Can i get your opinions on a 335i Sedan vs. a C350?
Keep in mind I am looking for a daily driver & have the 911 for the weekends. Also, either car would be automatic.

In my opinion:

335i:

Pros:
More fun to drive
More power
Free Maintenance

Cons:
Not as good looking inside & out (IMO)
Engine overheat concerns
$5K more when comparably equipped

 

I thought the fit and finish of the BMW was of higher quality then the MBZ. Also the BMW felt like it had a "tighter" feeling driving experience. I had the 06 E90 330I and in terms of reliability, it was perfect. Never did I have any problems at all with a first year model car. FYI, I drove 55,000miles on it before I sold it.

 

I compared pretty much the same cars for my wife. I ended up with the CLK350. There were so many problems that I read about on the Bimmer forums I actually canceled my order. I just couldn't take my wife being stranded on the road (I would never hear the end of it). Very happy with the decision (and most importantly so is the wife..

 

i'd go with the 335i but i'm biased

 

Honestly I love the 335i but as far as reliability and DD status goes. I would lean more towards the C350. Then again I am in a different position so it's hard to stay. I just try to stay away from turbo daily drivers... I have a tendency to make them not so daily drivable



oh and the 335i sedan is hideous... just my .02

 

Just drive both cars back to back

 

Yes the reliability of the BMW turbo worry me, and i do drive a lot. i would also be tempted to chip the 335i which would decrease the longevity of the car... good point.

 

I recently drove both cars and imo the BMW was far superior. The performace, road feel and fit and finish I found much better on the Beamer.

 

Are you all talking about the 2008 C350? Fit and finish seem to be better than the 335i, but the bimmer gets the edge in sportiness.

 

My opinion is the 335i is a well engineered vehicle with a nice sporty feel. Quality of materials and the craftsmanship I believe are a bit better than the MBZ. Besides, the 335 will be more fun to drive.

 

Did you drive it long enough to know the reliability? And Beamer is a motorcycle...I think you meant Bimmer.

 

I haven't driven either but two things about the 335i bother me: (a) the turbocharger (due to possible longevity issues, I've avoided turbos); and (b) the dreaded iDrive, which is mandatory if you want NAV.

 

while I agree, the longevity of the turbos is yet to be seen, however having dealt with turbocharged cars for over 19 years, I have yet to see a rash of cars with turbo problems other than the 2.2L Chrysler's back in the 80's, BMW has waited to introduce a turbo car from back in 1984 (their last turbo car was the euro only 745i), they felt that they would wait till turbo technology and longevity was good enough to jump back into turbocharging again. Now on the Idrive, BMW has made some very nice improvements from the first time it was released in the 7 series which was a total pain in the butt, but I think the current Idrive is not bad, but this is my opinion..

 

used E46 M3

 

Turbos aren't necessarily unreliable especially if you aren't tuning them, but I'd say go with the C350 for luxury fit and finish/comfort plus you're getting an auto. You already have a fast car for the weekends, go with what is most comfortable for the daily.