[Harper55987]

Minnesota resident here who currently drives a fully loaded 135i right now. Minnesota winters are always a worry and I've about had it for the last few winters suffering with my 135i.
Tires are so wide they float over the snow, salt + rocks, gravel, etc.

I'm looking at a 2009 BMW 335xi. This will match the N54 engine I have in my 135i right now. They are basically the same car with the differences of:
135 is coupe, 335 is sedan
135 is RWD, 335 is AWD
135 has iDrive (2009 version), 335 does not
135 has M-Sport option, 335 has Sport option

This last one is the only real difference I can find that isn't cosmetic as the M-Sport has the upgraded suspension and Sport just has cosmetics.

What will I, or will I, find any differences with not having this? I don't really track my car, drift, race, etc but I occasionally do like to pull around a corner in the backroads quickly and feel some rush.

[patrickguu]

i would keep the 135i since the 335 doesnt have idrive AND M sport... to me thats a deal breaker..

[smallseafishie]

The xdrive models don't have a "sport" suspension even when equipped with the sports package or even msport unlike RWD vehicles.

[Harper55987]

The iDrive doesn't concern me as much. I've had other 3 series without them. I don't pay for nav updates on the GPS and I am on the 2009 model which means I don't interface with my iPhone 5 anyways, no BMW office, etc
I also like the cleaner look of the dash.

I am more concernced about the feel of the car. I have yet to test drive the xDrive as I've always had RWD before this from BMW but the idea of not having to worry about winter is intriquing

[patrickguu]

your 135i with good snow tires don't perform well enough?

[Harper55987]

I find that in slushy and packed down snow it can get stuck easily. Freshly fallen snow it drives like a boss!!
On the way to work when no one is up it works well. On the way back when everyone has packed it down I get problems.

I currently run Continental Extreme DWS tires all around.

For next winter, I could look at getting some pure winter tires and going very grippy but I've been debating between trying to make it work or a 335xi.

[135Pats]

1ers are OK in fresh and light powder, but when the snow gets dense and icy they're bad news. Short wheel base+immediate tq delivery=tail end all over the place. With pure snow tires they aren't half bad, so I'd strongly consider that OP. At the same time, you live in an area where "not half bad" probably doesn't cut it come winter time. I can get by with the 1er where I live, in the winter I just drive the other car when there's serious snow on the ground, and the winter tires handle the sprinklings we get. Tough call...

[kdbryce]

i'd look for one with idrive and msport

it would be a deal breaker to not have those options for me

[ken1137]

Yeah, wondering why you just dont get a real Winter set. I had no problems with mine in heavy snow but had Blizzaks mounted. The only problem is when and if they dont clear the snow and you have to drive through 8-10".

You'll miss the handling of the 135, it is very toss-able as you know. The 335 feels like a boat. I have Sport suspension on my e90 so the ride is fairly decent. I will also mount my Performance suspension next year. It all depends on what you did to the 135. I had basically an M3 conversion with rear subframe bushings and coilovers. Thus, my 135 ride was very compliant yet tight around the corners. The e90 suspension, even without sport suspension, will be an improvement over the 135 if you did nothing to it your 135.

GL.

[Braumin]

Honestly unless you really want to get rid of your 135, I'd say get some real snow tires. I have the 335i xDrive, and it wasn't great in the snow the two days I had my All Season tires on it. Really you are going to need a set of winter tires for it anyway - AWD helps you get going but doesn't help you stop.

Did the 2009 135 get the updated CIC NAV as well? I love iDrive (I have CIC) and I'd miss it for sure but not just for Navigation. The M-Sport on the xDrive isn't a deal breaker because it does have Sport so you get the better seats at least. I love the look of the M-Sport though.

[ef11]

On a 335 is the MSport and Sport package suspension different? The OPs original statement claims that the suspension is different but I was under the impression that they were the same...

[Harper55987]

Originally Posted by ken1137

Yeah, wondering why you just dont get a real Winter set. I had no problems with mine in heavy snow but had Blizzaks mounted. The only problem is when and if they dont clear the snow and you have to drive through 8-10".

You'll miss the handling of the 135, it is very toss-able as you know. The 335 feels like a boat. I have Sport suspension on my e90 so the ride is fairly decent. I will also mount my Performance suspension next year. It all depends on what you did to the 135. I had basically an M3 conversion with rear subframe bushings and coilovers. Thus, my 135 ride was very compliant yet tight around the corners. The e90 suspension, even without sport suspension, will be an improvement over the 135 if you did nothing to it your 135.

GL.

All I've done currently is upgrade the tires to get off of the run-flats and a piggy back tune for the N54.
I've always been debating this but other upgrades will be:
Downpipes, front mounted intercooler for sure. Others will vary if I keep it.
With the tune alone it jumps ahead in performance.

Originally Posted by Braumin

Honestly unless you really want to get rid of your 135, I'd say get some real snow tires. I have the 335i xDrive, and it wasn't great in the snow the two days I had my All Season tires on it. Really you are going to need a set of winter tires for it anyway - AWD helps you get going but doesn't help you stop.

Did the 2009 135 get the updated CIC NAV as well? I love iDrive (I have CIC) and I'd miss it for sure but not just for Navigation. The M-Sport on the xDrive isn't a deal breaker because it does have Sport so you get the better seats at least. I love the look of the M-Sport though.

The 2009 was the first year with the updated iDrive and not the original 2 button model that 2008 had.

Originally Posted by ericfox11

On a 335 is the MSport and Sport package suspension different? The OPs original statement claims that the suspension is different but I was under the impression that they were the same...

On the dealer options they have this:
135i and 335i under M-Sport: Sport alternate suspension
335xi under M-Sport does not have this listed as part of the package.

The exact details of what this is are kind of left alone...

[KaiserN54]

Dedicated winter wheels with skinnier tires is a lot cheaper option. I personally find driving my RWD 335i in the snow to be fun. (I'm in Cleveland so we get plenty of snow.)

[Harper55987]

Wow..genius! I never actually thought about running some skinnier wheels in the winter. I have a few MM larger rear wheels currently actually. Just always assumed...nothing I guess?

I used to have a BMW 330i RWD which didn't really have these issues and now I may know why Just never connected the dots.

[Fun w/N54]

I did the same little over year ago, but went from 135i 6MT coupe to 335i x-drive 6AT coupe. Like others have stated, narrower snow tires will be a huge help if that is only factor. I have enjoyed both but after next winter will be looking for a 335is.

PM me if you want to discuss in detail.

[ken1137]

Thinner winter tires is an excellent point, you may also consider changing to 17s. I kept mine at 18 but they were thinner than my summer tires.

[VTECaddict]

narrower, 17", dedicated snow tires/wheels are your answer.