[jhp012]

I will be purchasing a new 3 series in a couple of months from now. Called up two local dealerships and both of them did not have any manuals to test drive the car in. Both told me they should get some in in a couple of weeks.

So I just wanted to ask you guys for some input.

Is the 328 really slow compared to the 335? I will be coming from a 2005 Lexus Es330.

[E90ice]

Test drive the your best bet as always, but i've owned both and the 335 is MUCH faster than the 328.

[LI E90]

for the love of god, there should be an immediate ban on anyone who askd this question without searching the board first

[Aurora Bearialis]

Originally Posted by LI E90

for the love of god, there should be an immediate ban on anyone who askd this question without searching the board first

take it easy, the guy is new and he comes from a Lexus asking questions that anyone new to a Manufacturer would ask (I don't know if you owned a BMW before or a turbo'd car)

[mmm def]

335 is a good amount faster.

Morristown had a 6sp sport 335 in the showroom last week FYI

[snipersix]

335i has a twin turbo engine 328i is a Non Turbo car. That being said, 335i is definitely faster than 328i

[kevinbahnz]

very much faster, I came from a 330ci 225hp 5spd. and the automatic 328 did not have enough power to make up for the 5spd. the 328 just felt slower even though it has more hp then my 330.

[Michael Schott]

Yes, a 328i is considerably slower than a 335 but faster than your ES330. I drive a 6 speed 328 and it's very quick but not spin the tires quick unless you want to dump the clutch. It's way faster than my previous Cadillac CTS and Audi A4 1.8T but if I had the dough I'd have the 335.

Thanks, Mike.

[akack79]

OP get your flame suit on. With that said, just drive them both back to back, if you don't feel the difference then get the 328i.

[karizma]

I came from a 03' 3.0i z4 and the 328i felt pretty decent, it was certainly "spirited", but the 335 is stank fast in comparison.

[smellthebeans]

Originally Posted by LI E90

for the love of god, there should be an immediate ban on anyone who askd this question without searching the board first

For the love of god....don't read the thread.

[Staszek]

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

Yes, a 328i is considerably slower than a 335 but faster than your ES330. I drive a 6 speed 328 and it's very quick but not spin the tires quick unless you want to dump the clutch. It's way faster than my previous Cadillac CTS and Audi A4 1.8T but if I had the dough I'd have the 335.

Thanks, Mike.

Thats what I was going to say, there is a very noticable difference between the 328 and 335, but if you dont care about that the 328 will be faster then your ES330 and will drive completely different.

[Majikthese42]

Originally Posted by jhp012

Is the 328 really slow compared to the 335? I will be coming from a 2005 Lexus Es330.

Compared with an ES 330, a 328i should seem fast. Compared to a 328i, a 335i should seem amazingly fast.

If BMW imported the 335iT, I would have purchased one instead of a 328iT.

But I need a wagon or hatchback since the dog would need to ride in the trunk of a sedan. One of us was going to be unhappy with the decision, and the dog won this one.

[darkphantom]

OP I currently own a '02 ES 300 which is just a toned down ES 330, same chassis/body style...it is MUCH faster and you'll LOVE the drive man....never want to go back the ES after the 335i....

[bubbletea 4 me]

335 >>>>>>> 328.

tune 335 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>> x 10000 >>>> 328.

[BaLLzZz]

I got a 328i and a 335i currently. The 328 is a great step from the es330. But the 335 would be a massive leap and in terms of speed yes its noticeably a faster car by lengths.

[Boost Gomez]

I've also driven both and you can definitely tell there's a pair of turbos in one of them. I won't say which but the 335i is much faster.

[TiAg335i]

Wow..guess COMMON sense isn't so COMMON anymore, huh.

Yes. A twin-turbocharged 300 HP car will be MUCH, MUCH faster than a 230 HP N/A.

Personally, I think the 335i could use more power at top. Down low this car is a beast.

Nonetheless, the car never fails to put a BIG grin on my face everytime I get in it.

The first time I test drove the 335i I was in absolute awe with it's power.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by jhp012

Is the 328 really slow compared to the 335? I will be coming from a 2005 Lexus Es330.

Yes the 328 is much slower than the 335 in a straight line. (if i recall correctly the 328 traps 1/4 mile around 96mph and the 335 traps around 106mph.. that's a BIG difference) obviously throw in a chip into the 335 and the gap widens even further

The big question is whether YOU will be ok with 328 straight line performance.

FWIW on a road course like infineon, in a technical section like T4 to T6 and T7 to T9, 328 (or any other low power car) can keep up with bigger power, but going up T1 through to T2 335 will run away and hide

good luck with the buy!

[alex2112]

Yes the 328 is much slower than a 335. The real question is which one will you be happier with. The 328 will be faster than your ES330, but the 335 will be a lot faster than both. You need to drive both a 328 and a 335 and decide if the extra power is worth it to you.

I personally came from a Honda Civic so my 6MT 328 with the sport package is lots of fun for me cause it blows away the Civic. With my next car, I will probably want to step up from the power in the 328. I have also driven my brother's old 2006 330ci in 6MT and my 328 feels very similar in terms of power, so use that as a reference point if you've ever driven one of those. I cannot speak for the auto versions of either of them though as I have never driven one, but I have heard some people complain the auto in the 328 not as aggressive and can make the car feel 'slower' than the 6MT version.

[viobruin]

I have a 335i coupe manual and my my girlfriend has a 328i sedan automatic. As much as I'd like to say that I hate driving her car because it feels so much slower, that would be an inaccurate statement. Everytime I drive her car I'm amazed at the speed and pickup that car has. I'm not saying her car is faster than the 335i, but it's plenty fast and will certainly be an upgrade over your Lexus.

[visor]

328 is fast, but...
335 is "holy shit" fast!

And if you can't tell the difference after a test drive, then just get the cheaper one...