Production Delay: Rethinking 135 - 335

[sc135i]

:iono:

This is a similar post to my question to Jack Regan, who has owned both, but I would appreciate anyone's input who has at least driven the 335. The delay in US production of the 135 has me re-thinking the 135-335 choice.

If I switch to the 3 Series, I would probably go to the sedan (if I am going to be influenced by practicality, I might as well go all the way). The standard against which I am measuring the "fun to drive factor" is the '95 M3 I had. It was quick, and handled like it was glued to the road. I won't be taking the car to the track, I simply want excellent acceleration and handling in my daily driver, and massive doses of fun to drive, I don't know how else to put it. :iono:

I suspect that MSRP for the 1 versus discounting on the 3 will put me just a few thousand apart (calling the dealer today), and I know this issue has been thrashed before, but any and all thoughts would be appreciated! I am afraid that the mystery 3 week delay will become longer on the 1.

Thanks for your input.

[TazioNYC]

Have you had a test drive in a 335?

[sc135i]

No, it was the introduction of the 135i which convinced me that I needed to come back to the BMW family. Just found out about the delay yesterday, and am planning to go to my dealer (about an hour away) to drive the 335. Just thought I would see what input might be available on here . . . .

[TazioNYC]

To continue, I've driven a 335 sedan with auto and a 335 coupe with manual. I'm in the market for a coupe, but the 335i is a great family sedan with the same engine, so tons of power through a really flat torque curve. The 335 coupe was very fun to drive, with great brakes, fantasic steering, and, again, tons of power fro virtually the bottom of the rev range. It felt sporty, but not like a sports car. It was all there, but I want something a little more extreme -- stiffer, more engine noise, smaller, etc... so I want a 135. And, at least in the NY/NJ/CT area, there are tons of 335 coupes, so I'd like something distinctive.

[sc135i]

Thanks, Tazio. "sporty" falls short of what I am looking for as well. My dealer is encouraging me to stick with the 135 order, as he still thinks early April delivery is conceivable. Hope he is right.

Probably doesn't make sense to knee-jerk a $40,000 purchase because I have to wait another month (my wife certainly agrees with that statement. :biggrin

[TazioNYC]

Have fun at the dealership! Manual coupes to test are kind of rare, so good lucky. Where did you hear about the delay?

[sc135i]

Originally Posted by TazioNYC

Have fun at the dealership! Manual coupes to test are kind of rare, so good lucky. Where did you hear about the delay?

Heard about it on here, called the OC yesterday morning, they said I was still a Week 6 build. Folks on here continued to report it, and I checked again with the OC late yesterday and I had been bumped to Week 9. There is a "February build means May delivery" thread, but I hope that is wrong.

[MZWIE]

I just drove an auto 335i. Doesn't feel that much faster than my current 330ci.

I don't know if it is worth all that money.

[Dave]

i have test driven both the 335i 335xi and 1 series in germany (2005 summer) when i was there for work
it was the 120d thou

Interior diff are negligable
the power of the 335i was astounding but it still felt like it handled like a boat with lots of body roll, which is very evident at auto x ...not as much on the track

the 1 felt more nimble but weaker (obviously the lil disel engine)
but the steering felt much sharper and i liked the overall size of the car esp for nyc

I would stick it out unless u really need the car

I really need a car now too i was hoping to catch the tail end of the ski season with my 1 er but i dont think that will happen unless i road trip to VT in april

[sc135i]

Thanks, Izzo, I think I am through my crisis. . . . You know . . I want my 1, I need my 1, I can't wait for my 1 :biggrin:. I would imagine this board is like having a buddy system in AA- we help each other through the rough spots! :thumbup:

Have decided to hang tough for the 135. MIGHT, if I can be adult enough to wait even a bit more, delay it into March production and get my savanna beige. . . who knows :iono:

[bimmer98]

You're making the right decision to hold out for the 135!

My dealer gave me the keys to a 335 sedan manual today before finalizing my order for a Jet Black 135. The 335 is awesome, and surely not to disappoint. I'd want the coupe 335 for sure though, so I would have to do some hunting for the right color and options. Ordering takes 2+ months.

I can only imagine how great the 135 will be. Besides, if you still want a 335 after seeing the 1er, your dealer will have no problem selling it to the next person in line.

[edge350]

Great thread. I've had the same nagging doubt.
I'm making a daytrip to Detroit for the autoshow in the a couple of weeks to actually see the 135. I think that will be the tipping point for me.

[Pharmacist_]

I have been going through the same dilemma. When I started searching for a new car, I started w/ the 335. When I saw the spy shots for the 135, I got really excited about the prospect of a lighter, quicker 335. However, I am still not completely sold...so I am hoping that when I see the 135 in person that will solidify my decision. Just like edge, I also hope to sneak a peak at the detroit auto show....cant friggin' wait.

[hellrotm]

If you get the 3-series get the coupe, the sedan is ugly.

[xspeedy]

I currently have a 335i sedan, and I love it. Can't beat the combination of practicality and sportiness. The coupe has a premium over the sedan which just doesn't make any sense. I'd rather have the two extra doors for less cash. Looks are subjective, but I like my sedan's appearances. The coupe just seems very longish to me, with that huge 3/4 panel.

The value compared to the 135 is excellent. If you eqiup the 135i with sport/premium/sound, it should be tickling the feet of an E90 335i with sport/premium.

[adc]

Originally Posted by xspeedy

The coupe has a premium over the sedan which just doesn't make any sense. I'd rather have the two extra doors for less cash. Looks are subjective, but I like my sedan's appearances.

The difference when selecting the Sport Package goes down to $1300. I guess nobody is quite immune to looks, which is why they are brought into discussion time and time again. The $1300 difference could make sense from an esthetical point of view, eh? :iono:

Especially if you think about the interior/exterior color combinations that you simply cannot have on the sedan.

(And vice-versa, of course).

The value compared to the 135 is excellent. If you eqiup the 135i with sport/premium/sound, it should be tickling the feet of an E90 335i with sport/premium.

335 sedan + SP + Prem + Dest = $44,400
135 coupe + SP + Prem + Sound + Dest = $41,325

I think you would need a pretty expensive feather (worth about $3,075) in order to tickle those feet. A grand seemed to be important enough that you chose a sedan over a coupe, so I'm thinking 3 times as much should provide an even greater incentive for the 135.

To me the question is - why pay more for more things that I don't want? :iono:
- What price to remove 200lbs from the 335?
- To upgrade the suspension?
- The brakes?
- To install the M aero package?


It always comes down to someone's priorities - treading a fine balance between what they need, want and can afford - with very specific reasons and priorities for the choices made.

[adc]

Originally Posted by e34m5

I just drove an auto 335i. Doesn't feel that much faster than my current 330ci.

I don't know if it is worth all that money.

I am not sure how you could have had that experience, unless you didn't go 100%, the 335 was not feeling well or your 330ci is heavily modified.

I'm coming from a slightly modified ZHP sedan and by comparison in acceleration, the 335 is a beast. Especially at highway speeds (but not only).

As far as pricing goes, I didn't think there was a significant difference between the E46 330ci and E92 335i.

[aus]

Originally Posted by e34m5

I just drove an auto 335i. Doesn't feel that much faster than my current 330ci.

I don't know if it is worth all that money.

This statement is just crazy.
I owned a pretty heavily modified E36 M3 for many years, and the 335 is just faster at all RPM's. It's quieter, smoother and did I mention it was considerably faster? And my 335 is an Auto (and a VERY good auto at that) since my wife drives it most of the time.

[BMWeber]

Originally Posted by aus

This statement is just crazy.
I owned a pretty heavily modified E36 M3 for many years, and the 335 is just faster at all RPM's. It's quieter, smoother and did I mention it was considerably faster? And my 335 is an Auto (and a VERY good auto at that) since my wife drives it most of the time.

+1000000000000 I drove a 330i and 335i back to back and it's not just a little faster I was blown away at the difference

[OPTIMO]

At least the OC is doing something for you. I ordered a fully loaded 328i manual wagon on January 1 and it is still showing it in the RECEIVED ORDER status or whatever the first bubble was, and not even for my car but for the dealer's car they were going to order with that slot. Ugh.

[OPTIMO]

Oh, and 135i all the way.

[stage25401]

price alone screams gotta go 135