I love the EVO, but I consider myself a car enthusiast first. So I enjoy following the progress of other cars to see how they compare to the EVO and others. One car in particular, the BMW 335i has recieved it's fair share (and then some) of hype. With tuners (Vishnu and AA) getting some pretty good gains in power on these cars. So I've been following and paitently waiting for some more data, or for these cars to start backing up these power claims with further data. Now the numbers are starting to come in, not a whole lot, but enough.

So far these cars have been running some decent times. Stock, they are pretty much getting the same times as the magazines, plus or minus a couple of tenths, and trap speeds have also been falling with in the same range.

Stock times- 13.3 to 13.6@103-106mph

So yes, stock the average driver is getting some pretty good times out of these cars.

Now modded. Most of us have been reading the claims of big power from these cars, but so far the big power has not been translating to the streets or strips. Yes there has been some improvements, but not as much as I had expected.

Modded w/ Tuning and Catback Exhaust (Steet Tires)- 13.0 to 13.3@105-108mph
Modded w/ Tuning and Catback Exhaust (DRs)- 12.8 to 13.1@105-108mph

Fast, YES, but honestly with the big power claims of 330-360whp and even more torque for these cars from tuners, I was expecting atleast mid 12s. Most of these times have been with a mixture of pump and race gas too.

The Good-
Still to early and the number of 335is that have actually went to the strip is still very small. So there is definitly room for improvement. ATs seem to be as fast or faster than the MTs (interesting).

The Bad-
The trap speeds worry me a little. I could understand the slower times from traction issues to poor driving, but I would have expected a little bit higher of trap speeds. With the power that these cars are claiming, I would expect 109-112mph trap speeds. The times and trap speeds of these so far, have been similiar to the BMW E46 M3 with comparable mods and I would have expected the 335i to be substantially quicker.

The Ugly-
A tune and exhaust for these cars can cost well over $2,000 and that is a lot of money to still run 13s (especially for a turbocharged vehicle). A EVO IX with comparable money spent is capable of very high 11s/low 12s@112-116mph. The BMW still has a little ways to go.

Conclusion-
This is in no way an attempt to put down the 335i, which I consider a very nice car. This is an attempt for more people to hold other cars to the same standards that we hold our EVOs. That is, that a dyno slip is great, but you need to back that power claim up with further proof. I mean, we have Pontiac Solstice owners claiming 30whp+ with just a catback exhaust, wtf? Like I said, it is still very early and it is possible that more 335i will hit the strip and start running some even more impressive times. But for now the 335i isn't living up to the hype, but as more data is produced I will report.

 

I also must note that, Vishnu's 335i has ran low 13s@109-111mph with 340whp/390wtq on street tires. So perhaps more 335is will trap similiar.

 

As soon as the Evo can pull in 40 year old milf's I'll agree that the evo is the better car

Scorke

 

This is not an attempt to say which car is better. The 335i and EVO are much different cars, and as far as pure performance, the EVO is a much better car, sorry. But if you are interested in buying a 335i and are also interested in buying an EVO, the reasons should be different. They are much different cars, and it would be a great combo to have both.

This is really early, if shiv can pull off 111mph traps with his 335i, then it could be very possible that others in the future also will trap similiar, but so far they are not.

 

I ran a 335i at the track this past saturday.. he pulled out a 13.2 @ 106~ mph. I was thoroughly impressed. Not sure if it was modded or not

 

Yes he was modded with DRs, Procede, and Exhaust

As I stated earlier, it's still early. So don't take these numbers to seriously. As time goes on, 335i should be running quicker and faster.

By the way good job on your 12.1@111mph, BMW owners are claiming the track is so slow, but you sure didn't have a problem.

 

If I bought a BMW, I wouldn't mod the engine. But that's just me.

 

^same here....maybe some rims etc...but engine wise...no..

 

The 335i is a combination of Luxury and performance. Not to mention looks. It has way more curb appeal to it. APPLES to Oranges

 

The Evo has AWD, thats one of the main reasons it runs impressive times. RWD is hard to hookup when you have 360whp compare to AWD with 360whp.

Hype? No.

Wait till the 335xi hits shore, than will see the power put to the tarmac.

 

how much heavier will it be though

 

Understand also w/ added AWD means increase weight.

 

if you are basing those results from e90post.com you have to understand that a lot of those guys who ran this weekends were at tracks way above sea level. Here is a guy with an Auto and AA tune.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49518

I would say that is pretty damn great.

 

If the rwd is on drag radials you can cut much better times than a awd on street tires...look at mustangs who consistently pull 1.4-1.5 which are almost unheard of on a awd car which isn't on drag radials and a bunch of hp...

 

The hawt secks factor of the 335i cannot be denied!

I love how BMW finally puts some power in the non-M 3-series.