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[extract] We should have all seen the new BMW M4 Concept by now and be awed by how handsome it is. We are sure it is going to be a great driver

A Second Wind. Driving the BMW 335i Sedan. A second wind is largely used to describe a phenomenon, whereby an athlete who is out of breath suddenly finds the strength to press on at top performance with less exertion. Could it be true of this 335i i have at my disposal? With the latest 3 series now unveiled, perhaps it is time to take another look at the last of the E-designated 3's, the E90. It's been almost 6 years since the E90 was introduced, being the successor to the handsome E46, many critics again spoke ill of the new 3's Bangle-d styling, but like all of E90's contemporaries, it has aged considerably well. Losing the daffy duck kidney lips and procuring a leaner chiselled face during the process of it's lifespan. This 3 Series i have with me though is not your ordinary run-of-the-mill 3 you see pottering around your neighbourhood. It also isn't JUST a license-killing Twin scroll boosted 335i sedan either. What this is in fact, is a fully kitted out 335i laden with BMW Performance Parts. The total sum of these parts alone will set you back a smigen over 40Gs. Those BMW racing seats, cup and hold you into place tighter than Wonderbra's latest offerings. While you are stuck to your seat, grab hold of that lovely alcantara laced BMW Performance wheel, choked full of gadgetry you'd never imagine would be inside a steering wheel of a road car. With a LCD screen staring right at you and delivering information you'll never really need (but is totally cool anyway) when driving down Orchard Road. Unidiectional G-force readings, lap timers, acceleration timers, vehicle information and a set of LEDs that light up as your revs build and blink furiously when it is time to shift up. Do yourself a favour and shell out for this wheel, if only to make you think you are behind the wheel of a full-fledged race car. After you are done fiddling with the steering wheel (i took about half an hour), give the starter button a push and listen as the tweaked exhaust notes permeate into the cabin. It fires up with a bark and settles down into a slightly hollow fizzy burble. To be honest, it could do with more low end tones but i suspect the engineers left bassy beats out to cut out any droning noises when the car is cruising. You sort of wish there was a button which will allow more of that exhaust music to come into the cabin though, as it is now, people outside the car will get to enjoy the howl of the boosted straight-six more than the driver. Speaking of which, when you finally step out of the car (after giving it a proper drive of course), apart from that lovely bodykit and those gorgeous 19inch wheels, you'd notice little bits of carbon extras ($$$) which set this E90 apart from the rest. The wing mirrors and the tail spoiler both sport the exotic carbon finish. All these parts come straight of the BMW Performance Parts options list, even those stripey stickers along the flanks. How does this kitted up 335i drive? The regular 335i is already a very accomplished BMW and in tricked out "BMW Performance" form, is it any better? That will really depend on how you perceive "better" to be. The ride with a lower and revised suspension setup is harsher and you'd feel it. The throttle response with a slight power up is addictively er, responsive. Push the drumstick gearknob into sport mode and the gearbox does a good job of selecting the proper ratios to keep you in the powerband and allowing you to slingshot past all the pesky turbo-diesel taxis on the roads. If you are the sort of driver who enjoys a good blast down your local roads and you enjoy talking to other people about the differences between under and oversteer, yes, you will enjoy these chassis enhancements. If perhaps you are the sort of driver who prefers a car which doesn't jiggle your bottom and underwear too much, maybe you should leave the "Chassis upgrade" box unchecked. That is the beauty of these Perfomrance parts, allowing you to customise your wants and giving you the choice to either go the full hog or just take in the bits you fancy. If you ever find yourself to be in the lucky shoes of someone ticking off these parts, my choice bits would be that gorgeous steering wheel, all the exterior bits and paraphernalia, the chassis/power upgrades and those fancy stickers along the side. The 19-inch baller wheels although fabulous to look at, take too a bit too much off the ride and having to constantly look out for portholes might be tiresome in the long run. The wonderful Performance seats again, are a sight to behold, but at over 9 grand a pair, might leave your wallets feeling a little uncomfortable. They do a great job of holidng you in place when you are driving balls-out, but you don't drive balls-outs everytime you get behind the wheel. Glossy brouchures might make you think you do, but the reality is that 80% of the time, you are going to be stuck in traffic on your daily sojourn to the office and back wishing you'd have seats with a little more squish. Having to go through the look of incredibility on all passengers faces when you tell them you paid "HOW MUCH?" for non-electric setas might get boring after a while too. With these parts installed, this 335i will be pressing on at it's peak while shooting off into the sunset with tyres smoking and turbos boosting!

If 300 horsepower is good, 320 horsepower is better. And when that 20-horsepower boost comes at a cost of just $599, it's really a no-brainer as far as we're concerned. BMW hopes you agree, as it's officially announced two new Power Kits for the 135i, 335i and certain X6 models that boost the power of the 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six by the aforementioned twenty ponies. Just as welcome is a boost in torque from 300 to 332 pound-feet (when equipped with an automatic transmission) and 317 lb-ft (when equipped with a manual or DCT transmission). The increase comes courtesy of what BMW is calling Version 1 Power Kit, which basically amounts to a reflash of the car's computer system, and it can be applied to any 135i or 335i and all X6 models produced before April of 2010. These power figures bring the turbocharged machines up to the specification of the 2011 335is. A second option is the Version 2 Power Kit, which adds an auxiliary water cooler and "enhanced" radiator fan to the reflash on 1 Series and 3 Series models. The V2PK costs US$1,199, a modest increase over the US$599 of Version 1 considering the added hardware. Both kits also include an "exhaust burble sound during engine overrun conditions." BMW is quick to point out other modifications may be necessary and that installation isn't included in that price. In case you're thinking this all sounds rather familiar, BMW did indeed make a similar announcement a little while back. While that press release heralded the option for new buyers of the 2011 335i, this one indicates the availability of current owners to get the upgrade retrofitted to their cars while their warranties remain intact. Source: BMW

Chio a 335i for a short sprint today and managed to beat him by quite a margin (something like 10m) when I hit 100KM/H. As I push to 150-160, the 335i couldn\'t keep up at all. It really feels good man. Read about all that 335i power here in MCF but its nothing much leh. MY car is a modded S13....SR20DET power!....hehe.....

Hi Guys, today went to check out the new GTR at PI showroom, must say its pretty impressive..thh interior is quite luxurious.maybe about 70% as good as Audi R8.. Was expecting it to be cheapo like 350z as it gives super car performance for only $265K... However i m thinking for this money, can also get a 335i convert, PML selling at $275K, and PI can do at $238k (no idrive) and the new monster V8 S5 is goingf or only $245K... which one would you guys choose..by the way the 335i coupe is only $208k PI and $240K from PML 0-100KM/h S5: 5.1 secs 335i: 5.5 secs (coupe, convert 2 secs slower) GTR: 3.8 secs!!

Hi all, Which one would you guys consider ?? Its a very tough choice for me. Just can't get over the looks of the S5, its so damn nice and sexy and command much more presence...but i suspect i will get tired of it's looks in future.especially the front grille when my friend comments it look like a big hamburger the other day and the kidneys from BMW are timeless.. (okay, he's a beemer's fan all the way) But for now, i can't stop looking at one, esp one coming up in my rear view mirror with those georgeous running lights. 335i lose out slightly in 0-100km/h but doesnt matter to me, jujst much prefer the way the power is deliver frm the twin turbo engine. and it handles better, ( If S5 cab comes with V8 s-tronics, then its gonna be a very tough call ) 3 series convert looks seem quite dated now and i am sure it doesn't really turn much heads anymore..

Here's the new BMW 3 series coupe in blue. Think the one in the video is the bi-turbo 335i. And if you're one of those who has trouble telling the difference between the 3 series sedan (E90) from the coupe (E92) here's a video that'll help: http://www.leblogauto.com/2006/08/duel_de_series_.html Site's not in english. but I can do rough translations for phrases if u guys want meanings for a word or two. But do check out the video. Anyways... The sedan is a pretty unattractive car, but the coupe is a slight improvement - nonetheless, still a let down from the likes of BMW. The Lexus IS250 is sooo much nicer, not to mention the Alfa 159. Let's see if the new Merc C-Class coming late next year will up the exec sedan market a notch.