Test drive: E92 335i, M3(SMG) and GTI(DSG)

[Centurion]

So today I had booked an E92 335i and an M3 test. I have looked forward to this like crazy since I have never had the chance to properly drive a bimmer. Sorry no pictures

335i
I kicked it off with the 335i since it has been heavily praised here ever since it was launched. With that being said my hopes were pretty high. The one I drove had many options, iDrive, satnav, sun roof and many other goodies like brown leather. Tight car to say the least and as with almost all cars in the dealerships in CA, it was an automatic.
In reference to the E500 I test drove a couple of weeks ago the 335i has much more direct steering and was quite involving and the suspension was pretty soft and the cars was comfortable driving on the rough roads. Somehow the suspension was too soft, I expected it to be harder, it is almost as if the E500 i drove was stiffer. Very weird. As for the engine the power was more than decent and the amount of torque wasn't bad either.
In a whole the car didn't give me the WOW experience but that is probably because I didn't do a comprehensive test drive.

M3
Since I was a bit disappointed with the 335i I moved to the M3 which I hoped would give me the true BMW experience. I had quite a few M3s to choose from and I picked one equipped with SMG.
I have always had a negative attitude towards SMG and after the test drive I still didn't like it. A bit to jerky and harsh, even the fastest or slowest setting. Definitely nothing for me. The acceleration and speed of the M3 was more of less on a par with the 335i except that the M3 had better throttle response, louder engine noise and a much more happily revving. No competition here, he M3s engine is the superior one. As you might have guessed the M3's suspension is stiffer and IMO it was too stiff for the roads out here, the 10 minutes ride was quite bumpy. But the feeling of being connected with the road was wonderful and the steering offered more feedback than the 335i.
Basically the M3 is a proper sports car and makes the 335i look like a GT. If comfort is you priority the 335i is your but if you want an almost uncompromised then the M3 is the way to go. They are two completely different cars and either can't do what the other one does. On the negative side I didn't get a chance to really push the M3 hard on curvy roads which off course means that I missed out on something.

GTI
On my way home I happened to stop by a VW dealer and had an R32 test drive in mind but I knew that they'll probably didn't have one but at the entrance I saw the GTI. Knowing that the GTI comes with DSG I was eager to check out what that's all about. Inside the dealer was a special edition Fahrenheit VW which was orange and equipped with some damn nice sport leather seats, which looked a bit too expensive for a car like the Golf.
The one I tested was almost a bare GTI with cloth seats and with barely any candy on top, but I didn't care since I only had DSG in mind.
Either way the sales woman drove it off and just like any new Golf the car is dead quiet as ideal and at low speeds, the ride was almost as quiet as bible class. It was being driven in D-mode and was honestly just as smooth as an automatic, you couldn't even feel the gear changes.
After switching seats I drove it D for a hundred meter or show, got bored and switched it into manual mode. The gear changes are very quick most importantly very very smooth, just like in automatic mode the car barely twitches and it all feels like one loooooooooooooooong gear. DSG is simply alot better than SMG, no contest. Absolutely fantastic gearbox. DSG is the future.
Before the test drive I didn't know why the GTI is so legendary but now I know. I have driven multiple cars the latest years and I have never had this much fun driving a car. The GTI is really a hot hatch. Although the engine "only" has 200hp the car felt really fast, felt even faster than the M3. It is almost as if there is a wild Tasmanian devil under the hood dying to get out. And the engine coming from the turbo charged engine was awesome. The ride itself was superb. It offered something in between the 335i and M3. The ride was comfortable but comfortable at the same time. Perfect compromise.
What's best about the car is that unlike the M3, you don't have to drive it hard or like a maniac in order to enjoy it. It gave me my first car-gasm. The GTI rocks. The engine, suspension setting, handling and gear box is an unbeatable combination. Never did I knew that front wheel drive could be this fun.
If you're looking for an inexpensive sporty daily driver then the GTI is the car for you. It is without a doubt the biggest surprise this year and if I had the money I would buy one today. Great performance at a low price.

[Mr. M]

I'm very glad to see you giving us reviews of these cars... Much appreciated. Karma for you.

I also feel the same way about the 335i as you do.

I'm very happy to see you giving top marks to the GTI too, it's undeniably my dream car for at least the next few years. Little else can top it. Whether I'm a millionaire, a billionaire or a zillionaire I'll still have a GTI in my garage, period.

[Just_me]

see,I told you so, everyone here seem to think that all bimmers are uncomfortable. Bimmers are comfortable and works fine for daily-use , if it wasnt the case , not many people would own and drive a bimmer.

[Centurion]

You're absolutely right James, the GTI is unbeatable and I still can't believe that I enjoy it more than cars which are twice as expensive. It is so perfect that one doesn't even care about the non flashy VW badge on it.
If I'll be in the market for a new car later during the year, I probably buy one and I'm glad you live my reviews.

Originally Posted by Just_me

see,I told you so, everyone here seem to think that all bimmers are uncomfortable. Bimmers are comfortable and works fine for daily-use , if it wasnt the case , not many people would own and drive a bimmer.

What funny is that during my 335i test drive I thought "Damn, Andreas has been right all along the car isn't harsh at all"

The ride was very GT-ish and perfectly fine to filter the vibrations and unevenness from the the bad Californian road. Heck it was even softer than the E500 with air suspension I drove a few weeks ago.

[BMW_Dude]

Good reviews, and like James, I like the GTI very much, if I had 20k to buy a car now, I'd definatly go out and buy a GTI!

Interesting you didn't like SMG and the 335i was too soft. I assume the 335i didn't have the sports suspension.

Karma for you!

[Just_me]

Originally Posted by BMW_Dude

Interesting you didn't like SMG

IMO Luw spend too little time in the M3, the SMG needs more time to get used to. After some time it will be a part of your body

[Mr. M]

Originally Posted by Just_me

IMO Luw spend too little time in the M3, the SMG needs more time to get used to. After some time it will be a part of your body

Scary.

[Centurion]

Originally Posted by BMW_Dude

Good reviews, and like James, I like the GTI very much, if I had 20k to buy a car now, I'd definatly go out and buy a GTI!

Interesting you didn't like SMG and the 335i was too soft. I assume the 335i didn't have the sports suspension.

Karma for you!

I asked the sales man if there was a 335si but there wasn't. I think that would be a perfect compromise. As for the SMG, sure it was quick but it was a bit jerky and the biggest reason why I don't like SMG is that DSG is so much better. DSG has made SMG obsolete. It's faster smoother and much more convenient.
One thing I love with the DSG in the GTI is that you pull the lever upwards to shift up and downwards to shift down. With SMG and almost all the automatic cars I have driven it's the opposite.

[Matt]

nice review!
Just out of curiosity, what dealer did you go to?

[ree]

Great review...