Could this be the greatest daily driver ever?

the · 03-22-2007, 11:58 AM

It's been a looong time (10+ years) since I've even had a thought about replacing the daily driver.

Because there's nothing new in the past 10 years that remotely interests me.

But this may have changed things. The 335i. It's a twin turbo 300hp/300lbft in stock form. But word is that the engine is (1) underrated by the factory, and (2) very understressed and intentionally and artificially kept down in HP, to not compete with the M3 and bigger BMWs.

There's a company called Vishnu that has done a lot of testing on the car, and has developed a "chip" (I don't think it's a physical chip, but is a reprogram of the ECU) that is supposedly much more than just increasing boost, i.e., it's done right and done safe. And stealth, too, supposedly even a BMW tech with a computer could not detect the reprogram.

Anyways, for $1300, you get close to 400 hp, and OVER 400lbft on the dyno.

Hmm, a 3 year old 335i bought on the relative cheap, $1300 for a reprogram, and you have a stealth small BMW with +400lbft. With a stick, that would be a blast.

Time to start the slush fund!

"Too much throttle easily cooks the tires . . . "

Overpaid Slacker · 03-22-2007, 12:58 PM

With a complete re-body, it'd be great!

JP

many944s · 03-22-2007, 01:02 PM

Amen, it looks like a new Ford body

-Nick

teenerted1 · 03-22-2007, 01:10 PM

hopefully it's faster than the idiot driving one ysterday in front of me. cut me off and then proceded to go 10 below the speed limit, till i finally had room to get around him.

GET OFF THE PHONE AND DRIVE!!!!!

wludavid · wludavid's Garage

The coupe body is niiiice compared to the sedan) aside from those weird creases at the height of the door handles.

Besides, if you're driving it, how pretty does it need to be?

scottmandue · 03-22-2007, 01:35 PM

Saw this on SpeedTV test drive... sounds very nice, A little out of my league $$$

Overpaid Slacker · 03-22-2007, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wludavid
The coupe body is niiiice compared to the sedan) aside from those weird creases at the height of the door handles.

Besides, if you're driving it, how pretty does it need to be?

If I'm driving it, it's got to be hot... to make up for the driver.

JP

KNS · 03-22-2007, 02:11 PM

Don't forget, the new BMWs have no water temp guage, no engine oil dipstick and run-flat tires. Nice cars otherwise.

Dantilla · 03-22-2007, 02:24 PM

Last time I went to the auto show was the first time I didn't even bother going to the BMW display.

If I want to see "Flame surfacing", I'll build a fire.

Nice driving cars, but not worth putting up with the ugliness. Sad.

Moses · 03-22-2007, 02:35 PM

In person, it's a beautiful car. (JMO)

I bought one for my wife. I drive it any chance I get. It has huge power and instant throttle response. The thing that amazes me is the steering and handling. The car feels really "connected". It corners like a dream. I got the sport package and it's pretty stiff. The brakes are real grabby. Takes a little getting used to. It's as much fun to drive as my 911, but it's more comfortable and it's faster.

Moses · 03-22-2007, 03:01 PM

Ugly? Not to my eyes.

the · 03-22-2007, 03:04 PM

Looks good to me.

As soon as they start hitting the high $20Ks as used cars, I'm in the market.

Moses · 03-22-2007, 03:25 PM

This is the color of my wifes new coupe;

rammstein · 03-22-2007, 03:39 PM

Its definitely intriguing as a future used car. Its scary expensive for plebians like me

RallyJon · 03-22-2007, 03:49 PM

Don't these cars have chronic overheating problems? I read something about 300º+ oil temps and "limp home" mode whenever you push it.

Moses · 03-22-2007, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RallyJon
Don't these cars have chronic overheating problems? I read something about 300º+ oil temps and "limp home" mode whenever you push it.

Turned out not to be a problem. I think the computer was overly sensitive to rapid temp changes. It's been addressed. Lots of 335's on the track now with no issues.

gprsh924 · 03-22-2007, 04:05 PM

Moses, love that color. I am trying to convince my dad to get a used M3 in that color

VaSteve · 03-22-2007, 04:09 PM

I'd buy one in a second.

Moses · 03-22-2007, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by the
But word is that the engine is (1) underrated by the factory,

BMW reports 300 HP, but they routinely dyno at 340 HP. Word is BMW didn't want to kill M3 sales. When the V8 M3 arrives, the 335's HP will be reported differently.

There's a company called Vishnu that has done a lot of testing on the car, and has developed a "chip" (I don't think it's a physical chip, but is a reprogram of the ECU) that is supposedly much more than just increasing boost, i.e., it's done right and done safe.

Vishnu's shop is about a mile from my office. So tempting!

If you are really interested in the car, check out www.e90post.com

rhjames · rhjames's Garage

never understood the Beeemer phenom.......

$6K in rework before it leaves the factory (yes, everyone of them), over rated on every level of comparisons, and every one that drives them thinks they belong in a F1 (at least they try to drive like one.....)

But, that's what makes things nice. Variety.

Then agian, last week I was all over a 5 series on the way home thru the curves and while stretching out my 26 yr old 928.

If that's the best Beemer's got to offer, it ain't the ultimate driving machine by a long shot.