Popular 3-Series Coupe and Convertible get mild facelift and a new engine

It’s been six years since BMW last did a full redesign on its popular 3 Series, which is offered in a variety of body styles including a sedan, wagon, coupe, and retractable hardtop convertible. The sedan and wagon models received a modest cosmetic freshening for 2009, and the coupe and convertible experienced the same for 2011.

With four body styles and 18 different 3 Series trim levels, offered with both diesel and gasoline, inline six or V8 engines, and some with xDrive — BMW-speak for all-wheel drive — it takes a cheat sheet to keep them straight. Prices range from a starting low of $34,600 for the entry-level 328i sedan to $67,550 for the high-performance M3 convertible.

Since we couldn’t possibly cover the entire 3 Series in a single review, we’ll limit it to the 2011 335is Convertible we tested this week.

First know that BMW has added the “s” designation as a model alternative to several models, including its two-seat sports roadster, the X5 sport utility vehicle and the 3 Series tested here. The “s” models fit between the 335i and the top of the line M3 high-performance models.

The same 320-horsepower, TwinPower Turbo 6-cylinder engine powers both the 335i and 335is models. The engine is a modified version of the twin-turbo 3.0-liter BMW has used on the “35” models since 2007.

Our test car came equipped with the 7-speed double clutch automatic transmission, which, in theory, helps the fuel economy. Our car was rated at 17/24 City/Highway. Our car seemed to be continually shifting through the gears (and not all that smoothly) seemingly looking for better fuel economy. Shifting the automatic into manual mode made it much more pleasant to drive even though shifting now required more driver involvement.

Careful not to tinker too much with success, BMW’s light exterior freshening includes a slightly revised and wider hood, enlarged BMW iconic twin-kidney grilles, and restyled headlights that now feature LED-lit coronas and “eyebrows” to the standard xenon adaptive illuminators.

Out back there’s a new rear bumper and updated LED taillights with twin L-shaped accents. Overall unless you parked both the outgoing model and current redesign side by side only a diehard BMW gear head could immediately spot the subtle differences.

The “s” designation eliminates the standard fog lights of the 335i and adds larger, lower air dam openings to provide more cooling, black exterior trim on the grille, side window trim, mirrors, and the dual tailpipes. BMW adds an additional radiator for improved cooling, an oil cooler, and beefs up the exhaust note, which we found more annoying than pleasing. Eighteen-inch wheels replace the standard 17-inchers with 19s optional.

The three-piece folding top is an elaborately synchronized and completely automated, single-switch operation that neatly folds into the opened trunk lid stacking one on top of the other. 

Inside, little has changed. Build quality and standard leather saddle work are impressive but BMW interiors still feel a bit staid and industrial when compared to others in this segment, like Audi. Our convertible came with the available heat-reflective leather upholstery that uses sun-reflective technology to lower the surface temperature. Modified color pigments imbedded in the leather during the production process reflect infrared radiation and, according to BMW, can cool leather surfaces by up to 60 degrees.

Seats in the “s” are well bolstered and include a manually adjusted thigh support.  The back seat is small and best left for packages or kids and are divided by a center console between the individual seats. Overall storage space is an issue as most of the trunk space disappears once the top is lowered.

The much maligned iDrive system has been upgraded and even has switched to a female voice that hooks into your iPhone and can read your text and email messages out loud. You can also have the system synchronize your calendar and read your favorite selected news sources out loud. If you have a Bluetooth phone with music-play feature you can choose tracks to play wirelessly on the vehicles audio system, though there isn’t a browse feature in the iDrive screen. 

Standard safety equipment on the 2011 BMW 3 Series includes antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags, and dual-knee airbags. The Convertible lacks the side curtains, but the regular front-side airbags extend up to head level and there are also pop-up rollover hoops. The stability control system integrates several features designed to improve braking performance, such as periodically wiping the brake rotors dry when the windshield wipers are in use and automatically snuggling the pads to the rotors when the driver abruptly lifts off the throttle.

The BMW 3 Series convertible received the highest possible Good rating for frontal offset crash test results from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and only a Marginal rating for side impact crash test results. It has not been crash tested by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

Without question our 3 Series Convertible with its rear-wheel drive, near-perfect 50-50 weight distribution, precise steering and firm yet compliant suspension has it living up to its claim as the Ultimate Driving Machine. Performance with the new engine didn’t disappoint and will please most driving enthusiasts. 

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