yea losing 30% of your torque over 3k worth of rpm is real balanced. The stock powerband of the 335 is great for city driving, not that great on the track when your rpms are in the 4.5-7k for this, its too bad at that range your torque dies off, aftermarket will fix it, but out of the box powerband really nice for city driving

 

lol, true. 5 yrs ago, people were all raving about how incredible 6 secs 0-60 is. these days, low 5 seems to be the normal already

 

Well, let me rephrase it then -- The best thing about BMW is that the car is so balanced right "out of the box" for street driving. And I think BMW build this car with a main focus on potential buyers who spend most of their time driving it on the street, not on the track. Even with that, I believe I will see more 335i than the slushbox-only IS350 on the track.

Plus, it's not the "how much torque at the 4.5-7k range rpm" that makes a car balance. Go check your dictionary and see what "balance" mean. Yes, the IS350 is a fast car, but thinking the IS350 is a more balanced car than the 3-series is just blind if not stupid.

 

thats all there is to it... its little blurb with one sentence that says "we just got test results in time to publish them here"...

 

so what is it street or track? On street, most people will find IS350 more balanced - flexible engine, luxurious interior, extra features, a lot cheaper, loads of power and significantly better mpg.

of course, on the track, BMW wins since IS350 will refuse to be steered into corner, lol.

 

I'm not sure how you can say that the IS350 is "a lot cheaper" or will get "significantly better mpg". I guess it depends on what a lot cheaper means. Here in Canuckistan the 335i coupe msrp's less than $1,500 more. If better mpg means the same or less than 5%, sure. But come on. I've read what you've had to say about the 335i's mpg already; thing is real world tests refute that it will get worse mpg than the NA engine in the IS350. Right now every report is that the mpg is the same or better. I'm curious about the "extra features", too.

 

Bit I hope this is a joke

Horsepower is what is accelerating a car. People that say "low-end torque" actually mean "low-end horsepower". A torque band is good for nothing but computing how much horsepower a powerband is putting out; if you make torque down low, then your horsepower levels down low will be higher and the car will have better acceleration down low vs a car with the powerband shifted to higher rpms.

Gears can change how it all behaves but it can't change the rule: Torque is nothing without time... Torque over time = horsepower.

I find it funny that the IS350 is as fast as the 335i though Can't wait until the IS500 comes out and rains on the M3s parade.

 

Wow. Just built a 335i (Montego Blue, Black Dakota Leather) on BMW's site for $49,865 including the following packages: Premium, Sport, BMW Assist, PDC, Cold Weather, Comfort Access, Navi, Sunshades, and Sirius. We're in the E46 M3 territory here.

 

You sure are - with a lot more options and about the same 0-60.

Edit
Let's compare Apples to Apples here.
1. You can't get Sirius or Comfort Access on the M3 - that brings your price down to $48,770
2. Configuring a comparable E46 M3 we get $56,920

So the difference in price is $8,150. That's some coin if you ask me.

Plus initial testing shows the 335 very close in speed to the M3.

 

They don't really compete with eachother anyway. Drive an M3, drive a 335i; they deliver power differently and the suspensions are night and day. Both handle very well but the M3 is decidedly firm while the 335i definitely maintains a more "daily driver" feel. Exhaust note, in cabin db, styling (obviously), all vastly different. The only thing they really have in common are their straight line speeds, which won't be the case when the new M3 arrives anyway.

Oh, and you can do ED and get a much better price, btw.

 

Of course, you want so many options on the 335i.

 

Why not? I figured I'd spoil myself.

 

i have learned to get as many options as possible as well unless i absolutely hate that particular option

 

from: BmwE92M3.com

Specific power & torque

V8 = 412 SAE hp (417 DIN)/4.0

Torque = 310/4.0 lb-ft



My config:


Major Standard Equipment***
4.0L V8 307kW 420Nm (bi-VANOS 3rd gen.) engine
Adaptive Xenon Headlights
Carbon Fiber Roof
SMG III 7-Speed transmission with DRIVELOGIC
18" M Double Spoke Alloy Wheel
18x8F/18x9R with P235/45ZR18 Front, P265/40ZR18 Rear Performance tires.


Invoice $49,117
Base Price USA Port of Entry* $53,975

Vehicle Options List
Metallic paint $475
Nappa leather $1,450
Carbon fiber trim $300
Comfort Access $500
M Multifunction Seats with Active Width Adjustment $1,900
19" M Double Spoke alloy wheel $1,750
19x8.5F/19x9.5R with P235/40ZR19 Front, P265/35ZR19 Rear Performance tires.


Sub Total: $60,350.

Soooooo... Although I'm sure the new M3 will be a awesome all around Coupe/Car... I will stick with @ $50k on a certified pre-owned "loaded to the gill" 745i with factory warranty to 100k.

 

Wow, I got near 55k loaded. And guess what, people are going to buy it.

I think this car is going to be a real BMW legend. I don't think they know what they built here.......

I almost PREFER it to a M3, b/c its a TRUE sleeper (in execution, I need to see the styling in person). I mean 335 on the back. No bodykit, no wheel arches, and it will whoop your ****!!