Comments on: 2009 BMW 335i Touring Review & Road Test

By: Al Juraj

Al Juraj — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 09:04:03 +0000

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.

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:48:55 +0000

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.

By: fasthonda

fasthonda — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 01:53:28 +0000

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

By: Camski

Camski — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 10:53:56 +0000

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.

By: Bavarian Missile (.)(.)

Bavarian Missile (.)(.) — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:16:58 +0000

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

By: Camski

Camski — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 07:36:35 +0000

Consider this spam – CA, could you make amends to the finishing of DST?

By: Camski

Camski — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 07:35:17 +0000

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)

By: Devil's Advocate

Devil's Advocate — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 06:56:35 +0000

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!!

By: Vlad

Vlad — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 05:47:58 +0000

Well, it’s nice that they’re equal in your eyes; they’re not in mine. Or, I’d guess, most non-VW owners.

By: ChineseDriver

ChineseDriver — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 04:23:27 +0000

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

By: Devil's Advocate

Devil's Advocate — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 03:54:07 +0000

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.

By: ChineseDriver

ChineseDriver — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 03:41:17 +0000

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.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 03:26:50 +0000

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.

By: SumoDog

SumoDog — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 03:11:27 +0000

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 .

By: ChineseDriver

ChineseDriver — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:58:37 +0000

Buy a Mazda6 Wagon, and used the left over $ to buy a 135i is a much better decision, lol.

By: Pious

Pious — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:54:44 +0000

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.

By: MrSmith

MrSmith — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:46:04 +0000

“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.

By: ChineseDriver

ChineseDriver — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:45:42 +0000

“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

By: Paul Maric

Paul Maric — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:41:07 +0000

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.

By: Grammar Nazi

Grammar Nazi — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:11:00 +0000

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.