Ever since Karl Rapp began building aircraft engines near Munich in 1913, BMW, known then as Rapp-Motorenwerke, has been a leader in the art of motion. Moving on to motorcycle building in 1920 as Bavarian Motor Works, the company became “grounded” in providing top-quality earth-bound vehicles, and since the 1930s, the company has earned a reputation for building fast, expertly made automobiles and bikes.
In the ensuing decades, BMW has marketed itself as builders of “the ultimate driving machine,” and devotees have paid dearly for the vehicles, the reputation and the badge. It has been estimated that the BMW badge alone can tack up to $15,000 onto the price of the car.
That circular logo with blue and white triangles within its border depicts white propellers against a blue sky, to pay homage to BMW’s aircraft engine background. And having one of those icons on your car has come to mean you are paying more than you would for a similar vehicle of another brand.
Well, that presumption is not backed up with the pricing on the exciting and classy 2007 BMW 335i Coupe. Built with all the fit, finish, power, performance, luxury and styling we have come to expect from BMW, this Bimmer is priced aggressively at an attractive $40,600.
The entry-premium 335i is the first turbocharged BMW ever fully marketed in the U.S. Internationally. BMW has marketed turbocharged models since the 1970s, but naturally aspirated Bimmers were the main course here in America until the unveiling of the twin turbo 2007 335i.
Powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter in-line 6-cylinder engine that thunders out 300 hp and 300 lb.-ft. of torque, my Titanium Silver Metallic 3-Series test ride blasted down the track with a zero-to-60mph time of 5.3 seconds. In true tribute its aircraft history, my 3560-lb. 335i figuratively flew down the quarter-mile in 13.8 seconds, and on the highway, it accelerated in passing gear as smoothly and jetlike as any car I have tested this year. Back on the track, I effortlessly moved from 60 to 80 in a heartbeat, and the ride at 80 is so deceptively smooth that I had to check the speedometer to make sure I wasn’t still running at 60 … or less. Some finely tuned 335i’s have broken the 5-second barrier for zero to 60, but my test car, tuned as you would drive it right off the lot, gave me all the velocity one could ask for on the highway or around town.
On the autocross or weaving in and out of highway traffic, the 335i handles with athleticism. A sweetly low center of gravity, little yaw, a trifle oversteer and just the right touch of torque steer make for an exciting and confident ride, while the six-speed stick decisively downshifts expertly and powerfully upshifts smoothly.
Double-pivot type front suspension with aluminum components, five-link rear suspension, twin-tube gas shock absorbers, engine speed-sensitive variable-assist power steering and run-flat tires make for a smooth ride on all surfaces.
The 2007 model’s 300 horses represents about a 45hp jump over last year’s 330i sedan, and torque is up by 80 lbs.-ft. The power curve is broad and European, meaning you get much more mid-range and high-speed power than before, with slightly less off-the-line punch.
A genuine driver’s car, the 335i is quiet, strong and luxurious. EPA rated at 19/city and 29/hwy, my seven days of city stops and starts, countryside runs, highway treks and track tests earned an average of about 23mpg.
A safe and secure ride, the 335i’s safety features include four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with adaptive brake lights, dynamic stability control, dynamic brake control, brake fade compensation, brake stand-by, brake drying and start-off assistant, dynamic traction control, dual threshold “smart” air bags for driver and passenger, front seat side-impact seat-mounted air bags, front and rear seat head protection system and interlocking door anchoring system for side impacts.
Inside, while lavish, there was not the overabundance of complicated i-drive electronics that often detract from BMW’s 5-Series and 7-Series models. Even without i-drive technology, the 335 has a well-adorned cabin with ground lighting in the door handles, front and rear ambient interior lighting, dual-power heated exterior mirrors, tilt/telescopic 3-spoke leather-wrapped sport steering wheel with fingertip controls, automatic climate control with separate zone temperature settings, air conditioning, heater and activated charcoal microfilter ventilation,8-way power seats with driver side memory, AM/FM stereo, CD/MP3 player with Logic7 audio system including digital sound and surround sound simulation.
Base priced at, $40,600, which is reasonably under-priced for its niche, my test vehicle came in at $45,720, including such options as Titanium Silver Metallic paint ($475), Premium Package ($2450) with leather upholstery, integrated garage door opener, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and side mirrors, compass lumbar support and Bluetooth capabilities. The $1000 Sport Package packs 18-inch alloy wheels, performance tires and front sport seats into the mix. The moonroof, heated front seats and premium sound system with DSP are all included at no extra charge. Destination charges add $695 to the bill.
The 2007 BMW 335i just could be the under-priced Bimmer its fans have been waiting for.
Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.
Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.
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