[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by NewM3driver

BMW's are about the best straight 6 engines built in the world.....Funny how when you start to push the 535 in sport plus how much the car seems to shrink around you. There is a LOT of untapped potential in day to day driving.

Fully agree, I commented on this several times. With sport or DHP suspension, finding handling limits of this car takes lots of skill and guts. Even with base suspension, most daily drivers will "run out of talent" before they reach the limit , though standard suspension will ride a bit softer.

You can accelerate through corners with no drama whatsoever. This initially takes some getting used to as you can pick up quite a bit of speed without realizing you're going very fast (once you check your actual speed). Few of my close friends commented on this as they test drove the car "we're going - how fast - ha, I wouldn't have guessed?" type of comment.

I'm also in agreement that 6cyl/RWD seems to have the best handling balance of the bunch, simply addictive to push through the corners.

[BavariaExclusive]

Pros are many. Cons would be like stating the obvious such as mpg consumption and handling. I own a 535i Msport and it is the same exact car as the 550 minus the acceleration and crazy fuel economy. 535 will give you enough power with twin turbo to speed around town and even on the highway without burning allot of fuel. I love speeding and am prone to receiving many tickets so I didn't mess with the 550. I got my valentine 1 on dash and my pedal to the metal. Never felt the need for more speed. Practically 535 is perfect for a family guy. I heard some people say that city mpg for 550 is around 13-15 mpg. By the time you know it, you'll be spending on gas what you pay for your car note.

[NewM3driver]

I was getting 28 MPG combined (for the 5 months I owned the car) on my 535d. I am getting 23.5 MPG combined with my 535i (I only have 678 miles on it so far).

When you figure that premium unleaded is 2.65 in CT and the diesel is 3.30, the mileage is just about a wash.

Friend has a '14 550. He's getting 13.7 COMBINED. That's spending a LOT of $$ on gas.

[Ali Shiralian]

Seems like almost everyone is in agreement that 535 is the best choice of the 5ers. I tend to agree too now. Guess I'll have to liv e with the drop off in power and unfortunately get the Xdrive since I live in Canada

[NewM3driver]

How much more does the 535 weigh over the 335? A couple hundred pounds? So you won't feel any more difference in power than when you drive your 335 with a chubby passenger aboard.

[NewM3driver]

OK so I just went onto the BMW site and researched weights. The 335 is listed as 3720 pounds, and the 535 is listed as 3950. You are talking about a difference of 230 pounds with the same engine and (I think) transmission. Both cars should feel about the same.

The 335 is listed as having a 5.1 sec run to 60, the 535 a 5.5 second run to 60. You're not feeling that in day to day driving.

The big thing is you FEEL more relaxed and comfortable in the 5, and are accordingly less likely to want to drive like a hooligan. In a 3, you just feel like you want to break the law, lol.

All depends what stage of life you find yourself in. As an every day car dropping off and picking up kids from school its 5 all the way.

GOOD LUCK!

[mko9]

I can't give you the exact comparison you want, but I can give you a similar data point. I started in an e46 330i 6MT with the ZHP package. I also now have an '11 535i base model also with the 6MT. The main advantages of the 535i are the larger back seat (where I can fit 3x baby seats) and a cavernous trunk compared to the 330i. In daily driving, I get about 27mpg in the 330i and 25mpg in the 535i, but on the highway I can get up to 31mpg or so while the 330i doesn't really do any better than 30mpg. From a driving dynamics standpoint, the 3 series is far superior to the 5 series. Honestly, I was appalled at the handing of the base model 535i from a car company that claims to build the ultimate driving machine. Everyone raves about the dynamic handling package, but I have never driven one. I strongly suggest you do. Because if you love driving (and I do) you will not be happy in a base model 5 series. Even after ditching the run flat tires, swapping for the M5 sway bars and putting on Koni FSD shocks, the 535i is still miles behind the 3 series in handling.

[M5Beast_NYC]

I think a lot of good information on this. I dont have much experience with the 335 but i will share my experience.

I personally came from a F31 328d to F10 535, both was xdrive. When I bring my car in for service, i always get reminded the pro's and cons of having a 3-series vs 5-series.

First, i think the limiting factor of this car is the suspension and the Goodyear RFT. Once you ditch the Goodyears, it will be miles of difference in terms of performance and feel. As for the suspension, I think its very comfortable for daily use. Even in Sport mode, I would prefer it to be tuned sportier. Im hoping installing the HR springs will fix this.

Weight: To me, i do feel a noticeable weigh difference. If you drive in a lot of stop and go traffic, taking off from stop takes a bit of work compare to the 3-series.

Transmission: The auto trans on the F31 (and all the other F30 loaners i got) had a much smoother upshift and downshift. I requested my dealer to perform a transmission software upgrade. Im hoping this will help it.

Fuel: As someone stated, I drive about 120miles daily. with about 40$ highway, 60% city, I get about 20Mpg. I am not sure if this is just my car and needs to get checked but I have not see 25Mpg since I bought the car 2 months ago.

interior space: I moved to the 5-series because I have two small kids, and the back seat and trunks space is night and day difference. This is a big plus for me.

Overall: I am happy moving from 3-series to a 5-series. I dont expect to drive like a lunatic these days but the car has ample amount of power to get you to dangerous speed levels.

hope that helps!

[NewM3driver]

Originally Posted by mko9

I can't give you the exact comparison you want, but I can give you a similar data point. I started in an e46 330i 6MT with the ZHP package. I also now have an '11 535i base model also with the 6MT. The main advantages of the 535i are the larger back seat (where I can fit 3x baby seats) and a cavernous trunk compared to the 330i. In daily driving, I get about 27mpg in the 330i and 25mpg in the 535i, but on the highway I can get up to 31mpg or so while the 330i doesn't really do any better than 30mpg. From a driving dynamics standpoint, the 3 series is far superior to the 5 series. Honestly, I was appalled at the handing of the base model 535i from a car company that claims to build the ultimate driving machine. Everyone raves about the dynamic handling package, but I have never driven one. I strongly suggest you do. Because if you love driving (and I do) you will not be happy in a base model 5 series. Even after ditching the run flat tires, swapping for the M5 sway bars and putting on Koni FSD shocks, the 535i is still miles behind the 3 series in handling.

Ahh the E46 330i.... 1998 vintage BMW.... some of the very best years and models. Like the E39 5 series ('95 thru '03) those cars were smaller and infinitely more connected to the road. It's almost unfair to compare cars from that era to modern day cars. Think about the 993 porsche ('95 thru '98) Modern day 911's cant hold a candle to them in terms of steering and road feel.

DHP transforms the car, but the new 5 is still too large, comfortable and quite to make you want to press harder. If you want a sports sedan, the 3 is a better bet. Get an E46 M3. Thats raw with 4 doors... guaranteed to make you smile.

I could steer my 2008 M3 with the gas pedal and the car would stay completely composed in a fully irresponsible drift. BMW still makes cars that can do that... just not the same 535 you go to school or the office in.

I had a 997 porsche for a week long test drive a few years back. (it had come into my BMW dealership as a trade on an M5). It had low miles and I could have stolen it. It was fast and handled great.... but as an every day drive I found it exhausting. The deal breaker was trying to pick up a snowboard (Santa present) and not being able to fit the damn thing in the car. When I got home I got the "and you want to live with that thing for the next three years?"

lol.

[Ali Shiralian]

Ok, fair enough. One more deciding factor for me is the looks. Frankly I don't think 535 is as good looking as the 335, maybe it's just a personal taste but I fell in love with the shape of the F30 and it was a very quick decision at the time. Not getting the same feeling about the F10. Maybe I need to look at it more

[NewM3driver]

Originally Posted by Ali Shiralian

Ok, fair enough. One more deciding factor for me is the looks. Frankly I don't think 535 is as good looking as the 335, maybe it's just a personal taste but I fell in love with the shape of the F30 and it was a very quick decision at the time. Not getting the same feeling about the F10. Maybe I need to look at it more

I think my jet black M sport looks pretty slick and I absolutely LOVE my individual interior.

HOWEVER....

I must admit as the biggest BMW fan, that I drove the Mercedes E350, Audi A6 and Maserati Ghibli before deciding to go with the 5 series. I guess that means I wasn't swept off my feet by the latest rendition on 5, or perhaps I was put off by the luke warm reception it got from the automotive press. It wasn't love at first sight.

The truth is while the Mercedes, Audi and Maserati all had cool things about them, the 5 series, properly optioned, is superior to all of them, and honestly its not even a close contest. It is a great car, and while it is not a sports car, it is, in my humble opinion, the best car in the segment.

[mko9]

Originally Posted by NewM3driver

Get an E46 M3. Thats raw with 4 doors... guaranteed to make you smile.

No such thing, or I would already have one. The e46 M3 was 2-door only.

Originally Posted by Ali Shiralian

Ok, fair enough. One more deciding factor for me is the looks. Frankly I don't think 535 is as good looking as the 335, maybe it's just a personal taste but I fell in love with the shape of the F30 and it was a very quick decision at the time. Not getting the same feeling about the F10. Maybe I need to look at it more

I agree that the proportions on any 3 series looks better than the corresponding 5 series. Not that the F10 looks bad or anything, I have just always thought 5 series look too wide and 3 series are just right.

[Bbb34]

They are just different 3 and 5, you can't really directly compare them.
I for one think 5 looks better, being bigger and wider, just looks more imposing to me but that's subjective.

If you don't need bigger car, stick with 3 it is indeed a great car.

If you want more room, comfort, quiet interior, luxury fit and finish, and good handling, well then, good luck finding one that handles better in the same class. And maybe older model was more fun to drive, but someone please tell me what current car in the same class and same price range handles better ?

I tried finding it myself and couldn't. A6 came very close, but I picked 5 for several different reasons. And, if you think 5 with standard suspension is floaty (granted, it's softer than DHP or sport suspension) go drive e350 and base suspension 5 back to back, you'll understand what floaty really is.

[M5Beast_NYC]

I just got a loaner 428 grand coupe and I think it might be worth a look. The 435 GC might been a good compromise for you.

[Ali Shiralian]

Originally Posted by Carbonm3ny

I just got a loaner 428 grand coupe and I think it might be worth a look. The 435 GC might been a good compromise for you.

Not much an improvement in interior space and creature comforts compared to the 335, looking for more room

[BavariaExclusive]

Go for the pull ahead program where your dealer absorbs the last 6 payments of your car with 6 months remaining. Only when you lease another 3 years with them for a another BMW. I think going from 335i to 535i. It is all positive, don't even worry about gas consumption as there isn't much difference. You might lose a little torque as the 5 is heavier. With 5 you will get power + luxury as for 335i you will get half of that.

Originally Posted by Ali Shiralian

My lease of 335I will be over in about a year and thinking of moving over to the F10. Wife and I are in our late forties and no kids in the house anymore but we feel F30 is a little tight space wise. Looked at the M4 but I know we can never use all the power so why bother. We both love the F30 but it's not spacious and ugh for us especially on long drives. I know the F10 is heavier so handling will be compromised and is note as get up and go as the F30 so I'll be missing that aspect of it. To those who owned both, are there other factors we should consider before making a decision? Is 550 a better upgrade so we won't miss the power?

[NewM3driver]

Originally Posted by Ali Shiralian

Not much an improvement in interior space and creature comforts compared to the 335, looking for more room

Ever try to get into the back seat of that think without hitting your head?

[M5Beast_NYC]

Originally Posted by NewM3driver

Ever try to get into the back seat of that think without hitting your head?

I have two kids with car seats the occupys the back seat so I never tried to go back there. lol

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by Carbonm3ny

I have two kids with car seats the occupys the back seat so I never tried to go back there. lol

I can't imagine not regularly smacking my head trying to load my kids in the back of a 4GC. Lower plus the lower roofline.. Just as bad as a coupe so what's the point... That car should be 3" longer so the back seat is more useable.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by chrisny

I can't imagine not regularly smacking my head trying to load my kids in the back of a 4GC. Lower plus the lower roofline.. Just as bad as a coupe so what's the point... That car should be 3" longer so the back seat is more useable.

That is the F34 3GT, I'd say a much more family friendly choice...

HighlandPete

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

That is the F34 3GT, I'd say a much more family friendly choice...

HighlandPete

Very true, but that awkward look it has.... Lol. The 4GC, just 2 or 3 inches longer, would have sexier lines like the 6GC and a more useable backseat. I don't get the point of the extra doors as it sits now, doesn't seem much more useable than just normal coupe (2) doors since it's the same length as the regular coupe.

[Ali Shiralian]

Yes space, comfort and power are the main criteria for us. Can't say enough good things about the 335, will run out of room lol, I just wish it was a bit bigger. We leased the 335 but purchased the X5. The X5 is not a good long distance cruiser as we drove it to Florida and back and we both had back aches for several days, it is great in winter thiugh. We will use the dealers six months pull ahead lease program, but wait till the new engines and redesigned body is available. Not sold on the current shape...