335i xDrive Sedan or 1M Coupe

[walile]

Hi all, I'm a new member but long time lurker of this wonderful forum. I know by asking opinions here, most people will say go with the 1M, and that's wonderful as I am looking for a different perspective.

I was about to place an order on a 335i xDrive sedan 6spd manual, getting a great deal through BMW incentive and dealer discount. That's when I got a call from my sales rep, inform me that they have a 1M Coupe allocation for August delivery and he can knock $1000 off MSRP for me.

The 1M with no option will cost about $5000 over a well equipped 335. I will be losing heated steering wheel, power memory seat, comfort access, individual audio, auto dimming int/ext mirrors, sunroof and even lumber support. Plus that AWD which helps quite a bit in winter.

As a daily driver, that's sacrificing a lot of comfort and luxury. But at the same time, the 1M Coupe reminds me of the E30 M3 and that had been my dream car for a long time. So, I am at lost here.

An alternative to the 1M is to get the 335xi and upgrade the power to yield a power to weight ratio closer to the 1M. Coilover suspension for better handling. 245 width tires all around and possibly rear LSD.

But the 335xi will not have the big brake and probably not the driving dynamics of the M with nearly 500 lbs of extra weight.

So, if you are in my shoes, what would you do?

[SupremePower3335]

I am struggling with a similar situation. While I like the 1er (I have a 135) I just don't think it looks aggressive enough (sometimes it does..). I am have posted on the board to see if anyone wants to take over my lease. I have not seen the 1M in person but various folks have said it looks VERY aggressive and as with most bimmers, pics dont do them justice. Regardless you need to evaluate your needs for space. While the 1er can fit 4 people I find it small. So I have been look at a used M3 or new 335xi. Having said all that the 1M is unique...I have NO complaints about the way the 135 drives BTW

I don't I helped much but just some food for thought..

[rutlab]

It really depends on what you are after, I currently drive a 2009 335xi, my lease is up in November, and I put down a deposit on a 1M.

Before the 335xi I had a Mitsubishi Evo VIII, and that car was like a go kart, I loved how it handled, it weighed about 3200 pounds, it also had the same comforts and luxuries as a bottom of the line fleet vehicle! It didn't even have cruise control!

The 1M weighs about the same as the Evo, and from everything I've read it also has a similar go kart like feel. The 335xi just feels a bit too heavy and a bit too refined for me personally. The 1M seems to be the compromise of luxury and performance that I am after.

Plus the 335xi doesn't come in Orange!

[Gtrain]

Do you need the extra doors of the sedan? or space?
If so they you have made a decision. The rear seats of the 1M is small because they curve in.

The 335xi will be a better DD coming from a previous owner. The 335xi handles great in all weather conditions. If I was picking a DD I'd go with the 335xi sedan. As a second car I'd go with the 1M. That's just my opinion.

[Boxtyp3]

Those two cars are not comparable at all. They serve different purposes. Pick whatever suits you. Plus I don't think you will have a good time installing coilovers on an XI. Just my $0.02. GL!

[sq86]

Depends, as others have said, on the need for 2 or 4 doors. Also you can get power seats and auto dimming and CA in the 1M thats what I got in mine.

[l888apex]

I think a 335ix is best for your needs

[M3 Adjuster]

I kinda agree with late apex... of course there are lots of questions that remain...

Will this be your ONLY car? Family? Will the car be driven year round? If the 1M is more expensive, then maybe the 335xi would be a great daily driver and you could save the extra 5K to go towards finding an E30 M3.... a decent E30 M3 will run about 12-15K...

Sure wish I could have that allocation...

[TXmtrhed]

Though I didn't buy an xi I did find a CPO E90 335i last summer that I thought I would keep for a long time. I like the four doors even though I rarely carry passengers in the rear. I had great fun upgrading (really!) the suspension to M3 specs and adding the Quaife. It really transformed the car into a very balanced package. I would have gone further with upgraded springs and shocks, maybe exhaust, except for one thing - BMW introduced the 1M.

The 1M has the handling that I was aiming for, enough power, improved engine cooling to combat track limp mode (Texas summers) and it just looks so much cooler.
For me, it's practical enough with the fold down rear seats.

I don't have to drive in snow though and the xi won't let you down in that regard.

Have you considered the Golf R? If the 1M hadn't come out I would have seriously considered it.

[hajohehe]

do you need all wheel drive? if so get audi?

[xjarhed]

Interesting...
I am off my 2009 335i X-Drive lease in March 2012 (eligible for pull ahead in December 2011). I previously owned a 2007 X3 and my wife recently moved from a 2007 328i lease (loaded and no Xi) to a used 2007 Z4M Coupe. Do you folks see where this is headed? I gots to keep up with the ball-n-chain!....
I got 4k off MSRP ($54,450) on the 335 X-Drive two years ago. Prem, Cold, Sport, Comfort, Sat, Nav, Prem Sound. LOVE IT!
Now..., it will roll when cornering more than my wifes 2007 328i w/ Sport. Hers drove like a GoKart. First pair of run flats lasted 22k with some severe driving habits. There is some oversteer... N54 is just now giving me some issues (currently in shop as I write this). Cracked windshield from year one (4 chips, why bother fixing until I turn it in). Normal oil levels. Medium acceleration will result in an average of 16 MPG city and as high as 27 on long trips. AWD is jerky at times, Downhill assist is very helpful on snowy, steep inclines. Unless your running Studless snow tires, AWD is horrible with RFT extreme summer (obviously, right?).
Bottom line? 335i X-Drive is great if you are prepared to spend extra money on tires for winter use (Mtn, 6" of snow or less). AWD gives you piece of mind in rain and near freezing temps. Tires with Sport are 18" and staggered, so be prepared to spend $900 at the least to replace them if you do NOT want RFT. Great "famliy" car and seats 2 teens and a grade schooler in back with only minor bickering. As far as fun? Sure, the N54 is a decent job of pushing my wife's Z4M to its limits when we are side by side...
If you want a fast, fun to drive, get lots of looks and will do "ok" for a famliy of FOUR or less, get the 1 Series M if you can find one. No more leasing for me. I'll take my chances on a conv loan.... BTW, my payment is $710/mo with 4k (I think it was closer to 3.5k off MSRP). That was 10k/mo for 36mo.
Good luck. Think about what YOU want and what your needs are. Happy shopping.
Oh, BTW? They gave me a 2011 328i Convertible for a loaner while they figure out how to program my 335 and replace the fuel pump. Two things. I'm never going backwards to a 328 EVER! Too slow! Convert? If I can't get a 1 Series M, getting a Vert!

[sparoz]

They are completely different cars... How much do you need the practicality? If that's important to you, then it is the 335.

[1on135_deal]

true that i want a 1M and a 328xi for a everyday car. But i have this 135 so i love it so heres what my scoop is wait for the new 3 series its right around the corner. But dude if your cheap just get the 3 series cuz its so darn cheap right now on a lease fully loaded is like 300 bucks a month redonkculas.

[walile]

Thank you all very much for your inputs. I think at the end the 335xi is the rational choice while the 1M being the passionate one.

To clarify a few things. I don't need the extra doors. The extra room in the back seat is great but not a huge deal for me. In terms of luggage space, since the rear seats on both the 335xi and 1M folds down or so I am told, I think I will be fine with both.

The car will be a daily driver for me and most likely the only car. I consider myself a decent driver, I raced go karts when I was a kid. But you cannot fight physics. No matter how good I am with my throttle modulation, AWD will do me good in the harsh winter here for sure.

As to Audi and Golf R. Admittedly I have not driven the latest S4 with torque vectoring rear diff, but I have driven previous gen S4 and Golf before. I was not impressed with the VW/Audi manual gearbox. The clutch travel is long and biting point is too high. The shift throw is long and lack feel. Steering is too light and vague for my taste.

Even if the latest Audi/VW gearbox is improved and wonderful, I don't want another nose heavy FWD-based AWD car. Not a huge fan of the style either. I have considered the Evo X, but the Canadian price and limited option list is just ridiculous. Importing a US-Spec one to Canada is still on the table.

I thought about waiting for the F30. But I would rather avoid the first model year. Plus, I can get most of what I want with the E90 already. The style is beautiful and we don't know how the F30 is going to look like. The 8 speed auto is worth waiting for but I am getting the 6spd manual anyways.

The only F30 feature that I would dearly miss is the torque vectoring rear diff that is supposedly going to be available. But I am sure I can make do with a Quaife on the 335xi.

Another way to put it is that I will enjoy the 1M in the summer and winter too, drifting in the snow. The extra creature comfort on the 335 I will enjoy all year round as well. In a way, both fits my needs, they just scratch a different itch.

[sparoz]

get them both.

[sparoz]

On a more series note - if you can always get a 335xi later, but you won't be able to get a 1M. Get the 1M now, and retire it to the weekend when the f30 comes out.

[Yogijet]

1M and get the F30 when it comes if you're not happy then. I am sure you will have lots of potential takers to choose from at that time if you wish to sell. Given Canada, the AWD may be a little bit more than a convenience for you though.

[Hocky]

I would not buy a base model car for a daily.

[ES BMW]

Originally Posted by walile

In terms of luggage space, since the rear seats on both the 335xi and 1M folds down or so I am told, I think I will be fine with both.

The E90 rear seats to not fold by default. You need to order the cold weather package or the option for folding rear seats. I never understood why it wasn't standard...

[rossii]

Originally Posted by formula M

The are not even remotely the same cars... people are trying to desperately find a 1M and u have one land in ur lap & ur asking if u should get it..?

That takes some audacity..