The BMW 335i "BPU"

[///M-Spec]

So not only is the 335i rated somewhat conservatively from the factory, Vishnu, the well respected Evo and STI tuners, already have very respectable gains from a tune and exhaust.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31578

Assuming a 17% drivetrain loss, that's close to 390 hp at the crank on their latest runs.

The 335i is turning out to be a sort of "German Supra". I think I need one of these cars. To avoid confusion, please note the "BPU" reference in the thread title is something that I just made up, not Vishnu's marketing name --and the 390 they are making is not even close to a Supra BPU's 460. But I just thought it was funny since the cars have a few things in common


M

 

[Duke]

So, are they making a 335i sedan as well? I'll need to keep my eye on those in about 6 years.

 

[skip0110]

Does this Xede "computer" replace the stock ECU, piggyback on a diagnostic port, or intercept the signals and skew them?

390 hp is nice from a 3.0L, but also seems inevitable from a well-deigned turbo engine.

So, are they making a 335i sedan as well? I'll need to keep my eye on those in about 6 years.

Yes.

 

[///M-Spec]

Does this Xede "computer" replace the stock ECU, piggyback on a diagnostic port, or intercept the signals and skew them?

AFAIK, the Xede sits next to the ECU and intercepts the signals to the engine... Basically fooling the car into thinking everything is completely normal.

In the 335i, the Xede will sit right next to the ECU. There will be a few wires running between the ECU and the Xede. To see it, one would have to remove the engine cowl and the ECU container lid. Not viewable unless you look for it. But installation and removal shouldn't take much longer than 10 minutes once the ECU is exposed (which should take 5 min or so).

cheers,
shiv

390 hp is nice from a 3.0L, but also seems inevitable from a well-deigned turbo engine.

You've got to look at this from the side of the BMW camp For decades our aftermarket offered high quality products, but were very expensive and didn't offer much in the way of gains --until you went FI. The stock powertrains were so well optimized from the factory that bolt ons returned laughable gains for the money when you compare them to domestic V8s and turbo imports.

The notion of an easy 50-60 hp gain for ~$2000 is almost UNHEARD of in a BMW until now (a nitrous kit not withstanding). Hence the excitement.


M

 

[Poverty]

I posted graphs about this and a article about the very conservative power ratings in the auto news section.

 

[///M-Spec]

I posted graphs about this and a article about the very conservative power ratings in the auto news section.

You posted information about STOCK 335i power.

This thread is about Vishnu's Xede product, currently in development which brings the 335i to 380-390 crank horsepower. See the difference? Or did you not look at the graphs in the link I posted and notice their car was putting 330+ hp to the rear wheels?


M

 

[Race Idiot]

Is there an lsd available for it? because that would make it even more awesome. Although I heard that the 335i had some overheating issues when tracked.

 

[///M-Spec]

Is there an lsd available for it? because that would make it even more awesome. Although I heard that the 335i had some overheating issues when tracked.

No LSD from the factory. BMW is clearly pulling a Porsche and keeping performance away from the E46 M3 to protect resale values.

The 335i is only 4 seconds slower than the E46 M3 at the Ring, according to SportAuto:

http://www.autospies.com/news/New-BMW-335i-Nurburgring-lap-time-8579/ .

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30140

If the car had a good LSD, it would be neck in neck with the M. The aftermarket will no doubt offer a custom LSD for this car very soon.

As for the overheating, I've also read a few posts about high temps at the track, but nothing concrete or from a reliable source.


M

 

[Race Idiot]

No LSD from the factory. BMW is clearly pulling a Porsche and keeping performance away from the E46 M3 to protect resale values.

The 335i is only 4 seconds slower than the E46 M3 at the Ring, according to SportAuto:

http://www.autospies.com/news/New-BMW-335i-Nurburgring-lap-time-8579/ .

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30140

If the car had a good LSD, it would be neck in neck with the M. The aftermarket will no doubt offer a custom LSD for this car very soon.

As for the overheating, I've also read a few posts about high temps at the track, but nothing concrete or from a reliable source.


M

I suppose it would be too close to the E92 M3 with an lsd as standard, well for bmw's liking. I read the evo review a while back and that was their only real complaint about the car and apart from the lack of lsd they loved it.

Yeah I heard about the high temps on other messageboards as well, but no official word on it realy. I was just wondering if there was though.

I suppose it's too early in the cars lifetime to have a piggyback ecu or a complete replacement. Although I suppose with modern bm's the ecu's aren't that simple anyway.

I realy do like the 335i though and a E90 version would be even cooler seeing as they probably won't make a 4 door m3.

 

[YSSMAN]

...All I ever hear about the car's performance is how similar it is to the outgoing M3, albiet with a cheaper pricetag, and it being a bit thirsty at the pump. To be completely honest, the 335i Coupe has made enough of an impact to make it (barely) on my current "Top 5 Cars" list at the moment, and that would be without actually seeing one in person, no sits, and no drives.

On the idea of a four-door M3: Well if the performance is what they say it is, you have your answer right there, the 335i Sedan. I'm all for it, as I loved the previous M3 sedan (when did they stop selling that here? 2001?).

 

[Philly]

My sources tell me that this car is replacing (or standing in for, I hope) an E90 M3. One would think BMW would make the car faster to fill in that gap. Anyway, I'd expect any future M3 to have a V8, so plenty of power, more than the E46s

 

[Omnis]

Finally a 335i thread. I'm falling in love with this car. I fit in it beautifully; you guys would not believe the leg room availible (albeit it eliminates the back seat when I'm inside).

Glad to see the progress Vishnu has made. I didn't know it was that conservatively rated.

Here's their video:

 

[Poverty]

The E92 is dissaponting to me looks and drive wise. It hasnt really moved on the game from the E46 and it doesnt exude the same presence as the E46 did. Maybe once the new sporting bodykits for it arrives it will change my mind, but at the moment the e92 looks nothing special, and I see quite alot of them in london already.

I think MB and audi together will knock the 3er off its throne, regardless of how good this engine is. People only seem to be buyin the E92 because of the badge, and lack of compeition (clk is now old, audi has no competitor for it)

 

[vladimir]

it has already been confirmed that the next M3 will have a V8 (loosely based on the M5s V10, not any current V8 like the e39 M5s V8 for example.)
you can also hear the V8 in the vids of testmules...
and a four door sedan version of the M3 is also planned.



poverty,

i don't think so. the e46 coupé has never been anything really special (with the exception of the M3 of course.) it was just a two door 3 series. with this one BMW has built an outstanding car, not only due to the outstanding engine that the coupé has got before the sedan, but also design wise the coupé is more distinct from the regular one. it has nothing to do with the badge, especially the 335 is a great achievement. and the regular e90 is class leading as well and i haven't heard of a new c-class that will be made soon?!

 

[Poverty]

c-class has been doing heavy heavy testing for absolutely ages now. Only other car I knew that tested so much was the veyron.

This new coupe just looks boring though, its nothing special, the E46 was unique and very BMW, but this e92 could be mistaken for something japanese. It hasnt got that aura.

Its still good, but because the E46 was so great its a disapointment.

 

[Swift]

So, are they making a 335i sedan as well? I'll need to keep my eye on those in about 6 years.

Remeber Duke, If I'm not mistaken there was one at the AutoX we went to a few weeks back.

But yeah, it looks like the 335 is going to be THE BMW to have in the coming years. I too will keep an eye on them.

 

[vladimir]

Its still good, but because the E46 was so great its a disapointment.

i tend to see this just the other way round. the e46 M3 was a truly great and outsanding car, while the regular 3 was just a very good one. design wise it was rather unspectacular. the new BMWs have all stirred up a debate, first they were too radical, now some people say the coupé was too boring. you can't do it right for everyone however, but the sales figures for BMW look very good recently and i don't think the e92 will disappoint, it looks a little conservative and fresh at the same time and as far as engine, performance and handling is concerned, i fear no merc in this class will ever come close to it.
also the rest of the posts in this thread very much support this...

 

[Tornado]

This new coupe just looks boring though, its nothing special, the E46 was unique and very BMW, but this e92 could be mistaken for something japanese. It hasnt got that aura.

Which is a good thing, because the sedan version is ugly as all hell but manages to maintain the aura. I'd rather have a boring looking car than this.

 

[Poverty]

Yeah but the think about these latest BMW's is that the ride comfort is suffering for sportiness, and TBH honest once BMW start making cheaper and less powerful version of the E92 the interior will also suffer. I went in a near poverty spec E90 touring a week back and the interior was actually crap! The new corsa interior was on par with it, and the M5 interior for a 60,000 pund car was dissapointing also, vw interiors are better built, and a 25,000 audi car interior is much much better than it.

Unless you really are a serious petrol head I dont see any reason why anyone would want to get a bmw these days over a audi or mercedes.

P.S the E92 look like a bmw version of the mk1 volvo c70 coupe, especially from the rear.

 

[YSSMAN]

Why BMW over Audi and Mercedes? Its simple: You actually drive the damn thing!

You simply cannot argue against the true "connected" feel of the BMW no matter what, and damn near every thing I've read on any 325i (gone), 330i (now 328i), and 335i has been nothing but positive on the dynamics and overall "feel" of the car. Sure, the styling isn't for everyone, and there are questionable quality compromises... But you still cannot fault BMW for building an engineering marvel such as this, generation after generation.

It isn't that Audi and Mercedes can't match the competition, but it is more that they just can't get it quite right. Mercedes would be likely to strap on the power, while Audi maintains focus on luxury with a hint of sport (on non S and RS models).

Sure, they are catching up, but simply put, they aren't BMW. Not even close.

 

[Milliethemutt]

So, are they making a 335i sedan as well? I'll need to keep my eye on those in about 6 years.

If they do a Touring I'll join you about the same time. Save me worrying about how to finance a supercharger for my 330. And convince the wife.

 

[Duke]

Remeber Duke, If I'm not mistaken there was one at the AutoX we went to a few weeks back.

There was a silver 335i coupe with a red interior, but I thought the E90 sedan was 'only' a 330i.

 

[Omnis]

Well, I've yet to see a 335i Sedan.

 

[///M-Spec]

The E92 is dissaponting to me looks and drive wise. It hasnt really moved on the game from the E46 and it doesnt exude the same presence as the E46 did.

Drive wise? Which E92 have you driven?

As an E46 owner, I have to say the E90/E92 is far superior to the E46 on many, many fronts.

The steering is better, for one. Turn-in response is notably superior to the E46. Credit the double pivot front suspension, a major leap over the E21/E30/E36/E46 MacPherson strut. Also credit the 5 link rear.

The engines choices are all far better. The N5x family is a big upgrade from the M5x family; just like the M5x was a huge upgrade over the M2x. The list goes on and on. While there are one or two things the E46 does better (and you can really argue about these two), the E9x is simply a better car overall.

I think MB and audi together will knock the 3er off its throne, regardless of how good this engine is. People only seem to be buyin the E92 because of the badge, and lack of compeition (clk is now old, audi has no competitor for it)

Erm. G35 Coupe. The best thing to happen to BMW in years. Anyways, people are lining up to buy the E92 because it is simply a good car.

Its still good, but because the E46 was so great its a disapointment.

Everytime a new 3-series comes out, I hear the same old, same old...

Re: E46 "It's still good, but because the E36 was so great, its a disappointment."

Re: E36 "It's still good, but because the E30 was so great, its a disappointment."

Re: E30 "It's still good, but because the 2002 was so great, its a disappointment."

It's funny how the more things change, the more people stay the same.

Well, I've yet to see a 335i Sedan.

Here you go. I was picking up my car from the service dept. today and they happened to have one in the showroom:

Here's a gratuitous M6 pic too.

M

 

[Wolfe]

+1 on all counts, ///M-Spec. Although I'll always enjoy the older models more, it sometimes seems like I'm one of the few BMW fans who has anything good to say about the latest models.

I must admit, though, that I didn't know about the double-pivot front suspension on the new cars. A google search turned up nothing -- would you mind explaining how it differs from the MacPherson strut?

Oh, and I just have to point this out:

Everytime a new 3-series comes out, I hear the same old, same old...

Re: E46 "It's still good, but because the E36 was so great, its a disappointment."

Re: E36 "It's still good, but because the E30 was so great, its a disappointment."

Re: E30 "It's still good, but because the 2002 was so great, its a disappointment."

It's funny how the more things change, the more people stay the same.

It's funny how no matter how knowledgeable a BMW fan is, they always manage to forget about the poor ol' E21.

 

[Omnis]

Whoops, M-Spec. I meant to say that I haven't seen one in person.

I wish BMW would do their sedan lights like this straight out of the factory:

 

[Poverty]

that is striaght out of the factory I think. You have a selection of rear cluster combinations to choose from.

 

[Omnis]

I wasn't aware of that. I don't know if you can do that in the states.

 

[Keef]

All I know is that that wagon is gorgeous. One of the best B-dubs I've ever seen, especially with the BBSs and lights.

 

[///M-Spec]

I must admit, though, that I didn't know about the double-pivot front suspension on the new cars. A google search turned up nothing -- would you mind explaining how it differs from the MacPherson strut?

It's an evolution of the traditional MacPerson strut in it that it has two lower control arms, a fore and trailing arm, instead of just one. It's a bit more sophisticated and allows for more precise control over articulation than with just the single setup. It's not good as the classic race car upper and lower A arms, but it is a big step forward for the 3.

It has actually been around for a long time in the 5s and 7s, but have just now filtered its way down.

I've driven several E90s and E92s and they all have razor sharp steering. Turn-in on those cars are near instantaneous.. makes even my E46 330i ZHP feel a bit slow.

But you know, the oil in BMW's ointment is the run flat tires and my major complaint with the E90 generation. They are heavy. They are incredibly stiff and uncompliant. And they don't communicate as well as a high performance radial. An E92 with a set of ADVANs, RE050s or PS2s on it would be on par with an M3 for sharpness, IMO.

Oh, and I just have to point this out:

It's funny how no matter how knowledgeable a BMW fan is, they always manage to forget about the poor ol' E21.

You know, I was wondering if some eagle eyed person would spot that. I actually wrote the sentance "..but because the E21 was so good..." and suddenly realized that pretty much no one would actually say the E21 was superior to the E30 in anyway shape or form So I just went straight to the '02.


M