[Intotheblue]

Hey all, sort of off-topic. I currently have a 2009 black 328i coupe and looking to upgrade and just looking for some opinions. I love the car but it has some issues so it's time to move on.

My options would be: (listed from lowest price to highest)

2014 428i Luxury Line in in Midnight Blue Metallic (HiFi stereo)
2014 428i in Mineral Gray Metallic with M-Sport package (Harman Kardon stereo)
2014 Mercedes E350 Coupe in gray metallic nearly fully loaded (radar cruise control, etc)

[dreamingat30fps]

I have not driven the 428, however we just got a 335 and I have driven an E350 sedan and personally I hated it. I was actually surprised how much I disliked the E350. So for that reason alone I would pick the 428 msport.

[Intotheblue]

Yeah I have yet to test drive a Benz Coupe yet, merely going on looks and features alone. I guess I need to schedule one this week and see if I even like how it drives (since I'm preferring the E350 coupe the most). There's no denying how great the E92 drives so I know a 4-series is just as good or better.

[otay]

Originally Posted by Intotheblue

There's no denying how great the E92 drives so I know a 4-series is just as good or better.

Ummm...you should go drive one? F3x uses electrically assisted steering and it will not feel anything like your 2009.

My 2014 steering is very precise, but lacks feedback. Doesn't bother me much as a daily driver though.

With that said...go for the M Sport!

[jd_perspective]

My vote is biased but that's because I love my 428 GC. I drove the last version of the C350 and was disappointed in everything, including the engine/performance. It's not an E, but I think they're more "luxury" geared versus sporty but it really just matters what you are looking for there.

0h an MSPORT FTW

[Intotheblue]

Thanks for the feedback so far everyone. I'll go test drive them both this week and form an opinion from there.

[wickedwahine11]

I just bought a 428i M Sport and love it. My mom has a Mercedes E350 and hands down, I prefer my car. Hers lacks features like keyless entry - I searched high and low to find her one with Comfort Access and couldn't find one. The Sport seats in the BMW are much more comfortable, and I also much prefer the way the BMW drives. Definitely you should drive both, but I would vote for the M Sport 428i of those three choices...though I am admittedly biased.

[PNW2003]

I just test drove a 428i, 430i, 440i and M4 over the weekend.

I thought the 428i was rather underpowered. I thought the M4 was a little too much, so I settled on the 440i. But JMHO.

[madmonkey]

Maybe you could tell us the options packages on the luxury and msport. I do like msport looks, but my luxury came with HUD so that was cool. If the msport has adaptive suspension than I say that's the winner

[Intotheblue]

Just an update, I think I'm going to nix the 428i and instead consider a 435i (and can't figure out how to change the poll).

Currently looking at a 2014 M-Sport Estoril Blue 435i xDrive with Harman Kardon speakers and will add a BMS stage 1 piggyback. It's the same price as the 428i but is not certified like any of the other options but has 12k miles left on the factory warranty so should last me a year. Then I can buy a 1-3 year extended comprehensive warranty through USAA which is decently priced.

Anyone have anything to add concerning buying a non-CPO but with factory warranty still?

[Intotheblue]

Originally Posted by madmonkey

Maybe you could tell us the options packages on the luxury and msport. I do like msport looks, but my luxury came with HUD so that was cool. If the msport has adaptive suspension than I say that's the winner

Both 428i options have the HUD, none of the 3 (including the 435i) have adaptive suspension.

[rolltidef32]

I ordered my 428i in 2015. It's an M Sport and I feel it has more than enough power to get into plenty of trouble if you go driving for it and the looks are nothing short of beautiful.

However, this is no sports car. It's big (long) and the doors open extremely wide, even for a coupe. The 4 series is a GT and very good at cruising, but can do some sporty moves with the M sport suspension.

Main reason to get this car is for the looks as it always turns heads.

Most of all, the car is balanced under all considerations and is solid at most that it tries to accomplish.

However, my next car will likely be the New Z4 or 240i for a weekend toy and may get the 5 for weekly commute and kids transport

[madmonkey]

Originally Posted by Intotheblue

Both 428i options have the HUD, none of the 3 (including the 435i) have adaptive suspension.

Well...the msport and mineral grey is a popular combo

But I'm definitely lovin that midnight blue metallic too

While the 435i will be more fun...Moar power = more grins per mile...the fact that it's not cpo would bother me. There's something about it that meant it wasn't worth it to BMW to cpo it. Unless you get a ridiculously good deal, I would pass

[Intotheblue]

Originally Posted by madmonkey

Well...the msport and mineral grey is a popular combo

But I'm definitely lovin that midnight blue metallic too

While the 435i will be more fun...Moar power = more grins per mile...the fact that it's not cpo would bother me. There's something about it that meant it wasn't worth it to BMW to cpo it. Unless you get a ridiculously good deal, I would pass

It's a good deal, not ridiculous though. And it's just from some random Toyota dealer that has it on the lot, so unable to get certified. Carfax looks clean, says it was a lease but doesn't show any of the maintenance trips on the report.

I would be saving $5k by getting the 435i vs the E350 Coupe, and I'd be in less of a time crunch to buy since the 435i's are more readily available. There's only one E350 coupe in the color I want with the lighting package. It does include all the goodies that I truly want in my next car if I plan to keep it 5+ years, radar cruise control, lane keeping assist, brake assist, etc, which none of the BMWs in my price range have.

[Intotheblue]

Originally Posted by rolltidef32

I ordered my 428i in 2015. It's an M Sport and I feel it has more than enough power to get into plenty of trouble if you go driving for it and the looks are nothing short of beautiful.

However, this is no sports car. It's big (long) and the doors open extremely wide, even for a coupe. The 4 series is a GT and very good at cruising, but can do some sporty moves with the M sport suspension.

Main reason to get this car is for the looks as it always turns heads.

Most of all, the car is balanced under all considerations and is solid at most that it tries to accomplish.

However, my next car will likely be the New Z4 or 240i for a weekend toy and may get the 5 for weekly commute and kids transport

What bothers me about the 428i is all the mixed reports. Plenty say that the power is good enough and fun, then others say it's underpowered. Also, 0-60 times online vary pretty wildly for some reason. On paper it does seem faster than my 328i which is plenty quick for me with the ECU tune, but I wouldn't mind faster. Even the E350 Coupe on paper is quicker than my E92.

[alohasurftoad]

don't f@(k around with the N20. since you're now considering the 435i, just go straight to the 440i. if somehow you end up re-considering 4-cyl then B48 430i.

[dreamingat30fps]

Depends on the deal. We managed to get a none CPO 335 with the options we wanted for less than similarly equipped 328s and a lot less than a CPO 335. It only has about 5k miles left of warranty, but even factoring in the cost of getting the car certified (which we don't know if we will do) it would still come out to less than any CPO car available around here.

As for the power difference I couldn't say since I have not driven the new 4 cyl 328. Also at least around here, this time of the year is horrible for buying used cars. Very few good deals out there. Usually better deals towards the end of the year.

[SteveinArizona]

First, decide what size car you want. The Merc E is similar to the BMW 5 series, not the 3/4 series.

The E/5 series tend to be more luxury focused than the 3/4 series. The cars are a little bigger and weigh more.

As others have noted, the Merc is more of a luxury sedan than a performance seda.

[Intotheblue]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

First, decide what size car you want. The Merc E is similar to the BMW 5 series, not the 3/4 series.

The E/5 series tend to be more luxury focused than the 3/4 series. The cars are a little bigger and weigh more.

As others have noted, the Merc is more of a luxury sedan than a performance seda.

Well therein lies the problem. Looks wise I think both are amazing, and I don't have a preference in size. I would love the power and flashiness of a blue 435i, but at the same time the luxury and features of the Benz appeal to me as well, and by no means a slouch in terms of performance for the size.

I'm going to call my insurance tonight and see what the quotes are for both cars and may make a decision based on that if there is a significant difference.

[Intotheblue]

So the current update: There is a 435i at a Toyota dealership they bought at auction and put it through their 120 point inspection (also has a clear CarFax). They will be sending me the repair order tomorrow. It has 9 months of factory warranty left so can hopefully have any issues repaired by a BMW dealer to be good as new. This model has the LED headlights.

Another significantly cheaper 435i is available at a small dealer that they said passed the inspection at the auction and their own. It got into a small rear fender bender, no airbags deployed. I'm asking them to take it to a BMW dealer to have a price quoted to have it certified, which may bring it up to the price of the first 435i but have the peace of mind of having 2 more years of CPO warranty. This model has the HUD.

Of the 2, which would you guys recommend? Without the repair order for the first and the CPO quote for the 2nd, I know it's not the most educated recommendation just yet. Regardless, the first should be a few grand more since I will end up getting a 3rd party comprehensive warranty after the fact.

[rolltidef32]

Originally Posted by Intotheblue

What bothers me about the 428i is all the mixed reports. Plenty say that the power is good enough and fun, then others say it's underpowered. Also, 0-60 times online vary pretty wildly for some reason. On paper it does seem faster than my 328i which is plenty quick for me with the ECU tune, but I wouldn't mind faster. Even the E350 Coupe on paper is quicker than my E92.

Well, the 0-60 is 5.2 for the 428i, which is plenty quick for a car it's size when driven in Sport with the Sport Auto tranny.

Sure, the 440i is faster, but only by a half sec and most of the guys who have one can't do a damn thing with that extra power and could barely handle the 28i at limit.

More power in the US is only a dick measure for guys who could use some extra inches and a boost to already spotty confidence.

Get the car you like, but can afford first. More power in modern BMWs outside of the 2 series or a proper ///M only makes for a more unstable car, as the current models are too fat and long.

[dreamingat30fps]

I actually just drove a 2014 228i today. Compared to the 2014 335i we bought recently I would say it is only under powered at highway speeds. Meaning around town the power makes no difference they both have more than enough. Once you get to highway speeds you notice some lack of power compared to the 335 when trying to pass. Not that it can't pass, it's just not the instant kick you get in the 335. Also note the 228 is a bit lighter than a 428 so the effect may be a bit increased in the 428.

That being said we were actually looking for a 328 (because of price), however most of the 328s we would come across were basic with very few options. So ultimately we ended up going with the 335 because it had the options we wanted priced very close to the 328s.