‘Years from now, enthusiasts will look back at the 335i – and specifically its mighty engine – as the car that changed conventional thinking. Will the next M3 be turbocharged? Looking at the 335i, one is tempted to say something like: “I have seen the future”.’ Quote, unquote topCar December 2007.
It would be presumptuous to say ‘told you so!’ We’ll save that for when BMW finally confirms the rumours that the next M3 will have a blown engine under the bonnet. It makes so much sense. After a year with our 335i four-door long termer, we’ll happily testify to the charms of the twin-turbo six-cylinder engine. Not only is there virtually no turbo lag, but the lighter, smaller engine means better fuel economy and less CO2 emissions than its bigger capacity brethren. Lighter also means it’s faster and the handling’s better. It was Colin Chapman who said: ‘Adding power makes you faster on the straights. Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere.’ So the 335i, specifically the practical four-door sedan, has for us pretty much epitomised the ultimate driving machine for the family man – an incredible engine and superb handling for only R477 000.
But change is the only constant in the motoring world. Nobody can rest on their laurels. There’s a pretender to the crown and it’s yet another three litre six-cylinder turbocharged Beemer, but this one burns diesel instead of petrol. It’s the brand spanking new 330d and within hours of delivery at the topCar office it has us re-evaluating our attachment to the 335i.
WHISPER, DON’T SHOUT
We’re standing behind the pit wall at Killarney Race Track as the 330d comes hurtling past us on the main straight at an indecent speed. Instead of the howling scream of a petrol engine we’re all addicted to hearing at the track, there’s just the steady thrum of an unstressed diesel and the swoosh of air being forced out of the way as the car muscles past.
This must be what it sounds like at Le Mans when the Audi R10 TDI’s and the Peugeot 908HDi’s waft rather than scream past your vantage point, brushing the vocal petrol competitors out of the way.
We’re busy with a little petrol vs diesel race of our own as our road test engineer Peter Henkel rolls into the pit lane, lowers his window and nods his helmeted head affirmatively. This means the 330d has impressed him as well, as we knew it would.
Yes, the new 3 Series has new bonnet creases, new L-shaped taillights, new headlamps, deeper kidneys and curvier mirrors. And yes, the new iDrive system is a hundred times better than before. It’s now so easy and intuitive even I could use it to sync my mobile phone, find songs on my iPod and change the light settings in seconds. But BMWs are best appreciated on the road from behind the wheel, so the big news is the newly developed six cylinder diesel engine in this particular car. It’s a beauty.
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I had both
I had both (2007 330d man and now the 2011 330d auto), The 335i (2010) was a demon on its own, I drive from Randpark Ridge to Sandton everyday (06h30 to 07h...ish), the 330d returns 8.5l to 9.5l per 100km but the 335i did 14 to 15l per 100km.
I fill up twice a month now, and the 335 was once a WEEK!!!
The 335i ran from standstill to my one marker 160km/h the diesel does 150km/h. both were auto (one being the Sport Dynamic and the diesel is an exec model)
I prefer the torque of the diesel, no need to rev the shite out of it to exit corners but miss the longer rev's.
Each to their own
bmw
i own ford but looking forward to buy bmw. i was confused if the bmw have the great parts like ford. like Master Cylinders, good brake and all.
The great thing about BMW in
The great thing about BMW in general is that it's more than just a beauty. I never had the chance to test drive any of these two but I am up for the challenge. I know how driving a BMW feels like, I had my chance at the BMW dealership MD and the experience told everything about the car.
330d
All may eat your heart out.I am a profesional racer and tested numerous top marques. The erea of petrol dominating the performance arena is over, if any one knows what it's about, its about the torque and not the KW's, it is the torque that pushes you back in the seat, giving you that adrenalin rush. Well done BMW, the 330d, 530d & 730d is some of the best vehicles i have ever had the pleasure of slaping down a test track, and being one of the few that gives performance, style, luxury and durabillety in one complete package.
I had a 530d for a mapping the other day, and boy did i unleashed a few to many demons under that baby's bonnet. Watch out guys, these Diesels is going to make a couple of petrol engines run them selves to destruction.
D vs petrol
I know Audi race them but diesels are not made for track racing. Its not a fair comparison. The D does really well at the lap times and this makes me wonder if the 335 is really that good. Please dont quote a prices for 3 series cars because you cant buy one for the list price. You need to add at least R50k for things like a CD player/radio, headlights, seats, wheels and other useful stuff. (not only BMW I am not trying to run them down)
330d
imagine what the 335d is like, we are missing out here with BMW not bringing this gem to South and the storry about the quality of fuel is bollocks as the same ingine resides in an X5SD. :-(
Diesel is superior
Suspension mods make a huge difference. I'd back the diesel with the same Sports suspension to trounce the pertrol version. Trouble is BMW would never allow such a test. - Spy
"the car that changed conventional thinking"
"the car that changed conventional thinking" Quite a statement iro a brand that joined turbocharging SO late?
170KW Spec
I have the 170kw 500nm 330d, it has way too much turbo lag but kicks most cars on pull off . I am in the market for a 335i Coupe.
I love the fuel consumption but the short gears and low revs (seems to die down at 4650rpm) spoils the drive, but on the highway....it pulls strong
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