eclipse23

TEST DRIVE

Cross posted in car talk for commentary.

Silver BMW 335i with Premium, Sport & Cold weather package. (No navi, no active steering)

I stopped by my local dealer ( I have 3 dealerships around me ).

First Impressions:

The car seems lower than I remember the 330 and the the front end looks agressive and very 'neat'. The paint quality is remarkable the whole car looks like it was assembled by hand. No gaps, not a percentage of 'cheapness' to the exterior. The salesman wanted to back the car out of it's spot so I stood outside of the car while he started it. The exhaust had a nice growl (not so much like the M3 raspiness of it's exhaust) which muted down as soon as the car idled. Like all coupes the door was huge but again, it's a coupe. Upon sitting in the drivers seat I noticed the seat belt extender arm brings you the seatbelt (approx 10 inches forward). Once you click in the arm retracts back. The instrument cluster is minimalist, even moreso if you do not get the navigation. Me being a geek I like the lights & gadgets I do want to see this car again at night AND without the I drive the dash felt like it was missing something. The seats were very grippy and I'm sure after a million adjustments would cradle you for all those high speed manuevers but for the short drive and with only a few adjustments I felt slightly ackward in them. I also noticed the whole interior and front end seemed 'small' if not somewhat shrunken. I'm not skinny but I'm not obese I sat in a 5 series to compare and the 3 series is NOT a car with tons of room. Lastly, i found the turn signals to be a little different the stick does not stay in an up or down position rather it's a toggle. More than once on the drive I messed up the signals it's definitely a learning curve.

The Drive

Like most new cars the brakes were catchy I tried to get used to them in the lot. We started off on some back roads in stop and go traffic. In low gears the motor almost has an immediate zip to it, think of it as if you could apply power evenly through one whole gear with the ratio of torque going up symmetrically with the power, but it seems to want to give you soo much more than you need down low for daily driving (this is not a bad thing). The steering is precise and razor sharp around 30mph you feel like you could spin the car on demand. The side mirrors are very small I tend to like a larger mirror on the plus side there didn't seem to be any major blind spots.

Hitting the highway I dropped the car into 2nd and was pulled back in my seat as the motor growled to life. As I dropped into 3rd the car rocketed past 80mph and was still rapidly pulling to 100mph when I let off. This car was MADE FOR THE HIGHWAY. No turbo lag, no hesitation no 'waiting to get to vtech range' this motor hauls fucking ass. I had an older salesman who was very happy to let me stretch the car's legs. I threw the car through 3 lanes then back the handling is not porsche but it's not sedan like either. I would say the right word is 'nimble'. Going through a jughandle the car kept it's line as I kept on the gas the motor just WANTS you to GO GO GO. Your driving confidence goes up by 100% in this car. The brakes are very strong even after some repeated high run and panic stops.


Summary:
If you are interested in a new 335i be prepared to spend 45-48K for most options and packages. While this car is not cheap it's a helluva car to wake up to every day and drive to work. If you plan on carting around latte's and impressing your friends go pick up the 325 for cheaper you won't need the extra power but if you are a fan of driving this car delivers.

The Good:

Aggressive engine with amazing torque and feel. No lag, tons of power & a great sound.
Nimble handling and precise steering the car never seems to feel lost in the middle of a hairpin turn.
Fresh new look & a reputation of being fast will make this car an eye turner and a light to light race contendor to envious drivers.

The Bad

Small interior with spartan appointments. Radio controls are small, then again everything feels small in this car.
Back seats look like hell to get in and out of, practicality is limited but not as comical as let's say the back seats in a Porsche.
Cost. High admittance price to get into the bavarian driving club.

srika

so some 14 years later, BMW has come up with the 2JZ-GTE....

I know it gets great mileage and that's amazing.

jdmhondaswap

2008 M3


4.0L 400 horsepower
Adaptive Xenon Headlights
Carbon Fiber Roof
SMGIII 7-speeds transmission with DriveLogic
18" M Double Spoke Alloy Wheels
18x8F/18x9R with 235/45ZR18 Front, 265/40ZR/18 Rear Performance tires
Metallic Paint
Nappa Leather
Carbon Fiber trim
Aluminum trim
Comfort Access (a.k.a. keyless entry, etc.)
M Multifunction Seats with Active Width Adjustment
Front Heated Seats (included in Cold Weather Package)
Power Rear Sunshade
Head-Up Display
Navigation System w/ I-Drive
Rear Park Distance Control
19" M Double Spoke Alloy Wheels
19x8.5F/19x9.5R with 235/40ZR19 Front, 265/35ZR19 Rear Performance tires
Logic7 Sound System
SIRIUS Satellite Radio
High Definition Radio
Premium Package
Cold Weather Package
6-speed manual transimission
Rear Spoiler Deletion


Lets see the 335i compete with that...

Crazy Bimmer

thanks for the super fake pic.

eclipse23

For the price difference you can have your extra horsies they are still too close in numbers IMO esp when the aftermarket mods hit the street.

Doom878

I saw one on the road finally.

jdmhondaswap

thats a real pic of the M3 concept car taken in germany. Not photoshop'd. The only difference is the slightly larger wheels...

charliemike

Those wheels look like 20s.

Crazy Bimmer

its a fake pic that has been on the internet for awhile now. The orignial is of a e90 sedan.

Dont question me on this.

Plus the headlights are from the e90 sedan, but its a two door? We all already know that the headlights on the e92 m3 coupe will look the same as the 335 coupe thats already out.

The e90 m3 will look like the sedan thats already out.......

Crazy Bimmer

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...2A#post5033693

there you go son

theslik1

http://www.caranddriver.com/shortroa...35i-sedan.html

The sedan is just as fast as the coupe.

Highlights:

Transmission: 6-speed manual
Wheelbase: 108.7 in
Length/width/height: 178.2/71.5/55.9 in
Curb weight: 3616 lb

Zero to 60 mph: 4.8 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 11.8 sec
Zero to 140 mph: 26.1 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 5.6 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 13.5 sec @ 106 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 145 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 157 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.89 g
EPA fuel economy, city/highway: 19/28 mpg (C/D est)

cM3go

how does 5 to 60 take longer than 0 to 60?

Dan Martin

You can't "launch" the car when you're rolling.

Dan Martin

I'm very impressed by the fuel economy considering the performance of this car.

theslik1

What a previous poster said, plus C&D abuses the hell out of the car to get the best 0-60 time (high RPM drop-clutch launches, slipping the clutch for traction, brake torquing, etc.)

The 5-60 time is a better real world performance indicator for most of us.

jdmhondaswap

well the site that I found that on said it was a pic of the e92 concept. heres another that is supposedly a concept.

Crazy Bimmer

Fake also sir.

Again, that has the E90 sedan headlights on the coupe.

waTSX

I just read the review in the mag last night, and C&D just about creamed themselves over this car. I really, really, really wish I could justify swinging this. But $45K! Ouch! Since the new sedan will have the same engine config, that's a nice option too, but that coupe is just hot.

Sounds like it beats the E46 M3 in just about all catagories, plus it's more refined and better riding. Sweet.

waTSX

Pretty damn good roadholding for a 3400 lb car.

jdmhondaswap

I am not saying these are the production models.... Just the concept models. Maybe the prototype had e90 sedan headlights... They were developing the M3 at the same time as the new 3 coupe, so they may have tried this front end setup.

jdmhondaswap

heres another... notice the coupe headlights, but look closely behind the door handle... there is another door handle behind it. Last time I checked, the M3 is a 2 door.

this one is obviously fake.


so I guess this is a 335 sedan with a M3 front end, hood, and front quarter panels with the vent.

Crazy Bimmer

Could be but they are old and outdated and have been proven to be false to what the M3 will look like.

Here is the current pics of the production model of the coupe.
http://www.carspynews.com/index.php?id=1,44,0,0,1,0

and no, the m3 is not only going to be a coupe. There will be a E90 m3 sedan also. Also that M3 sedan pic is super fake also.

Please go read this thread for REAL m3 info. ALso post your M3 info in this thread. https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...2A#post5033693

Ok i give up.

jdmhondaswap

everything is so covered up you cant tell what is what. Wheres the signature wide fenders of the e46 M3? I like the old one better... That one does not look very sporty.

Crazy88

Wow. 0-60 in 4.8 in a 3 series sedan. Im impressed.

Crazy88

I just looked on bmwusa.com and they dont offer a 330i sedan anymore. Sucks if you bought that early on.

waTSX

^^Still a great car.

phile

At least Lexus knows that BMW considers it a real threat now. I bet sicklex feels vindicated.

cob3683

335i > *

cob3683

2007 G35 6MT
0-60 mph: 5.2
0-100 mph: 13.1
0-140 mph: 30.2
Street start, 5-60 mph: 5.8
Standing 1/4 mile: 13.9 sec@ 103 mph

2007 335i 6MT
Zero to 60 mph: 4.8 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 11.8 sec
Zero to 140 mph: 26.1 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 5.6 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 13.5 sec @ 106 mph

theslik1

I notice that the 5-60 times are pretty close, but 1/4 mile time and trap speed tells the tale, methinks.

They're both pretty damn fast for sedans no matter how you slice it.

eclipse23

If Jesal knows anything, he knows his BMW's. We've been through all these photos you are linking BMW is way past concepts and mockups this car is in testing and finals at this point if they even care to persue an 07' release.

eclipse23

I've taken this car out as you all know from my review. Engine numbers mean very little to me if I can't feel the power and enjoy the power.

On that note, this car not only is fast but it feels fast (unlike my old CL-S or other honda motors that need Vtech to start putting you back in your seat).

becker800

You've taken this car out? This is the sedan, not the coupe.

I am really interested in when the sedan will be arriving

Tommithy

Some people are starting to take delivery of the new sedan here in the states this week. If you want to feel the power though just take the coupe for a test drive. BMW really outdid itself this time. This car is sweet!

afici0nad0

i think the 330's/335 sedans are hot. for me, an MT is a must though.

eclipse23

My dillemna is dropping the coin on this car and then being envious of the M3 in a year....


Decisions, Decisions.

becker800

quite a bit more money, i guess if u got the extra 15 K or so, wait..

Im definetly looking into the sedan here, looks like a nice car

Tommithy

If you are looking for a daily driver, take a 335i. If you want weekend race car go for the M.

twigglius

iTrader: (6)

The interior is still ugly and the price is $44,455 for a "nicely equiped" model.

picus

I worried about that too; but for a daily driver the 335i to me makes more sense. Besides, as mentioned there will be a huge price difference. I hate "you could do X to X with $X" arguments, but seriously - you could make a 335i into a serious beast with 15k. I'll probably drop a few k$ into mine, but I have no intentions of outrunning the next gen M3.