This BMW 335i sedan is a pricey little bugger. It's a very nice, small-to-midsize sedan seriously let down by its tires. On all but the smoothest pavement, the ride is harsh and slams over road imperfections, even in comfort mode. BMW's run-flat program is not good--witness our troubles with the long-term 550i xDrive.
Other than that, I like the engine's flexibility, smoothness and power, and the gearbox is decent, though the throws seem a little long. The engine is everything we've come to expect from BMW's 3.0-liter turbocharged six.
I enjoyed fiddling with the various modes. The eco mode slows everything down, most notably throttle response. Comfort seems to speed up the throttle, and sport lets everything cut loose a bit. That's the mode I found myself in most often. In any mode, the car feels solid and stable and the steering is as one expects from BMW--accurate and stable.
The interior is comfortable if a bit too angular. I like the simpler lines and curves of an Audi or Mercedes-Benz interior. Either of which I'd take over this by the way, purely on tires alone.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR JAKE LINGEMAN: For kicking ass in every area (except price), this is the ultimate driving machine.
It has just the right amount of power for a sports sedan. Not too much to get you in trouble, or burn gallon after gallon of gas, but if you need a little boost to pass or get off the line, the Bimmer's got your back. The six-speed manual's throws are a bit long, but there's no rubbery feeling at all.
As opposed to Wes, I thought the ride in comfort mode was completely livable. Granted it's no Mercedes-Benz S-class, but it's not supposed to be. Sport mode, on the other hand, really buttons the car down, and that's where road imperfections come through.
The exterior is slightly warmed over from last year's model. The headlights are smaller; the front end has a few new baubles on it. I really had no problem with the old look, and I think the smaller nose will look even worse on the 5- and 7-series.
Inside, the 3-series has top-notch touch points, comfortable seats with good bolsters and a nice-sized steering wheel. I love BMW steering wheels. The iDrive control is easy to work with a few years of sporadic practice, and it was easy to connect my phone via USB cord or Bluetooth. My only gripe with the interior is the big navigation screen--I wish it would lower into the dash like the Cadillacs do.
It is damn expensive, especially optioned-out like we have it. If you take the $43,295 price and just add the M suspension, 19-inch wheels and Bluetooth, you're looking at a much more livable $45,750. That's a bit easier to swallow than this example at $55K-plus.
EXECUTIVE EDITOR BOB GRITZINGER:
Tires be damned, this remains the gold standard by which the performance of all sport sedans are and should be judged. Note my caveat, however--“performance,” not every measure. That's because I think BMW has lost some of the battles on exterior styling, interior luxuriousness, and, as Wes notes, ride comfort.
All that aside, the turbo inline-six-propelled 3-series with a nice manual gearbox, slick shifter and perfectly weighted clutch, with spot-on steering that provides good road feel without being nervous, and a chassis that holds and holds and holds the road, there's little to hold against the 3-series.
The fuel-saving auto-stop function is a little unsettling at first--shutting down at stops as long as you pop into neutral and release the clutch--but it operates without drama, and you soon get accustomed to it. I also came to appreciate the hill-hold mode, which is a little nicety that most clutch-worn old-timers might find helpful but that third-pedal novices might find crucial in deciding whether to buy a manual gearbox. This one feature makes that decision a lot easier.
All other sport sedans are graded on a curve, but the BMW 3-series takes the test and establishes the curve.
NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: This 2012 BMW 335i is one of the purer sports sedans for enthusiast drivers, especially in this trim. A red car with leather seats, a turbocharged engine and a six-speed manual--that's a formula for fun driving. I thoroughly enjoyed working the gears, the strong pull of the turbo and the simple, athletic looks of the car. My commute into work was one of the most energetic, focused feelings I've had in awhile.
That being said, it's not perfect. The price tag is pretty steep, considering our long-term Kia Rio SX has a backup camera, and this 3-series doesn't. I found the cabin a little tight, which is odd for someone my size (5-foot, 9-ish). Conversely, it did feel tight inside, almost like a cockpit, so I wasn't annoyed.
The dynamics of the 3-series are excellent. I drove it exclusively in sport mode, and the pickup on-center feel of the steering is smart, with more weight coming on as you move from 10 and 2 o'clock. The chassis was tight and composed, and the body is well mannered. I really wish I had a fun road course to beat this thing on. Sniff, I didn't. The brakes are stout; I wouldn't mind even more bite from them, but the feel is definitely appropriate. Really liked the iDrive knob in the center console, and for once, changing stations was easy for me in a Bimmer.
The redesign maintains the look of the 3-series, with a touch of the 5-series thrown in. I think it's OK for some cars to evolve slightly, and this is one of them. Why remake a familiar appearance people want? The 335i with a manual would be on my short list of practical, fun cars to own.
EXECUTIVE EDITOR ROGER HART: Just a short drive in a 3-series and you can understand why this is the benchmark all other sport sedans are measured. The crisp handling and direct steering response coupled with an outstanding short-throw shifter and just the right clutch engagement deliver all the feedback you're looking for. A powerful, rev-happy turbocharged engine with its smooth power delivery is a delight.
In both comfort and sport modes, I was not as annoyed with the run-flats as I've been in the past. Maybe it's the smooth summer roads or maybe the tires are getting better. But I didn't feel the ride was as compromised as in past BMWs.
The upgrades to the interior are nice, with the large navigation screen a nice addition.
I'd have a hard time swallowing this $55K price, but there is no denying this is one fine automobile that anyone with any sort of car passion in them would love spending time.
ROAD TEST EDITOR JONATHAN WONG: One thing is for sure: BMW won't get the 3-series wrong from a driving standpoint. If it did, an angry mob would storm company headquarters in Munich with torches and pitchforks. No matter, because the new 3-series is quite a driver. But of course, there will be some complaints.
The hard-core sport sedan enthusiasts will scoff at the new car's growth in every direction. Compared with the outgoing car, length grows by 3.7 inches, the wheelbase is up by 1.9 inches and track is widened 1.2 inches in front and 1.7 inches in back. Those extra dimensions are immediately apparent in the cabin with back-seat passengers benefitting with more knee- and headroom.
However, the enthusiasts complaining about the larger dimensions will be happy with the fact that the new 3-series behaves like the athletic specimen we know and love. A turn of the steering wheel returns a weighty feel, quick response and satisfying feedback. Stiffen the adaptive suspension, attack a corner, and it's just planted, composed with little body roll and more grip than you'll ever need on roads. Brakes are also strong to allow for diving just that much deeper into a corner.
In regards to the run-flat tires, like all of us around here, I'm not a fan. The trade-offs include more road noise, decreased ride quality, more weight and more money to replace. Raynal mentioned durability problems, which is a good point because we had numerous tires develop blisters on the sidewall with our long-term 550i xDrive and our 750Li before it. On a lighter car like the 3-series, I would guess sidewall failures aren't as big of a problem though. With that said, I do have to agree with Hart that the tires on this car weren't too loud and the ride quality was decent. Maybe run-flats are getting better?
The carryover turbocharged inline six-cylinder is still a gem with no real noticeable turbo lag and power being plentiful throughout the rev band. Having all 300 lb-ft of torque available from just 1,300 rpm to 5,000 rpm is impressive. Throttle response is exceptional, and the six-speed manual was decent with longish throws.
Not surprisingly, the exterior styling has plenty of influence from the 5-series and looks OK to me. It's not really eye-catching or dull. Echoing others, the new interior is a healthy upgrade with quality materials throughout, comfortable seats, user-friendly controls for climate and entertainment functions and is a bit more stylish overall.
In the end, this is a strong makeover of the 3-series. I still haven't had time with the new 328i with the turbocharged four-cylinder, but in 335i guise it certainly hits all the right points. I'm looking forward to sampling the four-cylinder and am thinking ahead to what the next M3 will be.
Base Price: $43,295
As-Tested Price: $55,745
Drivetrain: 3.0-liter turbocharged I6; RWD, six-speed manual
Output: 300 hp @ 5,800 rpm, 300 lb-ft @ 1,300-5,000 rpm
Curb Weight: 3,571 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 24/25.8 mpg
Options: Technology package including navigation system and head-up display ($2,550); Premium package including universal garage-door opener, Comfort Access keyless entry, auto-dimming mirrors ($1,900); sports line including sports leather steering wheel, black rearview mirror caps, sport seats, brushed-aluminum trim, high-gloss black trim highlights, anthracite headliner ($1,700); Cold Weather package including heated steering wheel, split fold-down rear seat, heated front seats, heated rear seats, retractable headlight washers ($1,350); Premium Sound package including satellite radio with one-year subscription, Harman/Kardon surround sound ($950); 19-inch alloy double-spoke 401 wheels ($900); adaptive M suspension ($900); park distance control ($750); BMW assist w/ enhanced Bluetooth and USB ($650); Melbourne red metallic exterior paint ($550); BWM apps ($250)
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