Torn between a BRZ and a 335 Coupe (with M package)

[tawheed]

I came to the BRZ from a 135i which shares the same N54 engine as the earlier 335i. The two cars are extremely different. The 135i was ridiculously fast and torquey, extremely comfortable and just so refined in every sense. Yes, it was heavy which made it less nimble but it added stability and confidence in long sweeping corners. It was also very well built and just solid overall.

The BRZ is a sports car, plain and simple. No real frills, build quality very average, not very fast but makes you grin when you can throw it into a corner quickly, romp on the throttle and get a bit of a slide - all at 40km/h haha.

I wish I could have kept both because I honestly feel the 135i was a better daily driver. I feel too old to be daily driving a BRZ but oh well.

[2forme]

Whoever said the insurance for a BRZ was MORE expensive than a BMW must have a really crappy record. My BRZ is cheaper on the insurance than my old 09 Corolla or 04 Celica.

[nab335]

i have both cars (my mom drives my 335 now) and as other people said that car is definately on another level. I had it fully bolted and that car was seriously no joke I couldn't believe how fast it was off about 1k of performance mods. I used to think that car handled great until i got the FRS. I honestly believe the FRS is better for daily driving because that power is not even useable most the time. I found myself to always be ahead of traffic in it due to its insane amount of torque or going wayy over the speed limit but in the end that car was drinking up gas whereas this car may be harder to get up to speeds but is absolutely still pretty quick for street driving and imo GREAT on gas. The bmw maintenence is a complete headache and is the reason why I dont daily drive the 335i anymore. My warranty is almost up and I'm dreading if something major needs replacing like turbos. I find myself more scared driving in my 335 and more confident in the FRS, probably due to the power and handling.

[Sparkplug]

I actually picked a 135i M-Sport DCT over a BRZ. For what I'm using the car for (commuting with some fun), I don't think the BRZ could have matched it. I loved the BRZ but the dealer was being impossible for even to let me test drive the thing.

If you want something even close to the BRZ in size, go with the 135. You'll have a significantly better power/weight ratio on a chassis that handles just as well and brakes better. The 3 series is rather big these days...

[gmookher]

335 blows 135 and brz away all day in high speed
in tight and twisty it could be interesting

[tawheed]

Originally Posted by gmookher

335 blows 135 and brz away all day in high speed
in tight and twisty it could be interesting

Why would a 335 blow a 135 away? It has the same engine and it is heavier.

[gmookher]

Originally Posted by tawheed

Why would a 335 blow a 135 away? It has the same engine and it is heavier.

wheelbase at triple digit speeds

[Sparkplug]

Originally Posted by tawheed

Why would a 335 blow a 135 away? It has the same engine and it is heavier.

I'd like to know this too.

Originally Posted by gmookher

wheelbase at triple digit speeds

OK.

[JW89225]

Originally Posted by gmookher

wheelbase at triple digit speeds

I think you may be right, my friend with a 1M just came back from the track recently and told me he prefer the M3 to the 1M because of the longer wheelbase making it felt more planted, more predictable and stable.

In other words, I guess the difference between the 1 and the 3 is the 1 series rotate a bit quicker which could be translated to agility.

I thought the same when I drove a 135i when I still had my 335i. I guess it really comes down to what your using the car for and the driver's preference.

For me, I honestly don't mind the extra weight, it feels stable and body control technology nowadays is so advance it makes less of a difference on the road. Looking at the spec sheets, I was stunned and disappointed that my M3 weight 3700lb... but once I thrashed her on the curves, the weight felt like it disappeared. The thing that indicates your weight may be the excessive wear on the tires and brakes rather than the feel from the cockpit.

Lightweight is a good way to approach performance, but its been the age old formula. Nowadays I am glad that cars like GT-R prove that there is another side to the story, weight can be used to an advantage.

Anyways, glad I have a 2700lb and a 3700lb car side by side

[SVTSHC]

Originally Posted by nab335

i have both cars (my mom drives my 335 now) and as other people said that car is definately on another level. I had it fully bolted and that car was seriously no joke I couldn't believe how fast it was off about 1k of performance mods. I used to think that car handled great until i got the FRS. I honestly believe the FRS is better for daily driving because that power is not even useable most the time. I found myself to always be ahead of traffic in it due to its insane amount of torque or going wayy over the speed limit but in the end that car was drinking up gas whereas this car may be harder to get up to speeds but is absolutely still pretty quick for street driving and imo GREAT on gas. The bmw maintenence is a complete headache and is the reason why I dont daily drive the 335i anymore. My warranty is almost up and I'm dreading if something major needs replacing like turbos. I find myself more scared driving in my 335 and more confident in the FRS, probably due to the power and handling.

lol and you should. The labor alone runs in excess of 19 hours. So that + the cost of turbo's heh, your looking at over 5 grand.



As far as the topic goes, it depends what you're using them for. As a daily driver:

335i:
More creature comforts
Faster straight line speed
More comfortable for long drives
Turbo's! (pssss)
Heavier than it looks

FRS:
Better in the twisties
A blast to drive
Moderate speed
Better fuel mileage
A touch lighter than it looks

[gmookher]

I've owned the 1 series, tho not a 135
We currently own BOTH a 2009 335i and a BRZ

there is no comparing, or cross shopping these cars at all

open diff vs lsd, (even M package cars like yours, and mine are open, only true M cars are on LSD)
pig vs featherweight feel wise,
german vs japan theres no comparing feel, fit finish and rigidity IMHO,
pronounced engineered understeer vs determined and defined neutral handling,
power oversteer turbo inline 6 with oodles of rev range vs not enough power NA rev it like u stole it,
true luxury vs entry level (no power seats @#$%!)
the lil gimp hand that hands you the seatbelt vs reaching for it
while both cars are equally balanced front to rear, Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) on the bmw: 3,607 vs 2700

The driving exeperience both on and off the track are night and day apart. One actually drives a different line with each car. I dont mind 8 hours in the 335i at all. I despise it at the track. The BRZ I love on the track, its not a BMW in any way tho.

One sells for $50k BASE new, the other for $27k fully loaded
our 335i is a full tan leather blue car with 6 speed stick, and its a riot to drive, no less

[SUB-FT86]

Originally Posted by SVTSHC

lol and you should. The labor alone runs in excess of 19 hours. So that + the cost of turbo's heh, your looking at over 5 grand.



As far as the topic goes, it depends what you're using them for. As a daily driver:

335i:
More creature comforts
Faster straight line speed
More comfortable for long drives
Turbo's! (pssss)
Heavier than it looks

FRS:
Better in the twisties
A blast to drive
Moderate speed
Better fuel mileage
A touch lighter than it looks

To me it looks like it should weigh about 100 lbs more than a MX5 hardtop(backseat area and a little extra length in the wheelbase)

Also one thing I hate about the 335i was the turbo lag. It felt weak up until 3k rpms then it felt like a freaking missile afterwards. Fastest car I have ever driven. You can easily get a ticket with that car.

[SUB-FT86]

Originally Posted by gmookher

I've owned the 1 series, tho not a 135
We currently own BOTH a 2009 335i and a BRZ

there is no comparing, or cross shopping these cars at all

open diff vs lsd, (even M package cars like yours, and mine are open, only true M cars are on LSD)
pig vs featherweight feel wise,
german vs japan theres no comparing feel, fit finish and rigidity IMHO,
pronounced engineered understeer vs determined and defined neutral handling,
power oversteer turbo inline 6 with oodles of rev range vs not enough power NA rev it like u stole it,
true luxury vs entry level (no power seats @#$%!)
the lil gimp hand that hands you the seatbelt vs reaching for it
while both cars are equally balanced front to rear, Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) on the bmw: 3,607 vs 2700

The driving exeperience both on and off the track are night and day apart. One actually drives a different line with each car. I dont mind 8 hours in the 335i at all. I despise it at the track. The BRZ I love on the track, its not a BMW in any way tho.

One sells for $50k BASE new, the other for $27k fully loaded
our 335i is a full tan leather blue car with 6 speed stick, and its a riot to drive, no less

Both cars are not equally balanced. BMW is known for 50/50 or 51/49 weight distribution. Your BRZ is 55/45 and 54/46 with one occupant and 53/47 with two occupants. The only other Jap cars that match the BMW's balance is the MX5/RX8/S2000.

[Iixii]

OP here - I finally 'settled' for a used 06 Cayman S which I picked up 11/9/2012.