i like the z more

[thenewkid]

got a loaner from the dealership wednesday, and luckliy got a black sapphire 335i to use for a couple of days. is the car twin turbo? anyways i think i still like the z more it feels like im driving a huge boat...a really fast boat

[3002 tii]

correct, twin turbo i6. i actually got a manual 335i as a loaner once. no doubt the car was fast, but it almost felt too smooth, didn't have the raw feel of the z4. still an awesome car, wish i could have both!

[SSG S]

I drove a 135i about a month ago and that little thing could go! Very fun indeed. But I preffer the look of the Z

[Gyrian]

Originally Posted by thenewkid

got a loaner from the dealership wednesday, and luckliy got a black sapphire 335i to use for a couple of days. is the car twin turbo? anyways i think i still like the z more it feels like im driving a huge boat...a really fast boat

If your dealership is Moritz BMW, we might have gotten the very same loaner, haha. Spent a couple of days with a fully loaded Saphire Black 335i. Stupid fast with little effort. Very comfortable, and I loved the new iDrive.

Still, the smile got wider when I was back in my M Coupe.

[45ACP]

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

correct, twin turbo i6. i actually got a manual 335i as a loaner once. no doubt the car was fast, but it almost felt too smooth, didn't have the raw feel of the z4. still an awesome car, wish i could have both!

Depends on the model year. The N54 came with twin turbos, but the N55 in the latest 2010 models have a dual scroll single turbo engine.

[thenewkid]

Originally Posted by Gyrian

If your dealership is Moritz BMW, we might have gotten the very same loaner, haha. Spent a couple of days with a fully loaded Saphire Black 335i. Stupid fast with little effort. Very comfortable, and I loved the new iDrive.

Still, the smile got wider when I was back in my M Coupe.

dont believe so no idrive i would have like to play around with it though and yes being used to the raw feel of the z4 this car is too smooth i have to keep my eye on the speedo a lot more

Originally Posted by 45ACP

Depends on the model year. The N54 came with twin turbos, but the N55 in the latest 2010 models have a dual scroll single turbo engine.

i dont know, but dont thinks it is a 2010 has over 9000miles, its also almost impossible to hear the turbo(s)

[krnnerdboy]

those damn loaner cars My wife got a e90 for her mini cooper service and loved it...a month later she got one I agree w/ the n54 being fast but my biggest gripe is the way it wheezes out on the top end past 5000rpm

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by 45ACP

Depends on the model year. The N54 came with twin turbos, but the N55 in the latest 2010 models have a dual scroll single turbo engine.

It is actually the 2011 model year 135i that has the twin-scroll single turbo N55. The 2010 model year cars still had the dual turbo N54.

[RickC]

Interesting observations that confirm some of my observations. I have a 335 coupe and a Z4. The 335 is fast but feels big and far less engaging than the z4. The 335 is faster but is smooth with less exact throttle response.

[thenewkid]

alas i am taking back the 335 today...grown quite accustom to it in fact i like having the back seat to bad i cant just trade it in straight up...

[Fen335i]

335i (turbo motor) vs a Z4 (naturally aspirated motor) night and day different from each other. I had a 335i (even chipped it for more power) and now an M3. The biggest difference is what another forum member noted above....the 335 (and 135's) run out of steam once you get past 5,000 rpms....redline in those cars is 7,000 but there's no point in really redlining them since you aren't gaining any more power as you go from 5-7,000 rpms (you might as well shift around 5k). Whereas the M motors (and even the non-M Z4 motors) continue to make power as the rpm's climb. For example on the Zed4M and the e92 M3, they make their peak horespower at 7900 rpm (Z4M) and 8200 rpm (e9x M3). So, a lot of folks (me included) find that type of driving more involving than a turbo motor. Granted, the turbo motors are alot more torquey than the NA motors, but in my humble opinion they aren't as fun to drive...and isn't that what it's all about...the fun quotient???

[Jbs]

Originally, I was an hour away from getting an e92 335, 6spd, loaded, SG/Black extended. I am so glad I did not though, here is why:

335 vs M Coupe

Overall Feel

335 is much more comfortable. Its a car that no one should have a problem driving everyday, especially with all the creature comforts and nifty gadgets around the car. Its A LOT bigger than the M coupe, and is therefore more spacious, practical (it has seats in the back, AND they even fold down). It can also make insane amounts of HP for very little money. Downpipes, chip, freeflowing exhaust/intake, and some other small bolt ons can get you over 400whp. IIRC, the most powerful 335 without a turbo swap (just boltons) is making >500WHP. In a 335, especially because of the linear powerband, it is extremely easy to break legal speed limits. These cars are beasts

Thats basically all the appeal about a 335 IMO though. What else does it have to offer? You dont really appreciate/notice the change going from the 335 to the Z4M, but going back to the 335 after the Z4M is mind blowing.

M cars are premium for a reason, and although I may be a bit jaded and biased (albeit informed), I can feel the difference. We know the Z4M has different steering than any other BMW (not the usual power assisted steering, but another hydraulic alternative IIRC), and I love it. After getting accustomed to that steering, any other car feels completely numb. Without active steering, the 335 feels sluggish, and feels like its a lot of effort for the 335 to change direction. With active steering, there's no consistency, but it does make the car a lot more exciting to drive.

Shifting in the M is much more substancial and solid than the 335. The clutch is heavy and the shifting is notchy. While the 335 shifting is precise, the clutch is much too long and soft (easily solved, but still ). This could all be preference though, it really depends on what you want out of the car.

I dont even have to cover handling, do I?

If youre going to DD the car, 335 is an excellent choice. If youre getting a weekend car (or dont need the practicality, like me), z4m is hard to beat for the price. One car is a tame, civilized sports sedan that comes to life (and then some) when the accelerator is depressed, the other is a precision tool that needs you to, for a lack of better words, "Grab it by the scruff of the neck."