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Well perhaps the OP is more like me, instead of you and considers features as an important aspect. These things we don't truly know yet. So I was just providing my orientation, as you put it.

I am sure that when I begin modding my Evo, that the performance and fun factory will make me care less about anything else (features).

I am just comparing stock for stock at the moment and the BMW for what I paid used, is a clear no-brainer.

 

Thanks for actually answering the question. I'm sure this information will be useful to people like the OP who are seriously considering both cars.

For the record, I was not being defensive at all.

 

My apologies then; refer to Noize's further features he misses from the BMW.. I also miss the features he mentioned that I didn't.

There's also some features that are nice to have but probably don't make any lick of a difference, such as the adaptive headlights that turn in the direction you are turning. But part of that setup, the auto-leveling is something I truly love because you never have to worry about your headlights getting out of whack and not aimed properly.

If you talked to me in my younger years, i'd say give me the barest boned car you can find with a fast motor and i'd be happy, man times have changed.

 

Another thing I like about the 335 - it tells me when I'm going to run out of washer fluid What can I say, I love a clean windshield! In the Evo, I find out I need new fluid when I hit the button and nothing happens =/

Seat memory positions in the BMW are nice, too. Since the 335 is mostly my wife's car, but I drive it a lot too, you can save seat positions for each driver. Just press a button when you get in, and it auto-adjusts your seat to whatever you saved. I haven't tracked the 335 yet, but that could be useful when strapping in. In the evo, when I slide the seat forward, sometimes I'm a notch or 2 off my preferred position but I dont notice until we're off. Takes a couple laps to get used to the pedal position

And fold-down rear seats so you can actually haul big stufff

 

Just to add, if you are an iPhone user (I'm not), the BMW have a *very* nice integration with the in-car media solution and is iOS app friendly now-a-days.

If I was an apple-fan-boi I'd have not problems with dismissing the the entire feature array offered in the Evo with the SSS and Rockford setup just for that part of the BMW.

I care more about the sound of a turbo spooling, g-forces on my face, and passengers screaming for their life though...so I bought the Evo.

 

i have freinds with 335xi 335is 2001 m5. im not a fan of BMW and even 3 months ago i went for a fully loaded Grand Cherokee hemi vs getting into a x5. either way my evo with an fp Red eats all those bimmers. they have dinan flashes and exhausts intakes all the cheap addons and my evo kills them every time.
Dont get me wrong the 335is is a great car but modding that car is EXPENSIVE. bang for the buck you can mod the evo and it will keep killing the bimmer all day. evo is a beast performance wise. its all about what you plan to do with the car. if you want to buy a 335is or evo and just drive than go for the bmw. If you want power and mod go for evo.

 

Under warranty, sure own one. Out of warranty, I'd really think that one through.

 

I can understand why these two cars are cross-shopped, but I think it will also be ebtter to evaluate their prices from new vs new. Yes, the 335i has a lot more refinement and it has a lot more features, you also pay more for it.

For example, a 2012 GSR with SSS has an MSRP or about $39k and brings the following features (more or less):

Sunroof
Upgraded sound
HIDs
Leather / heated seats
Wireless key

A base 335i comes with a lot of the above standard but I had to add:

Leather
Bluetooth
Heated front seats
Wireless Key

The price on it is pushing $45k.

Now, the 335i has the ability to have a LOT more features and packages and there is no denying that Evo could have some more of these to compensate its pricepoint. However, I really feel that though similar and close to being cross-shopped, the Evo is not meant to compete with the 335i in luxury. You are still buying a car that has a world class drivetrain, the added features of the X are the cherry on top, a perfromance car with some luxury. Just like comparing the 335i in terms of performance is really not the same, a 335i is a luxury car with some performance.

 

At that level nothing really.

 

lol

 

Ive owned both, the MR IX and now have a 335i, and ive driven the X also.
My 335i is a highway monster! i dont think Evo's are as good on the highway power for power. In an Evo you might as well be glued to the chassis, its a phenomenal drivers car, the 335i is comfy, but scoots when you want it to. I also think my 335i looks better than the X, but i have a coupe, which isnt available in the evo...i could go either way if i had to do it again, but i do love getting 25 mpg in my 335i with 400+ ponies...and the insurance is also better in my BMW beleive it or not. however if you like exhaust, most options for the 335i sound like crap! i love how my VII and IX evo sounded, thats what i miss the most

 

I've heard the 335D gets some 40 MPGs and has, I forget, 400 ft/lbs of torque with just an intake.

a serious highway marauder. but I'll stick with my IX for the foreseeable.

 

the bmw is far more advance as far as technology goes than an evo. Go test drive one you will be very impressed.

 

Lots of strange opinions on this thread and some that are dead on.

Ive owned BMWs straight through since 2000 and currently have a 2011 335xi parked next to my MR.

The two cars arent remotely similar.

The 335xi is heavy and performance is not close to the 335is (which I think most people assume it is). It is not quicker than a stock EVO.

It does, however, *feel* quicker. The 335xi is one of the smoothest, quickest feeling, cars off the line I've ever owned and *by far* the smoothest turbo'd car. There is as close to no lag at all as you can possibly get.

Fit and finish is miles beyond the EVO as is the overall quality of the materials.

"Technology" I have no clue what people are talking about. Thats BS. The Mitsu Nav is a *lot* better than the Nav in the 335, bluetooth is bluetooth, Sirius is Sirius... The EVO sound system is about the same as the premium I have in the BMW. There is more power crap in the BMW, but then the EVO has Recaros which, as great as the BMW seats are, are more comfortable and supportive to me.

In terms of the AWD system, the EVO is far FAR beyond the BMW system (which is a basic SUV AWD system and sucks)

The BMW does everything very well and, at this point in the 3 series lifespan, is refined to the point where it is uneventful. Next to the EVO, IMO, it feels very boring.

As for costs, thats really a personal thing. I think if you live in moral fear of owning a BMW out of warranty you shouldnt own one at all honestly. I waited on buying a car like that until I could really afford it and I have never had *anything* go wrong with one in 12 years of owning them (3 and 5 series). Routine costs are more and parts are more, but again, if thats a giant issue then just dont buy the car.

To the OP, either car is an amazing gift and, IMO, something that isnt properly appreciated unless you buy it for yourself. That said, given you pointed out in your first paragraph that what you fear with the EVO is how others perceive it, take the BMW.

You need to be secure with yourself and what you want to own the EVO. If a car is in *any way* part of your self image, it is *not* a good car to own because to the whole world its a POS Mitsubishi.

Personally, I couldnt care less about that, but when I was younger I certainly did. Its the kind of thing you grow out of, but when its important to you, no one can really convince you differently and you throw good money after bad if you try to fight it.