[electro-house]

I just purchased a certified pre owned 08 335i coupe while trading in my 06 325ci coupe. Great car so far, yet so different from the e46.

I am having a couple additions made at the dealer (tint, door sills), and this morning I picked up a loaner vehicle from the dealer, which is a 2010 328i sedan. I had been driving in the 335i for the previous six days.

I am loving everything about the 335i, but today when I picked up the loaner (which is the same generation as the 335i I bought, e9x), I was surprised at how much it drives like my JUST traded in (older generation) e46 325ci.

I am not talking about the power differential between the vehicles which is obvious, I'm talking about the sticky feel to the road and how the handling and steering is so similar and actually better IMO with the 325ci and 328i. My 335i handles good, but doesn't have that sticky feeling to the ground and similar steering that these two vehicles are or were providing me with. They each seem easier to drive, or maybe that's just what I'm used to but I would doubt it. I just feel so much more in connection with the road, on the 335i I feel almost like I am 'floating' for some reason. I thought it was something I was just getting used to, or perhaps new tires put on by the dealer and not broken in (but I've put 500 miles on the car now), so it's probably not that. I thought it was just an adjustment I was getting used to with the 335i, but driving the 328i today got me thinking. If I can have this same feel on the 335i, then I would like to get it. At this point I am confident there is a reason for this.

It's not necessarily a bad handling response in the 335i, but it's so different from these other two cars. It really caught me off guard this morning when this current generation 328i I drove off the lot handled so much more like my old car, and honestly, I like the feel better. It sticks to the road, the turning is predictable, seems easier to drive. I hope I am describing this well enough.

My only guess is it could be these run flat tires on the 335i, or is there something perhaps I am missing? I know I heard people talking about ditching their run flats but I'd like to know for sure first.

Maybe the 335i is just a different breed, maybe it's these run flats, or perhaps I'm missing something. Any help would really be appreciated.

[Johnru]

You have sport on the 335 verses the non sport 328 so they are easy to drive with lighter steering and smother ride. On a track you would know the difference. I like getting loaners they are nice but not edgy like and a bit raw like the 335 sport

[Geonator]

Originally Posted by Johnru

You have sport on the 335 verses the non sport 328 so they are easy to drive with lighter steering and smother ride. On a track you would know the difference. I like getting loaners they are nice but not edgy like and a bit raw like the 335 sport

+1
The 335 sport is going to be more of a rough ride compared to your previous 328 and the loaner u currently have. Just change out your suspension and get some coilovers.... you won't regret that mod if u have to dodge any deers lol
you also have to put the twin turbos into play as well.. once those turbos kick in... the car is faster than the speed of light...

anyways... its been 6 days.. and the only comparable facts on the loaner u have versus your previous 328 are that the horsepower are similar compared to the 335 which is a big difference when we talk about horsepower to the wheel and torque. I might be rambling, please correct me if im wrong but the 2010 328 has 230 horsepower and the 2008 335 has 300 horsepower and 300 torque.

The torque alone makes the drive different.

Anyways Congrats on your new car. You will learn to love it if u dont already love it to death.
Enjoy

[Manboy]

Could be weight difference?
Comparing this situation to my 2007 Euro 130i Msport, which obviously is a different car but you can really feel the weight difference compared to the 335i. The 130i is just a blast to drive, very agile and turn in's are great. You felt really connected to the car which feels very connected to the road.

[rackley]

I read this thread a few days ago and oddly enough, I just picked up a 2010 328i non-sport loaner and drove it for 3 days while my squeaky seat frame was replaced.

Obviously, the power sucked. It got better once the trans started learning I wasn't driving it to the old folk's home and back, but still. The 335i is far faster.

I honestly think the 328i "felt" more connected with the road though. You'd think the 335i sport would be harsher and more connected, but from my test drive I definitely think the 328i non-sport "felt" more connected to the road.

The 335i feels almost mushy and "on a cloud" by comparison, although obviously in comparison to other cars (i.e. Camry) it is definitely not.

I just thought it was interested that I noticed the same thing.

[rummy]

Something about that E46 chassis.