_28i vs. _35i

[sportyaccordy]

The 1 series is like 50# lighter than the 3. Somehow I just don't imagine it to be the reincarnation of the E30 BMW would like us to believe it is.

And if we got the 272 HP N53 I would choose that over anything. The N54 is awesome, but I still would have loved to see a 3.5 liner N5* naturally aspirated motor. It probably would have made about 320-330HP and been much lighter than the N54.

[Raza]

128i is 3252, the 328i is 3362.  So it's only 100 pounds between the same engines, but it's still 100 pounds.  The 335i weighs nearly 3600 pounds.  That's two pounds per horsepower between the cars.  The 128i has about two pounds per horsepower better than my Jetta, and I find the performance of the Jetta really quite good.  I think I'd be perfectly happy with a 128.

[ChrisV]

I was, but I've changed my mind.  I may not need the extra power of the 335i, but it comes with such a small penalty in weight and gas mileage, and it is a good engine, that it's fine.  I'd be more likely to buy a 328i new than a 335i, but more likely to buy a used 335i than a 328i. 

The 128i over the 135i is an easier decision.  A smaller, lighter car just doesn't need an overpowering engine, and I think it would blunt the experience of the more delicate aspects of the 1 series. 

Again, the advantage of the better suspension, brakes, and E-LSD of the _35 makes a lot of difference.

[BimmerM3]

For the record, according to Edmunds.com the weight difference between the 135i and 335i is about 200 pounds (3373 vs 3571).