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2007 BMW 335i Sedan Road Test

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Khatir Soltani
Once upon a time in the south of Germany, a certain Bavarian Motor Werkes produced a four-door version of their über-M3. In those halcyon days of yore, if you had a young family, or needed to carry friends or business clients, the 1997-98 E36 BMW M3 Sedan gave solace to those who were obligated to combine their driving ambitions with the practical necessities of everyday life.

(Photo: John LeBlanc, Auto123.com)
A four-door M3 never appeared during the seven-year lifespan of the next generation E46 3 Series sedan, launched in 1999. The most interesting E46 sedan, the 2003-2005 330i Performance Package--with new camshafts and modified engine-management programming cajoling ten more horsepower from the 3.0-litre straight-six to 235, and a shorter final drive ratio--philosophically came the closest the four-door M3 ethos. Nonetheless, the 333 horsepower E46 M3 Coupé was still faster, whether the road was straight or curved.

By mid-2005, when the E46 sedans were phased out in favour of the current E90 3 Series four-doors, the 330i continued on. This time, the fastest E90 four-door had an extensively reengineered 255 h.p., 220 pound-feet of torque 3.0-litre straight-six that was 22 pounds lighter than its predecessor. A fast and furious four-door? No doubt. An M3 sedan? Slow down, cowboy...

But then BMW did something that gave fans of the E36 four-door M3 hope. They recently released the third generation of 3 Series Coupés.

(Photo: John LeBlanc, Auto123.com)
The cooking rear- and all-wheel-drive 2007 328i Coupés (not with a 2.8, but a 3.0-litre, 230 h.p. six) are elegant and smooth driving machines. But they are mere appetizers to one of the most pleasantly surprising new cars for 2007: the range-topping 335i Coupé.

As in the 328i, the 335i badge is misleading. BMW's first production turbocharged straight-six engine--two turbos, actually--produces 300 h.p. and 300 lb.-ft. of torque from 3.0, not 3.5 litres. Easily posting E46 M3 performance numbers at this year's Automobile Journalists Association of Canada's annual car of the year testing event, BMW's new $51,600 335i Coupé was the driver's choice in the Sports and Performance over $50,000 category, despite being up against more expensive and powerful competition.

So, naturally, with the $49,900 335i Sedan now on sale, the question arises: do driving zealots finally have the four-door M3 they've patiently been waiting for?

(Photo: John LeBlanc, Auto123.com)
Physically, the 335i Sedan differs little from its coupé sibling. The four-door as a little shorter in length and height, but the two BMWs share a wheelbase. More importantly, they share that new blown mill.

The all-aluminium straight-six not only brings back turbocharging to BMW showrooms, but also boasts their first engine with High Precision Injection combined with dual-VANOS variable valve timing. With both turbos at full boost, maximum torque is available at a diesel-like 1,500 r.p.m. My test 335i Sedan came with the standard six-speed transmission (a six-speed automatic transmission is an option), and weighed a mere 10 kilograms more than a 335i Coupé. This only supported BMW's claim that the four-door can scoot from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in 5.7 seconds; a meagre one tenth of a second slower than the audacious 335i two-door. En route to these high speeds, there's virtually no turbo lag, but there is a warble at 1,500 r.p.m. that a naturally aspirated BMW six does not posses.
Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
As a car enthusiast, he tests and compares vehicles from different categories through the eyes of the consumer, ensuring relevant and objective reviews.
  • Over 6 years experience as a car reviewer
  • Over 50 test drives in the last year
  • Involved in discussions with virtually every auto manufacturer in Canada