This 335i was running on 17" wheels, M3 and C55 has 18" and 19" wheels.
The 335i with either 18 or 19" wheels would improve the laptime.
The 335i has some serious potential to be even faster around the tracks

I don't really see how bigger wheels will make the car go faster. I thought smaller was better.

But that brings another point. If it had 17" rims, does that mean that it didn't have the sport pack? In the US anyway, the 335i with sport pack comes with 18".

More grip/traction.
However smaller tires can mean better drag coeficient = better top speed & maybe straight line acceleration.

if the 335i had the limited slip differential, LSD, as a M3 E46, I bet the laptime around Nordschleife would be better than the M3.

no sportpackage on this car...

Superb performance numbers from this 335i. BMW has taken the compact sport sedan category and taken it to another level with this latest non-M 3 series. Bravo!!!

What will MB and Audi's response be? For the next few years, I predict that the 335i will go unchallenged until the next generation of engines become available for the W204 C-class and the next generation A4. With the 335i posting numbers like this, there is almost no doubt in my mind that the next V8 M3 will have performance close to (if not supass) the RS4. Anything less would be a letdown.

Just_me, where did you read that the C55 tested by Sport Auto had 19" rims? I was always under the impression that they used a car with stock 18" rims.

Also, those accleration comparisons from 80km/h with the different gears (4/5/6) are a bit misleading when you take into account the C55 has a 5 speed gearbox compared to a 6 speed gearbox in the 335i and M3. In 4th gear, the C55's gear ratio is 1.0, while it is 1.19 in the 335i. In 5th gear, the C55's gear ratio is 0.83, while it is 1.00 in the 335i. If you compare the overdrive 5th gear of the C55 (0.83 ratio) against the overdrive 6th gear of the 335i (0.87 ratio), that gives a better indication of engine pull. In reality, if someone wanted to accelerate as fast as possible from a roll (like 80km/h), there will be a downshift to 2nd or 3rd gear to get maximum accleration. In that situation, the C55 and M3 will still likely win over the 335i......maybe.......

C55 had 18" rims and the M3 19"

you are right but it gives you and idea how well 335i perform. I bet both M3 and C55 owners wont have an easy time if they meet one on the streets. It wont be like a walk in the park

I totally agree with you. And with some mods, the 335i can probably walk over a stock M3 and C55

Larger rims are usually assoicated with wider tires. The wider tires provide more grip in the turns, and can improve handling significantly. In fact, the best "mod" anyone can do to improve handling is to get wider grippier tires.

Larger rims with lower profile tires also aid in handling becuase there is less "flex" given a larger proportion of the wheel is non-flexible material. The price, of course is a more harsh ride.

I'm very impressed that the 335i tested in Sport Auto performed so well with 17" rims, and without BMW's sport package.

Thanks for the explanation. I totally forgot to take into account the fact that the tyres would be wider. I was just thinking wheel diameter by itself.

I'm extremely surprised at how quick this car is. The torque is what does it for this car. As many people have said it before, the new M3 will be leap and bounds ahead of this time...

However Heavier rims can also be detrimental to performance. The increase in unsprung weight is very bad for performance and the heavier rotating weight is worse to an exponential degree than lighter wheels. The car will lose horse power along with worse suspension responce....