[J02 335i]

I was reading an issue of Car and Driver and came across the Lightning Lap 2012 article, I found it interesting how the 2007 335i (3:10.5) was over 3 seconds faster then the 335is (3:13.8). I know there are a lot of factors that can vary lap times but either way I found it amusing.

Paragraph from the article,

The 3:10.5 lap a 335i turned at our 2007 VIR event is just another reason to believe that those early turbocharged BMWs made more power than the advertised 300 ponies. After all, the 320-hp 335is is only 0.1 mph faster down the front straight, at 131.6 mph.

Even with the slower-than-expected lap time, the 335is is so committed to chassis neutrality that it might as well be Swiss. From the sharp left-hand Turn Four until the start of sector two, the 335is will change direction as readily with the gas pedal as with the steering wheel.

Our 335is test car was equipped withthe optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic that is also offered in the M3. This gearbox has proven more problematic for track work than the aforementioned 335i’s traditional manual. The transmission did not resist shifting when the 335is was side-loaded, as it did in the Z4 we ran this year, but the gear display is tiny and is nestled between the gauges, requiring more than a quick glance to ascertain which gear is engaged. And the steering-wheel paddles sometimes did not follow through on a command.

A transmission can’t be the only culprit for a car’s disappointing performance, right? Actually, it was the only complaint of the two drivers who drove the 335is. Subjectively, there were no glaring criticisms. Its chassis is slightly more upset by curbing, and the steering turn-in isn’t as immediate as the 1-series M’s. But the brake pedal offers nice initial bite; it’s easy to modulate and thus trail-brake.

The 335is is a joy to drive, even if this one was simply not as quick as the 335i from several years ago. We would choose the stand*ard manual transmission if it were our money. And maybe that would improve the BMW’s lap time. It would certainly increase the fun quotient.

Link to the page....

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...2-class-page-4

[SilverII]

could be the new low dust pads in the 335IS. they are great for street use

[krayzie089]

Its a drivers race between them cause the difference in power is minimal.

[whoosh]

Too many variables to be able to answer the question:

• driver?
• tire?
• air temperature/humidity?
• miles on vehicle (press cars get beat up terribly)
• track temperature/condition?

It's unreasonable to compare two cars in two tests so many years apart.

[J02 335i]

Originally Posted by SilverII

could be the new low dust pads in the 335IS. they are great for street use

Ok................ Not sure what to say here?

[SilverII]

Originally Posted by J02 335i

Ok................ Not sure what to say here?

Low dust = long braking.

[idrift4wd]

well in 07 C&D tested the 335i at 4.8 0-60.... (.7 more then half a second faster then what BMW advertises for their 2011 model.

Tested the 330i at 5.6....kinda crazy

[gunnerxq]

Originally Posted by idrift4wd

well in 07 C&D tested the 335i at 4.8 0-60.... (.7 more then half a second faster then what BMW advertises for their 2011 model.

Tested the 330i at 5.6....kinda crazy

You sure the 330i wasn't 5.5 sec?

[PR3CI5N]

I used to drive an 07' 335i and it's brakes were awesome. I now have a 2010 335i M-sport and I'm not a big fan of the new brakes. Rather have brake dust and stop faster! Fuck BMW and trying to save money on brakes!

[idrift4wd]

Originally Posted by gunnerxq

You sure the 330i wasn't 5.5 sec?

could have been, i was just looking at the article.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...take-road-test

other testers could have done 5.5

[Dozhdbog]

2011 335i Sedan C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 4.8 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 11.7 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 20.7 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 5.5 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 13.6 sec @ 106 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 155 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 168 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.89 g


2011 335is C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 4.6 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 11.4 sec
Zero to 140 mph: 25.7 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 5.0 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 13.3 sec @ 108 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 148 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 169 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.93 g

[BMWCOUPE]

Interesting. I always heard BMW underated their numbers. However I'm surprised to see that the 07 335i was faster than the 335is by an entire 3 seconds. I assumed BMW continued their theme of underating horsepower into their 2011+ models so when I read that the 335is puts out 320 horsepower I thought the actual horsepower would be around 340, I'm surprised to see its not.

[Fred_Boosted]

Originally Posted by 335isWhite

to the OP: if they offer you a 2007 335i and a 2011 335is side by side, will you pick the 2007 335i because of this article?!

+1

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by BMWCOUPE

Interesting. I always heard BMW underated their numbers. However I'm surprised to see that the 07 335i was faster than the 335is by an entire 3 seconds. I assumed BMW continued their theme of underating horsepower into their 2011+ models so when I read that the 335is puts out 320 horsepower I thought the actual horsepower would be around 340, I'm surprised to see its not.

If you accept that there is a 15% loss crank horsepower to wheel horsepower the 335is is at 314whp/361crank stock. A 10% loss would be 314whp/345crank & 5% would be 314whp/329crank.

The actual number should be someplace between 329 & 361 horsepower.

[DXL007]

I think it would come down to the driver if all things where =

[Bamaben]

2 things to consider. First, the 07 335i became slower with a software update to resolve the waste gate rattle. (39.2?) .
Second, did the article state that it was a different driver for each car? If not, Maybe it was the same one.

[BQTuning]

This comes down to the driver.

I actually frowned at reading that article. Coming from an E92 2007 335i to a E92 2011 335is there is a world of difference between the power "delivery" and performance these cars promise. The 335is triumph over a 335i all day long.

Not only is the driver questioned her but how much time did that 335is get for the DME to adapt. ?

When you have lived & driven both cars then you will understand where I am coming from.

[adamcb]

Just got a new 335is a few weeks ago, and I can comment on the brakes - they do seem a little less sticky than my previous BMWs...

Now, this could be more of a result of new pad (and rotor) break-in...

These are the least-dusty BMW-stock pads I have ever had, however. That IS nice...


Adam

[Padfan9]

Originally Posted by 335isWhite

to the OP: if they offer you a 2007 335i and a 2011 335is side by side, will you pick the 2007 335i because of this article?!

This is ridiculous. I havr raced a few 335is stock before I made any changes and never lost. The 335is is 0-60 in 4.6s.. Now with intake, Dinan stage 2 and ER fmic imagine the 0-60 now... I'd take the 335is Anyday not just because it runs cooler, had more/safer boost capabilities due to the oil cooler upgrades. Also the exhaust is awesome and IMO sounds better then most aftermarket exhuasts for the 335i... Cosmetically it has a ton of awesome differences. I wouldn't believe it.

[Turkeybaster115]

Originally Posted by 335isWhite

to the OP: if they offer you a 2007 335i and a 2011 335is side by side, will you pick the 2007 335i because of this article?!

Don't be a sore looser! I can personally atest to the fact that we are VERY fast at the track.

[ndog14]

Brakes and tires are crucial to good lap times. It is established the 07 335 have better brakes, but what about tires? I think this needs to be answered before we continue guesstimating.

[Dozhdbog]

This year's lightning lap was run after a heavy rain. I think everyone here can understand how that would affect performance and times.