Morego BMW 335i review - price, specs and 0-60 time
A BMW 335i that thinks it's an M3: meet the Morego 3-series performance car
The Morego BMW 335i is a 335i that’s as fast as an M3, thanks to a few well judged tweaks of the twin turbocharged 3.0-litre engine.
Engine and performance
Morego’s aim wasn’t to get extreme outputs from the 335i, but rather to subtly enhance it, retaining driveability but thickening up the mid-range oomph. There’s a choice of three packages: stage one is a simple ECU tweak; £695 for 366bhp. The stage two car we drove benefits from a high flow exhaust to add another 16bhp, while £2695 buys 407bhp thanks to an uprated intercooler and air intake.
What’s it like to drive?
It’s not an M3 beater in terms of dynamics – the 335i dances to a different tune. As an everyday package it takes some beating, delivering accessible, any-condition acceleration, and plenty of it – enough to keep any super saloon you care to mention honest up to three figures. In the process one or two deficiencies are highlighted. The lack of a slippy diff is now very noticeable at roundabout speeds and the automatic tends to hunt in the low gears, changing down when it could happily use the torque. But I love the fact that each turbo now has a more defined workload, the handover from one turbo to the other more detectable in the gathering burst of acceleration that arrives at 1600rpm and then kicks hard at 4000rpm. It’s so well suited to a chassis that is agile enough to entertain without constantly battering you.
Rivals
In a straight line against the M3 DCT, the automatic 335i was faster to 60mph (4.6secs vs 4.7 secs) and only half a second adrift at 100mph, which it reached in 10.8secs. And with 109lb ft more torque than the M3, it produced quicker in-gear times. This is major league performance.
Anything else I need to know?
A couple of things spring to mind. I reckon these upgrades would be better suited to a manual than the six-speed self-shifter we drove. And secondly, be aware that upgrading your 335i could cause problems with your warranty and insurance company. Of course, it’s up to you whether you tell them or not.
Specifications
| Engine | 2979cc, in-line 6-cyl, twin-turbo |
| Max power | 382bhp @ 6080rpm |
| Max torque | 404lb ft @ 3220rpm |
| 0-60 | 4.6sec |
| Top speed | 155mph |
| On sale | Now (www.morego.co.uk) |
