babypuppi: [11] 2007 Bmw 335i Coupe In This Year Talks

You know this car. The current 3 Series has been around for close to five years, but it remains the target of every automaker looking to make a name for itself in the mid-size luxury segment -- and it's the standard by which they are measured. Now, it fills the driveways of the suburbs, the streets of L.A., and the pages of magazines. This car? Played out like a Top 40 track.

So why devote more space to it? Because all that overexposure still hasn't diluted it. The BMW 335i Coupe smartly blends luxury and sport; it's as content zooming along a winding country road as it is motoring along the bleakest of freeways during those endless road trips.

Part of its flexibility can be attributed to BMW's much-lauded twin-turbo straight six under hood. It's an engine that's not long for this world, as a more fuel-efficient, single-turbo version is in the offing from Munich. We'll miss the twin-turbo's stout powerband and overall tractability. It's deceivingly smooth -- you'll find yourself climbing well above posted speed limits if you don't pay attention. It's docile at low rpm, but surges through the tach with immediacy at a squeeze of the throttle. The EPA rates the two-door 335i at 17/26 mpg. We averaged 25.3 mpg hwy/hooligan combined.

Lag is a non-issue. In fact, the 335i accelerates as though it has a large displacement engine, not a turbocharged one. Peak torque, 300 lb-ft, is on tap from 1400-5000 rpm. And the claimed 300 hp leads us to believe BMW is being bashful: The last 335i manual we tested reached 60 mph in 5.1 seconds.

But the acceleration isn't the point. What's most impressive is the sensation behind the wheel, the ease of disposing the 5-20 mph shuffle of L.A. freeways, the reward of wide-open throttle upshifts.

No sporty pretense here. Revs fall quickly between shifts, a welcome change compared to the abnormal amount of time many of today's engines take. The clutch, which can feel light at first, offers the right feedback, while the shifter slots neatly into each cog. The taut ride calls out road imperfections and changes in surface through the cabin, while the delightfully thick-rimmed steering wheel transmits the desires of the rubber on the road. Once you fall into the rhythm, every bend presents an opportunity to drop a gear, buzz redline, and hear the sonorous 3.0L song.

Aiding the back road joy are 19-in wheels with upgraded rubber ($1000), and the Sport Package ($1550), which ups the speed limiter and adds sports seats and dark exterior trim. The upgraded rollers and Crimson Red paint highlight the sharp lines of the well-proportioned body. The looks are enough to understand why BMW largely passed on a visual refresh for the 3 Series coupe last year, instead giving the sedan a substantial facelift with a new front clip, among others touches. The coupe remains handsome.

Interior styling puts the emphasis is on business, not glamour. The sole embellishment is LED illumination along the doors, adding a graceful line along the cabin. Quality materials are apparent with every touch, from the plush leather to the dash. Our car featured iPod integration and a USB adapter ($400), but not the improved iDrive system and its 8.8-in screen. Yet the tiny radio display proved surprisingly adept at scrolling through 30 GB of music.

Complaints? We wish BMW would adopt a second illumination color: The ever-present orange glow at night can grow tiresome. And it's a little too easy to mistake the cruise control switch for the turn signal and flash the high beams at innocent motorists. That's about it.

Sure, the 3 Series seems overhyped at times, but that's because, simply put, it's a very good car. It combines the desirable elements of an enthusiast's machine with the comfort and ease that make the daily commute, or the endless road trip, endurable, if not downright pleasant. That's why the current generation remains the benchmark in its class, some five years on.

Played out? So is "The Dark Side of the Moon."

2009 BMW 335i CoupeBase Price$43,025 Vehicle layoutFront-engine, RWD, 4-pass, 2-door, coupe, Engine3.0L/300-hp/300-lb-ft twin-turbo DOHC 24-valve I-6 Transmission6-speed manual, 6-speed automaticCurb weight3600 lb (mfr)Wheelbase108.7 inLength x width x height181.1 x 78.1 x 54.1-54.9 in0-60 mph5.1 sec (MT est) EPA city/hwy econ17/26 mpgCO2 emissions0.96 lb/mileOn sale in the U.S.Currently