Before there was an M Performance Automobile, BMW has actually produced a 3 Series that sat between the 335i and the almighty M3. Dubbed 335is, the super sporty 3 Series was released in 2010 and was powered by an enhanced version of the award winning N54 inline-6 3.0-liter twin-turbo motor. It comes packing 320hp at 5,900 rpm and 332 lb-ft of torque is available from 1,500-5,000 rpm. The engineers have tweaked the twin-turbo 3-liter motor to have an overboost function that increases torque to 370lb-ft. The overboost function comes into play at higher engine speeds and gears, similar to that of the Z4 sDrive35is.
For the first time ever in a regular 3 Series, the 335is was equipped with BMW’s heralded 7-speed double-clutch transmission, or DCT, with launch control, as an option over the standard 6-speed manual transmission. BMW claims a 5.0 second time to 60 with the optional DCT and launch control, while the manual coupe will take 5.1 seconds.
To this date, the 335is is one of the most fun to drive cars BMW has released in the last decade, and a beauitful Sapphire Black 335is is the subject of today’s “The Driveway.”
Name: Ben H.
Car: 2011 BMW 335is
Length of Ownership: Two years this December
What made you buy it?: Was shopping for a 335i four-door manual, but saw the Style 313 rims and it was over from there. Reasoned that it was still an upgrade in every way from my outgoing Nissan 350z and didn’t even know an “is” variant existed. The more I read about it, the more interested I became.
Likes: Understated but purposeful looks, aforementioned 19″ style 313 wheels, DCT, monster torque, N54 tunability, exhaust note, Harmon/Kardon
Would change: suspension… A little crashy. The damping could use revision. Maybe my shocks are just aged and need replacing but I’ve seen this expressed elsewhere to maybe not.
Mods: Tint, BMS oil catch can, Michelin Pilot SuperSport tires, M3 rear decklid lip spoiler, BMS dual cone intake, CP-E charge pipe, BMS JB4, secondary cats deleted, rear model number debadged, blue accents on side badges and fins in front bumper, smoked LED side indicator lights, paint-matched Sapphire Black laser cut vinyl for all roundels but engine bay.
Adventures: Ice driving in the south during first month of ownership… hairy but way more predictable than my 350z.
Costs: Minimal thanks to MaxCare!
What’s next?: No next car for some time but probably a Bilstein B12 spring/shock package.
The Driveway Template:
Your Name:
Your Car (year/make/model):
Time of Ownership:
What made you buy it?:
Things you like:
Things you’d change:
Modifications Done:
Any Adventures?:
Costs:
What’s Next (Next car, next adventure, etc.)?:
Any Pictures:
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The article The Driveway: 2011 BMW 335is appeared first on BMW BLOG
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