I'd like to cover a few aspects of this car if possible. Might look into one soon (e90..sedan). Right now I have a 2004 TL w/ 120K miles. I'd really like to compare this to say...a 07/08 TL-S

Thanks in advance!


1. Performance - How is it? I know the numbers are pretty good, and it seems like it really wakes up with a tune a few other simple things. Not sure of cost on these, if you know that'd be even better....but not a HUGE issue as I'm sure they're not crazy expensive or anything.


2. Reliability/Maintenance - A lot of people seem to say that if you buy a BMW, make sure you get a warranty with it! My brother got his wife a like '10 or newer 535i and it seems like it's been in the shop a few times, though I'm not sure how serious it's been. Still....do I need to factor in the price of a warranty with these vehicles even when they're low-mid mileage?


3. Fuel Economy - I'm sure the gas mileage isn't as good as a TL-s as they're RWD and seem to be a bit more performance-y, but I don't know...that's why I need you!


4. Interior/Exterior Quality - Exterior I would assume is much nicer, as in paint quality, etc. I'm also going to assume the inside materials are nice, though I like the layout and look of the TL-s more. The factory interior looks somewhat bland in the BMW, though I've seen people do a few thing and it really looks good in there with some vinyl, etc.



Is there any other aspects I should be checking out that you can think of? I really think the TL-s with a-spec, 19's, etc looks amazing, but sometimes I feel like the 335i with 19's, etc can look damn good and be quite a bit quicker (I think..).

 

I am sure that the TL-S wins many of your criteria and I am unsure about owning a long term bi-turbo engine. I would favor the TL-S over a 335i, but not over a 328i. If you want to try the BMW experience, I would stretch it to have the 2009+ LCI version.

I had a lukewarm experience with 18" low profile tires (3 bent wheels and 1 tire)... I suggest that you forget 19".

 

335i is in a totally different league in terms of pure performance. It's FAST. Not just a little bit faster than a TL, it's much faster.

As for the other items on your criteria, I would just say that you gotta pay to play.

 

I would not even bother looking into a 328i, they are worse when comparing to the 3G TL. I know for a fact as we have a few in the family......and they are just boring.....EVERY teenage girl on the block has one, its a very common car.

The 335i gets beter MPG when compared to the TL. My TL barely gets 18 in the city, the 335 gets around 20-23 city, on the highway it can easily get 30MPG. The interior quality much nicer when comparing to the TL....have you seen our leather LOL? The interior layout is okay looking, throw in some CF vinyl or get the aluminum trim and your set. I always liked the interiors in the bimmers, I love my E60's interior and LOVE the orange ambient lights. Oh btw the 335 its FAST.

Reliability wise its not a good car. Not sure what years your looking at..... but the N54 engine which came in the 07-08-09's is not that reliable. A whole slew of issues. Try to get a CPO or aftermarket warranty. Check out E90post.com for more information.

 

What?

 

Just ignore him.

 

^^I'm with you that make no sence. I hoping he just mixed up his words.
As for the OP the 335i is obviously faster than the TL, but I think the TL beats it in every other category.
Especially reliability, one owner of a 355i needed to get 7 HPFP at only 45k!

 

No, he didn't mix up his words. He thinks 328i is better than all the other cars on the road. Just ignore him.

That HPFP problem has been publicly addressed and fixed by BMW.

 

^^Oh I see now, well at least BMW cleared up the biggest problem.
But Im pretty sure that have wastegate rattles too, correct me if that has been resolved too.

 

I had a 06 TL, 07 TL Type S, and now an 08 335i.

Performance - the Acura IS PLANETS AWAY from even being considered in the same sentence as the BMW in this category...I've raced Type-S' in my 335i and even I was astonished at how much faster it really is...

Reliability/Maintenance - I never had any issues with my BMW that warranty did not cover... and knock on wood but my car has never had a single HPFP failure

Fuel Economy - Both are even, but really, does this category even matter? I love to rip my 335i, and I loved ripping my Type-S...life is too short to worry about fuel economy

Interior/Exterior - Call me crazy on this, but I prefer the Type-S above anything I've ever sat in...My BMW is fully loaded so my interior includes leather/sports seats/navi/etc. but I find it SO boring to my Type-S, even my 06 TL w/navi looked better inside...Type-S was some next level shit back when it came out; inside and out. Although I must say the craftsmanship and quality of materials used in the BMW is MILES superior compared to the cheap plastic in the Acura. Conclusively, interior design - Acura, interior quality - BMW

and honestly a guy with the most BASE OF ALL BASE BMWs (07 323i) should defn not be talking lol *cough*Saintor*cough*

 

1. Performance - Staggering. Right out of the box the car is fast! It's by far the fastest, most fun to drive car I've ever owned. Slap a $900 COBB AccessPort Stage 1 tune on it and it turns the car into a beast with no other mods. You'll be pushing near 300HP to the wheels with a tune only.

2. Reliability/Maintenance - I've heard from everyone that you do not want to own a BMW out of warranty. The N5x engine especially. I've got 32K miles (tuned since about 7K) and have only had 1 warranty issue. HPFP went out prior to me tuning the car. The maintenance plan helps to lower the overall ownership cost a bit, but I change my oil more than the covered once every 15K miles. The extended warranty would probably be worth it. Shop around though, the dealerships can definitely negotiate on the cost.


3. Fuel Economy - I get an average of 17-20mpg, but most of my driving is city driving and I have a lead foot.


4. Interior/Exterior Quality - I can't speak for the paint quality in comparison to a TL, but the overall material quality is great IMO. The leather is nice, I really like the gray poplar trim that I got. Flows really well with the black leather and looks much nicer than the brown wood and classier than the carbon fiber trim.

There are 3 trim levels when it comes to the 335i. The base, sport package, and m-sport package. Mine is an M-sport and is the most aggressive looking aero package they make for the car. Also, with the M-sport, you get a really nice thicker steering wheel, black headliner, and the option of some nice 19" OEM wheels. Feel free to ask if you have any other questions!

 

^^^BMW clearcoat is much harder than Acura's making it more immune to scratches.

 

+1

It has enough power to pass cars on the highway like they're standing still. I've been to the dealer a few times for HPFP, but since they've replaced it, I've had no other problems. And I get about 20 mpg in mostly city driving. I suggest you get a 2009+ for exterior and iDrive update.

 

Funny, I was just looking at something...

300 WHP?

Safety?

 

1.) Stock for stock the 335 vs tl-s isn't that huge of a difference but it's there. But if you plan on modding and toss on a tune, low 12s are easily attainable.

2.) Reliability is spotty. You want to get an 09 or newer if you can afford. Reason being, 1.) that is the lci version of the sedan. 2.) The wastegate rattle is mostly fixed due to revised actuators 3.) Injectors are also the revised model.
Also, the HPFP issue is mostly resolved, not much of a problem anymore and you still will have the 120k mile warranty on that.

3.)Fuel economy is stunningly good. I have awd so I lose a few mpg. But don't forget this is a direct inject engine, so you're gaining a good 2-3mpg more due to this feature. Also, being this is a turboed engine, it depends on how much you're in boost. Actually the 335 driven conservatively gets better mileage than the 328. The 335 should get equivalent or better mileage than your tl-s.

4.) Exterior is subjective so no comment. Interior, I feel it's not as "techy" as the TL-S. I loved my 08 tl interior. The 335 has an ergonomic layout and is very basic.

Good luck

 

Where did you get this info?

The 3-Series always gets 9/10 crash test ratings. It's a BMW, dude.

 

Everything you said was looking good till the last part. The n54 is turning out to be a marvel. The stock engine is holding almost 700whp. As for the 3 big ones, hpfp, injectors and wg rattle, those have all been addressed. No one knows the limits of these engines yet but calling them unreliable is not accurate.

 

^.
<cite>www.cargurus.com

I was looking at the sales data on the g 35.
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That horsepower number isn't right either. That's a 328i. The 335i comes with 300.

And I said with a tune you'd be near 300whp.

 

my friend has an 07 335i with almost 50K miles outta warranty and he swears to me its the most reliable car he's ever had. However hes' the type that gets all the maintenance done to a tee from tire rotation to windshield wiper replacements so that type of habit might be a big part why.

 

There is a guy nicknamed "bcube" on Bimmer forums who owns a 175K miles 335i E93. According to him, the car had many failures up to 80K and then very few issues from there to 175K miles.

 

is his car somehow related to

 

 

 

Almost ended up w/ a CPO 335xi before deciding on the TL.
Turn up on the boost on one of those and hang on!