[RobNH]

I'm looking at 2014 335 x-drive sedan with M-Sport and a 2012 black/black coupe - 335 x-drive with M-sport.

Here are the specs on each:

2014, Mineral Gray/Back interior, M-Sport pkg, Cold Weather pkg., Driver Assistance Pkg., Technology, Pkg, Premium Pkg., Surround Sound System. 2900 miles. Monthly lease payment would be $11.00 more per month than what I'm paying now.

2012, Black Sapphire/Black interior, M-Sport Pkg., Premium Pkg, Cold Weather Pkg., Convenience Pkg., Navigation, Sun Shade pkg, 12,900 miles. Monthly payment - financed for 72 months would be $1.00 more per month than what I'm paying now.

The 2014 has all the bells and whistles, but that electronic assisted steering takes some getting used to.

The 2012 surprisingly impressed the hell out of me. Acceleration, handling and ride comfort felt much better than mine. The 2014 felt great, but the 2012 almost felt more fun to drive - probably because of the hydraulic steering vs the 2014's electronic steering.

My overall goal was to try and upgrade but at a lower monthly payment than what I have now.

I would be upgrading from a 2008 335xi Coupe, Black Sapphire/Coral Red with Premium Pkg, Convenience Pkg, Navigation, Cold Weather Pkg.

I really expected to climb into the 2012 and feel like I was in my 2008, but I was really blown away by it. Even though they almost look identical, 4 years of refinement was definitely apparent.

SO...opinions on each?

[Mobster1983]

is this actually a serious question? Only Ten dollars more a month for newer car, far fewer miles, much more advanced technology and more? BTW, I think you are the first person I ever heard say the steering was better in the 2012. My 2014 is far better feel than any of the 2012s or 2013s I have driven.

[az8823]

It may be trivial but the iDrive is different, changed in 2014. But I agree with the previous post.

[Kre62]

Originally Posted by Mobster1983

is this actually a serious question? Only Ten dollars more a month for newer car, far fewer miles, much more advanced technology and more? BTW, I think you are the first person I ever heard say the steering was better in the 2012. My 2014 is far better feel than any of the 2012s or 2013s I have driven.

He drove a 2012 coupe, which is still the e92 platform. And everyone thinks it has better steering than f30. You're thinking he drove a 2012 335 sedan f30. Not the case.

[Alvaro S]

For your money is better the 2014. You're going to buy a newer car with a lot more technology, confort and performance, BUT buying a BMW is an emocional thing, if you really think that the handling difference between them is decisive buy the 2012 !

[RobNH]

Originally Posted by Mobster1983

is this actually a serious question? Only Ten dollars more a month for newer car, far fewer miles, much more advanced technology and more? BTW, I think you are the first person I ever heard say the steering was better in the 2012. My 2014 is far better feel than any of the 2012s or 2013s I have driven.

If it wasn't a serious question, I wouldn't have taken the time to post here.

As I said, my goal was to get a lower monthly payment than what I'm currently paying on my 2008. Regardless of whether or not the 2012 is a dollar more per month, it still doesn't drop my monthly payment.

If I'm willing to stay where I'm at, or pay the increase of an additional $20 per month for a 2014....lease vs. buy....etc.....that's where my question was coming from.

And yes, in my opinion, the steering in new BMWs sucks. I also drove a 2015 650i with M-Sport and the steering in that car sucked as well. You might as well stick your finger in a bowl of jello and turn. The electronic steering in newer BMWs lacks a lot of road-feel in my opinion.

So do you have a serious answer for me or are you here to just waste my time?

[TheCamboRambo]

If you're willing to give up the newer tech in the F30 and steering feel is that major of a factor, then I think you should go with the E92.

Not only would you get the keep the car after the financing period, but you'd enjoy it more since that sort of thing is what you're mainly after.

For me, I came from an Lexus ES going to the F30, so steering feel was better, even though it is electric. That, along with the additional tech made it a no-brainer on what I wanted. Regardless, I don't think you're making a bad decision with either car.

[snowghost]

Originally Posted by RobNH

If it wasn't a serious question, I wouldn't have taken the time to post here.

As I said, my goal was to get a lower monthly payment than what I'm currently paying on my 2008. Regardless of whether or not the 2012 is a dollar more per month, it still doesn't drop my monthly payment.

If I'm willing to stay where I'm at, or pay the increase of an additional $20 per month for a 2014....lease vs. buy....etc.....that's where my question was coming from.

And yes, in my opinion, the steering in new BMWs sucks. I also drove a 2015 650i with M-Sport and the steering in that car sucked as well. You might as well stick your finger in a bowl of jello and turn. The electronic steering in newer BMWs lacks a lot of road-feel in my opinion.

So do you have a serious answer for me or are you here to just waste my time?

The steering tightens up nicely in Sport Mode.

[335i_4D]

Depends if you're into manual or auto.

For me, the 8sp ZF tranny was a clear winner when I had to choose between a very nicely equipped E90 2011, and my now F30 2012.
As for the steering feel, 2 things worth verifying on your 2014:
- Driving it in Sport or Sport+
- See if the latest DME update was done, I think it's 13-503.
With the latest, the electric steering feel was greatly improved.

As for the rest, nicer and greater techno improvement on the 2014.
Just the NBT nav system with the touch iDrive knob is really nice !

Either choice is a good choice, but if it was me, 10$ more / month for an almost brand new car would be a no-brainer.

Also, those are 2 completely different body style, but even on that, I'd be partial...

[NISFAN]

When you back to back the HPS to the EPS, it hits you. Like driving a car with a sharper initial brake bite, it is something you notice straight away.

Two months in......you get used to what you have, and it feels 'normal'. At least with the F30 you feel normal with some new toys

Changing the suspension on my F30 has livened up the steering feel when pushing, as it now deals with higher loads than before.

[Coolhydro]

Drive a loaded f30 , go back to e92. It feels a DECADE old.
I hate the steering in e92, it SUCKS big time in parking lots. TOO hard.
If you driving it on the track, ONLY and ONLY then it is better. period.

Try to test a car with DHP (Comfort & Sport), you will know what I am talking about.

Good luck.

[rjpeaks]

i would drive both cars. i doubt that $ is a buying decision factor given the amount.

and if that is the case, buy the M3.

[RobNH]

Just wanted to followup on what I did and say thanks for all of the responses.

I ended up not buying either car, and went with a fully loaded 2015 M235i with xdrive. I test drove the car today and was blown away. The power and handling are awesome. Loved the steering and the exhaust sound was awesome from both inside and outside of the car.

To me, the steering felt somewhere in between the 2014 335i M-Sport I test drove and the 2012 335i M-Sport.

I'm paying a little more every month for the 2015, but considering what I'm getting, I felt it was worth it. I will however, be eating Wonder Bread for breakfast, lunch and dinner next month. LOL

I wasn't disappointed driving the car in any way like I was with the 2014. If I had to pick anything to be disappointed on, it's that it has black interior and I was really hoping for Coral Red, but I can live with that.

So, I'll be picking it up Monday night and handing over the keys to my 2008 335xi. It's been a great BMW and fun to drive, but I'm looking forward to the M235.

Now for the proverbial smile....

[335i_4D]

Nice choice (more go-kart feel)!
Pics when you'll have it.

[RobNH]

Originally Posted by 335i_4D

Nice choice (more go-kart feel)!
Pics when you'll have it.

I will!

[HVYWGHT]

If you don't need the space of a 3er/4er then the 2er is hands down the most BMW of the new BMW s in terms of steering feel and handling.

The F3x with dhp in sport mode is as close as it gets to the E9x chassis. Over time one gets used to the EPS but the second you drive the other chassis you remember what has been lost. I have to drive the F80 to say if the BMW eps has hope.

Congrats!

[P-Bass]

Originally Posted by RobNH

Just wanted to followup on what I did and say thanks for all of the responses.

I ended up not buying either car, and went with a fully loaded 2015 M235i with xdrive. I test drove the car today and was blown away. The power and handling are awesome. Loved the steering and the exhaust sound was awesome from both inside and outside of the car.

To me, the steering felt somewhere in between the 2014 335i M-Sport I test drove and the 2012 335i M-Sport.

I'm paying a little more every month for the 2015, but considering what I'm getting, I felt it was worth it. I will however, be eating Wonder Bread for breakfast, lunch and dinner next month. LOL

I wasn't disappointed driving the car in any way like I was with the 2014. If I had to pick anything to be disappointed on, it's that it has black interior and I was really hoping for Coral Red, but I can live with that.

So, I'll be picking it up Monday night and handing over the keys to my 2008 335xi. It's been a great BMW and fun to drive, but I'm looking forward to the M235.

Now for the proverbial smile....

Very cool and best of luck with her. From what I've read I'm not surprised. Looking forward to driving one soon.

[RobNH]

Originally Posted by PSA955

Very cool and best of luck with her. From what I've read I'm not surprised. Looking forward to driving one soon.

Thank you!

[snowghost]

Originally Posted by HVYWGHT

If you don't need the space of a 3er/4er then the 2er is hands down the most BMW of the new BMW s in terms of steering feel and handling.

The F3x with dhp in sport mode is as close as it gets to the E9x chassis. Over time one gets used to the EPS but the second you drive the other chassis you remember what has been lost. I have to drive the F80 to say if the BMW eps has hope.

Congrats!

I drove the 2er for a UDE Autocross event. Wow, that was fun. I agree it harkens back to what the 3er used to be.

[RobNH]

Picked her up tonight and just got home from the dealership. Too dark to take pictures, but here are the pics taken earlier today after they cleaned it up:

[bmwftw123]

It looks beautiful in glacier silver with the ferric grey and the m-sport breaks. Now time to get rid of the reflectors and you're golden.

[bri1042]

Beautiful car! If my 328 gets smooshed by a truck or anything, a 235 will be very, very hard to resist!