[mrvuml]

With 300HP on tap, how easy is it to drive a 335i (MT) in a sedate manner around town in the 30-55mph range, constrained by other drivers and typical traffic conditions, without resorting to 5 sec 0-60 launches at every stop light? Is there too much power for regular daily driving? I.e. Is it possible to drive the thing at a reasonable speed to avoid attracting attention, being challenged, spinning the wheels, getting tickets, etc?

[wj4]

I daily drive my stock manual 335i just fine. I have no problem with 40/80 on street/highway respectively. I still get challenged when I drive on the streets by other BMW owners, but I just ignore them and don't let them get the best of me.

I don't really have traction issues, even at WOT.

[CaptChaos]

I drive 80% in the city and I find it very easy to drive. The engine is so flexible and there is so much torque you can be a lazy shifter. Use your self discipline to avoid getting drawn into activities with other drivers.

[djwang2000]

I recently took delivery of a 335i. I had previously never driven a BMW (save for the test drive). My thought the first day after picking the car up was "uh, oh, this is going to be trouble" -- it's hard to keep it tame. The car just eggs you on to go faster.

That having been said, it does what you want it to do. On any given day, I pass probably no less than 7-8 bimmers on the way to work -- I'm going 80, they're going 55-75. But that's no different then when I was driving a civic (I just didn't have as big a smile ).

As far as attracting attention -- I guess it depends on where you are. I'm surprised a 335 gets that much attention in SoCal (previous post), around here, bimmers are a dime a dozen. I don't get so much as a blink (putting the top down/up at a stop light maybe draws some attention, but that aside...).

[wj4]

Originally Posted by CaptChaos

I drive 80% in the city and I find it very easy to drive. The engine is so flexible and there is so much torque you can be a lazy shifter. Use your self discipline to avoid getting drawn into activities with other drivers.

Yes I forgot to add that the car is VERY easy to drive. The clutch is pretty soft, and there is power at 1k RPM...that spoils me because sometimes I don't even want to downshift, lol.

[!Xoible]

very easy to drive... it's not a monster dude, it's just a 3 series after all. yah it has higher limits than other cars in its class, but it can be nice when you want it, and it can be mean when you want it too

[SLCGoonski]

It's a fun car to drive around town. As with any car, the car drives how you want it to. Slow, fast, turn off the trac. control and shred tires if you'd like.

Most people are too busy talking on their phones to realize who's sitting next to them at a stop light anyway.

Goonski

[Sixspeed J]

No problems here with mine been driving it for about 2 months. I don't often do extended city driving but I can't seeing it being a problem though. There is plenty of Torque down low where you can shift in the lower part of the rev range (probably around 3000 to 3500 rpms) and keep up with traffic easily and without any extra attention. But if you want some it is just a stab of your foot away. But I'm sure nobody here would do that right?

[LOLrance]

Originally Posted by mantis

very easy to drive... it's not a monster dude, it's just a 3 series after all. yah it has higher limits than other cars in its class, but it can be nice when you want it, and it can be mean when you want it too

+1. At the end of the day, its still just a 3 series. Moms, dads, kids everywhere have them.

[Dan335i]

The car will drive as smooth as the driver is.

[Kiemyster]

i would love to chime in.... but... i drive a 320i lol

[BMdblU]

Originally Posted by wj4

Yes I forgot to add that the car is VERY easy to drive. The clutch is pretty soft, and there is power at 1k RPM...that spoils me because sometimes I don't even want to downshift, lol.

+1

I find myself making rights and lefts in 3rd

[ManyMoonsAgo]

Just took delivery of my 335i coupe (with manual transmission) where 95% of the miles she is responsible for will be city miles.

I find the car easier to drive than my previous car - a 2002 Acura RSX Type S. Thanks to the great torque, I can keep the car in 2nd or 3rd in stop and go traffic with no issue. The Acura usually required a lower gear to keep usable power at the driver's right-foot.

I have only been challenged twice - once by a 350Z and another by an Audi S4. I just ignored them.

[DrGP]

The great thing about the 335i is that you CAN drive it leisurely. But because of the turbos, the power is their at a moment's notice. In comparison, I believe that the M3 begs to be driven like a race car and is much harder to dive in a leisurely manner.

[lauer87]

The car my 335 replaced was an 05 e46 M3. Coming from the M to the 335 is night and day in terms of drivability. The M3 needs to be driven at high rpm's and speed to be truely appriciated, in contrast because of the ample low end power, and probably the softer ride the 335 doesn't. Having said that, from a seat of the pants perspective the 335 doesn't feel too much slower, if at all. The 335 doesn't handle as well, but it still handles very good for a daily driver sports coupe. With this in mind, you should still go take one for a long test drive and form your own opinions.

[DrGP]

Originally Posted by lauer87

The car my 335 replaced was an 05 e46 M3. Coming from the M to the 335 is night and day in terms of drivability. The M3 needs to be driven at high rpm's and speed to be truely appriciated, in contrast because of the ample low end power, and probably the softer ride the 335 doesn't. Having said that, from a seat of the pants perspective the 335 doesn't feel too much slower, if at all. The 335 doesn't handle as well, but it still handles very good for a daily driver sports coupe. With this in mind, you should still go take one for a long test drive and form your own opinions.

How many dealers will let you take one of their cars for a LONG test drive? Perhaps If you have already established a relationship with the dealer/CA. But most will give you about 15 mins IF they think you are a serious buyer.

[montreal red]

you'll be fine... just make sure you dont get into the temptation of revving your engine at every stop light and spinning your tires...

[mrvuml]

I appreciate the positive feedback, keep it coming. I've been reading in other threads that wheelspin is a problem. Is it really a problem on the "i" (not xi) or is that those drivers have a lead right foot or can't read road or don't know how to modulate the throttle effectively to control wheel spin based on road surface conditions?

[mrvuml]

Originally Posted by DrGP

How many dealers will let you take one of their cars for a LONG test drive? Perhaps If you have already established a relationship with the dealer/CA. But most will give you about 15 mins IF they think you are a serious buyer.

I've taken a 335xi MT for a 30 minute test drive on several occassions, once with the Step and twice with the MT (my preference) but not the 335i. I've also test-driven a 328i and a couple of 328xis, both MT. I actually liked the 328i, it is pretty quick, but you have to work it hard to pull out all of its performance, just like my E46 330i. I even had one CA comment that I drive a 328 like most people drive a 335i....very quickly! A 328i is close to what I'm looking for (moving from a 03 E46 330i) whereas a 335i exceeds it, but I'm trying justify if 150% (?) performance is better than 90% performance for $65/month more.

As for drawing attention, whether it be a 328 or a 335, the chosen color is Montego Blue.

[Joonsup]

Indeed it can be frustrating at times because you really want to go fast, but you're always worried about the fuzz. After getting my first speeding ticket a couple weeks after I got my car, I'm paranoid since I do not want another speeding ticket along with a hefty insurance rate increase. It doesn't take much to get the 335 movin. Track days are an option to unlease the beast

[SLCGoonski]

Originally Posted by mrvuml

I appreciate the positive feedback, keep it coming. I've been reading in other threads that wheelspin is a problem. Is it really a problem on the "i" (not xi) or is that those drivers have a lead right foot or can't read road or don't know how to modulate the throttle effectively to control wheel spin based on road surface conditions?

As long as you keep the trac. control on...no problem. Almost too tight. Wheels won't even break. Sucks for snow/ice though.

Turn it off...all the way off...a whole different story.

[FreestyleJippin]

Originally Posted by djwang2000

I recently took delivery of a 335i. I had previously never driven a BMW (save for the test drive). My thought the first day after picking the car up was "uh, oh, this is going to be trouble" -- it's hard to keep it tame. The car just eggs you on to go faster.

That having been said, it does what you want it to do. On any given day, I pass probably no less than 7-8 bimmers on the way to work -- I'm going 80, they're going 55-75. But that's no different then when I was driving a civic (I just didn't have as big a smile ).

As far as attracting attention -- I guess it depends on where you are. I'm surprised a 335 gets that much attention in SoCal (previous post), around here, bimmers are a dime a dozen. I don't get so much as a blink (putting the top down/up at a stop light maybe draws some attention, but that aside...).

3 series getting attention in SoCal? No way, they might as well be Honda Civics Seriously, way too many to get any attention!