BMW 335i M Performance (2014) Review

The BMW 335i M Performance Edition garners loads of attention from onlookers. Here in its Valencia Orange hue with carbon fibre accessories it makes a visual impact and with its straight-six turbo you’d hope it packs a fierce punch to match. Does the M Performance edition turn it into a 3-Series for the enthusiast? Or is it just a 335i with some fancy garnish?

What is an M Performance Edition?

BMW has introduced the M Performance edition for additional sporty flavour to its 3-Series. It starts with an M Sport package that includes a few chassis tweaks including lowering the suspension by 10mm, stiffening up the springs and dampers and the stabilisers are hardened. The exterior is then accessorised to the next level.

M Sport brakes are added with blue calipers, side skirts are added with ‘M Performance’ decals, there’s a carbon spoiler on the boot lid and a special M Performance front grille. It’s hardly subtle but I’m beginning to get it’s not the point of this vehicle. What’s more is there’s just 500 of these available, so there’s the exclusivity factor to add in.

M Performance packaging doesn’t end there as the interior steals a few parts from the M Sport package. There’s a nice fat M-branded steering wheel, red-stitched sport seats and a large M logo on the door sill. The rest of the interior remains top notch 3-Series with i-Drive hosting all the functions you could ever want for. One of the most useful functions within the i-Drive system I found was the message reader that offeres to read your phone messages to you on the move. It’s a good way to decrease cell phone use on the roads.

Gun Show

The 335i is motivated by the tried and tested 3-litre straight-six turbo. The M Performance has the exact same credentials as the standard car. Power sits at 225 kW and torque is 400 Nm. Maximum torque is available pretty much the whole way through the rev range, it starts at an almost idle 1 200 rpm and is still pushing all of it at 5 000 rpm.

That provides a perfectly linear acceleration curve, for a turbo engine it is incredibly smooth and climbs the revs evenly right to the redline shift. I wouldn’t call it ballistic acceleration though, there’s no sense of how fast you’re going until you look out the side window or down at the speedo. The best way to describe it is possibly as luxurious performance.

Eight Clicks

In order to keep fuel economy down, BMW decided on the eight-speed automatic gearbox. In auto mode the shifts feel seamless and before you’re even aware, you’re in top gear cruising at 100kph. The revs are kept low to keep fuel economy down before the next gear is called to task. Adjust the chassis selector button into sport and the shifts get a bit more noticeable as the computer allows the engine to rev higher and the gear shifts to strike faster. Coming back down the gears can be a bit clunky in Sport mode, but there’s always the manual mode to spruce the excitement up. With eight gears to play with in manual mode, I kept getting lost as to where I was and needed to glance into the instrument cluster to rectify the problem.

Driving Pleasure

When it comes down to it, driving a BMW has to be about the driving experience. The lowered and stiffened suspension doesn’t hamper the slow speed ride of the M Performance. Yes it’s firm but not annoyingly so and even with the large front bumper it’s high enough off the ground to not scrape over speed bumps or sloped kerbs.

At speed and in the bends is where the M Performance package makes sense, the chassis feels planted and there’s loads of grip to be tested. The M Performance changes direction beautifully with great poise and balance, the weight transfer when shifted quickly still feels central so there’s no scary moments of snap oversteer. If I were to change one thing it would be the electronic steering, whilst the weighting of the steering feel is good, it could do with better feedback as it loses some of the connection with the front wheels and that detracts from the overall thrill.

Verdict

The BMW 335i M Performance has all the shiny add-ons and go faster bits to make it stand out from the regular 335i and when finished off in carbon fibre they certainly attract attention. It would be nice to say the M Performance version was a little faster than a normal 335i, but the improved numbers will only be found on the track. It’s a better handler with firmer suspension and a lower centre of gravity and it’s fun to wield down a good road. The steering could provide more feedback, but the chassis is still the benchmark for executive sedans. The 335i M Performance offers something a little extra for the owner who wants a little more show and can do some bragging about handling and exclusivity at R50 000 extra.

Second Opinion

The BMW 335i M Performance edition boasts some cool carbon fibre visual bits like mirrors and boot spoiler. It also gains some blue M-branded brakes and side skirts amongst other things. The result is a car that finally looks as exciting as it is to drive. David Taylor

BMW 335i M Performance quick specs

We like:
. Luxurious performance
. Improved handling from an already impressive chassis
. M Performance parts bring added aggressiveness

We dislike:
. Lack of connection between steering wheel and tyres
. All show with no extra go

Also consider:
Audi A4 3.0T
Lexus IS350
Infiniti Q50 S Hybrid