BMW 2012 335i Coupe Term: 36 /mo with $0 Down   $499 /mo   (Miles per year: 10.000) WE DELIVER   CALL NOW THIS PAYMENT IS ESTIMATED WITH LOYALTY

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Car Description & Info

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2012 BMW 3 Series is available in sedan, coupe, hardtop convertible and wagon body styles.

The sedan is an all-new model to be initially available in 328i and 335i trim levels, with three different equipment lines: Sport, Luxury and Modern. The exact list of features for the sedan was not available at the time of this writing, so please return to Edmunds.com soon for full details.

The coupe, convertible and wagon all start out with the 328i trim level. Standard equipment includes automatic headlights, foglamps, automatic wipers, heated mirrors and washer jets, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, an eight-way manual driver seat, leatherette premium vinyl upholstery, split-folding rear seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a premium sound system with a CD player, HD radio and an auxiliary audio jack. The coupe and convertible include 17-inch wheels, adaptive xenon headlights and an iPod/USB audio interface, while the wagon features 16-inch wheels and a panoramic sunroof. The coupe furthermore gets a sport-tuned suspension, while the convertible has a fully powered retractable hardtop and 10-way power front seats with memory functions. Most of these extra items are available as options on the other trims.

In addition to its different engine, the 335i coupe adds a sunroof while the convertible gets heat-reflective leather upholstery. The 335is coupe and convertible also get an upgraded engine, sport exhaust, a sportier suspension calibration, 18-inch wheels, unique styling elements, sport seats and a sport steering wheel.

There are many other options available, most of which are available both within packages and as stand-alone options. These include larger wheels, auto-dimming mirrors, automatic high beams, headlight washers, parking sensors, keyless ignition/entry, an active steering system, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a power rear sunshade (coupe only), Bluetooth, BMW Assist emergency communications system, a navigation system (includes BMW's iDrive electronics interface), satellite radio and a Harman Kardon surround-sound audio system.

Powertrains and Performance

The 328i sedan is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission are standard; an eight-speed automatic is optional. BMW estimates that it will go from zero to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds -- which if accurate would make it far and away the quickest four-cylinder-powered sedan in its class.

The 328i coupe, convertible and wagon get a 3.0-liter inline-6 that produces 230 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual are standard; a six-speed automatic and "xDrive" all-wheel drive are optional. BMW estimates a manual-equipped coupe would go from zero to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds -- all other transmissions and body styles would be within a second slower than that. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 18 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined for the rear-drive coupe regardless of transmission. The other body styles and all-wheel drive achieve 1 or 2 mpg worse in each cycle.

All 335i models regardless of body style get a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder that produces 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. It gets the same transmission and drivetrain choices as the 328i. BMW estimates a 0-60 time of 5.4 seconds for the sedan, and in Edmunds performance testing the coupe was a little quicker than that. Fuel economy estimates for the 335i sedan were not available at the time of this writing, but the coupe gets an impressive 19/28/22 with rear-wheel drive and the manual. The automatic and all-wheel drive drop those estimates by 1 or 2 mpg depending on body style.

The 335is has a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder good for 320 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. There is also a temporary overboost function that bumps max torque up to 370 lb-ft. A six-speed manual is standard, and a seven-speed automated dual-clutch manual known as DCT is optional. In Edmunds performance testing, a manual-equipped 335is Coupe went from zero to 60 mph in 5 seconds. Fuel economy with the manual is 18/26/21 and 17/24/19 with DCT.

Safety

Exact safety equipment for the 2012 BMW 3 Series sedan was not available at the time of this writing, but shouldn't differ considerably from the other body styles. They come standard with antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. The convertible lacks the side curtains, but the regular front side airbags extend up to head level and there are also pop-up rollover hoops. The stability control system integrates several features designed to improve braking performance, such as periodically wiping the brake rotors dry when the windshield wipers are in use and automatically snugging the pads to the rotors when the driver abruptly lifts off the throttle. BMW Assist Emergency telematics are optional.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 3 Series convertible the top rating of "Good" in its frontal-offset crash test and the second-lowest "Marginal" score in the side-impact test.

Interior Design and Special Features

Though the redesigned sedan has a different cabin than the other body styles, every 3 Series interior will be familiar to anyone who has spent time in a BMW. Classic analog gauges, sensible ergonomics and a restrained overall aesthetic combine to create a pleasant driving environment. The new sedan comes with three choices of equipment lines -- Luxury, Sport and Modern -- that, among other things, change the color scheme and trim type in the cabin. It's a nice touch that allows a greater amount of customization.

The base seats are comfortable and supportive, while the Sport package's purpose-built seats are even more so. Materials and build quality are exceptional; even the standard leatherette (vinyl) upholstery looks and feels better than one would expect. The convertible's available heat-reflective leather does a wonderful job of keeping occupants' posteriors cool. The iDrive electronics interface that comes with the optional navigation system is intuitive and one of the best interfaces of its kind.

The 3 Series' backseat is one of the more spacious in the entry-level luxury segment, regardless of whether you're looking at the sedan, coupe, convertible or wagon. Trunk space is average in the coupe, while the wagon offers a maximum cargo capacity of 61 cubic feet. The convertible offers a reasonable cargo hold when the hardtop is up, but predictably shrinks considerably when the top is lowered. Still, it's possible to store a standard roller suitcase back there or two smaller bags.

Driving Impressions

With its new four-cylinder base engine, electrically driven steering, multiple drive settings and an all-new chassis, the 2012 BMW 3 Series sedan is bound to provide a different sort of driving experience. Unfortunately, we have yet to drive it, so please check back soon for full impressions.

As for the other body styles, you'd be hard pressed to find more rewarding cars to drive. The naturally aspirated inline-6 in the other variants of the 328i is otherworldly in its smoothness from idle to redline, and it has enough power to suit most tastes. Those in search of something more will be well served by the 335i, which maintains the 328i's refinement while adding a huge wallop of turbo torque that's always on tap. The 335is doesn't feel much different from the regular 335i until you floor the throttle, at which point the overboost function provides a noticeable uptick in acceleration. It also sounds especially delectable.

The 3 Series' sublime suspension, steering and brakes will provide endless, easily accessible entertainment. Sport package-equipped models can even keep pace with many genuine sports cars. At the same time, the 3 Series is a wonderful long-distance cruiser, boasting both a supple ride and a hushed cabin. The 3 Series' long-running double act is truly extraordinary: It speaks the language of driving enthusiasts, yet its upscale image and comfortable interior give it unrivaled mass appeal.