33 Votes

REVIEW: The best affordable coupe on earth?

Agent001 submitted on 12/9/2006 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 2:10:36 PM

64 user comments | Category: Reviews | Source: | SOURCE: cars.ign.com

Tag Links: BMW, 335i, Coupe

Screw the Bangle haters, the flame-surfaced 3-series coupe is one of the sexiest vehicles on the road today.

In fact, this car is so stunning, we're at a loss of words when called upon to describe its beauty. It's like trying to describe Giselle Bundchen without using the world "perfect" over and over again. If we really wanted you to experience the full power of Ms. Bundchen's perfection, we would just have you click this link so that you could see a picture of her in her full glory. That pic is a hell of a lot better than a useless paragraph, right? The same must be done with the BMW E92 coupe - you just have to see it to be able to appreciate its shape.

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REVIEW: The best affordable coupe on earth?

About the Author

FWD Torque Steer. Absolute proof the Devil exists.
— Agent001 (View Profile)

User Comments

The exterior looks good, but BMW needs to get a new interior design. The current one is starting to look really old.
— drew630 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/9/2006 2:34:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

AGREE!
— hkaudi (View Profile)

Posted on 12/9/2006 8:18:17 PM | | Votes: 1

Affordable and BMW in one sentence? The BMW 3 series is a nice car, but there is no way it can be considered "affordable": not yet. Perhaps as a used model, but not as a new car.
— Willis (View Profile)

Posted on 12/9/2006 2:41:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

on the basis of its performance capabilities, it is pretty affordable. Next to the EVO and the STi, what other car can you get for $40,000 that is capable of sub 5 sec 0-60 runs?

The only other one I can think of is the C6 Vette for 45K and its not nearly as functional as the 335i.
— NARunner (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 3:22:38 PM | | Votes: 3

Affordable? To 99% percent of the world, the Chevrolet Cobalt is affordable. The G6 coupe is affordable. The Tiburon is affordable? The 335 affordable? no. One of the best coupes out there? Totally.

Is that blue the launch color, or is it just popular?
— mstangpny07 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/9/2006 3:06:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

unfortunately, i think even the cobalt is probably affordable to less than 50% of the world
— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 1:33:13 AM | | Votes: 4

Dude the 318i is such a hairdressers car that it isn't sold in the US.
— MercBasher (View Profile)

Posted on 12/9/2006 3:50:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

I do kind of like your post, but you state how "every other car in this class" doesn't come close to the G, C, A4 and 3 Series? All that's left is the IS and the X-Type, unless you have Alfa Romeo where you live.

318i, lol.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/9/2006 5:32:51 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

MercBasher

I promise you that any 19 year old in the UK or Europe with a 318i or a CLK200 will completely trash you in a race.

These Small Engines serve their Purpose over here where the roads are small and windy and you do not need huge heavy engines up front.
— I95SPEEDINGTICKETS (View Profile)

Posted on 12/9/2006 7:02:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5

smaller engines mean the drivers have to be better at shifting and cornering. i agree. but i still want my 3 with a nice bavarian 6.
— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 1:37:17 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

not every american thinks like that, its ignorrant to let the idiots that post on here determine the avg american, first--i would agree the 3 series is best in class and i would argue that the G35 is second, but where he is from "to correct you" there are "several" cars that compete with the 3 series that arent just luxury branded cars...our pitiful tsx is there honda accord desighned to compete with that crowd, plus cadillac, and saab, renault, peugout, vw, and many other brands so no "he" is correct. i think the 318 is rediculous myself but if thats was your way to get into a 3 series cool...i doubt many people on here even drive the cars they talk about by how the comments sound lol
— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 2:46:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Thing is even with all that HP they NEVER drive fast

I just got back from Miami where Every MB was an AMG and every BMW was an M or 50/60 badge End (750/760), all i had was an A6 3.2 Quattro Hertz Rental and I Won Every Race but One (Bloody SL65 was just HyperFast) 0-70 they are ahead then a slight Bend in the Road and Brake Lights Come On, they might as well buy the SL350s and 730s not one person raced me past 110mph.
— I95SPEEDINGTICKETS (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 4:37:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Fabian555:

I used to own a Silver 4 door BMW 320i 5 speed in high school and it was not really powerful but it was really great in the mountains. Really great steering response. It was a 1987 E30
— 07mcs (View Profile)

Posted on 12/11/2006 4:47:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

I know for a fact this isn't the most affordable coupe on Earth. The Civic Coupe is much cheaper and I know there are even cheaper cars than that. I love the steering wheel though. It actually looks solid. One thing I don't like about this car is the SmartKey. You have to insert the key and then hit the button. Why not just hit the button like Lexus?
— lexusis350 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/9/2006 3:24:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

i think relatively affordable was the point, not which car is the cheapest......given its price, performance, and luxury there isnt a car that can compete with it without having to go up thousands more.
— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 2:48:16 PM | | Votes: -1

In the US in the entry level luxury market there are intense price wars at the moment. You can get a 2007 335i Coupe for less than US$20 per day on a lease, so it is relatively affordable.
— MercBasher (View Profile)

Posted on 12/9/2006 3:26:13 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

The 335i is stunningly beautiful, refined and fun- but affordable? Harly. Maybe for some of us, but 001, that's a little insensitive.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/9/2006 5:33:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3

*Hardly.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/9/2006 5:33:53 PM | | Votes: -4

I meant affordable in comparison to CL's, XK's, etc.

001
— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/9/2006 6:24:39 PM | | Votes: -4

Wow who wrote this article? I'd give you an F even in the most remedial English course. Of course, this is a weblog so expectations should not be so high on my side.
— BoLLeH (View Profile)

Posted on 12/9/2006 6:23:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

I dont remember a sign saying this is an english class.
— watisthat (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 1:36:30 AM | | Votes: -2

This thing is not such a sexy car. Saw one on the road and it didn't stand out and it had very little road presence. I guarantee you that if there was a different badge on this exact car, it would be called bland and uninteresting. I'm sure it drives great, though.
— senorgato (View Profile)

Posted on 12/9/2006 7:04:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

isn't supposed to stand out too much. that's the fun of it. it's a very sporty commuter car with a conservative appearance.

they balance fun and practicality. that's the beauty
— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 1:42:16 AM | | Votes: 3

The best affordable coupe..hmmm,true
— Boss8can (View Profile)

Posted on 12/9/2006 8:05:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5

"Yes, we said that the 335i drives like a luxury car. Take it easy on the throttle and steering input and you'd be hard-pressed to call this coupe a "sports car". It's very quiet and very refined - no loud or pleasing engine note, no firm and "sporty" ride... The 335i is just very well-composed.

But this BMW is also incredibly capable of delivering a good time behind the wheel for those that like to give in to their "baser" instincts. Based solely on the fact that we were piloting "the ultimate driving machine", we often find ourselves giving into that voice that tells us to "give the car a little more gas" or "take that turn about 40 mph faster than normal". Even when we force our automotive hooliganism on this BMW, it never flinches. This Bimmer is able to take our abuse as if it is nothing. In fact, this car is able to remain so composed even when run hard, it feels slower than it actually is. A car shouldn't feel as calm as the 335i does when it takes a sweeping freeway onramp at speeds north of 70 mph."

Take that, Lexus fans. Will, like I said- perfect balance between luxury and sport. That's the 3er. It can be a luxury car AND a sports car.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/9/2006 9:10:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

I saw two 3-series coupes today her in Irvine,Ca.

Great looking car and it has no waste or phony lines.
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/9/2006 9:25:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Will they make the M3 GTR in this model????
— 2JZSoarer (View Profile)

Posted on 12/9/2006 11:59:58 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3

"The Tiburon is affordable?" WORD!!

"3-series coupe is one of the sexiest vehicles on the road today" NOT!
sorry guys but i still think they could've done better.. i aint a BMW hater... on the contrary!!!!

— narmeen13 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 12:40:28 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

I use to wonder y people would say BMW has one of the worst design interiors, now i know y. I was wondering y VW picture are posted on a BMW post.
— watisthat (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 1:42:52 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

VW has better interiors than BMW.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 12:34:48 PM | | Votes: 1

S4-i agree bwm just happen to have low quilty interior. Audi TT is the most affordable coupe by the way.
— watisthat (View Profile)

Posted on 12/11/2006 1:00:23 AM | | Votes: 1

The title reads "Best affordable", which implies its available to the mass population. The very last line of the article askes "If you can afford $50,000".

Best affordable coupe was the RSX Type-S (future CSX coupe, they already have a Type-S sedan version). I'd have to say a Civic Si is the ultimate affordable coupe.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 1:47:48 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

1995,
Isn't supposed to stand out? Bangle's entire design/copy philosophy was intended to, if nothing else, stand out. BMW drivers crave attention. This car and the X5 are just non-verbal acknowledgements that the flamer surface was a mistake.
— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 1:53:16 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

huu76, i agree, they were intended to break the styling mold, and to bring styling trends in a new direction. but not long after their release, after other makers adjusted their styling, they blended in. i'm not convinced a bmw driver is any more attention craving than drivers of competitive makes.

and if you read into what bangle's styling philosophy is, there have been no styling mistakes. his idea is to have a cyclical styling phase that works as follows: 1st-gen. revolutionary, 2nd-ge. evolutionary.

you will see some refinements made to the styling of new models, but i really don't think they plan on ditching their bangle-based system. it has had many critics, but has won the affection of designers world wide.
— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 10:28:11 AM | | Votes: 4

I guess afordable means different things to different people.
— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 2:41:21 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5

I didn't expect the BMW 3 series here I thought it might be something else - affordable usually means something that costs 20k or so - but then again when compared to the XK's and CL's this is affordable.
— kart1 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 11:31:11 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

"REVIEW: The best affordable coupe on earth?"

It would be better to say, The best affordable luxury coupe on earth.

I think so.
— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 11:44:12 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

True.

I can't think of any coupe that matches it at this price.

CLK350 is more money, and not even as good, in any area.

G35 Coupe is good, but the new one isn't out yet, and if the sedan is anything to go by, it still won't be as refined.

We'll have to see how the A5, and possible IS coupe, turn out.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 12:37:08 PM | | Votes: 0

Ive seen 1 in real life, and i WAS IMPRESSED!! This is the best looking BMW ever. It looks so beautiful, ur eyes may pop out when u c it in real! Trust me this is 1 hell of a coupe! Best coupe? YES.
— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 12:57:06 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

LIke EVERY BMW... this one whips its competition. One exception the S550. Short of that.. BMW wins every class war. all the time.
— AmazingBimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 3:53:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Ha, lol!

I like BMW a lot, but there are four big exceptions...

X3: You could argue that it has no competition, but in terms of price, RX350 and RDX are both far better.

Z4: It's never won a comparison test, and it never will. The Boxster is a better driver's car, the TT is more stylish and better-built, and the SLK is trendier.

5 Series: It's pretty one-dimensional now, no luxury. E-Class is better.

7 Series: To say that it's second-best in its class is laughable. It's simply incompetent now. A8, LS and S-Class are all better in every area.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 11:03:26 PM | | Votes: 1

Agent.. .sorry.. great pics.. thanks
— AmazingBimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 3:54:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

Your right AmazingBimmer. BMW is incapable of producing a luxury sedan. They might produce a large sports sedan with the 7s-eries but their level of luxury is nothing close to Audi or MB's A8 and S-class.
— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 5:48:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

When I first saw the 6-series coupe in person I was at a loss of words...I've owned a black 650i for half a year now & i still catch myself wandering into the garage to find new angles to admire it's beauty.

When I first saw the 335i in person at the dealership, I kept looking at it wishing the trunk had a more agressive look to it...If you ask me the 3-coupe is hot but out of proportion, with the hood lines almost folding to a 90 degree angle & then not continuing in the rear. From many angles the front is to buldgy compared to the overall flat rear-end.
— MunichRob (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 10:55:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

I've been thinking about the 650ci...

Is it not more of a luxury car? I might want to own a vehicle that can seat four comfortably, but it seems to offer little performance advantages over my car, if any. The interior is very nice, and some days I really love the way it looks. Other days, I hate it.

I have a feeling the XK/XKR is better, but that I'm going to end up with a Porsche of some sort.
— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 12/10/2006 11:05:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Well for all it matters S4, I wouldn't buy the cheaper yet comparable 335i coupe over my 6 coupe for reasons such as exclusiveness, interior materials & styling. The interior of the 6 actually feels & looks expensive compared to the rest of BMW's line-up (With exception of the X5)!

I'll drive around non-enthusiast pals who don't realize my 6 is anything other than a regular Bimmer untill they actually get in and look around the interior...So how impressed would the same type of people be around a 3-series.

Girlfriends absolutely fall in love with my car before they do me, & that's before they hear the wonderfull sounds the thing makes (Though some don't say anything untill they see the BMW simble on the steering wheel...figuers).

The XJ is nice but isn't fast enough for my tastes, the 6 on the other hand is a perfectly balanced GT...Smooth when you want it to be, & as agressive yet composed as you want it to be. If you've got the money S4...Don't even consider the 3-coupe over the 6...One's anonimous while the others flamboyant & 'present'!

— MunichRob (View Profile)

Posted on 12/11/2006 12:07:58 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Agreed, the 6 is much more luxurious than the 3, but it is also heavier. Don't know if it will handle as well as the 3.
— 07mcs (View Profile)

Posted on 12/11/2006 6:35:06 PM | | Votes: 1

Saw another one today, in black. Not impressed. No lie, the first part I saw was the back-end and I thought it was a Ford Mondeo (the one that was sold in the US).
— senorgato (View Profile)

Posted on 12/11/2006 5:06:07 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

I Agree with Miami-ticketman above,

I drive a honda civic type R and I don't back down for a bmw, mercedes, hell I even competed with a crysler crossfire srt6. But I always win, because the other drivers have no balls?! when I reach 140kmp (i'm from europe) no-one dares to follow. Why I don't know!!
Next time i'm gonna check if it also works for ferrari's, porsches, etc. :)
— valentino (View Profile)

Posted on 12/11/2006 8:50:56 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

I promise you it will be the same.
First sign of a curve in the road up ahead and you will see a dramatic deceleration. its almost as if they cannot understand that these vehicles are designed to take curves at high speeds.
— I95SPEEDINGTICKETS (View Profile)

Posted on 12/11/2006 12:48:00 PM | | Votes: 0

Last time I was in my car at a stop light at night I saw a little Civic Si all riced up thru my rearview mirror that was coming real fast. As soon as my light turned green I stepped on the gas and the Honda could never catch me, even though I was at a standstill. And NO, I don't slow down on curves. Then I slowed down to turn on a street to visit my friend and the little civic flashed his high beams at my rear.

So I think the cars you were racing were not really racing.
— 07mcs (View Profile)

Posted on 12/11/2006 5:03:58 PM | | Votes: 1

No offence playboy, but i know when i am in a race, I do not drive aftermarket modded vehicles and when a vehicle is trying to weave in & out of traffic as fast as i am you are either a Cop trying to catch up to me or you are in as much of a hurry as i am or you are trying to race me.

Very few times have i seen an american in such a hurry that they would weave in & out of lanes the way I do (UK Style) unless they are getaway drivers and if they were cops the Siren & Lights would come on (I Should Know, Been Pulled Over Enough Times Hence The Name) So only logical conclussion is that said driver is trying to race or just Keep up with me. (I ususlly slow down to normal driving whenever I spot these drivers initially just in case they are undercover vehicles and after they get closer and i am satisfied they are regular folk then proceed with my UK Style driving, almost always followed by the newcomer trying to keep up in my wake and follow my lines.
— I95SPEEDINGTICKETS (View Profile)

Posted on 12/11/2006 6:37:00 PM | | Votes: 0

If you are referring to me, I am not in America. By the way my post was not to you.
— 07mcs (View Profile)

Posted on 12/11/2006 7:05:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Top Gear thinks otherwise.
— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 12/11/2006 8:42:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

"I95SPEEDINGTICKETS" you must not really drive along I95 regularly if you've only seen 'weavers' once or twice.

I admit though to some degree, I'm one to make up time on the road aswell. When I first bought my 6 I was driving it like a teenage boy...Needless to say I learned my lesson after having to pay to replace the anti-roll sensors for the adaptive drive!
— MunichRob (View Profile)

Posted on 12/12/2006 5:09:32 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

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REVIEW: The best affordable coupe on earth?

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