Which way is the autobahn?
Twin-turbo engine and 300 horsepower under the right foot. This is definitely not the car you would take for running errands or driving your kids to the arena. Sure, you could fit a couple of grocery bags in there, but hockey equipment? No way. The trunk of this lovely German is not that generous.
Okay, you might find this short introduction a bit odd, but I have to admit that I'm questioning more and more the purpose of these high-performance machines in our (Canadian) environment. True, German cars are not purely designed to answer our everyday needs -- BMWs especially. They showcase the technological know-how of their designers and engineers while fulfilling man's "hunger for more" -- a visceral and irrational quest that makes some people sacrifice anything in hope of putting their hands on a dream car.
The fun of a coupe/convertible
Enough of this philosophical talk; let's ride! The first thing that strikes you about the spectacular BMW 335i Cabriolet -- or should we say coupe? -- is the retractable hard top that magically disappears into the trunk. The mere sight of the 4-panel roof graciously folding against itself is worth applauding. The whole process only takes about 20 seconds once you push the dashboard-mounted button.
With the roof up, the 335i Cabriolet has the look of a sexy, harmoniously-drawn sports coupe. In topless mode, the joy of open-air driving takes over, thrilling you in remarkable fashion without messing up your hair... provided that you install the convenient wind deflector behind the front seats. Of course, don't think about sitting two people in the back! The rear seats are best left for storing part of your luggage, especially since the trunk won't give you all the room you could wish for: as with any other convertible, the retractable roof takes up a fair amount of space.
As for interior fit and finish, your expectations will be met. Same goes for material selection and quality. My tester was not equipped with BMW's infamous iDrive system and I couldn't have been more thankful; the controls were intuitive and user-friendly enough to spare me the hassle of reading the owner's manual every time I wanted to change the radio settings. On the flip side, though, the cupholders that pop out of the dashboard are not that convenient.
Moreover, finding a comfortable seating position takes some time. Fortunately, the multiple power adjustments ease the process. BMW should be commended for offering length-adjustable seat cushions with the 335i Cabriolet, as thigh support is very important over long drives.
Twin-turbo engine and 300 horsepower under the right foot. This is definitely not the car you would take for running errands or driving your kids to the arena. Sure, you could fit a couple of grocery bags in there, but hockey equipment? No way. The trunk of this lovely German is not that generous.
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| Purchasing a premium convertible is an emotional -- not rational -- decision. |
Okay, you might find this short introduction a bit odd, but I have to admit that I'm questioning more and more the purpose of these high-performance machines in our (Canadian) environment. True, German cars are not purely designed to answer our everyday needs -- BMWs especially. They showcase the technological know-how of their designers and engineers while fulfilling man's "hunger for more" -- a visceral and irrational quest that makes some people sacrifice anything in hope of putting their hands on a dream car.
The fun of a coupe/convertible
Enough of this philosophical talk; let's ride! The first thing that strikes you about the spectacular BMW 335i Cabriolet -- or should we say coupe? -- is the retractable hard top that magically disappears into the trunk. The mere sight of the 4-panel roof graciously folding against itself is worth applauding. The whole process only takes about 20 seconds once you push the dashboard-mounted button.
With the roof up, the 335i Cabriolet has the look of a sexy, harmoniously-drawn sports coupe. In topless mode, the joy of open-air driving takes over, thrilling you in remarkable fashion without messing up your hair... provided that you install the convenient wind deflector behind the front seats. Of course, don't think about sitting two people in the back! The rear seats are best left for storing part of your luggage, especially since the trunk won't give you all the room you could wish for: as with any other convertible, the retractable roof takes up a fair amount of space.
As for interior fit and finish, your expectations will be met. Same goes for material selection and quality. My tester was not equipped with BMW's infamous iDrive system and I couldn't have been more thankful; the controls were intuitive and user-friendly enough to spare me the hassle of reading the owner's manual every time I wanted to change the radio settings. On the flip side, though, the cupholders that pop out of the dashboard are not that convenient.
Moreover, finding a comfortable seating position takes some time. Fortunately, the multiple power adjustments ease the process. BMW should be commended for offering length-adjustable seat cushions with the 335i Cabriolet, as thigh support is very important over long drives.
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| The various controls are quick to get used to. |