The 2012 Bmw 335i Sport Line bursts onto the scene, a Melbourne Red streak flashing past, its mechanical roar echoing across the track. From the passenger seat of the Titanium Silver 2012 BMW 335i Sport Line, the adrenaline is palpable as the driver pushes the car to its limits. Entering the Andretti Hairpin, the speedometer climbs north of 100 MPH, the 335i Sport exhibiting just a hint of wiggle under hard braking. The pursuit is clear: keep pace with the Melbourne Red blur ahead – an E92 M3 Competition Package. It’s a challenge accepted and met head-on by the new F30 335i Sport Line. The driver, none other than two-time ALMS champion and Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona winner Joey Hand, expresses clear admiration for the 300 horsepower Twin-Scroll N55 engine’s ability to keep up with the outgoing E92 M3 and its naturally aspirated 414 horsepower S85 V8. His target in the M3? Fellow BMW Team RLL teammate Bill Auberlen. This exhilarating introduction to the 2012 335i Sport Line unfolded at the legendary Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California, setting the stage for a thorough exploration of BMW’s latest iteration of the iconic 3 Series.
The Evolution of the 3 Series: Setting the Stage for the F30 335i
The BMW 3 Series has long been the cornerstone of BMW’s success, particularly in the competitive North American market. Each new generation faces the mounting pressure to not only maintain but elevate BMW’s position in the compact sport sedan segment. The preceding E90 3 Series surpassed the achievements of the E46, and the F30 generation, including the 2012 BMW 335i, was tasked with continuing this upward trajectory. Competitors like Audi with their B8 platform A4, Mercedes-Benz with the C-Class, and Infiniti with the G37, were constantly refining their offerings, intensifying the battle for segment leadership.
The critical question was whether the F30 335i could raise the bar sufficiently to keep BMW ahead of this formidable pack. The initial impressions from the track suggest a resounding yes. The 2012 BMW 335i manages to blend technological advancement and enhanced performance without compromising the engaging driving experience that BMW enthusiasts cherish.
Track-Ready Handling: The 2012 BMW 335i Sport on Laguna Seca
One of the most impressive feats of the F30 335i is its weight management. Despite being a new model generation, it essentially maintains the weight of its predecessor, the E90 335i (3,594 lbs for the F30 versus 3,616 lbs for the E90). This near-identical weight plays a crucial role in the 2012 BMW 335i Sport Line’s track prowess. Testing both manual and automatic versions of the 335i Sport Line at Laguna Seca, the focus quickly shifted to the engaging six-speed manual variant.
Engaging Sport+ mode, a feature exclusive to the Sport Line package, sharpens the car’s dynamics. Combined with deactivating Dynamic Traction Control (DCT) – although Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) remains active in this mode unless fully disabled – the 2012 BMW 335i Sport transforms into a more focused machine. Out on the track, the 335i exhibits quintessential BMW handling characteristics. It confidently tackles corners when driven within its limits, yet predictably defaults to understeer when pushed beyond, a familiar safety net for spirited driving.
While the clutch’s release point felt somewhat vague, the gear throws were commendably short and precise. Throttle response, while adequate, only truly awakens in Sport or Sport+ modes. However, the overall balance and predictability of the car shine through, making it surprisingly well-suited for the demanding Laguna Seca circuit. The chassis readily accepts weight transfer, allowing drivers to confidently “fling” the car into corners and clip apexes. The 2012 BMW 335i Sport rewards clean driving lines, minimizing understeer and allowing for smooth transitions through challenging sections like the climb from Turn 2 to Turn 6. The 300 horsepower from the N55 engine proves to be perfectly calibrated, providing ample power to pull the car out of corners and maintain momentum – a distinct advantage over the less powerful 328i Sport Line.
The optional 19-inch run-flat tires, BMW Style 401 wheels with 225/40 R19 front and 255/35 R19 rear tire setup, priced at an additional $900, are a worthwhile upgrade for the Sport Line. These larger wheels not only enhance the visual appeal of the 2012 BMW 335i Sport Line, differentiating it further from the base 328i Sport Line, but also deliver significantly improved grip compared to the standard 18-inch non-staggered setup. The 19-inch tires maintain their hold on the tarmac much longer, allowing for more aggressive cornering and handling.
Laguna Seca’s Turn 11 became an impromptu drift demonstration zone, with journalists discovering that aggressive throttle input combined with sharp turn-in could easily induce controlled drifts in the 2012 BMW 335i. Even through the challenging Turn 10, a left-hand sweeper following the famous Corkscrew, the car felt composed, though pushing for oversteer on the off-camber corner revealed the limits of adhesion. Despite their impressive grip, the run-flat tires voiced their protest loudly when pushed beyond their limits.
Body roll is present but well-managed, thanks in part to the lowered sport suspension included in the Sport Line package. Interestingly, after rigorous track sessions, the 335i models were noticeably lower on fuel compared to the 328i counterparts, a testament to the more spirited driving and power output.
Braking performance in the 2012 BMW 335i Sport is equally commendable. The ventilated discs proved more than capable of handling repeated hard braking, effectively scrubbing speed for demanding corners like the Corkscrew and Turn 11. Despite continuous abuse from aggressive journalists across multiple sessions, neither the 335i nor the 328i models exhibited brake fade or a spongy pedal feel, demonstrating the robust braking system.
Enhanced Driving Feel: Steering and Suspension Dynamics
Entering the track session, the electric power steering in the 2012 BMW 335i Sport was a key point of interest, especially considering the varying steering feel across BMW’s model range. While the F10 5 Series steering was criticized for being vague and unengaging, the Z4 offered a stark contrast with its tactile and communicative feedback, particularly in Sport mode. Thankfully, the F30 335i steering leans much closer to the Z4 end of the spectrum.
Even in its standard setting, the steering in the 2012 BMW 335i never feels vague. Engaging Sport and Sport+ modes further enhances the experience, adding noticeable weight and tightening up the steering response. This improved steering feel proves invaluable on the track, allowing for precise turn-in and confident line holding through corners. The F30 retains the characteristic BMW fingertip-drive feel, providing ample communication about surface changes and front tire behavior. While some purists may lament the absence of a direct mechanical link between the steering wheel and tires in modern BMWs, the system in the F30 335i is undoubtedly one of BMW’s better implementations of electric power steering.
The Servotronic system is subtly present, an underlying electronic assistance, yet it never intrudes upon the driver’s inputs or diminishes the crucial communication from the front end of the sedan.
Beyond the steering, the suspension setup in the 2012 BMW 335i Sport, particularly in Sport settings, stands out. The previous E90 generation was often criticized for a harsh ride, especially when paired with run-flat tires, feeling unsettled and “crashing” over road imperfections. The F30 335i suspension appears to have addressed this harshness, offering improved compliance, potentially due to advancements in run-flat tire technology. Driving over curbing at Laguna Seca, the double-wishbone front and five-link rear suspension, combined with the 19-inch wheel setup, provides clear feedback without feeling punishing or inducing a sense of grip loss. This refined suspension is likely to appease enthusiasts who were critical of the previous generation’s stock setup.
Engine Sound: A Raucous Six-Cylinder Soundtrack
While the handling and suspension of the 2012 BMW 335i Sport impress, the exhaust note from the twin chrome exhaust pipes adds another layer of driving enjoyment. The raw and raucous sound, characteristic of BMW’s inline-six engines, pours from the rear. However, the optimal listening experience is found outside of the F30. It seems some sound-deadening influence from the 5 Series has found its way into the F30 interior, resulting in a slightly quieter exhaust note compared to the E90 335i.
At higher speeds, wind noise around the mirrors and windscreen becomes quite prominent, quickly overshadowing the exhaust note. Around 80 mph, the intrusion of wind noise is significant enough to diminish the auditory pleasure of the high-pitched exhaust and burbly overrun.
Conclusion: The 2012 BMW 335i Sport – A Worthy Successor
As the morning track session concluded, and helmets were removed, reflection on the 2012 BMW 335i Sport Line and its position as the top-tier 3 Series model was inevitable. Interestingly, the 335i feels like a natural evolution of the E90 335i, while the F30 328i represents a more significant leap forward compared to its predecessor.
This evolutionary approach for the 335i is not a negative aspect. The E90 chassis was already exceptional, especially when paired with the potent 3.0-liter Twin-Scroll N55 engine. The combination of the F30 chassis and the single-turbo inline-six in the 2012 BMW 335i creates a compelling package, delivering ample power for daily driving and spirited canyon runs. The F30 addresses some of the minor shortcomings of the E90, including some interior material quality and suspension refinement, along with improvements in run-flat tire technology. Crucially, the new 3 Series, exemplified by the 2012 BMW 335i Sport, advances in technology and performance without isolating the driver from the experience.
In contrast to models like the F10 5 Series, which can feel somewhat detached due to extensive electronic intervention, the 2012 BMW 335i Sport masterfully integrates its systems to enhance, rather than mask, the driving experience.
The 2012 BMW 335i Sport is, predictably, an excellent car. It builds upon a long-standing winning formula, and given the 3 Series’ significance to BMW’s sales, failure was not an option. The Bavarian engineers have successfully evolved the E90 chassis and technology into the sixth generation 3 Series, while crucially preserving the fun-to-drive character that defines the 3 Series legacy. Initial skepticism about the F30 becoming too large, too technologically advanced, and too diluted in its driving focus proved unfounded. The 2012 BMW 335i Sport remains true to its roots, offering a balanced and engaging driving experience that will undoubtedly satisfy BMW enthusiasts. And for any lingering doubts about its performance capabilities, a word with Joey Hand should quickly dispel them.
