The most obvious sign of the BMW 3 Series’ mid-life update is the front bumper, which sports larger vents, along with a noticeable downward sloping cut-line besides the license plate holder.
And if you look carefully, the new grille is also slightly larger. The headlamps get corona rings as daylight running lights, with bi-xenon main lamps and LED indicators.
Larger wing mirrors flank the driver on either side, and the hood now gets a pair of “character” lines running down the middle to complete the new, aggressive look.
At the rear, the tail lamps receive a similar makeover.
Look hard enough and you can spot that the license plate recess is slightly smaller as well.
While the overall dimensions are unchanged, the wheel track has been widened (6mm in front and 24mm behind) to better optimise the suspension for comfort.
However, the main focus has been on what BMW terms “Efficient Dynamics” – where they strive to improve consumption and emissions while increasing power.
To achieve this, engineers have incorporated second-generation, high-precision direct-fuel injection; brake energy regeneration; electro-mechanical power-assisted steering; gear upshift indicator; active aerodynamics and low-resistance run-flat tyres.
It’s doubtful that your running the BMW 335i, with its 306bhp twin-turbo engine, will save the planet. But at least our conscience will be soothed (slightly) at the thought of all the eco-tech that has gone in.
The BMW 335i’s combination of the twin-turbo engine with 400Nm of torque and the quick-acting ZF automatic provides awesome overtaking power, especially in a package that weighs less than 1600kg.
The firm, sporty suspension – which was excellent for the meandering forest roads – made it a tad busy to keep in a straight line on the deteriorating German autobahns at anything over 200km/h.
It would have helped to have a softer damper setting to absorb the high-speed bumps. But it is a fixed rate suspension, albeit one aimed at providing sporty handling over challenging country roads.
The test car wasn’t fitted with active steering, and the unfettered steering is certainly sharp and provided positive feel when piloting through the numerous switchbacks.
This particular combination of engine and chassis qualifies it as the best in its class.
And it seems that none of the green-driven technologies have diluted the enjoyment of driving a BMW 3 Series.
2008 BMW 335i 3.0 (A)
ENGINE 2979cc, 24-valves, inline-6, turbocharged
MAX POWER 306hp at 5800rpm
MAX TORQUE 400Nm at 1300-5000rpm
GEARBOX 6-speed automatic with manual select
0-100KM/H 5.8 seconds
TOP SPEED 250km/h (governed)
CONSUMPTION 10.9km/L
PRICE INCL. COE To be announced
