BMW 335i Review and Price

No other compact saloon is, at the mere mention of its name, immediately associated with sporty performance and driving excitement. Since it debuted almost 40 years ago, the BMW 3 Series has been a very special model, one that is usually described with a superlative, such as the best small sedan in the world. The latest version isn't that small anymore but it still doesn't disappoint.

BMW 335i Review

The sixth generation of the 3 Series looks like a scaled-down version of the current 5 Series with even nicer proportions except that its flat nose with headlamps that segue into the double kidney grille give it a slight squint.

The 3 Series continues to grow - it is 93mm longer at 4,624mm, with a 50mm extension that takes its wheelbase to 2,810mm. More importantly, it has a rear seat that can actually be called spacious now, with an extra 15mm of knee room and 8mm of headroom.

MORE STORAGE COMPARTMENTS

The cabin also has more storage compartments but otherwise, the interior doesn't look much different and the dashboard has the same look and feel of other BMWs.

The track is also wider - up 37mm in front and an additional 47mm at the rear - and this benefits its handling.

The first 3 Series variant to be launched here is the BMW 335i, with the familiar direct injection 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine featuring a twin-scroll turbo and Valvetronic variable valve timing. Its 306 horses and 400 Newton-metres of torque under the hood drive the rear wheels in classic fashion.

In the new BMW 335i, this unit has been optimised for improved fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. But it remains a free-revving gem with good torque and refinement.

INTERESTING CONTRASTS

As with other high-end BMWs, the lower centre console has a switch for the Driving Experience Control function and its four driving modes - Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport and Sport+.

In the new 335i, one interesting contrast is between Comfort and Sport settings. The 335i is equipped with Adaptive M running gear with variable damping as standard. When Comfort is selected, the ride becomes slightly softer and the steering is considerably lightened, making the car feel unusually detached for such a well-endowed 3 Series.

But in Sport mode, the 335i returns to familiar BMW territory. The steering becomes heavier and meatier, and the car hunkers down with more aggressive damping as both the response of the engine and transmission are sharpened.

Enter a corner fast and you can hear the rear wheels straining to keep the tail in. Step harder on the gas for the exit and it is even possible to oversteer, especially in the Sport+ setting with its reduced intervention by the electronic stability control.

Under such situations, the well-weighted steering with Variable Steer is precise and direct. You can always place the 335i exactly where you want it.

The eight-speed automatic transmission is equally sweet. Pull the left shift paddle and it will obediently change down, even at high engine speeds, for further control of the 335i.

With its size, build quality and quiet luxury, the new BMW 335i seems more grown-up than before. But it is still extremely fun to drive. Little wonder that it remains the benchmark in its segment.

BMW 335i Price

Price: $227,800 (with COE)

Engine: 2,979cc inline-6 turbocharged

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Max Power: 306bhp @ 5,800-6,000rpm

Max Torque: 400Nm @ 1,200-5,000rpm

0-100kmh: 5.5 seconds

Top speed: 250kmh

CO2 emissions: 169g/km

Distributor: Performance Motors

Tel: 6319 0100

Know More About New 2012 BMW 3 Series Sedan

BMW has introduced an all-new 3-Series sedan for 2012. The E90 3-Series coupe and convertible models, which just received the refresher in 2011, will continue as-is until moving into sixth-generation F30 form in 2013. The 2012 BMW 3-Series sedan features more room, less weight, and new engines. 

The 328i and BMW 335i numerical nomenclature will be retained, but will make less sense with the new 328i engine. In addition, the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 will join the roster and complete the line of hybrid sedans for BMW.

The new 2012 3 Series sedan, on sale since February, is the sixth generation 3 Series. Other models of the 3, such as the coupe and convertible, are not getting the makeover immediately. The four-door sedan available as the smaller-engine BMW 328i and bigger-engine BMW 335i has significant changes.

2012 New BMW 3 Series Sedan

Here is some data about  2012 New BMW 3 Series Sedan :

Size

It's a little bigger, which opens up more space, mainly in back. More generous knee room there now. It remains far smaller than the 5 Series midsize (about a foot shorter, for instance) and is $10,000 to $12,000 less than the 5 at the entry level.

Looks

The extra size lets BMW drape the sheet metal a bit more gracefully, so it manages to look both sleeker and more muscular.

Drivetrain

The base model 328i now has a 2-liter turbocharged four cylinder in place of last year's 3-liter, non-turbo six. Same power rating — 240 horsepower — but the four is coarser in its delivery. It's especially unpleasant at low speed and in stop-and-go traffic.

It's a sweetheart under hard spurs on the open road, though.

The uplevel 335i sedan carries over the same turbocharged, 300-hp six-cylinder. It was not tested this time, but the same engine has been delightful in other BMWs Test Drive has sampled.

Both engines come with BMW's automatic start-stop feature. At long pauses, such as red lights, the engine will stop running to save fuel and cut pollution. It restarts instantly when the driver pushes on the clutch pedal on a manual-shift model or relaxes pressure on the brake pedal in an automatic. But there was lots of shaking and shimmying when it did its business in the 328i manual-transmission test car. Not refined enough for a BMW. You can cancel the start-stop feature via a button near the ignition switch.

BMW has an evil genius for options so the 3 gets pricey in a hurry. While the base 328i is a tempting $36,000, you must layer on several packages, none cheap, to get the blend of features you probably prefer. Figure $45,000 to $55,000 for a 3 you want.

Satisfying attributes of the new 3 include what you might expect on a BMW.

•Steering is nicely balanced, able to point the car straight ahead without lots of small corrections that some vehicles demand, and quite responsive when you turn the wheel. Makes it easy to accurately place the car in a tight corner, staying in your lane without panic.

•Brakes have a reassuring feel, neither spongy nor artificially boosted.

•Cornering ability is more than adequate, able to keep you on the road and out of the ditch when, oh, say, you hit an unfamiliar corner that's much tighter than expected while going pretty fast. The kind where, just for example, the back end begins to slide and the tires howl. Just for example.

•A "sport" setting on a console switch makes the throttle more responsive, among other tweaks. It was very useful in stop-lurch traffic because it eased the task of moving off smoothly while engaging the clutch.

•Seats are quite comfortable, though the back bench is low, forcing long-legged riders to jackknife their legs.

•Evolved iDrive infotainment control knob on the console seems now to let you do what you want pretty easily and without digging through daunting layers of menus and options.

•Trunk lid springs wide open when you hit the latch. Small thing, but greatly appreciated when your hands are full.

It's tough to point to a couple of attributes and say, "Yeah, that's justifies a $50,000 real-world price for a compact sedan." Rather, the new 3 Series is a car that gets under your skin. A car that, having driven it awhile, leaves you quite dissatisfied with a lot of other cars.

New 2012 BMW 3 Series specifications

•What?

Sixth generation of BMW's best seller. Rear-drive, four-door, five-passenger compact sedan, available with four- or six-cylinder engine.

•When?

On sale last month.

•Where?

Made in Germany.

•How much?

328i price is starts at $35,795 with $895 shipping; 335i, $43,295.

•What makes it go?

328i has 2-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder rated 240 horsepower at 5,000 rpm, 255 pounds-feet of torque at 1,250 rpm. 335i has 3-liter inline six rated 300 hp at 5,800, 300 lbs.-ft. at 1,200. Six-speed manual standard, eight-speed automatic optional.

•How big?

Slightly bigger than predecessor, but considerably smaller than BMW 5 Series midsize. The 3 Series sedan is 182.5 inches long 71.3 in. wide, 56.3 in. tall on 110.6-in. wheelbase. Weighs 3,406 to 3,594 lbs. Rated to carry 904 lbs. of people, cargo, accessories. Trunk: 17 cu. ft. Turning circle diameter: 37.1 ft.

•How thirsty?

328i rated 23 miles per gallon in city, 34 highway, 27 combined with manual; 24/36/28 with automatic. 335i rated 20/30/23 with manual, 23/33/26 with automatic. Trip computer in 328i manual transmission test car showed 21.9 mpg (4.57 gallons per 100 miles) in suburban driving. Burns premium, holds 15.8 gal.

•Overall:

Four-cylinder disappoints; rest of the car delights.

New 2012 BMW 3 Series on Video :

Source : USA Today

2012 BMW 335i Specs and Price 2012

The BMW 335i seems portly -- the scales show 3586 pounds and a front/rear distribution of 51/49 percent -- but that weight actually matches that of the last BMW 335i coupe we tested. Versus the four-cylinder 328i, it carries 100 extra pounds. Where do you think that weight comes from? 

A hundred points if you guessed the front axle. The added weight is noticeable after back-to-back drives with the 328i, but equally noticeable is the extra forward thrust the BMW 335i so readily supplies. A slightly heavier nose or more power? Decisions, decisions.

Following a refresher for 2009, BMW has introduced an all-new 3-Series sedan for 2012. The E90 3-Series coupe and convertible models—which just received the refresher in 2011—will continue as-is until moving into sixth-generation F30 form in 2013. The 2012 BMW 3-Series sedan features more room, less weight, and new engines.

The 328i and BMW 335i numerical nomenclature will be retained, but will make less sense with the new 328i engine. In addition, the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 will join the roster and complete the line of hybrid sedans for BMW.

2012 BMW 335i image

Growing wider by more than 1.5 inches and longer by four inches, the 3-Series will offer more room, specifically for the rear passengers. Despite the increase in size, the weight of the car is 80 pounds less than its predecessor. Power remains nearly the same, but the engine choices have changed.

The 230-hp base 3.0-liter engine in the 328i is now replaced with a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Even though the small 2.0-liter I-4 loses cylinders to the old engine, it is able to produce 245 hp, or 15 more hp than the outgoing car. In addition, it produces 258 lb-ft of torque from 1,250 rpm, 58 more than last year’s model at 1,500 less rpms. The result of the weight loss and power gain is a 0.4 of a second reduction in the 0–60-mph time between the 2011 and 2012 BMW 328i.

The BMW 335i rolls on with a turbo straight-six 3.0-liter engine developing 306 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It will offer similar performance as the outgoing car: 0–60 mph in 5.4 seconds and a top speed limited to 155 mph. Both engines are connected to an eight-speed unit with start-stop technology for 2012.

The difference between last year’s six-speed automatic and the new eight-speed automatic has a direct impact on performance, reducing the zero-to-60-mph time for the BMW 335i by 0.3 of a second compared to the outgoing model. The six-speed manual will continue as an option.

BASE PRICE $43,295

PRICE AS TESTED $55,870

VEHICLE LAYOUT Front engine, RWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan

ENGINE 3.0L/300-hp/300-lb-ft turbo DOHC 24-valve I-6

TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic

CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 3586 lb (51/49%)

WHEELBASE 110.6 in

LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 182.5 x 71.3 x 56.3 in

0-60 MPH 4.7 sec

QUARTER MILE 13.3 sec @ 103.9 mph

BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 109 ft

LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.90 g (avg)

MT FIGURE EIGHT 25.7 sec @ 0.71 g (avg)

EPA CITY/HWY FUEL ECON 23/33 mpg

ENERGY CONSUMPTION, CITY/HWY 147/102 kW-hrs/100 miles

CO2 EMISSIONS 0.73 lb/mile