For our half-day in and around San Francisco, BMW supplied the media with a small fleet of 335i Coupe models, some equipped with the standard manual transmission and some with the optional automatic – we drove and are able to report on both.

Those unfamiliar with BMWs might find themselves suffering from sensory overload when first encountering the 335i Coupe. From the solid “thunk” upon closing the large door, the sound of the twin-turbocharged six firing, the textured leather on the steering wheel and door panels, the hum of the electric motor extending the B-pillar mounted seatbelt forward, to the sight of the precise interior design and construction, there’s much to process, comprehend, and simply enjoy before a tire starts to roll. But this is the Ultimate Driving Machine, and though one could spend hours indulging the senses without moving, we trekked to San Fran to experience this two-door in motion.

Along rough city streets en route to Highway 101, we got our first taste of the redesigned 3 Series Coupe’s stiff suspension, due in part to the standard run-flat tires. It’s so stiff that you might look for a button to set the ride to Comfort, but you won’t find one. The body is equally rigid, and despite being jostled around and nailing some gnarly potholes, the 335i remained free of squeaks and rattles. Also noticed – and not overwhelmingly appreciated – during the city drive were small side mirrors that limited visibility, though expansive side glass offset this somewhat, and the rearward B-pillar allowed for clear over-the-shoulder views.

Regardless of whether creeping along in the city or cruising Autobahn style along highway 101, the 335i’s steering usually felt heavy. All drivers should appreciate the constant road feel, but even the enthusiast might tire of the low assist at slow speeds, while at high speeds the wheel exhibits just a hint of side-to-side play. Braking, on the other hand, is completely consistent, inspiring utmost confidence. Pedal feel is well modulated, though without the generous travel exhibited by other vehicles, they can seem grabby at first. The suspension and tire setup provide similar grip. Body roll is non-existent, the 18-inch high-performance rubber hardly makes a peep even when pushed, and imminent understeer can be easily corrected with just a touch of extra steering effort. However, with the standard run-flats and sport suspension, bumps and potholes make the 3 Series Coupe feel as though it’s the target of an RPG.

And then there’s the 300-horsepower, twin-turbocharged, six-cylinder engine that makes items like brakes and steering seem secondary. It may be a boosted engine, but those hunting for lag need to seek it elsewhere. Slight pressure on the accelerator is more than enough for quick scoots through traffic and just a hair more gets you up to merging speed…quickly. After all, this is a ride that reaches 60 mph in a little over five seconds. Hammer down with that brick you call a right foot and the 335i will literally jostle your upper vertebrae, again, with lag being utterly absent from the equation. Fast? Yeah, it’s fast, and that’s with the automatic transmission. BMW promised that the shift points would be immediate, and indeed they were, regardless of whether in regular mode or in sport mode using the paddle shifters or clicking the shifter forward for a downshift or rearward for an upshift (the alloy shift paddles are pushed for a downshift and an accompanying blip of the throttle, pulled for an upshift). The return drive to San Fran featured a 335i with the six-speed manual, which was, quite surprisingly, a bit of a disappointment. Clutch pedal feel was dead on, but the throws felt a bit long and the engagement was notchy, leading to the blasphemous suggestion that the automatic might actually be preferable. There were other reviewers in attendance, however, who found the manual gearbox to be sublime, so to each his own. Mileage in the automatic 335i hovered around 21 mpg, while wringing out the manual version lead to a less-than-stellar 17.5 mpg.