BMW introduced the 335i as the higher-performance 3 Series variant during the E9x era, beginning with the 2007 model year. It first appeared in coupe form and quickly expanded to the convertible and sedan, giving BMW a distinctive mid-range performance model positioned below the M3 but above the 328i. The 335i nameplate became especially significant because it marked BMW’s shift to turbocharged six-cylinder performance in the 3 Series, helping define the brand’s modern mainstream performance formula.
Across its run, the 335i was offered in several 3 Series body styles, including sedan, coupe, convertible, wagon in some markets, and later the Gran Turismo. The model carried into the sixth-generation F30/F31 3 Series as well, continuing as BMW’s six-cylinder turbocharged choice before the company changed its naming strategy. In 2015, BMW announced the new 340i for the updated 3 Series, explicitly replacing the 335i and its previous engine. That made the 335i a single continuous nameplate rather than a revived badge.
Enthusiasts often remember the 335i as one of the key BMW models of the 2000s and early 2010s because it combined everyday usability with strong straight-six character and a tuning-friendly turbocharged layout. It became one of the most recognizable non-M performance BMWs of its era and helped bridge the gap between traditional naturally aspirated BMW sixes and the company’s later turbocharged lineup.