2011 BMW 335is Reviews

Since the BMW 3 series has remained largely unchanged since 2007, BMW decided a mid-cycle refresh was in order. BMW says that this increases turbo response and improves efficiency. The N55 also brings BMW’s Valvetronic system to the party offering not just variable valve timing, but variable valve lift.

Out back there is a sports exhaust system which BMW claims to be unique to the BMW 335is, but forum fans indicate it is available as an aftermarket accessory from BMW. Under the hood the cooling system has gone super sized with a high output fan, upgraded oil cooler, an auxiliary radiator and widened openings in the front bumper.

All this is included because BMW assumes 335is buyers will track their car on weekends, so they need the extra grunt and the stay-cool-bits. Basically BMW has created a car that goes faster and handles slightly better with the capacity to drive the car harder, but did nothing to improve the stoppers. The s brings the 7 speed DCT transmission from the M3 (with fewer modes however) vs. the 6 speed slush box, an M steering wheel and short shift 6 speed transmission with an M shift lever and some faux-snake skin aluminums dash trim. The Dakota leather seats are very comfortable, the up-level Harmon Kardon sound system hits all the right notes, and although our tester was a pre-production model without cruise control of any sort, BMW’s web site claims all 335is models will have radar adaptive cruise control standard. Also standard on the 335is, like all BMW 3 series models are just about the worst cup holders available on this continent.

The good: A wide-screen LCD for the navigation system and Harman Kardon audio are highlights of the 2011 BMW 335is' cabin tech. The six-speed manual transmission has an excellent feel, and a dual-clutch transmission is available.

The bad: With no comfort setting, the ride quality is always sports car stiff.

The bottom line: The 2011 BMW 335is embodies BMW's unique handling character, making it an excellent sports car, but less comfortable for everyday use.

BMW's 335i model is no slouch when it comes to performance, but the company decided to step it up for the 2011 model year, offering a BMW 335is model. BMW tuned the 335is' engine to output 320 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, an increase over the 335i's 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque.

BMW's testing puts the 335i Coupe with a manual transmission at 5.3 seconds to 60 mph.

But the above numbers hardly tell the tale of this car.

The BMW 335is also uses different gear ratios than the 335i on its six-speed manual transmission, letting the engine speed run higher in the low and midrange gears. The transmission also seems aware of engine speed, the shifter naturally moving toward higher gears when the RPMs are up.

To compensate for the extra abuse, there's a second water cooler, a new oil cooler, and a heavy-duty cooling fan. Since Europeans tend to race on open, high-speed tracks, the BMW engineering team proved their cooling system on California's compact Button willow race course to mimic the lower-speed, higher-rpm racing that's more popular here.

We set out on the 2.6-mile course at Estoril in a coupe equipped with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. BMW also says the dual-clutch car is a tenth faster than the manual transmission, taking 5.0 seconds to hit 60 mph. BMW's team (wisely) required that we leave stability control activated due to the wet pavement. Completing a genuinely fast lap takes honest talent.