330i Vs 335i

[Vee]

The thread is was about 330/335 petrols.
The OP clearly stated he didn't want a diesel and his reasons.
Yet here we are having the same fecking 335d argument that most decent threads get ruined by.

Edited by Vee on Monday 30th June 09:57

[MattOz]

330i -vs- 335i is a tricky one.

I'm currently having that kind of dilemma too, and I'll be moving from a 330d.

Whichever car you go for, make sure you get the manual. Nothing better than getting that straight 6 singing with a proper gearbox.

I've driven a new 330i and it was fantastic. Aurally brilliant, with a deep bassy note, rising to a lovely howl at the top end. Reminded me of an E34 M5. Having said that, the 335i also sounds great, especially given that it's turbocharged. Usually forced induced motors are quieter.

Acceleration wise, I only have this info from Youtube, and it's the 1 series versions. Can't see the 3 series results being any different.....

3rd gear
http://youtube.com/watch?v=G6fxhrGsYJQ

4th gear
http://youtube.com/watch?v=y_r11wE4rb0&fea...

There's plenty more available where they came from!

Personally, I'd probably take the 330i. Better mpg by about 30%, lower VED, etc etc. It may not have the mid-range punch of the 335i, but it won't be far behind.

Matt

[NoelWatson]

MattOz said:

330i -vs- 335i is a tricky one.

I'm currently having that kind of dilemma too, and I'll be moving from a 330d.

Whichever car you go for, make sure you get the manual. Nothing better than getting that straight 6 singing with a proper gearbox.

I've driven a new 330i and it was fantastic. Aurally brilliant, with a deep bassy note, rising to a lovely howl at the top end. Reminded me of an E34 M5. Having said that, the 335i also sounds great, especially given that it's turbocharged. Usually forced induced motors are quieter.

Acceleration wise, I only have this info from Youtube, and it's the 1 series versions. Can't see the 3 series results being any different.....

3rd gear
http://youtube.com/watch?v=G6fxhrGsYJQ

4th gear
http://youtube.com/watch?v=y_r11wE4rb0&fea...

There's plenty more available where they came from!

Personally, I'd probably take the 330i. Better mpg by about 30%, lower VED, etc etc. It may not have the mid-range punch of the 335i, but it won't be far behind.

Matt

After ordering my 330 touring, I had a moment of hesitancy when I realised the 335i could be had with manual box (I was getting confused with the diesel). I phoned the dealer to check whether I should upgrade and he basically said that I went for the 335 I would probably have to spec it with sports suspension/MSport etc. otherwise the resale would take a hit. As this will is a family car, and not a sports car, I decided to stick with the 330i/standard suspension. The 330 is a fair bit more economical. I also have question mark about the reliability

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evolongtermtests/2...

(maybe a one off)

[Ranger 6]

MattOz said:

Whichever car you go for, make sure you get the manual. Nothing better than getting that straight 6 singing with a proper gearbox.

I've driven a new 330i and it was fantastic. Aurally brilliant, with a deep bassy note, rising to a lovely howl at the top end. Reminded me of an E34 M5.

Have got the 3.0 engine in my 1 and it's just superb. The noise, the performance and the economy made it my choice.

[abarber]

Ranger 6 said:

MattOz said:

Whichever car you go for, make sure you get the manual. Nothing better than getting that straight 6 singing with a proper gearbox.

I've driven a new 330i and it was fantastic. Aurally brilliant, with a deep bassy note, rising to a lovely howl at the top end. Reminded me of an E34 M5.

Have got the 3.0 engine in my 1 and it's just superb. The noise, the performance and the economy made it my choice.

Getting back on subject, got to agree with the above. Both the 330i and 335i are superb and now that the 335i is < 225g/km, very tempting. Try them both and decide.

[adycav]

Ranger 6 said:

MattOz said:

Whichever car you go for, make sure you get the manual. Nothing better than getting that straight 6 singing with a proper gearbox.

I've driven a new 330i and it was fantastic. Aurally brilliant, with a deep bassy note, rising to a lovely howl at the top end. Reminded me of an E34 M5.

Have got the 3.0 engine in my 1 and it's just superb. The noise, the performance and the economy made it my choice.

Just to complicate matters...

Have you seen the prices of 130is now? If you don’t need the extra room that the 3-series allows then these are a real alternative.

I drove one a while ago and really liked it.

[MattOz]

The 130i M Sport is great value 2nd hand if you dont need the space. I don't, so may be worth a look.

Trouble is, I'm a sucker for my toys. My current car has Nav+TV, H/K, Xenons, leccy seats etc etc and trying to find a 1 series spec'd with that lot is difficult.

I'd also need to factor in an LSD for the 130i as the engine is so peachy that the chassis really needs the LSD to exploit it fully.

Matt

[Ranger 6]

MattOz said:

Trouble is, I'm a sucker for my toys. My current car has Nav+TV, H/K, Xenons, leccy seats etc etc and trying to find a 1 series spec'd with that lot is difficult.

'cos I bought it.....

Seriously, the 130i is an excellent buy, the launch cars are coming on to the market now and whilst you don't get TV or HK the spec is very good. Mine came with Pro Nav, BT, MP3 changer etc etc.

[NoelWatson]

Ranger 6 said:

MattOz said:

Trouble is, I'm a sucker for my toys. My current car has Nav+TV, H/K, Xenons, leccy seats etc etc and trying to find a 1 series spec'd with that lot is difficult.

'cos I bought it.....

Seriously, the 130i is an excellent buy, the launch cars are coming on to the market now and whilst you don't get TV or HK the spec is very good. Mine came with Pro Nav, BT, MP3 changer etc etc.

Why don't they fit the new 3.0 in the 130i?

[daveco]

Quick question: I have the 230hp 3.0 version of the engine in the E46; is there a noticeable difference between my engine and the newer 3.0 powerplant, both in acceleration 'feel' and aural pleasure?

BTW-Heard a 335 going full pelt, it sounds absolutely fantastic.

[NoelWatson]

daveco said:

Quick question: I have the 230hp 3.0 version of the engine in the E46; is there a noticeable difference between my engine and the newer 3.0 powerplant, both in acceleration 'feel' and aural pleasure?

BTW-Heard a 335 going full pelt, it sounds absolutely fantastic.

I think the new 3.0 sounds quite diesel like at tickover - I think this may be due to the direct injection.

[MattOz]

NoelWatson said:

Why don't they fit the new 3.0 in the 130i?

IIRC, the engine in the 130i was the 272ps version and was rated higher than the 2005 onwards 330i unit. I guess that the direct injection unit will make it into the 1 series at some point. A friend of mine has the new 330i and it doesn't sound very pleasant on tickover. Almost like it's being starved of juice.

Matt

[noneedtolift]

So does the 335i - nasty "clicking" noises, which is indeed due to the di piezo injectors. Didn't think a minute about going for the 330 and went straight for the 335, although it's probably true that if you take a sober approach to it (especially cost vs. benefit) the 330 would be the "sensible" car to go for...
Guess I am not all that sensible

[NoelWatson]

MattOz said:

NoelWatson said:

Why don't they fit the new 3.0 in the 130i?

IIRC, the engine in the 130i was the 272ps version and was rated higher than the 2005 onwards 330i unit. I guess that the direct injection unit will make it into the 1 series at some point. A friend of mine has the new 330i and it doesn't sound very pleasant on tickover. Almost like it's being starved of juice.

Matt

It is shown as 265bhp on BMW site - emissions are 197g which goes to show how much of an effort BMW have put into this area.

[John the Blind]

noneedtolift said:

So does the 335i - nasty "clicking" noises, which is indeed due to the di piezo injectors. Didn't think a minute about going for the 330 and went straight for the 335, although it's probably true that if you take a sober approach to it (especially cost vs. benefit) the 330 would be the "sensible" car to go for...
Guess I am not all that sensible

Spot on, as I said previously, neither the 330 or the 335 is a particularly sensible choice in the current climate. I also went straight for the 335 and am still over the moon over all. (Do agree about the noise, my E46 330Ci sounded much better at tickover.)

As for the comment about reliability, don't think it was a one off. My experience of current BMW's is very poor. Whilst the 330 never missed a beat, the 335 went into limp home mode and required a new fuel pump, the DSC/ABS/ASC etc box has needed replacing and I have had a squeaking noise from the front pad wear sensor for the last 10,000 miles without them able to cure it.

Our Z4M has had 5 lambda/oxogen sensors, two glove boxes, a replacment window winder, new speedo unit, 3 unsolved dead flat batteries and are currently waiting for a new DMC.

Both cars are undr 18 months old and have less than 20k on the clock.

A big shout goes to Mark and everyone in service at Sytners Birmingham at they have been great throughout but this isn't what I was expecting when we bought into the BMW brand.

[gizlaroc]

MattOz said:

330i -vs- 335i is a tricky one.

I'm currently having that kind of dilemma too, and I'll be moving from a 330d.

Whichever car you go for, make sure you get the manual. Nothing better than getting that straight 6 singing with a proper gearbox.

I've driven a new 330i and it was fantastic. Aurally brilliant, with a deep bassy note, rising to a lovely howl at the top end. Reminded me of an E34 M5. Having said that, the 335i also sounds great, especially given that it's turbocharged. Usually forced induced motors are quieter.

Acceleration wise, I only have this info from Youtube, and it's the 1 series versions. Can't see the 3 series results being any different.....

3rd gear
http://youtube.com/watch?v=G6fxhrGsYJQ

4th gear
http://youtube.com/watch?v=y_r11wE4rb0&amp;fea...

There's plenty more available where they came from!

Personally, I'd probably take the 330i. Better mpg by about 30%, lower VED, etc etc. It may not have the mid-range punch of the 335i, but it won't be far behind.

Matt

Be careful with those videos as they are showing how the 135i can be a fair bit quicker when fitted with the diff off the 130i, both as standard cars there isn't as much in it.


The 1 series is a great car, add an LSD to it and you have something really great and like BMW of old.

I still say my reamapped 120d is the best all round car I have owned and I am still looking for a bargain 130i every night on autotrader and the classifieds on here.

[Ranger 6]

NoelWatson said:

MattOz said:

NoelWatson said:

Why don't they fit the new 3.0 in the 130i?

IIRC, the engine in the 130i was the 272ps version and was rated higher than the 2005 onwards 330i unit. I guess that the direct injection unit will make it into the 1 series at some point. A friend of mine has the new 330i and it doesn't sound very pleasant on tickover. Almost like it's being starved of juice.

Matt

It is shown as 265bhp on BMW site - emissions are 197g which goes to show how much of an effort BMW have put into this area.

That's the ED version, mine's older (221 g/km) although is still the 265PS output.

[NoelWatson]

Ranger 6 said:

NoelWatson said:

MattOz said:

NoelWatson said:

Why don't they fit the new 3.0 in the 130i?

IIRC, the engine in the 130i was the 272ps version and was rated higher than the 2005 onwards 330i unit. I guess that the direct injection unit will make it into the 1 series at some point. A friend of mine has the new 330i and it doesn't sound very pleasant on tickover. Almost like it's being starved of juice.

Matt

It is shown as 265bhp on BMW site - emissions are 197g which goes to show how much of an effort BMW have put into this area.

That's the ED version, mine's older (221 g/km) although is still the 265PS output.

I'm not convinced it is the ED engine as the emissions are way higher than the 3 series

195 kW (265 PS,262 hp) @ 6650 rpm and 315 N•m @ 2750 rpm
E85/E86 Z4 3.0si Roadster and Coupé
E87 130i Hatchback

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_N52

[Ranger 6]

It's definitely got Efficient something as it's 24 g/km lower than mine...