SA Road Tests

Welcome

This is the home of automobile road tests in South Africa. We drive South African cars, SUVs and LCVs under South African conditions. It also just happens that most of the vehicles we drive are world cars as well, so what you read here probably applies to the models you can get at home.

*To read one of our road tests, just select from the menu on the left.

*Please remember too, that prices quoted were those ruling on the days I wrote the reports.

Mini test: We assess the grin factor in the 2011 BMW 335i coupé

Almost scary for the uninitiated

Published in The Witness Motoring on Wednesday January 5, 2011

The body:  It's hard to see differences unless you look closely. The grille has been reshaped slightly, daytime running lights are now white rather than yellow, bonnet, side sills and front and rear airdams have been remodelled, rear light clusters revamped and overhangs increased - by 29 mm in front and 3 mm at the back. The overall impression is of greater length and a more athletic profile.

The engine is basically the same, but a TwinScroll unit has replaced the familiar twin turbochargers. There are separate ducts for each set of three cylinders, both in the exhaust manifold and in the turbocharger itself. Power and torque numbers are as before: 225 kW at    5 800 rpm and 400 Nm at 1 200 rpm. BMW says the benefit to you is a five percent improvement in fuel economy.

The test car arrived with the Exclusive package giving you Comfort Access (daytime driving lights, dynamic brake lights, dynamic stability control (DSC), electronic vehicle immobiliser and emergency tool kit), an electrically operated glass sunroof, high beam assist, anti-dazzle mirrors, park distance control in front (it's already fitted to the rear) and voice control. It also had the familiar seven-speed twin clutch gearbox that replaced the six-speed automatic in 2008.

The experience: It's a coupé, so there are only two doors, but access to the "individual" back seats is good thanks to front seats that glide forward at the touch of a button. Legroom is fair for the long-legged, courtesy of cutouts in the backs of the front seats, but headroom is marginal because of the sunroof. The boot is big at 296 dm³ expanding to 856 dm³ when the seat backs are folded. Gear changes with the twin clutch gearbox are so smooth as to be almost imperceptible. Only the digital readout gives the game away. That, or you could leave a window open to revel in the rising and falling animal snarl as you floor the throttle and leave the thinking to the 'box - it's generally smarter and quicker than you will ever be.

It feels firm and solid and the steering is very direct, almost heavy - not for sissies. Throttle response in practically any gear and from practically any speed is electrifying, almost scary for the uninitiated. Get used to it. Savour it. Keep it to yourself.

The numbers:

Price: R678 066 including CO₂ tax

Engine: 2 979 cc inline six cylinder

Power: 225 kW at 5 800 rpm

Torque: 400 Nm at 1 200 - 5 000 rpm

Zero to 100 km/h: 5,7 seconds

Maximum speed: 250 km/h (governed)

Fuel index: 11,4 l/100 km (about 14,0 l/100 in real life driving)

Tank: 63 litres

Service and maintenance: 5 year/100 000 km Motorplan

What We Do

This is a one-man show, which means that road test cars entrusted to me are driven only by me. Some reviewers hand test cars over to their partners to use as day-to-day transport and barely experience them for themselves.

What this means to you is that every car reviewed is given my own personal evaluation and receives my own seat of the pants judgement - no second hand input here.

Every car goes through real world testing; on city streets littered with potholes, speed bumps and rumble strips, on freeways and if its profile demands, dirt roads as well.

I am based in Pietermaritzburg, KZN, South Africa. This is the central hub of the KZN Midlands farming community; the place farmers go to to buy their supplies and equipment, truck their goods to market, send their kids to school and go to kick back and relax. 

So occasionally a cow, a goat or a horse may add a little local colour by finding its way into the story or one of the pictures. It's all part of the ambience!

Comments?

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