[rondocap]

So it's no secret that performance cars have changed dramatically over the last 2 years. The biggest change is the engine technology - past cars, such as M's, AMG's, etc - were naturally aspirated engines - V10's, big V8's, etc. Powerful but also gas drinkers that companies are trying to keep the average down on.

This isn't a discussion in the Turbo vs NA engine debate - but rather an observation. Would you guys consider the 335i to be amongst the pioneer cars in the new turbo performance age?

Obviously, there were other turbo and supercharged cars before the 335i. (Subaru, Evo - although these are more "character" rally cars and not typical, Mercedes had supercharged AMG's, Audi and VW also have had turbo cars) But they were more niche cars that were fewer and far between.

But without a doubt - the 335 is one of the most successful turbo performance cars that somehow makes me see it as having a direct lineage to the new performance cars - like the M5, upcoming M3, etc. Almost like it was the starting point for where we are now - very powerful and efficient turbo charged engine that has little turbo lag, and great performance.

[CombatNinja]

No, I wouldn't. Thanks for asking.

[Turb0Surge]

LOL as much as I like my 335i, it's just a fun sedan. Nothing really special about it except the engine. And as much as i'd hate to agree with combatninja- on this one i do.

Face the facts- it is what it is. And that's an entry level luxury sedan with a twin turbo powerhouse. Nothing really special. You love your car too much bro.

[GChase]

I'm not going to bash you as hard as the others but BMW didn't "pioneer" most of what makes 335i's so great. You kind of answered your own question when you stated that other cars have had the engines before. Although they can be classified as "racing cars", they're still cars.

[gary88]

[BMW_Belgier]

Well it was a big step for BMW... The first turbo engine in a lot of years...

They were just one of the first that came up to the "downsize" trend... So they were indeed pioneers...

C'mon guys! This is a BMW forum Stand up

[TroyDeJ]

ive heard it called the new supra and from what i hear the limiting factor of the n54/55 is the fuel limitations. its a strong engine block on a pretty nice and well handling car platform. its still relatively new so its hard to see what the potential of the 135/335 can be. once people start with big turbo upgrades and can maybe add a secondary fuel rail it should be able to make some massive numbers. the vishnu car is already making over 600hp, thats insane power for a regular looking street car. only time will tell i guess, who would have thought supras would be making over well 1000hp

[08AWD335]

Few and far between? Have you seen how many evos and stis are on the road these days?!

The movement started in the late 80's early 90s with the following turbo cars....300zx, rx7, 944, supra, 240sx, dsm, subaru, 3kgt, etc. I would consider them the pioneers to the evo8,9&10 and subaru sti lines.

[ndog14]

Y'all be dranking that B M UU koolaid.

new performance car movement? mustang 5.0

i said, what now?

[cmyk]

I agree with most of the others here, but I will say that I see the point you're trying to make. I would count the Supra, 300ZX, DSM/VR4 etc crowd as more of the "pioneers" but the turbo/high output street cars did all but disappear in the late 90s/early 2000s in favor of fuel efficient econo-boxes and SUVs. It does seem that lately we are seeing a resurgence of the higher-horsepower turbo'd street car, and the 335 is certainly among them. I, for one, welcome the shift The new Genesis coupe has a twin-scroll turbo and around 300hp I believe. A few years ago it was harder to find a turbo'd car, and certainly a turbo car that was considered "luxury" by reasonable standards. Not trying to speak for the OP but I think MAYBE that's along the lines of what he meant by the post.

[techwhiz]

I do see where the OP was going. I don't want to bash. The Supra's RX-7 and others were fun experiments. AUdi has had a turbo in just about everything for years, but their performance cars up until recently had V8 or V10 engines.

I think that BMW is the first sell mass market turbo cars across the car line as both economy *AND* performance. My old M3 drank more gas and had less performance than my 335.

The n54 engine definitely marks the entry point of BMW into the high performance Turbo sedan/coupe market. The n54 engine has been an award winning design platform.
THe newer engines just follow the design lineage.

Look at the new M5/M6 engine. BMW has almost every other engine design house looking like a dazed puppy. "What? Put the exhaust in the valley to feed the turbos? Are you kidding?"

BMW does still have real engineering.

[EB9512]

Don't get me wrong....I love my car...makes me happy. But in reality it is a quick, tunable entry level lux sedan that falls right in between the 328 and the M3 as it was designed to do.... That is what it is....and that is enough for me....obviously in its class the whole 3 series is highly regarded as a benchmark, but that does not make it the innovator....just makes it a very good car.

[Doctor///M]

Mate an award-winning engine to a great chassis and your car is the outcome. Most of the competitors don't get the high hp AND tq ratings for their engines... it's usually one or the other.. So in some regard, yes... it is a great model that's clearly standing the test of time (now coming up on 6 years) from which BMW has probably learned a lot and developing new engines on.

It's unfortunate that NA consumers see nothing special in their cars. We really do have it great compared to the rest of the world. Step out of the box, and you'll be in a world of 318's 320's and 323's.

[CombatNinja]

Maybe you remember this car from 14 years ago?

[Saintor]

The 2007 335i was a response to challengers as the 2006 300HP IS350 and 298HP G35.

So I will vote no.

[ndog14]

Originally Posted by CombatNinja

Maybe you remember this car from 14 years ago?

+1


This thread is turbo/BMW-Richard-sucking thread. Do people forget the hpfp fiasco of the N54 at its release? If anything that was turbos aren't the way of the future, but BMW fixed that and kept with it because they knew the need of high power, good mpg cars. The 335 is a pseudo sports, pseudo luxury car. It's intent is not performance, the aftermarket community did that.

[Doctor///M]

Originally Posted by Saintor

The 2007 335i was a response to challengers as the 2006 300HP IS350 and 298HP G35.

So I will vote no.

all naturally aspirated. Turbocharged is what the OP is on.

[CombatNinja]

Also, FWIW, my B5 S4 never needed a single mechanical repair in the 94,000 miles I had it. Just normal maintenance and a few upgraded parts since the car was a full stage 3 (k04 turbos, fueling and full exhaust) from 60,000 miles on.

My 335i needed a HPFP one month from new.

[328i M-Sport]

Originally Posted by 08AWD335

The movement started in the late 80's early 90s with the following turbo cars....300zx, rx7, 944, supra, 240sx, dsm, subaru, 3kgt, etc. I would consider them the pioneers to the evo8,9&10 and subaru sti lines.

Pretty much. Also do not forget Buick Grand National.

[marshall834]

OP, I like the observation and question. That being said, I have limited knowledge of car history, but from what I understand, I would agree with most of the others on this thread.

The N54 is new and unique to BMW but not so much to the rest of the world.

[ndog14]

This is a thread to boost the ego of 335 drivers lol

"I'm so sad because I have no true friends. What if I make a thread about how my 335 revolutioned the car industry like the Benz Patent Motorwagen? It's better than eating and throwing up."

[QUiKSR20]

Yeah the 335 is a great "performance sedan/coupe" It comes with great options ( AWD / RWD / Auto / Manual etc ) but its not a pioneer.
For a current gen car its got a great formula for performance sport and semi luxury.. ( inline 6 and turbos )

So yeah awesome car no doubt but not much of a pioneer, It is however the bench mark of the class for its handling and now that its
turbo charged its nice that you can get alot more power out of it with tuning.

Dont forget this bad boy aka one of the kings of the inline 6 ( I know rare in america but not around the world )



The older GTR could be had in 2 & 4 door / AWD or RWD etc similar to the 335.