VERY CONFLICTED: 07'-08' 335i coupe vs New 370z
 

I am in the market of buying a new car. I have been driving a beater accord for 4 years...it is such a reliable car, but I want to upgrade. I am 20 years old and a University student working for my parents.


I want to spend about $33k.

*Nice performance
*Reliability/No headaches
*DailyDriver-ability
*Tunability
*Looks (both the 370z and the 335i are gorgeous imo...the 135i imo not so)
*Longevity (I am planning on keeping the car for a while...like I did the Honda)
*Love the torque-y nature of the 335i...heard the 370z pulls also.
*4 seats are a bonus, not a necessity.
*Image (I don't know which is worse, a sporty Nissan :stirthepot: or a stuck up BMW :stirthepot:)
*A friend of mine got a new 335i as a present in Highschool...I had to work for it. He'll think I copied him.
*The 370z is a bargain for what it is. I have been following the e9x series in BMW for a while (I have wanted the 335i since its inception, but this new Nissan is really enticing, especially since I can get a new one.
*Since these are sporty cars, there is a chance that the used BMW was abused, but then again it could not...:ugh2:


If I get the 370z, its probably gonna be a Base with Sports package. The 335i coupe will definitely need the sports package also, but I am more lenient in the luxuries.

The HPFP issues is the biggest turn-off for the 335i. I know it has an auto- extended warranty, but this is going to be my only car. I don't want it to go to the shop often. I want to own the car for a long time.

I don't have a family to carry around, but wouldn't mind the practicality of a 4 seater as long as it is fast.


I am asking the same thing over at the 3-series boards.
VERY CONFLICTED: 07'-08' 335i coupe vs New 370z - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum - E90Post.com

Please be patient with me. I have been lurking these forums for a while and have searched, but I might have missed something.

I am about 50-50 between the two cars.


Thanks for any advice.

Have you driven them both? I get a weird feeling most of these "I don't know which car to get" threads would get resolved with a test drive of each car.

I have test driven the 370z and driven my friends 335i. Neither of them hard or for a long time. I haven't come to a conclusion.

Idk if a sports car is going to help you in anyway bro.
Your a college student working for your parents.
1.) Do you have money to maintain the car?(Oil changes, tires, wheel alignments, brake pads, etc...)
2.) Does it snow in your area?(Don't know if your keeping your Accord?)

Well the Maintenance program for BMW will cover 1) for the 2-3 more years or so. I am off decently. I commute from my parents home to UCI...so I have no housing expenses and I have a good support structure.

I don't think the 370z will cost too much to maintain since I will baby it most likely.

It does not snow in my area. I can drive a convertible all year if I had to.

I have both. Love both. I have analyzed both an a comparo in my previous posts. If you have any questions, I'm happy to help.
john

I love both cars but i guess it's a win win situation for you either way. Bmw is a little bit cheaper to mod since all u need is vishnu v3 and u can easily put out 400hp.

The main thing the 370z has right now is its sportiness and its newness. By newness, I mean I will buy it new and that is a experience I would have to sacrifice if I go with a CPO BMW. The 370z is way sportier IMO. I love the fact that it looks like a Porsche 911 and has about the same power for $30k's. If I had a DD, I would pick the 370z no questions asked, but the 370z will have to be my DD as well as my track car.

P.S WTF @ these smileys:

:ughdance::roflpuke2::nutswinger::eekdance: :inoutroflpuke:

LMAO

Go with the Z.

The emoticons are pure excellence. :happydance:

Not to throw something else confusing your way, but have you looked at the BMW Z4M? That's my dilemma right now, 370Z or Z4M.

wow, i was in your shoes. I chose the Z vs. a used Z4M! No regrets here.

As a DD or 1/4 mile car - 335i

As a track car - 370z

I guess here the 370 could be rationalized as a better DD, but in all honesty.. the bitch is LOUD. :)

If I were you I would get the 370z, cheaper to maintain and performance is close.

Both are nice, although I would choose the Z because; it looks better, is a true sports car with no pretensions at providing pseudo back seats, handles and goes great with good braking ability too. It has a better looking interior to the 335 that is bland and has been critised for this by professionals. Also I think you will have better relaibilty with the Z and be cheaper to maintain/run in the long term. It can be used as a DD for short or long commutes and how lucky are those who have long commutes in the Z!

What is it with all these people who can't handle a bit of decibels. The Z is a sports car not a bloody Lincoln. When you drive a sports car you want to feel it. I am sure a Ferrari or lambo etc are not Lexus like either. you are also paying for the raw, non clinical feel of the Z. Why would you want to ber driving a sports car that sounds and feels like a Camry, apparently there are lot of girly men here.

Oh you feel it... every line, crack, or peice of gum stuck on the road.

oh please, I have driven a 370z, it was an exhilerating drive. This is the kind of car you look forward to driving due to the great sensations it gives you. This car has personality and a charming character, something I imagine may be missing from a sterile and clinical snoozemobile that is the 335. I have read on the BMW forums that these cars have had a fair share of issues associated with them and BMW being BMW of course attended to them without a fuss in order not to tarnish its well marketed name and risk alienating the ******* who must have a BMW to show their image conscious friends. Ha!

If I want an exhilerating experience, something I look forward to driving, and gives me great sensations.. I'll call my girlfriend.

Unfortunately, for you.. an mx5 wouldn't turn a 2 cent hookers head. You own neither car so I find it pointless arguing this.

To keep this on topic, and to clarify my original post (apparently it was unclear), I think the op should purchase a 370z.

You are a typical BMW wanker that values image over substance.:gtfo2:

BTW... Have you seen reviews on the mx5, I have not read one bad one, so gtfo!

I think this forum agrees with me in calling you.. the wanker.

Your opinion maybe somewhat valid had you driven both cars (like I have), but you have not. So your opinion is about as useless as your insults.

ian, how does that work, please explain why.

you Ian, come onto this forum and critise the Z for, in your opinion, having a rough hard ride, which it does not, it is sports car Ian not luxury limo.

Ian I don't need to drive the 335 because I was talking about its ride, I was only talking about the Z's, so please read carefully. as to the mx5 and hookers, I am glad it doesn't turn their heads, what would they no about class. I presume hookers look at your 335 when you go trolling. lol

As a recent owner of a modified BMW M3, I find the 370z has a very tight ride with sharper turning and less body roll, not harsh. Yes there is road noise, when I don't want to hear it I turn up the stereo. Interestingly, my wife finds the 370z a much smoother ride than the M3.

I know a M3 is a different beast than the 335, but if you are making a choice based on performance, comfort and noise, I find the 370z more than suitable in that regard.

If I were a single guy in college at UCI, give me the 370Z roadster and let the posing begin.;)

I gave my opinion based on real life experience. If you feel I am criticizing* then so be it. He is cross shopping a 335i and 370z.

I was starting to think that maybe you had misinterpreted what I had posted.. but then saw your public profile and what bullitt5897 wrote about you:

I guess you're just a dbag everywhere. Ciao.

When I was your age I was 50/50 on the Porsche 911 and the 450Sl. For what it's worth, Bimmers and MBs are for older people. That's what I was told by friends and relatives. I work in West LA and all you could see are MBs, Bimmers and Astons.


So I went for the 911. Get the Bimmer when you are working for a corporation or non-family business.
Pls no flame.


Btw, I was in the market for an M3 before seeing the Z!

Good luck finding unbiased arguments from either forums because most likely they will be repping the car they drive. My opinion is that you should just go test drive them both, because words can't describe how a car feels as you drive it around, the feel of power when you hold onto the steering wheel, etc. We could sit here and tell you the pros and cons of each car but ultimately you won't agree with all of our opinions and eventually it will come down to whichever car you want and willing to spend.

edit: btw I drive a 335i e92 because I Was in the exact same predicament as you. I just loved the feeling of the 335i although the 370z was up there as well but to me the 335i's torque was just too addicting.

thanks for the entertainment, now run along.

I say go for the Z:

You're young, you have no real need for a back seat
It'll be new, so you won't have any doubts about how it was treated before
Cheaper to maintain than the BMW
It's age appropriate? (lol, it's late and I'm tired so I don't know how to express that properly, but in my opinion a Z suits a young single guy better than a 335 does.)

Both cars are hot. You can't go wrong either way.

i had quite a few choices myself n what i wanted for my next car..

the 335i was one of them.. now when im interested in a car.. i test drive and read up on them..

mostly on review websites and unbiased sources.. u go to a bmw forum more than likely ur gonna get more bmw votes and vise versa for the Z.. but if ur talking about UCIrvine and ur in cali.. i would go for the Z, irvine is a real nice area and im sure a commuting Z will be very nice to have. plus in the long run if u get a luxury car, be ready to pay for luxury repairs, thats the way i always saw it.. and if u get a used BMW be ready to service it sooner than later. so go for the Z :)

I vote for the 335. :tup:

With a cheap tune ($570) your adding 80hp/tq. The other performance mods aint that expensive either. Pretty large modding community too.

What are the 1/4mile times you z guys are putting down?

i think stock is 13.1 1/4 mile.

In my humble opinion:
It has an Engine that sounds like Lady Gaga and is as exhilarating as a night out with a transvestite. For sheer fun, you could easily best it. But since it is a Nissan, it will be reliable and that is why the OP should get one.

Just recently a 370 ran 12.8. Pretty awesome for minimal mods. I think once the turbo/SC options become available the 370 should see some excellent numbers.

The 335i ran an 11.33 just last week.

almost none of these guys own a 370 in this topic, if u want a real car go with the 335 end of story... go to socal and see how many OLD people drive a bimmer NONE... and im 20 btw paid by myself

26 here, I aint an old guy. Highly modded 335 btw. The sig system on this forum is crap, or Id post my sig showing all my mods.

The sig system is definitely crap. Newbie forum for newbie owners ....... it's all good though. ;)

OP, definitely go with the 370z. You're young enough, have no real financial obligations & are allowed to make a mistake every now & then. j/k :happydance:

I'm a troll. I vote for the 335i! :)

Sorry, just coming on here for fun to read more about the 370z, not to start a flame war. I like all cars and just bought a used Audi, so I'm not a silly 335 fanboy. I like the Z too :) Ok, w/ that out of the way, some info:

Yes, as per above, for only a few hundred bucks, you can get a tune that will give you 390hp the crank (340-350whp). As for reliability, you can bet 335i enthusiasts were the first to raise that question...nobody wanted their $40-50K cars to break! But the tunes have proven to be reliable w/ no real cases of blown turbos/engines specifically due to a tune. I won't get into bolt-on options, etc cuz it'll sidetrack the thread into a STI/EVO/335i comparison, which is not productive for the OP.

Yes, some negatives including the HPFP design issue (stock car issue), but BMW NA informed us the HPFP is now warrantied up to 120K miles.

Nice to meet you guys. Off to read more about the Z.

OK, so the370:

8 For the 370Z
5 For the 335i

e90post:

7 For the 370Z
10 For the 335i



:roflpuke2:

Goddamnit it's 50/50, just like in my head.

the 7 from e90post are looking out for your finances, which is why they drive a bmw

:iagree:

Dear NickNick,

Have you heard the engine in the Nissan?

Driving your Mazda too many times must have caused your ears to malfunction. They make some of the most uninspiring engines ever to grace the earth, their soundtrack is between irritating and just intrusive. Maybe you should use the raw Z as your vibrator, seeing as you are so stuck up and rude toward opinion other than yours. :tiphat: