The BMW 3-Series has become a legend in its own time. Both revered and despised, it is a polarizing, emotional vehicle in the North American market, where enthusiasts either gush over its sports sedan virtues or they claim it’s an overrated ride for yuppies.
We decided to spend a week in a 2009 335i sedan to figure out just which side of the fence we fell on.
What is it?
The most ubiquitous offering by the German automaker, the 3-Series sedan has been around for more than 20 years and can trace its roots back to the “Neue Klasse” cars best known to Americans in 2.0-liter, two-door BMW 2002 guise.
Redesigned for 2006 and refreshed for 2009, our test 335i sedan was ordered exactly how a practical sunbelt enthusiast would go through the options checklist. Equipped with the standard six-speed manual transmission, the “legendary” Sport Package with its suspension and seat upgrades and, of course, the turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six powering just the rear wheels, our bright red tester was a BMW nut’s dream-come-true specification.
What’s it up against?
Almost everyone else has abandoned the high-power, manual transmission small luxury sedan market, meaning the only direct rivals are the larger, but similarly-priced Cadillac CTS (with the optional direct-injected V6) and Infiniti G37.
Then there’s the Audi A4, which drops its slow-selling V6 to concentrate on the four-cylinder for 2010, as well as the automatic-only Mercedes-Benz C350 and Lexus IS 350. Throw the Saab 9-3 Turbo X in for good measure and you’ve got the makings of a comparison test.
If you’re willing to forgo the do-it-yourself shifter, don’t forget to consider the torquey, more efficient diesel-powered BMW 335d introduced earlier this year.
Any breakthroughs?
A fairly conservative car, the 3-Series boasts few exclusive and groundbreaking features; most of what it offers has been tried and tuned on the automaker’s pricier offerings before making their way down to the 3-Series.
Introduced for 2007, the 335i’s turbocharged, direct-injected 3.0-liter inline-six hits the all-important 100 horsepower per liter mark. A nearly flat torque curve begins at a low 1,400 rpm, meaning turbo lag is all-but-quelled.
How does it look?
A very mild 2009 mid-cycle update gave the basic E90 platform (in BMW speak) a revised front fascia and tail lamps. Unquestionably BMW’s most restrained offering, the 3-Series does not deviate much from its predecessors – unlike the rest of the controversial flame-surfaced BMW lineup.
Eschewing trendy details for a tightly-wrapped skin, we deemed the 335i a solid bet that won’t keep you turning around to look it over, but also won’t look outdated when the next-generation 3 rolls around in a couple of years.
The 335i looks just like its 328i little brother, aside from a pair of exhaust pipes poking out from either edge of the rear bumper. Our Sport Package car gained a shapely set of 18-inch wheels mounted on summer tires, as well as dark trim surrounding the windows, rather than chrome. We’d like to see a bit more differentiation between the two engines – it seems to us that the extra $6,000 or so you’d spend on a 335i over a 328i should net you more than some tailpipes and a badge on the outside.
And the inside?
The 2009 update changed almost nothing on the 3-Series’ interior aside from a slightly different starter button. That means you’ll still find a beautifully built, but very compact interior with only the slightest hint of Bangle.
Without the optional navigation system, the 3-Series does not get BMW’s iDrive system. Although the control has been dramatically simplified, we still prefer our cars with a smattering of buttons and switches instead of a menuing system. Skip the nav and buy a portable unit and some Windex to clean off the suction cup marks on your windshield.
The heavily bolstered seats that come with the Sport package are worth the price alone just for their extendable knee bolsters. Found on BMWs for more than 30 years, this style sport seat has long been a favorite of those who relish curves as well as straight-line comfort. Kudos also to the thick leather-wrapped steering wheel. Rather than creating a square-bottom or oddly-shaped wheel that only suits a certain segment of the market, BMW stuck to tradition with a thickly-rimmed three-spoke unit that looks almost as good as it feels.
Aside from the tight dimensions, our quibbles were limited to a radio display that washes out in sunlight, a silly turn signal that never does what you want it to, a gauge cluster that seemed about half an inch too low and a fairly light feature count, especially for the price. Again almost identical to the 328i, we’d like to see at least some unique trim to help remind you of why your 335i lists for 50 large.
Oh, and the cupholders really don’t even hold fancy-pants European beverages, let alone Super Big Gulps, as our photo illustrates.
But does it go?
Let’s start with what we don’t like about this powertrain.
Hmm.
Well.
Hmm.
For one, it’s too quiet; a little growl and even a little turbo whistle could be piped into the cabin without disturbing the hushed atmosphere. And then there’s the fuel economy. The 20 mpg we averaged is nothing special, though it’s pretty much on par with its rivals.
Yes, Virginia, the 335i drives that well. It takes no more than a few feet to spool up the turbo, meaning lag is essentially nonexistent. Without that turbo squeal we’ve enjoyed in other turbocharged cars, most drivers would assume they were in a naturally-aspirated, 300-horsepower car, not a turbocharged one. Power is delivered seamlessly throughout the rev range in such a quiet, refined way that regular glances at the instruments are absolutely necessary. Highway passing is a breeze and the 335i will happily take its passengers up to too-high triple digit speeds without a whimper.
Aside from its trendy metallic-looking plastic gear lever – we’ll take ours in leather, thanks – the 335i’s six-speed is pretty much without fault. Gears are spaced for performance, but sixth is well placed for relaxed highway cruising. With so much torque on tap, around-town commuting requires only an occasional move of the lever. The clutch is just light enough for every day use and its engagement point is easy to find. Our first few shifts were a little rough since we expected a slightly firmer clutch, but it was by no means balky to use. Shifted aggressively, the lever’s short throws and direct feel are tough to beat.
The ride-handling trade-off is naturally geared more towards sport thanks to the optional $2,150 package, but even over the roughest terrain, we didn’t find the 335i uncomfortable. Its short wheelbase gives it a busy ride over expansion joints, but that pays off on curvy roads, where the 335i comes into its own.
Thrown into corners, the 335i responds with predictable rear-wheel-drive handling characteristics. Perfectly weighted steering with the kind of feel only BMW seems to be able to deliver, the 335i put a larger smile on our faces after each flick of the wheel.
Why you would buy it
Rear-seat passenger comfort isn’t a concern and you’re looking for the best-handling, most refined and fun-to-drive compact sedan on the market. Bar none.
Why you wouldn’t buy it
You simply must have an M3 badge on the tail and if you’re a bargain hunter, you know the Infiniti G37 provides much of this goodness for about 10 grand less.
Leftlane’s bottom line
Not cheap by any means, the 335i is nonetheless a dream car for any enthusiast’s garage. Willing to take anything you’d throw at it, the 335i is one car we could drive for the rest of our lives without a single complaint. On public roads, it almost makes the M3 sedan irrelevant because the 335i’s power is more usable in real-world conditions. Though the M-engineered model excels on a race track and at high speeds, its $12,000 premium for a similarly equipped M3 is hard to swallow when the 335i does almost everything as well, if not better in some cases.
Then again, the argument could be made that, at nearly 50-large, our as-tested 335i is priced “only” a fiver under a base M3. The Motorsport option really doesn’t give up many luxury features but adds a none-too-insignificant 100 horsepower. How ’bout them apples?
2009 BMW 335i sedan base price, $40,300. As tested, $49,320.
Cold weather package, $1,150; Premium package, $2,650; Sport package, $2,150; Comfort Access system, $500; Park distance control, $750; iPod/USB adapter, $400; Satellite radio, $595; Destination, $825.
Words and photos by Andrew Ganz.
05/28, 6:23 PM
posted by:
iluvamcars
Its been out for four years! Yet it is still in this news all the time.
05/28, 7:20 PM
posted by:
6ix
MUCH better looking for 2009. I was originally thinking that I’d get a 5-series, but now might just save the money and get this instead. In black, of course.
Thanks for the review! Very informative!
05/28, 7:58 PM
posted by:
Borat
Covering cost of 2 Ivy’s does not allow me to indulge myself in this, but body of mine has pity on me and let me drive his 335 coupe often and for a long periods of time. On highway it does over 30 mpg easy. In burbs even with traffic it’s mid 20’s. Acceleration, handling, sleek 6 speed, light clutch – as good as sex (or maybe better since it’s all safe). Handling is like sex with Catherina Zeta Jones, perhaps sloppy second after Michael Douglass, but amazing nevertheless. You can toss car and always will recover it. Nothing made by domestics compares to this, in my opinion. Everything else may have more brute force, but none of this car finesse.
05/28, 9:01 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
i love this car, but i think it’s over priced!
05/28, 10:44 PM
posted by:
02WRXPSM
The 3-series is a perfect example of what you get when you iterate and develop a car over 20+ years, paying very careful attention to every single part of its development. Even with long-standing stablemates like the Mustang and Corvette, American engineers can’t resist changing the car drastically (usually to cut costs) every generation and generally screwing things up in the process — remember the Stingray, such a huge fall from the split-window? The 335i is overweight and expensive, but that motor/transmission combination can’t be beat — and for tuners, you can take this car up to 550 HP with the stock internals, stock EXHAUST (no loud fartcans) and stock 91 octane and have a sleeper capable of crushing Aston Martins and Maseratis, not to mention any domestic junk you might come across.
I will mention that I think the 2-door variant of this car looks like a bar of soap left in the sun — melted and too slippery to even pick up. In proper 4-door trim in gunmetal gray, it is absolutely invisible to cops and a wicked sleeper ready to bust the chops of S4 Audis and the like.
05/28, 10:52 PM
posted by:
TornadoGTI
@02WRXPSM – I do think the S4 is a better car than this. At least as far as I am concerned. 40 more hp, AWD, and looks FAR better inside and out. And does so for close to the same cost.
Besides that, I think that the 3-series is a bit bland. They are EVERYWHERE where I live. They may be an emotional drive but they are certainly not emotional to look at. The interior has been seemingly unchanged in the last 10 years. Seeing as how you spend more time looking at the interior than the exterior, you think that would be important to its buyers, which i might note are mainly women (from what i can see).
BMW has a nice car here but as far as the best, that is a bit of a statement that I cannot get behind. I am also partially biased by Audi seeing as every BMW I have driven (only e46 325i sedan, e92 328i coupe, and X3 3.0) They have not impressed at all.
P.S. – My $26k VW acheives 100hp / liter. Just about every VAG (Volkswagen Auto Group) car does.
05/29, 1:09 AM
posted by:
AxeHead
No thanks, I’ll keep my TSX, may only perform 90% of what this can do but it’s 20k cheaper and will last twice as long and I get 40 mpg.
Besides, I hate the exterior styling, boring, except the traditional BMW classic grill.
05/29, 1:47 AM
posted by:
AutoCritical
To 02WRXPSM,
I agree with you about how good it is that BMW has ‘developed’ the car over time.
From a styling point of view, I like their corporate face. From model to model, it does change, but in essence, its still BMW. Even the lines along the side are kept to remind us that it is a BMW. At the same time, again from the styling point of view, the Porsche, in my opinion, although it is a design that is being refined over time, I can’t help but feel impatient for something that is different, but still the same…like how BMW do it.
05/29, 1:50 AM
posted by:
02WRXPSM
I have driven the S4 and S5, and they are extremely heavy and slow. The transmissions and traction are not up to par with the 335i. I’m not going to argue about the looks, you can see that I said the car makes an ideal sleeper. My personal bias against Audi has to do with the reliability but also the fact that a 5mph crash in an A6 cost almost $4,600 to repair for a co-worker of mine. He had to eat $1,000 of that as his deductible and it took the dealer almost 2 months to fix. That grille up front is tin and wax, and the crumple zone is actually in the freaking SIDE PANELS so you need new sheet metal all the way back to the doors for even a minor hit.
100hp per liter is not the measure of the motor in the 335i, the dyno chart is. Have you seen one? They are unreal — DEAD FLAT torque from 1,000 RPM on, absolutely pure power all the way to redline. None of the normal valley-peak-drop off a cliff of most turbo engines (including VW motors, which I have extensive experience with). And like I said above, the motor is severely detuned, not even at 1/3 of its potential. The classic inline six in the 5-series and M-series was the basis for this motor, and those can be taken to 800hp with many stock components intact.
If you drove an e46 and were not impressed by the driving dynamics then — no offense intended — you don’t know what to look for. I’ve had one out on Buttonwillow, and only my WRX (with a heavily modded suspension, admittedly) feels more planted and solid at 120mph among the cars I have driven at speed. The Elise I drove scared the **** out of me, man that thing is jittery as a beestung horse.
AxeHead, you are smoking some serious grass there. I own an RDX myself and am a big Acura fan, but a TSX is an Accord, it can not even get to 40% of what the 335i can do.
05/29, 1:59 AM
posted by:
AutoCritical
TornadoGTI-
I wouldn’t say this car is bland looking. Sure, there are plenty of them around, but their surface language quite striking! (’flame’ surfacing). That fast line/spear along the side of the car is quite forceful, and the resolution of connecting surfaces around the rear fender/decklid is quite interesting. At the same time, I’m speaking in terms of when I first saw the car, I guess now, it still holds itself well, but it is getting on a bit..(quite excited to see what they have next!)
05/29, 5:46 AM
posted by:
Fletch
I would love to have one, sedan with sport package over the coupe. Waiting for the price to come down in the $20k’s… Going to at least stage 1 is a no brainer.
05/29, 9:39 AM
posted by:
TornadoGTI
@02WRXPSM – The weight that Audi typically carries is what makes the car a better daily driving proposition. It is more solid and has a far nicer interior. I agree that the BMW may be better at the track but 50% of the owners (ME) of either S4’s or 335’s aren’t seeing track time. I believe you that the E46, ON THE TRACK, is a good car, however, when I test drove one, on the streets, it felt slow. The E92 coupe that I drove was VERY slow compared to my GTI. It felt heavy. 230 hp in that car is not enough, 300 is.
I like the BMW and if/when I am in the market for a $40k sedan (which will be my next purchase) it is a car that I would consider. But as of right now, the Audi does it for me in all their models. A4 > 328, S4/S5 > 335, RS5 > M3, A6 > 5-series, A8 > 750, Q5 > X3, Q7 > X5. The only cars that BMW has that I like are the 6-series and X6, but that is because Audi doesn’t offer a counterpart.
I have nothing but respect for BMW but this current line-up doesn’t do it for me.
05/29, 10:00 AM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
In all seriousness, I would pick the s4 of the 335, even though i like the 335xi. The audi has the look that appeals to me, and apparently lots of other people. Or possibly the new supercharged 3.0 S4 that I have been hearing about. I find the exterior of the 3series gets boring real fast. The only thing that makes it look nicer is by adding the sports package which adds more money and summer tires….I need an s4!!! I’m not worried at all about 0-60, or anything like that. I don’t race my cars, i take care of them and keep the clean, not abuse them. S4 is the car for me. I would take a used (new) m3 4 door though!
05/29, 11:24 AM
posted by:
02WRXPSM
RS5 > M3?? Q7 > X5?? Wow, again, no offense intended here, but you seem to be slipping into fanboy status. I haven’t driven either, but the RS5 really isn’t on the radar in any of the car magazines I read, while the M3 is constantly being cited and compared to, and the Q7 is a Toureg underneath, one of the worst-reviewed and most-fixed cars of all time (not to mention massive and porky compared to the X5). I do like the looks of several of the Audi lineup (Q5 and Q7 NOT being on that list, they look inflatable) and I do have a big soft spot for the Quattro series, but the idea that Audi has a lineup that absolutely cancels out BMW’s lineup is an opinion that puts you in the serious minority.
05/29, 11:29 AM
posted by:
02WRXPSM
idrinorbarsaku, the want ads here are full of e46 and e93 M3s used, some for < $22k — it is very hard to resist…
05/29, 12:07 PM
posted by:
A4
S4 3.0T Supercharged FTW.
05/29, 12:08 PM
posted by:
A4
(the 4.2 is crap)
05/29, 6:35 PM
posted by:
SomeGreek
BMW’s engine is better than the S4’s. Both performance and and quality.
05/29, 9:45 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
SomeGreek,
according to who?? because obviously your factual opinion is only an opinion. The 4.2 has always gotten many praises from drivers and reviews all over the world. Although the new m3’s v8 is awesome, the 3.0tt 335 would be noting but a 228’s engine without it’s turbos. Saying that the 4.2 is bad is like saying breasts on a female are the worst thing imaginable!!
05/29, 10:06 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
02WRXPSM,
oh I know! You can find some sweet deals here too. I’m just not too sure about their reliaility because I don’t know what the previous buyer did to it. There was a blue m3 with the sharper cut, newer m3 wheels from the older version, and smg for only 24k with just over 40k miles. I love m3’s in blue!!!
05/30, 12:47 AM
posted by:
bigp
one thing i can say is that i love this car in this form…
the only problem is price…
maybe an ecoboost powered fusion or preowned
05/30, 4:01 AM
posted by:
SomeGreek
There was a test few months ago on a greek magazine. I refere to the turbocharged S4 in comparison with the 335.
05/30, 1:45 PM
posted by:
nickkop
some greek its not turbocharged, it is supercharged. yes, the S4 3.0T is supercharged… look into it..
05/30, 4:09 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
The Benchmark.
“Both revered and despised,”
truthfully
“The most hated on pof all those who say they get hated on ….’
The only real rival is the G37. CTS is a whole different car.
leave the Audi A4, The Saab, the C-Class and the Rebadged Alteeza out of it.
I was reading Motor Trend Thursday and some dolt sent a letter to the Ed wondering why the pub picked its five favorites in eight different segments and didn’t include a sigle ride from Toyota’s faux-luxury division. Maybe he didn’t realize that MT staffers ACTUALLY DRIVE he cars.
AxeHead: Your civic costs 20k less. it’s immesurably cheaper.
TornadoGTI: I love Audis, but except for the R8, There’s always a BMW I like more.
02WRXPSM: Q7 is very nice. It’s less a clone of the Tuareg than the Topaz was of the Tempo, or the “RX” is of the Highlander.
05/30, 4:54 PM
posted by:
e46Ne90
audi a4 is based on the front wheel drive architecture,so is a6 and a8. I love the looks of Audi and its interior is nothing short of best in the industry but it still drives like a fwd car! Im not a big fan of new 3 series design but the reason why I own one is it drives the best in its class period. After one test drive I took the car home. I am not hateing on Audis but if I am in a shop for FWD german vehicles I would just buy VW rather than paying 10k+ premium for Audis
06/02, 11:53 AM
posted by:
bmwmpower
To TSX boy: Your TSX does not perform 90% of the 335i. More like 25%. You drive an Accord 4-cylinder, fool. GTFO of here with that. As far as Audi boy, your Audis are nice but even an S4 can’t totally compete with the 335i in terms of performance, let alone an M3. (Ever see the 5th gear comparo?) The S4 understeers like a pig, is heavy like one, and drinks gas like one. Further, 300hp/tq on the 335i is way underrated by BMW on purpose. The motor makes about 350-360 crank in reality.
Oh to TSX boy again, reliability? Again talking out of your @$$, I’ve owned 7 BMWs and all of them have been rock solid reliable–even more so than past NEW Hondas I’ve owned which include a 6th Gen accord, 7th Gen civic. Both of those cars had starting issues w/ their immobilizers and numerous squeaks and rattles. Don’t even come in here trying to compare your wannabe luxury-Accord 4 cylinder to a $50,000 refined German sports sedan. GTFO out of here.
06/02, 11:56 AM
posted by:
bmwmpower
BMW=DRIVING DYNAMICS
“The suspension must always be faster than the engine.” – BMW
06/15, 7:42 PM
posted by:
zasyatkin
I went to an Audi Drive event where they let us drive an A4 3.2 Quattro and compare against an IS 250, C230, and a 328. Audi should not have allowed us to drive the Beemer because I went home hooked on the beemer. There was something so special about how it floated around corners and how its power felt so linear. (The Lexus and Mercedes provides to be horrible when cornering in tight parking lot track. The A4 was great but just didn’t have that special something like the 328.)