2007 BMW 335i Coupe Review

Specifications

New 2007 BMW 335i Gets Twin-Turbo Six-Cylinder

BMW dealerships are already receiving new 3-Series coupes, and from what I can gather its so good that line ups are forming. Did we expect anything less? After all, the design should be pleasing to traditional BMW loyalists, due to a slightly more conservative shape when compared to the 5, but then again it features enough flaming surfaces to appeal to the automakers newer more stylistically daring clientele. Personally, I think it looks stunning, especially from the rear where it takes on classic BMW proportions.

The even bigger news, at least when it was announced last April, is that the new top-line non-M engine has been given a boost to help it compete with the Infiniti G35 Coupe; the same bump in performance that the new 2007 sedan gets which should help it regain its supremecy over newcomers like the G35 four-door, and even more threatening, the class-leading 306-horsepower 3.5L V6 in the Lexus IS 350, which is also expected to arrive in coupe and/or retractable hardtop version soon. That boost comes via twin turbochargers, if you havent already heard, and combined with a new high-precision fuel injection system and an all-magnesium crankcase, to reduce weight and enhance handling, BMWs straight-six is now a force to be reckoned with.

And just how much of a force is it? Just shy of the Lexus V6s horsepower rating, BMWs 300-horsepower 3.0L mill nevertheless tops the segment in all-important torque, delivering a maximum of 300 lb-ft from a broad range that starts at 1,400 rpm and tops out at 5,000 rpm, compared to the IS 350 engines maximum of 277 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm. Thats 45 horsepower more than last years 330i, by the way, and an amazing 80 lb-ft of additional torque.

Mated to a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic with Steptronic manual-mode, the new 335i Coupe is good for runs from standstill to 60 mph in the five and a half second range (5.6s for the manual and 5.8 seconds with the auto according to BMWs conservative estimates), which is still a fair bit slower than the current M3. The small, low-inertia turbos are said to allow for minimal lag and hardly affect fuel economy, which is estimated at 25 mpg city/hwy.

Making sure that its new coupe is also reachable by entry-level luxury buyers, BMW continues to offer a less powerful version, but while less capable than the top-line 330i its still very sporty. The new 328i Coupe as well. This model features a 3.0L inline-six, but without the turbochargers. Nevertheless, its combination of 230-horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque, which incidentally is a a 46-horsepower and 25 lb-ft of torque advantage over the outgoing 325Ci, makes for spirited performance, acheiving 60 mph in only 6.5 seconds; 7.1 seconds with the automatic.

Targeting F1 fans, the new 335i Coupe will get steering wheel mounted shift-paddles when the available Sport Package is added to a car featuring the six-speed auto, plus a new start/stop button continues the race car influence.

Whats more, due to the strong take-up of BMWs xDrive all-wheel drive system - yes, BMW is now the worlds number one all-wheel drive supplier in the premium segment with 1.13 million AWD-equipped cars sold worldwide in 2005 - the new coupe will be available with four driving wheels for the first time, but only in 328i guise.

Additionally, the new coupe features a more advanced DSC Dynamic Stability Control system that is now enhanced with including enhanced with hill-start assist, eliminating rollback when taking off from inclines, brake standby, for shortening emergency stopping distances, brake drying, for slowing quicker in wet conditions, fade compensation, for improving stopping when the brakes are hot, plus soft stop, for smoother braking with less dive. Whats more, BMWs impressive Active Steering system is now available as an option.

The new 3 coupe is not only safer, but its wider, longer and taller cabin delivers greater space optimization and therefore more overall comfort. This is good for the driver, with more seat angle adjustment, driver and front passenger, that get an automatic seatbelt assistant that literally hands you the seatbelt (annoying but convenient) and luggage, with a cargo area up seven percent over the outgoing generation, to 15.5 cubic feet (15.2 cu-ft in the 335i). Other niceties include ambient light strips below door trim, plus a rear center console featuring an ashtray, air vents, storage trays and rear seat footwell lighting; very nice.

Some hidden items that you may be glad are ready and waiting when needed include quicker responding adaptive brakelights, Automatic Stability Control + Traction (ASC + T), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) and ABS, of course, plus Automatic Differential Brake on the 328xi. The cool blue Xenon headlamps, with luminous rings no less, are automatic, and include a high pressure washer system on the 328xi, plus free-form halogen foglights can add to the brightness if needed.

Other standard features include heated and powered side-mirrors, heated windshield washer jets, speed sensitive wipers with a rain sensor, a tire pressure monitoring system, and Car/Key Memory with follow-me-home function, plus Hill Descent Control for the 328xi.

Its a lot of car for a reasonable sum of money, whether opting for the $35,300 328i, the $37,100 328xi or the $40,600 335i, and those who are lining up to take delivery of one are no doubt thinking that their money has been well spent. With little doubt their weight will be worth it, as theyll be rewarded with years of enjoyable commutes and weekend getaways, and then when it comes time to trade up to something new, theyll enjoy one of the highest resale values of any luxury car. Not a bad deal, when you factor everything in. Now, its time I get on the phone with BMW and arrange a test drive of my own. Then maybe Ill have as many good things to say about how it drives as how it looks.