2009 BMW 335i Touring Review & Road Test
April 8, 2009 by Matt Brogan
2009 BMW 335i Touring Review & Road Test
Exclusive, capable and versatile – the ideal family performance package
Model Tested:
- 2009 BMW 335i Touring, 3.0-litre, six-cylinder, six-speed automatic, wagon – $111,700 (RRP)
Options:
- See below
Power & economy; handling; interior design
Tight entry/exit; rear leg room; pricing
CarAdvice Rating: 
- by Matt Brogan
“No, you can’t have an M3, we’ve been through this. We need a practical family wagon for the kids and that’s my final say on the matter.”
Sound about right?
Well, now you can whole heatedly agree, and still have an enjoyable, high-performance European wagon at the same time.
I think in relationship terms you call that a “compromise”.
Seriously though, how many cars out there can you name that present the same amount of exclusivity, capability and versatility as a 335i Touring?
Not even BMW’s direct rivals have a model that can compete on equal footing.
For that very reason alone this car is brilliant. It’s exclusive, but not in that “look at me” kind of way. It’s undeniably fast, but the wife needn’t know that, and when you take it out for a Sunday morning run through the hills, sans children of course, you really can enjoy driving what is essentially the family car – try saying that about your current lugger!
Alhough it certainly is a very elegant looking car, it doesn’t bear any stand-out performance hallmarks, at least to the uninitiated. In fact until you see the twin pipes and badge designation you’d barely take a second glance.
What this means, in simple terms, is that although you’re packing one of the most intriguing sounding and precision performing six-cylinder’s on the planet, most punters won’t see you as being any different to the next 3-series, until, of course, you’re a speck on the horizon.
Yes, the 335i is quick, very quick and not only that but it also manages to balance itself tremendously well thanks to a stiff yet adaptive chassis that makes cornering a lot more fun than the car’s ’station wagon’ orientation would have you believe, and all without being too firm or unforgiving.
The reason for all this speed? A very sweet 3.0-litre, twin-turbo, in-line six-cylinder engine that thrusts the 335i Touring from 0-100km/h in just 5.9 seconds.
Torque delivery is instantaneous with all 400Nm available from just over idle and despite delivering it’s maximum 225kW at 5800rpm, the 335i will rev well into 7000rpm territory before cut-out.
Throttle to ESP calibration can at times prove a little interesting off the mark, and I did find on two occasions a momentary delay before maximum throttle was delivered, but in most instances power is put to the rear wheels without delay.
Otherwise power delivery is seamless, strong and incredibly linear with so much in reserve that you almost find yourself wishing you could just teleport yourself to a European autobahn tout-de-suite.
The cabin, or should that be cockpit, is impeccable in terms of its ergonomics with every last feature, switch and control placed perfectly and thoughtfully to the driver’s command.
Not only does this make the car safe and comfortable to drive, but it also helps you develop a feel for what driving a car like the 335i is all about – enjoyment – not something usually associated with a family car.
The panoramic roof too is an absolute delight making to cabin light and airy with very little wind noise. The roof can be enjoyed as a glass skylight, as two tilted glass panels, a retracted glass sunroof or simply closed on those scorching summer weekends leaving you to instead enjoy the dual zone climate control.
Having said all that though, I must point out that entry and exit to the 335i is a little bit of an ask. The seat’s hip height is quite low slung, and with rather small door apertures, the resulting manoeuvre is one that older folk or people with mobility issues may find tough going.
Similarly rear leg room is also on the slighter side of comfortable. So if you’re a tall family, or parent to lanky teenagers, you may need to strongly reconsider the 3-series for this reason alone (refer picture top-left: driver seat forward, passenger seat aft ward).
Otherwise proportions are ample. The front seats are comfortable, quite supportive too and cargo capacity is adequate for most family’s needs at 460 litres (expandable to 1385 litres). The split-fold tailgate is also a stand-out feature.
It’s a very safe car too with a five-star ANCAP rating, full house of airbags, brilliantly responsive and progressively pedalled brakes, plus all the electronic nannies you could possibly consider helping support your argument all the more.
So aside from the small issues mentioned, the only other problem I really see with this car is the six-figure price tag.
Now I’m not saying that you don’t get value for money in its basic form, that’s subjective, but when you start ticking the option boxes the 335i Touring very nearly begins nudging C63 Estate territory … but that’s a whole new argument.
If you can keep it simple, and win the battle on the home front, the 335i Touring really is the ideal family performance package, and one car I’m sure most lead footed Dad’s won’t mind liberating for the weekend.
Ratings:
CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive:
How does it Look: 
How does it Go:
Specifications:
- Engine: 2979cc DOHC six-cylinder (24 valve)
- Power: 225kW @ 5800rpm
- Torque: 400Nm @ 1300rpm
- Induction: Multi-point, twin turbocharged
- Transmission: Six-Speed Automatic
- Driven Wheels: Rear
- Brakes: Discs with ABS, CBC, EBA & EBD
- Top Speed: 250km/h (governed)
- 0-100km/h: 5.9 seconds
- CO2 Emissions: 235g/km (ADR combined)
- Fuel Consumption: 9.8 litres per 100km (ADR)
- Fuel Consumption: 10.8 litres per 100km (as tested)
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 60 litres
- Fuel Type: 98RON petrol
- ANCAP Rating: Five star
- Airbags: Front, side & curtain
- Safety: ESP with Traction Control
- Spare Wheel: None
- Suspension: Strut (F)/Multi-link (R)
- Cargo Capacity: 460/1385 litres
- Tow Capacity: 1800kg (Braked)
- Turning Circle: 11.0 metres
- Warranty: Three year/unlimited kilometre
- Weight: 1630kg (Tare)
- Wheels: Alloy 18 x 8.0-inch
Options:
- Metallic Paint $1840; Panorama Glass Roof $3080; Alarm System $1000; Climate Comfort Windscreen $390; Sun Protection Glazing $800; Exterior Mirror Package $510; Anti-Dazzle Interior Mirror $700; Hi-Fi Stereo Upgrade $1330; Heated Steering Wheel $400; Mechanical Side Sunblinds $450; Sport Seats $1330; Seat Heaters $850; M Sport Package $4,800; Active Cruise Control $2600; Active Steering $2860; M Sport Suspension $850
Print it: 
• Metallic Paint $1840
“But its a BMW”…
Shouldnt a car of this caliber have some of those ‘accessories’ as standard. Anyway awesome car bar the price.
Yeah they are the king of options, pretty awesome for a wagon though……..
0-100 5.9 ……….what options ?
I found all my 3 series fine when the kids where younger {as long as you take their shoes off so they dont kick the back of the seats}as they got bigger so did the cars………
I would have to agree Shak i like the look of this car pretty spanky for a family wagon mind you KIDS NO FOOD OR CRAYONS ALLOWED!
The thing is, wouldnt you rather a 335i coupe for yourself and a Tarago for the kids?
Actually yes Tom i would haaaaa or a ute for the kids would be even better??
I would have my passat R36 over this anyday..for $40000 less, more power, more space, just as many creature comforts…
Matt – I know it would probably come down to a value-for-money proposition, but in your opinion, what was the better vehicle in terms of all-round drive? R36 wagon or the 335?
I’ve not driven either of these, and I’m extremely curious.
Powerhungry & Grammar Nazi:
At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference.
The R36 wagon is most certainly a super machine, but you just cannot beat the twin-turbo inline-6 BMW have developed for this car.
There is a reason this engine has won countless awards.
In terms of handling, the BMW outshines the R36 – despite the fact the VW features AWD. The AWD system in the R36 uses a Haldex coupling and is more of a FWD come AWD arrangement.
With the tyres fitted to the 335i Touring (Michelin Pilot Sport – 19″) it is able to hold onto tarmac through corners in a far more commendable fashion than the R36.
On the other hand though, the R36 is some $40,000 cheaper than the 335i Touring. So, at the end of the day you have to weigh up whether brand image and that extra dollop of performance really mean that much to you.
Either way you go, you’d be happy with both cars, they’re both weapons in their own right.
“Not even BMW’s direct rivals have a model that can compete on equal footing.”
What is he talking about?
A R36 wagon is CHEAPER, FASTER, MORE SPACE, MORE ECONOMICAL, and most imporantly LOOKS MUCH BETTER than this ugly thing, probably better RESALE VALUE as well.
Further more, there is 4-motion AWD, sweet sound VR6 engine, and the superb DSG gearbox.
“Not even BMW’s direct rivals have a model that can compete on equal footing.” – NO AT ALL
“exclusive”? what about the R36. Just as fast if not slightly quicker, much cheaper and with most of the above options as standard. The Audi S4 is also coming soon. Sedan will start at 119k, so wagon should not be much more and will have a lot more as standard than the 335i.
Jag are supposed to be bringing out an XF wagon (err…”estate”) in all engine modes, including the R. Nice pics so far, though you’d pay a lot more than $110K to get one as fast as the Bimmer. That rear legroom is cruel in the Bimmer, so much so I cant imagine a market for it for families at least.
Buy a Mazda6 Wagon, and used the left over $ to buy a 135i is a much better decision, lol.
R36 faster than 335i ? Maybe on paper, bimmer will absolutely annihilate R36 in any perfomance task. R36 is oversized and unproportional donkey and 335i is a thoroughbred .
Chinese Driver,
On equal footing:
- One is RWD the other AWD.
- One is naturally aspirated, the other forced.
- One is a premium brand the other is not.
The pricing also counters my argument – hence my wording.
Matt.
Matt.
I can’t really say if RWD’s obviously better than Haldex AWD, or if turbo charge is better than NA (of coz it has more power).
However, just in my opinion, a R range VW, is NOT ANY LESS premium compare with a BMW. Just like when comparing R32 and 130i, or R50 with a X5, they are equal premium in my eyes.
I am with Chinese driver on one thing. For similar $$$ get a Mazda 6 wagon (much more room) for the MRS and a 135i for me!! However I am aginst Chinese driver on another, sure the V6 in the R36 may sound sweet, but there aren’t many 6cyl engines that sound as sweet as an angry BMW straight 6 and none are as smooth.
Devil’s Advocate,
the twin turbo BMW straight 6 is definitely a more powerful & advanced engine than the 3.6 VR6, I believe it should be very smooth to drive, however I’ve never driven one so I cannot judge.
But just to my personal taste, the unique sound of VR6 is the noise I prefer.
Some sound comparison:
R36
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related
335i
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNFvgViUF_0
Well, it’s nice that they’re equal in your eyes; they’re not in mine. Or, I’d guess, most non-VW owners.
The VW sounds quite nice chinesedriver. I just thought I would post this link of a NA BMW I6 to compare a NA VW V6 to a NA BMW I6. I must admit the turbos do muffle a little of the BMW scream of the 335. To be fair I have 2 different links. 1 is of an everyday cooking model 330, which sounds quite nice and no 2 which is of an M3 CSL which makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wB5ER1bBmb4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related
For laughs, the anti-spam word was Audi!!
In terms of sound, for me, it’s important to not only impress the driver and passengers, but the people around the car. What’s the point in having aural pleasure if those around you can’t enjoy it as well?
This is where I think the VR6 in some respects, has the 335i’s I6 beat.
Direct Injection. Need I say anymore? Bloody hell they sound crap in the lower rev. range. Take the Lexus IS250, sounds great north of 3.5K RPM but below that and at idle, don’t you just love that tick tick tick tick as the piston’s turn over. The exhaust setup in the 335i makes up for most of this but upfront, tick tick tick tick tick tick….tick…..
Personally, I love the R36 and would take it over most of it’s more expensive competition but at the end of the day, it’s a fact, VW is the Poor Man’s alternative (ie. As opposed to Audi and it’s direct competitors)
Consider this spam – CA, could you make amends to the finishing of DST?
NO WAY…………nothing is as orgasmic as the sound of a BMW I6 through a 6 speed manual at seven-five……….They are the engine masters :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....re=related
My fav. is defo the E46 330i. Just drive that through any underground/cover carpark and you know that’s an E46 330i. The deep throbbing rumble is enough to send shivers down your spine. But that was all lost with the E90 =(
Bring back the E46!
Would I take an E46 330i over an E91 335i?
Probably.
I agree with you BM (.)(.)
Some turbo motors sound fine but NA motors can sound absolutely wonderful.Probably one of the best ever NA engine sound would have to be the GT Carrera there are plenty of sound clips on youtube on that car.
I thought I would have a short clip on one of my favourite cars,the now deceased NSX-R a 3.2L V6.
This craps on any of the VW cars for sound.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3ZKIHfVW7c
BMW has characteristics that other cars just can’t achieve no matter how close they may seem on paper. You just know they will get a perfect chassis balance, the engine will be of the highest quality, and the finish and refinement of the overall package is just about as good as it comes. Sure, the R36 is a great car and a hell of a lot cheaper, but it’s just not in the same class as the beamer. That’s what makes a BMW so exclusive.
BMWs are really something, but it’s a big shame those avaricious taxes make a car like this cost more than an M3 bought in America.