A quick spin in the 335i has us longing for the sweet cry of BMW's in-line six.
I wish I hadn't driven this 335i. I was fine, happy even, with our choice of a 328i as our Four Seasons test car. The new four-cylinder is plenty powerful, and its excellent fuel efficiency is oh so au curant. But a quick spin in the 335i has me longing for the sweet cry of BMW's in-line six. It's not the extra muscle, although 300 hp certainly has the ability to charm. Rather, the appeal of the six has everything to do with sound and feel. The six's smooth, distinctive growl is and always will be a huge slice of the 3-series' all-around perfection. And although the lighter four-cylinder should theoretically offer better handling, the six has the advantage of being much more responsive to small inputs of the gas pedal, which is very important considering how sensitive the 3's balanced chassis is to the throttle.
Photo Gallery: 2012 BMW 335i Sedan - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine
Photo Gallery: 2012 BMW 335i Sedan - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine