Handling & BMW Naming Conventions

[sherdog]

Hey guys,

Forgive my newbness...but I have been researching the 335i & and the 2004 330CI ZHP to DEATH. I love both cars.

Interestingly enough two of my buddies are at each others throats over which car is "better" (as one has the 335i and one has the 330ZHP)

So of course I agreed to drive both and give my unbiased opinion...


1. After driving both cars, it feels as though the 335i is much more refined..

I took a few corners with it at pretty high speeds and the turns into those corners felt so smooth. Almost too smooth.

I felt as though I had to turn the wheel significantly more in 335i than in the 330ZHP.

The 330 ZHP felt like it was more connected to the road. Does anyone else feel this way as well, or was it just me?

2. ok now for my newbness question - Can someone please explain the whole E90, E91, E92, E93 thing to me....

Is it:
2006 = E90
2007 = E91
2008 = E92
2009 = E93

Again forgive my newbness...

Thanks all!

[ibimmer346]

For item 2:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bmw#Series_Generations

[MIMI1]

the E9x generation 335 is much faster than any E46.

E46zhp feels more connected because it is

E9x has more electronics and is heavier

[sherdog]

Thank you!

&

Thank you!


The 335 was ridiculousley fast, but I was really expecting it to handle as well if not better than the zhp.

The zhp just felt like it had a serious understanding with the road so to speak. Now I am torn over what to get..lol i know i know the 335 all the way right?....I think as crazy as it sounds i prefer the handling of the zhp...ARGH!!!

[MIMI1]

Thank you!

&

Thank you!


The 335 was ridiculousley fast, but I was really expecting it to handle as well if not better than the zhp.

The zhp just felt like it had a serious understanding with the road so to speak. Now I am torn over what to get..lol i know i know the 335 all the way right?....I think as crazy as it sounds i prefer the handling of the zhp...ARGH!!!

now think about driving a well setup E36 m3 or an E30 m3 and think of the road feel in that

[mattjw916]

I'd still go for the 335 since you get a warranty. If you really want to feel "connected" get an M3 of any year...

[sherdog]

I have not driven the M3(yet) so I cannot comment on that...but i gotta admit BMW sure knows what they're doing.

Even though the handling in the 335 was excellent (just softer than the zhp) It still is an amazing machine. I think part of the reason the handling was a bit softer was, as mentioned before, the car is a bit heavier, and, the suspesion was designed around the run flats...while this proves very nice on straight smooth roads, 'some' handling is noticeably compromised..but then again I still would not change the setup. I think BMW has done a fine job.

And as for the M3, I almost don't want to drive it...lol