2009 BMW 335i xDrive Review

Specifications

The forecasters were calling it “Snowmageddon”. Here in the middle of this great continent, snowstorms in December are not unheard of. Four of them in a row, is another matter entirely. Most people will grudgingly complain at this kind of news, but we were gleefully rubbing our hands together nursing the smuggest of grins. The meteorologists were all warning of “Imminent fierce weather.”  Bring it on.

The brunt of the credit for our snowstorm-be-damned attitude lies with the 2009 BMW 335xi Sedan, or should we now say, the 2009 BMW 335i xDrive Sedan. We’ve been familiar with the virtues of xDrive since the first time we encountered it. xDrive provided a startlingly transparent transfer of torque and unbelievable traction, and this time was no different. Shod with winter tires, the 335 proved yet again to be unstoppable. We were constantly impressed at how well it handled everything from wet slush to deep snow; it was resolute in its mission to sustain safe progress. BMW also deserves credit for developing one of the finest stability control systems we’ve encountered. It was incredible how it allowed for a bit of a slide before it would intervene, and when it did there was no huge loss in power or abrupt corrections. The DSC does a wonderful job discreetly masking any overly enthusiastic inputs to the controls.

The 3 series lineup has benefited from a mild refresh, although only the BMW faithful will easily see the changes without having the outgoing model nearby for comparison. As subtle as they are, the upgrades are appreciated and tasteful. The boys in Munich know that the 3 is their bread and butter, and a radical departure from tradition would be a risky move. With that in mind, they proceeded accordingly in the styling updates. There are also minor changes on the inside as well, including a revamped iDrive interface. Our tester was not so equipped, although you’d be hard pressed to find any crestfallen drivers. iDrive has been beaten up on enough, and we understand that the new version is considerably easier to manipulate, but we’ll reserve official judgment until we try it.

We must come clean on a certain detail concerning this road test. We wanted to find something glaringly wrong with the Bimmer, flaws that would cause us to turn up our noses in disgust. Fact is, however, there was hardly anything to point the finger at. This is THE car that all manufactures benchmark when they setout to create the ultimate “sports sedan.” Everything just flat out works in this car. If you thought this road test would be a massive paradigm shift, a spiteful diatribe attempting to dethrone the 3 from its supremacy, we hope you handle disappointment well.

The 3 series updates didn’t make it under the hood, nor do they show up in the suspension and brakes. That, folks, is not an issue whatsoever. The 3.0-liter inline six augmented by two turbos is a real sweetheart, unanimously respected by those who have experienced it. The Ward’s 10 Best Engines list, an annual rating of the world’s elite powerplants according to class, has featured this engine in all the years it’s been in production. 300 denotes its horsepower and torque figures, causing E46 M3 owners to look nervous. It endows the 335 with a serious shove forward whenever the driver calls upon aggressive throttle openings. If you’re able to curb your addiction to the 335’s thrust, more conservative motoring rewards with surprising thriftiness for fuel. Efficiency is helped by the use of direct injection and double VANOS, among other passive technologies like magnesium heads to save weight. The only downside is the slightest bit of lag, but it’s so minute that even the most sensitively calibrated kiesters will be hard pressed to notice.

Our tester was equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, and we nearly wept with joy. The optional 6-speed automatic is among the best slushboxes in the industry, but a sports sedan of this caliber begs a driver to stir his own gears. The lever moves through its gates with a fluid, slightly notchy feel. Reverse was a bit difficult to engage at times, but this minute inconvenience is easily overlooked.

Just as the drivetrain shines, so does the chassis. As you would expect from the Ultimate Driving Machine, the brakes, suspension and steering all work in a harmony that’s so elusive in other cars. The 335 uses generous amounts of aluminum in its suspension components, and it’s somewhat of a black art the way they were able to tune the car for the ultimate compromise in ride and handling. The setup is still a simple strut/multilink configuration, but the handling prowess it delivers is undeniable. See that coffee cup rustling in the wind at the apex of that onramp? The 330 delivers enough confidence and feel to slice it perfectly through the middle. Coupled with BMW’s classic 50/50 weight distribution, the driver has a feeling of unflappable balance and stability. It’s the total package that’s just as at home getting groceries as it is tearing up your favorite twisty back road.

So, after a week in the 335i xDrive Sedan (whew), here’s what we know: BMW still makes the best entry-level sports sedan. Its competitors are inching ever closer to the benchmark. We have driven many of them and its clear the level of commitment other manufacturers are devoting to dethroning the 3-Series means they mean business. In June 2007 we wrote “The king of sports sedans continues to polish its crown.” For now, that crown appears to be safe right where it is.