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By
ALISTAIR KENNEDY
28 January 2008
As part of its 3 Series upgrade BMW has added a
high-performance sporting station wagon to the range of its
biggest-selling model. The 335i Touring is the most powerful and most
expensive of four wagons in the big 3 Series range.
The sporting station wagon is very much a European
thing. Australians have traditionally used their station wagons as
either a semi-commercial vehicle or for family transport, with
plenty of practical rear storage space requiring square,
functional rear styling. In Europe it’s different. There,
appearance is very much to the fore with curved rooflines and
hatch-like tails almost disguising the fact that they are station
wagons.
The Australian attitude to wagons may be about to
change with Holden set to release its new European-style VE
Commodore wagon, to be appropriately named Eurowagon, midway
through 2008. With SUVs taking over much of the market share
previously occupied by station wagons this could prove an astute
move by Holden.
Rear storage space in the 335i Touring is limited
by the downslope of the roof. Indeed luggage space with the rear
seats in position, is just 450 litres, marginally less than the
capacity of the 3 Series sedan’s boot. With the 60/40-split rear
seats folded (almost) flat the wagon’s capacity can be expanded
to 1375 litres, enough for skis, surfboards and the like.
There are tie-down points and a two-position cover
to add further practicality and safety. Additional nets and
stowage compartments are also available as options. All models in
the 3 Series Touring range now come with the extra convenience of
separate opening rear glass on the tailgate.
Rear seat legroom is reasonable for a car of this
size, although headroom is restricted, again by the slope of the
roof.
But the big news with the 335i Touring is under
the bonnet where the 3.0-litre, straight-six, twin-turbo engine
can take the car from zero to 100 km/h in just 5.9 seconds.
Maximum power is a very healthy 225 kilowatts with peak torque an
even more impressive 400 Newton metres all the way from 1300 to
5000 rpm.
The 335i Touring is the fourth 3 Series model to
receive the engine that took out the 2007 International Engine of
the Year award, joining the 335i sedan, coupe and convertible.
The other 3 Series Touring models come with either
a 2.0-litre four-cylinder (320i and 320i Executive) or 2.5-litre
six-cylinder (323i) engines. At $108,600, the 335i is twice the
price of the entry level 320i so only those seeking the extra
performance will be interested. BMW has no plans to include the
2.0-litre diesel engine that’s recently been added to a number
of other 3 Series models.
The 335i wagon comes only with six-speed automatic
transmission, the other three models come with the option of a
six-speed manual gearbox. The automatic ‘box does have a
Steptronic manual override, operated by steering wheel mounted
paddles.
Fuel consumption on the 335i Touring hasn’t been
tested to Australian standards as yet, however European tests have
it using a fairly thirsty 14.1 litres per 100 kilometres in the
city, but dropping down significantly to 7.3 L/100 km in highway
driving.
Safety features in the 335i Series Touring include
ABS brakes with dynamic brake control and cornering brake control,
front, side and head airbags, stability and traction control and
cruise control with a brake function.
Our test 335i Touring was fitted with a $4500 M
Sport Package which adds firmer suspension, sports seats and
aerodynamics package as well as a number of cosmetic enhancements.
We were able to let it stretch its legs on a 150-kilometre test in
northern Victoria with a nice blend of good rural roads and some
tight winding climbs.
With peak torque coming in at just 1300 revs the
wagon really leaps out of the blocks and accelerates smoothly. The
M Sport suspension is firm but reasonably comfortable, handling is
precise and such is the car’s balance and agility that we needed
to look into the rear vision mirror to remind ourselves that you
are driving a station wagon.
While the $100,000-plus price tag is likely to
deter most buyers, for the driving enthusiast looking for an
enjoyable drive to and from the ski fields or for a weekend
driving getaway, the 335i Touring could be just the ticket.
The complete BMW 3 Series Touring range, with
prices (excluding on-road costs) is:
320i 2.0-litre five-door wagon: $54,200 (manual),
$56,800 (automatic)
320i Executive 2.0-litre five-door wagon: $59,100
(manual), $61,700 (automatic)
323i 2.5-litre five-door wagon: $68,900 (manual),
$71,500 (automatic)
335i 3.0-litre twin-turbo five-door wagon:
$108,600 (automatic)
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Marque Publishing Company
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