[BKsBimmer]

I thought I would finally go down the the local BMW store and check out a 335i for myself ... see what all the hoopla is about.

My test car was an SG 335i coupe 6MT, with active steering, no I-Drive, black leather / aluminum trim and 265 miles on the ODO.

Had a great CA who took me to some good long stretches of road and encouraged me to really open it up.

The first thing I noticed was how familiar everything felt sitting behind the wheel. No surprises there, as the interior was essentially the same as in my 330xi.

After firing up the engine I listened for anything different about the exhaust note. I was expecting a throatier growl, but surprisingly the engine sounded very similar to my 330xi tho slightly lower in tone. I depressed the clutch, engaged 1st gear, gave it some gas and once again the feeling was very familiar. 1st gear in the 335i is the same grunt gear as in the 330.

By now I'm feeling slightly dissapointed, as I was expecting to be thrown back in my seat from the torque and power as I've read from other reviews. Shifting into second and things are now feeling noticeably different. The tourque makes itself evident as the car pulls strongly and smoothly, but still, it doesn't knock you back in your seat as I have read in other reviews. By third gear we are well into illegal speeds and I'm well aware there is plenty more to be had. I didn't want to get myself or the CA into too much trouble so I didn't take her beyond 100mph, but the car felt as though it would keep pulling forever.

Handling is impeccable, but once again, very familiar. Cornering was flat, with almost no body roll and the car always felt composed and planted on the road. The car felt and handled pretty much the same as my 330xi. This was very surprising to me particularly since my 330xi does not have the sport tuned suspension, though I've always enjoyed the way my car handles. The most noticeable diffence in the handling was the way the steering felt at low speeds, it was very sensitive. I attribute that to the active steering.

My overall impression is that this is one sweet ride to be sure. It looks better in person than in pictures, and yes it's FAST. Most of all it handles like a BMW.

Though this car is powerful and fast and feels like it, it's not the kind of speed and power that knocks you back in your seat. Alot of the reviews I've read seem to have been somewhat exaggerated in that regard.

It's not far faster and doesn't feel much different than my 330xi. Driving this car did not make me feel envious of the power and the torque. I didn't feel cheated that BMW upped the ante without warning as the difference in power IMO is not quite that dramatic. Instead driving the 335i actually makes me appreciate my car even more. It made me realize that BMW makes great cars. The inherent characteristics that make a BMW a BMW can probably be found in all their current offerings including the 06 325i and 330i, though admittedly I've never driven a 325i or 328i. I can tell you that the 335i is an evolution from the 330i. It's not the revolution some other reviews might have you believe.

[RichReg]

Awwww c'mon...you're pulling our legs right?
You mean Internet forums like this one aren't really for chatting up
new products? I can't believe it......

[geoff2010]

one thing i don't like about the tuning of the OEM 335 engine is the fact that the turbos don't spool up to full PSI unless the throttle is all the way open. It is a whole different world when you floor it!! It is pretty civilized while driving normally... but if you decide to mash on it (in any gear) you will certainly have your head snapped back.

Just yesterday i was on a back road (straight) and decided to floor it in 4th gear... before I could even think about slowing down the car was doing 130mph! It happened so quick that it actually startled me a bit... had to take it easy to get my heart rate down after that

Luckily for all of us with the mod bug, the Xede will allow the turbos to spool all the way up even without the throttle all the way open... i can't wait

[Taittinger]

I would disagree with you about it not being able to thrust you into your seat. I am not sure how you drove it but the power is very noticeable especially in the kickdown mode which I accidentally discovered last night, but that would be in my AT. Even without the kickdown, downshifting at just about any rpm results in a good jolt.

[BKsBimmer]

Originally Posted by Taittinger

I would disagree with you about it not being able to thrust you into your seat. I am not sure how you drove it but the power is very noticeable especially in the kickdown mode which I accidentally discovered last night, but that would be in my AT.

I don't know about the kickdown mode of the AT. I drove a 6mt, and yes I did floor it. It was fast but not dramatically faster than flooring the 330. That's all I'm saying.

[geoff2010]

never drove a 330... so i can't compare.

[Taittinger]

I would not know about a 330 comparison but it definitely feels more powerful than my 350Z did.

[no1sportz]

I know exactly what you mean. Being a past 330i owner I felt the same way when I drove the e92. I did notice the power difference, it's definitely noticeable but not as pronounced as I was expecting. All in all though probably the best all around vehicle on the road IMO. I am patiently waiting for the e90 ///M3. I was wondering if driving the 335 would entice me into buying one but it felt too much like my 330 (which by any means is not bad)and not enough like my last M3. I am waiting for the neck snapping power the M is famous for...or in other words the "split personality".

[doctordel]

Bksbimmer, I have to respectfully disagree...

former 330i zhp vs. current 335=night vs. day, IMO.

Geoff2010 has in right on; at full throttle, watch out. For outright hooliganism, give the DTC button a five second push, ignore your better judgement, and step on the go pedal in a large (and empty) parking lot; it's like crack, folks. God help me when the Xede is installed...

[1bad335i]

God help me when the Xede is installed...[/QUOTE]

[BKsBimmer]

Originally Posted by doctordel

Bksbimmer, I have to respectfully disagree...

former 330i zhp vs. current 335=night vs. day, IMO.

Geoff2010 has in right on; at full throttle, watch out. For outright hooliganism, give the DTC button a five second push, ignore your better judgement, and step on the go pedal in a large (and empty) parking lot; it's like crack, folks. God help me when the Xede is installed...

I'm not clear doctordel ... did you own a 330i zhp? Again, I'm not saying there isn't a noticeable difference in speed and power between the 2 cars, it's just not as dramatic as I keep reading about. This makes sense though. The IS350 has basically the same power and speed as the 335i. I drove the IS350 and still bought the BMW 330. Many of the car mags like Car and Driver and a few others ranked the BMW better than the IS350 also. The reason is because the difference in power and the speed were not great enough to judge the IS350 the better car.

[bronch]

whatever...

[akwhite330i]

it will push you back into your seat if you floor it. if you're not getting pushed back, then you're not really pushing the car.

plus if you're coming from an xi, I have trouble believing you don't notice a huge difference.

maybe take the car out a 2nd time and see what you can do.... it's something else.

[russ_777]

Originally Posted by BKsBimmer

.....The IS350 has basically the same power and speed as the 335i. I drove the IS350 and still bought the BMW 330. Many of the car mags like Car and Driver and a few others ranked the BMW better than the IS350 also. The reason is because the difference in power and the speed were not great enough to judge the IS350 the better car.

I was with you up until about here. Are you implying the 350 is more powerful and quicker than a 335? If so,

You might want to check and see whether the IS350 develops 300 lbs-ft of torque from 1400 - 5000 rpm.

[whippersnapper]

Originally Posted by russ_777

I was with you up until about here. Are you implying the 350 is more powerful and quicker than a 335? If so,

It is at least as powerful is it not?

[335i=:)]

I have a 330xi with AT with a 335i sedan on the way, the 335i AT coupe I test drove feels infinitely faster than my 02'. And a little bit faster then the IS350 I test drove. IMO this little bit faster stuff would be much more accurate describing the difference between the g35 and IS350 vs. 335i, then it would be a little bit faster. Comon' 0-100 times are 35% faster.

[canuck335i]

had a 330 for a week as a loaner before taking delivery of my 335, driving dynamics are similar, power delivery is NIGHT AND DAY when you push more than half on the throttle, couple of theories here:

-there was something wrong with this 335 or the engine was very cold
-your 330 got a phenomenal special engine
-this is the "I like my 330 so much that I will not be impressed by anything else I try" syndrome

you can also ignore what I said...

[BKsBimmer]

Originally Posted by russ_777

I was with you up until about here. Are you implying the 350 is more powerful and quicker than a 335? If so,

You might want to check and see whether the IS350 develops 300 lbs-ft of torque from 1400 - 5000 rpm.

I never said the IS350 was more powerful or quicker than the 335i they are equally fast and powerful according to BMW and Lexus.

You might want to check the 0-60 times of the IS350 and the 335i ... they are the same according to both BMW and Lexus. I'm not pulling these numbers outta my ass. They are posted on the BMW site and on the Lexus site.

[BKsBimmer]

Originally Posted by canuck335i

had a 330 for a week as a loaner before taking delivery of my 335, driving dynamics are similar, power delivery is NIGHT AND DAY when you push more than half on the throttle, couple of theories here:

-there was something wrong with this 335 or the engine was very cold
-your 330 got a phenomenal special engine
-this is the "I like my 330 so much that I will not be impressed by anything else I try" syndrome

you can also ignore what I said...

here's one more theory: just bringing some reality back to all the over inflated reviews of the 335i.

[sflgator]

I know that he's just posting this as an FYI, but it has "buyer's remorse" written all in between the lines. He has an '06 330i and although we don't know when he got into his car (at then end of '05 or maybe as recent as Aug., '06), it's hard to believe that anyone who currently drives or has driven a 255HP (unsure of the TQ figure of the 330i -- maybe 255TQ???) car can honestly say that they don't feel that much difference between the 330i and the 335i! I mean the 335i has been proven to have more than 300HP/300TQ, and more than likely, it really has like 320HP/320TQ!!! Also, in the tests, a 1 sec. difference in 0-60mph is huge...a 330i being like a 6 sec. 0-60mph car compared with the 335i being a 5 sec. 0-60mph car; that's what most ppl in the automotive world would consider 'significant' in terms of speed and power.

Seriously, this guy really can't feel the obviously significant power difference of 65HP/65TQ??? And, the 335i didn't really push him back into his seat with 320 lbs./ft. of TQ??? I have a 280HP/280TQ Infiniti FX35 now (and I also drove a lighter, faster Infiniti G35 before), and driving the 335i Coupe is like night/day...I was very impressed with just how much the 335i Coupe pushed me back into my seat when I gave it the gas, and it's power and speed are significantly higher than most cars I've ever driven.

Not that the 330i is a bad car that anyone (at least anyone who's not having any major issues) should be remorseful about buying or leasing this car, but this guy's BMW CA didn't exactly say to him when he was in the process of buying/leasing his 330i..."btw, maybe you should put away your checkbook, and wait a few months b/c BMW is replacing this 330i with the 335i with a Twin Turbo 300HP/300TQ engine that will blow this 330i away!" It all just sounds like he's kicking himself in the a-s for not waiting for the 335i, and it's called 'Buyers Remorse.' Sorry, but that's my $0.02.

[canuck335i]

Originally Posted by BKsBimmer

here's one more theory: just bringing some reality back to all the over inflated reviews of the 335i.

Hhahaha, it now prove the syndrome is the right one

[dawgdog]

Picked up my 335 today. I cannot really comment on the power as it was raining cats and dogs and I couldn't keep the wheels planted. I do see that I may have some problems with the breakin-in period. This engine is so smooth it just doesn't seem like it is working very hard. My e46 M3, on the other hand, was very dramatic. I do know the runflats won't last too long.