2012 BMW 335i Sedan Sport Line
Specification | Reviews | Photos | Latest Price
Following in the footsteps of the legendary 2002 that put BMW on the map in North America, this latest 3-Series represents a departure of sorts for Germany’s default sports sedan. In fact, it might be the closest standard 3-Series the automaker has ever made to the vaunted M3.
As it has matured, it has also grown – both in size and in the number of trim levels. Now, you can order your 3-Series in eight flavors made up of two engines and four styling packages. Has this more of everything mantra made the 3-Series lose any of its mojo?
We checked out the most enthusiast-oriented example, a 335i Sport Line, to find out.
What is it?
After numerous years as the hot coupe and sedan from Germany, the BMW 3-Series continues to mature. We won’t say it has “gotten older” because we think it has aged very well, managing to keep up with the times and the latest in style and performance.
After numerous years as the hot coupe and sedan from Germany, the BMW 3-Series continues to mature. We won’t say it has “gotten older” because we think it has aged very well, managing to keep up with the times and the latest in style and performance.
As a result, the 3-Series is now about the same size as the 5-Series (E39) model from ten years ago. The front track has grown by 1.46 inches, while the rear has increased by 1.85 inches. Overall length is up 3.66 inches and the wheelbase has grown by 1.96. Clever interior packaging has enlarged the entire rear seat area. Despite the fact that the 335i is physically larger than before, it is now 88 lbs. lighter than the vehicle it replaces. The dimensions are not the only things that have grown; our tester had a base price of $42,400. That was before adding $13,470 in options for an out the door sticker of $55,870. All cars have gotten more expensive, but that’s still a lot of coin for a compact premium sedan.
For 2012, the 3-Series lineup is available in four trim levels: Standard, Sport Line, Luxury Line and Modern Line. Luxury and Modern trim levels offer interior accoutrements that reflect their names. These include the ultra–decadent wood trim found in the Modern model, that appear as though fashioned and finished from pieces of water-polished driftwood.
Our Sport Line sedan was sportier and included the Sports leather steering wheel, 19-inch double spoke alloy wheels, the adaptive M suspension and sports seats along with brushed aluminum trim. Also included were the Premium Package, and the Premium Sound Package with Harman/Kardon seakers. Finally, add to that, the aptly named Technology Package, which includes a navigation system and heads-up display.
Our test model was equipped with the 3.0-liter TwinTurboPower six-cylinder engine and eight-speed automatic transmission, which supplants a new 2.0-liter four-with a twin scroll turbo in the 328i. Both engines can be selected with either six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmissions for no additional charge. Like the vast majority of 3s bound for U.S. buyers, ours had the automatic.
What’s it up against?
The basic three-box design that makes up the essential 3-Series sedan is seen in most of its competitors as well.
The basic three-box design that makes up the essential 3-Series sedan is seen in most of its competitors as well.
Natural rivals include the Audi S4, Infiniti G37, Lexus IS 350, Mercedes-Benz C350 and Volvo S60 T6, but the upcoming Cadillac ATS looks promising.
How does it look?
Longer, lower, wider. It’s as though all the design studios for the various manufacturers got together at some exotic spa retreat somewhere and decided several years ago that 2012 was going to be that year. It’s clear that the foks in Munich got the memo.
Longer, lower, wider. It’s as though all the design studios for the various manufacturers got together at some exotic spa retreat somewhere and decided several years ago that 2012 was going to be that year. It’s clear that the foks in Munich got the memo.
The trademark kidney grille openings, which are BMW’s hallmark, are still here, although now in a more compressed and, uh, squished form. From the side, most viewers can quickly determine it’s a 3-Series but won’t be able to describe any refreshed characteristics without having last year’s meat nearby for reference. A longer, double-stacked nose and hood now cover the bits underneath, while a closer look reveals that any hints of the Bangle-era flame surfacing are officially gone.
M-Sport body parts including colored rocker panels help to add visual depth to the side panels, but the giveback is the lack of seriousness around the fog lamps and front air intakes. They don’t seem to impart a feeling of performance as seen in previous versions of the car.
And on the inside?
Our Sport Line 335i featured many M3 styling cues without the M3 price tag. In addition to the exterior trim pieces, the interior takes a decidedly hotter tack that sees the addition of fully adjustable, heavily-bolstered seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and red contrast stitching to offset the abundance of black leather that would make “Lady Felicia’s House of Pain” just a little bit envious.
Our Sport Line 335i featured many M3 styling cues without the M3 price tag. In addition to the exterior trim pieces, the interior takes a decidedly hotter tack that sees the addition of fully adjustable, heavily-bolstered seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and red contrast stitching to offset the abundance of black leather that would make “Lady Felicia’s House of Pain” just a little bit envious.
Eight-way power sport seats with contrasting red piping offered adjustable thigh cushions and bolsters that expand to accommodate the equally expanding profiles of today’s drivers. The only thing missing was a dynamic seating function, which would have been massaging our gluteals as we were massaging the gas pedal.
The current techno-hit du jour for today’s cars, a sensor that opens the trunk with a sweep of the foot under the rear bumper, was included as part of the Comfort Access proximity key package. What can we say: It worked as promised.
BMW’s “sore thumb” shift lever is here as well, and its usage, along with the usage of the in-car-entertainment and technology iDrive controller has improved so much through the years that it’s second nature to us, even if we still aren’t its biggest fans. At least the high-resolution center display, which juts out of the dashboard like an iPad, is a vast improvement over previous screens, especially in bright light.
To the left of the shift lever is the Driving Dynamics Control toggle that allows the driver to operate the Comfort, Sport, Sport+ settings. Another button disables the automatic engine start/stop function, which can become a bit tedious at times.
Gauges on the dashboard also detail the functions of BMW’s EfficientDynamics technology including brake energy regeneration, and what the company calls “need–based operation of ancillary components.” That’s a fancy way of saying we can turn the air conditioning compressor off on demand. It’s all done in the name of fuel economy.
As far as fit and finish, nearly every interior material is up to par or better than most class rivals, although a few cheaper plastics are hidden around the center console.
But does it go?
Perfectly balanced with a 50:50 weight bias, the 335i featured the stellar handling we have come to expect from the 3-Series. The adaptive M–engineered suspension guarantees that the 335i is every bit as agile as its engine is strong.
Perfectly balanced with a 50:50 weight bias, the 335i featured the stellar handling we have come to expect from the 3-Series. The adaptive M–engineered suspension guarantees that the 335i is every bit as agile as its engine is strong.
The N55 3.0-liter six-cylinder with its high-pressure direct injection and Twin-Power (twin scroll, two stage) turbocharger continues to produce 300 ponies at 5,800 rpm, and 300 lb-ft of torque between 1,200 and 5,000 rpm, for an effect that makes it seem like it’s barely breathing. With such a low threshold, power is virtually instantaneous once you reach 1,200 revs.
With the sport version of the new 8-speed automatic transmission that came with our Sport Line-trimmed 3, we saw quicker shifts and a more aggressive throttle response. A fly-by-wire system, it showed off 0-60 mph times in 5.4 seconds, which is equal to the manual tranny and, according to BMW, 0.2 seconds faster than the last-gen autobox. Incidentally, the 335i Sport Line is modified to achieve 155 mph instead of the normally–spec’d version, which tops out at 130 mph.
Also part of the Sport Line package, the hunkered-down Adaptive M-Suspension caused our 335i to ride about half-an-inch lower than a standard 335i. That the car is a hauler in standard trim is a given. Steering effort through the leather-wrapped sport wheel was direct and communicative – and adjustable through the Drive Dynamics Control toggle. Easier at slow speeds and while parking, it was transformed automatically and firmed up while at speed for a more direct feel. Road feedback is down a bit compared to the outgoing car, but the 335i remains engaging and precise when hurtled through the twisties.
Shoeing it while in Sport and Sport+ mode crisps it up a bit, with faster gear changes and a throttle that quickly passed all comers on the urban dragstrip. Over rough pavement, we found the Sport settings to be a bit harsh, but switching to Comfort smoothed things out.
These days, fuel economy is relative to many factors including mileage, drive style and the size of your wallet. The 335i has EPA ratings of 20/33 mpg with a combined average of 26 mpg. Considering how hard we pushed this almost 3,600lbs. car, we were chuffed to see that average.
Why you would buy it:
You believe in truth in advertizing, and think that the BMW mantra about “the Ultimate Driving Machine” is gospel.
You believe in truth in advertizing, and think that the BMW mantra about “the Ultimate Driving Machine” is gospel.
Why you wouldn’t:
For nearly $56,000, you could have had a V8.
For nearly $56,000, you could have had a V8.
Leftlane’s bottom line
With the sixth-generation 3-Series, BMW continues to refine and reinvent. Though the 2012 335i has grown in every way and its fun-to-drive nature is beginning to emphasize refinement, it is still a heck of a hot rod.
With the sixth-generation 3-Series, BMW continues to refine and reinvent. Though the 2012 335i has grown in every way and its fun-to-drive nature is beginning to emphasize refinement, it is still a heck of a hot rod.
It’s clear BMW continues to build the Ultimate Driving Machine, even if that means something slightly different today
Metallic paint, $550; Sport Line Package, $1,700; 19-inch alloy wheels, $900; Adaptive M Suspension, $900; Premium Package, $1,900; Premium audio, $950; Technology Package, $950; Sport automatic, $500; Folding rear seat, $475; Heated front seats, $500; Park distance control, $750; BMW Assist, $640; BMW Apps, $250; Destination, $895
ON ROAD PRICE
2012 BMW 335i Base Price $55,870
