REVIEW: 2010 BMW 335i SE- A Lukewarm Experience For AutoCar?

On a freezing day in Munich we tried the 335i coupe, which is equipped with a new version of BMW's classic turbocharged straight-six engine and, in the case of our test car, a new seven-speed double clutch gearbox that adds £1640 to the list price.

With 302bhp on tap and a diesel-like 295lb ft of torque (delivered completely flat from 1200rpm to 5000rpm), the 335i's performance is predictably impressive. However, our car's engine was a touch gruff under hard acceleration; it's not clear whether the direct injection system or just engine tightness was to blame.

The seven-speed dual-clutch 'box is excellent, being pretty indistinguishable from BMW's smooth auto boxes and avoiding the low-speed hesitation that affects VW's seven-speed DSG unit.

Our car suffered from quite a bit of wind noise around the pillars and the overly heavy controls (especially the steering) made rowing the car along a tiny bit of a chore.









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BondMI6 - 3/13/2010 1:28:45 AM

+5 Boost

Hmmm........well not EVERY article can be positive can it?

I've never driven a 335i with those issues though.

JRobUSC - 3/13/2010 10:11:19 AM

+4 Boost

Edmunds.com's Inside Line had a very positive write up.

dlin - 3/13/2010 10:49:54 AM

+1 Boost

The engine issue has been in my other post, so it's not a surprise. While my other complaint is 'soft' spring, somehow they changed the damper. We'll see how it work out.

rxh8me9000 - 3/13/2010 12:34:41 PM

+4 Boost

135 is my choice driving wise.335 looks wise.

dlin - 3/13/2010 1:38:47 PM

+1 Boost

I don't that affects wind noise, gruff engine, or heavy steering. It's more to do w/ cornering and braking...

DogLb - 3/14/2010 3:39:36 PM

+2 Boost

I understand the engine is now a single turbo, but other than that who cares, is it really that much different than 2009? This car has for all intents and purposes already been around.

Let me know how the 335is drives in comparison and then I'll be interested.

2ndbimmer - 3/15/2010 12:03:59 PM

+2 Boost

I think most people who drive a BMW for the first time expect this incredible amazing feel like they just got laid for the first time.
The truth is, it is an amazing coupe, but I feel like people will get that excitement with the M3, not the 335i coupe. Of course, if you have been only drivign a civic, then its a different story.

2ndbimmer - 3/15/2010 12:06:18 PM

+2 Boost

The article states towards the bottom a combined 33.6 MPG's! Must be a misprint or ridiculously amazing.

lewishamiltonpimp - 3/15/2010 8:45:26 PM

+1 Boost

Clarification: Valvetronic is not simply variable valve timing. Valvetronic is a variable LIFT valvetrain which eliminates the use of a throttle butterfly valve. Throttle opening is now controlling the valve train lift and duration. The new N55 engine has Valvetronic AND double VANOS. The current N54 twin turbo has double VANOS only.

As for the mileage - Autocar is a British magazine. The UK uses real gallons which are about 25% larger than the US Gallon. Hence the 33.6mpg should be multiplied by about 0.8 to get stateside numbers.

Anyway, if you haven't driven a 335i with the ZSP package - keep quiet until you have.