[lawgone]

In March I will hopefully be leasing a new 3er. While my mind had been made up that I would get a 335i, all the HPFP horror stories have made me think twice. On the one hand, a 328 is a fine car in itself and will be the nicest car I've ever had and my payment and insurance would be considerably lower than the 335. On the other, there's something magical about 300hp/300 torques and I love the dual exhaust look.

SO...I'm left with two questions:
1.) If I get the 328i, will I be regretting it or is the acceleration sufficient? (Keep in mind my current car is a Honda Accord.)

2.) What are thoughts of getting the M package on a 328i coupe? I really like the looks of it but wonder if the M is frowned upon on something with "only" 230hp.

Thanks!

[hipnotic]

335 all the way

[FVM3]

if you are driving accord L4, go for 328i. If you are driving accord V6, go for 335i. U gotta pay to play, to me hpfp doesnt really matter. It takes a day to replace and the dealer will give me a loaner.

[N54Love]

I just drove a 328i courtesy car today (replaced a bulb) and WOW. Totally anemic compared to the (relatively, now) brute force of the 335i. The 328i felt like a Honda Accord, and I say this earnestly. Two totally different cars. If you are a BMW enthusiast (being that you're on this forum I assume you are one) then I would recommend the 335i to you as a fellow enthusiast. If you for whatever reason just like the 328i, then go for it. But there is absolutely no comparison, and there is nobody here who could convince me otherwise.

As far as the HPFP issue...BMW has updated the part (this is according to my dealer in San Diego on El Cajon Blvd)

As well, if it does fail, it is then warrantied to 10 years/120k miles (if I remember right). But it is warrantied to the point where if it ever did fail again, you are covered no matter what. And the repair only takes 3 hours...same day install on the new HPFP usually.

I'm not worried about it...BMW has it covered, IMHO.

[FVM3]

Originally Posted by TRBOBMR

I just drove a 328i courtesy car today (replaced a bulb) and WOW. Totally anemic compared to the (relatively, now) brute force of the 335i. The 328i felt like a Honda Accord, and I say this earnestly. Two totally different cars. If you are a BMW enthusiast (being that you're on this forum I assume you are one) then I would recommend the 335i to you as a fellow enthusiast. If you for whatever reason just like the 328i, then go for it. But there is absolutely no comparison, and there is nobody here who could convince me otherwise.

As far as the HPFP issue...BMW has updated the part (this is according to my dealer in San Diego on El Cajon Blvd)

As well, if it does fail, it is then warrantied to 10 years/120k miles (if I remember right). But it is warrantied to the point where if it ever did fail again, you are covered no matter what. And the repair only takes 3 hours...same day install on the new HPFP usually.

I'm not worried about it...BMW has it covered, IMHO.

+1. Some people think that changing hpfp like rocket science. Its only a few hours job and you can get a loaner from dealer.

[Elie335]

316i

[donsgolf2012]

Reliability of a 328 with greater speed/power of a 335, with quad exhaust maybe.

[FVM3]

Originally Posted by Elie335

316i

LOL ...1.6L

[M340i Pride]

Originally Posted by lawgone

In March I will hopefully be leasing a new 3er. While my mind had been made up that I would get a 335i, all the HPFP horror stories have made me think twice. On the one hand, a 328 is a fine car in itself and will be the nicest car I've ever had and my payment and insurance would be considerably lower than the 335. On the other, there's something magical about 300hp/300 torques and I love the dual exhaust look.

SO...I'm left with two questions:
1.) If I get the 328i, will I be regretting it or is the acceleration sufficient? (Keep in mind my current car is a Honda Accord.)

2.) What are thoughts of getting the M package on a 328i coupe? I really like the looks of it but wonder if the M is frowned upon on something with "only" 230hp.

Thanks!

coming from a (for a accord) a very fast 6mt accord coupe owner converted to E90 335i addict, I could tell you that 335i is the car to get.

even though my previous accord is a rare model (hard to get 6mt v6 coupe) it can easily out pace 328. (about .5 sec on 0-60) but 335i will beat my accord by about .8 sec! insane difference... so with 328, there are some v6 accords and camry who can stay with you.

i am not saying 328 is slow. its still a fast car when compared to average cars on the road and also 328 is still great because you get the chassis and it will kill lots of cars in the bends and twists... but when you press that pedal down you will be wanting... 335i will overwhelm you. unless you see something real serious (like E 90/92 M cars or 911) chances are your car will be the faster one.


Hope thats helpful. Good luck!

[FVM3]

328i for handling with little speed and 335i with handling and loads of speed but hpfp failure

[username604]

All you power junkies! I think the 328i is just fine power wise. Unless the OP enjoys WOT, the 230hp isn't bad at all. However, if you even have to debate on which to get, i'd definitely go with the 335i. I'm glad i did. I hope they fix the hpfp problems soon, i'd hate to be at a college campus 3 hours away from home and have car problems.

[FVM3]

I suggest OP go to the dealer and test drive both 328 and 335

[electro-house]

If you're leasing I would definitely go with the 335i. The 328i is not that much cheaper, and for how much more car you get with the 335,i it makes me wonder how many people end up choosing a 328i. It's not like the previous generation e46, where the differential in power between the 325 and 330 was not as significant.

Figure during your lease period, the car may spend an extra 1-4 days for maintenance/repainrs if your pump goes bad, in comparison to a 328i. While my 335i was being serviced for the first time I was given a 328i loaner, and I couldn't believe how sluggish the car felt.

Test drive them both, the 335is is quite a car to look into also.

[Deltari09]

it depends on how much speed you need
i got the 328i and the n52 engine is BRILLIANT
i like it because in hawaii no need for fast, but if i step on it, jeez! it's peppy!
but probably N55>N52 for real peformance, but like i already mentioned,
all bmw engines are excellent excellent

(that was soo helpful, wasn't it -sarcasm-)
BUT...I'D TAKE THE N52 IF YOUR FOOT ISN'T THAT HEAVY

[Deltari09]

Originally Posted by davidkneiber

All you power junkies! I think the 328i is just fine power wise. Unless the OP enjoys WOT, the 230hp isn't bad at all. However, if you even have to debate on which to get, i'd definitely go with the 335i. I'm glad i did. I hope they fix the hpfp problems soon, i'd hate to be at a college campus 3 hours away from home and have car problems.

you deserve a hug! the n52 without a doubt has PEP

[Notion-Za]

Test drive both and see which one gives u the biggest smile!

As for the M package on the 328. Its there for a reason! the coupe looks mean with the package and IIRC the M package on the 328 adds the sport suspension?!?

[bavarianboar]

Originally Posted by TRBOBMR

I just drove a 328i courtesy car today (replaced a bulb) and WOW. Totally anemic compared to the (relatively, now) brute force of the 335i. The 328i felt like a Honda Accord, and I say this earnestly. Two totally different cars. If you are a BMW enthusiast (being that you're on this forum I assume you are one) then I would recommend the 335i to you as a fellow enthusiast. If you for whatever reason just like the 328i, then go for it. But there is absolutely no comparison, and there is nobody here who could convince me otherwise.

As far as the HPFP issue...BMW has updated the part (this is according to my dealer in San Diego on El Cajon Blvd)

As well, if it does fail, it is then warrantied to 10 years/120k miles (if I remember right). But it is warrantied to the point where if it ever did fail again, you are covered no matter what. And the repair only takes 3 hours...same day install on the new HPFP usually.

I'm not worried about it...BMW has it covered, IMHO.

So everyone on E90post should be driving a 335i then? Others are not any sort of enthusiasts?

OP, test drive. See how you feel. What you want and what you need.
And which one really matters more to you. I did not need all the power, so I went 328i and I can take it to the mountains for long rides, without the HPFP bug biting me all the time, waiting for a power drop or press of the SOS button.

All the simplicity of 3 hour HPFP replacement event is not so practical. From many posts that we see here, not all dealers want to do it willingly (unless they are completely sure there is absolutely no other possibility for power loss), and it can become a pain to get that freaking pump problem diagnosed and then get it replaced (the latter being much easier).

YMMV.

[persian54]

I would personally take a C300 over a 328

Since I'd be driving a car not for the speed, but for the comfort.
or a G37 over both of those.

I don't think the 328 handles well at all
I don't even think the 335i handles well (be it an e90, 92, or my old heavy 93).

But at least with the N54, you get plenty of power at low rpms, with the ability to tune it easily.

I cannot understand the "why would you need power" at all argument :P

And the HPFP... let it go out. then let it go out again. then go get your money back

Be optimistic, the HPFP failure can be a good thing.
Just watch for the cranks, and make sure it doesn't go out when you're on the freeway

[wrickem]

I went from 328 to 335 and could easily go back again. Yeah, the 335 is fast, but the 328 is plenty snotty enough unless you need to speed to the next traffic light or race ever other car that has the nerve to pass you.

Get the M-sport if you want it, and don't worry about what people think. You'll notice around here that people will have some negative opinion on anything and everything anyway.

[virtualbong]

Originally Posted by wrickem

I went from 328 to 335 and could easily go back again. Yeah, the 335 is fast, but the 328 is plenty snotty enough unless you need to speed to the next traffic light or race ever other car that has the nerve to pass you.

Get the M-sport if you want it, and don't worry about what people think. You'll notice around here that people will have some negative opinion on anything and everything anyway.

To be honest though, I have not driven the 335 but my 328xi is just fine. Really, the only problem I have is that I like the dual exhaust look and the xi front wheel gap is atrocious.

btw. I came from a 05 G35 coupe and Acura TSX.

*** UPDATE ***
One more thing that I wanted to mention...if price doesn't matter, I would go 335. I didn't want to finance another $7,000 or so, so I went with my 328xi.

[BenTrovato]

The 335 is considerably faster than a 328. However, there are many people who do not care about speed. If you're a full out commuter and do not get the chance to really push it anywhere, you may not get enough value out of a 335 to justify the cost. It comes down to what you really want. We can tell you what we think all day, but ultimately you're the one who has to live with the decision.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by lawgone

In March I will hopefully be leasing a new 3er. While my mind had been made up that I would get a 335i, all the HPFP horror stories have made me think twice. On the one hand, a 328 is a fine car in itself and will be the nicest car I've ever had and my payment and insurance would be considerably lower than the 335. On the other, there's something magical about 300hp/300 torques and I love the dual exhaust look.

SO...I'm left with two questions:
1.) If I get the 328i, will I be regretting it or is the acceleration sufficient? (Keep in mind my current car is a Honda Accord.)

2.) What are thoughts of getting the M package on a 328i coupe? I really like the looks of it but wonder if the M is frowned upon on something with "only" 230hp.

Thanks!

Honda Accord coupe is faster then 328i. If you dont care about acceleration and torque, then i dont see why not get 328i, save on fuel and the car is more reliable