335i review - my turn :-)

jasper · 11-04-2006, 04:58 PM

So now I've test driven an e90 325i, 330i and 335i...

I understand what people are saying about the ergonomics... when I get back into my car (e46 325i) everything just seems in the right place. I also agree that the window controllers are too far forward and feel flimsy.

Otherwise, I like just about everything. Oh yeah, in my opinion the navigation screen doesn't look right (but this may just be my own way of justifiying not spending 2k on it). It looks too high-tech amongst all of the classy looking dials on the dash. Where's my flame suit...

The Drive:
I prefer a stick and should mention that I REALLY like the 6-speed Getrag in the e90 325i (haven't tried the ZF in the 335i yet). However, this ZF automatic is REALLY nice and is perfectly intuitive with what you want it to do. A huge step up from the GM version. Automatics, in my opinion, work well with turbo charged engines. My wife drives a Passat which is also turbo charged and has a ZF auto tranny. They also work very well together.

The engine is great and feels like it has bottomless power. But to me it didn't feel like a Corvette or a race car at all, it felt very refined. I never spun the rear wheels. Power comes on smooth and easy...

The Logic7 sounded good but didn't blow me away.

I also noticed that it had a back-pressure valve on only the left side exhaust.

It's a well rounded package... a great car

Fratboy · 11-04-2006, 05:11 PM

It doesnt feel like a Corvette?? I think thats why people buy BMWs and NOT Corvettes

Nice writeup though

Joop! · 11-04-2006, 05:15 PM

Never compare a quality product (BMW) with an Tupperware product (Corvette)!!!

citkane · 11-04-2006, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasper

I never spun the rear wheels. Power comes on smooth and easy...

Nice review

Regarding the tires spinning, it depends on how far you press that right pedal

Smooth and easy is definitely possible. Press it some more (half way is plenty) and you´ll see some serious traction issues

Joop! · 11-04-2006, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by citkane

Nice review

Regarding the tires spinning, it depends on how far you press that right pedal

Smooth and easy is definitely possible. Press it some more (half way is plenty) and you´ll see some serious traction issues

I'am able to do in my car, so should definitely be able to make the wheels spin with more powerfull 3-series, especially the 335i's

lcrain · 11-04-2006, 06:18 PM

I can see the wheels spinning if you really want them to, but i would doubt that daily driving would send the rear wheels spinning

citkane · 11-04-2006, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcrain

I can see the wheels spinning if you really want them to, but i would doubt that daily driving would send the rear wheels spinning

Your daily driving or mine?

geoff2010 · 11-04-2006, 06:59 PM

i actually totally disabled DTC... the one where you hold it down for 30 seconds and the warning light shows up... anyway... i laid down some serious rubber and didn't even mean to.

I never realized how much that system did during launch. It doesn't really give you any feedback as to how much it is controlling the car, but when you turn it off you certainly notice quickly.

jasper · 11-04-2006, 07:59 PM

I'm sure I could have spun the rear wheels... I'm just saying that the rear end wasn't flying out of control like my old friend's Olds 442. From the reviews I've been reading that's what I was half expecting.

visor · 11-04-2006, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasper

I'm sure I could have spun the rear wheels... I'm just saying that the rear end wasn't flying out of control like my old friend's Olds 442. From the reviews I've been reading that's what I was half expecting.

You're not going to spin the rear wheels no matter how hard you try IF you don't disable DSC first.

visor · 11-04-2006, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cars4lyfe

WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!? turn off dsc and then come back and do a "write up"...2nd of all...who do I pay my $10 for this comedy show? Comon man...seriously...get real if you can't get the wheels spinning then you shouldn't be driving the 335i...also, the logic 7 sounds GREAT check out the EQ and then you'll hear the difference..

Are you saying that you can spin the rear tires without turning DSC off?

visor · 11-04-2006, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cars4lyfe

uhmmm, hell yeah, I've done it too!!!! not crazy burnouts...but hey at least you can turn the dsc off unlike lexus where you have to do some retarded 50 step combo to turn it off everytime you turn on your engine!

Cool!:rocks:

valdeztke · 11-04-2006, 10:30 PM

Ive noticed quite an increase in forward thrust when the DSC is off. I have yet to turn it totally off, but pushing it once does change the way it feels. Or this could all be a placebo effect.

Robin_NL · 11-05-2006, 12:55 AM

I've done some 0-100mph tests with (OFF COURSE) DSC/DTC turned OFF on a dry tarmac road. Just to see how fast. Being very very sweet with the right pedal I had the tyres spinning nontheless in first a bit and even in second gear.

This thing needs a limited slip differential.

jasper · 11-05-2006, 10:13 AM

OK, I heard ya... I did have the DSC on and didn't think to turn it off... wish I would have thought of that; so I'll revise to say "power came on very refined and smooth WITH THE DSC ON"

val3ntin3s · 11-05-2006, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasper

I also noticed that it had a back-pressure valve on only the left side exhaust.

correct me if i'm wrong but i believe the e46 330's had a back-pressure valve as well. Not sure abut the 328's and 325's.

11-04-2006, 04:58 PM	#1
jasper Private First Class 21 Rep 106 Posts Drives: 2002 325i Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Ramon, CA iTrader: (0)	335i review - my turn :-) So now I've test driven an e90 325i, 330i and 335i... I understand what people are saying about the ergonomics... when I get back into my car (e46 325i) everything just seems in the right place. I also agree that the window controllers are too far forward and feel flimsy. Otherwise, I like just about everything. Oh yeah, in my opinion the navigation screen doesn't look right (but this may just be my own way of justifiying not spending 2k on it). It looks too high-tech amongst all of the classy looking dials on the dash. Where's my flame suit... The Drive: I prefer a stick and should mention that I REALLY like the 6-speed Getrag in the e90 325i (haven't tried the ZF in the 335i yet). However, this ZF automatic is REALLY nice and is perfectly intuitive with what you want it to do. A huge step up from the GM version. Automatics, in my opinion, work well with turbo charged engines. My wife drives a Passat which is also turbo charged and has a ZF auto tranny. They also work very well together. The engine is great and feels like it has bottomless power. But to me it didn't feel like a Corvette or a race car at all, it felt very refined. I never spun the rear wheels. Power comes on smooth and easy... The Logic7 sounded good but didn't blow me away. I also noticed that it had a back-pressure valve on only the left side exhaust. It's a well rounded package... a great car
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11-04-2006, 05:11 PM	#2
Fratboy Enlisted Member 6 Rep 30 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 (01/11/2006!!) Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Montreal, Canada iTrader: (0)	It doesnt feel like a Corvette?? I think thats why people buy BMWs and NOT Corvettes Nice writeup though
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11-04-2006, 05:15 PM	#3
Joop! Major 105 Rep 1,181 Posts Drives: G29 Z4 M40i Roadster Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019/05 G29 Z4 M40i [10.00]	Never compare a quality product (BMW) with an Tupperware product (Corvette)!!! __________________ BMW - Maßstab für Fahrspaß
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11-04-2006, 06:18 PM	#6
lcrain Captain 56 Rep 865 Posts Drives: e36 m3, TT-RS Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (1)	I can see the wheels spinning if you really want them to, but i would doubt that daily driving would send the rear wheels spinning
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11-04-2006, 06:59 PM	#8
geoff2010 Mmmmmkay 70 Rep 433 Posts Drives: 2017 S6 + 2017 340 M sport Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Boulder, CO iTrader: (0)	i actually totally disabled DTC... the one where you hold it down for 30 seconds and the warning light shows up... anyway... i laid down some serious rubber and didn't even mean to. I never realized how much that system did during launch. It doesn't really give you any feedback as to how much it is controlling the car, but when you turn it off you certainly notice quickly.
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11-04-2006, 07:59 PM	#9
jasper Private First Class 21 Rep 106 Posts Drives: 2002 325i Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Ramon, CA iTrader: (0)	I'm sure I could have spun the rear wheels... I'm just saying that the rear end wasn't flying out of control like my old friend's Olds 442. From the reviews I've been reading that's what I was half expecting.
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11-04-2006, 10:30 PM	#13
valdeztke Lieutenant 22 Rep 456 Posts Drives: 2008 GTI Join Date: May 2006 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Ive noticed quite an increase in forward thrust when the DSC is off. I have yet to turn it totally off, but pushing it once does change the way it feels. Or this could all be a placebo effect. __________________ 2008 E92 335i Space Grey Coral Rep SOLD 2011 Cadillac CTS-V CURRENT Juan Barnett, Founder, dcautogeek.com T: @DCAutoGeek juan@dcautogeek.com
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11-05-2006, 12:55 AM	#14
Robin_NL S0THPAW 8717 Rep 7,846 Posts Drives: HS M2 Competition Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The Netherlands iTrader: (0)	I've done some 0-100mph tests with (OFF COURSE) DSC/DTC turned OFF on a dry tarmac road. Just to see how fast. Being very very sweet with the right pedal I had the tyres spinning nontheless in first a bit and even in second gear. This thing needs a limited slip differential.
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11-05-2006, 10:13 AM	#15
jasper Private First Class 21 Rep 106 Posts Drives: 2002 325i Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Ramon, CA iTrader: (0)	OK, I heard ya... I did have the DSC on and didn't think to turn it off... wish I would have thought of that; so I'll revise to say "power came on very refined and smooth WITH THE DSC ON"
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