World's Fastest Sedans

Site menu:

• Main Page
• The Sedans
• Sedan Ramblings
• Forum
• Links
• Guestbook
• Contact

BMW 335i (E90 / E91)

As a certified BMW nut, the 335i tickles my fancy in just the right way for a number of different reasons. Whether the E90 (or E91 touring or E92 coupe) and the styling direction of modern BMWs is attractive is a matter that has shaken power balances, stirred up revolutions and brought entire civilizations to their knees. So I will circumvent it here.

More interesting is the return of a turbocharger to BMW’s gas line-up. BMW have been fitting single and twin compressor setups to their diesel sedans for decades, but their most recent forced-induction gas production effort that springs to memory is the E23-based 745i, which featured a single-snail on its 733i/735i-based M30 engine. Not only this, but with 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque, the twin-turbocharged and intercooled, aluminium block and head inline-6 of the 335i is the most powerful non-Motorsport engine ever fitted to a 3, and the third most powerful overall. The composite magnesium/alloy block of the 330i was lost in the process, which is a shame.

Any fears of turbo lag, poor throttle response, wheezy soundtrack, decreased economy or other shameful characteristics that would tarnish the 3er’s snappy reputation shall hereby be allayed by a high compression ratio and a pair of low-pressure turbos, that spool up quickly and preserve the Barry White-smooth of our trusted inline sixes! It warms the hearts of serial killers, rapists and lizards everywhere to see the new M3-pace and stunning midrange punch of the 335i mated to the same smooth ride, balanced grip, precise steering (although some claim less communicative than in the E46) and powerful, fade-free brakes of yore. Over the past several years, what the 3 series lost in soul, it picked up in cool.

Weight is a problem here – at 3600lb the E90 conjures up images of the 5-series of only a few years ere - and the interior also seems a retrograde step that masks cost cutting measures. The money for the turbos has to come from somewhere. Not a penny was wasted, as only a few hundred more G. Washingtons than the cost of a 330i will now see you in a 335i. An increase that is less than the rate of inflation even. As a certified BMW nut, the 335i has left my fancy unequivocally tickled! - by Traian Popescu

Specifications