[robertb]

Picked up my new 335i yesterday. So far loving it. Traded in a 2009 335d that I'd had almost exactly 3 years to the day. Going from a diesel to the refined inline 6 gasoline motor is the biggest change. And what a change. At idle at stop lights, you were always reminded (in a good way) of the massive forces being contained by that diesel motor block. It had presence. But the gas motor is SO smooth and quiet. And as if the gas motor isn't quiet enough, the engine stop feature makes for completely silent traffic stops. The new generation run-flat tires (Pirelli P7 Cinturato All Season) are MUCH quieter, and much less road noise inside the car. Got the variable sport steering and really not noticing a lot of difference other than in comfort mode, it does feel lighter, not light, but lighter than the e90. In sport mode, that goes away. Overall I don't see the big fuss about the electric steering. The HUD feature is fantastic. Wasn't sure about it and probably wouldn't have ordered it if it didn't come along with the nav system. Got smartphone integration and had no problem pairing up my iphone 4S with the snap in media adapter. Album covers from itunes display in the nav screen (in split screen mode in the right window) and you can scroll with the thumbwheel on the right side of the steering wheel through your playlist with the list displaying in HUD. Dial to the song, press the thumbwheel, the song loads, the entertainment details window shows artist, album name, and song in text and then switches in a few seconds to the album cover. Very cool. The only downside to the HUD is that the windshield is more prone to picking up glare from the dash. The brakes do feel different from the e90. The brakes in my 335d were grabby, but, WOW, could they stop that car. The brakes on the 335i feel much more progressive and not grabby, but require more foot pressure to brake hard than the e90. I'm sure I'll get used to them, but I actually like the 335d's brakes better. But that's the only thing. The f30 is definitely an improvement in practically every way from the e90. Will try to get better pictures and give more impressions tomorrow...

[matt_435xi]

Originally Posted by robertb

Picked up my new 335i yesterday. So far loving it. Traded in a 2009 335d that I'd had almost exactly 3 years to the day. Going from a diesel to the refined inline 6 gasoline motor is the biggest change. And what a change. At idle at stop lights, you were always reminded (in a good way) of the massive forces being contained by that diesel motor block. It had presence. But the gas motor is SO smooth and quiet. And as if the gas motor isn't quiet enough, the engine stop feature makes for completely silent traffic stops. The new generation run-flat tires (Pirelli P7 Cinturato All Season) are MUCH quieter, and much less road noise inside the car. Got the variable sport steering and really not noticing a lot of difference other than in comfort mode, it does feel lighter, not light, but lighter than the e90. In sport mode, that goes away. Overall I don't see the big fuss about the electric steering. The HUD feature is fantastic. Wasn't sure about it and probably wouldn't have ordered it if it didn't come along with the nav system. Got smartphone integration and had no problem pairing up my iphone 4S with the snap in media adapter. Album covers from itunes display in the nav screen (in split screen mode in the right window) and you can scroll with the thumbwheel on the right side of the steering wheel through your playlist with the list displaying in HUD. Dial to the song, press the thumbwheel, the song loads, the entertainment details window shows artist, album name, and song in text and then switches in a few seconds to the album cover. Very cool. The only downside to the HUD is that the windshield is more prone to picking up glare from the dash. The brakes do feel different from the e90. The brakes in my 335d were grabby, but, WOW, could they stop that car. The brakes on the 335i feel much more progressive and not grabby, but require more foot pressure to brake hard than the e90. I'm sure I'll get used to them, but I actually like the 335d's brakes better. But that's the only thing. The f30 is definitely an improvement in practically every way from the e90. Will try to get better pictures and give more impressions tomorrow...

very nice, what does your interior look like?

[justinnum1]

I noticed that in my new 328...i dont like having to press the brake in so far for it to activate, i like just to tap the brake pedal and for the brakes to grab

[7or8]

Mineral grey seems like the most popular color thus far. Nice car!

[Falafel Combo]

You're parked too close to the curb! )

Congrats!

[bl@ster]

Jeez, nice car and nice neighborhood!

[DrivenByE30]

New Car... dont the brakes need to be breaking in ...

Go easy on them for the first few hundreds miles...


ps: congrats on the good looking car!

[svache]

Luxury line, very nice!

[fookie]

Nice car! I'll have to see if I spot you around town!

[gnosis8]

Now that's what I call "curbside appeal".

[Zirenz2006]

Originally Posted by gnosis8

Now that's what I call "curbside appeal".

[gnosis8]

LOL thanks for the budda-dup-ching!

[PrinceBarin]

Mineral grey luxury line. Awesome choice sir! Looks stunning. Congrats.

Would certainly welcome some more pics.

Enjoy.

[robertb]

Took a few more pics today. For all those who were freaking out about the early North American front license plate frames, I included a pic showing the actual production holder. It'll look better with a license plate, but I only have a temporary plate on the rear now. A few more observations: the e90 rear doors always felt light and would require more shove than the front doors to close properly. The rear doors on the f30 close with almost as much satisfying German heft as the front doors. The rear seats are much easier to get into as well. One downer, still have plastic valve caps on the wheels. Is it too much to ask to put on metal valve caps on a car this expensive? Love the HK audio. Had it my 335d, but due to the incredible quietness of this car and the increased number of speakers, it just sounds stunning now. Suspension is much more compliant that e90. Seems to have more travel, but the car seems just as planted in turns. Overall this is a very refined car. I know this might not sit well with some of you, but this Luxury Line car is almost a mini-5 now and I'm not complaining.

[PrinceBarin]

Hey Robert, just wondered what suspension you have? Thanks.

Glad to hear more positive reviews for the HK in this car!

[robertb]

Originally Posted by PrinceBarin

Hey Robert, just wondered what suspension you have? Thanks.

Glad to hear more positive reviews for the HK in this car!

I just have the base suspension. The adaptive suspension is only available in the US on the Sport Line car. If I could have ordered it with the Luxury Line in the US, I would have. However, I have no complaints with the base suspension. I'm not rally racing through the streets of Washington anyway. The iphone integration paired with the HK sound system is an amazing combination. I have the library of all my music in the car. My first car had an 8 track tape player! The 10 gigabytes of music on my iphone would have probably filled a shipping container's worth of 8 track tapes! What we take for granted these days!

[svache]

Originally Posted by robertb

I know this might not sit well with some of you, but this Luxury Line car is almost a mini-5 now and I'm not complaining.

My CA calls it a baby-5

[rideontwo]

I see your car is not equipped with the sport package. What are your thoughts about the seat bottoms and the side bolsters? They sure seem awfully flat.

[mariposasf]

A really elegant, awesome-looking car. Congratulations! Two questions: 1. Was the iPhone integration an added option? 2. Any regrets that you were unable to order the Sports seats, specifically the thigh support?

[robertb]

Originally Posted by rideontwo

I see your car is not equipped with the sport package. What are your thoughts about the seat bottoms and the side bolsters? They sure seem awfully flat.

They have more padding and the bottom seat cushion seems more adjustable up and down front to back. I'm able to get a more comfortable seating position than I've ever got in the e90, but the test will be a long trip and I've not done that yet. Overall the seats seem more compliant. There has been a steady progression in seat comfort from my first 2002 325i to 2006 330i to 2009 335d and now best seats yet in the 2012 335i. It's been a steady progression from sitting ON the seats to sitting IN them!

[bimmer man]

Very pretty, I like black inside. Congratulations with the new car.

[robertb]

Originally Posted by mariposasf

A really elegant, awesome-looking car. Congratulations! Two questions: 1. Was the iPhone integration an added option? 2. Any regrets that you were unable to order the Sports seats, specifically the thigh support?

If the sport seats had been available in the Luxury Line in the US, I would have bought them, but I don't like the aesthetic of the Sports Line trim. I also live in an area where I either need winter tires or all season tires unlike SF, so the Sports Line is even less appealing with its summer only tires. The iphone integration comes with the BMW Apps option ($250), but it is really much more expensive than that since it requires the BMW Assist Option ($650) and a iphone adapter purchased from the dealer for another $250. What it gives you is a place inside the center console to snap in your iphone so that it charges, the phone's antenna is hooked up to the roof shark fin for better reception, and the phone's ipod functionality, iphone, and BMW Apps functionality is available through the idrive, nav screen, and steering wheel controls. If you're within .6 miles of your car, you can with BMW Apps unlock and lock the doors, blow the horn, flash headlights. You can also use Google maps to pinpoint your car's location. You can also have Facebook and Twitter feeds viewable in the nav screen. You can also stream web radio and Pandora. It's a pricey option, but I'm a techie so couldn't live without it.