BMW has officially unveiled the new 2007 BMW 335i and 328i coupes, which arrive in U.S. showrooms this September. The 335 has a new 300 horsepower inline six-cylinder with twin-turbochargers, high-precision fuel injection, and an all-aluminum crankcase, pushing the car to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds.

The 335i Coupe will be joined in the U.S. by the 230 horsepower 328i Coupe, which hits 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. In addition to the standard six-speed manual, both models will be offered with an available six-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.

The 2007 3-Series coupe also includes the option of xDrive all-wheel drive for the first time ever in a BMW coupe. It will be available this fall in the 328xi Coupe. Adaptive Xenon headlights and Horizontal LED taillights are standard equipment.
When the 2007 BMW 335i coupe arrives in showrooms on September 1, it will be the first gasoline-powered Bimmer in a generation to incorporate a turbocharger. With a sleek, newly designed body, the 300-horsepower 335i is the most powerful non-M3-series BMW coupe ever, and is also the most high-tech. Driving the sport-tuned 335i is a pleasure: bucket loads of torque in each gear are made usable by precise steering and magnetic handling. Our tester was equipped with the optional Sport package, which gave us sport seats with power-adjustable backrest width, 18-inch alloy wheels with W-rated run-flat tires, and an increased limited top speed of 155mph. Also available is the Cold Weather package, which adds a headlight cleaning system, heated front seats with expanded heating area, and a ski bag. (We venture to suggest, however, that those wishing to muck around in the new 3-series coupe in the snow wait for the launch of the all-wheel-drive new 328xi later this year.)

In the cabin, the 335i delivers all of BMW’s latest optional tech systems: Bluetooth hands-free calling, GPS navigation via the second-generation iDrive interface, and adaptive cruise control are all offered as stand-alone options. A surround-sound Logic7 audio system with the ability to play advanced digital audio formats (MP3, WMA) comes standard, as does a generic auxiliary input jack for those wishing to stream their iPod libraries through the car’s 13 speakers. Other standard tech includes adaptive headlights, adaptive brake lights, and a unique seatbelt presenter, which (in theory) saves you the trouble of stretching. Those looking to buy the 2007 335i coupe will have to stretch to $41,295 for the basic model, and a bit further according to their a la carte option preferences.

BMW has announced its fourth-generation 3-series convertible and released these photos of its first folding-hardtop car. The tin roof is a three-piece unit operated either by a single switch on the center console or a button on the key fob for remote opening. This feature will only work within about 15 feet of the car, which seems like nothing more than a party trick. If you have to be standing next to the car to operate the top, why not be sitting in it?

The 3-series will sink its top into the trunk in 22 seconds, with the conversion back into a coupe taking just a second longer. With the top up, the trunk will hold 12.4 cubic feet; top stowed, the 3-series will still take on 8.8 cubes of cargo. The BMW’s closest rival is the Volvo C70, which also features a folding hardtop and a vestigial back seat. The Volvo’s trunk will swallow just a touch more with the top up, but holds less than the BMW with the top down. The rest of the current crop of hardtop convertibles are tighter in the trunk both as coupes and convertibles.

We get two 3-series cabrio verisons in the U.S., both powered by a 3.0-liter inline-six connected to either a six-speed manual or automatic: the 328i and twin-turbo 335i with 230 and 300 horsepower, respectively. In Europe, it’s available as a 330d diesel, 335i twin-turbo inline six, 330i and 325i naturally-aspirated inline sixes, or 320i inline-four.

With prices for the coupes on our shores beginning at $36,000, don’t expect to find a 3-series cabrio for much less than $40,000.

A few weeks ago the stars aligned and I was able to get behind the wheel of several cars that may be of interest to a few MF readers. Not only did I finally get my long term GP dropped off (apparently press cars don’t drive through 14″ of snow) but I also had an opportunity to drive several new BMWs: the 328i Coupe, the 328ix Wagon, and the all-conquering 335i twin-turbo sedan. While none of them are typically cross-shopped with MINIs, they are part of the same family and all offer an interesting counter-point to a frantic car such as the GP. Here’s a quick look at each.

The BMW 335i Sedan

Base price: $38,700

The 335i has incredible power and, more importantly, endless torque. In any gear and in any situation, the 335i buries your head in the seat. The power, coupled with an excellent sport suspension (optional, yet mandatory) and the meaty standard brakes, makes this a sports sedan of the highest order.

The star of the show with the 335i is BMW’s new sequential dual turbo-charged inline six. BMW quotes the power at 300 hp but recent dyno testing by Automobile Magazine seems to indicate that BMW may intentionally be downplaying the true output by around 50hp. They also found that the 335i sprinted to 60 in around 5.1 seconds. While I didn’t have any stop watches out during my drive, I can tell you that around 5 seconds sounds about right.

But the 335i is not like any turbo I’ve ever felt. There is no power lag and no audible signs of forced induction. To put it another way, there is almost no way that you could tell this car is a turbo from behind the wheel unless you have a deep knowledge of BMW’s inline six engines. In fact, the only downside to this engine is that it lacks the wonderful BMW inline six soundtrack that I’ve come to love over the years.

Still, the 335i is an incredibly capable vehicle, especially with the must have sport package and manual transmission combo that this car had. Stable at highway speeds and playful in the twisties, if I could only own one car, I’d have a hard time not seriously looking at the 335i. It’s like the Swiss army knife of automobiles. Fast, efficient, excellent feel yet full capable of accommodating five full-size adults. Here’s hoping this technology trickles down to a 1.6L four cylinder in the years ahead.

The BMW 328i Coupe

Base price: $35,300

I’ve owned one example of every BMW coupe since the 1980’s E30. Each generation have been such complete cars that it’s hard to imagine BMW topping themselves. Yet, they continue this trend with the E92 coupe. Some would argue it’s size and weight make it less of a drivers car than the E30 from the 1980’s. I would simply say that this is a different car for a different time. It’s more comfortable, yet is faster, quicker and generally handles better than the beloved little coupe from the ’80’s.

A few have also criticized it’s design calling it the most restrained of all BMWs sold today. I’m not sure if I’d use that term, but I would not hesitate to call it beautiful. From the nose to the graceful roof-line, this car is undeniably seductive in the flesh and, in my mind, is the most beautiful 3er coupe ever.

While it has regrettably grown in all dimensions (including being up slightly in weight) the 328i remains very toss-able. Steering is well weighted and offers a good combination of quick turn-in and good on-center feel while cruising. The net result is a car that isn’t quite as lively as the E30 or E36, but more eager than my old 2001 325ci.

It’s also surprisingly quick. With all the high-horsepower cars out there these days, sometimes you forget how quick 230hp with a manual transmission can be. It’s rapid in the best sense and, in no way, feels like a low-end 3 series.

Unfortunately, BMW has priced this car ahead of previous 3 series coupes in the US market. Now starting at 34k rather than the 30k it was at in previous years, the 3 Coupe is meant to be a bit more exclusive than it once was. Luckily the car is good enough to justify that change.
The BMW 328iX Wagon

Base price: $38,700

Like the 328i Coupe, the 328iX wagon has the new “low-end” 3.0L engine for the US market. Also like the Coupe, this “low-end” now pumps out 230 hp and is very eager to rev. The only problem: this particular example was saddled with two performance sapping options; the six speed automatic and BMW’s all-wheel drive system. xDrive (as it’s called) is a great system if you (A) don’t mind the added weight (B) live in a snowy environment and (C) generally treat your car as an appliance. In you fall into all of those categories, it’s probably a good option to check. However, if you enjoy driving I’d recommend staying far away from either option. The automatic, while miles ahead of the MINI’s, is not an optimal choice to get the most out of the car. Likewise, the AWD system takes much of the fun out of the already perfectly balanced RWD 3 series since there’s no drama to be had around corners. They both combine to make the car much more sterile than the wagon is in 2WD/manual form. How do I know? That’s the version (albeit a few years old) I own.

Bmw 335i New model 2007.

The 335i is expected to carry a base price of at least $42,000. For about $5000 less, a naturally aspirated, 230-hp, 200 pound-feet, 3.0-liter inline-six also will be available in the 328i coupe. The 328i’s engine is a detuned version of the 255-hp inline-six found in the 330i sedan, but thankfully, it isn’t as dumbed down as the 3.0-liter in the 325i sedan that makes only 215 horsepower.

The 328i coupe probably will do the 0 to 60 sprint in just under six seconds, a breath quicker than the outgoing E46 330Ci coupe. An all-wheel-drive 328xi coupe also will be available, but don’t look for the turbo engine with all-wheel drive anytime soon. All the coupes will be available with six-speed manual and six-speed manumatic transmissions. BMW’s SMG sequential-manual transmission isn’t offered in any of the new coupes, but the company claims the manumatic’s shifts are significantly faster than those of the previous model’s. Since the previous manumatic already was among the best on the market, we’re looking forward to experiencing the new one. If 300 horsepower isn’t enough for you, wait for the 2008 M3 coupe, which is expected to have a 400-hp naturally aspirated V-8 and cost $55,000.

The E90 began production in May 2005 as a 2006 model. Currently, four engine options are offered, two being part of the new ‘N’ series of BMW inline engines featuring a lightweight magnesium/aluminum construction and technological innovations such as individual cylinder throttles, steplessly variable valve timing, and dual stage intake timing.

The 3-Series is manufactured in Regensburg, Munich, and Leipzig, Germany while only the coupe, convertible, and some sedans are manufactured in Regensburg. The E91 touring model has also been available since fall 2005 along with 4WD models 325xi, 330xi and 330xd. The E92 2-door will come out in September of 2006 along with BMW’s new N54 twin-turbo engine.

As of 2006, the E90 outsells both the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Vectra in the United Kingdom, according to official SMMT figures.

BMW 3-series sedan Enlarge
BMW 3-series sedan
2006 BMW 325i Sport Enlarge
2006 BMW 325i Sport
2006 BMW 325xi Enlarge
2006 BMW 325xi
E46 and E90 3-Series sedans side-by-side Enlarge
E46 and E90 3-Series sedans side-by-side

Models:

2005- 318i – 2.0 L gasoline inline-four, 129 hp (95 kW)
2005- 318d – 2.0 L diesel inline-four, 122 hp (90 kW)
2005- 320i – 2.0 L gasoline inline-four, 150 hp (110 kW)
2006 320si – 2.0 L gasoline inline-four, 173 hp (126 kW). Limited production (2600 units worldwide).
2005- 320d – 2.0 L diesel inline-four, 163 hp (120 kW)
2006- 323i – 2.5 L (Canada), gasoline inline-six, 174 hp (128 kW)
2006- 325i – 2.5 L (Europe)/3.0 L (North America), gasoline inline-six, 218 hp (160 kW)
2006- 325xi – 3.0 L (North America), gasoline inline-six, 218 hp (160 kW)
2006- 330i – 3.0 L gasoline inline-six, 258 hp (190 kW)
2006- 325d – 3.0 L diesel inline-six, 197 hp
2006- 330d – 3.0 L diesel inline-six, 231 hp (170 kW)
2006- 335d – 3.0 L twin-turbo diesel inline-six, 286 hp
2007- 328i coupe – 3.0 L gasoline inline-six, 230 hp (172 kW) (407 N·m)
2007- 328xi coupe – 3.0 L gasoline inline-six, 230 hp (172 kW) (407 N·m)
2007- 335i coupe – 3.0 L twin-turbo gasoline inline-six, 300 hp (224 kW) and 300 ft·lbf
2007- 328i sedan – 3.0 L gasoline inline-six, 230 hp (172 kW) (407 N·m)
2007- 328xi sedan – 3.0 L gasoline inline-six, 230 hp (172 kW) (407 N·m)
2007- 328xi touring – 3.0 L gasoline inline-six, 230 hp (172 kW) (407 N·m)
2007- 328i sportwagon – 3.0 L gasoline inline-six, 230 hp (172 kW) (407 N·m)
2007- 335i sedan – 3.0 L twin-turbo gasoline inline-six, 300 hp (224 kW) and 300 ft·lbf
2007- 335xi sedan – 3.0 L twin-turbo gasoline inline-six, 300 hp (224 kW) and 300 ft·lbf

2008- M3 coupe and sedan

BMW will also produce a metal-topped coupé convertible model of the 3 series (E93) rather than the traditional cloth-top convertible. This model will be introduced in 2007. BMW will reportedly produce the E90 M3 in sedan form.

Note: In the US, the 325i and 330i are both powered by the same 3.0 L N52 engine, but the 330i features revised engine software and improved intake and exhaust systems to produce an additional 40 hp (255 vs. 215). Canada also gets a 323i model which has a detuned 2.5 L gasoline-injected inline-six producing 177 hp (130 kW).

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