E93 - Still a 3 series?

  • Thread starter Thread starter NVP
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Although actually thinking about it, I drove a 335i coupe years ago when i was waiting for my car to be serviced, and i remember being underwhelmed by that :s i think perhaps it was prolonged exposure of the 335i and then getting back into the 330i that enhanced it, I dont know.
 
"Want" is a bit too strong, it's more of a "would like"... and I "would like" a lot of things but I'm not sure exactly what I "want". It that makes sense?
 
rG-tom said:
Although actually thinking about it, I drove a 335i coupe years ago when i was waiting for my car to be serviced, and i remember being underwhelmed by that :s i think perhaps it was prolonged exposure of the 335i and then getting back into the 330i that enhanced it, I dont know.
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Even the coupe is underwhelming? I don't get it, the statistics show there are performance differences (although in some cases minor), perhaps it is due to the way the E9x drives now compared to the E46 and not actually power difference?

Or maybe we are expecting too much? They increased the power to cope with the size, so it should only be a minor difference anyway as they are fundamentally the same class/car.
 
NVP said:
That's what I was thinking too, it's "only" 210kg more though? Stats wise it doesn't look to make much difference, perhaps the big difference is from the old shape to the new rather than the coupe to the conv.

Fox, please let us know how different the Coupe feels after your test drive.

Housey, I know where you're coming from and I agree in parts but the main appeal to myself with the 3 over the Z is the extra room (as well as price, obviously). For someone of my stature the Z is too small for day-to-day but would be adequate for fun on a B-road. Have you found the hard-top convertibles "rattly, shakey, noisey"?
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Are you kidding? 210kg is a HUGE amount of weight to be lugging around. Like driving a coupe version 4 up all the time but with compromised body rigidity thrown into the mix too.
 
NVP said:
Even the coupe is underwhelming? I don't get it, the statistics show there are performance differences (although in some cases minor), perhaps it is due to the way the E9x drives now compared to the E46 and not actually power difference?

Or maybe we are expecting too much? They increased the power to cope with the size, so it should only be a minor difference anyway as they are fundamentally the same class/car.
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I was underwhelmed a little after a 10 minute test drive in one a few years ago, with a fairly "large" salesman, which made no sense really. I then had one for 5 weeks as a courtesy car and couldn't have been more overwhelmed, it was MASSIVELY quicker than my e46, even from the first minute I drove it down a sliproad i was like "I NEED ONE".

I do think i'd wanted to be underwhelmed the first time as the 330i was fairly new to me, if that makes sense, where as there is no way you can mask 3000 miles worth of awesomeness when I got back into the 330i. The 330i really did feel broken afterwards for a few weeks! The coupes are undoubtedly very quick cars.
 
Clarkey said:
Are you kidding? 210kg is a HUGE amount of weight to be lugging around. Like driving a coupe version 4 up all the time but with compromised body rigidity thrown into the mix too.
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Exactly. I'm not usually one to care about weight but it was so noticeable.
 
My wife has a 2007 E93 335i and I have the late 2006 E92 335i (my dads old car), I have also owned a few other 335i's in the past.

For normal day to day driving I really do not notice the difference in performance between the 2 cars. The only real complaint I have against the E93 is that when it rains a little water does come into the car.

The 335i really does not feel like a fast car but it does move. I test drove a 130i some years back and it feels faster because its much less refined. I think a 135i would generally feel like a more fun car.


Take them both for a test drive but if you do not need the extra boot space I would recommend a E93 over a E92.
 
Axeboy said:
Totally agree. It is very quick, but just doesnt feel it. I feel that as it has power all across the rev range, and that takes away from the feeling of speed.
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Yah I could not agree more, most people think the 335i will set their ass on fire but the reality is that it is very quiet, smooth and has such a flat power deliver curve that it is almost boring
 
Sorry for the delayed response, work is a bit hectic.

Clarkey said:
Are you kidding? 210kg is a HUGE amount of weight to be lugging around. Like driving a coupe version 4 up all the time but with compromised body rigidity thrown into the mix too.
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Nah I agree, hence the quotes around "only". I just meant for a convertible 210kg isn't the difference I expected, especially a hard-top automatic convertible. 210kg is about two of me... :eek:

rG-tom said:
I was underwhelmed a little after a 10 minute test drive in one a few years ago, with a fairly "large" salesman, which made no sense really. I then had one for 5 weeks as a courtesy car and couldn't have been more overwhelmed, it was MASSIVELY quicker than my e46, even from the first minute I drove it down a sliproad i was like "I NEED ONE".

I do think i'd wanted to be underwhelmed the first time as the 330i was fairly new to me, if that makes sense, where as there is no way you can mask 3000 miles worth of awesomeness when I got back into the 330i. The 330i really did feel broken afterwards for a few weeks! The coupes are undoubtedly very quick cars.
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It does make sense, I can see where you're coming from. I know the 335 will feel quicker for me, I just hope it feels fast enough. Although I wouldn't mind too much as long as it felt great in the bends.

Dr House said:
My wife has a 2007 E93 335i and I have the late 2006 E92 335i (my dads old car), I have also owned a few other 335i's in the past.

For normal day to day driving I really do not notice the difference in performance between the 2 cars. The only real complaint I have against the E93 is that when it rains a little water does come into the car.

The 335i really does not feel like a fast car but it does move. I test drove a 130i some years back and it feels faster because its much less refined. I think a 135i would generally feel like a more fun car.


Take them both for a test drive but if you do not need the extra boot space I would recommend a E93 over a E92.
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The E93 leaks?! I'm shocked, it's only 4yrs old and it's not cloth, I wouldn't have expected that.

Thanks for the notes though, it's good to hear there isn't too much of a difference. Although I'm not sure if it is good actually if the E93 is as underwhelming as Fox says then I suppose the E92 is as well.

I wouldn't mind a 135i, I just prefer bigger cars in general. If I was going for a small car it would have to be something like a Lotus or TVR, however I can't fit :(

Have you noticed any difference in the fun of both cars? Just the general, non-specific fun, not as in mad track-thrashing fun.
 
The 135i is a performance bargain, you can get AUC 58 plate cars with nav for near £20k! it's quicker than the 335i and almost certainly more fun. If you can get over the looks..
 
20k? Coupe or hatch? I don't mind the looks of either, in fact I prefer the hatch as the coupe looks a bit too small. I wonder how roomy they are?
 
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