The 2011 BMW 335i Sports Sedan was an eye catcher from the moment I laid eyes on it. The 335i takes advantage of every inch of sheet metal and exudes the confidence BMW drivers expect.
Exterior
The Montego Blue Metallic paint on the 2011 BMW 335i that was delivered for our review looked strong, sleek and ready to rock and roll. The 18-inch alloy star spoke wheels fit nicely under the wheel-well for a look that was both sporty and all BMW. The 335i has the classic twin kidney grille, which might be the most recognized luxury car grille on the market. This classic BMW face includes xenon adaptive headlights with dynamic auto leveling, corona headlight rings and halogen headlights on a very well thought out front end. The lines of the 335i are muscular and low to the curb, which gives the car a close to the road look while still holding on to the fact that the 335i is a sports sedan.
Interior
The first thing I noticed when entering the cabin of the BMW 335i Sedan was that the beige leather interior matched up well with the dark burl walnut wood trim. The combo looked great and, when accompanied by the sport leather steering wheel, moon roof and the design of the dashboard, I could understand why BMW has so many loyal customers. The seats were a bit snug but felt very much capable of doing their job as I took some pretty tough corners. As expected, the 335i sported a power glass moon roof, cruise control, rain sensing windshield wipers and automatic headlight control. For assurance, our test vehicle included an onboard computer with check control vehicle monitor system, CD/MP3 player audio system and an HD radio that we were happy to crank. The 335i has the current but clean and crisp BMW interior that stands the test of time.
Performance
As great as the BMW 335i looks, the performance is what made me appreciate what the folks at BMW have been doing for decades. The 335i is a fabulous combination of both smooth and fast performance. This is especially true with the standard 6-speed, 3.0-liter with 300 horsepower DOHC inline 24-valve engine with Piezo direct injection. The shifting on the 335i was so smooth I actually thought I could pull off the feel of an automatic transmission if I tried hard enough. Let me put it this way: Even the worst manual transmission drivers could feel good in the 335i – the shifting is almost effortless. Fuel economy comes in at 19mpg city and 28mpg highway with a sticker price point of $45,075 for the model we tested. I could really feel the 300 horses and the handling can rival some of the finest sports cars on the market.
Overview
To put it bluntly the BMW 335i is not about gimmicks. This car is built to drive. With so many cars and trucks offering over the top social media features, it appears BMW is staying true to her roots while also featuring technologies that enhance the overall driving experience. The carved out center console in the 335i provides easier gear shifting and a comfy spot to park an elbow before and after shifting. The BMW 335i is the kind of luxury vehicle you want to drive every chance you can get.
