Topic: Test Drive: 2011 BMW 335is

[Autos_Editor]

The new 335is bridges the gap between the 335i and the M3, reports Chris Chase, "adding a touch of power and attitude to what was already a great car, while maintaining a better balance between comfortable ride and track-worthy handling."

Read More...

[JohnM]

Chris,

How much do you think your driving style influenced the 13 L consumption rate?  Do you think that would improve as you got used to the car, ie as the novelty wore off or is this Bimmer just too much fun?

Cheers,
John Meyer

[bikenut]

when james test drove it in july , he was booting it around , just too much fun i think
i ve had my bike 4 or 5 yrs ,still boot it around as much as the 1st week i had it -- fun is fun , hard to resist

[huota]

On top of the stronger motor and freer-flowing exhaust, there’s also a larger radiator and more powerful cooling fan to pull air through it. If the lack of fog lights on this car upsets you, rest assured that deletion was made in the interest of creating the largest possible airflow openings in the front fascia.

From what I've read, the 335i's suffers overheating problems, which will lead to a return to the pit lane in limp mode after 4-5 laps. I think that the improved cooling will be much appreciated by those who will track their 335is.

[johngenx]

A friend of mine bought a Mercedes C63 for $60K flat.  451hp, 0-100km/h in 4.5 and roll-on performance that humbles all but the biggest dogs on the block.  And yes, it can handle too, with limits far, far, beyond what 99.9999% of drivers could ever see on the street.

Best value in a German performance sedan, hand down.  I like the 3-series a lot, but I'd have a tough time ponying up well over $60K for one when I could have had a V-8...

[evil_twin]

A friend of mine bought a Mercedes C63 for $60K flat.  451hp, 0-100km/h in 4.5 and roll-on performance that humbles all but the biggest dogs on the block.  And yes, it can handle too, with limits far, far, beyond what 99.9999% of drivers could ever see on the street.

Best value in a German performance sedan, hand down.  I like the 3-series a lot, but I'd have a tough time ponying up well over $60K for one when I could have had a V-8...

Agree with you (mostly).  The M3 sedan seems a relatively small price leap from this 335is.

However are you comparing apples-apples?  A C63 with no options has an MSRP of $63k, the base 335is has an MSRP of $58k.  So it isn't actually MORE expensive than the C63...but, no doubt, the C63 is a better value.  Did you friend get a brand new one for $60k out the door?  That's a nice deal.

Only reason I might choose the 335is or maybe a slightly used M3 over that C63 is the manual tranny option. 

[johngenx]

The C63 is a slow seller.  He walked in, offered $60K, and they took it without any conversation.  Had one in stock, drove it home the next day.

It's a LOT of car for the money.

True the C63 has no manual.  The 7speed is pretty sweet as far as AT's go though.

Tires are a major operating expense.  His first set lasted <10,000km.  451hp takes a toll on the rubber...

[evil_twin]

The C63 is a slow seller.  He walked in, offered $60K, and they took it without any conversation.  Had one in stock, drove it home the next day.

It's a LOT of car for the money.

True the C63 has no manual.  The 7speed is pretty sweet as far as AT's go though.

Tires are a major operating expense.  His first set lasted <10,000km.  451hp takes a toll on the rubber...

Nice.  Pretty awesome ride for "only" $60k

[chrischasescars]

Chris,

How much do you think your driving style influenced the 13 L consumption rate?  Do you think that would improve as you got used to the car, ie as the novelty wore off or is this Bimmer just too much fun?

Cheers,
John Meyer

I generally don't drive too hard. No doubt I did more flat-out accelerating in this car than I normally would, but nothing excessive. I think the 13 L/100 km result was pretty good for the car's performance.

[bluelines]

13 l / 100 km doesn't seem bad to me for a car with this much power. With a mix of highway and city driving, my E91 (328xi wagon) gets 11.3 and it is down in power about 100 hp from the 335is. My E90 330i got better mileage, however, so I think the all-wheel drive makes a big (negative) difference to fuel economy.

Chris,

How much do you think your driving style influenced the 13 L consumption rate?  Do you think that would improve as you got used to the car, ie as the novelty wore off or is this Bimmer just too much fun?

Cheers,
John Meyer

I generally don't drive too hard. No doubt I did more flat-out accelerating in this car than I normally would, but nothing excessive. I think the 13 L/100 km result was pretty good for the car's performance.

[kirm]

Beautiful car but not as quick as I would have imagined. It must be the weight.

[Julie]

13 l / 100 km doesn't seem bad to me for a car with this much power. With a mix of highway and city driving, my E91 (328xi wagon) gets 11.3 and it is down in power about 100 hp from the 335is. My E90 330i got better mileage, however, so I think the all-wheel drive makes a big (negative) difference to fuel economy.

I average 10.5 L/100 km in my 335i (mix city/highway, more city)

I heard the xi does have an impact on fuel consumption.