[visor]

Background: With unprecedented major cash incentives from BWM Canada in the past few weeks, I couldn't resist upgrading from my 3 yr old 2006 330i to a new 2008 335i. Having driven the latter for the past week, I can now certainly provide a comparison of both cars.

Power: Most obvious difference, and the major reason for the upgrade. Wow! Truly EFFORTLESS torque starting from a low 2000 rpm. And in what seems to be half the time that the 330i used to take to reach 4500 rpm in 2nd or 3rd gear (I'm observing the gentle break-in method... for now ), I'm passing other cars on the road as if their engines had molasses for oil! I'm having a really tough time adapting my right foot and keeping within 30 km/h above the speed limit. I can't even begin to imagine when or where I'll need to go beyond 4500 rpms! (Note to self: set aside some money every month for funding the inevitable speeding ticket. )

Engine and exhaust note: While the 330i was smooth and mellifluous like Michael Buble, I'd say the 335i is growly and "gravelly" like Clint Eastwood. Different, but when the revs rise, the 335i is truly a marvellous soundtrack full of authority! (Maybe in the process of BMW trying to cut costs, the lack of a hood pad allows more engine sound to come through.)

Colour: I went with AW since I didn't want to get the same TiAg as my previous car, and I still wanted a colour that is easy to maintain and keep clean. It is just a little less tolerant of dirt than TiAg, but still better than the other choices available... except Arctic, but I'm not too keen on green.

Manual tranny: Who would have thought they would be that different in the 2 cars? Much better in the 335i with lighter and faster returning clutch pedal, smoother non-notchy shifter, and possibly slightly shorter throws. If I had my eyes closed, I wouldn't be able to differentiate it from the MT of a Honda/Acura!

Side note: if you're anywhere close to being the control freak that I am, you have to get MT. There really is no other choice for complete and instantaneous control of the engine and the power. I test drove an auto 335i earlier, and even though this is the best auto tranny I've ever come across, there is still a perceptible delay between asking for a shift and getting a shift.

Brakes: still breaking-in, but the pedal seems 1/2 to 1 inch higher, making it harder to perform heel-toe downshift properly. Hopefully, this will improve with time and breaking-in...

Others: Yea, sunroof now works even when engine is shut-down, unlike previously. Boo, the radio display LCD is still oriented in the wrong direction, such that I still have to tilt my head slightly sideways to see the display if I'm wearing my polarized sunglasses.

Otherwise, they're both the same cars!...

[HappyG]

I think the only difference worth mentioning between the 2 is the motor. Everything else is just fluff...

The turbos really kick ur ass, but I generally prefer n/a cars over force fed ones.

[visor]

Fluffy or not, but the MT feels much smoother and nicer on the 335i. No more notchy entry into 2nd or 3rd.

Engine/exhaust note is also significantly louder and sportier on the 335i.

Of course, the engine is the main difference. However, I'm fortunate to not have the dreaded turbo lag of progman 29.2 update. There really is no difference in throttle response between the N52 and the N54 engines once the revs are above 2500 rpm or so, except that the 335i will start to feel like a 4L engine...

[John 070]

Originally Posted by HappyG

I think the only difference worth mentioning between the 2 is the motor. Everything else is just fluff...

The turbos really kick ur ass, but I generally prefer n/a cars over force fed ones.

No incentive can make it worthwhile to get rid of a 3 y.o. vehicle imho. The best incentive is 0%, plus cash. Just imagine if we went for that everytime such an offer came around. We have it on everything from appliances to furniture to cars. We'd be up to our eyeballs in debt and looking to throw away more things that are still working perfectly fine. And who said Madison Ave. is dead?

[ians]

If the limp mode and HPFP issue is gone then I will be enjoy my 335 more! I agree the shifter is a big improvement over the past (I really hate it on my old E46) but I still having hard time to shift into 1st from stand still, it is like 1/3 of time it won't go in to gear. And no matter open or close my eyes, I can still find my 5 yr old TSX has better shifter.

[Balthazar_B]

Originally Posted by visor

Fluffy or not, but the MT feels much smoother and nicer on the 335i. No more notchy entry into 2nd or 3rd.

You're lucky then, as that wasn't my experience driving 3 335s with 6MT (2 coupes and 1 cabrio). I found the manual transmissions in these vehicles to detract from the driving experience and (unlike your observation) the shifting was too long, notchy in the extreme (for a car of this quality) and the clutch unremarkable. On principle, I despise autos in a sports/spirited performance car, but even I have to admit running the Step in manual mode restored the fun of driving a 335. A DCT could be the best of both worlds; however, early reviews of the M3 DCT are pretty lukewarm.

To be fair, the salesguy promised that the MT would become tolerable after several thousand miles of use (and others have suggested ditching the CDV and maybe installing a short shifter). Unfortunately, I don't know any 335 owners with a modified MT I can test, so I can't confirm whether or how much that would improve things.

[noro]

Originally Posted by visor

Brakes: still breaking-in, but the pedal seems 1/2 to 1 inch higher, making it harder to perform heel-toe downshift properly. Hopefully, this will improve with time and breaking-in...

I had the same concern as well, but the pedal did settle in and now h-and-t are nice and easy.

[Firefly6]

Do you feel a difference inthe tires?

I went from '06 330 to '08 335 and the newer OEM Potenzas are much better.

[visor]

Originally Posted by John 070

No incentive can make it worthwhile to get rid of a 3 y.o. vehicle imho. The best incentive is 0%, plus cash.

Well, the 335i came out 1 yr after my 330i, so I had always regretted somewhat for not waiting. (I should have also known about BMW's tendency to update the engine in the 2nd yr after debut.) That the dealer & BMW Canada would give me cash incentives amounting to over 15% discount off the car just made it much easier to "justify" in mind the decision to upgrade!

[visor]

Originally Posted by Firefly6

Do you feel a difference inthe tires?

I went from '06 330 to '08 335 and the newer OEM Potenzas are much better.

Still under the recommended 300km break-in period, so haven't pushed the tires and brakes yet.

[visor]

Originally Posted by Balthazar_B

You're lucky then, as that wasn't my experience driving 3 335s with 6MT (2 coupes and 1 cabrio). I found the manual transmissions in these vehicles to detract from the driving experience and (unlike your observation) the shifting was too long, notchy in the extreme (for a car of this quality) and the clutch unremarkable. On principle, I despise autos in a sports/spirited performance car, but even I have to admit running the Step in manual mode restored the fun of driving a 335. A DCT could be the best of both worlds; however, early reviews of the M3 DCT are pretty lukewarm.

I guess I was lucky then, or perhaps there's some variation in their supplier manufacturing?

Being a MT fanatic myself, I was really quite impressed with the auto on my test drive. If my commute was more stop & go traffic, I most certainly won't hesitate to get it.

DCT would be the best of both worlds. The only problem is that it requires some effort and time on the driver's part to adapt and learn to properly use it, hence the lukewarm reviews.

[visor]

Originally Posted by noro

I had the same concern as well, but the pedal did settle in and now h-and-t are nice and easy.

Thanx, good to know! :thumbsup

I sure hope it improves soon.

[HappyG]

I think even tranny's can differ from one car to another, especially if multiple or unskilled drivers use said vehicle. e.g. used car or a newbie on a stick.

I'd rather take a notchy MT then a flawless AT. Call me loyal. LoL.

[e36]

My experience with a 335 loaner vs my 330 is night and day.

However, i feel like something might be wrong with the 330 i purchased. Figures, it was a loaner car. I'm very dissatisfied with the 330.

[Balthazar_B]

Originally Posted by HappyG

I think even tranny's can differ from one car to another, especially if multiple or unskilled drivers use said vehicle. e.g. used car or a newbie on a stick.

I'd rather take a notchy MT then a flawless AT. Call me loyal. LoL.

Hey, I'm with you in spirit. I think I might be more attuned to this than others, as I've driven sticks my whole long life and most recently have been spoiled by my S2000's 6MT (which is about as good as they get). I believe the transmission should at least be neutral towards the whole driving experience (if not enhance it, as in the case of the S2000), but I was very disappointed in the 335i 6MT, sad to say. BTW, back when I was driving a mid-80's 325i, I thought that tranny was a thing of beauty.

[HappyG]

I actually prefer my old e36 5SP to my e90 6SP. Weird.

Both clutch engagement and shifter feel.

[seanl]

I found the manual transmissions in these vehicles to detract from the driving experience and (unlike your observation) the shifting was too long, notchy in the extreme (for a car of this quality) and the clutch unremarkable

I've had my '08 6-speed 335 Sedan for 3 weeks now (1200 miles). The trans/clutch setup is OK, but I'm really disappointed with the 1-2 shift. Getting into second is a very L-O-N-G throw. Coming out of the '07 STI Limited (where the 1-2 shift has to happen VERY fast at WOT) it's night and day. Is there an aftermarket or BMW performance short throw shifter available for our cars?

[bsd107]

Originally Posted by visor

Boo, the radio display LCD is still oriented in the wrong direction, such that I still have to tilt my head slightly sideways to see the display if I'm wearing my polarized sunglasses.

About 4 years ago I got tired of having the same problem with my E39. Solution? I bought a new $100 pair of non-polarized sunglasses to go with my $50,000 car. I thought that was a reasonable solution.....

[bsd107]

Originally Posted by visor

DCT would be the best of both worlds. The only problem is that it requires some effort and time on the driver's part to adapt and learn to properly use it, hence the lukewarm reviews.

I did find it interesting to read that the DCT's cannot skip a gear when down- or up-shifting.

The current Steptronic in the 335i can skip one gear if it wants to....

[e36]

the AT on the 330 is awful.

[visor]

Originally Posted by bsd107

About 4 years ago I got tired of having the same problem with my E39. Solution? I bought a new $100 pair of non-polarized sunglasses to go with my $50,000 car. I thought that was a reasonable solution.....

Don't you find that being able to directionally cut down glare from the sky and wet roads are significant advantages to using polarized sunglasses that more than outweigh this minor problem with the LCD display?

I would gladly turn my head a wee bit to accomodate the poor design.

There is also a thin film that can be applied to the display to rotate the polarity by 90 degrees, so that solves the problem. Search for it in the forums.

[visor]

Originally Posted by bsd107

I did find it interesting to read that the DCT's cannot skip a gear when down- or up-shifting.

That is not my understanding.

However, the DCT will take a little longer to skip gears from odd to odd gears (or even to even gears) just because of the way it works.