[Driver72]

BMW's lists the 335i Coupe with steptronic at 3582 lbs.

In the most recent Car and Driver they list the weight as 3366 lbs.
Now I know some wondered how that could be, so did I.

So, as promised, I took my brand new 335i Coupe to a California Certified Scale. This scale is used to weigh GVWR loads of trucks and other equipment to make sure they are not overloaded.

I filled up my gas tank, drove 1.8 miles to the scale and pulled it on.
I got out of my car. My car had 178 miles on the odometer when I did this.
All fluids therefore were full, so this is what is called "wet" weight.
I had nothing in my car but the owner's manual, and brochure, my sunglasses and Ipod.

The weight:

3360 pounds dead on.
My car has Premium, Sports, Steptronic/paddles, Sirius.
No Navigation.

So Car and Driver obviously weighed the cars on a certified scale as well.
My guess is they had a few items in the car (probably testing gear, helmet, etc.) that made up the additional 6 pounds on their test car.

Why BMW lists the "unladen" weight of the car 220+ pounds more that it really is, is beyond me.
Now, I'd be curious what the stock 335i sedan with equal equipment weighs and see how far off BMW lists the sedan too.

Later all.

[Revlis]

200lbs +/- may be well within the margin of error for the Big rig scales measuring 100-80K pounds...

[LH1]

Hmm... interesting.

[LEDZEP]

I always lose my balance when stepping on the bathroom scale with my car in my arms. I don't think my numbers are accurate.

[TRZ06]

Good point, you have to take into account when the last calibration of the scale used was, as well as its specs for acceptable error.

However, nevertheless, thanks for the info.

[Nikki]

That's really odd...

[Driver72]

Originally Posted by Revlis

200lbs +/- may be well within the margin of error for the Big rig scales measuring 100-80K pounds...

Nope, accurate down to the pound.
When I got in it added 164 pounds.
When I got home and weighed myself, my digital scale showed 164.2 pounds.
Again, State Certified scale for equipment as light as scissor lifts and stuff like that.

BTW, this was the second car I've weighed there.
My VW GTI being one of them.
That car weighed in at 19 pounds different than what the factory claimed.

[Revlis]

Hmm, Tires filled with helium???

[LH1]

I understand BMW (and others) being consevative with hp, but why this?


Anyone else out there want to weigh their 335?

[Driver72]

Originally Posted by Revlis

Hmm, Tires filled with helium???

I don't think it's any coincidence that Car and Driver's test car came in at 3366 lbs, probably weighed at a Michigan State Certified Scale, and mine at 3360 pounds at a California Certified Scale.

I'd be interested in hearing BMW's take on how they came up with 3582 lbs as the weight of this car.

[T Bone]

Are you sure about what BMW is claiming? Below is an excerpt from another thread....

Definitions:

• Curb Weight = Weight of Car with standard accessories, full fluids, no driver
• EU Weight = Weight of Car with 90% fuel, 68 kg driver, 7 kg cargo
• Unladen Weight = Appears to be Curb Weight less 8 kg (can't find definition)
• 1 US Gallon = 3.8 liters
• Weight of 1 US Gallon of Gasoline = 6.35 pounds (2.87 kg)
• Weight of 1 liter of Gasoline = 1.67 pounds (0.76 kg)

Equations for Weight Conversion:

• Curb Weight (metric) = EU1 Weight - 68kg for driver - 7 kg for cargo + (0.1 X Fuel Capacity X 0.76)
• EU Weight (metric) = Curb Weight + 68 kg for driver + 7 kg for cargo - (0.1 X Fuel Capacity X 0.76)
• 1 KG = 2.2 pounds

Using some Cars as examples:

BMW M6

• EU Weight = 1785 kg
• Curb Weight = 1785 kg - 68 kg - 7 kg + (0.1 X 70 liters X 0.76) = 1715 kg = 3773 pounds

BMW M3

• EU Weight = 1655 kg
• Curb Weight = 1655 kg - 68 kg - 7 kg + (0.1 X 63 liters X 0.76) = 1585 kg = 3487 pounds

[Driver72]

They say "unladen" weight on their BMWusa.com website for the car.

[Revlis]

Hmmm, Could be more under reporting to throw off the competition??? Keep the other manufacturers from shooting high enough?

[leftcoastman]

Woah, try it at the drag strip. Last time I was there, I was at 3550 lbs (without me) and about 3/4 tank of gas.

[STE92VE]

Driver72, please ignore the following if you competitively race your car on the track...

ATTENTION!!

We have a winner in the most OCD category on E90post.com!

Others have submitted their entries and I (proudly say) have contributed as well. But we have a clear winner!

Driver72 has taken his new car to get it weighed!

Let's all give him a nice round of applause and congratulate him on his endeavors.

[Driver72]

Originally Posted by STE92VE

Driver72, please ignore the following if you competitively race your car on the track...

ATTENTION!!

We have a winner in the most OCD category on E90post.com!

Others have submitted their entries and I (proudly say) have contributed as well. But we have a clear winner!

Driver72 has taken his new car to get it weighed!

Let's all give him a nice round of applause and congratulate him on his endeavors.

LOL...what is that for?
Being sarcastic? Feel better now?
Or just being a d1ck?
You don't like knowing this info? Move along then!

Yes I do race my cars, have been doing so for 19 years.
I wouldn't trust a scale at the drag strip as much as a State Certified one.
Drag Strip scales don't need to be calibrated to meet the State's standards for loads and cargo.
Again, i did this simply because Car and Driver listed theirs at 3366 and people questioned it.
It was quick, easy and free for me to weigh my car at the local scale.

Edited: Didn't know you were being "sarcastic" and tongue in cheek.

[Driver72]

Originally Posted by Revlis

Hmmm, Could be more under reporting to throw off the competition??? Keep the other manufacturers from shooting high enough?

This is an excellent point!!
By BMW making other manufacturers think their car is nearly 3600 pounds, but it's really a couple hundred pounds less, keeps the competitors wondering how the BMW beats them even with less listed power too.

Magazines and people have always said BMW's perform better than their stated horsepower numbers would suggest, or BMW's horses are like Clydesdales to other manufacturers regular horses.
This may in fact be part of the reason.

[gum5h03]

The extra weight comes from the owners manual. Dip that puppy in water and I guarantee you'll put on 200lbs...

[ScotyH]

Originally Posted by Driver72

This is an excellent point!!
By BMW making other manufacturers think their car is nearly 3600 pounds, but it's really a couple hundred pounds less, keeps the competitors wondering how the BMW beats them even with less listed power too.

Magazines and people have always said BMW's perform better than their stated horsepower numbers would suggest, or BMW's horses are like Clydesdales to other manufacturers regular horses.
This may in fact be part of the reason.

BMW factors in the weight of an average driver & 25 lbs of luggage into their vehicle weight.

[Evo8MRto335I]

Driver72,

I must disagree with you but before I do that I want to say thanks for providing such detailed information. I think you did a fantastic job taking the effort to do what you did.

Let me explain why I think your numbers are off. I have been dragging since 1995 and I always weighted all my cars in the tracks that had certified NHRA scales.

I just went to the track last week and weighted my own car(coupe, steptronic,leather and sport package) I had about 1/8th of gas tank and about 20lbs in stuff(helmet, IPOD,camera bags)

My car weighted in such conditions 3510lbs which sounds absolutely dead on with the manufacturers claims. I ran the car multiple times that night and I re weighted the car two more times with a difference of about 6-8lbs.
By the way, I filled the tank on my way back with 16 galons even(to the neck of the gas tube)

For that matter I even roll the car forward and back just to see if there is any deade spots on the scale. Lasst but not least I also weight the car with and without me and the weights were consistent.

I am sorry that i gave you the long version but what I think is that the scale that you used has much greater tolerances thus having a margin of weighht much larger. This all makes sense specially when the scale weights nothing but 18 wheelers with full loads.

Again, please don't think I am doubting you, I believe you 100% of what you said, I am just saying that the scale is far off and yes I also seen the road test weight.

[Loomp]

Originally Posted by ScotyH

BMW factors in the weight of an average driver & 25 lbs of luggage into their vehicle weight.

Where did this information come from? Just curuious-I've been Googling franticaly and only come up with hearsay.

[ScotyH]

Originally Posted by Loomp

Where did this information come from? Just curuious-I've been Googling franticaly and only come up with hearsay.

The owners manual for my 06 330i.