BMW 335xi question
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: CA
BMW 335xi question
I'm thinking of trading in my IS 350 for a 335xi coupe, the Lexus is just too boring to drive and I drive the car like crap as a result. I have some questions about the 335xi
1. Is the 335xi just as fast if not faster than the 335i with its AWD drivetrain?
2. Will the procede chip mod work with the 335xi?
3. How is the handling of the 335i and is the 335xi better or worse in that department?
4. Bone stock will I notice that the 335 is faster and much enjoyable to drive than my IS 350?
thanks in advance
1. Is the 335xi just as fast if not faster than the 335i with its AWD drivetrain?
2. Will the procede chip mod work with the 335xi?
3. How is the handling of the 335i and is the 335xi better or worse in that department?
4. Bone stock will I notice that the 335 is faster and much enjoyable to drive than my IS 350?
thanks in advance
1. Is the 335xi just as fast if not faster than the 335i with its AWD drivetrain?
(no, heavier)
2. Will the procede chip mod work with the 335xi?
( yes, 4wd has nothing to do with motor )
3. How is the handling of the 335i and is the 335xi better or worse in that department?
( depends, xi is not performance as priority, but safety in the rain/snow)
4. Bone stock will I notice that the 335 is faster and much enjoyable to drive than my IS 350?
( hell, yes )
(no, heavier)
2. Will the procede chip mod work with the 335xi?
( yes, 4wd has nothing to do with motor )
3. How is the handling of the 335i and is the 335xi better or worse in that department?
( depends, xi is not performance as priority, but safety in the rain/snow)
4. Bone stock will I notice that the 335 is faster and much enjoyable to drive than my IS 350?
( hell, yes )
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 0
From: CA
oh one more question, how is the 335i steptronic auto? is the paddle shifting quick? i read somewhere its as fast as .1 sec to switch gears, which is just as fast as the IS-F, is this true or is it more like a IS 350 speed?
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 0
From: CA
1. Is the 335xi just as fast if not faster than the 335i with its AWD drivetrain?
(no, heavier)
2. Will the procede chip mod work with the 335xi?
( yes, 4wd has nothing to do with motor )
3. How is the handling of the 335i and is the 335xi better or worse in that department?
( depends, xi is not performance as priority, but safety in the rain/snow)
4. Bone stock will I notice that the 335 is faster and much enjoyable to drive than my IS 350?
( hell, yes )
(no, heavier)
2. Will the procede chip mod work with the 335xi?
( yes, 4wd has nothing to do with motor )
3. How is the handling of the 335i and is the 335xi better or worse in that department?
( depends, xi is not performance as priority, but safety in the rain/snow)
4. Bone stock will I notice that the 335 is faster and much enjoyable to drive than my IS 350?
( hell, yes )
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 0
From: ON
The 335xi is faster off the line; traction is an issue in the RWD 335i. 0-60 is actually a little quicker, but the 1/4 mile is a little slower due to weight. On both accounts we're talking fractions of a second, so I would buy the xi based on your need for it (weather) or want for it (track), not straight line times.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 0
From: CA
The 335xi is faster off the line; traction is an issue in the RWD 335i. 0-60 is actually a little quicker, but the 1/4 mile is a little slower due to weight. On both accounts we're talking fractions of a second, so I would buy the xi based on your need for it (weather) or want for it (track), not straight line times.
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 513
Likes: 1
From: VA
The ZF automatic gearbox on that is amazing. Being biased, I recommend a manual........but the automatic shifts at lightning speed, and the torque converter locks up right after take off, so it feels a lot like a manual.
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: ON
I guess it depends on what you're after. Day to day the xi will have less wheel spin, it hooks up well. On a track it won't matter, since you'll have to modify either to really do anything.
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Lead Lap
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 582
Likes: 5
From: Austin Texas
Check out the 335i acceleration. It's definitely faster than my GS400 for sure.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=FbJU30FdTwI
http://youtube.com/watch?v=4yk0mbjz8nQ
http://youtube.com/watch?v=FbJU30FdTwI
http://youtube.com/watch?v=4yk0mbjz8nQ
Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,474
Likes: 2
From: Tennessee
AWD doesn't become a dry weather on-pavement performance enhancing feature until power levels get significantly higher than the 320-330 horsepower the 335i/xi puts out. Well, I take that back - the 0-30 and sometimes even 0-60 times can benefit a little bit due to less wheel spin. But other than that - handling, braking, and 1/4-mile all tend to suffer due to the excess weight and decrease drivetrain efficiency (AWD allows for greater parasitic drivetrain loss than 2WD).
I know on my Audi A4 the FWD model the officially published 0-60 times from Audi even say that the AWD model is slower with either engine option.
Now go look at something like the Lambo and then sometimes the AWD is really what it takes to be able to hit the throttle when you want to without dangerous wheel spin.
I know on my Audi A4 the FWD model the officially published 0-60 times from Audi even say that the AWD model is slower with either engine option.
Now go look at something like the Lambo and then sometimes the AWD is really what it takes to be able to hit the throttle when you want to without dangerous wheel spin.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,474
Likes: 2
From: Tennessee
You mean that it can individually distribute power and braking to the four wheels to help the car out in a turn? Acura and Audi do that too. Possibly others as well.
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,593
Likes: 5
From: CA
The auto tranny on the 335i IMO is far better than that slow auto gearbox the IS has. When my g/f and I test drove this car, compared to her IS350, it is hands down a different feeling car (in a good way). I know for sure that if we were buying a car for me, I'd of bought the 335 over the IS - I dont mind the bland interior at all. It's simple and functional - except for iDrive 
haha
haha