Author Topic: Comparison Test: 2013 BMW 335i vs 2008 BMW 335i (Read 12054 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** July 16, 2013, 06:30:55 am »

Has the newest BMW 3 Series forsaken its reputation as the best sport sedan? Jeff Wilson compares the newest 335i against its previous generation counterpart to see if BMW has lost its way.

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Solstice2006 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 16, 2013, 08:35:51 am »

Nice to see an article like this, not too commonly done. Pretty impressive gas mileage for a 300hp car. Why was it fitted with snow tires?

carcrazed · « **Reply #2 on:** July 16, 2013, 09:28:39 am »

I thoroughly enjoyed the article. Very well done.

I don't get all the code-talking thing, but I guess that's what separates the true fans of BMWs from normal car fans.

While the new 335 is really nice, the S4's interior, especially the infotainment/nav screen, looks much more integrated and remains my choice of the sport 'compact' sedans.

redman · « **Reply #3 on:** July 16, 2013, 09:56:05 am »

The real difference here is the 335. All other versions (-M3) are similar to it's predecessors in feel and power except for NVH with the latest iterations.
The 335 adds a new dimension in power only experienced by previous M3's.
I don't get the need for full time AWD in the GTA, but that's another topic.

aquadorhj · « **Reply #4 on:** July 16, 2013, 10:09:17 am »

Quote from: redman on July 16, 2013, 09:56:05 am

The real difference here is the 335. All other versions (-M3) are similar to it's predecessors in feel and power except for NVH with the latest iterations.
The 335 adds a new dimension in power only experienced by previous M3's.
I don't get the need for full time AWD in the GTA, but that's another topic.

oh i'm sure 335 is more powerful than E46 M3.

canuckystan · « **Reply #5 on:** July 16, 2013, 10:48:07 am »

Enjoyed the article, thanks. Should put to rest those claims that the new 3 series is anything but brilliant.

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #6 on:** July 16, 2013, 11:00:18 am »

The 335i is the best 5 series yet!

I think it's mostly the BMW fanbois that use the internal codes. I have to look them up to figure out which model they're refering to.

dragonfly · « **Reply #7 on:** July 16, 2013, 11:23:34 am »

Same here Mr. Liver disease...Why not "my '08" or "my '13". Kind of reminds me of the scoring system used in tennis to exclude "the little people".
He mentions a vast difference twixt these two cars..I'd have to look twice to notice their differences..(other than the aftermarket stuff)...
I can't tell you which one is which (but now that I've read the article, I know the '08 has a blacked out grill)..Thanks Jack

redman · « **Reply #8 on:** July 16, 2013, 11:29:58 am »

Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on July 16, 2013, 11:00:18 am

The 335i is the best 5 series yet!

I think it's mostly the BMW fanbois that use the internal codes. I have to look them up to figure out which model they're refering to.

This is more of a German manufacturer thing than a fanbois thing from my experience. Just look at the Porsche 911.

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #9 on:** July 16, 2013, 01:11:59 pm »

Quote from: redman on July 16, 2013, 11:29:58 am

Quote from: Sir Osis of Liver on July 16, 2013, 11:00:18 am
The 335i is the best 5 series yet!

I think it's mostly the BMW fanbois that use the internal codes. I have to look them up to figure out which model they're refering to.

This is more of a German manufacturer thing than a fanbois thing from my experience. Just look at the Porsche 911.

Very true.

Snowman · « **Reply #10 on:** July 16, 2013, 01:14:16 pm »

Great comparo Jeff.

It not that the new 3 series is bad in any way but the competition have elevated their game only recently. The 3 series has just been a great car for a very long time while others may introduce a contender for a few years then drop off the radar.

mixmanmash · « **Reply #11 on:** July 16, 2013, 06:34:19 pm »

E46 M3 > all other M3 generations. IMO of course.

rrocket · « **Reply #12 on:** July 16, 2013, 06:41:49 pm »

Quote from: Solstice2006 on July 16, 2013, 08:35:51 am

Nice to see an article like this, not too commonly done.

Actually, they did this in one of the car magazines last month. And with less bias, as the writer didn't own either car and presumably wasn't a BMW slappy.

Julie · « **Reply #13 on:** July 16, 2013, 08:34:27 pm »

Jeff, no surprise that this is another article of yours that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. And it was about one of my favorite cars to boot!

I LOVED my 335i. And no, I did not keep it that long, but it gave me less issues (actually none) in my time with it than our previous Toyota Camry did in the same timeframe.

I too thought the new 335i was very good (tested both Sport & M Sport trims, with all settings set on max sport)

I thought the new M Sport shifter was much better than the older one though. Smoother, slicker. Clutch was easier as well, as you mentioned.

Overall, I came to the same conclusion as you did. I still prefer the older one a little more.

mixmanmash · « **Reply #14 on:** July 16, 2013, 10:51:10 pm »

Julie, be careful. The Toyota slappies will be onto you...

tazcubed · « **Reply #15 on:** July 17, 2013, 07:31:05 am »

Quote from: Autos_Editor on July 16, 2013, 06:30:55 am

Has the newest BMW 3 Series forsaken its reputation as the best sport sedan? Jeff Wilson compares the newest 335i against its previous generation counterpart to see if BMW has lost its way.

Read More...

I'm curious if you noticed any power difference between the N54 and N55 engines since you had a chance to try them back-to-back. Hopefully, the N55 is more reliable, but having owned a 5 series with the N54 engine with a notably high breakdown record suffice to say I'm leery of ever purchasing another BMW.

DriverJeff · « **Reply #16 on:** July 17, 2013, 12:05:34 pm »

Quote from: tazcubed on July 17, 2013, 07:31:05 am

Quote from: Autos_Editor on July 16, 2013, 06:30:55 am

Has the newest BMW 3 Series forsaken its reputation as the best sport sedan? Jeff Wilson compares the newest 335i against its previous generation counterpart to see if BMW has lost its way.

Read More...

I'm curious if you noticed any power difference between the N54 and N55 engines since you had a chance to try them back-to-back. Hopefully, the N55 is more reliable, but having owned a 5 series with the N54 engine with a notably high breakdown record suffice to say I'm leery of ever purchasing another BMW.

I was really hoping to feel a significant difference too (especially since I've put money into exhaust and intake for my car) but there was not really any appreciable difference.

That said, the 8-speed automatic is definitely the choice for drag racing. It shifts so incredibly crisply and always keeps the N55 close to the meatiest parts of its power band.

DriverJeff · « **Reply #17 on:** July 17, 2013, 12:06:43 pm »

Quote from: rrocket on July 16, 2013, 06:41:49 pm

Quote from: Solstice2006 on July 16, 2013, 08:35:51 am
Nice to see an article like this, not too commonly done.

Actually, they did this in one of the car magazines last month. And with less bias, as the writer didn't own either car and presumably wasn't a BMW slappy.

Ha ha... yeah, I just saw that too -- but they were with 328s. EVERY auto journo is a BMW "slappy" now, didn't you know?

Solstice2006 · « **Reply #18 on:** July 17, 2013, 04:01:05 pm »

Quote from: Giant Dwarf on July 17, 2013, 12:06:43 pm

Quote from: rrocket on July 16, 2013, 06:41:49 pm
Quote from: Solstice2006 on July 16, 2013, 08:35:51 am
Nice to see an article like this, not too commonly done.

Actually, they did this in one of the car magazines last month. And with less bias, as the writer didn't own either car and presumably wasn't a BMW slappy.

Ha ha... yeah, I just saw that too -- but they were with 328s. EVERY auto journo is a BMW "slappy" now, didn't you know?

The only thing I read besides Autos.ca is the Wheels section from the Toronto Star, I glance at the cover of Motor Trend at the grocery store once in awhile. On TV, I watch Driving, Motoring, Motorweek, and Car Business.

Jp45654 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 23, 2013, 06:28:10 pm »

Had a new F30 for the day when my 2011 E90 was in for service and while I liked some of the improvements & changes I was happy to get my car back. I'm a long time fan of the mark but not a fan of the bigger, softer trend. If I had to buy new today I would seriously look at an S4 instead or wait for the new M.