335d/435d or 535d
Discussion
I have noticed that a few people who have been in the market for a 335d have ignored the 535d and gone for the 640d. I am aware that there have been some great deals on the 6 series, however there are also some quite good deals on the 535d.
Is the general feeling that the 535d is not as good as the 335/435d and does not have the prestige of the 6 series, or is it just that the model is nearing the end of its life.
If space is not an issue would you choose the 535d over a 335d/435d if prices were similar and if so why?
Is the general feeling that the 535d is not as good as the 335/435d and does not have the prestige of the 6 series, or is it just that the model is nearing the end of its life.
If space is not an issue would you choose the 535d over a 335d/435d if prices were similar and if so why?
The performance of all the variants is excellent, and is not really the deciding factor.
335d/435d: cramped, lowest quality materials, unrefined, a bit bouncy, cheapest.
535d: Roomy, much better quality materials, refined, plenty of suspension options, more expensive.
640d: Not quite so roomy, slightly better quality materials/interior than 535d, looks better, very refined, plenty of suspension options, most pricey.
I use my 535d as a 1 person, no luggage car and chose it over the 335d because of: refinement, interior quality, ride (adaptive drive), not cramped.
335d/435d: cramped, lowest quality materials, unrefined, a bit bouncy, cheapest.
535d: Roomy, much better quality materials, refined, plenty of suspension options, more expensive.
640d: Not quite so roomy, slightly better quality materials/interior than 535d, looks better, very refined, plenty of suspension options, most pricey.
I use my 535d as a 1 person, no luggage car and chose it over the 335d because of: refinement, interior quality, ride (adaptive drive), not cramped.
Edited by apotts on Tuesday 10th February 11:03
I would think most would be happy with either variant because they are all nice cars, we went with the 640d because for some reason we have always liked the 6 series and it has a really nice interior and its to my eyes nice to look at for a BMW as well.
A friend of mine has a 435d and I really like that too and my old 520d was a lovely car to drive so I would be well happy in a 535d for sure, I think they are all lovely motors so just go with the one you like the best I reckon.
I would imagine the 335d being far more enjoyable to drive when compared to the 640d because the 640d is a little bit like a boat at times to drive and you do really feel its weight under braking and the lighter more nimble 335d would be better I think.
A friend of mine has a 435d and I really like that too and my old 520d was a lovely car to drive so I would be well happy in a 535d for sure, I think they are all lovely motors so just go with the one you like the best I reckon.
I would imagine the 335d being far more enjoyable to drive when compared to the 640d because the 640d is a little bit like a boat at times to drive and you do really feel its weight under braking and the lighter more nimble 335d would be better I think.
There is no doubt that the 535d has a nicer interior than the 335d, along with a better ride and sound insulation. From my perspective (as a former F10 owner) if I was forced to spend lots of time on the motorway I would have bought a 535d (or possibly 730d/740d if almost all motorway).
That said the 535d is a very late stage model which finishes production in just over a year so if buying now it will become the old model pretty quickly.
The reason that I switched to a 335d was all about having a fun car for winding country roads, where I spend 90% of the time. Having replaced the springs with AC Schnitzer ones, it is really quite capable and feels so much nimbler than a 5, and a fair bit faster too.
As a run out model, you can probably get greater discounts from the 535d.
That said the 535d is a very late stage model which finishes production in just over a year so if buying now it will become the old model pretty quickly.
The reason that I switched to a 335d was all about having a fun car for winding country roads, where I spend 90% of the time. Having replaced the springs with AC Schnitzer ones, it is really quite capable and feels so much nimbler than a 5, and a fair bit faster too.
As a run out model, you can probably get greater discounts from the 535d.
335d said:
There is no doubt that the 535d has a nicer interior than the 335d, along with a better ride and sound insulation. From my perspective (as a former F10 owner) if I was forced to spend lots of time on the motorway I would have bought a 535d (or possibly 730d/740d if almost all motorway).
That said the 535d is a very late stage model which finishes production in just over a year so if buying now it will become the old model pretty quickly.
The reason that I switched to a 335d was all about having a fun car for winding country roads, where I spend 90% of the time. Having replaced the springs with AC Schnitzer ones, it is really quite capable and feels so much nimbler than a 5, and a fair bit faster too.
As a run out model, you can probably get greater discounts from the 535d.
I managed £12k off a £54k list car.That said the 535d is a very late stage model which finishes production in just over a year so if buying now it will become the old model pretty quickly.
The reason that I switched to a 335d was all about having a fun car for winding country roads, where I spend 90% of the time. Having replaced the springs with AC Schnitzer ones, it is really quite capable and feels so much nimbler than a 5, and a fair bit faster too.
As a run out model, you can probably get greater discounts from the 535d.
I have yet to drive a non-M BMW that is any good on a country road. I find them all to be slightly numb, electric steering barges. Even the M cars I have driven I have not liked - mostly because they are not nearly as good as a proper sports car, but just as compromised.
The x35d cars do make good barges though, if that's what you want. It's what I wanted - 165 miles of motorway per commute. If I wanted fun on smaller roads, and I did many fewer miles, it would have to be a low spec Cayman.
The x35d cars do make good barges though, if that's what you want. It's what I wanted - 165 miles of motorway per commute. If I wanted fun on smaller roads, and I did many fewer miles, it would have to be a low spec Cayman.
apotts said:
I have yet to drive a non-M BMW that is any good on a country road. I find them all to be slightly numb, electric steering barges. Even the M cars I have driven I have not liked - mostly because they are not nearly as good as a proper sports car, but just as compromised.
The x35d cars do make good barges though, if that's what you want. It's what I wanted - 165 miles of motorway per commute. If I wanted fun on smaller roads, and I did many fewer miles, it would have to be a low spec Cayman.
I think thats unnecessarily harsh, and probably down to a personal taste. For example I hate porsche because they're all pretty bland to drive with no sense of occasion. I nearly fell asleep driving a cayman round silverstone because it couldn't actually build up enough speed along three of the straights to make the corner a challenge. Even a cayman S is a bit underpowered.The x35d cars do make good barges though, if that's what you want. It's what I wanted - 165 miles of motorway per commute. If I wanted fun on smaller roads, and I did many fewer miles, it would have to be a low spec Cayman.
I think I'd prefer an 335xd over a cayman for most of what I do, and I only have a relatively small commute.
julian64 said:
I think thats unnecessarily harsh, and probably down to a personal taste. For example I hate porsche because they're all pretty bland to drive with no sense of occasion. I nearly fell asleep driving a cayman round silverstone because it couldn't actually build up enough speed along three of the straights to make the corner a challenge. Even a cayman S is a bit underpowered.
I think I'd prefer an 335xd over a cayman for most of what I do, and I only have a relatively small commute.
Harsh maybe, personal taste almost certainly (this is PH you know!), but a turbocharged diesel saloon car vs a NA petrol sports car? When I drive a Porsche (I have owned a few) I think woohoo - let's go and have some fun. When I drive a diesel saloon car, I think about work, what jobs I have to do at home, that kind of thing.I think I'd prefer an 335xd over a cayman for most of what I do, and I only have a relatively small commute.
I am surprised you found the performance on the Cayman lacking. I find them to be quite quick, and in an entirely different league when above 8/10ths.
http://fastestlaps.com/comparisons/porsche_cayman_...
Mattt said:
I went for the 335d as I expected it to be more nimble than the equivalent 5 or 6 - plus I would look a bit odd in either of those being the right side of 30.
Nooo! When young, go mental! When I was 28 I was in a new 968CS and I did more than 50,000 miles in it. Only when an old fart should you have to give in and drive a sofa... 
Mattt said:
I went for the 335d as I expected it to be more nimble than the equivalent 5 or 6 - plus I would look a bit odd in either of those being the right side of 30.
I've had a number of top end 3ers and never got any comments. Several times when I've been away in the 535d the busty eastern european receptionists have commented that I have "nice car".I think they associate a big 5er with gentlemen of dubious employ.
I was in the market for a new 435d and ruled it out because:
1. The deals on the 640d were so good
2. SE suspension only on the 435d
3. 435d didn't look special enough - similar exhausts to the 420d and they look identical except badge
I wouldn't have gone for a 535d mainly because I didn't need all that space and again I like the fact that there isn't a 20d model of the 6 series making it quite rare and unique.
The interior of the 6 is also epic and a large improvement over the 4er and also my last car (C63 Coupe). The 6er is also loaded as stock and hardly needs any extras if you want to be good.
I also really love the shape of the 6er and I think it is the best looking car in the BMW range.
1. The deals on the 640d were so good
2. SE suspension only on the 435d
3. 435d didn't look special enough - similar exhausts to the 420d and they look identical except badge
I wouldn't have gone for a 535d mainly because I didn't need all that space and again I like the fact that there isn't a 20d model of the 6 series making it quite rare and unique.
The interior of the 6 is also epic and a large improvement over the 4er and also my last car (C63 Coupe). The 6er is also loaded as stock and hardly needs any extras if you want to be good.
I also really love the shape of the 6er and I think it is the best looking car in the BMW range.
Depends on where you drive.
I had F11 with massive spec inc adaptive suspension but swapped for high spec F31 as I now do fewer miles and more B road stuff. F31 much better drive on twisty roads - lighter, smaller, faster and nimbler - but F11 King on long journeys / motorways etc.
My other concern is reliability of running gear (only relevant if buying used). My F11 did 75,000 miles and rear air suspension needing replacing (both sides) and bushes and dampers were well past their best (and a fortune to replace). It is a heavy fast car and that takes its toll.
Six very nice inside but ride not as good as adaptive 5 if you run the big alloys on the 6.
I had F11 with massive spec inc adaptive suspension but swapped for high spec F31 as I now do fewer miles and more B road stuff. F31 much better drive on twisty roads - lighter, smaller, faster and nimbler - but F11 King on long journeys / motorways etc.
My other concern is reliability of running gear (only relevant if buying used). My F11 did 75,000 miles and rear air suspension needing replacing (both sides) and bushes and dampers were well past their best (and a fortune to replace). It is a heavy fast car and that takes its toll.
Six very nice inside but ride not as good as adaptive 5 if you run the big alloys on the 6.
Edited by drmark on Tuesday 10th February 22:05
I have the option for a either a 335d/435d/ or 535d. Sadly the 6 is out of my banding otherwise I would have one as love the looks of a Gran Coupe.
I go for the 435d over the 535d. Will be getting a 335d next when the new model comes out.
First, you get xDrive. As it rains for a good half of the year I see it as a benefit.
Second is it's just me so family so space is not important (appreciate not one of your criteria)
Third, drives nicer, simple as that.
Fourth, Melbourne Red, Oyster Leather, Piano interior. Can't be that combination on any other BMW in the whole range IMO.
Fifth, looks better IMO.
That's my reasons. The 5 is very capable and lots of people have them. If refinement and space was important to me rather than how it looks and feels, I'd go for it; that's just not what I'm in the market for.
I go for the 435d over the 535d. Will be getting a 335d next when the new model comes out.
First, you get xDrive. As it rains for a good half of the year I see it as a benefit.
Second is it's just me so family so space is not important (appreciate not one of your criteria)
Third, drives nicer, simple as that.
Fourth, Melbourne Red, Oyster Leather, Piano interior. Can't be that combination on any other BMW in the whole range IMO.
Fifth, looks better IMO.
That's my reasons. The 5 is very capable and lots of people have them. If refinement and space was important to me rather than how it looks and feels, I'd go for it; that's just not what I'm in the market for.
335d said:
There is no doubt that the 535d has a nicer interior than the 335d, along with a better ride and sound insulation. From my perspective (as a former F10 owner) if I was forced to spend lots of time on the motorway I would have bought a 535d (or possibly 730d/740d if almost all motorway).
That said the 535d is a very late stage model which finishes production in just over a year so if buying now it will become the old model pretty quickly.
The reason that I switched to a 335d was all about having a fun car for winding country roads, where I spend 90% of the time. Having replaced the springs with AC Schnitzer ones, it is really quite capable and feels so much nimbler than a 5, and a fair bit faster too.
As a run out model, you can probably get greater discounts from the 535d.
Have seen the AC Schnitzer springs mentioned previously, did you get these fitted through BMW and does it affect any warranty on other parts of the suspension. Does this sit well with adaptive and x drive ? That said the 535d is a very late stage model which finishes production in just over a year so if buying now it will become the old model pretty quickly.
The reason that I switched to a 335d was all about having a fun car for winding country roads, where I spend 90% of the time. Having replaced the springs with AC Schnitzer ones, it is really quite capable and feels so much nimbler than a 5, and a fair bit faster too.
As a run out model, you can probably get greater discounts from the 535d.
Did you also change out the run flats and if so what their did you fit ?
Apologies for all the questions but after running my 330d x drive with adaptive I am still not comfortable with the suspension.
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