2007 BMW 3 Series Review

Specifications

It’s Saturday night and I’m babysitting. What’s new?! The kids and I are at the movie store looking for a good flick to rent. Nothing is catching our eyes but the girl decides to rent a TV series from MTV called, “My Super Sweet Sixteen.” So we rent it, hop back into the car, drive home and watch this show. Harmless, right?

From the hissy-fits being thrown by spoiled-rotten rich kids not getting their way, to the copious amounts of money shelled out just for someone’s “Super Sweet Sixteen” to be the best party EVER, the show was mind-numbing and eye-opening. There was really no aspect of this debauchery of North American culture that brought any solace to my irked disposition. I did, however, really enjoy the part where the spoiled-rotten rich kids got a new car. That was the icing on the cake, for me at least! And while I disagreed with the teenagers’ decisions in venues, clothing and just about everything else, I supported their choice in a first car: a BMW.

It just so happened that I had the BMW’s 335xi sedan in my possession that week, which made me feel like one of those spoiled-rotten rich kids, without the spoiled-rotten or rich kid element. In fact, I felt fortunate to be driving one of the sleekest and sexiest sedans in the world, which not only made me feel good but also made me look good, I think. It might be vain of me to say, but what kid or adult wouldn’t want to be a proud owner of a masterfully engineered German vehicle? OK, maybe the French who are still buying Citroens, but that’s another car story for another time. I, for one, would love to be the owner of something Teutonic.

It’s hard to refute the remarkable body style of the 335xi sedan, with its double kidney grille, twin angel-eye headlights and sumptuous signature angles and curves, not to forget the rear quarter windows’ classic Hofmeister kink that appeals to old and young alike. After all, with the extreme exterior makeover for the 2006 model year, the sportier and more athletic styling has most people nodding in accordance. It’s just that good. Now, throw the first-ever twin-turbocharged inline 6-cylinder under the hood, with output reaching 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque, and it’s the full meal deal. Combine that 300 horses with a close-shifting 6-speed manual transmission, and that’s the dessert.

The 335xi’s ability to tickle the senses doesn’t stop there. BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system with variable torque split doesn’t detract from the vehicle’s ability to please even the most enthusiastic sports sedan drivers, like me! While it doesn’t feel identical to the classic rear-wheel drive configuration that its 335i sibling enjoys, the xi is certainly rear-wheel biased and feels like it might oversteer if pushed beyond its limits, it’s wonderfully balanced under all conditions thanks to power at all four wheels and the new 3’s amazingly talented front double pivot struts up front and 5-link independent suspension setup in the rear. Its composure at speed is critical to a driver’s confidence, as it ramps up speed at an impressive rate, 0 to 60 mph taking only 5.5 seconds to execute. The car certainly is capable of amazing things on dry, wet, bare or snowy roads.

Whatever the driving conditions are, the many active safety features on the 3-Series make the driving experience a lot ’smoother.’ Whether it’s the 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and EBD, or active stability control, or better yet, dynamic stability control (DSC), trying to go off track in the xi is pretty hard. While the optional 18-inch ellipsoid spoke rims wrapped around 225/40R18 run-flat tires are not recommended for winter use, they still perform wonderfully on leaf-lined streets or our cold, damp evenings here on the Northwest Coast. A set of winter tires or all-seasons would also enhance the 335’s ride and no doubt improve it’s traction in slippery conditions.

A person can not only take comfort in the safety features, but also in the black Dakota leather sport seats with 3-stage butt warmers. When I stepped inside the cabin, it felt warm, cozy and definitely plush on the tush, as there are few seats more comfortable than those in 3-Series sedans. Plus, on those cold autumn mornings – yes the leather is crisp and a little cold – they heat up oh-so fast. The entire cabin configuration is welcoming to its driver and passengers thanks to dual climate controls, generous interior room and the car’s never-a-dull-moment aura. The premium package offers lumbar support, the Dakota leather seating surfaces, a compass in the mirror and more, and adding to the ambiance is a fabulous sounding Logic 7 sound system. Good tunes and a supportive seat make any long journey just that much better.

Still, it’s not just the accessories and safety features that make the BMW worth its pricy price tag. It’s the fine attention to detail anywhere, from the burl walnut trim interior to the purr of the 3.0-liter engine. It’s all there. What’s even better is that I got the boyfriend’s seal of approval. He’s 6′3” and needs a lot of room whether passenger or driver, and he got it. His exact comments were, “It wasn’t cluttered with buttons, and stuff was easy to use. It’s just a finely tuned performance machine.” He’s right. The cabin is first-time user friendly, visibility is great out of the front or rear, fuel consumption isn’t bad with an estimated 19 mpg in the city and 29 on the highway, and the list goes on. Not to mention the car’s 15.9 cu-ft luggage capacity that doesn’t only fit me, but a couple of large-sized suitcases, hockey bags or what have you.

My overall 335xi experience was fantastic. How could it not be? It’s a versatile car that looks good and performs even better. And with a top speed of 130 mph and a whole bunch of turbocharged power to get you there quickly, how can a girl resist? As much as I would love to have one of these parked in my driveway, I need a driveway to park it on first! Maybe for “My Super Sweet Sixty” my husband to be will surprise me with one. Until then, I’ll live the dream one BMW at a time.