[Strudle]

I am a big fan of the 335i and currently have an 07 Mazdaspeed3 which I've owned for 2 years and auto-x occasionally. I recently test drove an automatic 335i with 23K miles on it. I tried to find a 6 sp. to drive but had no luck. But I did get to go an a fairly extended test drive of the BMW which lasted for about 20 mins including some highway and surface street time.

I'm sure I don't have to convince any of you that this is a great car! For an automatic, it really has a nice sporty feel as it goes through the gears. And of course the RWD really allows it to put the power down in first and second unlike the MS3 which suffers from traction problems at low speeds.

So I'm wondering whether to trade out the Speed, but I don't know if the 335 will be a suitable car for autocrossing. I haven't seen any BMWs at any of the autocrosses I've been to. It is a bit on the heavy side, weighing 400-500 lbs more than the Speed3 (which I had weighed at 3046 lbs, half tank of gas). That puts the BMW at a torque disadvantage compared to the Mazda, in stock form at least. Weight is so critical when it comes to posting a good auto-x time.

My question, then: is the 335 a suitable auto-x machine? Is it more of a luxury sports car that wouldn't belong at an auto-x?

Just curious to see what all of you think.

[ptack]

Sedan or coupe?

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by ptack

Sedan or coupe?

Doesn't make a difference to its Auto-X-ability. If anything, the sedan is apparently stiffer.

I can't comment about its trackability, seeing as I've yet to take this particular car to one. It's not a lightweight, but it's still on the verge of avoiding the label of a "porker".

[Strudle]

i was thinking sedan for practicality, but does the coupe have different/better driving dynamics?

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by Strudle

i was thinking sedan for practicality, but does the coupe have different/better driving dynamics?

None at all.

I read that the pillarless structure of the e92's chassis impacts its structural rigidty (probably by a negligible amount), so the two really drive the same. I think the seats in the coupe are lower. There's really not too much difference between the two.

[Hula-Hula]

Well my E92 drove atleast well 4 laps around the N?rburgring... But of course there are better cars to track I guess... And yeah in my experience aswell the driving dynamics are very similliar.
________
HOW TO ROLL BLUNTS
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Sweet_Candies

[EpicE90]

Originally Posted by Hula-Hula

Well my E92 drove atleast well 4 laps around the Nürburgring... But of course there are better cars to track I guess... And yeah in my experience aswell the driving dynamics are very similliar.

Hula... Who is that chick in your picture?????!?!? Please let me know!!!!!

[kyleb350]

Might want to look into a 135i if that suits your tastes. The (somewhat) lighter weight and short wheelbase would help in AutoX

[1N54E92]

Originally Posted by EpicE90

Hula... Who is that chick in your picture?????!?!? Please let me know!!!!!

his wife ?

[hkbaby]

MAZDA SUCKS!
335i man! do you even gotta think about it?!

[radiantm3]

I have a 1 and 3 and the 1 is a lot more fun to drive. Definitely test drive the 1 series as well.

[scott@bmwhn]

I've auto-x my 335i auto sedan a good dozen times. Although its not the best auto-x car in its stock form (atleast not with me behind the wheel), its still really fun. Once i put the Dinan stg 2 in it, controlling the car became a bit of an issue lol. I dont claim to be that good at Auto-x, i usually compete against myself to improve my times and learn.

I did have one of the instructors drive my car and he posted a time 3 seconds faster than my fastest time, his time was about 4 seconds slower than the fastest time of the day. which is a pretty big margin but still not that bad

[ptack]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

Doesn't make a difference to its Auto-X-ability. If anything, the sedan is apparently stiffer.

I can't comment about its trackability, seeing as I've yet to take this particular car to one. It's not a lightweight, but it's still on the verge of avoiding the label of a "porker".

There are more options though if he doesn't have to have 4 doors for everyday use. The 135i is something you should test drive, but beware, it may be very difficult to walk away from.

[vividracing]

Originally Posted by kyleb350

Might want to look into a 135i if that suits your tastes. The (somewhat) lighter weight and short wheelbase would help in AutoX

+1

The shorter length will allow it to perform more on par with what he's accustomed to in the Mazda.

[Sniz]

keep in mind that the 335 does not have a LSD which hurts it on short auto-x courses. You can always add one though.

oh, and the 335 is a much nicer car than the mazda, but each has their market for sure.

[Ender_]

The MS3 is a great car for the price but all the HP and TQ in FWD must suck, my A3 had 230HP once chipped and that was almost pushing FWD.

The 335ci is a huge car at least to me, wouldn't auto-x that, track car maybe not auto-x...as everyone said check out the 135i.

[MCMLXXXIX]

Originally Posted by EpicE90

Hula... Who is that chick in your picture?????!?!? Please let me know!!!!!

that would be a dude rocking out lol

[datbimmerdoe]

335i... duhh...

[Artmasterx]

I (and about a half-dozen other 1-series owners) do some autocrosses in the Boston area with the BMW club. You can take a look at the results, although as I'm sure you know it is more driver than anything most of the time. Event 1 and 4 definitely have a few 335's running, and there are a number of 1-series scattered throughout the B-D classes.

http://www.boston-bmwcca.org/results...ssResults.aspx

The 1 series would be a better autox car than the 3 all else being equal, and both the 135 and 128 can be very capable, especially if you put on a wide set of Dunlop Star Spec tires.

On a practical level, the MS3 is a fun and practical and affordable car, and I personally would not be upset owning one. It was actually in a tie for my second choice after the 128, between the MS3 and a Subaru Legacy GT.

I have always thought that if they could put a light-weight AWD system in the MS3, it would be a beast and a solid contender with the WRX, R32, and maybe even STi/EVO (albeit a bit less performance and less harsh).

[Strudle]

The MS3 is a great car for the price but all the HP and TQ in FWD must suck, my A3 had 230HP once chipped and that was almost pushing FWD.

The 335ci is a huge car at least to me, wouldn't auto-x that, track car maybe not auto-x...as everyone said check out the 135i.

Thanks for all the input. I will definitely check out the 135i. I'll have to see how usable to rear set of seats is too. If I can occasionally put my kids back there it might work.

The MS3 with its FWD actually does quite well in auto-x which I think is aided by the factory LSD. It makes a big difference in pulling it around the turns and clawing its way back into traction. I actually beat my friend's Porshe Cayman S at the last auto-x.

[Graham M]

Originally Posted by hkbaby

MAZDA SUCKS!
335i man! do you even gotta think about it?!

This. I've had 4 over a 7 year period, and it would be a dark snowy day in hell before I ever touch another one. Just fucking garbage, I cannot believe some people are Mazda fans

What few friends that I've had that HAVE Mazda's have similar problems as their cars & SUV's are just as bad as the ones I used to have.

Incessant valve lifter problems, seizing brakes calipers and lines... just you name it: I've fixed it or had to have it fixed.

Fuck Mazda... seriously

[Strudle]

This. I've had 4 over a 7 year period, and it would be a dark snowy day in hell before I ever touch another one. Just fucking garbage, I cannot believe some people are Mazda fans

What few friends that I've had that HAVE Mazda's have similar problems as their cars & SUV's are just as bad as the ones I used to have.

Incessant valve lifter problems, seizing brakes calipers and lines... just you name it: I've fixed it or had to have it fixed.

Fuck Mazda... seriously

Well, I'm sorry you had a bad experience. But you're definitely the exception. I owned a Miata for many years and it was one of the most trouble free cars I've ever had. I also have a Mazda CX-9 that has had zero issues. Every car maker has it's lemons. My uncle had a new 7 series BMW a couple of years ago, and he actually had it replaced under the Masachussettes (sp?) lemon law it had so many issues. I've driven some crappy cars in my time, and I wouldn't say that Mazda or BMW fall into those categories (think GMC, Chevy, etc). I think the older Mazda6 had some spotty reliability records, but the Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 have both received the highest reliability ratings from consumer reports.