Short review and more pictures of my BMW 335i
09-02-2007, 11:08 PM
#1
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Short review and more pictures of my BMW 335i
I have 2500 miles now so I figure I write a short review on my 07 335i that was purchased late June 2007.
Engine: Now this engine really went further away from what BMW was known for. They were known for their I6 engine that made power smoother than any other car I have driven. The N54 in the 335i is still smooth considering its a turboed motor but it seems they also made it more aggressive with some camshaft work. Im sure they did this to make it more of a muscle feel which it provides but its not BMW to me. Dont get me wrong, I love listening to the motor rumble and it feels more raw but as a guy who enjoys old BMWs, I sometimes find myself wanting to cruise around in the 88 635csi. Now that I mentioned what I didnt like, heres what I do like. The low end torque of the N54 makes me randy. No matter how low of a gear im in, i can just smash the pedal and the car just takes off. Honestly, I rarely have the need to go over 4k RPMs in this thing. Just has so much power that i might even say it..... it might be overkill for daily driving.
Handling: Well I cant comment too much on it since within 200 miles i swapped the stock suspension with PSS9 coilovers. But I will say that the runflat tires with the stock sport suspension are a REALLY a bouncy combo. I wasnt much of a fan but once the coilovers and non-runflat tires were installed, the car behaved much smoother and flatter in the turns. Cant wait to take this bitch on the road course. I have yet to turn off the traction control... we all know what happened last time I did that in the 330ci. Steering is tight and precise as BMW is known off, no complaints there and i have yet to drive a car that can come close in comparison. Oh might I add, the shifter in the 335i is just downright terrible, the throws are too long and feels really rubbery. What helps is changing the shift knob out with a shorter and weighed version. Its night and day difference.
Interior: Im really glad people talked me into getting the saddle brown leather over the black leatherette. I couldnt tell the difference between leather and leatherettebefore but now that I own the car... i can see the details between the two. The stitching in the leather looks so well made on the seats and more importantly around the doors and handle. The leatherette doesnt look nearly as detailed. As far as the rest of the interior, you guys have all heard enough about it so i wont bother saying more.
Gadgets: I hated Idrive when I first got the car then realized there were shortcut buttons almost for everything. So that helped but i ended up noticing that my hand always ended up on the Idrive wheel. Now without notice I do everything through the Idrive system as if it comes naturally. I wish the graphics were more colorful but other than that, it does its job. Its really my only fear of it failing outside of warranty. But I have time before thinking about that.
Also has Parked Car Ventilation. What it does is that you can program it to start at a certain time of the day. Say your car is outside in the heat all day and you hate getting inside a car that feels all muggy. Well supposedly if you set this feature to turn on at a certain time, it will open the vents so the outside air can come in to air the car out.
Idrive also comes with traffic information if you have the navi set to a destination. Will tell you if something is congested and which detour to take. Nothing new but really nice to have for me.
The hill assist, we all know how you are on a hill and with manual cars we roll back after getting off the brake. Well Hill assist will actually hold onto the brake for you for a few seconds after you lift your foot off the brake. REALLY helps, it also does the same if you are going downhill.
Seatbelt assist, I was one of those guys who thought this "helper arm" would break within a few weeks of ownership. BUt so far mine has been pretty damn good and consistent with handing me the seat belt. Best part... chicks dig it.
Adaptive headlights.. Not new but new to me and i find them to be great. I love how the light swirls to the direction of your steering wheel. Really helps when taking a turn fast or going down a curvy road without much light.
More features but these were the ones that i really enjoy and wanted to share with you guys.
My complaints...... Only thing I wish this car had was air conditioned seats like the Lexus IS has. I also dont like the speed sensor windshield wipers, they dont seem to go on when i want them to. Maybe im doing something wrong. I also hate how much orange peel this car has, some of the worst i seen come from the factory. Sheesh but i guess environmental standards are getting stricter and theres not much we can do. Other than that... i think this car is worth every penny.
Cliffnotes: I LOVE THIS CAR!!
Pictures taken by a friend of mine today.
Engine: Now this engine really went further away from what BMW was known for. They were known for their I6 engine that made power smoother than any other car I have driven. The N54 in the 335i is still smooth considering its a turboed motor but it seems they also made it more aggressive with some camshaft work. Im sure they did this to make it more of a muscle feel which it provides but its not BMW to me. Dont get me wrong, I love listening to the motor rumble and it feels more raw but as a guy who enjoys old BMWs, I sometimes find myself wanting to cruise around in the 88 635csi. Now that I mentioned what I didnt like, heres what I do like. The low end torque of the N54 makes me randy. No matter how low of a gear im in, i can just smash the pedal and the car just takes off. Honestly, I rarely have the need to go over 4k RPMs in this thing. Just has so much power that i might even say it..... it might be overkill for daily driving.
Handling: Well I cant comment too much on it since within 200 miles i swapped the stock suspension with PSS9 coilovers. But I will say that the runflat tires with the stock sport suspension are a REALLY a bouncy combo. I wasnt much of a fan but once the coilovers and non-runflat tires were installed, the car behaved much smoother and flatter in the turns. Cant wait to take this bitch on the road course. I have yet to turn off the traction control... we all know what happened last time I did that in the 330ci. Steering is tight and precise as BMW is known off, no complaints there and i have yet to drive a car that can come close in comparison. Oh might I add, the shifter in the 335i is just downright terrible, the throws are too long and feels really rubbery. What helps is changing the shift knob out with a shorter and weighed version. Its night and day difference.
Interior: Im really glad people talked me into getting the saddle brown leather over the black leatherette. I couldnt tell the difference between leather and leatherettebefore but now that I own the car... i can see the details between the two. The stitching in the leather looks so well made on the seats and more importantly around the doors and handle. The leatherette doesnt look nearly as detailed. As far as the rest of the interior, you guys have all heard enough about it so i wont bother saying more.
Gadgets: I hated Idrive when I first got the car then realized there were shortcut buttons almost for everything. So that helped but i ended up noticing that my hand always ended up on the Idrive wheel. Now without notice I do everything through the Idrive system as if it comes naturally. I wish the graphics were more colorful but other than that, it does its job. Its really my only fear of it failing outside of warranty. But I have time before thinking about that.
Also has Parked Car Ventilation. What it does is that you can program it to start at a certain time of the day. Say your car is outside in the heat all day and you hate getting inside a car that feels all muggy. Well supposedly if you set this feature to turn on at a certain time, it will open the vents so the outside air can come in to air the car out.
Idrive also comes with traffic information if you have the navi set to a destination. Will tell you if something is congested and which detour to take. Nothing new but really nice to have for me.
The hill assist, we all know how you are on a hill and with manual cars we roll back after getting off the brake. Well Hill assist will actually hold onto the brake for you for a few seconds after you lift your foot off the brake. REALLY helps, it also does the same if you are going downhill.
Seatbelt assist, I was one of those guys who thought this "helper arm" would break within a few weeks of ownership. BUt so far mine has been pretty damn good and consistent with handing me the seat belt. Best part... chicks dig it.
Adaptive headlights.. Not new but new to me and i find them to be great. I love how the light swirls to the direction of your steering wheel. Really helps when taking a turn fast or going down a curvy road without much light.
More features but these were the ones that i really enjoy and wanted to share with you guys.
My complaints...... Only thing I wish this car had was air conditioned seats like the Lexus IS has. I also dont like the speed sensor windshield wipers, they dont seem to go on when i want them to. Maybe im doing something wrong. I also hate how much orange peel this car has, some of the worst i seen come from the factory. Sheesh but i guess environmental standards are getting stricter and theres not much we can do. Other than that... i think this car is worth every penny.
Cliffnotes: I LOVE THIS CAR!!
Pictures taken by a friend of mine today.
09-02-2007, 11:16 PM
#3
Congrats, maybe one day, when all my bills are paid, I can get one 
09-02-2007, 11:29 PM
#5
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by 04EuroAccordTsx
why did you remove 335i though, some car novice might think you might be driving only a 328i 
I didnt buy it for the badge.I just like the way it looks without it.
09-03-2007, 12:08 AM
#7
Originally Posted by 04EuroAccordTsx
why did you remove 335i though, some car novice might think you might be driving only a 328i
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09-03-2007, 01:00 AM
#10
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Thread Starter
Originally Posted by vwong
Crazy Sellout,
Nice car, dude!!! Since when you got the 335i? Did you trade in your B6?
Nice car, dude!!! Since when you got the 335i? Did you trade in your B6?
Sold the B6 back in April i think to a guy in Texas. He offered decent money for it so I took it.
I always lusted after the 335i coupe since i saw spy photos so i figured I take his offer and order the BMW. Audi was a good car though but never tickled my senses like the this car does.
09-03-2007, 01:04 AM
#15
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good looking car...let us know if you have problems with it... bmw's have a very sh1tty reputation when it comes to reliability.. my only experience (not really) is that my cousin had a bmw 3 series a couple of years back, but sold it because the tranny failed and she took pristine care of that car..she ended up getting an accord .. Personally i wouldnt use a bmw as a daily driver..but would get it as a 2nd fun car..
once again..sexy beast of a car..enjoy
once again..sexy beast of a car..enjoy
may be responsible for many 'ziners leaving the 
for some saurkraut.
09-03-2007, 06:34 AM
#18
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Originally Posted by Crazy Sellout
The auto tranny in the E46 was weak, they were known to fail.
Yep. Like mine.
(replaced tranny at 105k miles). STill love it though!
09-03-2007, 08:34 AM
#21
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Originally Posted by Crazy Sellout
Honestly, I rarely have the need to go over 4k RPMs in this thing. Just has so much power that i might even say it..... it might be overkill for daily driving.
You are such a pussy! 
09-03-2007, 01:11 PM
#23
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sweet ride and i know this is about 30 less hp but did you look into C350 Sport sedan. I know it's also an auto. but the new C class is growing on my something fierce. when it first hit i thought it was nasty now i like it.
i haven't used I drive but every car mag i've read flipping hate it.
i haven't used I drive but every car mag i've read flipping hate it.
09-03-2007, 01:55 PM
#24
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Thread Starter
Originally Posted by datzdaboi
Nice car and pics.....any performance mods in the near future ?
I have a simple axle back exhaust for now and im sure later on ill change that out to a turbo back.
Also will be getting the PROcede software but not anytime soon since i see no reason for it yet.
09-03-2007, 03:04 PM
#25
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Man I love that ride and I can't wait to own one someday. Your car is moded out to my exact taste, but all said and done it is an expensive car 
could be a little while for me.
could be a little while for me.
09-03-2007, 04:47 PM
#28
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Thread Starter
Originally Posted by ConradE46
Yep. Like mine. (replaced tranny at 105k miles). STill love it though!
(replaced tranny at 105k miles). STill love it though!Thanks again for taking the pictures! Your RDX is really sharp... i kept going near it to check out all the details.
09-03-2007, 08:31 PM
#30
Suzuka Master
Very good write-up and gorgeous shots! MonacoBlue is really a stunner
MonacoBlue is really a stunner
09-04-2007, 10:49 AM
#35
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Originally Posted by Crazy Sellout
Thanks again for taking the pictures! Your RDX is really sharp... i kept going near it to check out all the details.
Not a problem. It wasn't very hard to take those photos. The car was already awesome to start with. I only took the photos. 90% of my work was already done before I took the first picture!
We need to take more photos 
09-04-2007, 12:36 PM
#39
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Originally Posted by paultl
Hey Crazy,
What kind of front lip do you have? I didnt see it as an option when I was at the bmw dealership
What kind of front lip do you have? I didnt see it as an option when I was at the bmw dealership
Its not an option but they have it in their BMW accessory catalog i think.
