[-=Hot|Ice=-]

The 328i is great but you'll feel the need to upgrade very quickly. I had an 08 328xi coupe and after 3 years, the lack of "umph" was starting to get on my nerves.

[Paredster]

I own a 335i, if you have the means.....Why not get the 335i and then you would not have to worry about power. And if you don't want to rocket around, then you just dont. lol Although I don't know too many people that wouldn't be absorbed by the car into driving fast all the time. lol

[username604]

Don't sweat it, 230hp is more than enough for the 3 series. You could say the '35i is overpowered considering its not a performance variant 3 series, and yet has sub 5 sec 0-60's and 300hp in a "small" car.
I guess you could just call it a sleeper

[m2kev]

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

The 328i is great but you'll feel the need to upgrade very quickly. I had an 08 328xi coupe and after 3 years, the lack of "umph" was starting to get on my nerves.

Thats exactly the feeling, no "umph" haha.. never satisfied with the power though, even my 335i, I want more!.. M3 next? or maybe just hop onto GT-R

[Paredster]

Originally Posted by e92K335i

Thats exactly the feeling, no "umph" haha.. never satisfied with the power though, even my 335i, I want more!.. M3 next? or maybe just hop onto GT-R

The age old problem of someone that loves cars, and speed.....Always want more!!! I'm the same way.

[2TH PWR]

The 328xi is my winter/ daily driver. It's not a sports car, but will answer the call when you need it to. If you aren't taking it to the track, you will be more than happy.

If you are only going to have one car and your really concernered with performance you might be happier springing for the 335.

[9iron]

Originally Posted by Paredster

I own a 335i, if you have the means.....Why not get the 335i and then you would not have to worry about power. And if you don't want to rocket around, then you just dont. lol Although I don't know too many people that wouldn't be absorbed by the car into driving fast all the time. lol

The extra money isnt a deal breaker, but i'm gonna have over 100k miles on this car in 3 years. The resale is gonna be crap no matter what, and i think i'd rather have a proven, naturally aspirated engine, compared to a twin turbo one with an already shaky (reliability) track record. I know im gonna drive this car probably until around 150,000 miles or more.

The replies from this thread pretty much helped me make up my mind...im gonna pull the trigger on the 328.

[tomz17]

Originally Posted by 9iron

I'm looking to pick up an '08 CPO'd 328i E90 in the next few days here. Just wanted to find out if they feel underpowered? I drive A LOT (mostly highway), and i feel a little more comfortable going with the proven and reliable 328 compared to the somewhat finicky, more powerful 335. Any comments?

These cars are currently in production... so it isn't hard to settle this for yourself CONCLUSIVELY before making a semi-major financial purchase... Just go to ANY BMW DEALER and test drive both then make your own decision!

That being said, I rent a lot of cars on travel for work. I had a 328xi service loaner last month, and my daily driver is a 335i. I chose the 335i because I felt that the price premium over a 328 was worth the added power to me! If you are buying used, the premium to move up to a 335i won't be that much.

Underpowered!?
The 328 has PLENTY of power for daily driving. In fact, in the world of 4 door sedans, "underpowered" does not come even CLOSE to applying here! (go try a 4cyl accord or camry if you want to feel underpowered... i had a camry 4 banger in orlando last year and spent the entire weekend WOT). It is also perfectly balanced as a drivers car. I had a charger rental last year as well, and it was a terrifying experience in anything other than a straight line.

Like another poster said, the 328 will already be faster (and more fun) than 90% of the cars currently out there. It will also handle/brake way better than almost anything on the road. You won't be disappointed.


The other thing you may consider is that the 328 may have GM automatic gearbox. The 335s all have ZF automatics (i think). I'm not sure what determines this, but if this is important to you ask around or do some more research.

[ihvabmr]

My buddy recently had his 328i modified with just a carbon filter delete and K&N drop in filter. Trust me, the engine has plenty of power for daily use. He was amazed by how those two mods changed the way the engine pulled on the highway.

[e92bmw]

Of course the 328i has enough power to get around on the highway and in the city, however In my opinion the bmw 3 series looks very sporty and handles very well but doesnt have the performance to match its looks( this applies to the 328i 325i...) Dont get me wrong 230hp is more than enough for daily driving but dont be surprised if you get blown away by a honda civic si..
Also you might want to check out this video before you make your decision:

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Originally Posted by e92K335i

Thats exactly the feeling, no "umph" haha.. never satisfied with the power though, even my 335i, I want more!.. M3 next? or maybe just hop onto GT-R

My bike is my go fast toy. I'm looking into an M3 currently. Hopefully order within the next month. Also, the 328xi's weight doesn't help it's lack of "umph".

[WWONG]

I don't know why no one has said it yet, but 328i vs 335i aside, the biggest mistake you could make is getting leatherette. And worse, no power seats if you don't have it. Before this starts a huge argument, just remember the I TOLD YOU SO from me.

[accel]

Originally Posted by beemw

Of course the 328i has enough power to get around on the highway and in the city, however In my opinion the bmw 3 series looks very sporty and handles very well but doesnt have the performance to match its looks( this applies to the 328i 325i...) Dont get me wrong 230hp is more than enough for daily driving but dont be surprised if you get blown away by a honda civic si..
Also you might want to check out this video before you make your decision:

I've beaten Si being in my wife's cooper s several times. And my 328i is faster thAn my wife's S on straight. You just have to keep the engine in high RPMs.
cooper of course will beat my 328 in autoX course

[Legion5]

If you're seriously buying a CPO'ed 328i over a CPO'ed 335i because of reliability that's craziness. I've had intimate conversations with the people that head my service department and the 335i only experiences problems in about 1 in 12 cars in my area, that means roughly that 11/12 cars are fine including mine.

Either way the 328i is fast enough, but you're being unreasonably paranoid to avoid a 335i under warranty because of a rare problem.

[MeanMangoMan]

No, 335i

[FVM3]

if you compare it to a Corolla, its fast. If you compare it to a Ferrari, its slow!

[PepE92M3]

Power is good enough for daily driving.

[J02 335i]

Originally Posted by beemw

Of course the 328i has enough power to get around on the highway and in the city, however In my opinion the bmw 3 series looks very sporty and handles very well but doesnt have the performance to match its looks( this applies to the 328i 325i...) Dont get me wrong 230hp is more than enough for daily driving but dont be surprised if you get blown away by a honda civic si..
Also you might want to check out this video before you make your decision:

No offense, but that video is one of the most useless comparisons I've ever seen.

[wrickem]

If you need to race as fast as you can and beat every (well, almost every) other car to the next light, then, no, the 328 does not have enought power.

But I'd be able to easily able to go back to a 328 from my 335 without caring one bit. The 328 has plenty of power for normal driving. There was not one time with my 328 that I couldn't pull out fast enough or merge with traffic without being a danger or nuisance to other people on the road.

[eaglesfan83]

328i s good enough for a DD and has enoug power to get the job done on the highways. I wish I had gotten the 335 as well for the extra power but I am more than happy with my 328. Just waiting on the TT M3 now

[Bud_Fox]

More than enough for city driving.

[Chriztofor]

Originally Posted by Thud

Enough power for what?

It might not be a track monster but it's still very capable of passing on the interstate. And it'll be a far more engaging drive than most other sedans.

Originally Posted by Philz BMW

daily driver: more than enough power.

Originally Posted by newbimm

For a daily driver, more than enough power.

As far as that deal goes, I think it's pretty good. Check edmunds for appraisal.

+4 To put it in perspective, I think my 325i has enough power (Daily Driver) and may be the most reliable out of all the 3 series.