYTHING options-wise and price are equal between a 328 and 335 (other than the engine obviously), id pick the 335. not because i want to drive fast or that the 328 is slow, but the 335 actually seems to gets better mileage for me hahah

[ndog14]

Here we go again...

I wouldn't because my insurance would been much more expensive after this weekend and I would have to buy a Prius to save money somewhere.


OP, for your price range I would not get a 335 if you can't afford a potential insurance hike or the repairs.

[username604]

i'm perfectly happy with my 335i. it's great stock, and i don't find myself wanting more power. i'll do handling before power.

i would also be satisfied with a 328i assuming i did something about the exhaust and if it was manual. an auto (gm tranny) 328i would not sit well in my garage.
i've driven loaners and it's disappointing, but i think a bmw 6 speed could make up for that.

[ndog14]

Originally Posted by davidkneiber

i'm perfectly happy with my 335i. it's great stock, and i don't find myself wanting more power. i'll do handling before power.

i would also be satisfied with a 328i assuming i did something about the exhaust and if it was manual. an auto (gm tranny) 328i would not sit well in my garage.
i've driven loaners and it's disappointing, but i think a bmw 6 speed could make up for that.

+1

6 speed is a must and the money you'll save on getting a 328 the first thing to do is an exhaust so when you do open it up it shall sound good, then some DUB 28inch rims.

[username604]

* i would not buy a 335i for $18k! it sounds like you want to buy on the low-end, get a 328i and call it a day. if you're getting a 335i make sure it is CPO'd.
i think most 335i's are reliable, but you never know, you might get one that mis-behaves and then you'll be glad you have a warranty!

[ChuckBMW3]

Originally Posted by davidkneiber

i'm perfectly happy with my 335i. it's great stock, and i don't find myself wanting more power. i'll do handling before power.

i would also be satisfied with a 328i assuming i did something about the exhaust and if it was manual. an auto (gm tranny) 328i would not sit well in my garage.
i've driven loaners and it's disappointing, but i think a bmw 6 speed could make up for that.

That's quite an understatement.

OP, if you opt for a 328, go manual; steer clear of the GM AT in these cars...

[username604]

Originally Posted by ndog14

then some BBS 19inch rims.

[SpartanGA]

From your post I would lean to 328. No turbo. Smooth. Very reliable. See if u can find a sport

[SaMaster14]

The new 328i (F30) is almost definitely fast enough.
For me, the 335i is awesome, and a 328i was never on my mind. It was always 335is.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by ndog14

Here we go again...

I wouldn't because my insurance would been much more expensive after this weekend and I would have to buy a Prius to save money somewhere.


OP, for your price range I would not get a 335 if you can't afford a potential insurance hike or the repairs.

I dont know what insurance you have, but my insurance has been the same for many years now, be it Nissan Maxima, BMW M3, 335i, A4, S2000, or Brand new Subaru STI.....all are $1150-1350 per year with full premium coverage

i dont think 100-200 bucks per year is considered money

[ndog14]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

I dont know what insurance you have, but my insurance has been the same for many years now, be it Nissan Maxima, BMW M3, 335i, A4, S2000, or Brand new Subaru STI.....all are $1150-1350 per year with full premium coverage

i dont think 100-200 bucks per year is considered money

This weekend I was on the otherside of the state where I don't know the roads with some friends and a G37 wanted to race. I honked 3 times but didn't go, my friends gave me shit, and he went off, slow down, gave me the finger, then left. 5 minutes later, he and some guy in a Cobra Mustang we're pulled over by 4 cops. I definitively would have raced him in a 335 then my insurance would have been jacked up.

[thebawse]

thx for the quick response guys....the 328xi i test drove was actually an automatic and i enjoyed...yes i know lame lol.. I have been driving manual transmissions ever since i got my licence over a decade ago and it was relaxing to not have to change gears and just chill. However i know driving an auto will get old quick plus i can imagine it is probably 1 second slower then the manual.

As far as the pricing it seems as if the prices have gone down for 335s in the past few months. In January, i was looking for 335s and could not find anything under 20. Now i have seen 335s for as low as 16k and it was even CPO.

However from my extensive hours of lurking this weekend on this board, I feel as if i should just get a 328 sport and call it a day

I still want to test drive the 335 and see if a ride in one will change my mind but a 16-19k 335 is probably ragged out and not worth the trouble

[thebawse]

Originally Posted by ndog14

This weekend I was on the otherside of the state where I don't know the roads with some friends and a G37 wanted to race. I honked 3 times but didn't go, my friends gave me shit, and he went off, slow down, gave me the finger, then left. 5 minutes later, he and some guy in a Cobra Mustang we're pulled over by 4 cops. I definitively would have raced him in a 335 then my insurance would have been jacked up.

lol serves him right...does your car have exterior mods that would cause him to want to race you?

[ndog14]

Originally Posted by thebawse

lol serves him right...does your car have exterior mods that would cause him to want to race you?

Debadged, Black n White Roundels, Blackline taillights. You missed my previous sig, my friend sent me a gif of General Grevious and I had to change it up.

[allen_993]

I just pick up an '09 328i about 6 months ago. I have absolutely no issue with the power of the car. BUT...I have a major problem with the automatic transmission...constantly shifting and trying to keep itself in the rev band. This car was for my son....but if it was for me...it would have been a manual. I can see this car in a manual being excellent.

If you want something to really haul a$$...then a 335i is the ticket...but for a very nice...and fast...car...the 328i is perfect.

[abhishriv]

i love my 335, i got it CPO and i'm not going to lie, its had to go in for some maintenance; had the turbos replaces, HPFP swapped, charge pipe replaced. didn't have to pay a cent for any of it, and got a loaner while it was in the shop so no inconvenience. I test drove both the 328i and the 335i, and was almost set on the 328 initially... and then i drove the 335. if the 328 puts a smile on your face, the 335 will give you a bigger one! i say give the 335 a spin before you make your decision!

[Surf]

The 328 is faster than the e46 330. It's fun in a AT, but it's really fun in a 6mt.

In your price range I would say definitely go 328, lower maintenance costs and better reliability for your long commute.

While I recently bought a 335, I was looking for both 328s and 335s in a very specific configuration and I just happened to find the 335 first. I do not commute, however.

The 328 is a timeless BMW engine, smooth revs with plenty of pull and power in the higher RPMs, nice smooth cruising at lower rpms.

[tcw]

Lol...

Originally Posted by ndog14

This weekend I was on the otherside of the state where I don't know the roads with some friends and a G37 wanted to race. I honked 3 times but didn't go, my friends gave me shit, and he went off, slow down, gave me the finger, then left. 5 minutes later, he and some guy in a Cobra Mustang we're pulled over by 4 cops. I definitively would have raced him in a 335 then my insurance would have been jacked up.

[DDS2015]

I LOVE my 328. It's perfect IMO. Only thing I wish I had was sport seats. I could've spent the extra 8k on the 335 but like you I wanted something that was going to be a nice, fun, reliable car to drive (my commute isn't as long as you though). My dad and I both have 2011's his is a 335, mine a 328. He's happy with it but it's also had 5 CELs while mine has had none .

[328i M-Sport]

I love my 328. But it has a 6-speed, m-sport, and lots of other options. Manual transmission and the sports package make the car. I have driven auto sedans with a standard suspension and it was completely different (in a bad way) experience.

More power would be nice but I prefer having a real fast 2-seater as a weekend car while having the daily driver be more reliable.

[Yvette]

When I got e90 325i, 330 was only the top of line, extra 30hp didn't really matter but I regret not getting sport pkg for the 325i.
After 3 years, I traded it in for 128i. It had sport pkg, Nice!
I realized I made big mistake. After I drove 135i, I disliked driving my 128i.
After 2years, I traded it in for 335i. It has been almost a year now, and I like my 335i.
But now, i want to trade this for M3. Never ending story.
I would go for 335i if I were in your shoe.