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By Glen Waddington
First Drives
16 September 2008 14:00
If you’ve already read what we’ve written about the revised 330d, you’ll know about the changes BMW has wrought on the 3-series. It looks a bit sharper, has a bit more presence, some new tech – particularly in terms of BMW’s Efficient Dynamics - and it’s still the driver’s choice in its class. But only the 330d gets a new engine, so where does that leave the 335i?
Well, you’d have a point there. Few cars were as easy to drive with haste and enthusiasm as the outgoing 335i, and the revised version does nothing to alter that.Spec iDrive and you’ll immediately spot the more intuitive controls (with internet access), and you might even clock a couple of touches of new brightwork for minor switchgear. Spec the automatic transmission and you’ll certainly spot the new steering wheel-mounted shift buttons.
And it’s a fantastic engine/transmission combination, shifting quickly enough on command - and with unerring smoothness - that it’s unlikely you’ll rue BMW’s decision to save its dual-clutch sequential manual for the coupe and convertible models. It has one fault, though. We’ll get to that later…
Second-gen direct injection features on every petrol engine, and brake energy regeneration (a fancy name for a decoupling alternator) is standard on every Three. There’s no stop-start for six-cylinder engines, but active air intake flaps and on-demand control for the power steering and auxiliary drives keep BMW ahead of the competition in the eco stakes.
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BMW 335i facelift (2008) CAR review
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Dutchraptor says
RE: BMW 335i facelift (2008) CAR review
I have just taken delivery of a 2008 335i in the UK. I debated with myself for well over 3 months on what would be the best option, considering all sorts of aspects as I will be doing some miles. But when you weigh it all up a petrol 335i semi-auto is actually only pence more to run (with official figures yes, true running will only tell in reality). I test drove a 330d not too long ago and liked it, it was refined and a lot better than I was expecting being a long term Audi fan. Then I test drove a 2008 335i 2 days ago. The facelift mentioned in this review I cannot even tell but for the extra few pence of running costs, wow what an unbeleivable car, so I bought one, then I took it out of full auto and try tiptronic, absolutely astonishing even after owning a 2005 Audi A4 3.2 V6 I thought this would be hard to beat but this 335i. The drive is more refined, but the acceleration in second gear. For me yes the diesels are worth considering but when you get the 335i on the motorway it will cruise all day in near silence with no diesel clatter and not cost you any more and if need be add an ecomony module to smooth it all out for £200 and I bet the economy is greater then a 330d. Thanks BMW for a fantastic car and I never thought I would say it, I will update with any new comments.
I have just taken delivery of a 2008 335i in the UK. I debated with myself for well over 3 months on what would be the best option, considering all sorts of aspects as I will be doing some miles. But when you weigh it all up a petrol 335i semi-auto is actually only pence more to run (with official figures yes, true running will only tell in reality). I test drove a 330d not too long ago and liked it, it was refined and a lot better than I was expecting being a long term Audi fan. Then I test drove a 2008 335i 2 days ago. The facelift mentioned in this review I cannot even tell but for the extra few pence of running costs, wow what an unbeleivable car, so I bought one, then I took it out of full auto and try tiptronic, absolutely astonishing even after owning a 2005 Audi A4 3.2 V6 I thought this would be hard to beat but this 335i. The drive is more refined, but the acceleration in second gear. For me yes the diesels are worth considering but when you get the 335i on the motorway it will cruise all day in near silence with no diesel clatter and not cost you any more and if need be add an ecomony module to smooth it all out for £200 and I bet the economy is greater then a 330d.
Thanks BMW for a fantastic car and I never thought I would say it, I will update with any new comments.
14 January 2012 07:51
chicks says
RE: BMW 335i facelift CAR review
Just ordered my '09 335xi sedan....all wheel drive for the winters here in Canada. I've taken several months to research and drive dozens of great cars. I'm the 38-year old guy who needs 4 doors and back seats to accomodate my kids a couple times per week, yet I long for a polished performance car. BMW has outdone themselves with the 335...possibly the best overall car combination in the world.
03 October 2008 00:54
nkeen says
For this money, I'd take the smooth free revving petrol six. An oil burner may be torquey, but it's still an oil burner.
23 September 2008 02:42
hughfh says
Thank the Lord, a car review that actually gets the point of the 335i without dismissing it as a dinosaur next to the 330d!! I think most other mags/sites should prefix their name with "diesel" because they worship almost exclusively at the altar of the black pump like their lives depended on it. I'm sure the 330d is excellent, don't get me wrong, but for someone who prefers a petrol engine there is only one choice. The fuel consumption and emissions figures of the 335i as well as all the other petrol engines in the range are astonishly low too compared with only a few years ago and in this market at least, diesel persists in costing a not inconsiderable higher amount than petrol. But hey, all 3 series are good!
19 September 2008 15:36
opwann says
Styling changes really are minimal (if even noticeable???) on this new 3, eh? I really like the 330d for its economic benifits, especially concerning what Jer refered to - the resale value will be much greater. However, the 335i (xi actually) is what I would eventually go with. The difference between the two in terms of fuel consumption and maintenence costs isn't gaping by any strech. Furthermore, if I'm going to get myself into a new BMW I'm not going to buy it, I'm going to lease it. This fact alone renders the whole 330d resale value out of the equation for me and should for some others as well.
17 September 2008 23:57
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