Caught Our Attention! BMW 335is, Audi S8, Audi S4, and more!

I thought it might be fun to do a roundup of a few cars that caught my attention recently. Starting out is this slick Le Mans Blue 335is. In 2011, BMW reintroduced the “is” moniker to the top-notch 335 2-door. The new 335is differed from the regular production run in many ways. Replacing the N55 motor was the trusty N54, just like in the 1M. BMW remapped the engine to deliver 320 horsepower and 332 lb.ft of torque channeled through a short-shift 6-speed gearbox or you could opt for the dual-clutch DCT 7-speed from the M3 for repeatable 5.0 second runs to 60. Because it was turbocharged, you also have a 7-second overboost function that gives you another 40 lb.ft in passing situations (or, to show off). The 335is helped to mitigate this additional power with a revised cooling system and heavier-duty motor mounts. The additional cooling meant no fog lights for the coupe, though oddly they could be had on the convertible 335is. Typical M adornments outside meant revised front and rear bumper covers, and the 335is wore unique Style 313 forged wheels measuring a substantial 19×8 in front and 19×9 out back.

Fully loaded, this one looks pretty outrageous in Superman-spec colors, but you’ll definitely also feel pretty special.

Audi celebrated their 25 years of Quattro by giving the United States (Sorry Canada, the bumpers didn’t meet Canadian low-speed crash test standards) a special delivery of 250 B7 S4 special “25quattro” editions. All painted in a typically German Avus Silver color, these cars got DTM inspired front and rear bumpers that wear non-functional brake ducting and finished off with an aero-style lower rear valance (with a red tow hook hiding below it) and a carbon-fiber trunk spoiler with matching front splitter. The wheels are again DTM inspired with a 15 spoke design pattered after OZ Racing but ironically made by long-time Audi supplier Ronal. On the inside, your typical full Recaro setup is there with two-tone seats in jet-gray as well as some carbon fiber trim and ‘1 of 250’ shift knob. All said and done, Audi gave it’s fans a nice cosmetic package to different from the rest of the B7 S4s. Unfortunately, the 25quattro received no performance upgrades outside of some different exhaust tips to give you a slightly more aggressive sound, but the car did receive the revised more rearward biased drive system also found in the RS4. Being only 1 of 250, this 2006 Audi S4 25quattro is neat to see anytime.

I really like the seats in these, replete with their “quattro”-logo debossing. Slick!

The Volkswagen Phaeton has been, since introduction, quite an intriguing car. Generally passed off by those out of the know as a rebadged A8, every time I see one I’m blown away that Volkswagen pulled the project off. Despite what the American enthusiasts think, the exclusive executive sedan has been very popular in Europe and specifically Germany – where it’s much more in vogue to fly a little lower on the radar. Fly low the Phaeteon does; for many, at first glance it doesn’t look much different than the B5.5 Passat, and many of the styling cues were incorporated into the B6 Passat sedan. Couple that with a general resemblance to the D2 Audi A8, and not many notice this serene Volkswagen shuttling its passengers in near silence. I say near silence, since the only noise you hear inside is the slightly slower beating of your heart and heavy breaths as you soak in the luxury. They’re disturbingly quiet inside, thanks in no small part to extra thick glass and soundproofing. Every conceivable option available in the Volkswagen catalog was thrown at these cars, including the top-spec W12 motor. Shared with the Audi A8, Bentley Continental GT and Flying Spur, the W12 is a monster of power – easily capable of propelling the very important people riding along with you quite close to 200 m.p.h. when deregulated. This is especially shocking given the Phaeteon’s weight – a staggering 500 lbs heavier than the Audi A8 you’d presume was the same car, the Volkswagen was simply in another weight class and quite different than the D2/3 chassis. Yet, despite the exotic Bentley stablemates that share many components and the D1 platform, today you can pick up one of these expensive cars that were a bit of a sales flop at a substantial discount.

These cars really are stately. This Dark Aquamarine-Grey Metallic 2004 has the less-scary-to-contemplate 4.2 V8 under the hood, too.

So I still want an S8? You better believe it. In an age when increasingly the offerings from the competition were unattractive and overly complicated, the S8 was to me the last of the great original quattros. It was an analog offering in a digital age; simple, blunt force from a 360 horsepower V8 in front driving all the wheels with a luxurious driver-oriented cockpit. Sure, there were plenty of computers. Probably there are too many. But compared to the new luxo-suites? The D2 seems downright cart-like. And the proportions of the car were just perfect; lowered, menacing stance, huge yet delicate-appearing wheels, just the right amount of bling, yet an understated car which easily fades into the background. So even though I’m still probably a long way from ownership, I often find myself dreaming about being behind the wheel of one.

What a great-looking sedan! This 2001 model has some light mods; later-model wheels, coilover suspension, and the extra bonus – European xenon headlights. Super cool! It also has the optional Alcantara upholstery.

Speaking of cars I really want…I’m stuck on this R129. I really like the early two-tone cars, and this Diamond Blue Metallic 1990 has Royal Blue leather to boot. I think I’m in love!

A tourist-delivery car, it appears largely stock and in good condition. I know the adage about buying a car from Florida, but I just keep coming back to this one. I guess it’s good I don’t have more garage space?

-Carter