By Cars.com Staff
Cars.com National April 14, 2010Vehicle Overview
Offered in 328 and turbocharged (gasoline or diesel) 335 models, BMW's 3 Series is the luxury automaker's bread-and-butter model. (The 328 is covered separately in the Cars.com Research section.) Available in sedan, coupe and retractable-hardtop convertible body styles, the 335 competes with the Infiniti G and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
(Skip to details on the: 335d)
New for 2011
BMW added sport-oriented 335is coupe and convertible models with a stronger twin-turbo engine and new seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission for 2011. It gave the 335i models a new engine with a single turbocharger. The coupe and convertible also get revised front and rear styling.
Exterior
Styling changes for the coupe and convertible include a new hood, front and rear fascias and side skirts; fresh twin-kidney grille; adaptive xenon headlights ringed by LED lighting; and new LED taillights. The 335is has a different front air dam with larger air intakes. Exterior features include:
- Standard adaptive xenon headlights
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Optional 18- or 19-inch wheels with Sport Package
- Optional Active Steering system with speed-sensitive assist
- Optional automatic high beams
Interior
Sedans seat five, but there's only room for four in the coupe and convertible. The iDrive system, available only with an optional navigation system, is BMW's latest and best version, revamped with better graphics, more shortcut keys and improved menu functionality.
Interior features include:
- Push-button ignition
- Standard automatic climate control
- Optional front and rear parking assist monitors
- Optional navigation system with iDrive
- Optional Dynamic Cruise Control can gently apply the brakes to maintain a preset speed
- Standard HD radio
- Optional Sirius Satellite Radio
Under the Hood
Two gasoline engines are available: a new 300-horsepower, single-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder for the 335i and a 320-hp, twin-turbo 3.0-liter for the 335is. Power ratings are unchanged on the 335i engine, but BMW says it is more efficient. The twin-turbo for the 335is gains 20 hp and for passing can temporarily boost torque to 370 pounds-feet from 332.
- Single-turbo 335i engine makes 300 hp and 300 pounds-feet of torque
- Twin-turbo 335is engine makes 320 hp and 332 pounds-feet of torque
- Six-speed manual gearbox standard
- Six-speed automatic transmission optional on 335i
- New seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission optional on 335is
- Optional all-wheel drive
Safety
Convertibles are not available with side curtain airbags like the coupe and sedan. Convertibles do get side airbag head extensions.
Safety features include:
- Antilock brakes
- Electronic stability system
- Side curtain airbags (not available on convertible)
- Side-impact airbags
- Active front head restraints
BMW 335d
The 335d is sold only as a sedan with an automatic transmission. For the 2011 335d, BMW has made some changes to option packages, but otherwise there are no significant changes. One new feature is the M Sport Package, which is available for the first time on the 335d. This includes a sport suspension, sport seats and a sport steering wheel with paddle shifters, among other convenience options.
- Diesel engine makes 265 hp and 425 pounds-feet of torque
- Six-speed automatic transmission with Normal, Sport and Manual modes is standard
- All-wheel drive not available with diesel
- Antilock brakes
- Electronic stability system
- Side curtain airbags
- Side-impact airbags
- Active front head restraints (Back to top)
Additional Reviews
Cars.com Expert Reviews
| Kelsey Mays | Cars.com National | December 22, 2010 |
| Cars.com Staff | Cars.com National | April 14, 2010 |
Affiliate Reviews
| Warren Brown | washingtonpost.com | August 29, 2010 |
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