Vehicle: 2007 BMW 335i Coupe with Sports Pkg, Premium Pkg and Comfort Access
Price as tested: CDN$58550

Performance: The codenamed E92 3-Series Coupe is powered by one normally aspirated straight-6 and the highlight of this review, an advanced twin-turbocharged 3.0 liter straight-6 with Double VANOS variable valve timing technology. While the entry-level 328i “only” has 230 hp, this 335i is good for a whooping 300 ponies and lb/ft of torque. With 300 lb/ft of torque as lowly as 1400 rpm, there is nothing short of power at every rev range. The silky-smooth BMW straight-6 tradition remains intact with turbo rush. There is absolutely no turbo lag when both turbos are kicking in. All the forced induced 300 ponies are put on the pavement with typical German elegance and sensibility. Inside the cabin, the driver doesn’t like its going from north to 60 in 5.3 seconds. That’s simply because of its excellent stability and chassis damping. Matched with this Bavarian turbocharger is a sweet 6-speed stick shift. As with BMW tradition, the throws are short and precise. The clutch has excellent take-up and release points while ratios are perfectly matched to engine character.

Handling: If you are going to opt for the optional sports package without adding the artifical Active Steering, you are in for a real treat. That’s because everything from chassis rigidty, 50/50 FR perfect balance and control are everything what a BMW should be. The steering feels sharp and nicely weighted without all those artifical feedback of Active Steering. Even with the optional sports suspension, the 335i rides exceptionally comfortably over rough pavements. That’s despite the latest iteration 3-Series rides slightly rougher on expansion joints than one before, due to the use of run-flat tires. In addition, its cornering is flat. BMW’s DSC-3 is an uninstrusive type even in its latest generation. It won’t step in until the driver really gets into the nasty stuff, even if it rains like hell today. 335i’s handling prowess shows true colors as driver pushed it enthuisastically on a tight track, with a bit of fun oversteer in the rain. Its just an overall entertaining dynamic package with a nice safety bracket built into it.

Brakes: Its braking performance is up to BMW’s usual high standards. During our pouring rain testing of couple of hard braking, there are no brake fade. The pedal feels as solid and modulated as we first got behind the wheel of this machinery. ABS only kicks in when absolutely necessary.

Interior: The use of materials have always been the biggest achille’s heel in latest 3-Series, the same goes for its coupe version. There are just way too much hard and cheesy plastic abound. It feels totally out of place in a BMW costing north of 50 grand. However, they put those materials very well as it got tailoted gaps and free of rattles.

As one expects from a BMW, the instrumentation gauges are nicely layout. Everything from driving position to the placement of stereo/HVAC controls are driver-oriented.

With the optional Comfort Access, one can access to the rear with ease. That’s as long as you can live with its slow electric motor moving the front seats in a rainy day. Once you get back there, the legroom is acceptable but headroom is at a premium.

Conclusion: 6 years ago when BMW introduced the 330Ci, we wondered how they would manage to improve such a great car. 6 years later, 335i has proved those Bavarian engineers are able to make a great car even better. In a nutshell, 3-Series remains the benchmark in luxury sports coupe segment.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2007 BMW 335i COUPE
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Performance: 5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4.5/5
Value-for-money: 5/5

Overall rating: 5/5