There are cars we like, and then there are cars we love. Cars we like get good reviews. Cars we love win 10Best awards. After awarding 10Best trophies to the BMW 3-series for the last 19 years in a row, it’s clear that we’re in love, even through multiple generations and model changes. Of course, every change made to the 3 could upset, or even destroy, its unique balance of attributes. Fortunately, BMW has controlled the pace of 3-series evolution, and the regular but subtle styling updates and the phasing in of new technologies have never diluted the driving experience for which the model’s known.
The sedan and wagon models underwent mid-cycle refreshes for 2009, getting off easy with just a tasteful cosmetic nip/tuck and nearly no other changes. Now BMW has released images and info on the face-lifted 2011 3-series coupe and convertible, which involve not just new looks, but also the 335i swapping its awesome twin-turbo motor for one with just one turbo.
Carefully Honed Package
While all of today’s 3-series variants are clearly related, the low-slung coupe and convertible models do not share many exterior pieces with their more upright four-door siblings. And for 2011, the two- and four-door 3-series grow even further apart visually. Up front, the nose has been smoothed and appears lower and wider, thanks to larger apertures for the trademark kidney grille and bigger bi-xenon headlamps. Replacing the current trio of lower air intakes is a squared-off, full-width opening with outboard fog lamps and a pair of horizontal chrome blades that, frankly, might have been better left in the knife drawer. Considering how sharp the current coupe’s front end is, we’re not quite ready to embrace the 2011’s newfound bluntness as an improvement, although we do look forward to staring down some Audis with the Bimmers’ bright new LED “angel eyes.”
The rear end also adopts slick LED lighting, as well as a new bumper, although the bumper is more sculpted, not less. New rocker panels and side mirrors round out the exterior changes. The nose job and butt lift add roughly an inch and a half of overall length, rendering the 2011 coupe and convertible the longest 3-series models ever, measuring about three and a half inches longer than the sedan.
Inside, the 2011 models bear no changes of consequence, other than newly designed (and still-optional) steering-wheel shift paddles for models equipped with automatic transmissions. iDrive remains optional, not standard. Given how well-executed the intimate cabin of the 3-series is, no news is good news.
Carefully Honed Package
While all of today’s 3-series variants are clearly related, the low-slung coupe and convertible models do not share many exterior pieces with their more upright four-door siblings. And for 2011, the two- and four-door 3-series grow even further apart visually. Up front, the nose has been smoothed and appears lower and wider, thanks to larger apertures for the trademark kidney grille and bigger bi-xenon headlamps. Replacing the current trio of lower air intakes is a squared-off, full-width opening with outboard fog lamps and a pair of horizontal chrome blades that, frankly, might have been better left in the knife drawer. Considering how sharp the current coupe’s front end is, we’re not quite ready to embrace the 2011’s newfound bluntness as an improvement, although we do look forward to staring down some Audis with the Bimmers’ bright new LED “angel eyes.”
The rear end also adopts slick LED lighting, as well as a new bumper, although the bumper is more sculpted, not less. New rocker panels and side mirrors round out the exterior changes. The nose job and butt lift add roughly an inch and a half of overall length, rendering the 2011 coupe and convertible the longest 3-series models ever, measuring about three and a half inches longer than the sedan.
Inside, the 2011 models bear no changes of consequence, other than newly designed (and still-optional) steering-wheel shift paddles for models equipped with automatic transmissions. iDrive remains optional, not standard. Given how well-executed the intimate cabin of the 3-series is, no news is good news.
335i: Same Thrills, Less Guilt
Mechanically, the entry-level 328i coupes and convertibles are carry-overs, with their shared 3.0-liter inline-six continuing to serve up 230 hp at 6500 rpm and 200 lb-ft of torque at 2750 rpm. Here again, no news is fine: there are few roads on which the 328i can’t put a smile on the driver’s face, and the willing engine is effortless in its power delivery. Fuel economy shouldn’t change from the 18 mpg city and 28 mpg highway ratings (the heavier convertibles return slightly less) of the 2010 model, regardless of transmission choice.
Bigger changes, however, were made to the zesty 335i and its sweet, turbocharged BMW six. Introduced just over three years ago, the prodigious and velvety N54 still ranks among the engines we’d deem least in need of improvement. But with an eye on rising emissions and fuel-economy mandates around the world, BMW designed the new N55, dismissing the tag-team turbos in favor a single, twin-scroll turbocharger that BMW claims is even quicker to spool than the twin setup. The N55 also features BMW’s Valvetronic variable valve timing and lift system. Thus endowed and aided by direct injection, the all-aluminum N55 matches the N54’s 300-hp output at the same 5800 rpm. The N55 engine also serves up the same 300 lb-ft of torque, but starts doing so 200 revs lower, at 1200 rpm, and max torque is on tap all the way through 5000 rpm. Redline is 7000 rpm. The 335i sedan also will switch to the N55 as soon as production of the 2011 coupes begins.
More Choices than Ever
As with the 328i, the 2011 335i will be offered with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions. (Sadly, BMW won’t offer the 3er with an N55/eight-speed automatic combo, as is planned for the upcoming 535i GT.) But BMW will continue to make xDrive all-wheel drive available on all 3-series coupes. No matter the transmission or to how many wheels the power is delivered, every 335i promises to be plenty quick: BMW estimates that the manual-equipped rear-wheel-drive 335i coupe can accelerate to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, with the droptop requiring 5.5 seconds. Add another 0.2 second to each time for the automatics. Even quicker is the xDrive-equipped 335i coupe, which overcomes all-wheel drive’s inherent weight penalty and hustles to 60 in a claimed 5.2 seconds in manual form and 5.3 with the auto. Those stats seem conservative to us, as we’ve repeatedly seen high fours from 335i coupes in the past. We expect to squeeze similar numbers from the 2011 model.
Mechanically, the entry-level 328i coupes and convertibles are carry-overs, with their shared 3.0-liter inline-six continuing to serve up 230 hp at 6500 rpm and 200 lb-ft of torque at 2750 rpm. Here again, no news is fine: there are few roads on which the 328i can’t put a smile on the driver’s face, and the willing engine is effortless in its power delivery. Fuel economy shouldn’t change from the 18 mpg city and 28 mpg highway ratings (the heavier convertibles return slightly less) of the 2010 model, regardless of transmission choice.
Bigger changes, however, were made to the zesty 335i and its sweet, turbocharged BMW six. Introduced just over three years ago, the prodigious and velvety N54 still ranks among the engines we’d deem least in need of improvement. But with an eye on rising emissions and fuel-economy mandates around the world, BMW designed the new N55, dismissing the tag-team turbos in favor a single, twin-scroll turbocharger that BMW claims is even quicker to spool than the twin setup. The N55 also features BMW’s Valvetronic variable valve timing and lift system. Thus endowed and aided by direct injection, the all-aluminum N55 matches the N54’s 300-hp output at the same 5800 rpm. The N55 engine also serves up the same 300 lb-ft of torque, but starts doing so 200 revs lower, at 1200 rpm, and max torque is on tap all the way through 5000 rpm. Redline is 7000 rpm. The 335i sedan also will switch to the N55 as soon as production of the 2011 coupes begins.
More Choices than Ever
As with the 328i, the 2011 335i will be offered with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions. (Sadly, BMW won’t offer the 3er with an N55/eight-speed automatic combo, as is planned for the upcoming 535i GT.) But BMW will continue to make xDrive all-wheel drive available on all 3-series coupes. No matter the transmission or to how many wheels the power is delivered, every 335i promises to be plenty quick: BMW estimates that the manual-equipped rear-wheel-drive 335i coupe can accelerate to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, with the droptop requiring 5.5 seconds. Add another 0.2 second to each time for the automatics. Even quicker is the xDrive-equipped 335i coupe, which overcomes all-wheel drive’s inherent weight penalty and hustles to 60 in a claimed 5.2 seconds in manual form and 5.3 with the auto. Those stats seem conservative to us, as we’ve repeatedly seen high fours from 335i coupes in the past. We expect to squeeze similar numbers from the 2011 model.
So after all that reengineering, how much fuel will be saved? Disappointingly, BMW had no specifics, saying only that the N55 indeed is both cleaner-burning and more fuel-efficient than its predecessor. And the N54 was no carbon bigfoot itself, with the 335i coupe’s competitive city/highway rating of 17/26 mpg placing it only 1 or 2 mpg down from the naturally aspirated 328i. A significant improvement in fuel economy for the 335i, then, could virtually erase any fuel-economy advantage currently held by the 328i. That’s right, now there’s one fewer reason not to get the fast one.
2011 335is: Another Promising 3
If it’s still hard to fathom how BMW can make so many changes to the 335i’s engine without finding even one additional horsepower, a second turbo’d inline-six is planned for the upcoming 335is coupe and convertible, which share many of their performance-enhancing components with the new Z4 sDrive35is. Wrapped in the new body but powered by a pumped-up version of the N54 (twin-turbo) with about 320 hp, the 335is is rumored to get sporty body adornments, a choice of seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual or six-speed manual transmissions, and steering and chassis hardware mods. Complete details on this sportiest of all non-M 3-series are days away, so check back soon for details.
The E92 3-Series convertible is BMW's first model with a retractable hardtop. BMW says this convertible is the perfect car for two-person backroad vacation adventures whenever the weather permits. Built on the same chassis and with the same engine choices as the 3-Series coupe, it gives up just a little weight and luggage room in return for the fun of top-down motoring in an all-season automobile.
The only variation between the 328i and 335i models is in the power plant. The 328i uses BMW's normally aspirated 3.0-liter inline six, offering 230 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 200 foot-pounds of torque at 2,750 rpm. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels through a standard six-speed manual transmission; a six-speed automatic with rapid-action Steptronic gear selection is optional.
The 335i has a new N54 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder with a single twin-scroll turbocharger, high-precision fuel injection, and an all-aluminum crankcase, pushing the car to 60 mph in just 5.3 seconds. The motor produces 300 horsepower at 5,800 rpm. Peak toque is 300 pound-feet, available from a mere 1,200 rpm, all the way up to 5,000 rpm.
BMW says the new N54 engine uses the same displacement as the previous engine, but only requires a single turbocharger as opposed to two. The new N54 single turbo setup also produces the same peak power but with a lower starting torque curve, as well as better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
For those seeking even more power, BMW now offers a 335is Convertible model, gaining 20 horsepower, for a total of 320 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. The 335is Convertible also features, for the first time ever in a 3-Series in the U.S., a seven-speed Double Clutch Transmission (DCT).
There's also no sacrifice to the superb handling for which BMW is recognized. The car is solid on the track at speeds well in excess of highway limits, and yet is confident in tight cornering, due to a near-even front to rear weight balance
Stylistically, the 3-Series droptop gets new headlamps, LED tail lamps and mirrors, as well as a widened signature kidney grille with a new chrome frame. The new front and rear fascias add a little length to the car -- 1.14 inches up front and 0.12 inches out back. All Convertibles will now get adaptive Xenon headlamps as standard equipment and the revised lamps gain brighter LED corona rings, a BMW design staple.
Inside, the 3-Series Convertible receives some very minor updates. New additional wood trim options are added to the list and the some of the formerly black plastic trim takes on a more gray shade. The Convertible's leather trim now comes with a sun reflective pigment to keep the seats cooler when the top is down -- as much as 36 degrees Fahrenheit cooler for dark leather.
The folding top mechanism takes up some trunk space, and the folded top even more, providing just about enough trunk space for two roll-aboard suitcases. However, the rear seat backs neatly fold down to form a functional luggage shelf, so a week's vacation in the car can be handled with ease. Fortunately, the hardtop erects in just a few seconds, so all you have to do is remember to close it when you park the car in order to keep your luggage safe.
ABS, stability control and traction control are all standard. Driver and passenger are protected by front, side, and knee airbags. Belt latch tensioners and belt force limiters are activated by sensor-controlled electronics based on type and severity of collision.
BMW also added three new colors to the 3-Series Convertible lineup, Deep Sea Blue Metallic, Vermillion Red Metallic, and Mineral White Metallic.
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