BMW 335I For Sale

", 'plr_ContentType': 'PAGESKIN', 'plr_ContentID': 'myContent', 'plr_ContentW': 994, 'plr_FrameTop': 90, 'plr_FrameSide': 130, 'plr_FrameBottom': 90, 'plr_HideElementsByID': '', 'plr_HideElementsByClass': '', 'plr_NoSkinInSkinResize': true }; var objPageSkin = new InSkin.Base('myPageSkin'); EVO NEWS CAR REVIEWS DATA VIDEOS FEATURES USED CARS BUYING GUIDES TRACKDAYS COMMUNITY WIN 3 ISSUES FOR £1 SHOP Search evo REGISTER LOGIN Free Newsletter Car Reviews: evo Car Reviews BMW 335i Rating: Coupe arrives, with turbo power Text: Henry Catchpole / Photos: Dave Smith August 2006 Squeeze the throttle from even the lowest revs and the engine simply swells with torque - 295lb ft of it to be preciseThe launch of a new BMW coupe is a pretty exciting thing. The launch of a new engine from BMW is also a bit of an occasion. Put a new engine in a new car and you've got a recipe for party poppers and sleepless nights in anticipation. Add two turbos to all of that and you've got some unseemly running as soon as you've got the key in your hands. Welcome to the new BMW 335i coupe.Before jumping in, it's worth having a stroll around the coupe's perimeter because it's a very handsome car indeed. It's not a radical shape - there seems to be less of a Bangle influence than ever - but the nose is much more aggressive, the roof is lower, and the rear looks slightly elongated and almost shallow, with a whiff of 8-series about it. The overall shape hunkers back towards the driven wheels and is a significantly more svelte proposition than the saloon. As I stand next to it, I also can't help but mentally add a couple more tailpipes at the rear and imagine some gently swollen arches, a discreet bulge in the bonnet and a more menacing grille. It's got the makings of a very good M3.Get in, close the frameless door, and a small mechanical arm whirrs out over your shoulder proffering you the seatbelt like a considerate rear passenger. It falls so easily to hand that both photographer Dave Smith and I caught ourselves saying 'thank you', which would no doubt please our mothers but was a little worrying nonetheless.Prod the almost utilitarian starter button (no red like Honda or glowing glass like Aston) with your digit of choice and the 302bhp twin-turbo 3-litre engine spins into life. The last turbocharged petrol BMW to come to the UK was the 2002 Turbo, back in the mid '70s, so why have the men from Munich suddenly reverted to forced induction in the year 2006? A desire for cylinders of a certain size is the answer. BMW sees 500 to 550cc as the optimum capacity for each cylinder in each of its engines. However, in its view a V8 is not suited to the character and size of the 3-series (the M3 will be the exception that proves the rule), so in order to increase the power available in a 3-series they had to introduce a turbocharger to the straight six.This decided, BMW then set about the task of producing an engine that possessed all the increased performance gains of forced induction whilst retaining the qualities of the best naturally aspirated engines. As a result there are two small low-inertia turbos, each one doing its stuff on three cylinders while keeping lag to an absolute minimum.High-precision injection was also seen as vital to the reintroduction of turbos to BMW petrol engines. Accordingly, piezo injectors have been employed for their ability to provide very accurate fuel delivery, meaning greater fuel efficiency - something BMW is starting to take very seriously - without compromising performance.But what's it like when you actually get to exercise your right ankle muscles? Well, if there are any purists out there worried by the thought of turbos on a petrol BMW, don't be. As we make our way up into the Austrian Tyrol there is no aural evidence of the Puffing Billies, yet squeeze the throttle from even the lowest revs and the engine simply swells with torque - 295lb ft of it to be precise.In fact, there's so much urge low down that it's easy to get into a fast-paced rhythm where you're unconsciously changing up at just 4000rpm. But resist the temptation to hook another cog in the wonderful manual gearbox (light but mechanical, just a joy to use) and you'll discover that the upper reaches of the rev range are just as impressive. The 335i climbs with undiminished energy up to its 7000rpm peak and keeps on giving all the way there. It's as though the turbos are merely on hand to give the normally aspirated engine a bit of a piggyback through the foothills of the rev range.The new engine has retained the wonderfully cultured sound of the naturally aspirated 3-litre, but it's now a deeper, gruffer melody. It's a tune that suits the less frantic character of the motor. Well, I say less frantic, but there's nothing particularly calm about a 5.5sec 0-62mph time which, combined with the engine's flexibility, should give E46 M3 owners something to worry about. It's no great surprise that the chassis can live with the power. The 335i is wonderfully balanced when you get to string a few corners together. In the wet you can happily toy with the easily breakable grip at either end, meaning there's hours of amusement. In the dry there's tenacious turn-in, which gives you the confidence to chuck the 335i into a corner and then use the throttle to dictate the nuances of your line. It's unbelievably friendly.The Dynamic Traction Control works well, as ever, particularly when it seems half an Alpine river has emptied itself onto the road. But when you disable the stability control completely you long for a limited-slip diff instead of a spinning inside rear, particularly with the endless hairpins of our test route. The optional Active Steering was good on those hairpins, but there is still the odd occasion where you find yourself darting towards an earlier apex than the one you thought you'd aimed for. I'd stick with the more feelsome standard rack unless I lived in the mountains or a multi-storey car park. The only question mark that will have to remain hanging over the 335i for now is whether it can avoid the trademark small-BMW trait of a rear suspension that, at speed, bounces around like Tigger. Roads more rippled than those of the launch will be needed to determine that.The new 335i was definitely worthy of the sleepless nights. It has provided us with a fantastic new engine that brings new meaning to the term 'useable performance'. Even better, it has set the bar at such a high level that the next M3 will have to be quite brilliant to beat it. More BMW 335I: Car Reviews, evo Car Reviews: BMW 335i Related Index Pages BMW BMW New 3-Series Click here and get 3 issues for just £1!For more performance car news and reviews, subscribe to evo magazine. < Previous Next > 0 Comments Bookmark this post with: More CAR REVIEWS evo Car Reviews Long Term Tests Citroen DS3 R reviewElectric Nemesis reviewNew Stratos supercar reviewDriven: Audi quattro ConceptNew BMW X3 reviewPorsche 911 Carrera GTS reviewSeat Ibiza reviewSee all evo Car Reviews Renault Clio WilliamsFord Fiesta Zetec SRadical Clubsport 1100Radical Clubsport 1100Infiniti G37S CoupeFord Fiesta Zetec SRenault Clio WilliamsSee all Long Term Tests Car Group Tests Audi R8 Spyder v supercar rivalsCitroen DS3 v hot hatch rivalsAston Martin Rapide v rivals370Z Roadster v its rivalsIbiza Cupra V Clio 200 CupMega hatch group testECOTY 2009See all Car Group Tests Advertisement Pictures EMAIL TO A FRIEND PRINT THIS evo RATING Eager engine, exploitable chassis Will it behave on UK tarmac? evo SPECIFICATIONS Engine: In-line 6-cyl, 2979, 24v Max power: 302bhp @ 5800rpm Max torque: 295lb ft @ 1300rpm 0 - 60mph: 5.5sec (claimed) Top speed: 155mph (limited) On Sale: Now SPONSORED LINKS Company Website | Media Information | Contact Us | Privacy Notice | Subs InfoOur Other Websites: The First Post | Auto Express | Custom PC | IT Pro | IT Pro India | MacUser | Men's Fitness | Micro Mart | PC Pro | bit-tech | Know Your Mobile | Octane | Expert Reviews | Channel Pro | Know Your Cell | Know Your Mobile India | iGizmo | Digital SLR Photography | Den of Geek | The Week | Computer Shopper | Dennis Communications | Magazines | Mobile Phone Deals | Competitions | Health & Fitness | CarBuyer © 2010 Dennis Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.Licensed by Felden || ", 'plr_ContentType': 'PAGESKIN', 'plr_ContentID': 'myContent', 'plr_ContentW': 994, 'plr_FrameTop': 90, 'plr_FrameSide': 130, 'plr_FrameBottom': 90, 'plr_HideElementsByID': '', 'plr_HideElementsByClass': '', 'plr_NoSkinInSkinResize': true }; var objPageSkin = new InSkin.Base('myPageSkin'); EVO NEWS CAR REVIEWS DATA VIDEOS FEATURES USED CARS BUYING GUIDES TRACKDAYS COMMUNITY WIN 3 ISSUES FOR £1 SHOP Search evo REGISTER LOGIN Free Newsletter Car Reviews: evo Car Reviews BMW 335i Coupe Review Rating: The twin turbo 335i has been updated, and lost a turbo. Does this signal the coupe's downfall? Text: Ollie Marriage / Photos: Ollie Marriage / BMW April 2010 What is it?It’s the BMW 335i coupe – now with one turbo less. I have a sneaky suspicion this move to a single blower is because future M models will be differentiated by being twin turbo. We already know the next M5 will use the X6M’s twin turbo V8 and BMW itself has confirmed that this M3 will be the last naturally aspirated model, the next boasting a turbo’d six. Anyway, that’s all for future discussion. The revamped 335i is part of a mid-life freshen up of the whole coupe and cabrio range. Prices start at 27,845 for the 320i Coupe, with the 335i available from £36,340. The M Sport tested here is £38,215.Technical highlights?Most owners of existing 335i’s could easily feel shortchanged and go shopping elsewhere when told the replacement model has half the number of turbos, so BMW couldn’t afford to get this engine wrong. Nevertheless, BMW has bravely decided not to up the power and torque at all, but it has ensured the 295lb ft hit is now available earlier (at only 1200rpm!) and is still sustained until 5000rpm. Instead, the focus has been on improving economy (up eight per cent to 33.6mpg) and emissions (down ten per cent to 196g/km).What’s it like to drive?Let’s focus mainly on the engine here, because the only change to the suspension is the adoption of non-linear dampers (which do admittedly make a small, positive difference). But the engine is worth dwelling on, because what BMW has achieved is, frankly, baffling.In the past we’ve marvelled at the twin turbo’s staggeringly rapid engine response, low end grunt and top end fizz and now BMW has bettered it in every area with a single turbo. It’s a variable vane unit, of course, but I’ve never driven a forced induction car so able to maximise both ends of the rev spectrum so well. There’s instant thump, not a hint of hollowness in the mid-range (even the twin turbo had a slight drop-off) and above 4500rpm, the 3.0-litre really opens up, the needle hurling itself at the 7000rpm redline, accompanied by a howling, M3-lite note.It’s ultra-crisp, leaps forward on small inputs (especially in Sport mode, which also really pops home the shifts in the DCT double clutch gearbox) and the only time you hear the turbo is when you lift off, the high-pitched yip clearly audible from front right first, then left. Odd. Enough to have me lifting the bonnet, just to check that BMW hadn’t slipped in an extra blower. What they had done was written Twin Power Turbo on the cover. Let’s call it careful wording rather than deliberately misleading…As for the driving, it seems to me that front end grip and poise is now slightly better and the 335i feels more planted, the suspension having tighter control of the body. The mods are just enough to make you feel there’s more edge to the 335i’s handling, but it’s the engine that’s the star of the show here.How does it compare?The Audi A5 is the BMW’s closest rival, but it doesn’t have an engine that can match the BMW’s blend of pace and economy. The 261bhp 3.2 FSI (£36,740 in manual S Line spec) falls short in both areas, while the £41,345 S5 coupe still uses the potent but thirsty 349bhp 4.2-litre V8. There’s also the Mercedes E-Class coupe, but Richard Porter, who runs our long termer, would be the first to admit that while undoubtedly a superior cruiser, it’s not exactly thrilling.Anything else I need to know?The bodywork’s been updated, although you’d be hard pushed to spot the new grill, lights, front air dam and rear valance. As a result it’s now 32mm longer overall. Couple of other things: if you want the seven speed double clutch DCT gearbox, that’s £1,640, and the lovely 19” wheels pictured here are another £520.  For an alternative review of the latest BMW 3-Series visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk Click here and get 3 issues for just £1!For more performance car news and reviews, subscribe to evo magazine. < Previous Next > 0 Comments Bookmark this post with: More CAR REVIEWS evo Car Reviews Long Term Tests Citroen DS3 R reviewElectric Nemesis reviewNew Stratos supercar reviewDriven: Audi quattro ConceptNew BMW X3 reviewPorsche 911 Carrera GTS reviewSeat Ibiza reviewSee all evo Car Reviews Renault Clio WilliamsFord Fiesta Zetec SRadical Clubsport 1100Radical Clubsport 1100Infiniti G37S CoupeFord Fiesta Zetec SRenault Clio WilliamsSee all Long Term Tests Car Group Tests Audi R8 Spyder v supercar rivalsCitroen DS3 v hot hatch rivalsAston Martin Rapide v rivals370Z Roadster v its rivalsIbiza Cupra V Clio 200 CupMega hatch group testECOTY 2009See all Car Group Tests Advertisement Pictures EMAIL TO A FRIEND PRINT THIS evo RATING Stunning new single turbo engine Telling everyone your new car has a turbo less evo SPECIFICATIONS Engine: In-line 6cyl, 2979cc, turbo Max power: 302bhp/5800rpm Max torque: 295lb ft/1200-5000rpm 0 - 60mph: 5.4secs (claimed) Top speed: 155mph (limited) SPONSORED LINKS Company Website | Media Information | Contact Us | Privacy Notice | Subs InfoOur Other Websites: The First Post | Auto Express | Custom PC | IT Pro | IT Pro India | MacUser | Men's Fitness | Micro Mart | PC Pro | bit-tech | Know Your Mobile | Octane | Expert Reviews | Channel Pro | Know Your Cell | Know Your Mobile India | iGizmo | Digital SLR Photography | Den of Geek | The Week | Computer Shopper | Dennis Communications | Magazines | Mobile Phone Deals | Competitions | Health & Fitness | CarBuyer © 2010 Dennis Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.Licensed by Felden || “Has BMW actually out-manoeuvred itself with the new 335i? It’s quite possible. The new twin-turboed 3 Series is more than enough sports saloon than most drivers will ever want to handle. It really is that good...” I'VE JUST BEEN for a blast up the M1 in BMW's new twin-turboed 3 Series, the innocuously-badged 335i M Sport. Jumping Jehosaphat! Sensationally fast, it catapulted me back to the mid-Seventies, putting me in mind of the very first time I got behind the wheel of a 911. The Porsche was fast and hairy but the thing I remember most vividly of all was how compact it was. Until the moment I opened the door and dropped into the driver's seat I had only ever seen 911s in photographs or tantalisingly out of reach in traffic. I remember being perplexed that something with so much firepower could be so compact. The 335i makes you feel like that. I already knew the headline figures of the 335i: an electronically-limited 155mph, 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds, 302bhp and 295lb ft of torque. No problem. After all, I am a motoring writer — that's my job! More telling, on a private road 100mph arrives in less than 13 seconds. Even though I was aware of the size of the 3 Series, part of me was, bizarrely, expecting a bigger body to contain all that power. Not that the size is a problem, because painstakingly optimised dimensions are an intrinsic and appealing part of the 335i's rationale. Interestingly, it was also back in the '70s that the first 3 Series appeared (I bought my first one in the early 80s). Five generations on, it is widely recognised that the current 3 Series is a brilliant drive — it has great handling, is dynamically entertaining and a competent all-round driver-focused package. For many, it fulfils another equally important role. It is a comfortable alternative to a sports car, with the added benefit of four seats and a proper boot. But where the flagship-status 335i takes the whole F3DE (Fast 3 Driving Experience) a very big step further, is in the performance stakes. Nestling under the 335i's bonnet is a glorious new light alloy engine. BMW straight-six engines are legendary; esteemed for their linear power delivery and revvable mechanical refinement. But this one is substantially different from all that have gone before. It has twin turbochargers, each feeding three cylinders. Together they produce 302bhp and, from an incredibly low 1,300rpm, a riotous and utterly lag-free wave of torque all the way through to 5,000rpm. To be more precise, 295lb ft of it. The only thing that you, the driver, need to be aware of is this: while the 335i has not just one, but two, turbochargers, you won't ever know it's turbocharged. And there is a very good reason for this. BMW have matched the two small, fast-spinning turbines with high-precision Piezo direct injectors for extremely accurate and perfectly-judged fuel delivery. As a result, this direct-injection twin-turbo powerplant is not-able not just for its ultra-smooth power delivery but also for its fuel efficiency. I was always a fan of the so-called Q cars. Ran a few myself — innoc-uously bog-standard on the outside; nitrous-oxided V8 under the bonnet. The 335i saloon is a bit like that. Externally it's a good-looking, contemporary-styled four-door car that's smart enough to cut it in the executive car park. But it's never brash. A small point perhaps, but important: the parking sensors are very neatly integrated into the front and rear bumpers, and show the satisfying attention to detail that's representative of the whole car. Our test car was finished in Titanium Silver. The unfortunate thing about silver is that sometimes photographs don't do it justice. The silver 335i looked much better in life, with its strongly defined crease lines boldly proclaiming its heritage. The part I like best is that a casual glance might suggest it could be almost any Three. A purposeful pair of twin tailpipes hints otherwise. But it's only when you slip into the well-shaped driver's seat that you spot another important clue: tucked away in the lower sector of the rev-counter is something hitherto only found on BMW's ultra-quick M Series cars — an oil temperature gauge. Slot the bladeless remote into the docking port to the left of the leather-rimmed sports steering wheel and briefly press the adjacent Start button. It idles eagerly, alluding resonantly at good things still to come. And come they do. Exceedingly quickly. More on the cabin later, but suffice to say the sports seats are spot-on for comfort and support; the driving position near-faultless. The last turbocharged petrol engine car BMW sold in the UK was the 2002 Turbo — a fearsome beastie that required total hands-on com-mitment. But that was a long time ago, before even the first 3 Series touched down on our right-hand drive shores. In case you're harbour-ing any doubts as to the finesse of this twin-turboed installation, let me say right now that you will be amazed. In fact it's so tractable that the surprise will be from the other direct-ion: I would bet that not many people could guess what kind of power-plant beats beneath the 335i's bonnet without actually looking. Even just squeezing the throttle from the lowest revs that are compatible with forward motion unleashes scintillating acceleration. So much so that it's easy to go fast while short-changing every gear from first up. Changes can be made with almost no effort, thanks to the light pressure required to hook yet another gear. The six-speed 'box is great and keeps the driver harmonised with the car in a way not even the best tiptronic paddle-shifters can. But drive this 335i in the manner in which BMW's engineers assumed you would and you'll be entertained as much as if you were behind the wheel of an M3. A few miles driving into the sunset with the 335i and I can guarantee it will become your new best friend! The twin-turboed six sends the slim rev-counter needle zipping round to the red-line almost quicker than your eye can keep pace, piling on the power with the revs and never letting up. In fact, it doesn't even feel or sound as if it might want to ease off. The soundtrack is a perfect match: an evocative cultured snarl from 3,000rpm onwards. Just how flexible it is at the other end of the power band can be proved by slotting it into fourth at near tickover revs. Not a trace of snatch or mechanical complaint from the powertrain; it just runs with it, seemingly without effort. And, road and speed-limits permitting, you could leave it there until it hit the 7K red-line — at 143mph! Not, of course, that one would normally do so other than to make a point — or just for the hell of it. But it makes you curious. How on earth is BMW going to top the 335i when the new M3 finally arrives? The other surprise with the 335i, apart from it being as 'everyday' quick as a pukka M3, is the fuel consumption. Officially 41.5mpg touring with 19.6 and 29.4, respectively, for the city and combined ratings. Our overall test figure came out at an easy-to-live-with 26.6mpg. No great surprise either that the 335i's Sport-fettled chassis can live with all this power. Actually, they meld so well they could be a well-matches couple; each instinctively getting the best from the other. On the move, the 355i feels beautifully balanced, encouraging you at every possible opportunity to string together a series of bends and corners into one long, never-ending black-topped carousel. Without doubt, this engine/chassis combination adds new depth to the term 'useable performance'. Our test car didn't have the optional Active Steering but the standard rack is fine — feelsome with resolute initial turn-in and nicely in sync with the car's well-fettled handling dynamics. And even on some very challenging roads, the 335i's admirable balance never gave us any cause for concern. Because there's ample information available from both the steering wheel and the firm-riding chassis. Spirited driving makes you appreciate the Three's compact dimensions — its neat psychical size adds to its nimbleness. For the record, the 335i is just 3.6 inches longer and 0.3 inches wider than a 911. And its flat corner-ing stance and heaps of grip mean that fast, polished progress can be taken for granted — even on tricky give-and-take roads — strongly underlining the fact that here's a Three that manages higher speeds unerringly. Overtaking slower moving traffic when pressing on is, courtesy of the 335i's wide power spread, a cinch. What in other cars could be the 'wrong' gear can, in the 355i, easily be the 'right' gear. Even if it's not the most appropriate slot in the gate it's okay, because pick-up is instant wherever you are in the rev range. At heart, the 335i is an obedient car. One that never does anything unexpected, whatever the weather throws at you. BMW's Dynamic Stability Control set-up earns praise for giving you the option of calling up a slightly more indulgent setting — one that lets you push a bit harder before the electronics call time, but which will still save you from yourself should it prove necessary. The brakes — ventilated front and rear — are more than capable; their bite sharp and immediate. There's been a lot said about high-performance. Every word is true, but the 335i is as much a luxury car as it is a sporting saloon. In spite of our test car's Sports suspension package and 18-inch alloys wearing 225/40 (front) and 255/35 (rear) run-flat Bridgestone Potenza rubber, the ride has a big car feel about it along with unquestioned stability. At motorway speeds it felt reassuringly hunkered down and long dis-tances despatched with nonchalance. But it's quiet enough inside the well-appointed cabin to make the kind of speeds that get you into trouble feel like the legal limit. The 335i's well-appointed and superbly built cabin is very pleasant, whether you're the driver or the passenger. Front passengers fare particularly well, thanks to full electric adjustment of their seat. Of particular benefit are the extending under-thigh support and the ability, at the touch of a switch, to adjust the width of the backrest. The dual zone air-conditioning produces more than enough hot and cold air to accommodate the UK's ever-changing climate and the SatNav system will guide you accurately through the labyrinth without need of Ariadne's ball of twine. The 335i comes, as do many of BMW's current models, with iDrive. It manages a mass of functions including the navigation, audio and AirCon. "Sit Back and Relax" would seem to be BMW's message to back seat passengers — who really need to be under six feet tall. Making it easy to comply with that message, the angle of both the seat base and the backrest are just right, legroom is good, there's a comfy central arm-rest and there are heating and ventilation controls. Our rear passen-gers expressed their approval by saying just how comfortable they had been during an eighty-mile round trip. The boot is of a decent size (460 litres) and although the rear inner wheel arches intrude, I am reliably informed that it easily passes the crucial double golf bag test. In addition there are side pockets, a first aid kit and a handy lined storage area under the boot floor. Worth mentioning, too, is that the 335i will happily play the hell-raiser with a full complement of passen-gers aboard — and there are no penalties at the wheel. The driver fares best of all. A great ultra-adjustable seat (the power adjustable side bolsters on the backrest really help) that you sit in, not on, for a first-rate driving position. There is a grippy multi-adjustable, multi-function three-spoke steering wheel with perforated leather covering the main contact areas and well-sited logical major and minor controls, along with clear instrumentation. Overall, it's an excellent place to for enjoyable 'work'. Worth mentioning, because they enhance the pleasure of living with the 335i, are the following: restful soft orange backlit instrument lighting for night-time driving; useable armrests on all four doors; the push-of-a-button electronic oil check; the drive-off central locking; the 'don't know how I ever managed without it' Park Control that automatically provides crystal clear visual and audible front and rear warnings; the pale blue-white courtesy lights in the outer door handles; the rechargeable torch in the glovebox; and the navigation system's 3D map display which is definitely one of the very best — particularly eye-catching are the moving clouds on the horizon. Just remember — you need to keep your eyes on the road! For the record, standard kit on the M Sport model tested here includes: automatic air-conditioning, auto-dimming rear view mirror, aluminium trim, four electric windows (and all four are auto one-shot up/down), Sport front seats and Sport steering wheel. You also get 18-inch alloys with Run-Flat tyres and Tyre Puncture Warning System, headlight wash, heated door mirrors and windscreen washer jets, M Sports suspension, MP3-compatible radio/CD player with six speakers, auxiliary input for iPod etc., rain-sensing wipers, auto lights, rear parking sensors and cruise control. Safety equipment includes Dynamic Stability Control Plus that incorpor-ates Soft Stop, Brake Drying and a Hill-Start facility. There's also ABS with Brake Force Display and there are six airbags for passengers and driver. Optional extras fitted included full leather (�995), BMW's Professional grade SatNav (�1,970), front parking sensors (�285) and a voice control system �285). It's a fact of life that BMW's 3 Series cars are bought as much for keeping up with the neighbours as they are for keeping up with other road users. In its understated saloon guise, the 335i has a nod back to those stealthy Q cars. Incarnated as a four-door saloon, the 335i looks fine. However, it's a truism that real beauty is never just skin deep and, in accordance with this, the 335i's real charms are hidden beneath the surface — the fineness of the dynamic engineering and that gorgeous twin-turboed in-line 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine will fool many into believing it to be a normally-aspirated 4.0-litre V8. Add to that the fact that it's beautifully finished, has a well-damped ride and is undoubtedly the most enjoyable Three in the BMW pack. For a large number of aspirational 3 Series drivers, the sensationally rapid yet utterly unruffled pace almost certainly makes it a much better bet than a hard-core M3. With an on-the-road price of �33,750 in M Sport trim, it offers knockout punch for your pound. Rivals? Not unless you want to spend closer to �50K. It's Game, Set and Match to the 335i! BMW 335i M Sport | �33,750 Maximum speed: 155mph | 0-62mph: 5.6 seconds Overall test MPG: 26.6mpg | Power: 302bhp | Torque: 295lb ft Visit BMW's website Home NEWS NEW CAR reviews DVD+Blu-ray reviews CD reviews VIDEOS WIN TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE BOOKS Contact MotorBar MotorBar — Online since 2000 Copyright © 2000-2010 MotorBar.com & MotorBar.co.uk All rights reserved ---------------------------------------------------------------- BMW 335i M Sport || || LOGIN REGISTER NEWSLETTER Home NEWS REVIEWS PRODUCTS COMPARE CARS VIDEOS BUYING USED CARS NEW CARS MOTORSHOWS COMPETITIONS 6 ISSUES FOR £1 Search Car Reviews: You're in - Car Reviews: First Drives BMW 335i SE Convertible With its new roof and great looks, the BMW 335i SE Convertible is the pick of the 3-series class Auto Express Car Reviews By Owen MildenhallMarch 2007 Rating: Designers have done a great job meeting the challenge of the new lid - for starters, roof-up refinement is excellent, while the entire canopy folds in only 22 seconds.In light of the UK's recent freezing weather, it's hard to believe spring has finally arrived! However, blossom on the trees and a host of new convertibles hitting our showrooms are a sure sign summer is on the way.One of the most important arrivals is the new 3-Series Convertible. Having reached its fourth generation, its blend of style and driver appeal has always made it a class benchmark. And now the Bavarian firm has given its open-air four-seater a folding hard-top - a first for BMW.Designers have done a great job meeting the challenge of the new lid - for starters, roof-up refinement is excellent, while the entire canopy folds in only 22 seconds. And using a three-part mechanism, it can be stored without needing a bulbous rear end to accommodate it. This means the Convertible retains the traditional long, horizontal wedge shape of previous open-top 3-Series, and looks very similar to the Coupé with the lid up. It also benefits from smaller C-pillars and a far bigger glass area than would be afforded by a fabric hood. The only downside is that the boot is 50 litres smaller roof down than before. However, BMW has at least included an easy load facility, which lifts the hood panels high enough to access the boot without the need to completely close it. As with the outgoing car, the 3-Series will carry four in genuine comfort, while wind buffeting is well suppressed at speed. The dash is as in the Coupé, while the driving position is similarly excellent. What's more, the level of chassis stiffening means it delivers the same driving experience as the fixed roof model. With the hood stowed, there's a lack of body twist, and the Convertible retains the same involving dynamics of its brother. With peak torque delivered in a flat curve from 1,300 to 5,000rpm, the 335i has fantastic flexibility, and the open-topped car allows for more appreciation of the exhaust note. Add in usual 3-Series traits of sharp steering and strong brakes, and the new Convertible is as good to drive enthusiastically as it is to cruise in.Even the ride isn't particularly hard - there is some firmness from the low-profile run-flat tyres, but it's well damped and, unlike some cabriolets, suspension control hasn't suffered at all as a result of losing the roof. So with the 335i and 325i petrol models on sale now, and the 320i, 330i and 330d all set to arrive in April, the 3-Series Convertible is sure to make this spring a happy one for lucky owners. For an alternative review of the latest BMW 3-Series visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk What Next COMPARE CAR LOANS COMPARE CAR INSURANCE For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift! < Previous Next > 0 Comment Be the first to comment on this article You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join. Email: Password: Sponsored Results Social Bookmarks Link to this article: For more details about purchasing this feature and/or images for editorial usage, please contact the Dennis Syndication team on pictures@dennis.co.uk Email a Friend Print this Pictures - Advertisement - Sponsored Results FIRST OPINION With its new roof and great looks, the 3-Series Convertible is the pick of the class - BMW has done a fine job of engineering a folding hard-top that doesn't compromise the shape and style of the body. Boot space has suffered, but excellent strengthening means the Convertible shares the impressive handling of the standard Coupé. Add in excellent refinement both roof up and down, and the 3-Series makes a fine choice. AT A GLANCE Engine: 3.0-litre twin turbo Power: 302bhp Torgue: 400Nm Transmission: Six-speed manual 0-62mph: 5.8 seconds Top speed: 155mph Economy: 28.5mpg CO2 emissions: 238g/km Price: £37,930 Standard equipment: Air-con, Xenon lights, stability control, rear parking sensors, electric seats On sale: Now Find Used Cars Find your BMW 3-Series with our new used car search. £36460 - £21145 £21145 - £17145 Less than £17145 - Advertisement - Company Website | Media Information | Contact Us | Privacy Notice | Subs Info | Voucher Codes | SitemapOur Other Websites: The First Post | Custom PC | Evo | IT Pro | IT Pro India | MacUser | Men's Fitness | Micro Mart | PC Pro | bit-tech | Know Your Mobile | Octane | Expert Reviews | Channel Pro | Know Your Cell | Know Your Mobile India | iGizmo | Digital SLR Photography | Den of Geek | The Week | Computer Shopper | Dennis Communications | Magazines | Mobile Phone Deals | Competitions | Health & Fitness | CarBuyer © 2010 Dennis Publishing Limited. 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