The BMW 335is was a special-performance version of the E90-generation 3 Series Coupé and Convertible, created for the North American market and introduced for the 2011 model year. BMW positioned it as an “s” model in the tradition of earlier enthusiast-focused BMW variants, sitting above the regular 335i and below the M3 in the lineup. It was offered in two body styles, as a Coupé and as a Convertible, and was aimed at buyers who wanted a sharper, more exclusive 3 Series without moving all the way to full M-car territory.
What made the 335is stand out was its emphasis on character and hardware rather than a new body shell. BMW paired it with a specially tuned version of the brand’s twin-turbo inline-six and gave it distinctive performance-oriented equipment, including an available dual-clutch transmission with launch control. The car also received model-specific exterior and interior details that separated it from standard 3 Series variants, reinforcing its limited-edition, enthusiast-focused identity.
The 335is arrived late in the lifecycle of the E92/E93 3 Series Coupé and Convertible, after those cars had already been updated for the 2011 model year. That timing helped make it feel like a farewell special: a final, more aggressive sendoff for the classic 3 Series two-door range before BMW moved to the next generation and later replaced the Coupe and Convertible with the 4 Series. In North America, the 335is is remembered as one of the most desirable non-M performance 3 Series variants of its era, especially because it combined everyday 3 Series usability with several M-inspired touches and a more focused personality.