BMW just announced changes to their 3-series coupe lineup. Starting with the 2011 model year, and available in march, the new 335i comes with the new N55 engine. This engine differs from the old N54 engine by using a single twin scroll turbocharger and adding Valvetronic variable intake control. Output remains at the original 335i levels – 300hp and 300 ft-lbs of torque. Many internal and external elements have been updated in this mid-cycle refresh of the three-series – new front and rear lights featuring new LED’s, redesign front and rear fascias and side skirts complete the new look. On the interior, many of the updates received in last year’s sedan refresh are seen in the coupes.
Even more exciting, is the announcement of a brand new model, the 335is. The 335is has an upgraded version of the original N54 powerplant. Still feature twin turbos, the engine now puts out 320hp and 332ft-lbs of torque. An overboost function allows the engine to generate 370ft-lbs for a short period of time. Along with the manual six-speed transmission, the 335is has an optional 7-speed, dual-clutch gearbox like the M3. To handle the extra power and boost, there is an additional radiator, oil cooling pan and stronger engine mounts.
Setting the 335is apart visually from the 335i, it gets M-sport features including M-sport aerodynamics, M steering wheel, sport seats, anthracite headliner, M door sills, M driver’s footrest, M gearshift knob, and stainless steel sport pedal.
After a really frustrating call with BMW, I decided to fix a broken light bulb on my own. The service advisor at BMW Toronto was adamant that replacing the a single light bulb required the removal of my front bumper. This is even after clarifying it was the halogen daytime running light, and not the HID “bixenon” lamp.
On the Internet are some great resources for shadetree mechanics. On Bimmerpost I found the type of bulb I needed (H8 Halogen) and links to a video of someone else doing the same install. The video shows both cornering lamp and DRL replacements:
BMW hosted an event called BMW Comparison Drive. At the event, BMW allowed us to compare their 3 series (323i, 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335d Diesel) against the all-wheel drive versions of the Audi A4, Lexus IS 250 and Mercedes-Benz C300. It was a cloudy day, but the track was dry – it threatened to rain but never did.
The event started with a 30 minute presentation about BMW and the various technologies they use. Not much new information was conveyed but the information was very pro-BMW. However, they did a good job and all the information was based on facts. Since they were comparing all the all-wheel drive cars, it’s important to note that the BMW xDrive cars cannot be equipped with sport suspension. This is unlike cars like the Audi A4 which can be equipped with lowered sport suspension which improves it’s handling and dynamics.
The short track was designed to test dynamics and not powertrain performance. Noone needed to leave 2nd gear at any part of the circuit. The course had five sections, starting with a long sweeping turn with a decreasing radius near the end. Following was an emergency braking while turning exercise, an emergency lane change, and a slalom through the cones. The final leg was a full throttle then full braking exercise.
All the BMW’s felt very good in the course, but the 323i was underpowered. It would be a great commuter car but anyone after some serious performance should pass this car over. The 328i performed great, but it was hard to notice the AWD in this course. A wet traction section would show it off some more, especially since BMW bragged that it was the only system that could put 100% of the power to either front or rear axles.
Some of my observations:
The BMW’s interior is too stark, although the quality of materials is top notch, sitting in the Audi and Mercedes felt a lot better. It was about on par with the Lexus.
The Lexus IS250 AWD is too burdened with the automatic transmission and AWD drivetrain to be a fun car. A manual IS250 without AWD would be more fun.
The Mercedes has a great sounding exhaust, and it was only the C300. The C350 must sound fantastic.
ABS braking is life-saving technology. And every car performed both braking maneuvers flawlessly and some had less aggressive touring tires.
BMW has unveiled their entry into the 1000cc superbike category. Packing 193hp and only 455lbs, it has the best power-to-weight ratio of the entire class.
Paired with technologies like ABS and traction control that is just coming to the competitors (Honda), this bike promises to be something very special.
The video of it’s unveiling is posted below. Pictures available at Autoblog. BMW’s web.tv has not been updated but I’m sure it will be soon. Be sure to check out many of the technical drawings at Hell for Leather.
BMW Canada is offering two driving events that compare their 3-series against the competition. On May 27-30 and June 5-7 they will be heading to Downsview park and allow people two hours to test drive their car against the Audi A4, Lexus IS and Mercedes C-class. Granted, many of the competition cars will not be heavily optioned, and usually are run with very crappy tires, but it should prove to be a fun day. To signup go to their website.
A collection of affordable sports cars vs. the new 911 (non-S) has been brought together in Japan for Best Motoring. Watch the video below to see how closely some of these cars are matched on the track.
The video is at Racing Films. I’m not embedding it since it keeps ignoring my attempts to prevent it from autoplaying.
Dual clutch transmissions are one of the more exciting car technologies that have come in the past few years. Audi/VW was one of the first manufacturers to make this available on production cars available to normal consumers – the first car was actually the Bugatti Veyron. It’s been made on the VW Golf/Audi TT since their last generation – the cars share a similar platform.
Dual clutch transmissions offer all the fuel economy benefits of a manual tranmission while also allowing manual shifting via paddles or gearshift. Manual shifting does not use a clutch pedal. Moreover, these transmissions can be computer controlled for an “automatic” mode for customers that are used to automatic transmissions.
With automakers racing to reduce fleet-wide fuel economy numbers, all major automakers are rushing to put out these transmissions into their cars. Here’s a list of cars that are available right now with these gearboxes. Each company uses a different name for the gearbox.
BMW M-DCT (available in the M3) – Getrag 7DCI600
Bugatti Veyron – Made by BorgWarner
VW/Audi DSG (Jetta, Rabbit, TT) – BorgWarner
Audi DSG (S5) – BorgWarner
Mitsubishi SS-T (Evo X) – Getrag 6DCT470
Nissan (GTR) – BorgWarner
Porsche PDK (911) – ZF
Furthermore, the following car companies have announced efforts to put out dual clutch transmissions in the near future:
Chrysler – Getrag
Ford – Getrag (DirectShift)
Now that BMW offers the 335 in xi trim we have two all-wheel drive tourers from the Germans. The BMW 335xi has a lower list price ($54,100 CDN) but the Audi S5 ($65,900) comes with a lot more standard options. What is the price difference when these cars are optioned out as close as possible?
2008 BMW 335xi Coupe
Base Price: $54,100 Selected Options:
sport pack (18, sport seats) $2000
premium sound $1200
premium pack (garage door, dimming mirrors, lumbar, compass mirror, bmw assist/bluetooth, leather) $3950
servotronic $350
park distance control $450 Options not selected:
navigation $2900
sport seats $800 – already on sport pack
comfort acces $750
rear sunshade $400
bmw assist $1100
usb audio $350 Total Price: $61,700
Audi S5 4.2 quattro
Base Price: Selected Options:
Audi Care $700 Options not selected:
navigation $3500
Audi navigation system plus with six disc CD changer* $3,500.00
Audi side assist $650.00
Stainless Steel Texture inlays $500 Total Price $66,600
The only remaining difference is that the A5 has 19″ rims standard and the 335i only has 18″ as the largest option. The comparable prices are $61,700 for the 335xi and $66,600 for the S5 – just short of $5000.
First of all, to get this out of the way, there is no way that the Audi RS4 will win this comparision. Not only is it the most expensive car here, but it’s so expensive by such a wide margin that instead of the RS4 I would recommend getting one of the other sedans and a backup car like a hyundai. Yes, the price difference is that much. Audi – get your act together.
Price:
The C63 leads in the pricing category as shown below.
BMW M3 Sedan: $69,600 (also available as coupe: $71,300)
Audi RS4 Sedan: $94,200
Lexus IS-F Sedan: $64,400 Mercedes-Benz C63 Sedan: $63,500
In case you were wondering, in Canada we are still paying an enormous price premium on cars even though the Canadian dollar is at parity. What’s worse is that all of these cars were introduced after it went to parity last fall and have not been adjusted. Below you will find the US dollar prices and the Canadian premium (in brackets):
BMW M3 Sedan: $53,800 (29%)
Audi RS4 Sedan: $66,910 (41%)
Lexus IS-F Sedan: $56,000 (15%)
Mercedes-Benz C63 Sedan: $53,800 (18%)
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