Topic: First Drive: 2011 BMW 335is

[Autos_Editor]

Twelve laps around Estoril race track in Portugal was enough to convince author James Bergeron that the sporty new 2011 BMW 335is will appeal to 3 Series enthusiasts who want an even more exciting driving experience.

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[Toronto]

I am not a fan of BMW. I'm a merc guy but I do like the look of this one. I think they did a great job.
The red leather seats will go out of style in short time.
Just too red. Not every car can carry it well. This is not one of them.

[Roscoe]

It will be interesting to see dyno results from this "upgraded" N54 engine in the 335is, given that it's been confirmed by everyone (except BMW ) that the "old" N54 has been putting down 320 to 330 hp all along. Deliberately underrating engines from the factory is, after all, a time-honoured tradition in the automotive industry, so either the new N54 will prove to have more like 350 hp, or that the 335is has the same old N54 and the underrating is now acknowledged publicly by BMW (in a very roundabout sort of way).

Whatever, though. The numbers don't matter so much, really. What matters is that the N54 -- in any form -- is a superb motor. Yes, I own one and have nothing but praise for it: smooth V8 power, flexibility in every gear, and great fuel economy (I average 9.6 l/100 km in city/highway mixed driving, with a lead foot more often than not).

Oh, and the rest of the car is pretty damn good, too.

[Stinger]

Hey James, if you are going to give us a history lesson on BMW 's' designations at least get your facts straight. I owned a 1997 BMW 328is Coupe so it seems the 1980s were not so exclusive afterall.

[chrischasescars]

Hey James, if you are going to give us a history lesson on BMW 's' designations at least get your facts straight. I owned a 1997 BMW 328is Coupe so it seems the 1980s were not so exclusive afterall.

He doesn't say the 's' designation was exclusive to the 1980s, he says it first appeared in that decade. I've added a sentence to clarify the 's' badge's continuation into the 1990s.

[b16vtec]

I love this new 335is, and I would buy one if I could.

That said, though, I could probably get a 2-3 year old, lightly used 335i for about half the price of the 335is, then spend another $1500-$2000 for a chip and intake/exhaust modification and get 380+hp and 400+lb/ft of torque.

Like a previous poster mentioned, I suspect that BMW was sandbagging the output of the previous engine.

[mat]

Hey James, if you are going to give us a history lesson on BMW 's' designations at least get your facts straight. I owned a 1997 BMW 328is Coupe so it seems the 1980s were not so exclusive afterall.

He doesn't say the 's' designation was exclusive to the 1980s, he says it first appeared in that decade. I've added a sentence to clarify the 's' badge's continuation into the 1990s.

he forgot the 2000s as well.
x5 4.8is.
x3 3.0is

[Roscoe]

I love this new 335is, and I would buy one if I could.

That said, though, I could probably get a 2-3 year old, lightly used 335i for about half the price of the 335is, then spend another $1500-$2000 for a chip and intake/exhaust modification and get 380+hp and 400+lb/ft of torque.

Like a previous poster mentioned, I suspect that BMW was sandbagging the output of the previous engine.

Do it!!! You won't regret it. BTW - Budds' BMW in Hamilton installs Dinan Stage 2 software (384 hp and 421 lb-ft) and the warranty is still honoured. Not sure if that applies to used vehicles, but maybe if you bought a used 335i from them it would. Worth finding out...

[wing]

Hey James, if you are going to give us a history lesson on BMW 's' designations at least get your facts straight. I owned a 1997 BMW 328is Coupe so it seems the 1980s were not so exclusive afterall.

He doesn't say the 's' designation was exclusive to the 1980s, he says it first appeared in that decade. I've added a sentence to clarify the 's' badge's continuation into the 1990s.

he forgot the 2000s as well.
x5 4.8is.
x3 3.0is

Didn't forget them, just didn't mention them.  I chose concisely to only mention a short blurb, if you would like the entire "s" history I could post it, BMW gave me the entire history I figured we didn't need to bore everyone

[Julie]

I love this new 335is, and I would buy one if I could.

That said, though, I could probably get a 2-3 year old, lightly used 335i for about half the price of the 335is, then spend another $1500-$2000 for a chip and intake/exhaust modification and get 380+hp and 400+lb/ft of torque.

Like a previous poster mentioned, I suspect that BMW was sandbagging the output of the previous engine.

Do it!!! You won't regret it. BTW - Budds' BMW in Hamilton installs Dinan Stage 2 software (384 hp and 421 lb-ft) and the warranty is still honoured. Not sure if that applies to used vehicles, but maybe if you bought a used 335i from them it would. Worth finding out...

Wow, that's good.  I didn't know any dealers would do that.

This 335is with the M Sport bodykit looks significantly better IMO than the LCI coupes/convertibles without bodykits. 

Maybe I’m too picky, but I don’t like the extra “335is” on the speedo, interior trim, etc.  It’s like it’s trying to say “I’m a 335is!” too hard or something…  I dunno.  I think, if I were making the choice, I’d fork over the extra dough so that it would say “M3” on my speedo…

But the sound of the exhaust is great!  Overall, good looking.

[lebowski]

Wow, that's good.  I didn't know any dealers would do that.

This 335is with the M Sport bodykit looks significantly better IMO than the LCI coupes/convertibles without bodykits. 

Maybe I’m too picky, but I don’t like the extra “335is” on the speedo, interior trim, etc.  It’s like it’s trying to say “I’m a 335is!” too hard or something…  I dunno.  I think, if I were making the choice, I’d fork over the extra dough so that it would say “M3” on my speedo…

But the sound of the exhaust is great!  Overall, good looking.

Agreed the m-sport bodykits always look great, but I think even without the kits, the LCI coupes were a noticeable improvement over the previous version, because they finally saw fit to delete the chrome along the roofline - I always found that terribly tacky.

[ovr50]

Styling items are highly subjective, but on most BMWs I am familiar with, that "chrome along the roofline" can be deleted and black pieces substituted, either shiny or flat black. On my car, it was called "Hi Gloss Shadow Line". I am not sure on the 3 coupe, but I think it is done.

Some like the chrome, others not so much.

[lebowski]

Styling items are highly subjective, but on most BMWs I am familiar with, that "chrome along the roofline" can be deleted and black pieces substituted, either shiny or flat black. On my car, it was called "Hi Gloss Shadow Line". I am not sure on the 3 coupe, but I think it is done.

Some like the chrome, others not so much.

Actually my old 330ci M-sport did have the Shadow Line trim, i believe, and i really liked it, though i didn't realize one could choose to delete  the chrome on any BMW model - that's good to know.

But yeah, styling is of course subjective, and no offense was intended to people who like the chrome - in place of calling it "terribly tacky," i'll just say it's "not my cup of tea."

[Julie]

Styling items are highly subjective, but on most BMWs I am familiar with, that "chrome along the roofline" can be deleted and black pieces substituted, either shiny or flat black. On my car, it was called "Hi Gloss Shadow Line". I am not sure on the 3 coupe, but I think it is done.

Some like the chrome, others not so much.

Actually my old 330ci M-sport did have the Shadow Line trim, i believe, and i really liked it, though i didn't realize one could choose to delete  the chrome on any BMW model - that's good to know.

But yeah, styling is of course subjective, and no offense was intended to people who like the chrome - in place of calling it "terribly tacky," i'll just say it's "not my cup of tea."

No offense taken.    I actually didn't want the shadowline trim and was glad that the 2010 coupes came with sport package included but without the shadowline trim. 

I think it also goes with the car and color combo you choose.  You can choose a sporty look or a classy one.  For instance, I also like the white 3-series coupes a lot.  Had I gone with white, I would have prefered both a  black interior and black shadowline trim.  But I like my prefer my chrome trim given the color combo I chose (dark blue, cream, dark wood).