Will BMW offer a more powerful 335i next year?
 

So I've been looking over the specifications for the F30 and I noticed the performance metrics for the 328i are close to the 335i. For example 0-62 is 5.9 seconds for the 328i and 5.5 seconds for the 335i. While these are BMW provided and there's not a lot of information on first glance it raises the question: Why buy a 335i when the 328i provide similar performance at a, presumably, lower price? Yes, I realize there are those who want the best performance possible along with those who like straight sixes who are willing to pay. But for the rest of us the 328i would likely make more sense.

With that said I have to wonder if BMW will be releasing a more powerful 335i (or some variant) in the upcoming model year(s). Much like they did with the E46 (328 -> 330) and the E90 (330 -> 335). The preliminary performance differential between the 328i and 335i seems too low to justify the, presumably, higher cost of the 335i.

Thoughts?

As for BMW's long range plans, I can't tell you. However those power numbers are much closer to what BMW had between their more and less powerful motors pre E9x. For example the difference between the 330 and the 325/328 in the e46 body was not that great. It is only with the intro of the N54/55 motors that a very large power gap was opened up between the more and less powerful motor options. N4S

My educated guess is that the 2013 3 will have a revised engine setup. Worst case 2014. I'm pretty excited about the upcoming 328i actually.

We'll have to wait for pricing but for me the 335 will be a tough sell given the close performance of the 328.

The coupe version might come out with a new engine for 335i. Or maybe when 535i gets revised.

I think that 335 performance information is really conservative. Doesn't InsideLine have the E90 doing 0-60 at or under 5 seconds?

I think it's safe to assume the 2011 power kits will be standard in the 2013 or 2014 model years. I can't wait till my lease is up so I could get the 2014 F30 335i MSport

I was surprised the power kit wasn't the stock 335i configuration. Between the extra cost and lower gas mileage the 335i doesn't make much sense.

I was too but I think with the 99lb weight loss, they've technically increased power a bit. The S4, which is the 335i's closest competitor, is not far out front even with the more than 30HP/torque advantage. The weight loss will make this car up to par or even better, with the power kits being standard as LCI.

A level two power kit seems to be the way to go if you are spending the extra money for the 335(i)- otherwise the 328(i) is going to be the smart choice. Imagine what Dinan can do with it. . .

Just because there's a 88 lb weight loss (according to the BMW Press Release) doesn't mean that it "technically increased power a bit". It just means that the horsepower/weight ratio is better. The power stays the same, 300 HP.

Its just like in 2006 we had 1 year of the 330/330xi with the body redesign then poof 335. So I could see us getting something, but who knows.

Agree, in the past BMW has changed the top engine option a year or two into the new model cycle. Actually, I think what they are actually doing is introducing the new model using an existing engine to avoid having too much new going on at once. That doesn't explain the N20, but otherwise it has been a pattern.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a new engine in the 335 model when they introduce the F32 coupe. If they do, and if they offer it with the double clutch transmission, I will be ready to go.

5.5? Where are you getting that info? It's more like 4.9-5.0 for the 335. And don't foget about the more significant number -- 300ft-lbs of torque.

To answer your question, the next gen M3 will likely be in the 450hp range, so I would expect a modest increase in the F30 335.

5.5 is BMW's estimate for the 335. I agree; it sounds totally conservative as the E90s were hitting very low 5s normally.

History
 

Stop me if I am wrong, but we have history to pull from here...

The E46s started as the 323i and the 328i if I am not mistaken. The next model year BMW changed the engine setup, and we went to the 325i and the 330i. The performance gap was increased in this second year of production.

For the E90 we had the 325i and the 330i which where somewhat close in performance. Then for the second year of production we got the 328i and the 335i. The gap was again increased.

Now we have the F30 in 328i and 335i setups, with a small performance gap. I suspect as early as next year we may see a re-tuned 335i (possibly with a different model #) which increases the performance gap again.

You can witness this phenomenon in the 5 series as well. First model year purchases of the most expensive model within a line are typically getting "short changed" engine wise when compared to next years engine setup.

and what would you expect to see as an 'M' 3 series in July?

Stop. :D The E46 Sedans went for a full 2 model years ('99 & 2000) before they received the new engines for the
2001 Model year in September of 2000.

Although in the case of the F30, BMW has gone and brought it to market slightly ahead of the usual schedule....
its only for a scant few months. I wouldn't expect any major engine changes until sometime in 2013. :)

I predict the new engines will arrive with the coupe.

The N55 has at least 2 more years left on it., even when they do upgrade it, prob just gonna be a reflash of the N55 to put out like 340bhp

Agree. I said "new engines" but I think your idea is more like how it will go.

That's what I was thinking. The launched the previous generation with a 330 model at ~260 horsepower, but that lasted only a year or two before the 335 came out. With the E46 generation, they did something similar upgrading from 323/328 to 325/330 half way through the life cycle. So, it wouldn't surprise me if the 335 got a power bump to differentiate it from the 328. Personally, I'd just get the 328. In the US with our low speed limits, I found the 335 to be excessive and more frustrating than useful. In Germany? Well, that's a totally different question. European Delivery of my friend's 335xi was awesome!

Agreed. ..and, BMW could, MAYBE...bring out the Coupe in the same early fashion as the Sedan. Like Spring
of 2013 instead of Autumn, ...but this time appropriately designate it as a 2014 model. :)

And BTW, I'm in favor of naming the coupe as a 4 series. Not sure why it appeals to me.

Knowing BMW, they'll follow Infiniti's move by slapping a hybrid electric motor onto the N55, at a very large expense for the consumer, leaving only a turbo 4 cylinder, or a turbo 6 cylinder hybrid.