I took the liberty of driving the new twin turbo E92 coupe today at Santa Monica BMW. I must say I was very impressed. It seems that BMW may well have under-rated the hp output of 300HP. Some suggest that the engine puts out closer to 360hp with close to 300hp at the wheels.
It is roomier than the previous model and BMW have done very well with the automatic gearbox. It has paddle shifters on the steering wheel a la SMG, but does not have the akwardness that was sometime evident with the manual SMG version. The gears changed as if it was SMG and this car MOVES.
The sound the engine puts out is like music to the ears, and on top of it, it is well constructed with full service and warranty plans.
There is a rumor out there that the 335i 4 door which is to be released soon is capable in 6 speed manual form of completing 0-60 in 4.8 seconds which is the same as the previous generation M5 and the current M3.
BMW must have something up their sleeve for the next M3 due out next year, as I cant imagine them wanting a sub $50,000 4 door sedan keeping up the top of line 3. M may well be taking a different route by making the new M3 more of a lightened track racing beast and allowing the 335i to be the luxury end of the scale. Having said that that will not work too well in the USA, so I am expecting a mid to low 4 second time to 60mph for the next M3.
If you have not driven the 335i and you are contemplating a new BMW do it.
BMW never fails to impress me.
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