2008 BMW 335i - Features
0-to-60-mph time: 4.8 sec
Quarter-mile time: 13.5 @ 106 mph
Our 0-to-60 time of 4.8 seconds is a touch controversial, with folks suggesting that cars from the Bayerische Motoren Werke’s press fleet might be a few 10ths quicker than customer cars. No one, however, disputes that the twin-turbocharged 335i is stank fast, with two doors or four, with or without a little extra Jägermeister in the boost mapping.
Which raises the point: If a half-pound of extra boost can strip a few 10ths, what might a couple pounds do? Although we know you’d never, ever compromise your warranty with an impossible-to-trace piggyback performance ECU, we understand the temptation to whup on M3s and return home to sleep on a bed of 20,000 stacked $1 bills.
It’s worth noting that, although it’s not quite as quick as the new V-8 M3, which costs an extra
Mini Cooper–sized wad of cash, the EPA suggests the 335i will achieve combined-cycle fuel mileage of 20 mpg. Under our right foot, forged from depleted uranium, a 335i coupe got 18, but we keep the backs of gas pedals better carpet-polished than most. The EPA has yet to provide figures for the M3, but a dump-truck-aping 11 mpg was seen on the car’s digital fuel “economy” monitor on several cars at a recent track event.
As much as we suggest you get the Sport package for its superlative balance of handling and ride comfort, we also suggest you do so because there’s at least a good possibility it will come with an oil cooler (not all do, and BMW is apparently being fairly good about retrofitting them if buyers complain). Stories of limp-home mode engaging after 20 minutes of track lapping in overly hot, non-Sport-package cars dot Internet owners’ forums, so if you drive like those folks or like us, you’ll want the additional cooler.
