Thursday 16th February 2012

PH Blog: 3 Series musings

A round-the-block roadtest and five minute verdict from the editor

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I’ve just had what’ll probably be my one and only go in the 335i Riggers drove back from Malaga and my first in the new F30 3 Series. And it lasted all of 10 minutes, didn’t take me above 30mph (verified – thanks to the HUD) and was very interesting.

So, off the cuff thoughts? It feels small, in a good way. After the intimidating bulk of the 5 Series I was afraid the 3 would feel fast and similarly ponderous. But no. It’s compact, fitted even. Like a 3 Series should be.

The cabin’s quite bold too, very much nouveau BMW and very, very tan. Some cheap fixings too, the roof lining in particular isn’t what you’d hope for in a £50K car. But functionally good and a bit more stylish than the E90, which could look very dour and serious in certain trim combos.

That engine has the familiar gravelly growl you get with all new-school BMW petrols. Sounds and feels quite dieselly, as indeed they all do. But then you do get peak torque at just 1,500rpm or whatever. Step-off in Sport mode is ridiculously aggressive too. My neck muscles are still aching.

And the steering? Riggers had more opportunity to get a feel for it than I did but it feels very light for a BMW and very direct too. And clearly electric. Direct though and one contributory factor in making the 3 feel light on its feet. A big contrast to the solid feeling C-Class in this respect.

So there you go. A five minute counterpoint to the Riggers verdict. I look forward to a more extended meeting with the new 3 sooner rather than later.

Dan

[M666 EVO]

£50k for a 3 series?

Jesus!!!

I must be getting old.

[Alx323]

M666 EVO said:

£50k for a 3 series?

Jesus!!!

I must be getting old.

my first thought too

[EDLT]

M666 EVO said:

£50k for a 3 series?

Jesus!!!

I must be getting old.

+1

You've spent too long driving barges if you think a 3-series is small too.

[BMWill]

last time I checked, 50k was M3 money.... not a bog standard 3er...

[Lunja]

I think that particular 335i had around £12k of options added, so the base price is actually £30-40k.

Edit: Here are the specs taken from Riggers' original article:

BMW 335I
Engine:2,979cc inline-6
Transmission:6-speed manual/8-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 306@5,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 295@1,200-5,000rpm
0-62mph: 5.5 seconds
Top speed: 155mph
Weight: 1,585kg
MPG: 39.2 (35.8 manual)
CO2:169g/km (186 g/km manual)
Price: £37,025 (£49,860 as tested)

[Wish]

Sold my 09 plate coupe ready for a new 3 coupe..... But BMW has saved me some money.
As I won't be spending a penny on the new model..... It looks horrible and the interior looks like its taken styling tips from my wife's MINI.

[benzito]

Euch! Not looking forward to the new M3 design if its based on this

[tommy vercetti]

So far so good then, don't like the alloys, look a bit 'plasticky'

[tbc]

anyone that spends 50k on a 3 series needs help

think of all the other contenders in a 50k budget

BMW M3 at just over 50K

Audi S4 at just under 40K

[Wafflesmk2]

tbc said:

anyone that spends 50k on a 3 series needs help

think of all the other contenders in a 50k budget

BMW M3 at just over 50K

Audi S4 at just under 40K

But a 335 can give you very similar m3 power without looking like a cock.

[0a]

What a dull looking car for the money - it looks like the crap end of a company car list.

[tbc]

Wafflesmk2 said:

tbc said:

anyone that spends 50k on a 3 series needs help

think of all the other contenders in a 50k budget

BMW M3 at just over 50K

Audi S4 at just under 40K

But a 335 can give you very similar m3 power without looking like a cock.

so your suggesting everyone that drives a m3 is a cock

in that case

i'd rather look like a cock than a sales rep driving a 335 with wheel trim look alloys

[Wafflesmk2]

tbc said:

so your suggesting everyone that drives a m3 is a cock

in that case

i'd rather look like a cock than a sales rep driving a 335 with wheel trim look alloys

Dont forget the fake tan and tight vest.

[P4ROT]

Wafflesmk2 said:

Dont forget the fake tan and tight vest.

Never been represented better than here:

[arkenphel]

I thought this engine is the same ol' lump in the e92 335i? does appear so from the write up.

between a 335i and an M3, how many of you would honestly say you would have the 335i? I think only the people who are insecure with their self image would.

I'd buy a car for the way it drives, and by all accounts, the M3 is a better handler than the 335i.

[onacrusade]

..slightly off story sorry, but does anyones elses 335d (08) steering wheel vibrate agressively at 1400-1700 rpm? (even at idle). Mine does (has done since I bought it from Stratstones with just 20k miles on the clock). My BMW dealer says they don't know what is causing it. Another dealer said they couldnt notice it! I even sent an email to the MD of BMW titled 'BMW - The ultimate vibrating machine' but they weren't interested in helping me.

Any thoughts chaps on what is causing it?

Cheers

[arkenphel]

onacrusade said:

..slightly off story sorry, but does anyones elses 335d (08) steering wheel vibrate agressively at 1400-1700 rpm? (even at idle). Mine does (has done since I bought it from Stratstones with just 20k miles on the clock). My BMW dealer says they don't know what is causing it. Another dealer said they couldnt notice it! I even sent an email to the MD of BMW titled 'BMW - The ultimate vibrating machine' but they weren't interested in helping me.

Any thoughts chaps on what is causing it?

Cheers

I think titling your email "Ultimate Vibrating Machine" probably didn't help. Lol

[onacrusade]

arkenphel said:

I think titling your email "Ultimate Vibrating Machine" probably didn't help. Lol

Yeh I wondered that... was going for part 'attention grabbing headline / humourous take on the matter' to make it stand out a little :-)

[BlueMR2]

The bonnet shut line at the front looks a bit cheap.

[Baked_bean]

Looks ok to me, it doesn't look great but sounds like a good all round car.


People forever slate any car in these threads!

Out of interest, what is the model code for this car (E30,E46 etc)