Of course we at Driving Fans get to test all of the latest and greatest, but there’s nothing like living with an amazing car to get a true sense of what it’s like. We’ve decided to take a more in-depth look at the BMW 335i, the stalwart (and arguably, king) of the sports-sedan segment. Twelve months with BMW’s most popular sedan should be enough to give us an idea of what makes it the benchmark for sports sedans everywhere.
To make sure we got just the 335i we wanted, Driving Fans used BMW’s online vehicle configurator to build it. Most manufactures offer some form of build-your-car-online system; it’s a part of Internet car shopping these days. BMW’s system will walk you through the various 3-Series models, each trim level, and the optional equipment. By selecting options and building a virtual car online, it’s easier for buyers to find the car they want. A three-dimensional view of the car in the color that is selected is available. Most websites will let you print out “your” car, as well as give a ballpark price, so it’s simple to go to the dealership afterward and show them exactly what you’re looking for.
So what was Driving Fans looking for? When all was said and done, Driving Fans’s BMW 335i was painted Alpine White, with a black Dakota leather interior and Dark Burl walnut wood trim. The car had the Driver Assistance Package, the Premium Package and the Technology Package. These option groups add a lot of luxury and driver-aid features to the car, including a backup camera, blind spot detection, lane departure warning and satellite radio. The Technology package adds the BMW Apps infotainment system, a navigation system, online integration services and a head-up display. The online system even let us pick an accessory iPhone snap-in adaptor. As built online, the MSRP of Driving Fans’s long-term car is $58,700.
