C&D Review: 2011 BMW 335i Coupe

-=Hot|Ice=- · 02-04-2011, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarAndDriver

2011 BMW 335i Coupe - Quick Test
The same as before, only now even better.

What Is It?

For 2011, BMW’s sublime 335i coupe receives badly needed iDrive enhancements and a minor-league exterior refresh with new lights front and rear, plus a modified trunklid, grille, and front bumper. More significant, the car is now powered by the new N55 inline six-cylinder engine that has been deployed across the BMW lineup.

How Does It Drive?

Just like the old N54 engine, the N55 is as smooth as single malt, makes a sweet sound, and is plenty powerful. Also like the N54, it seems to make more than the advertised horsepower. Back in 2007, a twin-turbo coupe managed 0 to 60 in 4.9 seconds. This one did the deed in five flat. Through the quarter-mile, the earlier car managed 13.6 seconds at 105 mph versus 13.7 at 106 for this 2011 model. The 2011 pulls away beyond 100 mph, hitting that speed in 12.0 seconds (the 2007 needed 12.1), with a 1.8-second advantage to the hugely important-for-your-commute 140-mph mark (26.2 seconds versus 28.0).

As the chassis remains unchanged, dynamic performance is identical to that of the previous car. Both stopped from 70 mph to 0 in 160 feet, and they recorded skidpad performances within 0.01 g of each other: 0.88 for the new, 0.87 for the old. The real difference came in mileage. The 2007 car had EPA city and highway mileage ratings of 17 and 26 mpg, respectively. The 2011 version improves to 19 and 28. Our observed figure improved even further, from 18 mpg overall in the 2007 model to 21 in the 2011.

How Does It Stack Up?

The 3-series coupe drives beautifully, with faithful steering, stout brakes, and fluid control feel. The six-speed manual has short, positive throws, and the chassis balance is terrific, with lots of power oversteer available in the lower gears. The new engine sounds slightly fuller than the old one, and the power delivery is even more linear: One can stick the car in sixth gear at ridiculously low revs, and it will pull from 30 mph on up without hesitation. The Audi A5 and the Infiniti G37 offer similar performance and style, but neither car has the fluidity and refinement of the BMW over twisting pavement.

What’s the Cost?

The rub, of course, is the price. BMW charges $43,525 for a base 335i coupe, although our tester was packed with just about every available option. Add in nav, the Sport package with 19-inch wheels and tires, the Premium package, and parking sensors—among other items—and the sticker swells to $53,525. That price will plant a person into a lot of cars, from a sexy Audi S5 to a boisterous Chevy Corvette, but there’s nothing that matches the blend of refinement and performance provided by a 335i—two turbos or one.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...upe-quick_test

Nedim · 02-04-2011, 05:03 PM

Nice read

Lefty061182 · 02-04-2011, 05:07 PM

nice

ken530i · 02-04-2011, 05:08 PM

Makes me want to go get one now......but think i will wait for the F30!

Thanks!
Ken

FVM3 · 02-04-2011, 05:19 PM

nice

-=Hot|Ice=- · 02-04-2011, 06:44 PM

Interesting how it goes to faster with a single turbo in the quarter-mile.

reddemon73 · 02-04-2011, 07:32 PM

$53k is no where near the S5 price range...

antzcrashing · 02-05-2011, 03:43 PM

The same as before, only now even better."

should read:

The same as before, only now even more expensive (and no sports package)

antzcrashing · 02-05-2011, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reddemon73

$53k is no where near the S5 price range...

Premium PlusFrom $53,650*

A4rings · 02-05-2011, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antzcrashing

Premium PlusFrom $53,650*

hahah OWNED! I was about to post that until i noticed yours

bobbyd1961 · 02-05-2011, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...upe-quick_test

hows the fuel pump issue? is it solved yet? 3 month ago after a friend of mine needed a new fuel pump after the fix the car engine caght fire and was destroyed. until that issue is 10000000% solved i wll avoid any bmw turbo

aajami · 02-05-2011, 04:23 PM

How is the trunk lid new?

mithiral67 · 02-05-2011, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aajami

How is the trunk lid new?

Its more trunk lidier.

SoCali E36 · 02-05-2011, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mithiral67

Quote:

Originally Posted by aajami

How is the trunk lid new?

Its more truck lidier.

LMAO

simianspeedster · 02-05-2011, 04:40 PM

Of course Car & Driver overlooked at least one noteworthy detail. They said: "As the chassis remains unchanged, dynamic performance is identical to that of the previous car."

This is not accurate. 2011 3 Series models include a revised Sachs suspension that is designed to offer improved ride quality (better damping and rebound control) without jeopardizing the handling capabilities. This would explain why the 2007 and 2011 cars performed similarly from a statistical perspective, but if the two cars were driven side by side, I'd bet there would be noticeable differences in suspension feel.

My 2011 Coupe with Sport Suspension rides a lot better than my wife's 2009 wagon without the Sport Suspension -- it's not a subtle difference.

Diver · 02-05-2011, 04:54 PM

Nice car, but C&D is too much BS for my blend.

DaveL · 02-05-2011, 05:05 PM

Spot on review...States the obvious but the truth

DaveL · 02-05-2011, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antzcrashing

The same as before, only now even better."

should read:

The same as before, only now even more expensive (and no sports package)

That is true

MSimeon · 02-05-2011, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

Interesting how it goes to faster with a single turbo in the quarter-mile.

uh....it didnt.

SHOWTIME · 02-05-2011, 06:35 PM

I wonder how many car lengths ahead to 140 that would be.

1997gtx · 02-05-2011, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reddemon73

$53k is no where near the S5 price range...

Pretty close to the "Premium Plus" S5. It's about $53,600 ... "Prestige" is $59,000.

1on135_deal · 02-05-2011, 07:28 PM

idk idk wait till 2012 3? ftw?

02-04-2011, 05:03 PM	#2
Nedim Captain 72 Rep 716 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Des Moines, IA iTrader: (4)	Nice read
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02-04-2011, 05:07 PM	#3
Lefty061182 Private First Class 25 Rep 142 Posts Drives: 2024 X5 M60i (Marina/Black) Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Rockville Centre, NY (Long Island) iTrader: (0)	nice
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02-04-2011, 05:08 PM	#4
ken530i Private First Class 8 Rep 105 Posts Drives: 2023 X5 (on order) Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Somerville TN iTrader: (1)	My next bimmer! Makes me want to go get one now......but think i will wait for the F30! Thanks! Ken
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02-04-2011, 05:19 PM	#5
FVM3 Major General 273 Rep 5,751 Posts Drives: e92 m3, f30 328i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (2)	nice
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02-04-2011, 07:32 PM	#7
reddemon73 Major 103 Rep 1,392 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW 435 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Seattle iTrader: (1)	$53k is no where near the S5 price range...
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02-05-2011, 03:43 PM	#8
antzcrashing Brigadier General 1910 Rep 3,218 Posts Drives: 2018 BMW 440i GC Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Eastern MA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 BMW 440i GC xD ... [9.75]	The same as before, only now even better." should read: The same as before, only now even more expensive (and no sports package)
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02-05-2011, 04:23 PM	#12
aajami Brigadier General 432 Rep 4,567 Posts Drives: Space Gray '09 E92 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Manhattan Beach, CA iTrader: (4)	How is the trunk lid new? __________________ '09 E92 M3: Space Gray, Black, Carbon Leather \| ZTP 2MK ZPP 2MT 6FL \| link 1 / link 2 Mods: M Performance exhaust \| ZCP retrofit \| Euro airbox \| GTS DCT flash \| JPN 240 ECU flash \| Euro LCI taillights \| CRT lip \| OEM alarm retrofit \| Space Gray bumper plugs \| BMW Performance: Mk. II spoiler / Mk. II non-electronic steering wheel / mirror caps / front grilles / side gills / intake louvers / emblem
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02-05-2011, 04:40 PM	#15
simianspeedster Captain 61 Rep 631 Posts Drives: 2020 840i Coupe Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: The Vast Interwebs... iTrader: (0)	Of course Car & Driver overlooked at least one noteworthy detail. They said: "As the chassis remains unchanged, dynamic performance is identical to that of the previous car." This is not accurate. 2011 3 Series models include a revised Sachs suspension that is designed to offer improved ride quality (better damping and rebound control) without jeopardizing the handling capabilities. This would explain why the 2007 and 2011 cars performed similarly from a statistical perspective, but if the two cars were driven side by side, I'd bet there would be noticeable differences in suspension feel. My 2011 Coupe with Sport Suspension rides a lot better than my wife's 2009 wagon without the Sport Suspension -- it's not a subtle difference.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-05-2011, 04:54 PM	#16
Diver Brigadier General 504 Rep 3,446 Posts Drives: Black '12 135i - Sold Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	Nice car, but C&D is too much BS for my blend. __________________ See my photography at http://ronscubadiver.wordpress.com
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02-05-2011, 05:05 PM	#17
DaveL Banned 14 Rep 970 Posts Drives: 2010 335 coupe msport Join Date: May 2010 Location: Darien CT. iTrader: (0)	Spot on review...States the obvious but the truth
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02-05-2011, 06:35 PM	#20
SHOWTIME Lieutenant 42 Rep 586 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Coupe M-Sport Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Westchester, NY iTrader: (0)	I wonder how many car lengths ahead to 140 that would be.
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02-05-2011, 07:28 PM	#22
1on135_deal First Lieutenant 18 Rep 347 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	idk idk wait till 2012 3? ftw? __________________ "you blink I shift" DCT
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