For the first time on a BMW 3 Series in the US, the 7-speed Double Clutch Transmission (DCT) with Launch Control will be available as an option, in place of the standard 6-speed manual transmission. Equipped with the DCT, the 335is Coupe is capable of 0-60mph acceleration in 5 seconds flat.

Performance

The 335is has additional radiator, oil and a larger cooling fan compared to the standard 335i or 335i with M kit. “An additional radiator has been added behind the left-side front air intake, along with a more powerful electric cooling fan. An oil cooler is fitted opposite the second radiator, on the right side.”

Unlike the regular-grade 2011 335i, the 335is sticks with the older twin-turbo engine for the simple reason that BMW engineers had more experience tuning it. This same engine can also be found in the Z4 sDrive35is that was introduced at this month’s Detroit auto show.

320 hp
2011 BMW 335is/Horsepower

The only exterior differences for the 335is model are black painted grille inserts and mirror caps. The six-speed manual comes standard with the 335is, and the seven-speed DCT is optional. Another difference between 335i and 335is is that the suspension feels more tightly tuned in the latter.

The 335is isn’t exactly rare when you can find them scattered across Craigslist and other car buying platforms.

It’s available with either rear- or all-wheel drive and makes a modest 180 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. The quickest of the lot is the BMW 335i, powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 that makes 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque.

335is in a vert! Defiantly worth the extra 4k for the DCT, rims, grill, performance exhaust, different body kit & HP get it! For me, it’s only worth it if you’re getting DCT. Absolutely worth it and I have the manual.

The 335is is more of a slightly tuned-up version of the standard 335i. But a slightly hotter 335i is just fine with us. To us, the 335is did not feel much more powerful than the 335i, and BMW’s own numbers bear this out. BMW’s testing puts the 335i Coupe with a manual transmission at 5.3 seconds to 60 mph.

They are quite rare, only ~715 ever made in 6MT. Ever.

The 335is uses a higher performance version of the N54 engine, which increases boost from 8.7 to 11.6 psi (0.6 to 0.8 bar). This results in 239 kW (320 bhp) and 450 N⋅m (332 lb⋅ft) of torque, plus an overboost function raises torque to 370 lb⋅ft (502 N⋅m) for up to 7 seconds.

To make the 335is a track-worthy vehicle, BMW upgrades the cooling system with an additional radiator and beefs up the engine mounts. Inside are standard sport seats, steel pedals, an M Sport steering wheel, and textured aluminum trim. Between the seats sits the familiar six-speed manual, but it’s modified here to have shorter throws.

At the track, the 335is backs up its power claims, proving to be the quickest 335 ever. It snaps off a quarter-mile in 13.3 seconds at 108 mph. While the car comes with launch control, we made it run quicker by just mashing the gas pedal from a standstill. Understeer-free skidpad grip is near the top for 3-series cars, too, at 0.93 g.

To fill the gap in the 3-series lineup between the 300-hp 335i and 414-hp M3, BMW is introducing the 2011 335is coupe and convertible.