Am I the one in the world who is not sure about this engine?
Had a loaner 335xi last weekend and I think I drove it enough (>1000km) to make a judgment. Performancewise, no complaints - that thing flies. Reached 260kph (tacho) remarkably easily.
Drawbacks:
1) engine sound in low rpm is pure horror. This is to the worst aspect of the car. Sounds like a cross between a Volvo 5 cylinder and a diesel.
2) Laziness or hesitation before turbos kick in: I had an automatic which could have make it worse but there is a noticeable lag between 1000 and 2000rpm when the car feels sluggish. After 2000rpm the punch substantially increases which makes it feel like a diesel!! Well I am sure the owners already know this but how on earth this was not picked up by any journalist before? (or at least I haven’t seen it!)
Audi S5 looks like better prospect just because of its burble engine sound! Honestly, I like both BMWs and Audis, may like 335i Coupe more because of its rear wheel drive manners but simply because the crap engine sound that car is not really an option any more.
UPDATE NOTE: news surfaced today that the new RS4 might indeed be using TFSI 3.2 V6 technology which would in my opinion totally blow the RS4 and would make it just a faster BMW 335i. Audi please do not give up on non-supercharged V8s!