Zafiro
Supreme Roadmaster
- Messages
- 30,811
Hi guys - I know there are a million of these posts so if you're sick of them ignore this. . I know the guys who have orders in on 335i's are reading them furiously, so I thought I would post.
Today I spent over 2 hours in 335i's, bringing my test drive total to 3, and about 3 hours total in the car. I've now driven two manuals and one auto w/step, two were space grey and one was sparkling graphite, all had black leather/alum none with nav, all were sport packaged.
Now as some of you know I'm a car detailer, so my first reaction is obviously to the aesthetics, in partiuclar paint. I find that the car overall is beautiful - the lines work very well together, it's going to take some nice pictures. In terms of paint, I am very underwhelmed by space grey. I almost ordered it originally and I *know* a lot of you guys have it on order (keep it, you might love it), paint is a subjective thing. I found it too not have nearly enough flake, looked a little dull and lifeless. Sorry guys, just imo of course. Sparkling graphite we've all seen, it's a great color, if dark.
So driving. First up was a manual. Obviously the car is quick; I've had two G35's in a row now, one coupe one sedan - one was pretty reasonably modded (bolt ons), and this car is definitely quicker, and feels it. The real issue of course is the delivery of power; almost instantaneous at any speed since you're almost always in the fat band. The manual was nice, first gear actually exists unlike G35s, power delivery is smooth and the car is responsive even if you get lazy and take off in 4th at 20mph. The speed is very deceptive, in my first test drive 160km/h came and went before I knew it. This car definitely *feels* as fast as an M3. Is it? I don't know... on the track it might fall back a bit due to the drop off at high rpm's, but on the street this thing is going to be disgusting. The passing speeds are just silly, 60km-100km can go by in no time at all. Be careful with those rear wheels guys, today in my drive (in the second manual) the tires got away from me twice in the rain. Lots of torque to the rear with crappy potenzas = wee.
The auto transmission is even more impressive, not because I like it better (even though I do), but because in terms of an auto its really fast. Paddles are just like the Z4, instant shift. I can see how the auto is a tenth off a good manual shifter. I actually prefer it paired with this car. I would disagree in an M3, but in this car it works. I see myself using the paddles a lot, unlike my last three manumatic cars.
In terms of driving dyanamics, this car is dialed in, super low body roll and dive in the nose, very predictable and responsive; the rear *is* a bit squirley though. I found the ride a bit harsh with rft 19"s, but I think with regular 19's it'd be fine. At the risk of offending the e90 guys this car does feel more agile than the sedan (imo), I was really tossing the snot out of it in the first drive on some really windy roads, I was really impressed by the lack of roll. I've driven some pretty serious cars aggressivly and while this is no 430 its *by far* the benchmark in its class imo. The fact that the cars dynamics are paired so perfectly with the torquey engine really makes it a blast to drive. Before anyone asks; the M3 is still more tossable (imo), however given the price of the 335i it's amazing to me that what is considered an "entry level lux sport cruiser" feels like this. 10 years ago, no way.
The exhaust note, a real issue to me - is killer. Not as loud as a G35 coupe and not quite as throaty (you guys know what I mean), but deeper. There is no whine from the turbo at all (that I could hear), it's all just a deep growl. I think with an aftermarket exhaust this thing will be very nice.
Interior is very roomy, the rear is a bit tough to climb into but it's very spacious once you're in it, and inviting - it's interesting how BMW makes everyone feel like a part of the drive. The rear is sort of "cockpit" esque, I liked it. The center console seems stupid to me, but whatever. Trunk is a definite plus on a coupe; especially compared to some of the laughable entries of its competitors. With the seats down it is area-wise *as big as my G35 sedans trunk* easily.
Anything else? I'll probably think of something but I will leave it for now. Cheers.
Today I spent over 2 hours in 335i's, bringing my test drive total to 3, and about 3 hours total in the car. I've now driven two manuals and one auto w/step, two were space grey and one was sparkling graphite, all had black leather/alum none with nav, all were sport packaged.
Now as some of you know I'm a car detailer, so my first reaction is obviously to the aesthetics, in partiuclar paint. I find that the car overall is beautiful - the lines work very well together, it's going to take some nice pictures. In terms of paint, I am very underwhelmed by space grey. I almost ordered it originally and I *know* a lot of you guys have it on order (keep it, you might love it), paint is a subjective thing. I found it too not have nearly enough flake, looked a little dull and lifeless. Sorry guys, just imo of course. Sparkling graphite we've all seen, it's a great color, if dark.
So driving. First up was a manual. Obviously the car is quick; I've had two G35's in a row now, one coupe one sedan - one was pretty reasonably modded (bolt ons), and this car is definitely quicker, and feels it. The real issue of course is the delivery of power; almost instantaneous at any speed since you're almost always in the fat band. The manual was nice, first gear actually exists unlike G35s, power delivery is smooth and the car is responsive even if you get lazy and take off in 4th at 20mph. The speed is very deceptive, in my first test drive 160km/h came and went before I knew it. This car definitely *feels* as fast as an M3. Is it? I don't know... on the track it might fall back a bit due to the drop off at high rpm's, but on the street this thing is going to be disgusting. The passing speeds are just silly, 60km-100km can go by in no time at all. Be careful with those rear wheels guys, today in my drive (in the second manual) the tires got away from me twice in the rain. Lots of torque to the rear with crappy potenzas = wee.
The auto transmission is even more impressive, not because I like it better (even though I do), but because in terms of an auto its really fast. Paddles are just like the Z4, instant shift. I can see how the auto is a tenth off a good manual shifter. I actually prefer it paired with this car. I would disagree in an M3, but in this car it works. I see myself using the paddles a lot, unlike my last three manumatic cars.
In terms of driving dyanamics, this car is dialed in, super low body roll and dive in the nose, very predictable and responsive; the rear *is* a bit squirley though. I found the ride a bit harsh with rft 19"s, but I think with regular 19's it'd be fine. At the risk of offending the e90 guys this car does feel more agile than the sedan (imo), I was really tossing the snot out of it in the first drive on some really windy roads, I was really impressed by the lack of roll. I've driven some pretty serious cars aggressivly and while this is no 430 its *by far* the benchmark in its class imo. The fact that the cars dynamics are paired so perfectly with the torquey engine really makes it a blast to drive. Before anyone asks; the M3 is still more tossable (imo), however given the price of the 335i it's amazing to me that what is considered an "entry level lux sport cruiser" feels like this. 10 years ago, no way.
The exhaust note, a real issue to me - is killer. Not as loud as a G35 coupe and not quite as throaty (you guys know what I mean), but deeper. There is no whine from the turbo at all (that I could hear), it's all just a deep growl. I think with an aftermarket exhaust this thing will be very nice.
Interior is very roomy, the rear is a bit tough to climb into but it's very spacious once you're in it, and inviting - it's interesting how BMW makes everyone feel like a part of the drive. The rear is sort of "cockpit" esque, I liked it. The center console seems stupid to me, but whatever. Trunk is a definite plus on a coupe; especially compared to some of the laughable entries of its competitors. With the seats down it is area-wise *as big as my G35 sedans trunk* easily.
Anything else? I'll probably think of something but I will leave it for now. Cheers.
