If you are a BMW enthusiast, picking the right car is like picking the right type of fruit or the right type of clothes. For example, are you more into exterior looks, or more into performance and handling? Both the BMW 135i and 335i have excellent straight-line times on both 0-60 mph and quarter-mile, but I believe that only one contestant will always go home with the gold. Here is how I look at it if I were to trade my current vehicle in for a stylish, fast new BMW. The buyer’s age range is one factor to look into when trying to decide between a 135i and a 335i. I am close to 25 years old and single with no kids, so I think the 135i would be perfect if I would like to stay young and hip. For drivers who are in the 25 to 30-year-old mark, the 335i would be quite suitable for them since they might be working at a descent job as a licensed insurance agent or personal banker/financial advisor at Bank of America or Wells Fargo. Hence to say, personal status is also a factor to think about when considering a BMW like the 1 or the 3-series. Both the 135i and the 335i have the same N54/N55 3.0-liter inline-6 engine which produces 300 horsepower, and 300 lb-ft. of torque. Even though the 335i is both larger and heavier than the 135i in terms of weight, straight-line performance from 0-60 mph for both cars is pretty close. The 135i sprinted to 60 mph in just 4.8 seconds (when shifting the automatic transmission while in “SPORT” mode), while the 335i catches up to the 1 in just 2/10 of a second more (again, shifting the automatic transmission while in “SPORT” mode). The ¼ mile for the 135i puts out to 13 seconds flat, while the 335i, again, in just two-tenths of a second behind, catches up at just almost 13.3 seconds; still, almost neck-to-neck in when it comes to straight-line performance. Compared to the 135i, which comes in only two forms of the car, coupe, and convertible, the 335i, besides it being able to be a coupe and a [hard-top] convertible, also comes in a four-door sedan for those of you who would like to keep your insurance costs down. Still, the 335i sedan gets to 60 mph pretty quick. Again, this all comes down to personal preference. How many people are you going to be carrying around? Are you going to be carrying a lot of cargo in the trunk? Do you really need a back-seat? The 3-series is a lot more practical Category:Home › Autos • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 2 • You should never use after-market auto parts when maintaining or fixing your car • Should a new car be rust-proofed? • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 1 • Five safest cars in North America • How to ensure your teen drives safely after getting a license • Pros and cons of using an hydrogen generator for your car • DIY automotive maintenance: How to change the oil