[bmq]

Hi Everyone, My buddy and I attended the E92 event at the Texas Motor Speedway yesterday. What an incredible experience! We got to drive the 335i Coupe and the Infinit G35 Coupe back to back in an autocross track. We were able to (encouraged to) push both the cars as much as we wanted to. No comparison there. The 335i has more power, more torque, better handling, and more legroom (front and back) then the G35. The G35 really paled in comparison to the new turbo engine.

Next we were taken to a different track for time trials in a 330i sedan. That was fun. We had a practice lap each, and then the instructors again encouraged us to push the car to its limits. That was pure adrenalin rush. My buddy ended up with the second highest time of the day. I did not do so well because I hesitated at one of the turns and you just can't afford to do that.

Next they took us for "hot laps" in a 335i. This is where you put on your helmets and an instructor drives you around the track as fast as he can. We were hitting speeds over 100 MPH! It was absolutely incredible!!

BMW knows how to put on an event, and how to sell cars. My buddy, who drives a Lexus, and is not in the market for a BMW was absolutely bowled over. He is now a believer and has come over to the dark side. I just bought my E90 8 months ago, but the 335i sedan is looking very appealing. Also, the 330i that we drove in timed trials had active steerting, and this is the first time I really experienced it in speed conditions. I can tell you that I am now a fan of active steering and my next car will definetly have it. I could tell the difference right away between my steering and this one, especially when I was making hairpin turns at breakneck speeds. Much smoother.

I also got a chance to talk to Ken (forget last name) who is BMW USA National 3 Series Sales Manager. He confirmed that the 335i Sedans are coming out very shortly. My recommendtion to anyone who is contemplating getting the 330i is to wait a few weeks and get the 335i...the difference in hp and torque alone is worth it.

Enjoy the pics...Cheers....

[aztec]

Awsome! Thanks For The Pics!:rocks:

[Greeney]

Thats awesome!

[wyrm11]

Thanks for the pics!

What's with the comparison with the G35? That car is already a few years old and a new coupe is coming out next year anyway. You'd think a more appropriate comparison would be the IS, even if it's not a coupe.

[RJD]

holy crap, those are some great pics from what im sure was a great event! I know they just had one of those out here in Atlanta...but I havent heard anyone that had been to it.

[BenMW]

The one in Atlanta... Already happened.

I missed the one in Dallas because it filled up in a day. How did you hear about it?

Thinking Dallas meet.

[Hunter399]

Why dont we have a joint Houston and Dallas meet?

[bmq]

Originally Posted by BenMW

The one in Atlanta... Already happened.

I missed the one in Dallas because it filled up in a day. How did you hear about it?

Thinking Dallas meet.

I heard about it from a post on Bimmerfest. I called the 800 number and signed up right away. I guess I lucked out on the timing.

Lets get a Dallas meet going. There are enough of us here to make it exciting. Pick a weekend and a central location, and lets make it happen...

[bmq]

Originally Posted by wyrm11

What's with the comparison with the G35? That car is already a few years old and a new coupe is coming out next year anyway. You'd think a more appropriate comparison would be the IS, even if it's not a coupe.

I agree. I brought this point up with the organizers, and was told that BMW research shows that G35 is their most direct competition and that BMW 3 series has actually lost some sales to the G35. Personally, I would have liked to have driven the Lexus IS and the Audi A4 as well.

[BenMW]

Originally Posted by hunter399

Why dont we have a joint Houston and Dallas meet?

Hunter loves meets... Yeah it would be a big meet. But honestly I think houston or even a thing half way might be too far for me.

I wish there was a way to see all the members from a certain town. Like a list of all the members from Dallas or Chicago etc.

Im waitin for my baby to come at the end of october put i would go to one now but i only have an e46.

[picus]

Originally Posted by wyrm11

Thanks for the pics!

What's with the comparison with the G35? That car is already a few years old and a new coupe is coming out next year anyway. You'd think a more appropriate comparison would be the IS, even if it's not a coupe.

Originally Posted by bmq

I agree. I brought this point up with the organizers, and was told that BMW research shows that G35 is their most direct competition and that BMW 3 series has actually lost some sales to the G35. Personally, I would have liked to have driven the Lexus IS and the Audi A4 as well.

Having driven an IS fairly extensively (and owning two G35s), the G is (imo) much more of a competitor when you get down to the nitty gritty. The IS is faster than the G no question, but in terms of chassis dynamics, handling, steering feel, ride stiffness etc the IS is more of a cruiser. While the 335i and G aren't exactly Lotus's they are more firmly sprung and the G attempts to emulate the 3-series feel. Even with VDIM disabled I found the IS stays true to it's Lexus roots - it's fairly soft, has more pronounced roll and a lot of dive in the front. Great for a cruiser, not so great on the track compared to the G or 3.

It'd be nice to have IS's and A4 (or even S4's) at the events, but if I had to pick the closest competitor to the 335i coupe it'd definitely be the G coupe.

[remmib]

Oh man that looks like alot of fun

[horatiub]

nice pictures!!!

[climkt]

After' a shower of lovely e92 pics' in the forum, i am not ashamed to state once and for all that the e92 3 series coupe is my favourite 3 series model.

[Dev330]

Wow!!! that looks incredible, I wish BMW would do something like that here!
Thanks for sharing the awesome pic's

[wyrm11]

Originally Posted by bmq

I agree. I brought this point up with the organizers, and was told that BMW research shows that G35 is their most direct competition and that BMW 3 series has actually lost some sales to the G35. Personally, I would have liked to have driven the Lexus IS and the Audi A4 as well.

Still, you'd think they could have had more the 1 sample from the competition. I've been to Lexus events where they had the G35, the 330 and others.

Anyway, sounds like it was a fun event. It just seems pointless to compare a brand new, completely redesigned '07 335 to a G35 that's already on its way out and that really competed with the E46. I would hope that 335 blows the old G35 out of the water...otherwise, BMW is going out of business.