Watch out, Audi Avant: BMW 335i M Sport Touring wagon
While Audi has at times made some of its most powerful S4s and RS4s in Avant wagon bodystyle only, BMW has never made an M3 Touring. And technically, it still hasn't, at least not in name. But the new 335i M Sport Touring is pretty damn close.
With a twin-turbo 3.0-liter six, the 335i sports sedan is as quick as the outgoing previous-generation M3, but while the 335i may be deserving of the M badge as much as any M model has before, that's being saved for the new V8-powered M3. The 3-Series Touring wagon model is getting the same engine as the 335i, along with big 18-inch wheels, but also gets the added benefit of a 460-liter cargo capacity without compromising its sporting pretensions. Very nice.
The 335i M Sport Touring sells in the UK for £34,920 (you can save almost three thousand off that by going for the gentler 335i SE version and skip the M wheels). No telling if the kickin' family hauler will make it to the US, but we sure hope it does. 'Cause with wheels like those (and 28.8 mpg combined-cycle economy), who needs an SUV?
[Source: Auto Express]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
prosumer 3:33PM (4/14/2008)
The 335i and the S5 are complete equals around a track with the same driver, per 5th gear. I doubt the wagons would be any different. A wagon without AWD is not pointless, its called a wagon with RWD, or as I like to call it, my_kind_of_tail_out_fun. The DSC (not fun but toggled) in the 335i actually behaves differently when you are towing! How cool is that?
http://www.worldcarfans.com/2061026.011/bmw-335i-m-sport-touring-uk
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ruggels 4:37PM (10/25/2006)
considering the RS4 in avant form will school an M3 around the track or a straight line, I don't think it'll be quaking. Considering the S4 produces more power then the 335i and is also faster, ditto.
That said, the A4 avant might want to be a bit afraid. It's interesting really, the current M3 can't take the RS4, but the new M3 will certainly be a match, thus BMW provides us with the 335i for a Munich alternative to Audi's S offering. Competition is good, i like that... from a power/performance wagon utility perspective. From designing attractive wagon perspective, BMW still hasn’t made a convincing case, though their cars are far more attractive then those horrid Mercedes wagons.
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Rock 4:51PM (10/25/2006)
From my perspective, all the performance and handling in the world is wasted if BMW hasn't redesigned the rear seat to allow a totally flat cargo space. Is it a wagon or isn't it?
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G. Snyder 4:52PM (10/25/2006)
" considering the RS4 in avant form will school an M3 around the track"
Oh really? Hmmmmm....I would love to see your backup on this one.
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Andy 5:11PM (10/25/2006)
With the Impreza I prefer the hatch/wagon body style. With the 335i, I don't.
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Stacey 4:55PM (10/25/2006)
I have a 2006 A4 Avant and I think that this is a very nice car. I would imagine that the price of this car will be on par with the standard A4 and less than the S4 and will certainly be a competitor.
Congrats to BMW for building a sportier wagon.
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Mike Razpizdaev 5:27PM (10/25/2006)
Looks like a small minivan.
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ObsessedAudiFan 5:20PM (10/25/2006)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=B4Uzf1dtYmU
http://youtube.com/watch?v=v3BCUNARokY
proof for you
G. Snyder, just watch Fifth Gear a little more often and you'll see the proof. if that doesn't work for you just go to youtube. there are tons of videos that pin the two supremo German cars. RS4 wins everytime particularly off the line, but the engines are just way different.
in the end the consumer wins. this is essentially a performance battle that kind of started with the rs6. every two or three years you get a better engine in the same price range.
What interests me in this BMW is whether it's
all wheel drive with those beautiful rims. wait...we all know the answer to that one. when bmw actually decides to think about how useful their cars are on my ski trips to vermont, that's when i'll start considering them.
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quantimouse 2:18PM (10/27/2006)
A sport touring wagon w/o AWD? Pointless, I agree with #6.
As for RS4 vs. M3? Uhm, this has been covered before, the RS4 owns the current M3. The new M3 probably will be slightly faster yet far less pretty, safe and practical. But by the time that comes, the new R8 will be out.
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Stacey 5:29PM (10/25/2006)
"What interests me in this BMW is whether it's
all wheel drive with those beautiful rims. wait...we all know the answer to that one. when bmw actually decides to think about how useful their cars are on my ski trips to vermont, that's when i'll start considering them"
Exactly why I've never been a big BMW fan. I grew up in Vermont and driving Quattros was super nice. BMW came out with all wheel drive a few times, but I didn't like them nearly as much as the Audi's.
I've owned an Audi for much of the time since. Great cars.
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ruggels 5:58PM (10/25/2006)
"Oh really? Hmmmmm....I would love to see your backup on this one."
Obsessed Audi Fan beat me to linking you to it, i could quite a myriad of articles but the video is the most articulate... i'm curious what evidence you have that the M3 is quicker around a track or in a straight line? Kindly link us to a Qualified Rag or Show (topgear, fifthgear) et-al so we can see both sides of this issue! I've seen many 'rags indicated they'd prefer to drive an M3, but never one which indicates it has a faster 0-60 or track time.
thanks in advance
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chewy 7:29PM (10/26/2006)
Please stop posting British fuel economy. BRITISH GALLONS ARE 20% LARGER. THAT IS A FACT.
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Cole 8:24PM (10/25/2006)
Why is BMW simply not making a true M wagon? They're making a 4-door and convertible, right? No one but Audi is doing this.
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droog 9:31PM (10/25/2006)
Come on BMW, finally finally, FINALLY bring over a big 6 cylinder wagon to the states. I mean how tough is it? You have dozens of engine choices elsewhere, why not in the States? While we're at it, bring over the many color options you over there as well. Sheesh.
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Max 10:18PM (10/25/2006)
Screw the wagon. Give me a BMW hot hatch. Something to compete with A3. I agree w/ruggels -- competition *is* good. Let's get some action going in the sports luxury hatch market. (No, I *don't* want the Impreza.)
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Greg A. 11:16PM (10/25/2006)
That thing has a fat ass.
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emulous1974 12:45AM (10/26/2006)
The big mistake, IMO, is that BMW has refused to offer all-wheel drive in higher power 3 series wagons because they don't want to take away X3 and X5 sales in the U.S.
While I love that they put this engine in the newest 3 series wagon, without all-wheel drive I won't even consider it and will head over to Audi because of it when the time comes to replace my Legacy GT Wagon.
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G. Snyder 12:37AM (10/26/2006)
ObsessedAudiFan - you are indeed overly obsessed. While your snideness is very special, you only offer up an episode of Fifth Gear. The two had a race around a track - wherein Tiff complains (as many other testers have) of the heavy feel and pronounced understeer of the car. This is your proof that the RS4 will 'out handle' the BMW? That is laughable. It is without a doubt faster in a straight line with AWD giving better launch capability, but I remained unconvinced that it is a better handling car. If you look at the first post, it says that the RS4 (in heavier wagon form, no less) would outhandle an M3. What you posted is not proof of this.
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Colin 3:34AM (10/26/2006)
How does this thing get 28.8 mpg?! I used to drive a 330Ci that got 22 if I was extra careful, and I know a lower powered coupe has got to get better mileage than a bigger, heavier, M3-fast wagon.
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ObsessedAudiFan 9:42AM (10/26/2006)
G. Snyder, I absolutely agree with you that it doesn't necessarily prove that it handles better. the only way to prove that is to get in both cars on the same track/road in the same conditions and actually drive them and try to remove yourself from your subjective opinions i.e. test the limits of each car equally. There is the argument that this choice (which one handles better) CAN be subjective. That's why i didn't really want to go into an argument over handling (although personally i think it's no contest). On an objective stance (ignore my name please), I was just replying to what you said
"3. " considering the RS4 in avant form will school an M3 around the track"
Oh really? Hmmmmm....I would love to see your backup on this one. "
well, that videos shows the two around a track, and the RS clearly is dominant. I was trying to make that mutually exclusive from the handling argument, although obviously they feed into each other. For me also I rarely drive in ideal conditions and the worse the conditions the far superior the audi performs.
Now both of us can argue which car is better, but if you really want to do that, this isn't the place and undoubtably we won't come to a conclusive answer. I don't believe that i can convince you and I'm sure you can't convince me. much respect to the BMW brand, but the 4 wheel drive with a 450 hp engine strapped to it just forces anyone to grab the closest rag.
another older vid for you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf4VCpdYoUk
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