'11 328 is more BMW than 335?? ADDED some pics
 

my wife is looking to get into a 3-series... we are eyeing up a 2011 model year... test drove 328 and 335 at a local dealer. both are non-x and non-sport... the 328 seems to be tighter, and more responsive than the 335... both are I-6, the 335 has double turbo... the steering on 328 is stiff, the suspension is stiffer too...

any explanation? i have the VINs of both if we need to compare the specs side by side...

we are leaning towards the 328, either i or ix but the 335 usually equipped nicer...

any suggestions? thoughts?

Tire pressures the same?

Nothing wrong with a 328. Unless you need the power of the 335 go with it.

can't say anything about the pressure - both cars were on the sales lot of a local BMW dealer, so i would hope that the pressures are up to specs...

that is the enigma - i know that 335 has MORE power but somehow on the road i did not feel it... granted, i got off the 4.8iS, got into 328, and then into 335... maybe that is subjective? did not feel that way while test driving...

also, i see that the 3-series in that year is made at various plants in germany... are there any specific plants i should avoid/or seek out?..
the 2011 spec sheets list 4 different flavors of 328i and 4 flavors of 328xi, besides obvious auto and manual... they are designated as pk53 or pk73 or something like that, and some are plain, some are SULEV... what the heck???? i have a list of those designations, if you guys want to see them...

Different vehicle codes refer to different engines (N51, N52) and different emissions certifications for different geographies, IIRC. One or more of them is classed as a Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV).

Test drive again. We have a 2011 335iC; I was initially leaning toward the 328 - until I drove the 335. The difference is NOT subtle. The 328 is a wonderful car, and accelerates briskly. The 335 will snap your head back and create black specks in your teeth - from bugs hitting you in the silly grin you will inevitably be wearing (again, we opted for the convertible... :))

Seriously, either car is a delight, and head and shoulders above any competitive car in its class. Enjoy whichever you choose. But if the ~$10k incremental price isn't an issue, the 335 is in a different league in terms of acceleration.

my head snaps back now in my 2013 328ix. it's pretty cool considering i was driving a much heavier X5 for many years. now the black specks you speak of may be a 335 thing.:D

I had the 2013 328 as loaner and i was impressed with it power. Very good on gas too.

The difference should be night and day. I've driven a LOT. The 335 can feel like it's near super-car levels from a good launch (I've owned 3 Vipers, hence the name) and the 135 cabrio seriously impressed me with its' power. My next car has to be one of the last 128 cabrios, and I'm a little disappointed I couldn't get a 135. As far as 'tighter' goes, it's the same body with additions to handle the increased power. Maybe the 328's you've driven are sport package with sport suspension (there is a difference) and the 335 didn't include anything? It could also be the tires.

the new F30 4cyl turbo is sooooo much better of a car. I would try to get into one of these if you can.

Not sure about "tightness" if they were actually both non-sports package models. How were you driving the cars? Regardless of what BMW says, there is a bit of turbo lag at lower speeds/RPM in the 335i if you are perceptive. However, when the engine is up in revs or you are planting it, the 335 should feel noticeably faster than the 328i. If it is for your wife and she doesn't need all the power, I would lean towards the 328i.

If you can give up the silky smooth straight six in the e90, the new f30 328i is a great car as well. Then there is also the option of an e90 335d.