Having won engine of the year last year, there is no denying the prowess of the BMW 335i twin turbo engine, and although it's slower than the RS6 and E39 M5 I have owned previously, remarkably I haven't yet felt the need to get it upgraded.

This time around my focus has instead been handling modifications, starting with AP racing brakes, but then most recently by fitting a Quaife LSD.

Unfortunately with all of that torque and rwd, the car was prone to throwing away lots of its acceleration through spinning up the inside rear wheel.

My assertion on originally buying the car was that the lack of LSD in the 335i was less about cost and more about BMW keeping a sizeable distance between 335i and M3 in spec and performance, and that was proven on track at the Evo mag day at bedford on Friday where I was able to pretty much keep pace with the new M3.

The diff has totally transformed the car, not only allowing dramatically increased acceleration from tight corners, but also enabling some rear-wheel steer through careful throttle application, practically killing what little understeer the car has on the M-sport suspension.

This car is now something of a do-it-all sleeper, something which I have been looking for for many years, as some of you will know!!!!

That said, I can't help myself and so I'm currently looking at adding a little pep by way of remap, with 360 safely and easily achieveable.

I've also finally killed the hateful runflat tyres and considering some toyo 888's for the summer months. Anyone tried these on the road?

Some pics from the weekend:

 

How much did the LSD conversion cost you, if you don't mind me being nosey?

 

One thing I know is that you can't have enough LSD

 

I've heard a couple of conflicting reports, so thought I'd ask:

Does the 335i have sequential turbos? I know the 335d does, and thought the 335i did as well, but have since been told not.

 

Understated, classy and practical. As you say I've read that BMW don't fit the LSD as not to tread on the toes of the M3. Is yours the lower or higher output car? I believe BMW upped the power some time after launch. If I had that car it would be off to DMS for a remap in the near future, no doubt about it

I fancy a 335xi myself, no LSD required.

 

Didn't realise you could get them with 4wd, hmmm

 

Can't remember exactly but I was lucky as mine had a bolted diff case, later ones are sealed and need to be machined open. I think it was around £1250. Not cheap, but if it was an option on a new car I would check the box at twice that price so in my twisted brain it's a bargain

 

Definitely not sequential.

 

Was looking back at old Evo's last night and found their review of the Hartge-tuned 335i. 360bhp and around 330lb/ft (at something silly like 1600 rpm) and best of all....they gave it a 5-star rating.

It also had the diff and AP's like mine, but on 20inch rims which just isn't my cup of tea.

Birds BMW did my diff and brakes and they also do the Hartge conversion so might have to give them a call this afternoon!!!

 

Just had a VERY interesting phone call....

Looks like things have moved on a bit and 360bhp was only the tip of the iceberg. Just waiting for more info....including cost

 

Only in left hand drive.

Good call on the 20 inch rims EDcase, can't see the point in lessening useability for the sake of cr@p bling myself.

 

Crying out for some 318i badges, especially once remapped.

 

I like the idea but a gentleman doesn't mislead merely debadge.......

 

It's going to be a hell of a car with e39 m5-level of grunt!

LOL@ the 318i idea. One of the guys off the m5 forum did that on his e39 m5, in fact his letter was printed in the new evo mag.

Most people nowadays know that a twin exhaust usually means business but no doubt you'd catch a few people out!!!

As NACRO says though, best to just keep them guessing altogether

 

Looks like the N54 is becoming a 2JZ for the new generation - I'd imagine there's plenty that can be done!

 

Dinan BMW - New for the 335i!

Look at the torque figure

 

Nah, most just read the badge and think higher = better.

 

I did a track day earlier this month and my scoob is running about 350bhp. I was going okay and a guy with a 1200 kawsaki engined caterham type car said he could not catch me on the bends or the straights so I was shifting However, there was a 335i coupe there and he reeled me in on the straights so I let him past and tucked in behind to see what he was like through the corners. It went very well through the corners and looked to brake okay too. The back tailpipes look like the exhaust had been upgraded. The way he reeled me in I think he must have at least 400bhp/400ft lbs. Very impressive car!

 

Did it have quad pipes instead of twin? If so definitely upgraded!

Biggest problem now is going to be getting traction out of bends even with the diff! It's already quite tailhappy especially in the damp. I may try sticking the toyo 888's on and see how they go.

 

Don't think so, IIRC two huge really shiny rolled end pipes, must have been 3" in diameter.

WRT traction I let him past and tucked in behind to follow and press him through a series of high speed bends (jim clark esses I think they are called) and you put your foot down if you have the ***** to do so and this thing had no problems through there. I have pressed other BMW's through there before and watched them start to tank slap like a motorbike