[Jason]

Not the most technical of test drive reviews, but still good info for those interested in the 335is. Here are some notable comments. Full review can be found at Cars.com

The 335is combines outstanding performance with surprising livability, and the whole package is good enough to justify its high price — for those few who choose to pay it, anyway.

The 335is coupe looks the part of a track-ready 3 Series whose owner has explored the aftermarket's tasteful half. The front bumper flanks a lower air dam with larger openings, designed to feed air to an additional radiator on the driver side and an oil cooler on the passenger side. The belt line adds some glossy black window trim and black mirrors, and the tail gets a lower air diffuser. Eighteen-inch wheels replace the coupe's standard 17-inchers; 19s are optional. It's worth noting that BMW offers a smorgasbord of trim combinations, and you can get something similar to the 335is' appearance on a lesser 3 Series coupe by adding various ground-effects packages.

Rather than use the 335i's new twin-scroll, turbocharged six-cylinder, the 335is goes with the old twin-turbo six, with higher turbo boost and bolstered cooling to churn out 320 horsepower and 332 pounds-feet of torque. The car feels palpably quicker than the 300-hp 335i: It spins its rear tires away from stoplights, scoots in the passing lane at 70 mph and bellows a rich, satisfying exhaust note all the way to its 7,000-rpm redline. While the M3's normally aspirated, 414-hp V-8 packs explosive acceleration at higher revs — and in absolute terms it's significantly quicker — its comparatively modest 295 pounds-feet of torque means it doesn't get cooking until the tach needle swings past 3,000 rpm. The 335is has power to spare long before that mark.

The steering wheel has excellent feedback and turn-in precision. Sans BMW's Active Steering system — a pricey option that varies steering ratio, not just assist — our test car required a lot of effort to turn at low speeds. Active Steering addresses this, and it's worth looking into.
With tuning similar to the 335i's sport suspension, the 335is displays admirable ride comfort. You feel bumps on the highway, but the suspension takes the edge off them remarkably well. We drove the 335is back-to-back with a Cadillac CTS coupe and Infiniti G37 Sport coupe. The Cadillac's ride was softer, but it introduced a degree of suspension float that was absent from the other two. The G37 Sport's suspension was less forgiving all around. Goldilocks would choose the 335is, and so would we.

There's no praise like sales, and the 3 Series continues to be among the top-selling luxury cars on the market. In the array of options in the model lineup, the 335is is likely to remain a niche member, but it does everything it sets out to do and sacrifices remarkably little to get there. It's not inexpensive, and at its performance limits it behaves more like a 335i than an M3. But there are many drivers who don't want to wring their cars out to 8,000 rpm for maximum performance, and the 335is offers them a different flavor. I suspect enough performance enthusiasts will appreciate it to warrant its addition to the 3 Series lineup.

[Philritter21]

"But there are many drivers who don't want to wring their cars out to 8,000 rpm for maximum performance"

Personally, I crave getting into my car during most waking moments to do exactly that.

[bdardashti]

Originally Posted by Philritter21

"But there are many drivers who don't want to wring their cars out to 8,000 rpm for maximum performance"

Personally, I crave getting into my car during most waking moments to do exactly that.

While I agree with you, I think the article is trying to say that some drivers like to have the low-end and mid-range power, because that's what they're most likely to use in everyday driving scenarios.

I don't think it means that those people won't necessarily like high-end power.

[blueshark]

Originally Posted by bdardashti

While I agree with you, I think the article is trying to say that some drivers like to have the low-end and mid-range power, because that's what they're most likely to use in everyday driving scenarios.

I don't think it means that those people won't necessarily like high-end power.

+1

[wilstave]

Originally Posted by bdardashti

While I agree with you, I think the article is trying to say that some drivers like to have the low-end and mid-range power, because that's what they're most likely to use in everyday driving scenarios.

I don't think it means that those people won't necessarily like high-end power.

Yes that's exactly what the article is trying to say.....the 370lb-ft overboost on the 335is happens at low rpm's....so the vicious power thrust is easily attainable for everyday driving....the M3 needs to be let loose on the highways to experience it's full power delivery.

The article didn't really reveal anything terribly new or exciting....only driving this beast yourself tells the full story.

[OSK77]

I was at my local BMW dealership and was talking with the GM there (younger guy who knows his cars). He let me check out his 2010 335is before I take the plunge for an M3 and I was really amazed at what BMW has done with 335is. Killer exhaust note, terrific low end torque that is effortless compared to the high-rev M3 and sublime to drive. This car will be a collectors dream in a few years. Well done BMW AG, you sure know how to find a niche btw. a 335i and an M3. Not many car companies have the finesse to do this in my opinion.

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by OSK77

I was at my local BMW dealership and was talking with the GM there (younger guy who knows his cars). He let me check out his 2010 335is before I take the plunge for an M3 and I was really amazed at what BMW has done with 335is. Killer exhaust note, terrific low end torque that is effortless compared to the high-rev M3 and sublime to drive. This car will be a collectors dream in a few years. Well done BMW AG, you sure know how to find a niche btw. a 335i and an M3. Not many car companies have the finesse to do this in my opinion.

just curious, why do you say it will be a collectors dream?

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by antzcrashing

just curious, why do you say it will be a collectors dream?

It will be a "neat car" when looking at it in retrospect from the future, but it won't attain any sort of collector status.

[rhody2442]

Its good to see someone appreciates the work and philosophy they put in this car. It really does bridge the gap of the 335i and the M3.

[mcacciola]

Originally Posted by bdardashti

While I agree with you, I think the article is trying to say that some drivers like to have the low-end and mid-range power, because that's what they're most likely to use in everyday driving scenarios.

I don't think it means that those people won't necessarily like high-end power.

100% +1
That's me for example.

[mcacciola]

Originally Posted by ragingclue

It will be a "neat car" when looking at it in retrospect from the future, but it won't attain any sort of collector status.

Wrong!

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=460536

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by mcacciola

Wrong!

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=460536

maybe you should read the link and look at the other cars in it.

Also, you might want to think about what defines a "collectible car".

[jaybird124]

It would have been so nice if they put an LSD on that car.

[Zero.7]

Originally Posted by ragingclue

It will be a "neat car" when looking at it in retrospect from the future, but it won't attain any sort of collector status.

+1. It's a great car, no doubt. But "collector's status"....probably not. By collector's status, I am thinking about cars that actually appreciate in value as they age. I just don't see the 335is doing that.

[BMWPower06]

Originally Posted by mcacciola

Wrong!

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=460536

lol @ the 335is being a collector's car....

Just look at the E36 325is. I don't see people stampeding over one another to buy one of those cars and its already almost 20 years old.

[jocamryn]

I would take this over a 1M Coupe any day of the week

[PusheMeKuratz]

Is it faster then an s4? Thats all I want to know.

[IshouldBEworking...]

Originally Posted by PusheMeKuratz

Is it faster then an s4? Thats all I want to know.

The 335is is technically quicker to 60 mph. check out zerot060times.com to get some comparisons on speed. They say that the 'is' gets there in 4.5 seconds and the S4 (manual) does it in 5.0.

[bigshug1]

Collectible car or not, who gives a crap...I buy the car I want specifically because I want THAT car, not because of resale or residual values. I'm sure that's not the most investment savvy way of living, but I really don't care...I personally think this car rocks, as does the entire rest of the BMW line - run flats and fuel pumps be damned - I will continue buying these cars because I love them as long as I can afford them...

[bavaddict]

Originally Posted by OSK77

This car will be a collectors dream in a few years.

That's what I said about my e46 330 Perf Package aka M Sport

[vladberca]

It s just a great car in BMW line up

[bavarian19]

nice car, but not worth the price tag IMO.